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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 talks. Rajapakse rejected Oslo as a venue after Japan, among the countries pledging aid to Sri Lanka, offered to host peace talks. Grenade attack kills soldier, injures wife in Trincomalee Mr. Sunil, a Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldier, was killed, and his wife and brother-in-law were injured when unknown assailants hurled a grenade and opened fire inside the soldier's house located in Sangamam, a suburb located about five km northeast of Trincomalee town along Kandy-Trincomalee highway Tuesday night around 9 p.m, sources in Trincomalee said. The injured are warded in the Trincomalee general hospital, sources said. The soldier's death brought the number of killings in a three day period in Trincomalee to four marking an escalation in violence in the district. A Sinhalese trader Mr. Albert Hendric Weerakody was shot dead on December 24th night. Next day night two three-wheeler drivers Tamils were killed in two separate incidents, police said LTTE
pins hope on India’s regional parties This belief was expressed by the LTTE's ideologue, KV Balakumaran, in an interview to the Voice of Tigers radio last week. The interview, subsequently carried by some Tamil newspapers and websites, was given in the context of the visit of the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to India, a visit which is making pro-LTTE Tamils fear that India may promise military aid to the Sri Lankan government in case war breaks out. Balakumaran said the Tamils of Sri Lanka need not fear India now. Some Tamils were inclined to think that they would not be able to achieve their objectives unless they kowtowed to India, but these people were wrong because their fears were based on an "exaggerated" notion of India's power, he said. "The Indian government is not like what we think. Today, it is not as strong as it was before," he asserted. Recent Indian governments had been made up of many parties and many of these were regional parties, voicing regional sentiments, he pointed out. And throughout the country, regional parties had come to the fore and were giving expression to regional demands, he said. "The central government has had to accommodate these sentiments and demands. And there are also separatist movements in the North East of India with which New Delhi has been conducting talks outside the country, with quiet, foreign mediation," the LTTE ideologue said. "We welcome these developments," he added. Balakumaran said that the government of India would take note of the warning of the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) leader Vaiko, that Tamil Nadu could become a "Kashmir" if New Delhi acted against the interests of the Sri Lankan Tamils. Dependence on support from Indian people, especially Tamils "When we talk of India's support, we mean the support of the Indian people, especially the people of Tamil Nadu," Balakumaran said. There were always people in Tamil Nadu who wanted to support the Sri Lankan Tamil struggle led by the LTTE, but they were suppressed by laws like POTA, he said. "Now that POTA has gone, people are beginning to voice their support for us again," he said. No support separatist forces in India Stating the LTTE's position on India, Balakumaran said that the LTTE would not do anything against India's strategic interests in the region by cultivating forces like China and Japan, which were inimical to it. The LTTE would also not support regional forces in India, which demanded separation from the Indian Union, though it would support regional and ethnic groups, which were fighting for their rights within the Indian union. "We are not enemies of the Indian government. But we want India to avoid besmirching the name of our leadership and weakening it. India should see the Tamils' struggle in Sri Lanka as a peoples' struggle. " "Even if India does not support us, it should not weaken us," Balakumaran said. India's Lanka policy has changed According to the LTTE's ideologue, India's stand vis-à-vis Sri Lanka has changed. He added that President Rajapaksa was "in for a shock" in New Delhi. He pointed out that of late, New Delhi had been rejecting the Rajapaksa government's demands in matters relating to the peace process. New Delhi had torpedoed Colombo's bid to jettison Norway from the role of facilitator; showed no interest in the proposal to renegotiate the Ceasefire Agreement; and had refused to support a plan to separate the Eastern districts from the North districts to break the predominantly Tamil-speaking North Eastern Province. Balakumaran pointed out that it was India which had brought the united North Eastern Province into being under the India-Sri Lanka Accord of July 1987. The LTTE's ideologue said that India's foreign policy had kept changing depending on its changing interests, and it was proving the adage that in politics, there were no permanent friends or permanent enemies. Pirapaharan pays tribute to slain TNA MP The leader of the Liberation Tigers, Mr. V. Pirapaharan, on Tuesday, paid tribute to the slain senior Tamil politician Mr. Joseph Pararajasingham in the Vanni. The body of the Tamil National Alliance paraliamentarian, who was shot inside Batticaloa St. Mary's Co-Catherdal during Christmas mass on Sunday, was taken to LTTE controlled Kokkadicholai on Monday and to Kilinochchi on Tuesday. The funeral service of the MP is to take place in the church where he was slain Thursday after receiving Holy Communion from Bishop Kingsley Swampillai. Earlier, Mr Pirapaharan honoured Joseph Pararajasingam with LTTE's highest civilian title "Mamanithar." The body was kept for people to pay tribute at Karadiyanaru in Kokkaddicholai for 3 hours on Monday. LTTE's Special Commander for Batticaloa, Col. Bhanu, Batticaloa Commander Nagesh, Commander Piraba, Government officials, religious leaders and fellow TNA MPs were present at Karadiyanaru. The body was also kept at Ramakrishnan Mission Vidyalayam for public viewing. Later the body was taken to Kaluwanchikudy and Arayampathi, and then taken to the MP's house in Batticaloa. Batticaloa district observed a general shut down, and black and white flags were seen in the town. TNA's Batticaloa district MPs, Mrs. K. Thangeswari and Mr. P.Kanagasabai, joined the escort of the coffin to Kilinochchi from Batticaloa. Sri Lanka Police, Special Task Force soldiers and the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) officials attended the procession. The procession reached Vavuniya at 2:30 p.m and stopped there for more than an hour allowing residents of Vavuniya to pay tribute. Sri Lankan Police and military officials also paid tribute to the slain MP. Vanni district TNA parliamentarians and TELO Leader Selvam Adaikalanathan, Sivasakthi Anandan and Sivanathan Kishore joined the procession towards Kilinochchi with the SLMM facilitation. LTTE's Political Head Mr. S.P.Thamilchelvan and the Financial Head of the LTTE Mr. Thamilenthi, senior members and commanders of the Tigers joined the LTTE leader in Vanni to pay tribute to the slain Tamil leader. Military uniforms discovered in Batticaloa church Two pairs of military fatigue jackets and trousers, two
pairs of shoes and a bag were recovered Tuesday morning around 11:00 a.m.
from a rest-room attached to St. Anthony's church located close to the
St. Mary's church where the Tamil National Alliance MP Joseph Pararajasingham
was murdered on Sunday. St. Anthony's church is located 100 meters away from St. Mary's church. SLMM: Jaffna situation
'very dangerous' At least 11 soldiers have been killed in Puloly on Tuesday, 25km (15 miles) north-east of Jaffna town when the vehicle carrying them hit a landmine. LTTE accused Military spokesman Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe told bbcsinhala.com that at least three other soldiers were also injured. He accused the Tamil Tiger rebels of carrying out the attack. There has been a sharp increase in violence in the past few weeks and foreign monitors say a four-year-old ceasefire is under severe strain. More than 40 soldiers have been killed this month in northern Sri Lanka. The SLMM, however, denied that the monitors should be responsible to control the escalation of violence. 'No policing' “It is the parties’ responsibility. We are not here to police the country,” Haukland told BBC Sandeshaya (Sinhala Service). He said the truce monitors themselves are in danger. “We have nearly stopped our all operations in the peninsular due to the dangerous situation.” Haukland described the violence in December as “worst since 2002.” MP killed Tamil Tigers were accused in killing 13 Sri Lanka Navy sailors last week in a similar attack, but the LTTE denied any involvement. However, analysts say that few believe LTTE’s denial. Tamil National Alliance parliamentarian Joseph Pararajasingham was shot dead in Batticaloa on Sunday morning while attending the Christmas Mass. Tamil Tigers accused the military intelligence of carrying
out the assassination but the security forces accused the LTTE. Two special police units have been deployed to arrest ten senior police officers who became millionaires with the assistance of drug kingpins, police headquarters sources said yesterday. During the ‘Operation Clean up’, launched by the police narcotics unit, they found that leading drug peddlers had been backed and protected by ten top senior police officers. The police officers become millionaires with the bribes they received from the drug peddlers, police sources said. Some officers had bought two or three additional luxury houses in Colombo during the past few years, police found. It was further revealed that some officers had aided and abetted the transport of drugs and according to information obtained from drug peddlers. "They evade arrest since they wear the police uniform while transporting drugs," a senior narcotics official said. Following the drug busting operation the retail selling of drugs in Colombo and its suburbs has dropped drastically, police said adding that the two special police units were zeroing on their corrupt colleagues. Armed men drive away two Halo Trust vehicles Unidentified armed men forced into the parking garage
located close to the offices of Halo Trust, located at the junction of
Nallur Cross Street and Navalar Road, and drove away two vehicles belonging
to the NGO after tying the guards Tuesday afternoon, sources in Jaffna
said. Following the robbery of vehicles, Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and police cordoned and searched the surrounding areas. No one was arrested in the search. Prior to this incident, a computer and land mine clearing equipments were also stolen from the same compound. After an earlier incident of vehicle theft, Halo Trust premises were guarded by police. However, police withdrew from this duty over security concerns for their personnel. Subsequently, the security for the Halo Trust premises were provided by private guards. Halo Trust is an NGO currently involved in demining operations in Jaffna district. JHU To Contest Provincial Council Elections The Jathika Hela Urumaya had decided to contest the Provincial Council Elections which are scheduled to be held early next year, according to sources from JHU. Sources further added that the party is planning extend the participation of more monks in politics with giving nomination to several monks and laymen to contest for the election "We are planning to contest for all districts in the country apart from the Northern Province. But we plan to contest in several districts in Eastern Province." JHU source said. Jaffna University re-opening in the balance The turmoil stricken Jaffna University, currently shutdown to prevent further clashes between undergrads and the army would not re-open as scheduled on January 2 if violence in the peninsula continues to escalate, education sources in the north said. The University was temporarily shut down after violent clashes ensued between protesting students and the army on December 19 and 20, resulting in gunshot and other injuries to several undergrads and some lecturers. A few security forces personnel were also injured in the clashes which were sparked off after the discovery of the body of a 20-year-old girl allegedly raped and dumped in an abandoned well near a Navy camp on December 17. UGC Chairman Prof Ranjith Mendis, Education Minister Susil Premajayanth, Jaffna Commander Major General Chandrasiri and Jaffna GA K. Ganesh have also been briefed on the situation which could affect the education activities of 6,000 undergraduates at the University. Agitation by University student groups has focused mainly on the removal of two army checkpoints in the Parameshwara and Kalladdy junctions near the university. Students allege that army personnel harass students at these checkpoints. The problem was highlighted by the TNA in Parliament as well last week during the budget debate, and President Mahinda Rajapakse who is the Defence Minister assured the House that he had appointed a committee to address the problem. On December 19, the army clashed with undergrads and lecturers at the Parameshwara junction and there were further clashes inside the premises of the university the following day. Several students and journalists were injured and two lecturers, Prof Perinpanathan and Arts Faculty Dean Prof Sivachandran were also injured. However contrary to certain reports Vice Chancellor Prof. K. Mohanadas was not injured in the clash. The Jaffna VC’s term will be ending in March and the post will be falling vacant. There have already been discussions with the army hierarchy in Jaffna for the removal of the two check points with signs of a compromise being reached on the matter. Students have also alleged that they were subject to harassment when army personnel search boarding houses where some of them reside. The Army has reportedly agreed to be more lenient on students when carrying out search operations. Meanwhile the UGC has decided not to include Sinhala and Muslim students for the new intake into the Jaffna University. Earlier this year 59 Muslim and Sinhala students from the Jaffna Medical Faculty were relocated to other universities following harassment by Tamil students. Trincomalee observes hartal in protest against Pararajasingham's killing Trincomalee Tamil speaking people Tuesday observed a general shut down in response to the call by the Trincomalee district Tamil Resurgence Committee condemning the assassination of Mr. Joseph Pararajasingham and killings of Tamil civilians in their homeland, and demanding the withdrawal of government armed forces deployed in Trincomalee violating the Ceasefire Agreement, sources said. Black flags were seen hoisted on houses and other buildings. All roads were deserted with out civilian and vehicular movements except troops of the Sri Lanka Army and Sri Lanka Navy at every junction in the east port city and its suburbs. State and private bus stands are seen deserted without commuters and empty buses parked. General market owned by the Trincomalee Urban Council (UC) and managed by Sinhala vendors against the rules and regulations of the council is deserted. Offices of the North East Provincial Council ministries and departments were closed down as workers failed to report for duty. The office of the Trincomalee UC and Trincomalee Pradesiya Sabah (PS) were closed down. Business establishments of all the three communities were closed down and branches of State and private banks did not operate. Few workers reported for work in the central government controlled government departments, which are located inside the Fort Frederick Offices of the national and international level non-government organizations were also closed down, sources said. Maj. Gen. Tennakoon appointed as vice chairman for Airport & Aviation Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ports and Aviation Mangala Samaraweera has decided to appoint Major General Sunil Tennakoon to the post of vice chairman of Airport and Aviation with immediate effect. Maj. Gen. Tennakoon has had a distinguished career in the Sri Lankan military and served as a military spokesperson and security forces commander in Jaffna. Sirima-Shastri Pact created problems: Ganesan Western People’s Front charged that the Srima – Shastri Pact signed by India was the cause for the present plight of the Tamils of Indian origin living in the plantation areas. WPF leader Mano Ganesan MP was of the opinion that India was helping a certain coterie of leaders, political parties and trade unions but the resultant benefits bestowed to them by India was not reaching the poor estate workers or populace. He made a request to the Indian High Commissioner Nirupama Rao to help socially and economically the downtrodden Indian plantation Tamils and stressed that it was a cardinal moral responsibility of India. He reiterated that his party and its trade union, the Democratic Workers’ Congress and the Tamil People of Colombo District were not concerned about the personal favours India is rendering to certain entities which were apparently not beneficial to the estate workers. He said it was high time that India looked into the real and direct interests of the Estate Tamils who constituted a populace of 15 lakhs. All five Jaffna vicitims identified as civilians The young woman, who was shot and killed by the SLA soldiers
and dressed up with denim trousers last Saturday, was identified as a
heart patient, Ms Parameswari Somasundaram, 26, who had come to Jaffna
Hospital for treatment from Konavil in Kilinochchi. Two other remaining
bodies were also identified as belonging civilians from Kanakarayankulam
and Pallai. Two bodies were earlier identified as belonging to a night
watcher and a garage worker in Kottady. The Sri Lanka Military spokesman
in Colombo had claimed that the five persons were gunmen who were shot
by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and that troopers had recovered weapons from
the victims. Thirunavukarasu Jeyakanthan, 26, a local businessman from Pallai, Ratnakumar Kunasegar, 19, a carpenter from Kanakarayankulam were identified as the male victims. Parents of the victims identfied the bodies at the presence of Acting Judge of Jaffna District and Mallakam Magistrate Mrs. Sarojini Ilankovan. The ICRC has arranged for the transport of the three bodies to LTTE controlled area, sources added. Earlier, two victims were identified as civilians. Krishnan Vimaleswaran, 39, a night watcher who was in duty at Jaffna Central College was shot inside the school and his body was relocated by the soldiers. The other victim, Palasingham Chandrakumar from Manipay was an employee at a garage in Kottady in Jaffna. Issadeen's plans scuttled An attempt by the Deputy Minister of Media and Highways Segu Issadeen to form the South-East Muslim Nationalist Movement received a severe setback on Sunday. The proposed Movement, aimed at looking after the interests of North-East Muslims, was to be formed at a meeting Issadeen convened at the Town Hall, Samanthurai. The meeting could not be helad as the venue was stormed by a group said to be supporters of his rival politician here. Issadeen's supporters were ejected from the Town Hall and locked out. The police escorted them away safely. Issadeen had promised that he would inaugurate the South East Muslim Nationalist Movement as he believed it was the only option for the oppressed Muslims of North-East. The Governor said the meeting was disturbed not because the people were not interested in the movement but a powerful politician of the area was against it. Former Czech diplomat hides from creditors in Sri Lanka - press PRAGUE- Alexandr Vetengl who was Czech diplomat in Sri
Lanka at the turn of the 1980s and 1990s has been hiding in Sri Lanka
from his family, business partners and debts, the daily the daily Hospodarske
noviny (HN) writes. But several people knew already then that Vetengl wants to travel to Sri Lanka for other reasons as well, the paper says. "We announced a national search for Vetengl. We wanted to start to prosecute him as a fugitive and issue an international arrest warrant on him but a state attorney did not recommend this," Prague police spokeswoman told that paper. Vetengl was to help the Czech Hand for Help NGO's mission communicate with Sri Lankan authorities. However, he withheld from the organisers of the mission that he had legal problems in the Czech Republic. Vetengl received a suspended sentence in 2004 for not paying alimony worth nearly 400,000 crowns for his four children from his two marriages. Moreover, he borrowed 3 million crowns several years ago allegedly to build a factory in Sri Lanka, though he seems to never start any such project, the daily writes. He has not returned the money and is suspected of fraud. When the Hand for Help members learnt of his past, they immediately stopped cooperating with him. However, Vetengl did not return to his home country, but escaped from the mission's base with a satellite phone. Several months ago Vetengl returned the phone through a mediator, but Czech police and his creditors have not heard of him since. The Hand for Help ran a field clinic in southern Sri Lanka. The paper writes that sponsors stopped to support the mission when it had come out that Vetengl was among its volunteers. ($1=24.388 crowns) Colonel Kittu Memorial Park burnt and destroyed by SLA The memorial park in Nallur dedicated to Colonel Kittu
was found destroyed Tuesday morning. It is alleged that the park was destroyed
by Sri Lankan Army (SLA) from members at the SLA camp located at the Mutturai
junction, close to the memorial park. The memorial park, built around 1994, was completely destroyed in 1996 when the SLA captured Jaffna. After the ceasefire, the park was partially renovated only to be destroyed again by this recent incident. Endless Brutality: Killing of Joseph Pararajasingam, MP for Batticaloa, Sri Lanka The Tamil Information Centre (TIC) strongly condemns the escalating political killings in Sri Lanka, which may plunge the country into the abyss of war and chaos. It is deplorable that people of all walks of life are targeted, including members of parliament, journalists, writers, academics, human rights defenders, social and community workers, NGO staff, lawyers, students, women, educators, priests and members of political parties, progressive organizations and trade unions. With them die their dreams, idealism, commitment, courage, youth, love and hope. A part of us perishes with them and the hopes and dreams of communities and the nation they represent are shattered. The TIC is outraged by the brutal and diabolical killing of Batticaloa Member of Parliament Joseph Pararajasingham. With the killing of Mr Pararajasingam, we have once again witnessed the tragedy of a crime motivated by hate and ignorance, striking at the very heart of democracy and freedom. Mr Pararajasingham was closely associated with the TIC since 1985, assisting TIC in the vital task of documentation and has involved in human rights advocacy initiatives. The TIC and the Tamil community have lost a strong defender of human rights of the Tamil people. His loss will be felt by many at the TIC and in the human rights community. The TIC has been increasingly concerned over the widespread and morally reprehensible harassment, intimidation and senseless violence against civilians. The prevalence of armed gangs has contributed to an increasing culture of gun violence in Sri Lanka. Our concern has deepened in the last few months, as the targeting of civilians by all parties with impunity is regarded callously as insignificant or inevitable. Whether it is the Sri Lankan government, the LTTE, or any other militias or paramilitary groups or factions, any party involved in such actions, it is delusional to imagine that such acts would in any way contribute to the cause or for a better society. Nothing can justify these terrible acts of violence and their actions have no place in any struggle for justice. Such acts show the grave danger to democratic traditions and it clearly shows the urgent need for all communities to unite irrespective of ethnicity, religion and political opinion. We call upon the members of the Tamil, Sinhala, Muslim communities of Sri Lanka to stand together against intolerance, prejudice, violence, bigotry and crime and impunity and categorically affirm that “such acts are wrong and unacceptable and we will no longer tolerate such actions”. The Tamil Information Centre also calls on the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE to spell out the specific measures they will implement to protect the people who speak out about human rights abuses and express political dissent in the island. Only the government and the LTTE can curb abuses committed by their agents and by armed gangs in the regions under their control. In this moment of immense sadness, our thoughts are with Mrs Sugunam Pararajasingham and the other innocent worshipers who sustained injuries in the attack and their families which have been subjected to the trauma. KFW Bank of Germany
assists to construct The Tsunami devastated 8000 houses in Batticaloa, district and Kalmunai area in Ampara, will be reconstructed with the assistance of KFW Bank of Germany. This programme will be launched within next 03 years at a cost of Euro 10 million (Rs. 1200 million). The KFW Bank of Germany will assist to reconstruct 3800 houses in Batticaloa, district and 4000 houses in Kalmunai area beyond the buffer zone. The progress review meeting of this programme was held at the National Housing Development Authority (NHDA) Head Office recently. The representative of the KFW Bank and members of the BGS International Consultancy Agency which provides the consultation service to this programme were present on this occasion. Under this programme the government will provide cash grant of Rs. 250,000/- to construct the fully damaged houses and Rs. 100,000/- for partly damaged houses. The cash grant for this fully damaged houses will be distributed in 04 installments based on the progress of the construction work and partly damaged houses will be paid out their grant in 02 installments. This grants will be disburse to the beneficiaries by the Bank of Ceylon and People’s Bank. Under the guidance of Ministry of Finance, this programme will be supervised by the District Secretary of relevant districts’. The NHDA will provide the technical assistance for the construction of these houses. The Consultant of BGS International Consultancy Agency, Mr. Claus Peters expressing his views on this occasion said "The reconstruction of Batticaloa, and Kalmunai areas devastated by Tsunami, will be carried out with the participation of beneficiary families. The participation of the NHDA is important for this programme became their one of the experienced organizations in the housing field. In addition to this programme we can learn many lessons from the Gujarat Construction Programme of India" he said. Mr. Piyal Ganepola, General Manager of NHDA, Mr. Reinhard Dalchou, Director, Information Office of KFW, Colombo, Mr. I. D. Kuruppu of SLHP, Dr. N. Wilhelm of BGS and Deputy General Managers of NHDA, Messrs. Nimal Chandrasiri, Jayantha Domingo, H. S. R. Perera, Jinadasa Amarasinghe and Eric Ediriwickrama, also participated in this discussion. Italian government funds Euro 52 million tsunami rehabilitation projects A high level team from the Italian Government led by a former Prime Minister of Italy Gullano Amato is in Sri Lanka to assess the progress of 42 projects launched with Italian Government assistance for rehabilitation of tsunami affected areas in the Southern and Eastern Provinces. The members of the delegation comprising Italian Members of Parliament and senior officials of Civil Protection Department along with a group of Italian journalists met Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake at the Prime Minister's Office yesterday and explained the details of the projects launched and pledged the Italian Government's commitments to complete these projects soon. Accompanying the delegation was Italian Ambassador in Sri Lanka Pio Mariani. Gullano explained to the Prime Minister that the total Italian aid package amounted to Euro 52 Million and the projects cover mainly in the fields of education, health and environment. Of the 42 projects, 15 are in respect of development of schools in the Galle and Trincomalee districts. The monies for these projects are collected from Italian donors and is channelled through the Italian Civil Protection Department. The former Italian Prime Minister also expressed the profound sorrow of the Italian Government and the people over the tragic loss of lives and property. He recalled the cordial and friendly relations that existed between Sri Lanka and Italy and said the Italian government is ready to assist Sri Lanka in times of need. The delegation also expressed the wish that peace would dawn in Sri Lanka in the near future as a result of the fresh efforts made by the President Mahinda Rajapakse to achieve peace. Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake thanked the Italian Government and the donors for the generous assistance which he said was a demonstration of the friendly and cordial relations the two countries had been maintaining. He explained the fresh efforts made by President Mahinda Rajapakse to solve the North East conflict specially his new approach to finding a solution in first arriving at a consensus among all political parties in the South before discussing with the LTTE a solution to the problem. If not it is bound to fail, as had been the previous experience, in view of the fact that any solution require a two third majority approval by Parliament. The Prime Minister said the President had already held a preliminary rounds of talks with the main political parties including the main Tamil Political party, the TULF to arrive at a consensus. He asserted the Government stands firmly committed to arriving at a peaceful solution despite provocative actions of the LTTE in unleashing a wave of violence and violation of the ceasefire agreement. The Italian delegation comprised Former Prime Minister of Italy Amato Gullano (leader of delegation), Beloni Elisabetta, Bertoiaso Guido, Borino Emma, Canale Angelo, Cinti Gluseppe, Maccha Ganmarco Miozzo Agostino, Monorchio Andree, Pacifico Claudia, Spazante Vincenzo and Spoientini Luca. US Tamils call for sanctions against SL Government Expressing anger and sadness at the killing of Senior
Parliamentarian Joseph Pararajasingham, US based Tamil Organizations,
in a press release issued Monday, pointed out that "Tamils killings
are never investigated...and armed forces in Sri Lanka operate with complete
impunity," urged the international community to "show political
and moral courage and impose sanctions on the government of Sri Lanka
in order to put an immediate end of this deliberated and calculated violence." A CALL TO IMPOSE SANCTIONS ON THE GOVERNMENT OF SRI LANKA We, the undersigned organizations in USA are angry and deeply saddened by the brutal murder of Mr.Joseph Pararajasingham, Tamil Parliamentarian and a human rights activist. We are shocked that the murder was carried out in a church and during a midnight mass to celebrate Christmas. St. Mary’s church where Mr. Pararajasingham was murdered is in a Sri Lankan army controlled High Security Zone in the Batticaloa town. Mr. Joseph Pararajasingham was shot, just after he received communion from Bishop Kingsley Swampillai, the Bishop of Batticaloa. Mr. Pararajasingham’s wife, Sugunam was also seriously wounded and is in a critical condition. Seven others including children were also wounded in this barbaric act. The Tamil people all over the world have lost a fearless champion who risked his life to tell the truth of injustice and cruelty to the Tamils by the Sinhala Buddhist controlled Sri Lankan government. The world has lost an honest and decent human being. Mr. Joseph Pararajasingham was a founding member of the NorthEast Human Rights Secretariat [NESHOR]. He was also an Executive Member of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the SAARC Parliamentary Association. Mr. Joseph Pararajasingham met various world leaders and officials including the US Department of State and brought to their attention the persecution of Tamils by the successive Sri Lankan government. When the US Congressman Danny K. Davis visited the Tamil areas this year, Mr. Joseph Pararajasingham accompanied him. This callous murder should be seen in the context of Sri Lankan government’s efforts to de-link the Tamils from the international community and denying them an opportunity to bring to their attention, the ceasefire violation and the extrajudicial and sexual assaults perpetrated by the Sri Lankan armed forces. The sanctity of a church and the sacredness of the day were not considered in carrying this atrocious act on Christmas day in a Church. This should not be considered in isolation but in the context of recent persecution of Christians and burning of churches in callous disregard for the religious pluralism in the country by the Sinhala Buddhist chauvinistic forces. We are shocked by the cynicism of the Sri Lankan government which by its statements or insinuations by their spokes person, Sinhala correspondents and Sinhala ‘experts’ are trying to blame the LTTE for this murder. These outrageous accusations as usual are done without any investigations or even the apprehension of the assassins who carried out the murder in a High Security Zone controlled by the Sri Lankan army. This insults the intelligence of people. The location of the assassination a “High Security Zone”, which are Tamil areas occupied by the Sinhala armed forces clearly establishes that this atrocious murder was probably done by the Sri Lankan armed forces or by the paramilitary forces acting in collusion with the Sri Lankan military intelligence. This cowardly action is not only violating the Article 2.1 of the ceasefire agreement which prohibits assassination but also the killing of a noncombatant. It is also a violation of Fourth Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Times of War. This is nothing but an act of State terrorism in its naked form. We also sadly point out that the action/inaction on the part of the international community contributed to the present climate. When the Sri Lankan leadership repeatedly claimed that they had established an international safety net designed to surround and contain the Tamils struggle for self-determination, the international community’s failure to repudiate these claims and disassociate itself from the stated partisan goals of such a safety net strengthened the hands of the Sinhala armed forces. The Co-Chair’s turning a blind eye towards the failure of the Sri Lankan armed forces to vacate civilian homes, temples, schools in violation of Article 2.2 of the ceasefire agreement and International Humanitarian Laws; the failure of the Sri Lankan government to disarm the paramilitary groups as required by Article 1.8 of the ceasefire agreement and scuttling of the Post-Tsunami Operational Management [PTOMS] to address the urgent humanitarian needs of the Tsunami victims embolden the Sinhala chauvinist forces that they can breach the ceasefire agreement with impunity and impose a military solution to the Tamil national question. In addition, while the international community employs concepts such as “earned sovereignty”, “conditional sovereignty” and “phased out sovereignty” in national conflicts in Sudan, Bougenvilla, Montenegro, and Kosovo, its insistence that its solutions to the current conflicts in the island of Sri Lanka should be within the united Sri Lanka creates a perception that the international community is on the side of the Sinhala chauvinistic forces. The international community must take concrete actions to stop the State terrorism. We are aware that when known leaders of the Tamil struggle are killed, such as Mr. Kausalyan, the head of LTTE’s Eastern political wing and the head of the Eastern Tsunami reconstruction efforts, and Mr. Chandra Nehru, the Human Rights activist and journalist Taraki, the international community expressed concerns. However, the assassination of Mr. Joseph Pararajasingham demonstrates that these concerns have not had any effect on the Sri Lankan government. It is appalling that these and other deaths are never investigated fully and brought to any conclusion. The impunity with which Tamils killings are never properly investigated or punished including mass murders are an encouragement for the armed forces to continue with their killings. However the LTTE is blamed without any effective investigation. This is part of the war to marginalize and dehumanize the only force that can effectively speak up for the Tamils. We are also aware that due to the inherent bias in the international system and diplomatic protocols is easy to criticize and take actions against a non-state party. We also would like to point out that given the political history since independence appeasement of the Sinhala Buddhist forces will not change its pervasive and entrenched racism. The international community must show political and moral courage and impose sanctions on the government of Sri Lanka in order to put an immediate end of this deliberated and calculated violence. Such an action would restore confidence of the Tamil people in the peace process. World Tamil Coordinating Committee – USA 27 December 2005 Suspected Sri Lanka rebel attack kills 10 troops- Source: Reuters Violence prompts fears that island nation will be plunged back into civil war Sri Lanka - Fuelling fears of a return to civil war, suspected Tamil Tiger rebels killed 10 soldiers in the island’s far north on Tuesday in the second mine attack in less than a week, the military said. The attack followed a string of guerrilla ambushes on the military and the assassination of a pro-rebel member of parliament at a Christmas mass that are straining a 2002 truce to breaking point. “It was a claymore attack,” said military spokesman Prasad Samarasinghe, referring to the claymore fragmentation mine used in the assault near the northern town of Point Pedro. “Definitely the LTTE is behind this attack,” he said, using the initials of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. “No-one else is capable of doing this kind of claymore mine attack in Jaffna except the LTTE.” A military official said four other soldiers were admitted to hospital after the attack, some in critical condition. On Friday, 13 sailors were killed in an ambush by suspected Tiger rebels using claymore mines and rocket-propelled grenades in the island’s northwest. Emergency talks Two days later Joseph Pararajasingam, a member of parliament for the Tamil National Alliance -- the rebels’ proxies in parliament -- was assassinated at a Christmas mass in the restive eastern district of Batticaloa. “We are very concerned about the situation and urge both parties to show restraint,” said Mats Lundstrom, spokesman for the Nordic Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission overseeing the truce. “We are concerned about the future of the ceasefire agreement.” Sri Lanka’s stock market closed nearly 7 percent lower as news of the latest attack compounded earlier losses prompted by the Christmas killing. Ceasefire monitors have stopped patrols in the northern Jaffna peninsula because of the deteriorating security situation. The Tigers threatened in November to resume their armed struggle to carve out a homeland for ethnic Tamils in the north and east unless they were given wide political powers in about 15 percent of the country where they run a de facto state. 'I fear war will start again' Rajapakse headed to India on Tuesday on his first state visit since winning the presidency in November. He aims to seek more Indian involvement in Sri Lanka’s stalled peace process, but officials and analysts in India said he was unlikely to have much success. Streets were deserted in the military-held Jaffna peninsula -- which is hemmed in by rebel lines. Shops and banks were closed on the orders of a suspected rebel front organization and cash dispensing machines were empty. “I have a strong fear in my heart day and night and am very worried about my family,” said 48-year-old Jaffna butcher Solomon Gerald. “Judging by the present happenings, I fear war will start again at any moment but I won’t go anywhere. I will stay here and face it like the rest,” he added. “Where can we go?” Anti-LTTE ‘Sennan Brigade’ claims it killed MP, others warned Amidst contradictory reports as to who was responsible for the assassination of TNA parliamentarian Joseph Pararajasingham, a militant clandestine outfit “Sennan Brigade” of Eastern Soil has claimed responsibility for the killing. The anti-LTTE website “Thenee” quoted the London-based Tamil Broadcasting Corporation (TBC) as saying that it received a pamphlet from the “Sennan Brigade” claiming responsibility for the killing. The pamphlet in Tamil addressed to “The people of East” said: “A Traitor of our soil of East has now been eliminated, We of the “Sennan Brigade” take responsibility for the killing of Joseph Pararajasingham who is a traitor of our people,” the TBC said. It also said: “The death punishment was meted out by us to Joseph Pararajasingham for his treachery to our Eastern people and its soil as well as his facilitation for the annihilation of Eastern people by causing a war in collaboration with the Wanni Tigers.” The pamphlet has issued a public warning to TNA Parliamentarians of the Eastern Province Jeyanandamoorthy, Ariyenthiran, Sambanthan, Thurairetnasingham, Kanagasabai, Pathmanathan and Thangeswari to resign from their seats in Parliament without engaging in betrayal against the Eastern people. If not, if they partake any role with the collaboration of the Wanni Tigers in strategy to annihilate our people, death punishment would be executed by us very soon, it warned.The pamphlet of the “Sennan Brigade” also warns that the death sentence awaits those who collaborate with Wanni Tigers. Colombo's bona fides on peace, suspect- TNA The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) in
a press release issued Monday said the assassination of Mr. Joseph Pararajasingham
raises serious doubts in regard to the genuineness of the Government's
commitment to the honest and purposeful pursuit of the peace process.
"We consider it our duty to point out that the assassination of Mr.
Pararajasingham, a Tamil leader unequivocally committed to the resolution
of the Tamil question by peaceful means is a serious blow to the credibility
of the peace process," the statement said. Slain TNA MP's body to be brought to Killinochchi THE remains of slain Tamil National Alliance Parliamentarian Joseph Pararajasingam will be brought to Killinochchi tomorrow. Pararajasingam's body was taken in procession to Kokatticholai yesterday and will be placed in Vavuniya for public viewing today. The body will be taken to Killinochchi and Mullaitivu tomorrow. Later, the body will be brought back to Batticaloa for burial end of this week. The LTTE has called for a hartal in the North and East today with the closure of schools and shops. UNP condemns recent killings United National Party Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya yesterday condemned the recent spate of killings in the North and East, including that of the TNA Parliamentarian on Christmas eve. In a statement, he urged the government to bring the deteriorating security in the country under control at this critical juncture. “We vehemently condemn the recent killings by the LTTE of the Navy personnel at Pesalai and the Intelligence Officer in Nuwara Eliya while they were engaged in their legitimate duties without any provocation”, the statement said. Mr. Jayasuriya said it was with deep shock and sorrow that he learnt of the assassination of Batticaloa MP Joseph Pararajasingham and the critical injuries caused to his wife while they were at Holy Mass. “We wish to remind the parties involved in these senseless and brutal killings, that it is not the way to settle problems in a democratic society”, the statement added. “All these victims have been involved in serving the country. Pararajasingham had been a longstanding MP and had served the country and the Tamil community with a sense of dedication and commitment upholding democratic traditions.He had been an ardent proponent of the idea of a negotiated settlement to the national issue and vehemently shunned violence. His assassination certainly creates an unbridgeable void in the democratic process”, the statement added. Mr. Jayasuriya expressed his sympathies to Mr. Pararajasingham's family, the families of the dead soldiers and that of the National Intelligence Service officer. JHU condemns killing of Joseph Pararajasingham THE Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) in a media release under the signature of its General Secretary Ven.Omalpe Sobhitha Thera yesterday condemned the assassination of TNA MP Joseph Pararajasingham while he was engaged in prayers at St. Mary's Church, Batticaloa on Christmas Day. It conveyed the JHU's condolences to the late MP's wife who was herself wounded in the course of the same incident and other members of the bereaved family. While condemning the LTTE's low political and military strategy of putting the blame for this brutal act on the Government Military Forces and the Jathika Hela Urumaya, the media release pointed out that this assassination has to be understood by the past history of the LTTE when their ruthless gun was turned against the friend and foe alike as long as the circumstances warranted such targets to achieve their fascist goals. Tamil Arusu Kachchi MP Joseph Pararajasingham was a TNA ally who efficiently defended LTTE terrorism and its military strategy at an international level. He justified the LTTE terrorist goal of dividing the country against the will of the Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim and other ethnic groups of the island as a liberation struggle. The Fascist thinking of the LTTE did not recognize the sin of dissolving a worthy friend like Joseph Pararajasingham, as long as that decision helped their Fascist course of separation. By this assassination LTTE targeted two ambitions. One is to mitigate the international disrepute they earned as a result of the Lakshman Kadirgamar assassination. The second is the erasing off of international scars caused by their denial of democratic right to the citizens of the North and East at the last Presidential Election. Similarly the persistent continuation of child conscriptions in the North and East and the callous disregard of the ceasefire agreement in the face of President Mahinda Rajapakse's invitation to resume peace talks are other factors that have blighted the international arena against the LTTE. When viewed against such a backdrop, it is not difficult to understand the LTTE motive to eliminate their friend MP Pararajasingham. His name will go down in the LTTE history as a martyr who laid down his life to achieve the LTTE goal, the JHU Media release pointed out. It warned those who bless the LTTE Fascism both here and abroad, to learn a lesson from the assassination of MP Pararajasingham and join hands ignoring all manner of differences to defeat the LTTE who justify injustice to a nation that aspire for peace and harmony. Joseph Pararajasigham's Murderers Deserve Worst Possible Punishment – Hakeem The leader of the SLMC said in his condolence message to the family of slain Joseph Pararajasigham that the death of Joseph Pararajasigham will be a blow to the Muslim - Tamil harmony in the East. “During this difficult period when the gap between ethnic communities is increasing and peace is in question, a person who gave his voice to find a solution through democratic means has been silenced.” “He raised his voice inside and outside of the country for the problems facing the Tamil people. He showed great concern to remove the bitterness that has risen between the Tamil and Muslim people, especially in the east. He was well respected by his people for his steady and calm approach to issues and his ability to find solutions. We remember with gratitude his concerned participation in the meetings between Sri Lanka Muslim Congress and TNA.” “It is very dangerous to see such killings occurring at this time. It is a warning sign not just for the Northeast, but for the entire country. The people behind this cowardly act only deserve the worst possible punishment because they are taking away the chance for peace that the entire country is yearning for.” he said. SLMC leader who had been recently critical of LTTE over the anti Muslim activities said last week that LTTE must ensure the peaceful existence between Muslims and Tamils in the Eastern province. Assassination
of Joseph Pararajasingam - Anandasangaree Condemns He lamented that a new culture that is developing is killing people in places of worship, which should be strongly condemned. He rightly pointed out that other than the creator, no one is empowered to take another person's life, whatever justifiable reasons one may have. "It is very unfortunate that there is no respect or value for human life. Whether the victim is a king or an ordinary person, what is lost is a valuable human life," TULF Leader castigated in his statement. Anandasangaree in his statement emphasized, "Although there is difference of opinion between us, the mutual love and affection between me and his family continued with utmost regard for each other." He added, "The special quality of Joe's family is the hospitality they show in treating their friends and constituents." He urged the Sri Lanka Government that to make use the emergency regulations to demand the surrender of arms from all unauthorized persons and to impose severe penalties for all those possess arms and for all those who have knowledge of such unauthorized possessions. "While conveying my deepest sympathies to the members of his family, I pray for the early recovery of Mrs. Sugunam Joseph and the others injured in this incident," V.Anandasangaree, said in his signed statement. President to visit
India today During his three-day stay in New Delhi, President Rajapakse will meet Indian Premier Manmohan Singh and other leaders, it said. This visit has also become important as the peace process and Ceasefire Agreement have been threatened by recent provocation. On Wednesday, Indian President Dr. Abdul Kalam will host a special banquet in honour of the Sri Lankan President. President Rajapakse will also lay a wreath at the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi in Rajghat. He will visit the famous Hindu Temple in Cochin, Guruvayur. The President will be accompanied by Mrs. Shiranthi Rajapakse, Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, Ministers Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, Ferial Ashraff, A. H. M. Fowzie, Rohitha Bogollagama and Felix Perera, several Deputy Ministers and Secretaries of relevant ministries. Thonda not going with President CWC leader Arumugam Thondaman who was to accompany President
Mahinda Rajapakse on his maiden tour to India today has dropped plans
at the last moment apparently as a CWC member who joined the government
was sworn-in as a Deputy Minister. 3 SLA, 2 Police officers injured in Jaffna attacks Three Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers and two Sri Lanka
Police officers were injured in three different attacks against security
forces in Jaffna district Monday, sources in Jaffna said. A SLA soldier was injured in a grenade attack followed by gunfire at at the SLA sentry in near Kailasapillaiyar temple in Temple Road where Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) offices are located in Nallur Jaffna at 7.30 p.m Monday. In a third incident, two SLA soldiers were injured when unidentified assailants threw hand grenades into an SLA sentry at Thattatheru junction in Jaffna at 9 p.m. Meanwhile, following unprovoked attack on two traders at the Irupalai junction by the SLA soldiers Monday morning, Irupalai traders union called for a boycott and closed their shops in protest. The Union officials said that the soldiers are acting in revenge for the earlier grenade attacks and they will continue the shop closure unless their safety is guaranteed to their members Sri Lanka wants Solheim out of peace talks The government of Sri Lanka has indicated to the Royal Norwegian government that special peace envoy Erik Solheim should not take part in the next round of peace talks between the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE. Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, who met Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre recently in Hong Kong, requested that Norway’s International Development Minister’s name be omitted from the facilitator team because of his allegedly biased reputation towards the LTTE. It is learned that the Norwegian Foreign Minister has agreed to draw his government’s attention to this issue. Meanwhile, in another development, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has turn downed Erik Solheim’s request to meet the President during his three-day visit to India, which is scheduled to begin tomorrow. SLMM member denied entry to tsunami event Soldiers manning the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) check point
Monday morning refused permission for a woman monitor of the Sri Lanka
Monitoring Mission (SLMM) based in Mannar to attend the one year tsunami
remembrance religious event held at Madhu church in the LTTE held area,
sources said. Soldiers refused permission to the event as she was not in possession of written permission of the Ministry of Defense, sources said. The SLMM member returned to her office without participating in tsunami religious observance in Madhu church, sources said. President stops Anura's nominee for Tourist Board President Mahinda Rajapaksa has removed Sri Lanka Tourist Board Chairman Udaya Nanayakkara, who was unlawfully appointed by Tourism Minister Anura Bandaranaike last week. In a circular, Presidential Secretary Lalith Weerathunga had instructed all Ministers not to fill any high ranks without permission from the President. However, Minister Bandaranaike appointed his ex-brother-in-law to the post of Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourist Board amidst opposition by the Travel Trade Association and Sri Lanka hoteliers. President Rajapaksa appointed former MP and travel trade expert Mr. B. Cooray to the post from today, leaving no room for Udaya Nanayakkara at the Tourist Board. Youth shot, seriously wounded in Akkaraipattu A 24-years-old Tamil youth, Mr. Satheeskumar, was shot
and seriously wounded by unindentified gunmen Monday evening around 5:30
pm. at Pisthar Road in Akkaraipattu, 58 km south of Batticaloa town. Satheeskumar, a resident of Alayadivembu, was rushed to Amparai hospital with serious injuries. Akkaraipattu police is conducting investigations into the incident. Bishop pleads for immediate talks Colombo’s Anglican Bishop Rt. Rev. Duleep de Chickera yesterday condemned the spree of killing in the North East and urged the government and the LTTE to open up talks soon. A statement issued by the Bishop office insisted that the stalemate over the location for talks should be ended immediately. “Our beloved Sri Lanka is gripped by deep disappointment and sorrow at the rapidly worsening spate of violence that grips the country. In the name of entrenched causes, distorted agendas and ideologies, we are slowly destroying ourse1ves. Yesterdays brutal killing of Joseph Pararajasingham at worship in Church, must be condemned without reservation by all peace loving people of all religions, ethnicities and political parties. He was a senior Tamil Christian parliamentarian, liked and respected by a cross section of people. He served the people of the East in Particular with dedication. His death is a loss to the continuing political discourse In the Country. We offer our condolences to his wife and the children, and indeed our prayers for the recovery of his wife and all others injured in this shooting. It is in this same spirit that we condemn the rape and killing of a young woman at Pungudutivu, the killings of several soldiers and naval personnel, and the violence against the Vice Chancellor of the Jaffna University. The Committee appointed to probe these incidents must act fast and go public on their findings. Perpetrators must be named and dealt with under the existing law. All killing is wrong and cannot be justified or condoned. These killings violate the basic human rights of people to life. They snatch precious loved ones away from people. They spread fear and anger amongst the people, and reduce whatever chances there are for peace; and prolong suffering and deprivation. It is for these very reasons that it is now imperative for the Government and LTTE to expedite talks. A. compromise on the location stalemate is necessary and possible. Such a compromise need not be seen as weakness or damaging to the stare and image of either side. In fact the people of this country will see it as an expression of strong political character and Intent. Such early talks will also provide the forum for discussing the factors that have provoked the violence and killings, as well as allegations and counter allegations. Such talks inevitably indicate fresh steps towards peace and build some trust. The seriousness of these developments should be seen as a call to prayer by all communities. The beginning of the New Year provides an excellent opportunity for the invocation of Blessings and Grace on our people and land,” the statement said. Two three-wheeler drivers killed in Trincomalee Unidentified men shot dead Mr.Ramanan and knifed Mr.Wijeseelan to death Sunday night in two separate incidents in Trincomalee, security sources said. The body of Mr.Wijeseelan was recovered from the Kanniya-Wilgam Vihare junction, and the body of Mr.Ramanan was recovered near fourth milepost along Trincomalee-Kandy highway with gunshot injuries. Both were three-wheeler drivers, Police said. Unidentified men hired their three-wheelers separately. Mr.Ramanan went with persons hired his three-wheeler towards fourth-mile post at about 7.45 p.m. Sunday.Mr.Wijeseelan went with three-wheeler with hired persons Sunday night around 11.45 p.m.Bodies of both persons were recovered Monday morning, sources said.Trincomalee Police is conducting investigation into these deaths. Two Tamil youths shot and killed by SLA soldiers Sri Lanka Army troopers shot and killed two Tamil youths
at Santhiveli 9 km north of Eravur in Batticaloa district around 10:30
a.m. Monday. The SLA soliders have told Eravur Police that they opened
fire following gunshots fired at their troopers. The youths shot dead
by the Lankan troopers are yet to be indentified, Eravur Police said.
Tigers get a taste of their own medicine-The Daily Mirror The LTTE’s Batticaloa area pistol group leader Vendran alias ‘Sivakumar’ was badly injured at Vavunathivu, when the army shot at him, while fleeing after killing a policeman at the Pudur police checkpoint in Batticaloa. Military sources said that an LTTE group, led by the injured LTTE pistol leader, had attacked the Pudur police checkpoint, killing a policeman, and fled the scene. However, at Vavunathivu, the army was able to block the path of the fleeing LTTE members and attacked them, injuring several of them, including Vendran, who was reportedly admitted to a Karadiyanaru hospital in the LTTE held area. The Military believes that due to the injuries sustained, the legs of the pistol leader would have to be amputated. The deceased policeman has been identified as J.M. Karunaratne of Dedigama. Vendran was accused of killing PLOTE Mohan in Colombo as well as several killings in the Batticaloa area during the recent past. Meanwhile, two LTTE cadres were killed in a confrontation with military personnel on duty at Sittamkandy checkpoint. HQI Batticaloa police Duncan Paul said that when the two LTTE cadres opened fire at the checkpoint last morning, the soldiers shot them in self defence. Police recovered two T.56 rifles and 56 live cartridges near the bodies of the LTTE cadres. Police are conducting further inquiries into the incident. Boycott call cripples administrative services in Jaffna Civil administration in Jaffna district came to a halt Monday following call by the NorthEast Government Services Workers Consortium for Government workers to shun work to protest against Sri Lanka Army (SLA) attacks against civilians and workers. The Consortium warned that the strike will continue until troops are vacated from main roads and Government offices, and their workers' safety is guaranteed. Primary offices of Civil administration including Jaffna Secretariat, Divisional secretariats, Health services department, Department of Education remained closed. Although several hundreds troops were deployed to provide safety around Jaffna Secretariat, only the Government Agent, K Ganesh, reported to work. Judicial establishments including Courts, the five district courts in Kayts, Jaffna, Mallakam, Chavakachcheri and Point Pedro, and the High Court in Jaffna remained closed. However, commercial establishments, public transport and hospitals continued to provide essential services. Checkpost near SLAF airport in Batticaloa attacked, one dead Unidentified gunmen fired at a checkpost at Puthunagar,
near Batticaloa Valaiyiravu Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) airport, 4 km west
of Batticaloa town, wounding a policeman Sunday night around 1:20 a.m.
The policeman, N. Karunaratne, later succumbed to his gunshot wounds at
Batticaloa Hospital, medical sources said. Puthunagar lies in a Sri Lanka Army demarcated high-security area. 26 December 2005 PLOTE
Vavuniya Political Head Thiruppathy Master shot dead Vavuniya Police Officer In-Charge (OIC) Mr. AMC Abeyasinghe Banda is conducting investigations into the incident. LTTE:
MP killed by military intelligence Pararajasingham’s wife and seven others were injured in the shooting. “He was murdered by the Sri Lankan military intelligence wing and the paramilitaries working with them, including the Karuna Group and EPDP,” a statement issued by the LTTE political wing said. LTTE accused The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) has denied any involvement in the incident. Brig. Prasad Samarasinghe, Sri Lanka military spokesman told BBC Sandeshaya (bbcsinhala.com) that the SLA has information to suspect the Tamil Tigers. However, he added that the SLA was not clear why the LTTE would kill a politician close to the LTTE other than to put the blame on the state forces. Condemning the MP’s murder, the Tamil Tigers also alleged that the “chauvinistic forces such as the Jathika Hela Urumaya” is working closely with the military intelligence. Inspector General of Police Chnadra Fernanado alleged that the Tigers may have tried to "divert international attention" focused on killing of more than 30 soldiers by the LTTE during recent weeks. The government, meanwhile, has described the killing as an attack on the heart of Sri Lanka’s democracy. 'Cycle of violenace' “The government condemns this cowardly act in the strongest possible terms,” a statement issued by the Presidential Secretariat said. It said that the “assassination has been carried out to serve a specific agenda" to create an environment to "further escalate the cycle of violence perpetuated by the LTTE". The President has offered to provide additional security to the TNA parliamentarians in consultation with them, the statement added. The killing follows a month of worsening violence which has cast doubt over the continuation of a ceasefire between the Tamil Tigers and the Sri Lankan government. Co-chairs meeting Shortly before the attack, international mediators warned that the country faced a crucial choice between mounting violence and reinvigorating peace. In other violence on Saturday, the Sri Lankan army said it killed four rebels in Jaffna, and a soldier was shot dead at a checkpoint. The Tamil Tigers were accused of killing more than 30 military personnel since Mahinda Rajapaksa sworn-in as Sri Lanka’s fifth executive president. TNA accused the security forces of harassing the civilians in Jaffna and raping and killing a young woman. LTTE confers "Maamanithar" title to Pararajasingham Full text the letter conferring the Maamanithar title follows: Head Quarters The Tamil Nation has lost today a noble man who sacrificed personal ambitions and set a goal working resolutely for the welfare of his people. Silenced today is a voice that relentlessly resonated the freedom of the Tamil homeland and its people. A great man had fallen victim to the enemy's cowardly act of cruelty. It is a great tragedy in the history of the Tamil Eelam freedom struggle. Mr.Joseph Pararajasingham is a person blessed with rare and incredible qualities. Melodious interaction, simple manners and magnanimity in approach are the hallmarks of his personality. Steadfast and honest, he is an excellent political leader. The Tamil people affectionately hailed him as a formidable fighter for human rights. His extra-ordinary attachment to the Tamil cause gravitated all towards him. The demise of Mr.Joseph Pararajasingham is an irreparable loss to the Tamil Nation. It was never to his liking to live under Sinhala Budhdhist majoritarian oppression. He totally detested the disintegration of the collective Tamil Nation under this oppression and subjugation. Setting as his noble goal absolute freedom from this oppressive state, he worked for the independence, dignity and peaceful life of the Tamil people. Motivated by this noble goal, he steadfastly supported the Tamil National freedom struggle. Respecting and accepting wholeheartedly the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and their goal, he contributed immensely to the liberation struggle of the Tamil people. Complex situations, threats and dangers did not deter him from courageously extending his helping hands to Tamil Nationalism and the Tamil Eelam liberation struggle in many ways. As a Member of Parliament representing the people of Batticaloa and a founder member of the NorthEast Secretariat on Human Rights, he worked relentlessly in pursuit of the rights of the people of Tamil Eelam. Presenting the truth and reasonableness of the Tamil Eelam liberation struggle to the world, was a mission he undertook with passion. The yeoman services he rendered are praiseworthy and of historical significance. Respecting Mr.Joseph Pararajasingham's patriotism and love of freedom and to honour his contribution to the freedom struggle, I confer on him with pride the highest National Award of "Great Man". Death never destroys noble men who lived to uphold truthful goals. Mr.Joseph Pararajasingham will live forever in the psyche of the Tamil Nation as an epoch making leader. V.Pirapaharan Profile of Pararajasingham MP Joseph Pararajasingham (Born November 26, 1934) has been a member of the Federal Party since 1956 and of the TULF from its inception. He was a member of the working committee and the action committee of the TULF and was the Joint Secretary of the TULF Batticaloa branch. Mr. Pararajasingham was also a member of the TULF delegation at the TULF-Government dialogue held in July-August 1984. He was nominated to the Batticaloa District in 1990 as a Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) Parliamentarian following the killing of Sam Thambimuttu, by suspected LTTE cadres. He was also the Secretary of the Parents Association for the welfare of students of the Batticaloa District and of the Batticaloa Red Cross Society. A well known and successful businessman of Batticaloa, he was the sole owner of the Subaraj Theatre, Subaraj Inn and the Subaraj Shopping Complex. As a cinema owner he was a committee member of the Ceylon Exhibitors Association. Mr. Pararajasingham was also a journalist being Batticaloa Group Correspondent for the Independent Newspapers Ltd. and was the President of the East Ceylon Journalists Association. Mr. Pararajasingham had his education at St. Michael’s College, Batticaloa where he passed his Senior School Certificate Examination (English). He was a licentiate survey draughtsman and had worked as a Kachcheri Tracer of the Land Commissioner’s Department. During 1985-87 he filed two applications with the Advisory Board under the PTA regarding detained persons in Ampara and Batticaloa Districts. He entered Parliament in 1990 in place of Sam Thambimuttu, who was killed by suspected LTTE cadres. He was re-elected in 1994 with the highest number of preferential votes ever received by a Tamil candidate in the North-East. He was again elected on the final count of preferential votes in the October 2,000 elections. He again became an MP under the national list in 2002. The Pararajasinghams have two sons (one deceased) and one daughter. Government condemns killing While condemning the killing of TNA MP Joseph Pararajasingham, the Government is to appoint a special investigation team to conduct a full probe into this assassination and bring to justice the perpetrators. “The Government condemns this cowardly act in the strongest possible terms. The Government also denounces the disrespect shown by the assassins to the sanctity of a church on Christmas day,” said a statement issued by the Government. The assassination of an elected MP is an assault on the very heart of democracy. It is clear that this assassination has been carried out to serve a specific agenda, in that it creates the environment to further escalate the cycle of violence in the North and East perpetuated by the LTTE, the statement added. Did LTTE use ‘thermobaric’ weapons? Suspicions have arisen in police and military circles whether the LTTE had used the banned ‘thermobaric’ weapons to kill the 13 sailors on Friday at Mannar. Mannar Police HQI Sudath Asmadala told the Daily Mirror that considering the initial investigation, the attack had been carried out using ‘thermobaric’ weapon, which can burn everything instantly in the targeted range. “Following this shocking finding, we have asked the Government Analyst to carry out a special investigation into the matter as this type of weapons are banned all over the world,” he said. He also said that soon after the incident, the military personnel who visited the scene were surprised to see the bodies beyond recognition. “Rocket-propelled grenades can not do such harm to the human body and we strongly believe that the attackers had used the world banned ‘thermoberic’ weapon, he said. Thirteen sailors were killed and another two injured, when two claymore mines were exploded targeting a Navy convoy at Pesalai in Mannar on Friday. Soon after the blasts, the LTTE had fired at the damaged vehicles using small arms and heavy weapons. Mannar Army sergeant shot dead by fellow soldier Sergeant Kappukotowa of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) stationed
in the Parapaankandal camp in the Mannar district was shot dead Sunday
morning at about 8.30 a.m by a fellow soldier, security sources said.
Personal enmity between the two was speculated to be the motivation behind
the killing. The incident took place inside the camp, Police sources said.
The acting magistrate ordered the Murunkan Police to produce the suspected soldier in court. The acting Magistrate further ordered the Murunkan Police to hand over the body of the dead army officer to his relatives after postmortem examination.The body is now lying in the Mannar General Hospital, sources said. SLA guns down two civilians in Jaffna Two civilians from Thoppu, in Atchuvely Jaffna, who went
to hunt wild boars in shrub jungles close to the Palaly High Security
Zone (HSZ) armed with shotguns, were shot dead by Sri Lanka Army (SLA)
troops at 12.15 a.m Sunday early morning, sources in Jaffna said. In another incident, Ariyaratnam Kanagarasa (65) from Siththankerny in Jaffna, an employee at a bakery in Navakeeri located along the Punnalaikattuvan- Nilavarai road was found shot to death at 1.45 a.m. Sunday morning. His body was found on Palaly road near Punnalaikattuvan junction and was not removed until noon Sunday as Police in Jaffna have refused carrying out administrative duties. Motive for the killing is not known. Meanwhile, an SLA patrol along the beach road in Urani, Valvettithurai (VVT) came under grenade attack followed by gunfire from three unidentified gunmen at 9 a.m. Sunday. The gunmen escaped and no injuries were reported. SLA soldiers started attacking civilians and fired indiscriminately around the Valvettiturai Government Hospital. Vehicular traffic came to a halt along the Point Pedro-Jaffna road till noon, sources from VVT said. Civilians burnt to death in Pesalai Remains of burnt bodies including a four-year-old boy
were discovered inside a house of the Victoria Hundred Houses resettlement
in Pesalai Sunday at 10:30 a.m. by residents who reached the site for
the first time following Friday's revenge attacks on the civilians by
the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN). Soldiers blocked residents from searching for
two other missing persons in parts of surrounding area. Three houses and
a shop were burnt and almost all the houses were found looted. The victims
were burnt using madras, kajan leaves and palmyrah stems, sources said.
The exact number of victims killed in the revenge attacks is not known
yet. Four persons of two neighbouring families, a 43 years-old couple, Mr Emmanuel Cruz and Mrs. Anthonicam Cruz, and Theresa Cruz, a mother and her four-year-old boy Dilakshan Cruz were trapped inside their houses, numbered 44 and 45, located on the right side of the road from Mannar to Talaimannar. The house No. 45 was completely burnt down. Remains of two feet, one of a young boy and another of an adult, a piece of sternum, and an elbow were recovered from the bedroom of house No 45. The civilian settlers who reached the site with Rev. Fr. Wincent Parick from Victoria Church returned to the church and notified the Bishop and the matter was brought to the attention of the Police and the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM). Two officials from the SLMM, the Bishop of Mannar Most Rev. Rayappu Joseph, Rev. Fr. Wincent Parick, the parish priest of the Victoria church together with Commadore Nihal Chandrasri, the commanding officer of the Mannar Naval Base in the Sunny Village visited the spot following the information from the civilians who returned from the site, sources said. At 1:30 p.m., acting Magistrate of Mannar Mr. A. S. Johndasan, visited the spot and ordered the Mannar Police to conduct investigations into the killings. Mannar Police HQ OIC Sugath Thasmadelle is heading the investigations. Meanwhile, the SLN official Chandrasri said that the ambush site where at least 13 SLN personnel were killed was not cleared yet, and that was the reason for not allowing the civilians to enter the area to search for the missing civilians. Additional SLN personnel and police were deployed in the area. Number of families that have sought refuge at the Victoria Church has increased to 180 as 41 families who were displaced in Kavviyan settlement from Thullukudiyiruppu have also sought refuge at the church, sources added. Lankan military upset on diplomatic visit to Tiger rebels area –The Island The military expressed its disappointment over a high level diplomatic mission visiting Killinochchi, north-east of Sri Lanka in the backdrop of the Tiger rebels stepping up attacks on security forces, particularly Friday’s (Dec 23) ambush that killed 13 sailors and wounded three at Pesalai, on the north-west cost of the island. Although the Sri Lankan government announced Friday night that senior representatives from the co-chairs to the Tokyo donor conference would visit Kilinochchi, the US did not join the delegation. The co-chairs’ group comprises the US, EU, Norway and Japan. On a Defence Ministry directive the Air Force yesterday (Dec 24) morning flew the head of the EU delegation to Sri Lanka, Ambassador Julian Wilson, British High Commissioner Stephen Evans, Japanese Ambassador Akio Suda, and the Norwegian Deputy Ambassador Oddvar L`B5greid to Vavuniya. From there the delegation moved overland to reach the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Peace Secretariat. This was the first high level diplomatic contact with the LTTE by countries other than Norway, since the assassination of Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar last August. "We have rewarded terrorism again. The Tigers would turn this to a major propaganda event," a senior security forces officer said. "They targeted our convoy with claymore mines and then fired a rocket propelled grenade." "We are making a huge mistake. Now they will start making regular visits to Kilinochchi." The decision on the Kilinochchi meet was taken at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake. Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera had been associated with the Prime Minister at the hastily arranged meeting with diplomatic representatives. Yesterday’s visit was Ambassador Wilson's first to Kilinochchi. Wilson took over the mission shortly after Kadirgamar’s assassination that prompted the EU to ban LTTE delegates in EU member states. But this would not prevent meetings between EU members and overseas based LTTE representatives. The LTTE carried out two major attacks against the navy in Mannar and a series of hit and run attacks in the Jaffna peninsula, north-east of Sri Lanka despite the co-chairs’ latest warning, an army officer said. "And now the attackers have been rewarded with a visit," he said. A stunned President Friday summoned an emergency meeting to discuss the crisis triggered by terrorists’ attacks at Temple Trees where a section of the top brass suggested that immediate retaliatory action should be considered as part of their strategy. Army Commander Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka had been summoned from Ambepussa where he was participating at a function of the Sinha Regiment. Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Daya Sandagiri, service commanders and Defence Secretary Colonel (Rtd) Gotabhaya Rajapakse had been present. The Sunday Island learns that the proposal did not receive the required backing. Senior government and military officials accused the Norwegian-led Scandinavian truce monitoring mission of shielding the LTTE. While acting spokesperson Mats Lundstorm Friday night declined to identify the perpetrators, the mission head Hagrup Haukland said, "There are definitely powers in the northeast at the moment who do not want peace. By instigating provocations and violence, they are causing fear and mistrust in the whole of Sri Lanka. Certainly if this is allowed to continue, the (2002) Cease-fire Agreement will be in jeopardy very soon." Meanwhile, LTTE terrorists Friday night attacked an army post at the Northern Regional Bus Depot located at 1 km from Point Pedro town on the Pt Pedro-Jaffna road. There had been no casualties. Troops were deployed at Thavady on the Jaffna-KKS road north of Jaffna town. Army headquarters said that there were no casualties. 25 December 2005 6 SLA soldiers injured in 3 attacks in Jaffna In a firefight between unidentified gunmen and Sri Lanka
Army (SLA) soldiers near Jaffna Fort area at 6.10 p.m. Saturday 3 SLA
soldiers were injured, one of them seriously. The trooper with serious
injuries was air lifted to Palaly military hospital, sources said. Military
command in Colombo has informed that four gunmen have been killed in the
Jaffna Fort attack and their bodies are lying near Jaffna Fort. Since
no reporters are allowed to the area TamilNet is unable to confirm this. In two other incidents, one soldier was injured in a grenade attack in a sentry point in Irupalai, Jaffna around 4.30 p.m. and two SLA soldiers were injured in a grenade attack in Thanlankilappu Road in Thenmaradchy area at 5.30 p.m. Following the Irupalai attack, more than 30 traders in Irupalai were taken to the SLA camp for interrogation. They have not been released when this story was filed. The two soldiers injured in the Thanankilappu attack were also airlifted to Palaly Military Hospital. Five LTTE rebels killed in firefight with military in Jaffna At least five LTTE rebels have been killed in intense fighting with the security forces in the restive northern Jaffna peninsula this evening, military sources here said. ''A group of LTTE cadres had fired at military personnel engaged in a cordon and search operation near the Jaffna fort this evening. During the ensued firefight, five LTTE cadres were killed on the spot,'' Military Spokesman, Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe told UNI over phone. He said ''Their weapons, including hand grenades and pistols have been recovered by the army.'' ''During the gun battle that lasted for at least half and hour, a military officer and a soldier were also injured,'' he added. ''The injured soldiers are rushed to the Palaly military hospital and search operation is still underway and we are waiting for more details,'' Brig Samarasinghe said. The incident has taken place barely a couple of hours after the diplomatic team representing the Co-chairs of Sri Lanka's donor community held discussions with LTTE's political wing head, S P Thamilselvan in the rebel-held Kilinochchi district to discuss the urgent need to resume talks with Colombo on the implementation of the Norwegian-brokered truce, which is under ''grave danger'' following an escalation of violence in the restive Northern Jaffna province. Reiterating its commitment to maintain ceasefire agreement and to resume truce talks with the government, the LTTE, however, has not budged an inch from its position that it should be held in a European venue. Co-Chairs Reps meet with LTTE The diplomatic team representing the Co-chairs for the peace process in Sri Lanka comprising of Head of EU delegation to Sri Lanka, Ambassador Julian Wilson, British High Commissioner Stephen Evans, Japanese Ambassador Akio and the Deputy Ambassador for Norway Mr.Oddvar Laegreid met with the LTTE Head of the Political Division Mr.S.P.Tamilselvan today 24 December 2005 at the LTTE Peace Secretariat in Kilinochchi. The delegation briefed Mr.Tamilselvan on the Co-Chairs’ concern over the escalating violence and the necessity to start talks on effective implementation of the CFA since it is felt that the CFA is running into grave risk. On the controversy over the venue for talks, the delegation stressed the necessity for the LTTE to make concessions similar to the government’s concession of agreeing to an Asian location outside Sri Lanka. Mr.Tamilselvan explained to the delegation the continued stand of the LTTE in bringing about effective implementation of the CFA based on the frustration and anguish in the midst of the Tamil people consequent to the failure of the government as one party to the agreement to fulfil its obligations relating to normalcy in the life of the people affected by two decades of war. “Aggravating the situation was the impact of tsunami and the government’s failure to make use of that opportunity in adversity to work jointly and build confidence” remarked Mr.Tamilselvan. Responding to the concern of the Co-chairs on the escalating violence, Mr.Tamilselvan said that the LTTE is totally helpless in the current situation wherein interaction with the people has been completely cut off due to the zero presence of political cadres in the occupied areas and the military’s acceleration of violence against civilians when they peacefully protest against military atrocities. “The Tamil people are angry over the latest incident of a young lady being abducted by SL Navy men, collectively raped and her body dumped into a well and this has a revolting impact with the memory of similar atrocities during 1996, when school girl Krishanthy met with the same fate, her mother, brother and neighbour who went to make enquiries were murdered and buried stealthily and also of the brutal attacks on the University population including the vice-chancellor” said Mr.Tamilselvan. Making a fervent plea to the delegation to take this message to the international community and provide the Tamil people the necessary support to get the CFA effectively implemented, Mr.Tamilselvan assured that the LTTE’s commitment to the peace process and the CFA is in place and the international community should appreciate the position vis-à-vis the venue since the LTTE has not changed its stand and the government’s insistence on an Asian location is premised on its wish to isolate the Tamil people from the international community. The delegation expressed its sympathy to the people affected by tsunami on the eve of completion of one year of the tragedy on 26 December 2005 and assured Co-Chairs’ advocacy of support for reconstruction efforts. Firefights in Point Pedro, Thavady Unknown assailants hurled hand grenades and fired at the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) post guarding the Northern Regional Bus Depot located at 1 km from Point Pedro town on the Pt Pedro-Jaffna road at 9 p.m. Friday. SLA returned fire and the firefight continued for more than five minutes, according to residents. SLA blocked vehicular traffic after the incident, and sources from Point Pedro said that normal bus service has not resumed till 9 a.m. Saturday. SLA has cordoned off the area around the bus depot and conducted searches.A similar grenade attack at the SLA checkpoint and firefight took place around the same time near Thavady. Jaffna along KKS road 4 km north of Jaffna town.No injuries were reported from either incident. Jaffna district was otherwise calm during Friday night, sources said. However, residents in Jaffna fear that with the completion of G,C.E (Ordinary Level) examinations Saturday, clashes may intensify. Truce monitors stop work in Jaffna citing insecurity The Scandinavian truce monitors in Sri Lanka have suspended operations in the Jaffna peninsula citing lack of security. The head of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) Hagrup Haukland told foreign correspondents here on Friday that he had asked his team in Jaffna not to intervene until their security was guaranteed. The SLMM's staff in Jaffna had stopped work on Thursday, he said. Haukland said that during the university students' demonstration in Jaffna town on December 19, the demonstrators not only pelted stones at the security forces, but tried to enter the SLMM's office forcibly. "This could not be called a peaceful demonstration. It was a very dangerous thing," he said. Haukland further said that there were some youngsters who were the principal actors in all demonstrations in Jaffna and these were identifiable. "The security forces should arrest them," he said. Haukland said that the forces creating unrest in the Sri Lankan North East did not seem to care about the safety and security of SLMM personnel. "There were instances when hand grenades had been thrown when SLMM personnel were around. Once our convoy was ambushed," he said. Haukland described the situation in the North East, as "alarming" and the ceasefire had been " jeopardised" he said. "There are forces which are against peace and are saying enough is enough," he said. Haukland described the attack on the Sri Lankan navy bus in Pesalai on Friday in which 13 sailors perished as a "cowardly" one. He commended the Sri Lankan armed forces for showing restraint under the circumstances but warned that their patience might begin to wear thin. Asked if he was thinking of seeking international help to beef up the security of his staff who number only 60, Haukland said that he was not. "I am 100 per cent sure that the Sri Lankan security forces are capable of providing security," he said. But there were circumstances in which no force could provide security. It is the two parties to the conflict, which must guarantee security, he added. Haukland said that he had asked for a meeting between the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE at the highest as well as the lowest levels to defuse the situation. The monitor, however, took care not to name the LTTE or any other group for the recent attacks on the security forces and said that this could not be done without conclusive evidence. Even as regards the firing on the air force helicopter
in South East Sri Lanka (the chopper was to carry the Italian Deputy Foreign
Minister) he said that all that one could say was that the shots were
fired from an LTTE controlled area. Ms Markandu Pushpamalar (31), also known as Malar, who
was injured when Sri Lanka Army (SLA) fired indiscriminately at civilians
following a grenade attack on their checkpost in Chavakachcheri Friday
1.30 p.m, succumbed to injuries at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital Saturday
morning, medical sources at the hospital said. Mr Rajathurai, the second civilian injured during the same incident, is still recovering at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital. The grenade attack took place on the SLA sentry located near the Multipurpose Cooperative building in Chavakachcheri. SLMM : Navy acted
upon CFA At least 13 sailors have been killed in a mine attack on a convoy in Pesalai ,after a mine was detonated as a navy bus and truck passed by in Mannar district, officials said. LTTE violated CFA The SLMM has ruled that the Sri Lanka Navy has acted upon the framework of the CFA by trying to protect the territorial integrity of Sri Lanka. The truce monitors themselves are in danger due to increased violence in the north and the east during recent weeks, Haukland has told the journalists that according to the recent rulings and the CFA, the Tigers have clearly violated the CFA and the rulings by firing on sailors. If the LTTE wants to have access to travelling via sea routes, the SLMM has said, that the two parties should return to the negotiating table to discuss required amendments. Security officials blamed Tamil Tiger rebels, but the LTTE has denied responsibility. History of violence The LTTE has, however, never accepted responsibility for their attacks, analysts pointed out. Iqbal Athas, defence analyst of Sunday Times (Sri Lanka) said the rebels denied any involvement after the killing of former Indian Prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, but LTTE chief negotiator Anton Balasingham later expressed regret for the incident. Meanwhile, condemning the recent attacks on a bus carrying sailors in Pesalai on Friday, the government of Sri Lanka has expressed condolences to the families of the deceased. Government condemns President Mahinda Rajapaksa has called the Security Council and discussed the situation in depth, a statement issued by the Director of Information said. “Planned attacks like this by the LTTE are aimed at disrupting the peace initiatives by the govt,” the statement added. “Such acts can not disrupt the govt's peace efforts. The government is committed to take the peace process in consultation with other parties.” Vigil in memory of the Tsunami Victims Communities to come together to remember and rededicate Tamil Youth Organization of Canada, in partnership with several community organizations, is holding a vigil to remember the one year anniversary of the Indian Ocean Tsunami that killed more than 200,000 in Asia. *The vigil will be held on: The Boxing Day Tsunami left a trail of death and destruction from Indonesia to Somalia. Over 200,000 people died and over 5,000,000 people were displaced in over 11 countries. In the North and East of Sri Lanka, over 18,000 people were killed and 500,000 people were displaced. The disaster also claimed the lives of several Canadians. This human tragedy has left a lasting impact on many communities in Canada. Thirty-one members of the Tamil Youth Organization were in Sri Lanka during the Tsunami and witnessed first-hand the effects it had on the people. 'Over the past year, hundreds of people have joined hands to assist these victims of the Tsunami in many ways. This will be an opportunity to rededicate ourselves to continue to assist the hundreds of thousands of people who lost everything that they had and are still languishing in temporary shelters' said Meera Bala, one of the event coordinators. Representatives of various communities that were affected by the Asian Tsunami will join the Tamil community in Toronto to commemorate the memories of their loved ones. Guest speakers will also share their experiences during and after the Tsunami. Multi-faith prayers will be followed by commemorative songs and speeches. The event is expected to be attended, in addition to general public, by community leaders, leaders of various organizations that have played a significant role in providing relief and rehabilitation assistance,politicians, and representatives of various communities. For more information, contact Meera Bala, Event Cordinator at 647-401-4258. Tamil Youth Organization is a non-profit organization aimed at uniting Tamil Youth nationwide by acting as the central communication link and providing an opportunity for action to serve the Tamil community, both domestically and abroad. For more information, visit our website at www.tyocanada.org* or contact us at 416-841-1013 24 December 2005 Mannar
District Resurgence People force claims responsibility for the killing
of 15 Sri Lanka Navy sailors. The news item claiming responsibility of the attacks was carried in the Tamil news websites – Puthinam.com, Nitharsanam.com, Sangkathi.com, etc. Mannar District Resurgence People Force claimed responsibility for the claymore attacks. It further claimed, that was a revenge killing on the abduction, sexually molesting and killing of Ilayathamby Tharshini (20), by the SL Navy personnel in the High Security Zone, in the ‘Islands region’ and whose body was recovered from an abandoned well in Punguduthivu Saturday 17 December. The excerpt of the statement is given below: To the racially inclined occupation forces This revenge attack, a final warning on the Sri Lanka Navy, was an act of revenge for the killing on 17 December of Tharshini, who was sexually assaulted brutally and killed and her body was retrieved from an abandoned well in Punguduthievu. This was done by us to render a helping hand to the Jaffna District Resurgence People Force. We are warning the Sri Lanka armed forces that they may have to encounter similar huge losses for any future atrocities inflicted them on our Tamil people. Indian High Commissioner meets TNA delegation A delegation of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Friday
met with the Indian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Ms Nirupama Rao and
discussed at length the current situation, concerns on potential breakdown
of CeaseFire Agreement (CFA), and the urgent need to restart the peace
process. The TNA delegation impressed upon the High Commissioner the need
for peace talks to commence without further delay, Mr.R.Sampanthan, TNA
parliamentary group leader said in a press release Friday. With the Indian High Commissioner, her political secretary, Mr.Amandeep Singh Gill, participated in the discussions. TNA delegation comprised Mr Sampanthan, Joseph Pararajasingham, Mavai Senathirajah, Telo Leader Selvam Adaikalanathan, Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam and Suresh Premachchandran, TNA sources said. SL President met Indian HC. About unrest in North Indian High Commissioner Nirupama Rao held talks with President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees today about the prevailing unrest in the North. The High Commissioner is reported to have made inquiries from the President regarding the abduction of three naval ratings yesterday off the seas of Talaimannar. The duos have also focused on the forthcoming Indian visit of the President. Sri Lanka President summons National Defense Council for urgent meeting Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has summoned the National Defense Council for urgent talks just after the LTTE reportedly attacked Naval officers in Mannar. According to sources, actions that should be taken for the safety of civilians and security forces personnel will be discussed. It is learned that the President is urging all forces commanders to maintain law and order in troubled-hit areas and to be more vigilant about the LTTE’s moves. 28 wounded, 13 hospitalized in SLN revenge attack on IDPs Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) soldiers Friday evening around 5:30 p.m. entered the settlement of Internally Displaced People (IDP), the Victoria Hundred Houses scheme, and attacked the civilians with batons, bike-chains and shoes after tying their hands and legs. Eleven persons, 9 males and 2 females, were admitted to the Peripheral Medical unit in Pesalai and two men requiring further medical care were rushed to Mannar General Hospital. Another 15 persons, with minor injuries, have returned after treatment at OPD (Out Patients Department), medical sources said. Meanwhile, more than 100 families living along Talaimannar-Pesalai Road have moved into the Vetrimatha Church in Pesalai for safety. The fate of a few families from the IDP settlement who failed to turnup at the temporary refuge in Vetrimatha Church, was not known, according to families who arrived at the Church. The housing settlement is located at Thullukudiyiruppu in Pesalai, 200 meters from the ambush site where more than 15 SLN personnel were killed in a Claymore explosion Friday afternoon. Many persons from Pesalai, a predominantly catholic middle class population, are employed in the Government sector in Mannar town. More than 800 persons, stranded in Mannar unable to proceed beyond Tharapuram, have sought refuge at St. Sebastian church in Mannar and with their relatives and friends. Many of them had come to Mannar town for Christmas shopping. A few Muslims have taken refuge in the mosques in Mannar, sources added. Co-chairs delegation to meet LTTE in Kilinochchi today A delegation from the Co-chairs will travel to Kilinochchi to meet the LTTE today as the Government yesterday impressed upon the Ambassadors of the Co-chair countries to take specific measures to ensure that the LTTE desists from further escalating violence in the North and East and return to the negotiating table. The decision was taken when Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake and Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera met Ambassadors of the Co-chairs countries in the aftermath of the incident in Thalaimannar in which 13 sailors were killed. In a statement issued last night, the Government in the strongest possible terms condemned the LTTE attack. "It is clear that the claymore mine explosion and the PRG fire had been planned in a way to cause maximum casualties among the Security Forces. The LTTE has from the very inception shown scant regard for the provisions of the Ceasefire Agreement and these continued attacks raise serious doubts on the LTTE's commitment to a political settlement. This is the second serious attack after the Co-chairs statement of December 19, 2005," it added. The Prime Minister impressed upon the need for the international community to take specific measures to ensure that the LTTE desists from further escalating violence in the North and East and return to the negotiating table. The need to ensure the strict compliance with the ceasefire agreement not only in word, but in deed as well was also highlighted, the release added. As the continued provocations are deliberate attempts to create a back-clash elsewhere in the country, the Government called upon the public to remain calm in the face of such provocations. Meanwhile, in an earlier release, the Government Information Department stated that President Mahinda Rajapakse discussed the incident in detail after convening the Security Council immediately after he was informed of this incident. "The Government conveys its condolences to family members of Navy personnel killed in this incident," the statement added. UNP condemns attacks The main opposition UNP yesterday condemned the landmine attacks on naval personnel and the killing of an intelligence officer in Nuwara Eliya. The party in a statement blamed the government for not
providing adequate measures to curb the continuing violence in the North
and East, and called upon President Mahinda Rajapakse to ensure security
in the country. The UNP also condemned the JVP and the JHU describing
them as the parties which pushed the LTTE towards war. UNP MP leaves for India for Pooja to invoke blessings on President Colombo district UNP parliamentarian T.Maheshwaran was due to leave for India today (23) to organize preliminary activities of two poojas to be held in two well-known kovils in India to invoke blessings on President Mahinda Rajapaksa. When contacted by Lanka e News about his Indian visit and the two poojas for the President, the parliamentarian only confirmed that he is leaving for India. The President leaves for India on the 27th on a three day state visit and Maheshwaran has received an invitation from the President to join the entourage When Lanka e News queried whether this true, Maheshwaran said he would not go to India with the President and added that the President is a friend of him even before he entered politics. He claimed that there is no connection with his Indian visit and that of the President. Even though Maheshwaran said so, the President had been engaged a long conversation with Maheshwaran for nearly 45 minutes over the phone last Monday and Maheshwarana is reported to have visited Temple Trees after the conversation. Useless talking to ‘animals’ – JHU Having discussions with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is like having discussions with the likes of Kudu Noor, Mora Sunil or Thel Anil, the Sinhala Jathika Sangamaya President S.L. Gunasekara said yesterday. He told a press conference in Colombo, that one must have talks with the human beings and not with Russell's Vipers or Cobras. Gunasekara also termed the LTTE as an underworld group that consists of heartless creatures who kidnap children for their military activities. He also said that there is no point in going for peace talks with the LTTE, "because without a separate state they won't be satisfied." Federation of National Organisations Joint Secretary Gunadasa Amarasekera said that the ban on the LTTE is a must. He said that the activity of the LTTE in the recent past is a clear indication of their brutal ways. Chavakachcheri Police post comes under attack Chavakachcheri police post in Thenmaradchy came under
grenade attack and small-arms fire at 8.30 p.m. Thursday, sources in Jaffna
said. Police returned fire from their positions inside the Police station
premises and the firefight lasted for more than 15 minutes, according
to sources. No injuries were reported. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Army (SLA) arrested a youth in Nunavil along the Kandy-Jaffna Road around 9 p.m. Thursday. He was one of the two riding in a motorbike when they were stopped. Sources said, the other youth escaped in the motorbike amid gunfire from the troops. He may have been seriously injured, according to reports from the area. Further, at around 8.30 p.m. Thursday, the Police Post located in front of the Old Bus Stand at entrance to the High Security Zone (HSZ) in Point Pedro, also came under grenade attack. Further details of this incident are not available at this time. In the general search of houses in Kachchai, Chavakachcheri area Thursday morning, the Kodikamam Police arrested two civilians accused of hiding hand grenades in their homes. The arrested were produced in Chavakachcheri court Thursday afternoon. The Judge has ordered remand till Monday, sources said. India donates medical equipment to Sri Lanka hospitals The Indian government has donated medical equipment worth approximately 30 million Sri Lankan rupees to tsunami-affected base hospitals in Hambantota and Point Pedro. The Indian High Commission in Colombo said High Commissioner Nirupama Rao handed over to Sri Lankan Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva the first consignment of medical equipment required for the upgrade of the base hospitals. The equipment includes a mobile X-ray machine, ECT apparatus, ECG machine, BSER machine, tympanometer, anaesthesia machine, therapeutic ventilators, nebulizers, surgical loop, slit lamp, visual field analyzer, defibrillator with monitor, pulse oxymeters, incubator and ventilators for neonates, mortuary cooler, 2-D Echo machine with Doppler and CD recording facility and rigid nasal endoscope. Twenty six new tsunami houses in Trinco Aitken Spence and Company will unveil 26 houses for tsunami-affected families in Trincomalee in the North and East today. Company Deputy Chairman Rajan Brito said "At Aitken Spence we are strongly committed to fulfilling of our obligating to society in an efficient and enduring manner". Kumpuripiddy Village in the Trincomalee District was relocated by the Urban Development Authority (UDA) and Aitken Spence and Company. Twenty-six houses were planned to build in a land belonging to the Kuchchuveli Divisional Secretariat costing Rs. 20 million. Aitken Spence's partners TUI- the world's largest tourism group - jointly contributed towards the reconstruction project in the North and East, in addition to the 22 houses already financed in Katuwila, in the South. TUI, registered in Hanover and Berlin, encompasses 79 tour operator brands throughout Europe with around 18 million customers per year. The on-going second phase including a Medical Centre, Pre-school, Community Centre and Playground will span an area of 7.5 acres. Grenade attacks in Puttur, Katkovalam sentry points, 2 soldiers injured Unidentified men Friday morning around 5.30 a.m. lobbed
a grenade at the checkpoint of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) located along
the sea shore near Katkovalam in Vadamarachchi-Point Pedro area in Jaffna
district. One soldier was reported injured, sources said. In another similar
attack one SLA soldier was injured when unidentified persons lobbed a
grenade at the army sentry point located at Ramavil area between Kodikamam
and Puttur in Jaffna district, sources in Jaffna said. Large number of government troops were rushed to the Katkovalam site after the attack. They began search operation blocking all public and traffic movements, sources said. SLA attacks on Jaffna civilians increase, NGO closes office Two civilians, Ms K Malar (31) and K Rajathurai (64)
were seriously injured and were admitted to the Jaffna Teaching Hospital
after Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers fired indiscriminately after the SLA
sentry near the Multipurpose Cooperative building in Chavakachcheri came
under grenade attack at 1.30 p.m. Friday, sources said. Nine civilians have been admitted to the Jaffna Teaching Hospital Thursday as a result of attacks on civilians by the SLA soldiers. Sources in Jaffna said, that the security forces are targetting civilians mainly in the areas where there were incidents of grenade attacks. LTTE readying for attacks in Colombo-The Island The LTTE has planned to attack a number of targets in Colombo and a group of its cadres has undergone training for this purpose, Intelligence sources said yesterday (23). The Tigers have during recent weeks committed a number of serious ceasefire violations which include attacks on and killing of Armed Forces and Police personnel. They are now planning to attack a number of targets in Colombo, Defence Advisor to the government and former DIG H. M. G. B. Kotakdeniya told The Island. He said security and surveillance had been strictly tightened in and around Colombo with orders given to the Forces and Police to exercise utmost vigilance. This was in addition to search operations being conducted in Colombo and the suburbs. Kotakadeniya requested the public to contact the police in case there was any suspicious movement of strangers in their neigbourhood so that swift action could be taken to pre-empt any acts of violence or sabotage by the LTTE. Woman shot dead, father wounded in Chenkalady Unidentified gunmen who entered a house to abduct a young
man in Chenkalady opened fire inside his house as the family members spoiled
the attempted abduction. The angered gunmen, armed with a T-56 rifle,
shot and killed the sister of the youth, Eravur Police said. The victim's
father was wounded in the incident that took place inside the house located
on Boundary Road in Chenkalady, 13 km north of Batticaloa town, Thursday
around 9:00 p.m. The gunmen were masked and the exact reason for the attempted abduction of the youth was not clear, according to Eravur Police conducting investigations into the incident. Vaiko meets Indian Premier, Defence Minister in New Delhi Vaiko, the General Secretary of the Marumalarchi Dravida
Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) from the Tamil Nadu state in India, met Indian
Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in New Delhi Friday at 5 p.m. Following
the meeting with the Indian Premier, Vaiko also met the Indian Defense
Minister Pranab Mukherjee Friday evening. When contacted by TamilNet,
the MDMK chief Vaiko described his meetings with Manmohan Singh and Pranab
Mukherjee as cordial and constructive. Sri Lanka was trying to trap India
to get embroiled into Sri Lanka's conflict as it did in the eighties,
Vaiko said, adding that he had cautioned the Indian leaders that Sri Lanka's
moves are inimical to Tamil interests. Dear Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji, Vanakkam. I would like to draw your kind attention to the emerging grave situation in Sri Lanka, which causes serious concern. The most shocking incident took place on 17th December 2005 in Jaffna was the abduction, rape and murder of a teenage girl by name Tharsini by Sri Lankan Naval personnel, whose dead body was found in a well immersed in water with a stone attached. When repressive brutal attacks by the Armed Forces were unleashed in and around Jaffna University against civilian population, the students led by the vice-chancellor and the professors of the University took out at a procession to present a memorandum to the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM). But they were blocked by soldiers of Sri Lanka Military and brutally attacked in which the vice-chancellor and the Professors were severely beaten to bleed. Though the Sri Lanka Military claimed that they fired only warning shots, the doctors in the Hospital have clarified that the Professors and Students had gunshot injuries. It is a matter of grave concern that after 1995 i.e. ten years after, the Army has entered into the Jaffna University and had opened fire to intimidate and suppress the students. Regarding cease-fire and the violations the Sri Lankan Government is making all out efforts to paint totally a wrong picture to the outside world putting the blame against the Tamils and the LTTE. In the year 1995, when Sri Lanka Government launched military offensive Palaly Air field was fully utilised for the purpose of ariel bombing and strafing in which many innocent Tamil men, women and children were massacred. About 5 lakhs Tamils were uprooted from their homes and had to leave Jaffna about which the then Pope John Paul II and the then U.N. Secretary General Mr. Boutros Boutros Ghali expressed their anguish. When the Sri Lanka Government tried to enter into defence co-operation agreement with India in 2004, you were so kind enough to consider our views against such a proposed agreement and decided not to go for and agreement for which the Tamil race ever obliged. At that time, I pointed out in my letter October 2004 that India should not engage to help the restructuring and repair work of Palaly Air field and runway. But, it was a terrible shock when the UNI News Agency reported the statement of Air Vice Marshal of Sri Lanka Air force Donald Periera on 9th December 2005 that in Jaffna the restructuring and repair works in Palaly runway is being carried out with the financial assistance of India for the past 6 months and a team of experts from India will visit shortly there for Joint discussion. In this situation the full joint Naval exercise (first time) of India and Sri Lanka in the second week of December gains more significance and an impression in favour of Sri Lanka got propagated by the Sri Lanka Government. The escalating situation in Sri Lanka is causing concern regarding the continuation of cease-fire and peace talks. Under these circumstances the Sri Lanka Government is trying to put India in the forefront in peace talks which could be a cunning strategic ploy. It is the Norway Government, which initiated the peace talks in all earnestness and sincerity. In this background I have brought to the kind notice of the Hon’ble Prime Minister the above mentioned facts regarding the tragic sufferings of Tamils in the Island. With warm regards, 23 December 2005 15 Sri Lankan Navy killed in mine blast, Navy says; Tamil rebels suspected Powerful land mine blasts blew up a bus carrying Sri Lankan Navy on Friday, killing 15 and injuring at least four others, the navy said. Tamil Tiger rebels were suspected in the attack amid an escalation of violence that is threatening to return the South Asian country to civil war. 30 sailors were travelling on the bus and truck. Four injured personnel were taken to hospital, the ministry said. Two are reported to be in critical condition. Reports say there were two explosions, one a claymore fragmentation mine and the other either an anti-vehicle mine or a rocket-propelled grenade. International peace monitors said the situation was "alarming" and that the truce was in jeopardy. End volatile situation to resume talks, TELO Muthalvar tells Government TELO MP M.K. Sivajilingam claimed in Parliament yesterday that the government should end the present volatile situation in the north to resume peace talks with the LTTE. The MP made this claim in his speech during the committee stage on the budget debate in the House yesterday. Mr. Sivajilingam said that President Mahinda Rajapkase expressed at a recent meeting with them, his willingness to resume dialogue with the LTTE to solve the problem. “The government can never achieve the expected goals in the budget unless peace is established. People will not tolerate violence unleashed on them any longer. The government is driving the country back to war by acting in this manner,” he said. He also said they feel sorry for soldiers killed in the recent violent incidents, especially during ceasefire. “We saw their funerals on TV. We feel sorry for them. These things could have been avoided,” he said. He also requested the government to confine the army soldiers stationed in the civil areas in the north to barracks and use police personnel instead. New Delhi must aid peace process - President PRESIDENT Mahinda Rajapakse, who begins a four-day visit to India on December 27, will ask New Delhi to become a co-chair of the Tokyo conference so that it can "influence" the international community to push forward the peace process. Speaking to representatives of the Indian media on Wednesday, Rajapakse said it was time the Co-chairs took the peace process forward, and by becoming a co-chair, India could exert "influence" on them. In the Sri Lankan peace process, the international community is represented by the co-chairs of the 2003 Tokyo Aid Lanka conference - the United States, the European Union, Japan and Norway. "India must get involved in the peace process, at least give its blessings to it. India is our immediate neighbour and we must work closely with it. I mentioned this in my very first policy statement," Rajapakse said. He said that in his view, peace talks with the LTTE should be held in an Asian country and not Oslo, as the LTTE had been demanding. He pointed out that Japan had offered to be the venue and Sri Lanka had accepted the proposal. The President was happy that an Indian representative had met the co-chairs after their meeting in Brussels on December 19. "This shows that India is taking more interest now," he remarked. Asked what he wanted India to do, apart from joining as a co-chair, Rajapakse said India could help develop the North-East. On the possibility of discussing a defence cooperation agreement with India and getting Indian help for repairing and modernising the Palaly Air Force base in Jaffna, the President said that these matters would not be taken up in his talks with Indian leaders. The controversial Sethusamudram Ship Canal Project in the Palk Straits would also not be taken up, he added. On when he expected talks with the LTTE to begin, Rajapakse said: "I am ready when Prabhakaran is ready." Asked to spell out what he could offer the LTTE at the talks, the President said he would propose "maximum devolution possible under a unitary state." He also said that he would look into the various devolution models in Sri Lanka's neighbourhood, especially how the Indian system of devolution had been working. Asked about the recent cases of violence in the North-East, in which many Sri Lankan soldiers and Tamil civilians were killed, Rajapakse said while the army had been very restrained, the LTTE had been violating the ceasefire agreement. On the international community's charge that his Government had not disarmed and removed anti-LTTE Tamil paramilitary groups in the northeast, as per the terms of its ceasefire with the Tigers, Rajapakse said the paramilitaries had been removed and the current fighting was between the Karuna group, a breakaway LTTE group, and the Tigers. Mannar LTTE office burnt down The office of the LTTE Mannar district administrative unit was found Friday early morning burnt and damaged by unidentified persons. This office is located along Moor Street in Mannar town, sources said. The office was in an abandoned state following the withdrawal of LTTE political activists from the government-controlled area few months ago due to security. Three SLN sailors died in Mannar sea - LTTE The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have informed
the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) that their cadres had returned
fire for self-protection on Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) boats that intercepted
and attacked three LTTE vessels in the seas of Mannar Thursday morning.
Two SLN sailors were found dead inside a boat that was abandoned by the
SLN fleet, and another sailor, seriously wounded and rescued by the Tigers,
later drowned in a Tiger boat that had sustained extensive damage, the
LTTE said. One LTTE cadre was wounded in the clash, the Tigers said adding
that their cadres were continuing to travel in the seas with arms for
self-defence in accordance with their earlier announcement. Kilinochchi 22 December 2005 Dear Mr.Haukland, Subject: Incident in the seas of Mannar This letter is being addressed to you to provide full details relating to the incident in the Mannar seas in the morning hours today, 22 December 2005. We were unable to provide timely information on this due to the late arrival of our boats attacked by the SL Navy and to ascertain full details from our members who have escaped the attack. When three of our boats were travelling in the Mannar seas, SL Navy intercepted the fleet and started firing attacks. Our members had to return fire for self-protection. When the naval fleet was retreating, our members observed one navy boat left behind. Since that boat was not making any movements, our members approached and inspected it to find that the boat was gradually sinking due to the damage and two sailors were found dead and one alive with serious injuries. Abandoning the sinking boat with two dead bodies our members decided to save the injured sailor by transferring him to our boat already damaged by the naval attack. The damage to our boat was extensive that sea-water entered into the boat rapidly and the boat sank with the injured soldier. Our members managed to swim along with their injured colleague and reached the shores in our area late in the evening. It is after making inquiries from them the above details were obtained. In the meantime, the SL government has hastened to inform the SLMM and the media that the LTTE has abducted three sailors. Our members confirm that all the three sailors in the navy boat were drowned. In this context, it is relevant to refer you to our repeated requests to make arrangements for members' travel in land and sea in terms of the agreed understanding reached earlier. Please be advised that our members would continue this practice of travelling in the seas with arms for self-defence and it is essential that our request be officially responded to formalise travel in the future. Early action in providing the official arrangement in place would avoid recurrence of such incidents. Thank you. Yours sincerely Attacks escalate in Jaffna Unidentified gunmen and Sri Lanka Army soldiers exchanged
gunfire for more than five minutes near Ainthusanthi, a junction in the
outer suburb of Jaffna town around 4:30 p.m. Thursday. Four civilians,
severely beaten up by the soldiers, were rushed to Jaffna Hospital. A
policeman was wounded at Kantharmadam junction, 300 meters away from the
University of Jaffna, around 1:00 p.m., when unidentified attackers launched
an attack on the troopers, Police said. An SLA vehicle narrowly escaped
from a claymore attack at Nelliyadi in Vadamardhci around 5:30 a.m. Thursday.
Grenade attacks were reported in Ariyalai, Kopay, and near Nachimar Temple
in Jaffna. Tension prevails in Jaffna. The persons beaten up by the soldiers, Thevaratnam Maheswaran, 31, Francis Xavier Anustan, 28, I. Nishanthan, 28, and K. Theivendram, 39, were civilian travellers on the KKS Road, sources added. Another grenade attack was reported in Kopay near District Secretariat building at 4:00 p.m. A civilian traveller, Rooban Jeyanthan, 26, was rushed to Jaffna Hospital after being beaten up by the soldiers in Kopay. Earlier, on Wednesday night, four policemen were wounded when unidentified attackers lobbed grenades at the Police station in Kopay, according to the Police. The policeman wounded at Kantharmadam junction, Mr. Kulathunga Banda, was being treated at Palaly Military Hospital, SLA sources said. Soldiers of the SLA and Policemen in large number rushed to the site in Kantharmadam and Arasady junctions following the attack and launched a cordon and search operation closing the roads for public and vehicular use, civilian sources said. Civilian travellers were also beaten up by the soldiers near Kantharmadam and Ainthusanthi junctions Thursday afternoon, the sources added. Sri Lanka Army has intensified its street patrols in Jaffna following the escalation of attacks on Sri Lanka Army. Rajiv case accused
ends fast after visa promised to daughter According to Mr Ramachandran, Murugan broke his fast following a call from Nalini's brother Bhagyanathan who is in Chennai, that the authorities had given an assurance to issue the visa. Chandrika does it again-SriLankan flight delayed A Sri Lankan airlines flight had to be delayed by thirty two minutes to accommodate former President Chandrika Kumaratunge. The former President left for London last morning after returning to the country from a holiday in Australia two days ago. The Sri Lankan airlines flight was due to leave the Katunayake air port at 8.50 am yesterday. Most passengers had arrived at the air port by 5.00 a.m., completed customs and immigration requirements and the flight was ready to take off, when the air port authorities received a message informing them that the former president was likely to get late and ordered to delay the flight until her arrival. VIP’s including foreigners and businessmen were among the passengers bound for London. The air port authorities were seriously embarrassed not being able to give reasons for the delay Ultimately former president arrived at the air port at 9.20 a.m. This is the second occasion during the month when a Sri Lankan airlines flight was delayed to accommodate former President. LTTE urges Norway to initiate steps to restore normalcy Full text of the letter follows: December 21, 2005 Mr. Hans Bratskar Your Excellency, Subject: Escalating Military violence in Jaffna This memorandum is being addressed to you at this difficult time taking into consideration the grave situation that is escalating in the Jaffna peninsula. Violent incidents unfolding in the Tamil homeland since of late testify to intensified attacks on civilians by the military. Climaxing this situation is the incident in which a young lady has been abducted, sexually molested by many according to the medical evidence and testified as having been subject to this brutality by the SL Navy personnel in the High Security Zone in the island region. To cover up this crime the lady has been murdered and the body put into a well immersed deep with a stone attached. This has made the collective Tamil emotions run high with the recalling of the Krishanthy murder in Chemmani. As a nation of people who have serious reservations about the security of females, the Tamil people are highly perturbed over this criminal trespass into the psyche of the Tamil thinking. This cruel pattern during the height of war under military occupation was seen as a crime against a selected nation of people by human rights activists then. At a time the Tamil people are crying for normalcy that had been denied to them even during a cease fire period, military excesses and atrocities of this nature has created a sense of fury in their minds. As a planned continuation, the military has accelerated its pace of harassment and attacks on civilian population. The military has adopted the most indecent pattern of attacking selectively many of the Tamil academics and the education community at large. This, for a people who consider education as the highest and noble goal in life, is a serious blow. In this context, the attack on the Vice Chancellor of the Jaffna University Dr.S.Mohanadas and the shooting and injuring of professors, lecturers and undergraduates, has created tension, panic and uncontrollable civilian unrest. The SL Military is solely responsible for this sorry state of affairs. We request of you in all earnestness that your effective intervention and pressure to the government must be in place now at this perilous hour to stop forthwith the military violence and atrocities on the civilians. We fear that the military expanding its nefarious activities to public thoroughfares, educational institutions, densely populated residential areas and public places where people congregate would unfortunately lead to serious consequences. Military should stop all its atrocities against the civilians forthwith and help to pacify the people. At this critical juncture when the Tamil people are in the fringe of their patience and subject to military violence let loose on them, the international community has a moral obligation to prevail upon the government to pull back its forces into the barracks and bring about normalcy in the life of the peace loving people. Please treat this as a serious threat to the CFA and initiate meaningful steps to bring about calm and peace in the Tamil homeland. Thank you. Yours sincerely S.P.Tamilselvan Budget passed President Mahinda Rajapakse’s maiden budget for 2006 was passed by a huge majority in Parliament yesterday, after the Committee stage debate, largely due to the main Opposition UNP abstaining from the vote, and only the TNA opposing it. The agriculture friendly Budget drafted on the lines of the ‘Mahinda Chinthana’ policies was passed with a majority of 101 votes, the JVP, JHU, CWC and SLMC supporting the government and the TNA opposing it. A total of 119 MPs voted for and 18 against. Yesterday budgetary estimates for 2006 were approved in the House for labour relations and foreign employment, skills development, tourism, foreign affairs, home affairs, public administration, local government and provincial councils, constitutional affairs, regional development, sports, science and technology, education, vocational and technical training, industrial development, rural economic promotion, state banks development, plan implementation and finance and planning. Kotakadeniya accuses CWC leader of blocking Colombo security raids Defence Ministry Advisor H.M.G.B. Kotakadeniya has accused CWC leader Arumugam Thondaman of blocking him from carrying out raids on LTTE suspects residing in lodges in Colombo. Kotakadeniya said that whenever he tried to launch raids on reported safe houses, Thondaman telephoned former President Chandrika Kumaratunga and brought pressure on him. He said this prevented him from carrying out his official duties. “Thondaman, under the direction of Velupillai Prabhakaran, wanted the then President to make me powerless in order to allow the LTTE cadres to operate in the city. This was in 1995 and the consequences were seen very well with the bombings that followed in the main economical hubs such as the Central Bank, Petroleum Refinery and the Katunayake Airport, to name a few,” he charged. Navy didn't attack, because 100 fishing vessels were anchored - Govt. The government vehemently condemns the LTTE's abduction of three sailors along with a boat and the shooting incident off Talaimannar this morning, government spokesman Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva said. The LTTE has committed 9 such incidents yesterday and today violating the cease-fire agreement, and today's attack was carried in an area where over 100 fishing vessels were anchored and as such the Navy did not retaliate as government forces conduct themselves in a disciplined and responsible manner unlike a terrorist organization like the LTTE and specially human lives are of prime importance to them, the Minister added. The government spokesman added the security forces will strictly comply with the truce and would not retaliate, and the patience displayed by the forces has earned them many international accolades. He further said that the LTTE has carried out this attack barely two days after a strongly worded statement issued by the co-chairs of the peace process and added Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera today briefed the ambassadors of the countries representing the co-chairs regarding today's attack. Press Freedom
Suffers as Violence Accelerates in Jaffna, Sri Lanka “The concern is that these three incidents are just the beginning of the targeting of media and journalists in Jaffna which will result in a total clampdown of freedom of expression and free and independent reporting,” said IFJ president Christopher Warren. The IFJ is concerned over the following incidents in Sri Lanka: Three journalists beaten in Jaffna T. Sabeswaran, reporter, Thinakural; Winston Jeyan, reporter from Thinakaran and G. Jerad, reporter, Namathu Eelanadu were beaten and their cameras damaged when the Sri Lanka Army opened fire during a demonstration march at Jaffna University. Several university lecturers and the vice chancellor were injured in the attack. Journalists arrested The three were arrested despite having produced identity papers and press cards. They were finger printed and photographed with no explanation and were only released after the intervention of a Tamil parliamentarian. Newspaper searched in Jaffna According to an IFJ affiliate in Sri Lanka, the Free Media Movement (FMM), the search was a direct result of an escalation in violence in Jaffna in the past few weeks, which has resulted in the deaths of a number of soldiers, citizens and separatists. The FMM and the IFJ fear that the media will become a target as a direct result of the increase in violence due to the four daily Tamil newspapers in Jaffna, including the Namathu Eelanaadu’s editorial support of Tamil nationalism putting them in ideological opposition with the military. “It is essential that the role of journalists and
the media is respected as independent from the conflict,” said Warren.
For more information please contact IFJ Asia-Pacific +61 (2) 9333 0919 JVP won't take part in Sri Lanka President's Indian visit The JVP, a political ally of President Mahinda Rajapaksa's, has rejected his invitation to join the delegation for the state visit to India, scheduled on December 27. The JVP in rejecting the President’s offer said the party was not a part of the government and therefore saw no reason for being part of the President’s delegation. Canadian students express concern over student rights’ violations in Sri Lanka In an urgent letter addressed to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaske, the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS), a body representing over 250,000 Ontario students, expressed concern regarding the assaults by Sri Lankan army personnel on Jaffna University students, faculty members and administrators. “On behalf of the 250,000 Ontario members of the Canadian Federation of Students, I am writing you to express concern regarding the reported assaults on university students, faculty members, and administrators from Jaffna University during a peaceful protest in Sri Lanka’s Jaffna Peninsula,” Jesse Greener, Ontario Chairperson for the Canadian Federation of Students said. In an illustration of solidarity with the Students in Northern Sri Lanka, the CFS declared, “Freedom of expression is a fundamental right.” The letter called on the Government to protect students’ rights and called for the removal of military from within and around Jaffna University. “It is incumbent on the government of Sri Lanka to protect students’ right to learn and express their viewpoints in a peaceful and safe environment. This means not only removing the military from within and around Jaffna University campus, but also ensuring that the basic necessities of learning are in place for all students,” the letter said. The CFS said that it opposes any barriers that prevent students from accessing or properly participating in their education and added that, if the allegations of rights abuse were true, they would constitute “egregious violations of the rights of students in the Northern region of Sri Lanka” and be deserving of “international attention.” On Saturday 17th December, the body of Ilayathamby Tharshini (20) was recovered from an abandoned well in Punguduthivu, reports said. According to postmortem examination conducted at the Jaffna teaching hospital, she was brutally raped before being strangled to death. Punguduthivu Multi-Purpose Co-operative Society (MPCS) later said in a press release that the Sri Lanka Navy should take the responsibility for the abduction and murder of the young woman as island was under complete control of the Navy. On Monday 19th December, students on a peaceful protest march to the international peace monitoring commission were brutally assaulted and shot at without any warning or provocation by the Sri Lankan security forces, according to reports. Among those injured were several students, student leaders, senior lecturers and the Vice Chancellor of Jaffna University. On Tuesday 20th December, armed forces entered Jaffna University premises and again brutally assaulted students, fired into the air and used tear gas to disrupt student activities, reports said. A senior lecturer and a student were arrested by released later. This is the first time in 10 years the military soldiers had stepped onto University premises. Recalling that it was only four years ago reports of intimidations and torture of a student leader from the same university had surfaced, the CFS said, “Our hope was that in the wake of that incident the Sri Lankan government would move toward reconciliation and that steps would be taken to ensure the safety of students, and indeed, all citizens.” “We are particularly disturbed, therefore, to hear similar stories of organized violence being perpetrated on students just this month,” the CFS said as it called for a “swift condemnation” from Rajapake’s government. A copy of the letter was also forwarded to Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin and Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg "Tigers take
over newspaper" report wrong –The Island In consequence of representations made by Mr. Reggie Fernando we have made inquires and become aware that the newspaper concerned (Newslanka) which is issued free in the UK and Europe is in fact wholly owned by Mr. and Mrs. Chinthaka (Chin) Fernando, son and daughter-in-law, respectively, of Mr. Reggie Fernando. The statement in the news item that "an LTTE connected party" had acquired the newspaper is entirely without foundation. We are also satisfied that the allegation, that the newspaper had given extensive coverage to news sourced from the Tamilnet, is also equally erroneous. The news drawn from the Tamilnet is minimal and relates to matters of interest to all Sri Lankans across all ethnic backgrounds. In fact, the percentage of news extracted from the Tamilnet compared to the overall news coverage in Newslanka during the period of the last 3 months (October/November/December) is far less than referred to in the news item. Mr. Reggie Fernando informs us that the newspaper continues to command the confidence of all sections of the Sri Lankan community in the UK and Europe and that there is no boycott of the newspaper. In fact the paper has extensive coverage of the events that takes place within all sections of the Sri Lankan expatriate community. We express our apologies to Mr. and Mrs. Fernando of Newslanka Ltd: the proprietors, and Mr. Reggie Fernando, its editor, in this regard." 22 December 2005 SLN boats attacked in Mannar, boat with three troopers missing, one wounded A soldier of the Sri Lanka Navy Mr.S.G.T.Sanjeeva,23, was injured Thursday morning around 7.30 a.m. when unidentified attackers fired at three SLN boats enroute to Pallimunai camp in the Mannar town. The attackers have abducted three SLN soldiers with their patrol boat, Mannar Police said. A Tamil fisherman Mr.P.Rukman, 25, was also injured in the incident. According to police sources, unidentified men had fired at the SLN boats from the shore of Pallimunai when the boats were returning to the SLN camp after night patrol in the Mannar Sea. The boats were 200 meters away from the shore, police said. The two injured were immediately admitted to the Mannar general hospital. Additional troops and police have been deployed in the Mannar town and a cordon and search operation was immediately commenced in the areas Pallimunai, Bazaar, Sinnakadai and Uppukulam in Mannar area. The troopers conducting search operation also attacked the travellers on the streets in Mannar following the incident, civilian sources said. All shops and public institutions were immediately closed down due to the tense situation prevailing in Mannar, the sources added. S Lanka rebels clash with navy, capture three –Source: Reuters Tamil Tiger rebels attacked two Sri Lankan naval craft off the island's northwest coast today, the navy said, opening fire and capturing three sailors in the most violent incident at sea since a 2002 truce. Naval spokesman Commodore Jayantha Perera said Sea Tiger boats that had hidden amongst a fishing fleet were approached by two naval dinghies. The Tigers fired on the dinghies, he said, capturing three sailors who jumped into the water. ''They have come as fishermen and attacked the Navy craft,'' he said. ''In retaliation we have also attacked and we have captured six LTTE cadres. This is the worst incident for the Navy since the ceasefire. This is the first time they have fired on us.'' S.Lankan soldiers killed as peace prospects recede-Source: Reuters Suspected Tamil Tiger rebels killed two Sri Lankan soldiers and wounded nine others in a series of attacks in the government-held north, the army said on Wednesday, as prospects for peace talks looked ever poorer. Protesters from the Tamil minority have clashed repeatedly with troops this week on the Jaffna peninsula, a heavily defended army enclave hemmed in by Liberation Tiger of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) lines. Each side accuses the other of trying to escalate the situation. "LTTE is determined to uphold the cease-fire agreement, but the Sri Lankan Army is continuously ignoring the cease-fire agreement and committing serious violations, such as rapes, violent attacks and humiliating treatment of Tamil civilians," the rebels' official Web site quoted Illamparuthy, the LTTE's political head in Jaffna, as telling Nordic truce monitors. Parliament voted on Wednesday to extend an island-wide state of emergency, imposed after the foreign minister was assassinated by suspected rebels in August, for another month. And suspected Tigers mounted three attacks in and around Jaffna. One soldier was shot dead in a bunker in the town, while a patrol was ambushed with grenades and gunfire on the main road that leads to Tiger-held territory. One soldier died and six others were injured. Earlier this month 14 soldiers were killed in mine attacks in the area -- the biggest breaches so far of a 2002 cease-fire. "This isn't a cease-fire," said one foreign diplomat. "But there's still a big gap between this and a full-scale war." DONOR PRESSURE The rebels deny involvement in the attacks, as well as other recent incidents including an apparent attempt last week to shoot down a military helicopter, but few believe them. At a meeting in Brussels this week, donor powers Japan, the United States, the European Union and Norway told the rebels to halt their campaign of violence or face "serious consequences". The rebels have rejected a Japanese offer to host talks, while officials say the government is unlikely to accept Tiger demands that they be hosted by Norway, broker of the 2002 deal. Diplomats say Norwegian mediator Erik Solheim and Japanese envoy Yasushi Akashi each met rebel negotiator Anton Balasingham in London after the Brussels meeting, but with little progress. Balasingham said the rebels wanted peace, but also accused the army of human rights abuses and wanted troops pulled back, the diplomats say. That demand is repeated by groups in the north who analysts say are almost certainly rebel proxies. "We the Tamil people have decided to take matters into our own hands," the High Security Zone Residents' Liberation Force said in a faxed statement. "We shall in due time make sure that our women can feel safe in their homes and villages by using all means necessary to drive out the criminals who are occupying our homeland." Jaffna district organizer for Tamil Resurgence Task force shot dead in Jaffna Mr K. Navaratnam (47), Jaffna district organizer for Tamil Resurgence Task force, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in front of the Thinakural offices in KKS road in Jaffna town at 5.30 a.m. Thursday, sources from Jaffna said. He worked part-time as news paper distributer and had gone to collect Thinakural edition for delivery to Poopalasingham Book Shop located on the Hospital Road when he was shot. Gunmen escaped after firing at the victim. Additional police and Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers have been brought to the area to increase security. Kopay district organizer for the Tamil Resurgence Task Force and Principal of Kopay Christian College, Mr Sivakadadcham, was shot dead on 11 October by gunmen alleged to be belonging to Sri Lanka Army intelligence. Alliance between North-South parties a distant dream - Mano Ganesan Describing the so called broad Tamil Alliance between Tamil political parties in the North and South as a distant political dream, Western Peoples' Front Leader Mano Ganesan declared that the WPF would not be a party to any hasty decision to suit any party's private agenda. Issuing a statement yesterday the leader of the WPF which worked in alliance with the CWC and Up-country Peoples' Front in support of the UNP candidate at the last Presidential election stressed that ground realities prevailing in the Northeast,Up-country and the Western region were different to each other. "Unity can be achieved only if commonness, equality and ground realities are also recognized after extensive discussions with all parties concerned " the WPF leader said. "It should be understood that the LTTE and CWC cannot and will not decide for us " Ganesan states. He said he was surprised at the media story of decision to form a broader Tamil Alliance comprising four parties including our Western Peoples' Front being taken during last Saturday's meeting between the LTTE political chief and CWC leader at Killinnochi. He stressed that there were only formal discussions among certain parties and no serious discussions have taken place or have any modalities been finalised."Besides it is our party which decides on any involvement of our party in any such arrangement after holding discussions with all concerned. He said they too were meeting the LTTE political leadership(yesterday) and the meeting was arranged long before."We will discuss this issue too with others". He notes that already the northeast Tamil political parties, IATK, EPRLF, ACTC and TELO are working as one political unit under the active supervision of LTTE. There is no such unity among the southern Tamil parties. There are common Tamil issues. We share the commonness and recognize the issues very much. So we are voting against emergency and other anti-Tamil issues in Parliament along with TNA. We are doing the same outside Parliament too. So the general common unity is already there. President asks
two Ministers to resign from portfolios The two Ministers who resigned from the Muslim Congress joined the Government recently. However the President is scheduled to take action against them for not attending the Parliament without giving any valid reason. Stop harassing civilians: Mahinda tells military President Mahinda Rajapakse yesterday vowed to take disciplinary action against any security personnel found guilty of irresponsible actions during recent incidents in Jaffna including charges of rape and killing of a girl in Punkuditivu. The President gave the assurance during a special meeting with a TNA delegation, Army Commander Sarath Fonseka and Defence Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse. TNA Parliamentarian Joseph Pararajasingham who attended the meeting said his party suspected the Navy of being behind the rape and killing of a 20-year girl in Punkudutivu last week. President Rajapakse insisted at the meeting that civilians should not be harassed in anyway. Meanwhile Mr.Pararajasingham also accused the government of passing the state of emergency unanimously in Parliament before the scheduled time. Emergency passed
sans debate The Whips on both sides took this decision as the Committee Stage budget debate ended early yesterday at 5.25 p.m. The extension of the emergency was due to be debated in Parliament from 6 pm to 7.30 p.m. yesterday. MPs from the Tamil National Alliance were not present in the House at the time Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake presented emergency regulations before the House. Deputy Speaker Githanjana Gunawardena presided at the time emergency regulations were presented in the House. SLA assault on VC, Arts Dean worrisome sign - NPC National Peace Council (NPC), a Colombo based NGO, in a Media release issued on Wednesday condemned the security forces for attacking non-violent protests of students and staff of Jaffna campus, including Vice Chancellor and the Dean of Arts. The violence began when Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers attacked the students marching to the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) offices against the killing of Ilyathamby Tharsini (20) in Punguduthivu near an Sri Lanka Navy post. Postmortem examination has revealed that Tharsini was raped before being strangled to death. Full text of the media release follows: Government and LTTE need to resume local level meetings to stem escalation of violence The assault on the Vice Chancellor of the University of Jaffna, Prof. Mohandas, the Dean of Arts Prof. Sivachandran and senior faculty members of the university staff while leading a student march in Jaffna is a tragic and worrisome sign of the continuing deterioration in the situation that prevails in the north east. The students and faculty were on their way to the office of the international monitors of the SLMM to non-violently hand over a petition protesting against the conduct of the military in recent times. While a state of Emergency prevails in the country, the National Peace Council affirms that civilian protests must not be dealt with in a violent manner in a society that upholds democratic values and seeks to reject violent alternatives. The deterioration in conditions of peaceful life in Jaffna follows several acts of violence that have led to serious loss of life in the last few weeks. These include the killing of two civilians associated with the LTTE‚s Heroes Day celebrations, several incidents of grenade throwing targeting Sri Lankan security personnel, the killing of 15 soldiers through landmines and the recent brutal rape and murder of a young woman in close proximity to a navy camp in Jaffna. These incidents have contributed to and fed into the escalation of tension in Jaffna. The National Peace Council condemns these acts of violence, rape and killings and calls on the government and LTTE to ensure that such actions by their members are stopped forthwith and not tolerated any more. We welcome President Mahinda Rajapakse's appointment of a committee of inquiry to provide a report on the most recent incident, which needs to be followed up and the perpetrators brought to justice expeditiously. There is an immediate need for the government and LTTE to take steps to defuse and de-escalate the growing crisis that is making life harsh, fearful and alienating to the civilian population and to the security forces. We note that the Sri Lankan security forces have entered the University of Jaffna where there have been further clashes and yet another soldier has been shot dead in Jaffna. We urge the government and LTTE to recommence local level meetings that deal with security issues on the ground, with inclusion of other affected parties under the supervision of the international monitors. It is important to work out a system that ensures peaceful life at the community level while the peace process remains on hold. Without such a mechanism there can only be a rise in violence and tensions in the north east, which may lead to renewed armed hostilities that is to the detriment of everyone. A continuation on the present path will only bring more suffering and erode the gains achieved by all Sri Lankans since the 2002 ceasefire agreement. Tamil Tiger suspect in PLOTE abduction arrested A YOUNG MAN, suspected to have been involved in the
recent abduction of a senior party activist of the People’s Liberation
Organization of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE) party was taken in for questioning
by the Police, assisted by troops from the general area of SINNAPUTHUKULAM,
VAVUNIYA on Tuesday (20) around 2.30 p.m. Sri Lanka seeks greater Indian role in peace bid Ahead of his three-day India visit, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse on Wednesday said he will seek greater involvement of New Delhi in the island's faltering peace bid with the Liberation of Tamil Tigers Eelam when he holds talks with the leadership there. Rajapakse, who leaves for New Delhi on December 27 in his first trip abroad since winning the November 17 Presidential elections, said he expected India to play a "bigger role" in supporting the island's peace efforts to end three decades of ethnic bloodshed. "That is what I want to discuss with them. They are our closest neighbour and it is very important for me to have them involved in the process," he told Colombo-based Indian journalists when asked about what sort of role he wanted India to play. Rajapakse said he expected India to have an involvement similar to what the quartet known as co-chairs - US, European Union, Japan and Norway - has in supporting peace efforts. The quartet has led international efforts to raise money in support of the island's peace efforts. During his India visit, the Sri Lankan President will be accompanied by a bipartisan delegation of legislators from the government as well as opposition in a sign of broad support he enjoys within the legislature despite ideological differences. He is expected to stop over in Chennai on his way back. About a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and a Defence Cooperation pact, the President said there would be no finality on either, but he expected talks to continue. Rajapakse said he was keen to study India's system of devolution, as it could be a model for Sri Lanka to grant extensive devolution without altering the character of the state. "I am for a unitary state with maximum possible devolution." he said, adding, "I want to study the Indian model and I am sure we can learn from that." Also, Rajapakse said he was keen to discuss oil exploration with Indian companies. He has sought a report from the treasury over a controversy over subsidy payments to the Indian Oil Corporation's unit in Sri Lanka. Trading in the shares of IOC's Lanka unit was suspended on Tuesday amid reports that the company was in trouble, as the Sri Lankan government owed it some $71 million (about Rs 32,000 crore). "I have asked for a report, but what I can tell you is that we will honour our commitments," the President said, adding, "If we have to pay, we will pay. That would not be a problem." United States invites Sri Lanka Foreign Minister for official visit Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera has been invited by United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice for an official visit. The Sri Lankan Foreign Minister will visit the USA early next year. “At the moment we are preparing his programme for the proposed US visit,” a Foreign Ministry official said.. Rajapakse meets TNA delegation A high level discussion between the Sri Lankan President
Mahinda Rajapakse and the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarians
led by its parliamentary group leader R.Sampanthan is currently in progress
in the SL President's Office in Colombo. The meeting began around 4:00
p.m. Wednesday at the urgent request of the Tamil National Alliance, political
sources said. The SL Presidential Secretariat has hurriedly arranged the requested discussion with the TNA following the volatile situation in Jaffna district, sources added. 21 December 2005 TNA alleges state terror in Jaffna, parliament sittings suspended The violent incidents in Jaffna on Monday sparked a protest in parliament yesterday by TNA MPs, resulting in parliament sittings being suspended for 20 minutes. A tense situation arose in the House as slogan- shouting TNA MPs stormed the Well of the House, demanding an immediate response from President Mahinda Rajapakse who is also the Defence Minister, to clashes between the armed forces and Jaffna university students. The clashes left more than 15 civilians injured and hospitalized with gun shot and other injuries. Among the injured in Monday’s clashes were the Vice Chancellor of Jaffna University Prof. K. Mohandas, Prof. Perinbanathan and Prof. Sivachandran. Four journalists from the Uthayan, Eelanadu, Thinakural and Thinakaran newspapers were also assaulted and hospitalized in the clashes, while 8 students were also hospitalized. The protesting TNA MPs stormed the Well after leader R. Sampanthan made a statement in parliament calling for the government to take legal and disciplinary action against the soldiers responsible for the attacks. Mr. Sampanthan also demanded that all service officers responsible for the recent spate of violence in Jaffna be removed and that the armed forces be withdrawn from civilian inhabited areas. After Mr. Sampanthan made his statement, Prime Minister and Deputy Defence Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake rose from his seat to respond. However, the Premier was unable to speak due to the TNA MPs, including Mr. Sampanthan walking down to the Well and demanding a response from the President himself. The TNA MPs chanted slogans calling for an end to killings and Jaffna District MP N. Raviraj was heard shouting, “We want the President and Defence Minister to reply. This is a serious incident.” Deputy Ministers Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Mahinda Amaraweera were seen heckling the protesting TNA MPs, saying the TNA makes no noise when soldiers are killed in the Peninsula. Although the Speaker W.J.M. Lokubandara made several requests to the TNA MPs to get back to their seats and allow the Premier to speak, his calls were not heeded, resulting in a suspension of sittings. During the time parliament was suspended, a party leaders’ meeting was held and the Prime Minister assured the TNA he would consult the President and respond. Monday’s clashes took place after a series of protests in Jaffna following the killing of 20 year old student Dayathambi Tharshini who was alleged to have been sexually assaulted and her body dumped in an abandoned well near the Punkuduthivu Navy camp in Jaffna on December 17. Tharshini had gone missing on December 16, and Mr. Sampanthan said in parliament that the circumstances under which her body was discovered clearly indicated that the Navy was responsible for the incident. The TNA ‘vehemently condemned’ the conduct of the Sri Lankan armed forces. “Incidents of this nature have been systematically used by the armed forces against Tamil civilians as a weapon of war,” Mr. Sampanthan said adding that such action amounted to state terror and was also “the brutal suppression of the Tamil peoples’ right to protest against the shameful and despicable sexual assault and murder of an innocent vulnerable young girl.” Mahinda says firm No way to LTTE’s Norway talks demand President Mahinda Rajapakse remains firm on his stand that peace talks can only be held in an Asian country and nowhere else. He informed the JVP that he will not agree to the LTTE’s demand for talks to be held in Norway yesterday. He reiterated his earlier stand of holding talks with the LTTE in an Asian country, party sources said. In a meeting between a JVP delegation and the President, on the resumption of the peace talks, held at the Temple Trees, JVP leader Somawansa Amarasinghe pointed out that there would be no positive outcome if the talks were to be held in Norway or in another European country and such talks would only be in favour of the LTTE. JVP delegation comprised its leader General Secretary Tilvin Silva and Parliamentary Group leader Wimal Weerawansa. The meeting continued for one hour. Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera also participated. ThePresident had outlined a detailed programme to revive the peace process and said that the LTTE’s request to hold discussions in Norway cannot be agreed to. Minister Samaraweera had presented the facts related to his recent meeting with the Norwegian Foreign Minister in Hong Kong. The JVP and the President will meet today (21) or tomorrow (22) for further discussions on the resumption of the peace process, party sources added. Talks venue "shouldn't
be an issue" Speaking with BBC Sandeshaya (bbcsinhala.com) after meeting LTTE chief negotiator Anton Balasingham in London, Solheim said they are moving closer to bringing the parties to the negotiation table. Solheim and Norwegian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Hans Brattskar,
met Balasingham on Tuesday in London. "We believe that the issue of the venue should not be the key issue as any venue acceptable to the parties will be acceptable to the international community. They should stop discussing the venue and finalise to meet as soon as possible" The minister said that they also briefed Balasingham on the outcome of the donor co-chairs meeting. “And most certainly he had read the statement carefully." The co-chairs of the Sri Lanka donor countries urged the Tamil Tigers to commit to Cease Fire Agreement ending a rise in violence in the north and the east. "The co-chairs call on the LTTE to put an immediate end to their ongoing campaign of violence and again urge the LTTE to demonstrate their commitment to the ceasefire agreement and the peace process," a statement after a meeting in Brussels on Monday warned. Tharsini raped before murder- Medical Report Ilayathamby Tharshini (20), whose body was recovered from an abandoned well in Punguduthivu Saturday, was brutally raped before being strangled to death, according to postmortem examination conducted in the Jaffna Teaching Hospital. Dr.Balasubramaniam, Judicial Medical Officer, who conducted the postmortem examination later handed over the medical report to the Kayts Police. The funeral of Tharshini was held Monday amid intimidation and threat by the Sri Lanka Navy personnel in Punguduthivu, residents said. According to the report several injuries were caused by fingernails and biting had been found on several areas of her body. One of her breasts had been severely bitten. The deceased was reported missing on Friday and on Saturday her naked body tied to a stone was recovered from a well located close to the Sri Lanka Navy ( camp in Punguduthivu. The body was handed over to the mortuary of the Jaffna Teaching Hospital.The body was taken to Punguduthivu Monday afternoon in a vehicle by her relatives. In the meantime SLN soldiers conducted search operation in Punguduthivu. SLN personnel assaulted several persons during the search operation.Proper funeral was not accorded to the dead woman, as selected people who were to conduct last rites did not come to site due to SLN intimidation of civilians in the area. Hence the body was taken to Kerativu cemetery in the vehicle which brought her body from Jaffna Teaching Hospital. Thereafter burial took place. Meanwhile, officials of the Jaffna regional office of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka held an inquiry into this incident in the house of the victim, sources said.The Police submitted the medical report to the Magistrate Court Tuesday. Punguduthivu Multi-Purpose Co-operative Society (MPCS)
Tuesday said in a press release that Sri Lanka Navy should take the responsibility
for the abduction and murder of a young woman Ilayathamby Tharshini as
Punguduthivu is under full control of SLN. The press release further said
the safety of Tamil women is in danger in the presence of SLN personnel
who perpetrate crimes with complete impunity. They called upon civil groups
and women's rights activists to raise the issue in local and international
fora and ensure safety and freedom of movement to women in the islets.
President Mahinda Rajapakse yesterday informed Parliament that a two-member committee would be appointed to look into the alleged rape and killing of a 20-year-old girl in Jaffna. The incident led to protests and clashes between the security forces and students in Jaffna on Monday and yesterday. The President’s decision was conveyed to the House by Premier Ratnasiri Wickramanayake. He said the committee would comprise a retired Supreme Court judge and an-ex diplomat. The Daily Mirror learns The President has also directed the police and other defence authorities to take steps to ensure the safety of the civilian population in the North. Jaffna Civilian agitations expected to intensify after 24th Clashes between civilians and security forces are likely to intensify after 24th. Due to the ongoing Ordinary Level examination, Jaffna undergraduates have decided not to involve school children in protest campaigns. The two major demands of university students are that the Army posts located close to the University should be removed and that they should not be subjected to searches by the security forces. Meanwhile the Army fired several shots into the air to disperse a group of protesting students at Manipay junction this evening. As a result many areas of the Jaffna city were shut down and a number of roads were closed. Our special correspondent in Jaffna said students who initially demanded the withdrawal of the security forces from the High Security Zones may call for the total withdrawal of forces from Jaffna after 24th. With the mounting tension, the security has been stepped up and our reporter said representatives of leading Southern business establishments who are now in Jaffna have started returning to Colombo amidst the worsening security situation. Meanwhile unofficial reports said the LTTE has given military training to civilians in the North and East during the ceasefire and claimed 40,000 grenades have been distributed among them Another clash in Jaffna as troops enter campus At least two policemen were injured when a group of Jaffna University students along with some other militant youth attacked a police jeep and tried to set it on fire yesterday in front of the Jaffna University, Police said. They said that around 11.30 a.m. a group of Policemen had gone to the quarters of the University in a Jeep to hand over a document to one of the lecturers over a complaint against him. Soon after the jeep entered the premises, a group of students and some other outsiders with clubs, chains and stones started attacking the vehicle and damaged it badly, police said. The attackers had tried to abduct the policemen and set fire to the jeep, forcing the police to open fire in the air, they said. Later the police riot squad and troops were called to the scene, to disperse the attackers and rescue the policemen, they said. Police said they arrested a lecturer and a student who were to be produced before a magistrate yesterday. Military Spokesman Daya Ratnayake said the military had taken steps to rescue the policemen after a group surrounded the jeep and attacked the policemen. Meanwhile Tamil net reported that hundreds of troops entered the premises of the University of Jaffna yesterday opened fire in the air, fired tear gas and attacked the students. The soldiers arrested Manickavasagar Ilampirayan, the lecturer of physical education and a student, Mr. Gowri Senthooran, university staff said. Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission officials rushed to the site to defuse the tension Tamil net said. The University administration has condemned the conduct of the soldiers, who entered the university premises for the first time since 1995. This came after a police vehicle was stoned and damaged outside the university premises around 11.30 a.m. yesterday, the Tamil net said.The arrested lecturer Mr. Ilampirayan is the brother of Vavuniya District Judge M. Ilanacheliyan. Vavuniya undergrads boycott in support of Jaffna students Undergraduates from Vavuniya campus boycotted classes Tuesday to protesting against the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) aggression including physical assault and indiscriminate firing on students at the Jaffna campus, sources in Vavuniya said. Vavuniya students accused the SLA of violating students right to non-violent protest and demanded that SLA immediately withdraw from the Jaffna Campus area. Vavuniya students and Campus lecturers met Tuesday at the Campus Hall located in Garden street to determine the followup action to the boycott, student representatives said. Meanwhile, SLA is rebuilding sentry points in all locations where SLA army was present before the MoU was signed. Additional police have been brought to Vavuniya to strengthen security. Special Task Force and SLA soldiers are conducting more
patrols along Vavuniya streets, residents said. CWC leader Arumugam Thondaman who is in the centre of controversy following his recent meeting with the LTTE, has agreed to accompany President Mahinda Rajapakse on his visit- to India, government sources said yesterday. Mr. Thondaman had initially turned down the invitation when the President made it during the India- brokered crisis talks between the President and the CWC leader at India House on Sunday. However later, after consulting the LTTE, Mr. Thondaman had agreed to join the President on the visit, later this month they said. CWC sources said the LTTE had given the green light to the CWC leader to go to India with the President and explore the possibilities of resuming peace talks soon. The Daily Mirror also learns that during last Sunday’s meeting the CWC leader had also turned down an offer by President Rajapakse to restore his security. The 16-member security contingent given to Mr. Thondaman had been withdrawn three weeks ago provoking angry protests by the CWC and other parties including the UNP and the TNA. When Mr. Thondaman truned down the President’s offer to restore the security Mr. Rajapakse had asked in a lighter vein whether he did not want government security because he was now linked with the enemy. The President also told Mr. Thondaman he could go ahead and take action against CWC parliamentarian Vadivel Suresh who crossed over and was given a deputy minister’s post this week. The President said he would not interfere in this party matter. Mr. Thondaman replied his party would take a decision on this. Meanwhile the CWC parliamentary group led by Mr. Thondaman held discussions with the TNA on Monday and appointed a four-member committee to explore a structure under which the three Tamil parties the TNA, CWC and the Upcountry People’s Front could function as one group in parliament. The decision to form this broader Tamil alliance comprising the three parties and the Western People’s Front of Mano Ganeshan was taken during last Saturday’s talks between the LTTE Political wing chief S.P. Thamilselvan and the CWC leader in Kilinochchi. SLA trooper knifed in Ampan Ajit Kumara, a Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldier attached
to the Ampan SLA camp located in the High Security Zone (HSZ) in Vadamarachy
East, received cut injuries from a sharp instrument by unknown attackers
at 10 a.m. Tuesday, security sources said. The injured soldier has been
admitted to Palalay military hospital in serious condition. Remand extended for Sri Lanka policemen Tamil Eelam district court, Kilinochchi ordered further
remand for three Sri Lankan policemen until 3rd January when inquiry into
the case of the policemen accused of illegally crossing into Liberation
Tigers controlled areas was taken up for inquiry Tuesday, legal sources
said. Mr Velavar, attorney representing the defendents, told the Court that the defendents have been held in remand for 112 days without any charges. He pleaded with the judge to limit the period for investigations. He also requested the Judge to grant permission for the defendents to have telephone conversation with their superiors in Colombo. Ms Bhavani requested the Judge to allow Tamileelam Police personnel to be present during the conversation. The Judge after hearing the arguments allowed the defendents to talk to their superiors in the presence of Tamileelam police and fixed the next hearing for 3rd January. K.A.D. Sarath, B.W.Bopetigoda and W.G.D.S. Hemantha, all in their thirties and claiming to belong the Sri Lankan Police, were arrested while in hiding in the LTTE controlled area on 10 September and were charged for entering Tamil Eelam without prior permission. The three policemen from Sri Lanka pleaded they had crossed the border to arrest a culprit absconding justice in sri Lanka. Separation if peace process fails: TNA TNA Leader R. Sampanthan told Parliament yesterday that the collapse of the peace process would inevitably lead to the division of the country. The TNA leader made these remarks during the debate on the committee stage in parliament yesterday. He said that there is an effort on the part of the government to portray the LTTE as a demon to discredit it. “The ceasefire must be sustained. It cannot be broken down. The ceasefire must be followed by immediate peace talks. There is effort on the part of the government to demonize the LTTE,” he said. He said that the LTTE was created by the Sinhala people not by Tamils. “The LTTE was created in defence of Tamils as a result of your conduct,” he said. He said that the government would not be able to vanquish the LTTE by demonizing them, as they failed in their effort to destroy them militarily. He said that some sections of the media also demonize the LTTE and that can create a great deal of prejudice especially among the Sinhala people. He said that the government and the LTTE should discuss the problem on an equal footing. Mr. Sampanthan said that the previous government attempted to subjugate and suppress the Tamil people. “They did their utmost to vanquish the LTTE militarily, but failed in the efforts,” he said. He said that some forces which vehemently opposed the Norwegian facilitator role, were now agreeable to it and they were happy about it. “The Norwegian flag was burnt. They were called white tigers. Now the President had invited Norway to go ahead with the facilitator role after the Foreign Minister’s visit to India,” he said. SLA attacks protesting auto-rickshaw drivers in Jaffna Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers Tuesday 3.30 p.m. attacked group of more than one hundred auto-rickshaw drivers and their vehicles who had assembled in Jaffna town in a protest by the Auto-Owners Union in support of a colleague injured by the SLA Monday, sources in Jaffna said. The auto drivers blocked Stanley Road, Kasturiar road and the roads proximity to the SLA camp when the SLA attacked the protesters. Hundreds of additional troops who were brought to the scene in heavy vehicles started attacking the protesters and civilians assembled in the busy shopping area around the protest area.Many auto-rickshaws were damaged in the attack.Near the Windsor theater a standoff between the protesting public on one side and armed SLA troopers prevails.Many business establishments have been closed and there is mounting tension in Jaffna. Office to assist British nationals The British High Commission and the British Red Cross staff will open a temporary office in Galle on December 26 and 27 to provide information and assistance to British nationals visiting Sri Lanka for the tsunami anniversary. The office will be located at 71 Pedlar Street (at the Office of Project Galle 2005) within the Galle Fort. The office can be contacted between 9 am and 6 pm on telephone Number 94 (0) 773 623662 or via the British High Commission in Colombo. Withdraw armed forces from civilian inhabited areas in NE- TNA The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) in a statement tabled
in parliament Tuesday demanded the Sri Lanka government to withdraw all
armed forces from all civilian inhabited areas in the North East. TNA
further called the government to take disciplinary and legal action against
all members of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces who are responsible for the
attack on Tamil civilians in Jaffna district in the last several days. I wish to bring to the urgent attention of this House the very grave and volatile situation faced in the North-East and Jaffna in particular, due to the conduct of the Sri Lankan armed forces. On Friday the 16th of December 2005 a young girl by the name of Ilayathamby Tharshini, 20 years of age and a resident of Pungudutheivu went missing. On hearing this disturbing news the local villagers began searching for her whereabouts. On Saturday the 17th of December 2005 her naked was found sexually assaulted in an abandoned well in close vicinity to a Sri Lankan Naval Camp in Pungudutheivu. Her body had been severely mutilated. Circumstances under which the body was recovered clearly indicated the Sri Lankan Navy's hand in this most despicable act of state terror. Consequently on Sunday the 18th of December 2005, the people of the area began to agitate against the Sri Lankan Armed Forces. These protests began to spread spontaneously and the Sri Lankan Armed Forces began to retaliate against the unarmed civilians by firing live ammunition at the crowd and using brute force, during which a postal peon who was also a resident of Pungudutheivu suffered gunshot injuries and is currently hospitalized in a serious condition. On hearing the news of this cruel murder and the subsequent oppressive conduct of the Sri Lankan armed forces towards the protesting crowds, the students of the Jaffna University decided to attend the funeral of young Tharshini. The Jaffna University students were also accompanied by the Mr.Selvarajah Gajendran, Jaffna district TNA parliamentarian. Whilst they attempted to leave for Pungudutheivu from Parameswara Junction in Jaffna, the Sri Lankan armed forces prevented them from proceeding. Consequent to this the students began to agitate against the actions of the armed forces who in turn started using violence against the students including the use of fire arms. On the following day, Monday the 19th December 2005, the Jaffna University community inclusive of the Vice Chancellor, Heads of Departments, Professors, Lecturers, administrative staff embers and students decided to hand over a petition to the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission regarding the incidents. While they were proceeding, the Sri Lankan armed forces once again violently prevented the people from proceeding. In this incident many were inured, out of whom over 15 have been admitted to hospital with gunshot injuries and injuries caused by blunt weapons. Included in this list of injured are: -
Immediately remove from service the officers in charge
of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces units when the several incidents referred
to above have occurred. Fire races through shantytown in Sri Lanka capital A fire swept through sections of an ethnic Tamil shantytown in the Sri Lankan capital on Tuesday, destroying at least 100 huts, witnesses and fire officials said. There were no immediate reports of casualties. The fire broke out in the Modara shantytown, made up of about 500 huts made of plywood and tin and home mostly to Tamils. An Associated Press photographer at the scene said at least 100 huts were destroyed before the fire was brought under control by firefighters. Marian Rita, a resident, said the fire was started by a kerosene lamp in one of the huts. "The problem here is that the huts are adjacent to each other and it is very difficult for us to move," said Bimal Roopasinghe, a firefighter. "We have brought the fire under control, but smoke is still coming out," he said. Members concerned about Maoist LTTE claims-Source:web India 123.Com Members of Rajya Sabha today expressed its concern about
the claims of Maoist leaders that they had received training from the
LTTE and made a strong plea to identify the sources of weapons and ammunitions
to the extremist forces in various parts of India and Nepal. Mr S S Ahluwalia (BJP) said that Andhra Pradesh government, when it negotiated with the naxals, did not disarm the extremists even after they drew a corridor starting from Karnataka to Nepal on a map. The recent claim of Maoists that LTTE was giving them training is a matter of concern, he said, adding that they should forget that somebody trained the LTTE and they in turn were training Maoists, pointing an accusing finger towards the Congress. ''These forces are getting sophisticated arms and ammunitions from China and Pakistan, and the government should take note of it,'' he added. Now a liberation
movement for the oppressed Muslims No Muslim political party has a constructive, clean policy regarding North East Muslims and their only goal is political gain. They bargain with majority chauvinistic political parties and sell out the political rights and aspirations of Muslims for petty political gain. To believe in them will be suicidal for Muslims, observed Segu Issadeen, Secretary General of NUA. He said, the TNA is a democratic political party which got the fullest support of the Tamils and it has 22 members. Yet the government is not negotiating with them but with the LTTE. A liberation movement is the only language which can speak for the oppressed Muslims. "We must have a movement which looks after the interests of Muslims. As a senior politician of this area the responsibility of organising such a movement has fallen on me. The major goal of the movement is to create an awareness among the Muslims that North - East Muslims is a nation and everyone living in it is nationalist. Our demands for political rights will be the demand of a nation. This will not simply fall on our lap and we have to make the supreme sacrifice and shed blood. Insha Allah we will lay the foundation for it next Sunday. 20 December 2005 Co-chairs
urge LTTE to end unrest-BBC “However, the co-chairs condemn the LTTE's enforced boycott of the presidential election in parts of the north and east, which deprived Tamil voters of their right to vote," the statement added. "The co-chairs also condemn in the strongest terms the recent escalation in violence in the north and east," it said. It also stated that a representative of the Indian Government met separately with the Co-Chairs for "an exchange of views". Violence in Jaffna 18 soldiers and two policemen were killed and Sri Lanka Airforce helicopter was shot since President Mahinda Rajapaksa took over office on 19 November. "The co-chairs call on the LTTE to put an immediate end to their ongoing campaign of violence and again urge the LTTE to demonstrate their commitment to the ceasefire agreement and the peace process," the statement warned. The donors also warned the government to stop working with Tamil paramilitaries. They urge the Government to "ensure that such groups cease their paramilitary activities, as a demonstration of its commitment to a peaceful way forward". The donors urged both the government and the LTTE to respond to Sri Lankan public’s desire to have peace in the island nation. EU aid package Meanwhile, The European Commission said it intensified its efforts to support Norway's facilitation effort, despite the deteriorating political situation. “The Commission supported efforts to set up a joint
structure for the Government, the LTTE and representatives of the Muslim
community to agree on priorities for reconstruction in the North and East
of the country.” But a further 50 million Euros is held up due to the political gridlock on the "Post-Tsunami Operations Management Structure" (P-TOMS). P-TOMS failure The government led by President Chandrika Kumaratunga and the LTTE agreed jointly on reconstruction priorities for the North and East of the country after tsunami but the Supreme Court ruled that the part of the agreement violated Sri Lanka’s constitution. “This gridlock has impeded long-term reconstruction work in the North and East of Sri Lanka,” the statement added. The talks were held amid fears that frequent violations are making the four-year ceasefire irrelevant. On Saturday, the Tigers rejected a government offer to hold peace talks at a neutral venue somewhere in Asia. Special meeting Norwegian Minister for International Development Erik Solheim, who is attending the meeting in Brussels, told bbcsinahala.com that the minister is to meet LTTE chief negotiator Anton Balasingham on Tuesday. Solheim said that he will be going to Colombo "as soon as a date is fixed". "We will call upon both parties in the strongest possible terms to consolidate the ceasefire," he added. The Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tigers should "leave aside petty issues" on resuming talks said the special envoy on his way to meet Balasingham in London. “Ceasefire
is dangling on a thin thread” Head of the political section for Jaffna, Mr Ilamparuthy, said in a statement condemning the Sri Lankan Army’s (SLA) ceasefire violations that “the ceasefire is dangling on a thin thread.” The full text of the statement is as follows, “Recently the SLA has been a threatening and harassing presence in people’s lives. In particular, the SLA has been conducting arbitrary round-ups, investigations and cordon and search operations and creating new roadblocks for security checks. People are being attacked without any reason during recent incidents when the SLA opened fire.” “In Eluthumadduval area a 14-year-old girl was grabbed by a SLA soldier on the road and when a nearby civilian shouted, the SLA soldier let her go. Civilian harassment such as this and other serious offenses like rapes are becoming increasingly out of control.” “We reported this civilian harassment and sexual harassment against women and school girls to the SLMM and demanded that this is immediately stopped. We strongly condemn these offenses.” “After we withdrew our members from the Jaffna peninsula, fourteen murders, six rapes and several murder threats have occurred. Now the situation is becoming worse. During these times, the ceasefire agreement is being pushed into a critical state. It is clear that the SLA is taking advantage of the weak ceasefire agreement.” India intervenes, President meets Thondaman talks Amidst moves by the CWC to form an alliance with Tamil parties outside the North east to offer support to the cause of the LTTE, estate party leader Arumugam Thondaman also held extensive talks with President Mahinda Rajapakse on Sunday evening. The talks, which were described as “cordial and friendly” centred on the problems faced by the estate community and the government’s plans to solve them. Sources said the President during the meeting had assured to restore Mr. Thondaman’s ministerial security which was earlier removed by the government. The meeting between the President and Mr. Thondaman was held at the official residence of Indian High Commissioner Nirupama Rao on her invitation. CWC deputy leader R. Yogarajan said the party leader expressed his displeasure over several allegations levelled against him by the government. The CWC alleged that the government was attempting to create a split within the estate party after the police searched the party’s Badulla office and levelled allegations against Mr. Thondaman. Meanwhile the CWC, the TNA and the Upcountry Peoples Front yesterday formed a broad alliance to work together as a single group in parliament. CWC deputy leader R. Yogarajan said the TNA and the CWC, which met last night, have appointed a four-man committee to explore a structure under which the Tamil party alliance would proceed. “The committee will put forward proposals to the leaders of the parties after which the members will hold further discussions on how to proceed. This is only the beginning. Nothing has been finalised and set in motion”, Mr. Yogarajan told the Daily Mirror last night. The TNA led by R. Sampanthan met a CWC delegation headed by party leader Arumugam Thondaman last evening to discuss the initial modalities of forming the broad alliance. Earlier in the day UPF leader P. Chandrasekaran met the CWC leader and extended his party’s support to the formation of an alliance. Mr. Yogarajan said the Western Province Front led by Mano Ganeshan was also expected to support the alliance. Mr. Ganeshan was due to meet Mr. Thondaman later this week as well as the LTTE political leadership in Killinochi. “As Tamil parties we have a lot of common issues which need to be addressed. We found that by working together these issues can be resolved”, Mr. Yogarajan said. Asked if the Tamil party alliance aims to work against the government, Mr. Yogarajan said the goal of the alliance was to fulfil the aspirations of the Tamil community. Don’t be a traitor to your people - Anandasangaree writes to Thondaman Mr Arumugam Thondaman’s decision to meet Thamilselvan, leader of the political wing of the LTTE organization would ultimately bring the estate workers also under the domain of the LTTE organization and “that will be the most treacherous thing the leaders would do to them,” states Mr. Anandasangaree in a letter he sent to CWC leader Arumugam Thondaman. “Only by achieving unity among themselves, the leaders of the Upcountry Tamils can solve the problems of the workers and not by allying with the LTTE,” adds Mr. Anandasangaree 'Mahinda Chintana' budget passed by overwhelming majority The maiden budget of the UPFA Government under President Mahinda Rajapakse was passed in the Parliament yesterday with a 104 vote majority at the second reading. President Rajapakse as Finance Minister presented the budget on December 8. Only the Tamil National Alliance opposed the budget based on the Mahinda Chintana aimed at directing the country on a new economic path. Fifteen TNA Mps who were present at the time of voting opposed the budget. The main Opposition United National Party were absent at the time voting took place. The JVP, the main ally of the UPFA now occupying Opposition benches, Jathika Hela Urumaya, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress and two Members from the Ceylon Workers Congress voted with the Government in favour of the budget. Deputy Minister of Healthcare and rebel CWC member Vadivel Suresh and Faizer Musthapa voted with the Government. However, the other members of the CWC were not present at the time of voting. The Upcountry People's Front were also absent during the voting. Sri Lanka Muslim Congress leader Rauff Hakeem was also not present in the House at the time of voting. The second reading debate of the budget continued in Parliament for five days marked by poor participation by the main opposition. The committee stage debate of the budget will commence today at 9.30 am and the vote on the third reading will take place Thursday at 6 pm. Dulles sworn in Dulles Alahapperuma was sworn in as a Member of Parliament before Speaker W.J.M.Lokubandara this morning. There were serious differences in opinion between between President Mahinda Rajapaksa and ex-President Chandrika Kumaratunga over his appointment. Rajapaksa remained adamant that Alahapperuma should fill the vacant national list slot in the SLFP. This clearly is a victory for Rajapaksa and he has a much tougher fight ahead to take over the SLFP leadership. Up until now all retired Presidents quit politics gracefully at the end of their official terms, stepped down from the leadership of their respective parties and handed over the post to their successors. Mahinda looks at Oslo venue With the LTTE insisting on Oslo as the venue for talks with the government, President Mahinda Rajapakse is likely to announce his stand after consultations with his peace advisor Jayantha Dhanapala, Government Spokesman Anura Priayadharshana Yapa said yesterday. Meanwhile a Japanese Embassy spokesperson said Japan was still willing to offer a venue for future talks but it was up to the two parties to decide on it. New military top brass responsible for Jaffna attack - Vice Chancellor Jaffna University Vice Chancellor Professor C. Mohanadas
charged the newly sworn-in top brass of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) for unleashing
troopers on a peaceful demonstration. "This is a worst form of politically
motivated military tactic," he said addressing a press meet held
at the Jaffna Campus Student Union offices at 5 p.m. Monday. Professor
Mohanadas condemned the attacks by the SLA on peaceful demonstrators including
the attack on him Monday morning at Parameswara junction in Jaffna. Student Union President said that they have decided to boycott classes Tuesday as a protest against Sri Lanka Army's unlawful suppression of non-violent protests. He added that the students have a fundamental right to free speech and assembly. Following Student Union decision to boycott classes, the Jaffna Campus Workers Union also said that they will support Students' action by an allout strike on Tuesday. FMM condemns SLA attack on Jaffna journalists "Free Media Movement deplores and condemns assault
on journalists covering a peaceful demonstration in Jaffna by government
security forces today. Three journalists- Thinakural staff reporter Mr.
T. Sabeswaran, Thinakaran (Lake House) reporter Wintson Jeyan and Namathu
Eelanadu reporter Mr. J. Jerad – were beaten and their cameras were
damaged," said FMM in a press release issued in Colombo Monday. Free Media Movement deplores and condemns assault on journalists covering a peaceful demonstration in Jaffna by government security forces today. Three journalists- Thinakural staff reporter Mr. T. Sabeswaran, Thinakaran (Lake House) reporter Wintson Jeyan and Namathu Eelanadu reporter Mr. J. Jerad – were beaten and their cameras were damaged. Sri Lanka Army baton charged and opened fire at a demonstration march by Jaffna University students and staff this morning, wounding several university teachers including the vice chancellor. This situation confirms the fear expressed by FMM that escalating violence in Northern Province may hamper people's right to free expression, information and association. FMM urge all parties to practice restrain and sought peaceful solutions to contested issues. Requesting military authorities to respect journalist's right to cover any public event, FMM urge journalists working in war zone areas of Sri Lanka to be mindful of and to take extra care in their safety when covering violent situations. Cyclone threat diminishing Sri Lanka's Metrological Department today said the threat from the cyclonic storm in the Bay of Bengal is diminishing as it is moving away from the island. The Department said the cyclone is now about 200-250 km northeast of Jaffna. However, the northern deep seas will experience strong winds, rough conditions and intermittent showers. The fishing and naval communities are requested not to venture into the deep seas. There will be showers or thundershowers at several places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Northwestern Provinces. Thundershowers may develop in the Uva Province during the afternoon, it added. 19 December 2005 SL troops open fire on demonstration in Jaffna, Lecturer shot, VC attacked-Source:Tamilnet Sri Lanka Army troopers opened fire at a peaceful demonstration march by Jaffna University students and staff, wounding at least seven demonstrators including Prof. N. Perinpanathan, a Senior Lecturer, and a student leader of the medical faculty T. Kandeepan. Professor C. Mohanadas, the Vice Chancellor of the Jaffna University, Prof. R. Sivchandran, Dean of Arts, and S. Kajendran, Jaffna MP were severely beaten by the soliders. The demonstration march from Jaffna University towards the Sri Lankan Monitoring Mission (SLMM) did not proceed beyond Parameswara Junction where the troopers began firing at the demontrators around 11:00 a.m. Monday. Tension prevails in the area. Sri Lanka Army troops at Parameswara Junction. At least seven people were injured and rushed to Jaffna Hospital. The demonstrators were scheduled to hand over an appeal to the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission protesting the increased harassment by the Sri Lanka Army soldiers on the student community in Jaffna and the alleged involvement of Sri Lanka Navy men in the killing of a young woman in Punguduthivu on Saturday. Journalists covering the students demonstration were also attacked by the soldiers at Parameswara junction.Thinakural staff reporter Mr. N. Sabeswaran, Uthayan reporter N. Pradeepan, Thinakaran (Lake House) reporter Wintson Jeyan and Namathu Eelanadu reporter Mr. I. Jerad were beaten up by the troopers. The soldiers also smashed their digital camera equipments, media sources said. The peaceful demonstrators were dispersed by the sudden gunfire and the attacks launched by the soldiers. A three-wheeler was smashed by SLA troops. Mr. T. Rooban, 38, who was driving the three-wheeler leading the march with loudspeakers fixed on his vehicle to broadcast slogans, was also attacked. The three-wheeler was also smashed by the soldiers. The Jaffna University Student’s Union has called for an emergency meeting following the attack on the demonstration. Meanwhile, a large number of autorikshaw drivers gathered in front of the SLMM office at Temple road Monday noon to protest against the recent attacks on their colleagues by SLA soldiers. Troops fire during
Jaffna protest -BBC An army spokesman blamed Tamil Tiger rebels for encouraging protesters to throw stones at army checkpoints. He denied demonstrators had been shot. The incident comes as donors meet in Brussels to review fragile peace moves following a recent upsurge in violence. The BBC's Dumeetha Luthra in Colombo says the talks are taking place amid a growing sense of frustration and fears that frequent violations are making the four-year-old ceasefire increasingly irrelevant. Patrols 'surrounded' The Jaffna peninsula is a stronghold of the country's ethnic Tamil minority, although Jaffna town is held by the military. Reports say the crowd was protesting at alleged harassment by troops. Army spokesman Brig Nalin Witharanage said the demonstrators had surrounded two army patrols. "We had to resort to firing in the air to disperse the crowd," he told the Associated Press. He said none of the injured had received gunshot wounds and that soldiers had not fired at the crowd. On Sunday, the rebels fired at a military check post near the north-eastern port of Trincomalee but caused no casualties, the military said. 'Gross violation' There is growing concern among donor nations and diplomats that Sri Lanka could slip back to conflict if the violence is not brought under control. Last week, international monitors blamed the rebels for a "gross violation" of the ceasefire after an air force helicopter came under fire in eastern Sri Lanka. The rebels denied having had anything to do with the incident. The Sri Lankan government last week gave up its insistence that any resumption of peace talks would have to take place on Sri Lankan territory and said they could take place in any Asian country. But the rebels told the BBC that talks could only be held in Europe. The rebels and the government have observed a truce since February 2002 but talks have been stalled since April 2003. Chaos in Colombo again for Tamils A raid was conducted by the security forces during last night in Gampaha police area. It is reported 54 personnel have been taken into custody. Out of this 32 people had been wanted by the police on whom detention orders had been served. According to the Deputy Inspector General of Police in Gampaha area, Mr Ashoka Wijetillake this raid was conducted with the assistance of police officers assigned in Gamapaha district police stations. Those who were taken into custody are been interrogated. He added that similar raids will be conducted in the future for the safety of the public in parallel to the raids in Colombo. More than 100 Tamils taken in search operation on ‘Stranger’s Night’ More than 100 suspicious Tamil people were taken into custody following a massive cordon and search operation code-named ‘Strangers Night’ in Wellawatta, Narahenpita, Kirulapone and Bambalapitiya police areas, police said yesterday. Colombo DIG Pujitha Jayasundara said the surprise house-to-house operation was carried out jointly by the police, Army, Navy and the Air Force to track down illegal activities and suspected terrorist members in the area. He said during the operation which started at 11 pm on Saturday and ended at 5 am yesterday, 107 people were taken in on suspicion while five of them had been detained. “We used Tamil speaking officers to explain the people about the search and also used women police officers to check women”, he said adding that the people had cooperated well. Journalist arrested for being Tamil Senior journalist of 'Thinakkural' newspaper and attorney at law, B.Paratheepan has been detained for 24 hours without citing any reason, despite being in possession of the media identity card issued by the government. Two other employees attached to the computer division of 'Thinakkural' , Kulakulan and Prameshwaran too had been detained along with Paratheepan in this unfortunate incident reported last night. The Kirilapana police stopped the three wheeler they were traveling in last night after work at W.A.De Silva Mawatha, Kirilapona. Paratheepan had said that he is a journalist of Tthinakkural and an attorney and produced his media identity card issued by the government. But the policeman said he did not care who he was and took them to the Kirilapona police station and released the Sinhala three wheeler driver. When Paratheepan tried to contact his office through his mobile phone, the policeman had prevented him and seized the phone. Around midnight they were locked up in police cell and taken out at 3.00 early morning and were taken to the Police Sports club at Havelock Place. There were about 100 other Tamil persons in the club who had been arrested in a similar manner. Over 50 CID sleuths had grilled him and then his fingerprints were taken and photographed and was taken back to the Kirilapona police around 6.00 this morning. On being informed of the incident, parliamentarian N.Raviraj and former parliamentarian Vinayagamurthy visited the police station and got hi released on police bail. 'Lanka e News' tried to contact the Media Minster to ask him as to what use of the media identity card, which has been issued to enable media personnel to carry out their work without any hindrance, if this is the way it is being treated. However our efforts to contact the Minsiter was not successful. SLTMA condemns arrest of Tamil journalist The Sri Lanka Tamil Media Alliance (SLTMA) Sunday condemned
the arrest and detention of a Tamil senior journalist working in a leading
Colombo based Tamil daily newspaper "Thinakkural"along with
two other employees in the computer unit of the same newspaper in the
Kirulapone Police Station Saturday night. The SLTMA, in a letter sent
to Mr.Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Media Minister, to take immediate steps
to ensure the safety of Tamil journalists from the harassment of government
law enforcement authorities. Excerpts of the SLTMA letter to the Minister follow: - Mr.P.Parthipan, Thinakkural senior journalist and two computer technicians Messrs Kokulan and Sarveswaran who were returning to their house in the company vehicle after night duty were arrested between Wellawatte and Pamankade by the police in their routine search operation around 11.30 p.m. Mr.Parthipan immediately identified himself as a journalist by producing his media accreditation card of the Government Information Department in addition to his National Identity Card and newspaper office identity card. The three being questioned told the Police that they were returning from their night shift in the newspaper office. But the Police disregarded their plea and took them to the Kirulapone Police Station. Later around Saturday midnight they were taken to another place from Kirulapone Police Station where fingerprints of them were taken by a police officer who treated them like criminals. Thereafter the Police took photographs of them and videoed them. The Police did not taken any steps to inform the arrest of these persons to the newspaper company where they are employed and also to their relatives. The SLTMA considers that the Police had arrested the Tamil journalist and employees of the Tamil newspaper because they were Tamils. The SLTMA is of the view that the arbitrary arrest of Tamil journalist and newspaper employees is a serious threat and intimidation to the Tamil journalists in general. Security forces in Jaffna district last week entered the office of "Namathu Eelanadu" a Tamil daily newspaper and conducted search operation and subjected journalists in the office to severe interrogation. Now a Tamil journalist in Colombo had been subjected to arrest and detention without any reason. Hence we appeal to you to take constructive steps to ensure full protection to journalists from being harassed by security forces as criminals. Jaffna Campus area tense, SLA attack injures worker Rasaratnam Puhalasri (33) from Navaly South, an employee
at an ice cream parlor at the Parameswara juntion was severly injured
when Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troops attacked civilians around the Jaffna
campus areas following altercation between Jaffna campus students at the
International Tamileelam Student Union offices near Parameswara junction
at 5.30 p.m. Sunday. Residents said that troopers forced entry into Student
Union offices to prevent a group of campus students from travelling to
Punguduthivu, triggering confrontation. SLA has completely blocked civilian use of the 1 km stretch of Palaly road between Kantharmadam junction to Thirunelveli junction, sources said. Residents in these areas are confined to their houses and others who had ventured out earlier, unable to return to their residences in the affected areas, had to seek refuge at places of their relatives, sources said. Members of Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) met with student officials at about 6.30 p.m. when student leaders accused the SLMM of the lack of effort in preventing SLA from attacking students exercising their right to travel and protest against army harassment. SLA resumed attacking students after the SLMM left the Student Union offices, sources said. UK Minister ends visit to Lanka British Cabinet Minister Tessa Jowell MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, completed a highly successful visit to Sri Lanka on December 9. In meetings with Prime Minister Wickramanayake and Foreign Minister Samaraweera, Ms Jowell’s discussions included the peace process, tsunami reconstruction and the forthcoming tsunami anniversary, a statement issued by the British High Commission said. During her visit, Ms Jowell met Sri Lankan children who will benefit from the UK government-funded project “Youth Rehabilitation & Reconciliation through Community Cricket” run by the North Central Province Cricket Association. In areas affected by the tsunami and conflict, the scheme will establish a network of cricket coaches with trauma management skills, to coach young people and develop a shared experience of sport. The Minister handed over cricket equipment to some of the children and watched them practice their skills. She visited the British Council in Colombo, met with students and discussed their projects. She also visited the Golden Feathers School at Katugoda, built by volunteers from “Project Galle 2005”. Other highlights of Ms Jowell’s visit included a meeting with leading Sri Lankan women and watching a performance of the Edinburgh Festival award-winning production “Children of the Sea” by the tsunami survivors. Thonda-LTTE talks on broad Tamil Alliance successful. Ceylon Workers Congress leader Arumugam Thondaman claims if Sinhala parties and organizations have formed a single alliance, Tamil parties standing for the rights of the Tamil people should also form a single alliance. Speaking to the media following a meeting with he LTTE political wing head Tamil Selvam on this issue, he said the LTTE's response was positive. The talks were held at Kilinochchi and associated with Thondaman at the talks were CWC parliamentarians Muttu Sivalingam and former MP. R.Yogarajan. Punguduthivu erupts in violent protests against SLN Civlians in Punguduthivu Sunday morning protested against
the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) in Punguduthivu following the discovery of the
body of Ilayathambi Tharsini (20) from an abandoned well near SLN camp
Saturday. A fifty-five years old civilian was rushed to Jaffna Hospital
with serious gunshot wounds. Four more civilians sustained minor injuries.
All traffic beyond Velanai thuraiyoor remains cut, reports from the islet
said. Punguduthivu remains tense. The navy camp, an administrative office
of the SLN, was stoned and later set on fire as the troopers withdrew
from the camp, sources said. Protesters alleged that the Sri Lanka Navy soldiers had abuducted the girl who was on her way to her aunt's house Friday, raped her and dumped her into the abandoned well. The body was discovered by civilians who set out on search inside the no-go HSZ area Saturday and reported troopers shoeprints around the well. The protesters did not allow the troopers or the police to reach the well until acting judges from Kayts Mrs. Linga Thurairasja and Mr. M. Thirunavukarasu, acting judges from Kayts visited the spot and assured the protestors that the body will be safely transport to Jaffna Hospital mortuary for post mortem examinations, sources said. Punguduthivu is an islet located 24 km southwest of Jaffna, next to Kayts.The Kurikattuvan jetty located in Punguduthivu connects Nedunthivu, Nainathivu and Analaithivu. Traffic to these islets also remains cut as tension prevailed in Punguduthivu. Disabled soldier’s wife killed A young mother of two has been mysteriously killed in her home by slitting her throat at Senakudiruppu town, police said. The victim is said to be the wife of a disabled soldier attached to the Pallekelle Rifle Battalion headquarters. Police said according to the victim’s husband, his wife had been killed when he came home with his two children from Puttalam. Police said they believed the woman had been tortured or raped before being killed. Puttalam Acting Magistrate Mohamed Iqbal who visited the scene ordered that the body be sent to the Chilaw hospital for a post mortem. In custody for videoing Colombo harbour A 35-year-old female, whose permanent residence was in Delft, off Jaffna, was yesterday taken into custody by the Crimes Division of the Modera Police while videoing the harbour from the Mutwal beach at the back of the Army’s Rockhouse camp. On questioning, she said that she was filming the sea beach area to show her fiance who is in the Netherlands and whom she will be joining soon, police said. However, when the video film was examined, photographs of combatants in LTTE uniforms were found. She was temporarily residing at a house at Aluth Mawatha Road, Mutwal, police said. The two occupants of this house and the suspect are now in police custody, while investigations are continuing, OIC (Crimes) Priyanka Wijenayake said. Vital STF unit disbanded? The special task unit operated under the police Special Task Force had been reportedly disbanded a few days ago. A member attached to the unit said it was established days after the assassination of High Court Judge Sarath Ambepitiya had served to curb underworld operations including drug trafficking. He claimed the unit had to be disbanded due to pressure from the underworld allegedly through politicians. However, the Police STF Commanding Officer D.I.G. Nimal Lewke said the unit had not been disbanded but the officers of the unit were deployed for duties in operational areas. Sri Lanka President to make his first tour to India Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa will make his first official tour as President to neighboring India starting December 27. He will discuss bilateral issues as well as the peace process. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs said, "Indo-Sri Lanka relations are excellent. “There is very good understanding and interaction at the political level; trade and investment [are] expanding rapidly; the institutional framework linkages are being augmented; and people-to-people contacts have intensified.” During the visit, President Rajapaksa will meet with the President, Vice President and Prime Minister of India and interact with other senior Indian political leaders and “eminent personalities”. SLA attacks Irupalai auto-rickshaw drivers Drivers of auto-rickshaws at Irupalai junction located
on Jaffna-Point Pedro road Irupalai, 5 km North east of Jaffna town, were
attacked again Sunday morning by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troopers, in
retaliation for complaining to the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM)
Saturday afternoon when SLA soldiers had attacked them and forced them
away from the junction threatening them not to return. All businesses in Irupalai were closed and the junction was deserted from midday Sunday, sources said. Tension spread to nearby Kalviyankadu and Kopay areas where activity came to a standstill following the Irupalai attacks. The SLA troops involved in the incident are from the same camp from where six soldiers and an SLA official were killed in a Claymore attack on the 4 December. 18 December 2005 Cyclone warning in Jaffna, Trinco The depression in the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm today and is expected to cross the Eastern coast between Jaffna and Trincomalee, causing low-lying coastal areas north of Trincomalee to be inundated by the sea, the Meteorological Department said. The fishing and naval communities were requested not to venture into the seas extending from Mannar to Batticaloa through Jaffna as the seas will experience strong winds from 80 to 1000 kilometres per hour during the next 36 hours. In the event the depression matures into a cyclone heavy damages will be caused to mainly the Tiger held Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu Districts. Heavy intermittent rain or thundershowers at some places and strong winds upto 80 kmph are expected in the Northern, Eastern and North Central Provinces. Western, Central, Uva and Sabaragamuva Provinces are likely to experience fairly strong winds and rain.Occasional thundershowers off the coast from Mannar to Pottuvil via Jaffna can be expected in the next 24 hours. Jaffna Political Wing of the LTTE condemns SLA’s arbitrary search operations throughout Jaffna The Sri Lankan Army (SLA) has recently been conducting
sudden cordon and search operations throughout Jaffna. The Deputy Head
of the Jaffna District LTTE Political Wing, Mr Kannan, reported these
activities to Jaffna District Head of SLMM, Ari Baker at a meeting they
recently held Pallai. Mr Kannan stated the following in the meeting with
SLMM. “The offices of the LTTE Political Wing in Jaffna that have been closed since the withdrawal of LTTE members several weeks ago, were also thoroughly searched by the SLA. The offices were found with the doors broken and furniture missing, and it is reported the SLA confiscated the furniture.” “The SLA is violating the ceasefire agreement and basic human rights by these activities,” Mr Kannan added. Punguduthivu disappeared woman's body found The body of Ilayathambi Tharsini (20), the young woman
from Punguduthivu 7th district, who disappeared on Friday, was found in
an abandoned well near the Sri Lanka Navy (Navy) camp Thursday, sources
from Jaffna said. Postmortem examination is being conducted to determine the cause of death. Villagers said they suspect foulplay by the soldiers of the SLN. Tension prevails in Punguduthivu following the discovery of the body. Lankan Tamil shot dead in UK A 27-year old Sri Lanka Tamil was shot dead last Sunday night as he walked on Queensbury Road in Kingsbury, London, news reports said. The youth, identified as Douglas Yogarasa from Sri Lanka where his immediate family lives, was found by a member of the public who called the police around 9.30 p.m. He was found dead at the scene when police arrived. At the post mortem examination held at Northwick Park Hospital next day the cause of death was given as gunshot wounds to the head and body. Yogarasa was said by the police to be single, unemployed and living alone in Kingsbury. This is another of several killings and grievous crimes in the Tamil community that have shocked the law-abiding members within it and have led the police to set up a special Tamil Crimes Unit inside the Metropolitan Police. Police are calling for witnesses to the killing or those who might have information that would help them in their inquiries. At least 10 killings are said to have taken place in the last four years. According to the Harrow Times a small white van was seen leaving the scene at 9.50 p.m. The van was distinctive as it had tubes fitted to the roof running the length of the vehicle. The tubes were said to be white, around six inches in diameter and of the type commonly used by plumbers to store copper piping. Detective Chief Inspector Dave Cobb of the Specialist Crime Directorate is quoted in the newspaper as saying “We urge anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information about the white van to contact the police”. Police are said to be keeping an open mind regarding
the motive for the killing. New SLA sentries in Mannar town Sri Lanka Army (SLA) has established several new sentries in Mannar town and its suburbs, and has blocked the road leading to the office of the Superintendent of Police from use by the public as a part of strengthening the security of the district, sources said. New sentries in front of the primary court building on Mannar-Talaimannar road and in front of Telecom office and St.Sebastian Church in Thalvupadu were established Friday afternoon. Barriers have been established at the two ends of the road that leads to the office of the Mannar Police Superintendent, sources said. Meanwhile, the acting Mannar Magistrate Mr.Johnthasan Friday ordered remand for two suspects A.Selvanesan and D.Theiventhiran till December 19 for allegedly extorting money from traders in Mannar. They were arrested and produced in the Mannar court Friday by the Police. The Police requested the court to remand them for two weeks but the court ordered them remand for three days. The suspects were immediately transferred to Anuradhapura remand prison via Vavuniya, sources said. JVP wants 55 slots on UPFA list for general election A key constituent partner of the ruling alliance, the JVP has demanded that nomination be given to 55 of its members at next year's general election. At a meeting of UPFA constituent partners on Thursday (16) to discuss the way forward if a general election is called to maximise the electoral benefits, JVP leaders have told the UPFA decision makers that the JVP has always proved that the majority of its nominees are capable of winning elections, and therefore, 55 JVPers should be accommodated on the UPFA nomination list. They have also cited that out of 40 nominated, 39 returned to parliament in 2004, with only one candidate losing. Further, the JVP had said that they had also given up the promised two national list slots which if taken would have taken the JVP total to 41. JVP sources said they were confident of having at least 50 members returning to the legislature, if given nominations. With regard to an electoral pact to contest the local authority election, the JVP has insisted on going 50-50 on the nominations. The JVP earlier urged the government to hold elections in mid 2006 after allowing some of the benefits of the budget to be felt by the people. However, President Mahinda Rajapakse has shot down this proposal and insisted that March would be a better option as he intends to commence peace negotiations only after a parliamentary election. Meanwhile, with the government keen on a general election, the local authority election that is due next March is likely to be postponed by one year. Thondaman to form an alliance with LTTE 'this is our reply to those who seek to destroy us' The Ceylon Workers Congress is to form a political alliance
with the LTTE. The CWC has decided to form a broad Tamil political alliance by brining together all Tamil parties under one umbrella. A Vice Chairman of the CWC R.Yogarajan told Lanka e News the party has scheduled talks with the Tamil National Alliance on Monday following it talks with the LTTE. When 'Lanka e News'asked as to why the party decided to a sudden political dialogue with the LTTE, he said that this was their reply to those who try to destroy the CWC. Yogarajan added that there is a need for all Tamil parties to work together as a result of the conduct of certain individuals. Meanwhile the party membership of CWC parliamentarian Wadiwel Suresh who crossed over to the government recently has been suspended and Yogarajan added a disciplinary inquiry will be made against him. Suresh has been sworn as Deputy Minister of Health. Tourists avoiding Sri Lanka The hotel trade is disappointed over the lukewarm response received to their heavy advertising in foreign countries inviting tourists to visit Sri Lanka. Industry sources claim they have spent large sums of money on advertising but there has not been any corresponding increase in business. "The tourist arrivals continue to decline due to the tense situation in the north and east. The LTTE's attempt to shoot down a helicopter recently has had a negative impact," they lamented. They said, however much they spent on advertisements, prospective visitors were not receiving favourable news about Sri Lanka. Director Sales and Marketing, Aitken Spence Hotel Management Anil Udawatta said that due to the unstable situation in the country there was a steady decline in tourist arrivals. "Though there have been no cancellations so far, if the situation continues in this manner none of the tour operators will bring tourists to the country. "There is violence in the north and east. So like us, the tourists too will not want to visit a destination infested with violence." However Director Sales and Marketing,Amaya Resorts and Spas, Dinesh Silva is of the view that the decline in tourist arrivals is mainly due to the impact the tsunami created in the island last December 26. "The present security situation has nothing to do with the reduction in tourist arrivals to the country. The killings and other incidents reported from the north and east are not a problem for the tourists as long as their destinations are safe" he said. SLMC, CWC welcome UNP move Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) and Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) have welcomed the move by Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to support the government's peace attempts. SLMC General Secretary Hasan Ali speaking to The Sunday Leader, said that the UNP's attempt to support the government would dilute the rigid standards on minorities taken by the JVP and JHU, Ali said. "The SLMC has always given priority to the peace process and will continue to do so," Ali further said. Commenting on the recent agreement between the government and the UNP to resume peace talks with the LTTE, CWC Spokesman R.Yogarajan said the CWC is completely supportive of the decision by the two parties. "It is great to see that the government and the UNP working together whole heartedly, in a matter of urgent national priority and the CWC will continue to support such good deeds," Yogarajan said. WAR OR PEACE-The Statesman(Editorial) The only way to prevent war between the armed forces and LTTE is to prevail on the new President to give up his idea of a unitary form of government and work for a confederal IN his annual Heroes’ Day address on 27 November,
the LTTE supremo, Velupillai Pirapaharan, virtually served an ultimatum
on the new President, Mahinda Rajapakse, that if his government did not
come forward with a “reasonable solution” by the end of this
month, his organisation would intensify the struggle for a separate Tamil
Eelam in the New Year. It was the LTTE’s call to the Tamils in the
north-east to boycott the election that enabled Rajapakse to become the
President, albeit by the narrowest margin. Although Rajapakse said his
government was giving the highest priority to the peace process, his options
to find a solution within the unitary form of government are limited.
17 December 2005 S.Lanka Tiger rebels reject Asia peace talks offer-Source: Reuters Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels on Saturday rejected a government offer to hold crunch talks in Asia aimed at averting a return to civil war, insisting any meeting should be hosted by peace broker Norway. New President Mahinda Rajapakse has offered to meet the rebels for immediate talks in any Asian country, but not in Europe. He has also angered the Tigers by rejecting their demand for an ethnic Tamil homeland outright. S.P. Thamilselvan, head of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam's (LTTE) political wing, accused the government of trying to freeze the group out of Europe and of trying to convince the European Union to list it as a banned terrorist organization. "The first round of talks should be held in Norway," Thamilselvan told reporters in the northern rebel stronghold of Kilinochchi. "The government's position that talks should be held in an Asian country, that European countries should ban the LTTE … we consider a coup attempt." "By living (in Europe), our people have established a certain place and status in those countries," he added, accusing the government of seeking to "sever our relationship with the international community and sideline us." The government, which announced its Asia talks offer on Friday after rowing back on its predecessors' refusal to hold talks outside Sri Lanka, was not immediately available for comment. The Tigers have threatened to resume their two-decade struggle next year unless Colombo comes up with a viable power-sharing blueprint, saying this is its last chance to avert a return to a war in which more than 64,000 people have died. CONSTANT BICKERING But both sides are poles apart, each bickering at the other through the media, and a surge in violence that has sparked fears of a return to war is likely to continue, analysts say. Nordic truce monitors on Saturday blamed the Tigers for shooting at a military helicopter on Wednesday in the first attack on an aircraft since the cease-fire was signed in 2002. a charge the rebels reject. "As the small arms fire against the helicopter originated from an area controlled by the LTTE, the LTTE must bear responsibility," Hagrup Haukland, head of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission which over oversees the truce, said in a statement. "The LTTE is urged to do all in its power to avoid similar incidents in future as such incidents can lead to serious consequences jeopardizing the cease-fire." The truce is at its lowest ebb after a rash of killings culminated in two deadly claymore fragmentation mine attacks that killed 14 soldiers earlier this month. Suspected rebel fronts have since emerged, threatening to shoot soldiers. Ordinary Sri Lankans in the northern Jaffna peninsula, which is hemmed in by rebel territory, fear they may have to flee and start their lives over yet again. "We were displaced in 2000 … our house was totally destroyed. We repaired it," said 36-year-old school teacher C. Raju. "The present happenings point toward war," he added. "We have suffered enough, but we are used to this." Maintaining symmetry of power, key to meaningful peace talks- TELO Leader Adaikalanathan “Instead of choosing a constructive political path
setting incremental milestones to monitor progress in addressing the national
crisis, various Sri Lanka governments in power, were preoccupied with
an "oppressive mindset" and have attempted to weaken the Tamil
struggle by purposely dragging out peace processes,” said TNA parliamentarian
and TELO Leader Selvam Adaikalanathan, speaking to TamilNet Friday. He
said that a meaningful peace process is possible only if the prevailing
strategic symmetry of power is maintained between the two parties. “Expectations and hopes of the International community and thousands of tsunami–affected Tamil families were shattered when the Sinhala polity used provisions in the Unitary constitution to derail the Post Tsunami Operations and Management Structure (P-TOMS). Supreme court appears to apply constitutional jurisprudence selectively to cases that benefit Sinhala community. While the court deemed it prudent to defer action on the constitutionality challenge to the MoU which paved the way for three years of peace, it chose to invalidate key provisions of P-TOMS using constitutionality arguments,” he told TamilNet after meeting European Commisssion official, Mr. Herve Jouanjean. TNA Members of Parliament R. Sampanthan, Joseph Pararajasingham, Suresh Premachandran, Selvam Adaikalanathan, and Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam met with the Deputy Director-General for Asia and Latin America of the European Commission, Mr. Herve Jouanjean, at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday. Jouanjean was sent to Sri Lanka as the personal envoy of the Director General for external relations of the European Commission to study the political situation regarding the peace process, as a precurser to the forthcoming Co-Chairs meeting scheduled for 19th of December. Associated with Jouanjean was the Head of the delegation of the European Commission to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Ambassador Julian Wilson. The meeting lasted for more than an hour, sources added. Mr. Joseph Pararajasingham MP, the leader of the Foreign Relations Committee of the TNA, told TamilNet that the meeting was constructive as many issues pertaining to the ethnic conflict and the current peace process were discussed. "We have clearly identified to the European delegation the issues affecting Tamil people and possible alternative options available to them in resolving these issues, Mr Parajasingham said. "If the peace process is to be saved the International Community should impress on the the Sri Lankan state to deliver quickly proposals that meet Tamil aspirations," he said. Pararajasingham further that the delegation emphasized to the EU official that Sri Lanka military, working with paramilitary forces in violation of the CFA agreement, is the main cause of the violence and tension in NorthEast. Bad weather warning for five provinces The Meteorology Department warned yesterday of heavy rain and strong winds in the Northern, Eastern, Uva, North Central and Southern provinces. The bad weather warning issued at 11 am yesterday and valid for the next 36 hours said, “The low pressure area in Bay of Bengal was near latitude 07.5N longitude 85.0 E at 9 am on December 16. The distance of the system is about 350 km east of Batticaloa. It is likely to move in the west- north-western direction. Strong winds and showers are expected in the Northern, Eastern, Uva and North Central provinces and in the Matale and Hambantota districts and over the seas off the coast extending from Jaffna to Pottuvil via Batticaloa with rough conditions. Fishing and Naval communities are advised not to venture into the said seas. Sri Lanka to hold
general election in March? It is reported that the President plans to hold a general election before the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. “The President has decided to go in for a general election to take advantage of his victory and secure a comfortable majority in Parliament,” sources at the President’s Office said. Presently the government is a minority in Parliament. With the support of the JVP and JHU, the government could “safely” move forward, the President’s Office sources said. Paramilitary cadre shot dead in Welikanda Unidentified attackers shot and killed a paramilitary cadre of Karuna Group at Kudapokkuna in Welikanda, Police said. The incident took place around 9:45 p.m. Thursday. The attackers escaped from the area, the police added. The paramilitary cadre was identified as Pulenthiran Sivarasa, 28, according to Welikanda police. Kudapokkuna, a border-village between Batticaloa and Polannaruwa districts, is located 15 km north of Welikanda and 70 km west of Batticaloa. ‘No truth in CBK ‘s mansion story’ The London based ‘Evening Standard’ daily yesterday admitted that there was no truth in its story that former President Chandrika Kumaratunga had bought a property owned by the Duke of Windsor. In a letter addressed to President Kumaratunga’s secretary Piyasena Dissanayake, Evening Standard Managing Editor Doug Wills said the paper expressed its “regret to President Chandrika Kumaratunga for any distress the report had caused her”.He said the newspaper had been informed that “there was no truth in the story”. The Evening Standard story triggered a controversy here while President Kumaratunga immediately dismissed the report as baseless. SLA cordons off, searches Ariyalai village Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers cordoned off and conducted
a house to house search Mulli, a village in Ariyalai in Nalllur Pradeshya
Sabha Friday morning. Villagers who assumed the presence of SLA troopers
as part of intensified patrol of the area were alarmed when troops entered
houses and demanded national identity cards from villagers, residents
said. Tension prevailed in the village as many were subjected to threatening language and were warned of dire consequences for any behavior innimical to SLA interests, sources said. SLA has been systemetically sweeping areas of potential unrest and are conducting cordon and search of several areas of the Jaffna district in the last three days. Jaffna sources say active youth groups in Jaffna have responded with warning messages and have informed the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission of a developing explosive atmosphere in the district. German assistance to rebuild Jaffna power grid THE German Government has pledged financial assistance to Sri Lanka for rehabilitating the electricity supply to the Jaffna peninsula and for ensuring food security in the Batticaloa district. Cabinet Spokesman Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said that Germany has agreed to provide Rs 14 billion as a loan to the Ceylon Electricity Board to reconstruct the 132 KV transmission line from Killinochchi to Jaffna and upgrade the grid station in Chunnakam. Germany has also pledged to grant Rs 301 million to Sri Lanka through the German Government Agency for Technical Corporation (GTZ) for the promotion of food security of persons affected by war. The Minister said that the food security programme will be carried out in selected areas of the Batticaloa district by the newly established Nation Building and Development Ministry. "The project also aims to stabilise the economic and social bases of the war-affected in the long term," he said. Decomposed body found in Valaichenai A decomposed body of a woman, in her twenties, was found at Nasivanthivu, 30 km north of Batticaloa town, Friday morning. Valaichenai Police recovered the body following a tip-off from the civilians in the Sri Lanka Army controlled area. The police handed over the body to Valaichenai Hospital for post mortem.The body will be kept at the hospital mortuary for identification, police said. Nasivanthivu is located 3 km north of Valaichenai. Anandasangaree for solution on Indian pattern TULF President V. Anandasangaree yesterday called on all political parties to support President Mahinda Rajapakse who is due to visit India shortly, to enable him to consent to solve the ethnic conflict based on the Indian pattern. He said this would facilitate the Indian authorities to satisfy the demands of Tamil Nadu Members and prevent them from resorting to unwanted interference. Mr. Anandasangaree in a statement said: “The news that a helicopter belonging to the Sri Lankan Air Force was hit by four rounds of small arms fire comes as a great shock to every right thinking person all over the world. Now that the child has started playing with fire the country can't just look on. This is a matter that the International Community too can't just ignore not merely because the Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Margarita Bonvier had a narrow shave with death but also because the repercussions are going to be beyond one’s imagination. “The LTTE leader himself should take this as a warning. Helicopters in our country are used for a number of purposes, apart from defence. “They are used to assess damage caused by cyclone, floods, tsunami, to provide assistance for marooned people, to rescue people in distress and also to provide transport for LTTE leaders to and from the International Airport, to take them from Vanni to the East to attend funerals of their dead cadres and not least in importance, to airlift their injured cadres to Colombo for treatment. “If the LTTE is doing this in spite of the use of helicopters by them, then there is no doubt that the leader of the L'ITE has lost control over the LTTE cadres and if allowed to grow will end up in further chaos“The time has now come for the International Community to take a very serious view of the situation, fast developing in this country and take concerted action against the LTTE without any delay. “Our neighbouring India too cannot take this incident lightly. The Tamil Nadu Members ofParliament, if I am permitted to say although I should not interfere in their matters, should not demand the pound of flesh from the Government to the extent of endangering India's security. They should know of the ground situation in the North and East not only from the LTTE which is running a dictatorial rule, but from other Tamil leaders also, without holding the Indian Government to ransom, with their numerical strength. Tamil Nadu leaders could not now forgotten how the LTTE shot down a passenger plane and killed 44 passengers and the entire crew. At the same time call upon the local political parties too, to loosen their grip on certain issues if there are any, and give a green signal unitedly to the President who is on a state visit to India shortly, to enable him to consent to solve our ethnic issue based on the Indian pattern, which will facilitate the Indian authorities to satisfy the demands of the Tamil Nadu members and to prevent them from unwanted interference. Firing at SLAF chopper a violation - SLMM The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) yesterday ruled that Wednesday’s firing upon an unarmed Sri Lanka Air Force helicopter was a violation of the cease-fire by the LTTE. In a letter to Tiger political chief, S P Thamilselvan, the SLMM underscored that the cease-fire agreement clearly barred all offensive military action including firing of direct and indirect weapons, armed raids and ambushes. "Consequently, the firing upon the unarmed Sri Lanka Air Force helicopter on December 14 is ruled as a gross violation of article 1.2 of the Cease-Fire Agreement," the SLMM’s letter emphasized. "We urge the LTTE to do all in its power to avoid similar incidents in future as such activity can lead to serious consequences, jeopardizing the cease-fire." "What we are saying is that the small arms fire against the helicopter originated from an area controlled by the LTTE, the LTTE must bear the responsibility for the incident," said Mats Lundstrom, acting SLMM spokesman. The letter was handed over to the LTTE peace secretariat at Kilinochchi yesterday but there was no immediate response from the Tigers. Attempts to contact the LTTE’s political headquarters in the Wanni failed due to congestion of lines. The SLMM informed the LTTE that both parties to the truce are responsible for all military activity in areas under their control. This includes avoidance of hostile acts against each other. Under article 1.2 of the agreement, neither party shall engage in any offensive military operation. This requires the total cessation of all offensive military action and includes, but is not limited to, such as firing of direct and indirect weapons, armed raids and ambushes. The MI-17 chopper, which had been on its way to pick up an Italian delegation headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Margherita Boniver, had come under gunfire and made an emergency landing at Kumana in Ampara. The incident took place 10 air-miles off Arugambay. TamilNet, citing SLAF sources, specified that the gunfire "did not cause any damage except puncturing a few holes in the frame and the helicopter took off after a brief inspection". Six out of 13 shots had hit the helicopter while it was flying over Arugambay in Pottuvil. Group Captain Ajantha Silva, SLAF spokesman, said that they considered the firing on their chopper as an offensive action. The Air Force has informed the Ministry of Defence, the SLMM, government peace secretariat and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the incident and was awaiting instructions on how to proceed. "First and foremost, attacking the helicopter was an offensive action," he stressed. "Secondly, firing on the chopper despite knowing that it was not an offensive helicopter... just a passenger helicopter... is a straightforward violation of the agreement and not in good faith." "We will have to be careful how we operate over this area in future because we must pay attention to our own security," Silva continued. "We have been using this helicopter regularly, especially after the tsunami, for the requirement of ordinary people. Even the media know this helicopter because we have been taking them around in the same craft. It has flown many foreign delegates." On the day of the incident, the chopper had been used exclusively to transport the Italian delegation, he pointed out. "The visit had been given wide publicity by the media," he said. Reports from Europe indicate that officials of the European
Union are meeting to decide whether to issue travel warnings to Sri Lanka.
LTTE leaders met with the Head of Muslim Mosques and his delegation of community leaders at the Sampur LTTE Political Wing office in Trincomalee on 15 December at 2:00 pm. Participants of the meeting reached significant decisions on how they plan to achieve peace between Muslim and Tamil communities. LTTE Special Military Commander of Trincomalee district, Colonel Soornam, LTTE Trincomalee District Political Wing Head, Mr Elilan, and LTTE Military Commander of Trincomalee district, Commander Kunchan represented the LTTE. The Muslim delegation was lead by Harim Moulavi. Head of SLMM of Trincomalee district, Mr Arthur, also attended the meeting. The decisions that the leaders reached are as follows: We will encourage the acceptance of Tamils and Muslims
into each others’ communities. Muslim community leaders have recently written a letter to Mr V Prabhakaran, requesting the prevention of controversial situations between Muslim and Tamil communities. In the letter, they requested that the people involved in disrupting the peace between Muslim and Tamil communities must be identified and have appropriate measures taken against them. Upon receiving this letter, Mr Prabhakaran ordered all LTTE military commanders and LTTE political wing heads to facilitate in solving these issues and strengthen the relationship between Muslim and Tamil communities. Soldier attacks woman with acid A woman, working in a garment factory, who rejected advances by a soldier, was the victim of an acid attack by the soldier, Actg.OIC Seeduwa Police W.C.Dharamadasa said. W .S. Chandarlatha (35), a resident of Deniyaya and a mother of two children was separated from her husband. She was admitted to the Ragama with severe burn injuries on Thursday (15). She told the police that she was boarded at Raddolugama and the suspect soldier had made a proposal to her to start an affair and she had refused him telling him that she was married woman with two children. But he had continued to meet her and persist with his proposal. On the day of the incident she had got into the staff bus to go to her boarding house and the soldier with two other persons had followed her in a three wheeler. He had thrown acid on her when she got off the bus and fled, she told the police. Police said the suspect would be arrested in the next few days. FMM concerned over search on Jaffna press Expressing concern over the search carried out by the
Sri Lanka military at the editorial, administrative and press sections
of the Tamil daily Namathu Eelanaadu in Jaffna Thursday, the Free Media
Movement (FMM), in a press release issued Thursday, urged "both sides
of the conflict to respect the right to freedom of expression and information
and not to target media under any situation that may arise out of developing
military confrontations." Free Media Movement (FMM) is disturbed that government military has searched the editorial, administrative and press sections of the Tamil daily Namathu Eelanaadu in Jaffna today. Namadu Eelanaadu is one of the four daily news papers published in the capital of war ravaged Northern Province, Jaffna. All four dailies in Jaffna take an editorial line that supports Tamil nationalism, which is the ideological basis of separatist armed struggle in north and east of Sri Lanka. FMM views this situation as a direct result of escalation of violence in Jaffna peninsula during the last few weeks. Number of solders, militants and civilians has died as a result of these unfortunate developments. FMM fears that media in Jaffna may become a target of escalating violence again as happened many a times before. In a non- peaceful situation like one prevails in Jaffna today, searching a newspaper office by government military may send a signal that media is under military scrutiny and there by impede the freedom of expression and information. Media and journalists in Jaffna face challenging situation now in gathering and dissemination of information as war clouds are gathering by every passing day. FMM urge both sides of the conflict to respect the right to freedom of expression and information and not to target media under any situation that may arise out of developing military confrontations and mistrust between the parties to the conflict.s Sunanda Deshapriya (+94) 0777 312457 16 December 2005 Letter from President to Prabhakaran President Mahinda Rajapaksa sent a letter to the LTTE leadership today (15) conveying the government's intention to hold peace talks in an Asian country. The President disclosed this during a discussion with a UNP delegation headed by Ranil Wickremesinghe held at Temple Trees this evening. The discussion with the main opposition was consequent to the President's decision to forge a broad consensus among the southern political parties before embarking on talks with the LTTE and the UNP delegation included Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya, Professor G.L.Pieris and Joseph Michael Perera. Wickremesinghe has reiterated that there is no change in the UNP's original stance that a negotiated settlement should be found for the national problem and added that the UNP will extend its fullest corporation it the government opted for a negotiated settlement and devolving power within a united country. The UNP has urged the President to get the talks of the ground without much delay. EU expresses concern to TNA on N-E situation THE European Union expressing its concerns on the current situation in the North and East at a meeting with the Tamil National Alliance, insisted on stabilising the efforts in finding a political settlement to the ethnic crisis, informed sources said. The Deputy Director-General of Asia and Latin American countries Herve Jonanjean met the Tamil National Alliance Parliamentarian at the European Union office in Colombo yesterday. Jonanjean was accompanied by the Head of the Delegation of the European Union Julian Wilson. The European Union office in Colombo invited the Tamil National Alliance to discuss on the current situation in the North and East prior to the Co-Chairs confab in Brussels on December 19, to review the peace process. The Tamil National Alliance was headed by Parliamentarian R. Sambanthan and was accompanied by Parliamentarians Joseph Pararajasingam, Suresh Premachandran and TELO Leader Selvam Adaikalanathan. The TNA Parliamentarians making their views at the meeting with the EU representatives said the TNA was for a negotiated political settlement for the North and East crisis. They also pointed out that the efforts must be taken to stabilise the deteriorating Ceasefire Agreement in the North and East. The TNA members also brought to the notice of the EU representatives that there were six rounds of talks between the Government and the LTTE and there was nothing fruitful. They also said that the previous Government leaders were helpless in resuming the peace process. The TNA also urged the European Union to offer its good offices to find a durable solution to the Sri Lankan crisis. Solheim to initiate
resumption of talks Minister Samaraweera has reiterated the new President’s commitment to the peace process and the role of Norway as the facilitator. The Sri Lankan Minister also discussed operational modalities for the resumption of talks, the Ministry said. Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre welcomed the commitment demonstrated by the Sri Lankan government to move the peace process forward. Støre underlined that the new Norwegian Government is fully committed to engage as a facilitator. The Ministers look forward to an early visit by Norwegian Minister of Development Mr Erik Solheim to Sri Lanka, to initiate the resumption of talks with the GOSL and the LTTE. The composition of the Norwegian team, including a Special Envoy, will be announced shortly, the ministry said. The Ministers were optimistic that talks on strengthening the implementation and effective monitoring of the ceasefire can commence early next year the Foreign Ministry added. Jaffna Group warns of attacks if SLA harassment is not stopped If the increasing incidents of rounding up of civilians,
and cordon and search of Tamil areas by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers
continue, campaign of attacks against SLA will intensify in Jaffna, warned
an organization of Tamil youths called "Roaring Tamil Force,"
in a memorandum submitted to the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) offices
in Jaffna Thursday. Twenty-five youths identifying themselves as belonging
to the Group delivered the memorandum at the Temple Road offices of the
SLMM, sources said. SLA troops should stop rounding up civilians, Tamil youths
who have been arrested and held without charges should be released immediately,
Security forces must return to their barracks without interfering with
peoples' daily activities and disturbing normalcy of life in the district,
Construction of new SLA checkposts and camps should be stopped, and All
military activities that affect the education of Tamil students should
be stopped immediately. Meanwhile, Jaffna Campus Students Union said that it condemns roundup of students Thursday and accused the SLA of threatening campus students living in outside-campus accomodations. The Student Union officials further said that incidents of harassment of campus students by the SLA troops have markedly increased in the past few days. SLA soldiers search Jaffna press, threaten workers Sri Lanka Army cordoned off the offices of the popular
Tamil daily Namathu Eelanaadu located in Navalar road Jaffna Thursday
6.30 a.m. and searched the editorial, administrative and press sections
of the paper's offices thoroughly for nearly half an hour, workers at
the premises said. SLA soldiers questioned several workers at the daily
and demanded to see workers' national identity cards. Civil groups expressed
alarm at this ominous development to suppress press freedom in Jaffna
district. Officials of daily Valampuri with offices located close to Namathu Eelanaadu said that workers entering the offices were stopped at the entrance to the building and questioned by the SLA soldiers Thursday morning. Several workers were also threatened by the soldiers, according to some employees at the newspaper building. North Sri Lanka Journalists Association condemned the harassment of the journalists and newspaper workers by the SLA troops and demanded that all harassment be stopped, and urged the Sri Lanka Government to take all efforts to safeguard press freedom. CWC MP joins Sri Lanka government, sworn in as Deputy Minister Ending all political speculation, the CWC Badulla district MP Vadivel Suresh joined the government ranks this morning. He took his oaths as the Deputy Minister for Health and Nutrition before President Mahinda Rajapaksa at his Temple Trees residence. Earlier, ColomboPage exclusively reported that four CWC MPs are likely to join the government during the budget debate in Parliament. It is learned that other three MPs are scheduled to cross over in the next week. Faizer Musthapa to join SLFP CWC Parliamentarian Faizer Musthapa will join the Sri Lanka Freedom Party soon to extend his support to President Mahinda Rajapakse. Sources close to Musthapa said that the young MP had discussions with the President recently and is expected to look after Muslim Affairs in the Central Province as a co-ordinator without accepting Ministerial Portfolios. Musthapa who resigned as the Vice President of the CWC recently is a former Deputy Minister of Tourism. He is also an Attorney-at-Law and the son of eminent SLFP lawyer President Counsel Faiz Musthapa. Muslim platoon
in the army? "State security forces have proved its ineffectiveness to assure the security of Muslims in the East," said Rahuman pointing out that several Muslims have been killed in the past few weeks. He said, "It is futile trying to find out who is behind these killings, as it won't save Muslim lives". The MULF leader said that Muslims were not enthusiastic about joining the armed forces. This was due to 'an atmosphere that does not fit our culture and religion', he said. However, he said that 'Muslim youth will be prepared to enlist once that problem is addressed and a separate Muslim platoon is set up'. His Highness, are there any other vehicles than this vehicle and that vehicle? A 'Jaguar' full option vehicle for 20 million rupees is to be purchased for President's brother, Deputy Minister Chamal Rajapaksa. It is to be bought under the pretext of buying a vehicle for the official car pool of President's Rajapaksa. Even though the order for the purchase of the vehicle has been placed through President's Coordinating Secretary Sachin Vass, the relevant letter of credit has still not been approved by the Presidential Secretary. The documents for the approval has been forwarded to the Presidential Secretary by Chamal Rajapaksa’s son 'Shashi Rajapaksa' who is a Personal Secretary of the President. Recently Kalutara district parliamentarian Nandana Gunathilake exposed in Parliament that State Bank Development Minister and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wijedasa Rajapaksa has ordered a BMW car worth 14 million rupees as his official vehicle. It is said that the Presidential Secretary was not in much of a hurry to approve the letter of credit for the Jaguar vehicle following this disclosure by Gunathilake. Indian Maoists admit links with LTTE- Indo Asian News Service Indian Maoist guerrillas have admitted for the first time that Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger guerrillas trained them two decades ago but claimed they have no links with the insurgents now. The disclosure was made by a leader of the outlawed Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) at a press conference called in a village in Bihar's Madhuban block and attended by select journalists. The leader, known by his nom de guerre Azad, said the Maoists 'learnt newer warfare tactics from the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) in 1986-87'. He said that LTTE gave them training in producing and using landmines. In 1986, the LTTE enjoyed sanctuaries in India but the next year it unleashed a war against the Indian troops deployed in the north and east of Sri Lanka. A Hindi newspaper reported details of Azad's comments. But the central committee member refused to say where the training took place. Azad, however, insisted that the CPI-Maoist had no connections with Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence (ISI). But he admitted they enjoyed 'good and close' ties with Nepalese Maoists. CPI-Maoist leaders who met the journalists also vowed to step up their warfare and threatened to target banks and major industrial houses setting up industries by displacing tribals in mineral rich states. Such actions, Azad said, would take place in Jharkhand, Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. This was the first press meet organised by Maoists in recent years. It assumes added significance in view of last month's daring Maoist jail break in Jehanabad district in Bihar. He said the party had also decided to target police armouries and banks. Azad said the guerrillas now operated factories to produce guns and mines in each state. Several Indian states are affected by Maoist violence,
which has shown a sharp increase since last year when the People's War
Group and the Maoist Communist Centre joined hands to set up the CPI-Maoist. An Australian businessman held for 55 days in Sri Lanka over a ministerial assassination is on his way home to Melbourne, his family has announced. Melbourne-based businessman Charles Gnanakone was detained on October 10 on suspicion of involvement in the fatal shooting of Sri Lankan foreign minister Lakshman Kadirgamar. But the Colombo-based court of appeal ruled this week that the 60-year-old, who is of Sri Lankan origin and holds an Australian passport, should be released. His family issued a brief statement on Thursday, saying he would speak at a press conference at his home at Mount Eliza, in Melbourne's south on Sunday, and would make no further comment. A spokesman for the family could not be contacted on Thursday. Two other men have been arrested over the assassination. Mr Gnanakone was detained by Sri Lankan police after Mr Kadirgamar, who was known as a tough opponent of the Tamil Tigers, was shot near his heavily guarded home in Colombo in August and died in hospital. The minister was the most tightly guarded person in the country after President Chandrika Kumaratunga but police admitted serious security breaches by his bodyguard. At the time of Mr Gnanakone's arrest, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said they were aware an Australian had been detained in Colombo "in relation to his alleged links to the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) and the assassination of the former foreign minister". Asylum betrayed-Source:New
Statesman Britain's asylum system is out of control and ministers preside over a regime of corrupt-ion and inhumanity. I know. Working with asylum applicants, I see the reality of an amoral, bungling policy at first hand. In the past few years, I have helped more than 100 would-be refugees, their cases a snapshot of a national disgrace. In my experience, most assumptions about "failed" asylum-seekers are nonsense. Some cases may be bogus, but many fail because of poor or non-existent legal representation. None of the asylum applicants I have dealt with was fraudulent. All were eventually able to corroborate their harrowing accounts of imprisonment, torture, rape and the murder of their loved ones. The majority of the asylum-seekers who contacted me had no legal help. Only one had a good lawyer, and that was because his family was well-off. The rest were dependent on legal aid solicitors, many of whom do a second-rate job, because they are incompetent, underfunded or overburdened. The Home Office has a list of solicitors it recommends to claimants: it just happens that most of these firms have a high failure rate - which is convenient for a government hell-bent on slashing asylum numbers. The talk on the asylum street is that shoddy solicitors gravitate to asylum work because it provides easy pickings, with little competition. From my experience, it certainly looks that way. Cuts in legal aid funding mean that many reputable solicitors no longer take on such cases. The number of hours paid by legal aid to prepare each application is usually insufficient. The standard contract gives solicitors a mere £286 per asylum client, which covers five hours' work at minimum rates. In five hours, lawyers are expected to take a statement from the applicant, get corroborating affidavits from witnesses (often on the other side of the world), obtain reports from human rights groups, organise medical examinations to confirm torture, and research the legal basis of the claim. Most times it is impossible. This leaves the field open to unscrupulous firms which see these cases as cash cows and are prepared to submit poorly prepared claims. The solicitor for one Palestinian claimant represented her after only a 20-minute interview. This was not long enough even to document her story. At the hearing, key aspects of her persecution were never heard and no corroborating evidence was presented. No wonder she failed. One Iranian I am assisting was represented by a firm of solicitors recommended by the Home Office. He was told that they did not "have time" to record his story of persecution and, anyway, it was "too complicated". The asylum process is rigged to fail as many applicants as possible. Under the "fast-track" system, a solicitor assigned to a new claimant usually gets less than 24 hours' notice of a client's Home Office hearing. If the claim is refused, the appeal is often scheduled a week or so later - rarely enough time to gather sufficient supportive evidence. Another inbuilt bias is the Country Information and Policy Unit (CIPU) at the Home Office, which produces reports on human rights violations in the countries from which asylum-seekers flee. These reports are used by adjudicators to determine whether a person has a well-founded fear of persecution and, in my experience, they are often overly optimistic. For example, I have helped several refugees who fled Islamist state repression in Algeria. The CIPU report on Algeria that was in use until September 2004 played down the abuses and the likelihood of returnees being victimised. It was eventually withdrawn in embarrassment, having been exposed as out-of-date and riddled with unverified information from dubious sources. The notorious "white list" system is another ploy that allows the Home Office to declare that designated countries (currently there are 24) are free from serious human rights violations. The white list currently includes Sri Lanka, where a bloody civil war has led to widespread torture and assassination. Yet the Home Office says all asylum claims from Sri Lanka should be assumed to be bogus and the claimants deported. Applicants who have committed no crimes are held in detention centres such as Colnbrook and Harmondsworth in Middlesex. These are prisons in all but name. People are mostly put there if the Home Office thinks their claims are unfounded and/or if they come from a white-list country deemed to be safe. (In other words, the Home Office prejudges their application.) Minors sometimes get incarcerated, too, and not by accident. One 17-year-old told me that officials confiscated his original Home Office ID and issued him with a new one with a false date of birth, which made him 18, in order to permit his detention in Harmondsworth. Within detention centres, asylum claimants are at the mercy of the guards. In cases brought to my attention, abuse happens in "blind" areas, where there are no CCTV cameras. It also occurs in the internal prisons - the high-security segregation units - where "troublemakers" who try to assert their legal rights are sometimes punished. This abuse echoes the humiliations inflicted in Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. As well as racist and homophobic insults, it includes strip searches and internal genital examinations. There are no protections against these violations. Detainees are virtually powerless. In theory, asylum detainees have access to legal representation. In practice, many don't. Some claimants are deported illegally, without removal orders being served. Others get deported even though a judicial review is pending. I know of people served with deportation notices while waiting for medical examinations to confirm their claims of torture. One victim I am supporting was until recently held in detention for six months, without receiving any treatment or counselling. He says requests for medical treatment are frequently ignored and people suffering severe trauma are sometimes fobbed off with aspirin. It is not unknown for the Home Office to serve removal notices with no warning, perhaps an hour before asylum applicants are carted off to the airport. I know of detainees who have had phone access denied when they were due for removal, preventing them from contacting their solicitors. Last month, one applicant in a London detention centre was bussed to Scotland shortly before his order was served. His removal from English legal jurisdiction seemed designed to make it as difficult as possible for his solicitor to take action to halt him being sent back to Uganda. "Failed" asylum-seekers scheduled for deportation can be shackled, bound and forcibly injected with sedating medication, according to eyewitness accounts I have received. To stop them screaming en route to the plane, some escorts apply thumb pressure to the throat and twist handcuffs so tight that they pinch the wrist nerves and cut the flesh, leaving some victims with long-lasting nerve damage. Many human rights advocates working with asylum claimants, such as the Bail Circle and the London Detainee Support Group, tell similar stories. So when the Home Office talks about "failed" asylum-seekers, what this often means is claimants who have not succeeded in surmounting the shameless, devious obstacles - legal and illegal - designed to ensure the deportation of as many applicants as possible. Ministers cannot blithely claim that they are unaware of these abuses. If they don't know, they should. If they do know, why are they allowing it to continue? The abuses cited in this article are taken from the experiences of asylum applicants supported by Peter Tatchell and his human rights group OutRage! Names and other identifying details are withheld. ( [http://www.petertatchell.net]) and ( [http://www.outrage.org.uk]) 15 December 2005 Urgent
talks with Norwegian FM "In keeping with the Government's commitment to commence talks with the LTTE, Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera will be meeting the Foreign Minister of the Royal Norwegian Government Jonas Gahr Støre in Hong Kong on 15 th December 2005 to discuss modalities", the Ministry said. The Minister will be accompanied by Mr. H.M.G.S. Palihakkara, Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs,Dr. John Gooneratne, Secretary-General, Secretariat for Co-ordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP) and Mr. Shanaka Jayasekara, Director(Policy), SCOPP. 'Tamil Tigers'
attack helicopter -BBC The helicopter suffered minor damage but returned to Ampara town safely. The attack is thought to be the first of its kind since the government and the Tigers agreed a truce in 2002. But tension has been rising in recent weeks and the country's army and police have suffered a number of attacks. "The helicopter came under fire - it had two bullet holes and minor damage," air force spokesman Group Captain Ajantha Silva told Reuters. He said the military had been monitoring rebel radio traffic. "We heard high-ranking [rebel] leaders giving the go-ahead to attack the helicopter," he told the BBC Sinhala service. The rebels have made no comment so far. Ms Boniver had been reviewing tsunami reconstruction efforts in the coastal area. Hong Kong talks With violence rising, the relevance of the fragile ceasefire, brokered by Norway in 2002, is being questioned. The government and the rebels maintain a commitment to peace, but are far apart on the issue of self-determination for Tamils. On Thursday, Sri Lanka's foreign minister will meet his Norwegian counterpart on the sidelines of the WTO summit in Hong Kong to discuss attempts to resume direct peace talks with the rebels, which stalled in April 2003. Last week, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse asked Oslo to continue mediating in the peace process - despite an election pledge during his hardline campaign to review its role. Dallas gets the slot Ending the long wait, former Parliamentarian and President Mahinda Rajapakse’s close confidant, Dallas Dahamkumara Alahapperuma was appointed yesterday to the vacant National List slot in Parliament caused after the assassination of Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar. The paper approving his nomination was sent by the UPFA General Secretary Susil Premajayantha to the Elections Commissioner and was gazetted yesterday. It has been four months since Minister Kadirgamar was assassinated on August 12, 2005 and the appointment to fill the vacancy was delayed with many names being proposed for the post. At an SLFP office bearers’ meeting on Monday President Mahinda Rajapakse reportedly insisted that Mr. Alahapperuma deserved the post while former President Chandrika Kumaratunga said Reginald Cooray or Chandana Kathriarachchi should be appointed. Mr. Alahapperuma, Matara district Parliamentarian scored over SLFP strongman Mangala Samaraweera in the 1994 general elections. Later he went abroad and only returned to the country before the Presidential election but played a vital role in Mr. Rajapakse’s victory. 'Government breaches people's trust' - JVP JVP parliamentarian Nandana Gunathilake has blasted the government in Parliament, saying the new regime should rethink its strategy of governance if it intends to respect the people's mandate. “It is sad to say that the new government loses the public trust when they [are] appointing a jumbo Cabinet again,” the JVP MP said in Parliament. He pointed out that the present government includes 80 ministers and deputies and said the people do not need such a large government at all. Mr. Gunathilake nevertheless extended his party’s support to President Rajapaksa, saying that his work plan for the country was “realistic”. Abduction of LTTE
woman – Four in police service interdicted Police Sergeant Selvarajah (13828), Reserve who were attached to the Vavunia Headquarters Police stations have been interdicted in this connection. It has been revealed the said police officers were not present when Tiger members entered the hospital ward shooting Reserve Police Constable Manoj Ranasinghe who was on duty at that moment. Chandrika off to Australia Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga left for Australia yesterday on a private visit. The object of her visit is to take part in a function of her personal friend and she will stay in Australia for 6 days. | ||
