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30 November 2005 Clinton
warns Sri Lanka over war Last year's tsunami killed nearly 31,000 people in Sri Lanka. Meanwhile the aid agency, Oxfam, has criticised the pace of rebuilding in Sri Lanka and Indonesia, saying that it is too slow. Oxfam said that both countries - the worst-hit by the tsunami - had to provide more appropriate land on which to build permanent shelters for the tsunami survivors. The Asian tsunami killed more than 200,000 people in 13 countries - 130,000 in Indonesia and 31,000 in Sri Lanka. 'Civil conflict' Mr Clinton toured parts of the eastern and north-eastern coast of Sri Lanka on Tuesday. Earlier, speaking in Colombo, Mr Clinton said the country had achieved "real progress" since the 26 December disaster. "Ninety per cent of children are back in school, epidemics have been prevented and transitional shelter has been provided to almost all internally displaced people," he said. But Mr Clinton emphasised that all this work would be "reversed" if the ceasefire between the Tamil Tiger rebels and the government failed to hold. "Any recovery progress achieved this year will be quickly reversed if Sri Lanka returns to civil conflict." Mr Clinton held talks with the country's new President, Mahinda Rajapakse. Mr Rajapakse took office having pledged to take a hard line against the Tigers. Mr Rajapakse praised Mr Clinton for his involvement in tsunami recovery. "Your personal involvement in the post-tsunami reconstruction efforts of our country has been a great source of strength to all of us," Mr Rajapakse said, his spokesman told reporters. This is Mr Clinton's third visit to the country since last December's tsunami. 'Buffer zones' Oxfam has criticised the slow pace of work in tsunami
recovery in Sri Lanka. Along the Sri Lankan shoreline many destroyed homes have not been rebuilt because they were in areas now deemed to be 'buffer zones' where building is prohibited. "Thousands of permanent houses have already been built for tsunami survivors but until new land is provided for those made landless, the rebuilding process will be too slow," Oxfam's director, Barbara Stocking, said. As for Indonesia, the group said the government had not got policies in place to provide new land to the landless. Mr Clinton is due to tour Indonesia on Wednesday. 7 billion spent to keep Ranil UNP leader Ranil Wickrmesinghe has agreed to hold discussions with the two factions of the party - the one which says that he should step down from the party leadership and the other that says he should remain as the party leader in the aftermath of presidential election defeat, a parliamentarian of the faction calling for his resignation told 'Lanka e News'. The meeting is to be convened within a week. Meanwhile issuing a statement Deputy UNP leader Karu Jayasuriya said that he would extend his fullest co-operation if the majority of the party believes a major overhaul is necessary in the party in order to find a way out of the present crisis. Sri Lanka warned over cyclonic storm The Meteorological Department today warned the public that a cyclonic storm named 'Baaz', now in the Bay of Bengal, will hit Sri Lanka in a few hours' time, causing intermittent showers or thundershowers with strong winds. It said ‘Baaz’ was about 500 km northeast of Jaffna at 9:00 AM today. It is moving northwestward and is likely to intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm. There will be intermittent showers or thundershowers with strong winds in the Northern, North Western and North Central Provinces. Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central Provinces and the Galle and Matara districts will also feel these weather conditions after midnight today. Rain or thundershowers will occur in the sea areas off the coast extending from Mannar to Pottuvil via Jaffna and Trincomalee. Scattered showers or thundershowers will be experienced elsewhere. The fishing and naval communities are strongly advised to refrain from their activities in the northern, eastern and northwestern seas, as the seas are expected to be very rough with winds and rain. The winds will be between northerly and northwesterly at speeds of 20-40 kmph. They will rise up to 60-100 kmph at times in the seas off the coast extending from Mannar to Pottuvil via Jaffna and Trincomalee. Clinton meets TRO Executive Director TRO Executive Director Mr. K P Regi told the United Nations
Special Envoy President Bill Clinton the problems that have led to the
disappointing progress made thus far in Phase III of the Tsunami recovery
programme in the NorthEast when he talked to Mr Clinton during the Sri
Lankan Civil Society organization meeting in Colombo Tuesday. President
Clinton had mentioned to Mr. Regi that he is aware of the problems facing
the NorthEast and that he will endeavour to address these issues. Mr Regi handed President Clinton a letter on behalf of TRO which highlighted the problems that the people of the NorthEast face and explained the problems that TRO has encountered working in the NorthEast. “TRO’s work is funded through partnerships
with 35 international NGOs, UN agencies, bilateral donors and the Tamil
Diaspora, who contribute through our 14 overseas offices. NGO’s
and individuals from the USA, such as Operation USA and CitiHope, have
provided funds and other aid that has vastly increased our ability to
serve the affected populations” the TRO letter stated. The letter outlined some of the false allegations that have been directed towards TRO in an attempt to distract the organization from its commitment. “TRO is being victimised and our organisation is being maligned by concerted and malicious propaganda campaigns and physical assault, both in Sri Lanka and in the international community, making it difficult for us to serve the affected populations.” “The continuing attacks upon the TRO Batticaloa office, which has been attacked by unknown parties 5 times, are an example of this. During these attacks hand grenades and automatic machine gun fire have been directed at the office. Numerous staff members have been injured and one staff member was killed during one of these attacks.” “Our main support base, the Tamil Diaspora community, has experienced intimidation by parties which wish to politicize our work in the NorthEast”. The letter also highlighted that TRO has recently published its audited financial statement for the post-tsunami period, “We are very proud to inform you that TRO Sri Lanka is the only organization among those that are involved in post tsunami relief and rehabilitation work in Sri Lanka, both national and international, to have published audited accounts of the tsunami funding (January - June 2005). These audited accounts were sent in August to the Sri Lankan President, the Prime Minister, all Members of Parliament and to the international development community.” The letter also cited the lack of an acceptable institutional mechanism for the delivery of tsunami aid to be a crucial problem. “It is very distressing to note that the humanitarian needs of the NorthEast keep growing with each successive disaster and yet there continues to be an absence of an institutional mechanism for the delivery of relief, rehabilitation and development that is acceptable to all parties to the current conflict. This has made it even more difficult for organizations such as ours to fulfil our mandate." “TRO is committed to providing humanitarian service which is NON-POLITICAL. TRO works in the GoSL and LTTE areas with ALL 3 ethnic groups (Sinhala, Muslim & Tamil). Phase I & II were successful because INGOs came and worked with local NGOs like TRO.” The letter pointed out that in Phase III, the needs of the NorthEast are being addressed slower due to the lack of a structure to channel the funds to the beneficiaries to rebuild the communities and that this is attributable to failure of the PTOMs. The letter also highlighted some of the significant equity issues that arise as a result of the different approaches INGOs, other agencies and governments take when working in the GoSL versus. LTTE controlled areas. Inequity in treatment of war affected versus tsunami affected was mentioned as another major concern in the post tsunami period TRO’s letter further said: “Tsunami has lead to a recentralization of the few powers that were devolved to the provinces. All decisions are made in Colombo without much consultation with the local authorities. Centralised controls of all flow Tsunami funds and assistance by the government of Sri Lanka, including the funds and the endeavours of civil society is ensuring the perpetuation of some of the embedded problems. The lack of competency, excessive control, corruption and politicisation in the government bureaucracy are problems that are entrenched in Sri Lanka. These have become significant detractors to the progress of Tsunami recovery, particularly in the NorthEast. This compulsion to control progress from Colombo is significantly affecting TROs ability to respond to the challenges it faces." Un-publicised security related controls by Colombo are also limiting the smooth flow of construction and other relief materials to Tamil areas, the letter said. Policemen in Tiger custody ‘re-remanded’ The three police offices of the National Child Protection Authority arrested by the LTTE were re-remanded yesterday till 20 December, by the Tiger ‘court’ in Kilinochchi. This was for the fourth time since the officers’ arrest while persuing a foreigner, accused of child abuse, to Arippu, Murunkan in Mannar. The police officers in Tiger custody are Reserve SI Bandujeewa Bopitigama, PCs Diluk Hemantha and R.D. Sarath. The Kilinochchi Tiger ‘police’ produced them before ‘magistrate’ Selvi and requested them to be re-remanded as inquiries were pending. The ‘magistrate’ who considered the request ordered them to be re-remanded. Supreme Court
to consider UN ruling The chief justice has decided to once again hear an appeal after the Geneva based United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) requested the government of Sri Lanka to release Sinharasa. Sinharasa accuses the government of Sri Lanka for not abiding with the (UNHRC) ruling. He points out that the government is bound by the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights to which Sri lanka is a signatory. In his petition Sinharasa has requested the Supreme Court to order the government of Sri lanka to release him from prison. Speaking to journalist K S Udayakumar, a spokesman of
the supreme court said that this is the first time such petition is taken
up for hearing. Mano Ganeshan speaks out on Ranil's failure Extract from a statement made by Mano Ganeshan in the
Tamil Daily Virakesari of 23/11/2005 It is not correct to accuse the LTTE for the debacle of Ranil of the UNP in the Presidential election, but the blame should be taken by UNP's Mallik Samarawickrema and messrs Milinda Moragoda M.P. Navin Disanayake M.P and Upcountry Peoples Front President P. Chandrasekeran. Since Moragoda and Dissanayake did not control their tongue when addressing the public and Mr. Samarawickrema and Chandrasekera by their childish activities, Ranil lost the Presidential election. In the circumstances thousands of votes cast to Ranil on the appeal of the other UNP leaders, the CWC and Mr. Hakeem's S.L.M.C and others have gone for waste. Outgoing Samarawickrema, Mr. Ganeshan had allied to enlist the co-operation of some unknown people to canvass the support for Ranil from the LTTE. Mr. Samarawickrema was of opinion that the UNP could tame the LTTE to get votes in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. Mr. Chandrasekeran, who now criticises the LTTE and TNA, earlier promised that he could easily convince the LTTE. It was a false and misleading promise he made to Ranil and the UNP. Mr. Ganeshan had said that negotiators should have given a convincing guarantee to LTTE Demands. Mesrs. Samarawickrema and Chandrasekeran should have convinced the UNP hierarchy when the LTTE discussed their problem with the UNP. Mr. Ganeshan had said that their front had no link with LTTE and their front had no opportunity to discuss problems with the LTTE using their goodwill with them. He had said that their front was of opinion that Messrs. Samarawickrema and Chandrasekaran would have convinced the need for Northern and Eastern Province Tamils to vote for Ranil through the LTTE. It is a few days earlier to the Election that their Front came to know that concrete steps have not been taken to lure N.E. Tamil Votes. Further, he (Ganeshan) had said that the utterances of Mesrs. Milinda Moragoda and Navin Dissanayake also contributed to the failure of Ranil. Their talks, Mr. Gameshan said was communal minded, and the UNP failed to investigate into it. A political scene conducive to them was enacted. The LTTE, Mr. Ganeshan says not a political party seeking seats in parliament but a national struggle movement aimed at seeking consolation for Tamils. Is it possible for the LTTE to read Ranil's election Manifesto, his speech and utterances of UNP leaders and appeal to Tamils in the North and East to vote for Ranil without an assurance that their demands would be met asked Ganeshan? The people who guaranteed 6 lakhs of votes from the North and Eastern Tamils failed to convince what Ranil would do to them after he assumes the Presidency. It was the duty of the negotiators to tell Ranil that without any grantee the LTTE will not appeal to Tamils to vote for him. Did the negotiators explain this to Ranil. If so what was his reaction? Mr. Ganeshan asked did Chandrasekeran give any grantee to the LTTE and did they reveal it publicly? Mr. Ganeshan asked did the LTTE agree to his Guarantee or they rejected it? Mr. Ganeshan had said that upcountry Tamils were adviced by the LTTE to act according to what their leaders said in regard to Southern Sinhalese. Therefore Northern Tamils and Southern Tamils cannot agree to a common understanding. It is high time Mr. Ganeshan says leaders of the LTTE understand this situation but it is timely that leaders of political parties studied the situation which they are not aware or have not studied the history of Sri Lanka. Tamil-link lecturer in ASIO probe-The Australian A SRI Lankan Australian whose home was raided by police last week was earlier investigated by ASIO agents on suspicion of supplying hang-gliders to Tamil Tiger guerillas. Melbourne TAFE lecturer Thillai Jeyakumar sparked the interest of ASIO officers when he ordered hang-gliders from a NSW business and then shipped them to Malaysia. Mr Jeyakumar, also known as Jay Jeyakumar, is a member of the Melbourne-based charity the Tamil Co-ordinating Committee, whose members were raided by Australian Federal Police last week. An annual statement that the TCC provided to Consumer Affairs Victoria and obtained by The Australian shows that in 2003 more than half of the donations forwarded by the charity were sent to a fund in Malaysia described by security sources as "the leading Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) front organisation in Malaysia". The annual statement said TCC's total income in the year to June 2003 was $269,838. Of that, $183,290 was sent directly to orphanages and hospitals in LTTE-controlled northeast Sri Lanka but most of that amount - $95,000 - went to the World Tamil Relief Fund in Malaysia. Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation executive director Rajan Rasiah yesterday described Mr Jeyakumar, a computing studies lecturer at Melbourne's Chisholm Institute of TAFE, as "a very nice person" and "a very responsible person". The Australian was unable to contact Mr Jeyakumar, despite repeated attempts. But Dr Rasiah sought to distance his charity from the TCC yesterday after Sri Lanka's deputy high commissioner, Asoka Girihagama, revealed that his Government had warned Australian authorities that TRO fundraising was suspect. Dr Rasiah said that although the Sri Lankan Tamil community was tight-knit, there were no formal links between the TRO and the TCC. But Dr Rasiah said TRO funds were also occasionally channelled through Malaysia. Security sources said yesterday that LTTE front organisations were widespread in Australia. "Of all the terrorist support networks, the network of the Tamil Tigers is the most extensive in Australia and New Zealand," one security source said. According to another source, Australian LTTE supporters had sent speedboats and light aircraft parts to Tamil Tiger guerillas, who are waging a bloody and long-running struggle for an independent homeland in Sri Lanka's northeast. The source said the boats and microlight planes could be used in suicide attacks. "Australia has been traditionally an important market for them to procure boat designs, for their speedboats, and also their air vehicles. Their initial spate of air vehicles were purchased in Australia," the source said. In the past month, Tamil Sri Lankans were under pressure to donate large amounts of money to the TCC in the lead-up to last Sunday's "Heroes Day" celebration, where Tigers leader Velupillai Pirabaharan gave his annual address - delivered at Elephant Pass in Jaffna, Sri Lanka. A spokesperson for the Society for Peace Unity and Human Rights in Sri Lanka, an Australian group that opposes the Tigers' battle, said there was a backlash in the Australian Tamil community this month when TCC members called regular donors and asked them to give $10,000 each in the lead-up to Heroes Day. Businesses had been asked to donate $25,000. ITRO responds to allegations by SL Highcommission in Australia The International Tamils Rehabilitation Organisation
(ITRO London), the representative body of the overseas offices of the
Tamils Rehabilitation Organisation, in a letter addressed to Mr. Asoka
Girihagama, the deputy high commissioner of Sri Lanka in Australia, requested
to provide details of the grounds for his recent allegations in Australian
media that the TRO Australia had allocated Tsunami relief and rehabilitation
funds to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). TRO Sri Lanka is the only organisation among those that are involved in post tsunami relief and rehabilitation work in Sri Lanka, both national and international, to have published audited accounts of the tsunami funding (January - June 2005), Director of ITRO, Mr. Naga Narendran, observed in his letter to the Sri Lankan High Commission. He further said that the TRO Family is apolitical in its mission. Copies of the letter, dated on 26th of November, were addressed to Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapakse, Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, Foreign Missions in Sri Lanka and the Executive Director of TRO, Mr. K. P. Regi. Full text of the letter sent by the the Diector of ITRO follows: Your allegation to the Australian Media “TRO Australia used donations to fund terrorist group” International Tamils Rehabilitation Organisation (ITRO London) is the representative body of the Tamils Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO) overseas offices (TRO family). You have alleged in the Australian media that TRO Australia is funding terrorism and may have allocated the funds raised for post Tsunami relief and rehabilitation work to the LTTE. ITRO’s mandate requires us to ensure that processes and procedures adopted in the administration of our member organisations are well above board, legal and transparent. Hence, we are anxious to ensure that your fears and suspicions, as alleged in the media by you, are addressed to the satisfaction of all concerned. We kindly request your cooperation and to provide us with the details of the grounds for your accusation enabling us to carry out a full investigation and to respond appropriately. We assure you that it is in the interest of what TRO family stands for and of the dignity of its respected professional volunteers, who have dedicated themselves to address humanitarian needs of the people of the North-East of Sri Lanka that we wish to investigate such serious allegations. TRO Australia is registered in Australia and is being administered by a committee of highly qualified independent professionals and its president Dr Rasiah has confirmed that “its funds were audited by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission and the Australian tax office has full details of where its money was directed”. TRO Australia’s contribution to the Tsunami affected people, drawn from the very substantial funds donated to them by the Australian nationals, has been truly commendable and has assisted immensely in ameliorating the devastation suffered by the Tsunami affected people and their villages of the North-East of Sri Lanka. You are probably aware that the efforts of TRO Sri Lanka, assisted by the TRO family, including TRO Australia, helped secure an award from the President of Sri Lanka for its Tsunami response. As you are very well aware that the people affected by the war and then the Tsunami and now the floods, nearly seven to eight hundred thousand, are languishing in refugee camps, temporary shelters and with friends and relatives. This excludes those not evacuated but affected by the attendant poverty, deterioration of health, education and other social deprivation resulting from these disasters. There are over 150,000 people affected by last weeks floods in the Tamil dominated Northern district alone, of which at least 87,250 are in the Mullaithivu district which is controlled by the LTTE. These figures are not our own but were reported by the Hindu, a leading Indian newspaper of the 25th November 2005. Your government has allocated a sum of Rs 7.0 million (approx A$100,000) to address the immediate needs for the entire flood affected area. Just TRO Canada alone, on the other hand, has allocated US 50,000 to address the immediate needs of the North-East. We are apolitical in our mission, and in Australia we are subject to national law and also make significant difference in the lives of hapless civilian people of the North-East of Sri Lanka. We also like to remind you that there have been similar accusations in the past by members of your Government through the media. These were much harsher and one such accusation, among many others, was that “TRO Sri Lanka was directly involved in terrorism by importing bomb making items”. Later it was found that the items in question were “enamel vessels used for religious and cultural activities by Hindu Tamils and a donation from overseas to help Tsunami victims”. Whilst no apology was issued no charges were ever laid even though you had the benefit of even the emergency rule. We also like to highlight, TRO Sri Lanka is the only organisation among those that are involved in post tsunami relief and rehabilitation work in Sri Lanka, both national and international, to have published audited accounts of the tsunami funding (January - June 2005). The accounts were sent in August to the Sri Lankan President, the Prime Minister and his concerned Ministries / Departments and also to the international development community. ITRO would like to ensure that the well recognised capacity of the TRO family to address the humanitarian needs of the people of the North-East is not compromised by the types of allegations made by you. We await your early response. 29 November 2005 Sri Lanka President invites Tigers for talks Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa today invited the LTTE for peace talks and vowed to maintain the country's Ceasefire Agreement. During a meeting with Colombo-based diplomatic missions today, the President said, “We can resume work immediately on reviewing the operation of the Ceasefire, whilst we prepare ourselves for eventual substantive talks leading to a lasting solution. These processes can work in. parallel and not necessarily sequentially.” “I reaffirm my government’s commitment to continue the Ceasefire,” he said. “I hope the LTTE will heed the call of the people in Sri Lanka and the international community by fully complying with the Ceasefire, especially those provisions relating to observance of human rights, such as refraining from the recruitment of child soldiers, political killings, abductions, and other illegal activities.” He also said he has already directed the Foreign Minister and the Peace Secretariat to initiate consultations with the donor co-chairs - Japan, the United States, the EU and Norway - to resume the peace talks. “My agenda is very clear; the process of achieving peace must be founded on trust and confidence. Most importantly, peace must be built on commitments that can be delivered in full. It is towards this end that I build consensus within the political landscape, so that the agreements that we reach at peace talks are fully deliverable.” The President also welcomed Prabhakaran’s remarks yesterday and said, “Recognizing my pragmatic approach and my invitation to talks as extending the hand of friendship, let me use this occasion to reiterate my invitation to Prabhakaran for talks.” Mr. Rajapaksa also appreciated the international assistance provided throughout recent years. “We also need international assistance to ensure that peace-making is not at the cost of democracy and pluralism for the people of the North and East. These are inalienable rights,” he said. LTTE virtually
pushed to war: SLMC Party’s General Secretary Hasan Ali told the Daily Mirror that his speech was disturbing because he vowed to reject the concepts of self-determination when working out a solution to the problem. “He has rejected the long-standing concepts regarding the problem. There is no reference to the federal solution. Then, how is he going to talk to the Tamil Tigers?,” he queried. However, he welcomed the President’s assurance to ensure a separate representation for Muslims in future peace talks with the LTTE. He said Muslims were for a federal solution to the problem, as it had been widely accepted. TNA parliamentarian Joseph Pararajasingham also ruled out the possibility of peace talks being resumed due to the government’s rejection of the Tamils’ demand for a homeland and self-determination. Mr.Pararajasingham said that the LTTE which fought for a separate state had now agreed to explore the possibility of a federal solution to the problem under the Oslo declaration. “The unitary character of government was rejected by Tamils about 60 years back. If the President tries to solve it under a unitary form of government only, he is trying to take the country back to 1950s,” he said. The TNA Parliamentarian said the government could not expect the LTTE to come to the negotiating table under such pre-conditions. Asked for his comment on the failure on the part of the President to make a specific reference to the facilitator role played by Norway in his address to Parliament, Mr. Parajasingham said: “We wonder whether the government has a hidden agenda about the peace process.” Indian Tamils need strong representation, says Agri Association Lanka Agriculturists Association in a letter to President Mahinda Rajapakse yesterday urged to establish a strong representation from the plantation and Indian Tamil Community. Deputy President of the Association R. Kokilavanan in the letter states that as there is no Indian Tamil representation from the plantation sector the impression created is that the present President too will neglect the Indian Tamil community. He states that the plantation Indian Tamil community appreciate the “Mahinda Chinthanaya” proposals. “However, we are disappointed that the Plantation Ministry has been given to a person belonging to the majority community.” Although a separate Ministry for Plantation and Indian Tamil community was established in 1994 he alleged that there was no progress in the community. During the Presidential Election the Tamil people in the plantation sector was told that UPFA had an alliance with communal parties such as the JVP and Hela Urumaya and that would lead to communal riots. Despite that charge, certain Tamil parties in the hill country supported Mahinda Rajapakse. The Association hopes that President Rajapakse will consider the decision and facilitate representation from the plantation and Indian Tamil community. Chandrika-Ranil consensus improbable even now Contrary to reports, claims and speculation, a political pact between former President Chandrika Kumaratunga and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was unlikely, political sources said. Reports on the possibility of Kumaratunga entering Parliament, to fill in the vacancy created through the assassination of Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar, have fuelled speculation that a political marriage of convenience was in the offing, the sources said. Kumaratunga may enter Parliament through the National List but a pact with Wickremesinghe was implausible, the sources said. However, it would not be easy to undermine President Mahinda Rajapakse’s government, the sources said. Rajapakse wants ex-Matara District MP Dallas Allapperuma to fill Kadirgamar’s vacancy. Party sources said that the Rajapakse camp was confident of facing a possible threat. Acknowledging the impossibility of the CBK-Wickremesinghe pact now, a veteran politician yesterday revealed that they almost succeeded in forming a Government of National Reconciliation in August 2001. But Wickremesinghe scuttled the proposal, he said. According to him SLFP and UNP delegations discussed the issue on August 25 and 27, 1991 and agreed that Kumaratunga should invite Wickremesinghe to be the Prime Minister. The SLFP delegation had included Mahinda Rajapakse, Lakshman Kadirgamar, Mangala Samaraweera, Nimal Siripala de Silva, Anuruddha Ratwatte and D.M.Jayaratne. Karu Jayasuriya, Tyronne Fernando, Charitha Ratwatte and K.N.Choksy had represented the UNP. The two parties were to divide 30 Cabinet portfolios equally. This was to be a three-year arrangement with the focus on the national issue (peace process) and the economy. SLMC leader MHM Ashraff and TULF MP Neelan Tiruchelvam are believed to have backed the move. But Ranil had discarded the proposal by demanding the impossible. "He wanted absolute power in a country with an executive presidential system and did not give much thought to the proposal as his aim was to be the President in 2005." Wickremesinghe is believed to have refused to acknowledge reality until just before the presidential polls nominations when he urged Kumaratunga to "seek a platform of consensus." The sources further said that Wickremesinghe could have avoided defeat if he agreed to work with Kumaratunga. The Island learns that Kumaratunga sent a message to Wickremesinghe shortly after taking over the ministries of Defence, Police and Media in November 2003 that she did not want another election. She had also spoken against a fresh alliance with the JVP. She is believed to have said, "Please work with me during the next few years. You can be the President after that." This message is believed to have been carried by the then Foreign Minister Tyronne Fernando. Despite Kumaratunga signalling that she was prepared to restore police and media portfolios and a part of defence, Wickremesinghe failed to grab the opportunity. A workable agreement at that time could have easily pre-empted the inevitable SLFP-JVP coalition that inflicted a heavy defeat at the April 2004 general elections, the sources said. Meanwhile Wickremesinghe appears to have overcome the imminent challenge to his position with the majority of the parliamentary group backing his leadership. Wickremesinghe’s defeat, at the closely contested presidential polls, triggered speculation that there would be a challenge to his leadership. Five bullet-proof vehicles taken home It is reported that Chandrika Kumaraunga who retired from the Presidency has reserved five bullet proof vehicles, five Defender jeeps and several other vehicles. She has reserved these vehicles through a memorandum presented by her to the Cabinet. On the orders of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, a special probe is to be conducted to Kumaratunga hastily issuing cheques to the tune of 200 million rupees to various organizations and a cultural fund just days prior to her retirement and the reservation of the bullet-proof vehicles. The President has already ordered the relevant banks to stop payment for the cheques. Cabinet sources said that the issue would be taken up as a priority matter for discussion at next week's cabinet meeting. The President who is to leave the President's House on the 30th has chosen the official residence of former Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadiragamar at Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo 7. According to well informed sources she has chose an office of the Ranaviru Seva Authority at Torrington Place as her office. She has handpicked 49 for her official staff. On the approval of the cabinet a two and a half acre land from Sri Jayawardanepura was donated to her in recognition of her services. Dalles as Deputy Defense Minister ? it is reported that former Deputy Minister Dalles Alahapperuma, who played a major 'behind the scene' role in Rajapaksa's election campaign is to be nominated to Parliament and appointed as Deputy Defense Minister. Even though moves were underway to appoint him to the national list slot fell vacant with the assassination of former Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadiragamar, it is being held up as retired President intends to enter Parliament as a backbencher for the vacant post. She has already made her intention clear to SLFP General Secretary Maithreepala Sirisena and Alliance General Secretary D.M.Jayaratne. However it is suspected whether the new President would give way to the former President's request. During the recent Cabinet reshuffle, a deputy Defense Minister was not appointed and it is reported that the Prime Minister has been asked to oversee Defense Ministry affairs in Parliament. Men who stole goods from Jaffna bound lorries nabbed Three men who stealthily got into vehicles carrying goods to Jaffna and robbed goods were taken into custody by Karuwalagaswewa Police and were remanded till December 7 after being produced before Puttalam District Judge Amal Tilakaratne. The suspects are Hettiarachchilage Ariyaratne of Puttalam Sirambiadiya, Dehiwattage Christopher Perera and Warnakulasooriya Arachchige Surendra Perera, of Kurugama. Goods to the value of six hundred and forty six thousand rupees (Rs. 646,000) had been robbed on October. 22 from a lorry bound for Jaffna. Robberies of this nature had been taking place often and even last week-end such a robber had been nabbed while attempting to rob. Robbers get into lorries plying the Puttalam - Anuradhapura highway at night. In an operation conducted by OIC Karuwalayaswewa Police with a team of police officers the three who were remanded had been taken into custody while they were committing the offence. Heroes day celebrations conclude in Trincomalee district Trincomalee district military commander of the Liberation
Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Colonel Sornam, lit the common flame of
sacrifice in martyr's mausoleum at Alankulam in Muttur east Sunday evening
bringing the Heroes Day celebrations in the district to a conclusion.
Parents of LTTE martyrs, Tamil people and LTTE activists in large number
participated in the event, sources said. Mr.Suthakar, another LTTE commander in Trincomalee lit the common flame of sacrifice at the newly opened mausoleum in Othiyadichcholai in Nilaveli division, north of Trincomalee town. Parents, close relatives and friends of LTTE martyrs paid homage to their departed loved ones at these mausoleums by offering flowers and lighting candles, sources said. In Trincomalee town the final event of Heroes Day celebration was held at the Hindu Cultural Hall located along the Inner Harbor Road. Mr.Sivakumar of the LTTE political division lit the common flame of sacrifice. Tamils in large number attended the event, sources said. Karuna wants India and UK to mediate Sri Lanka peace process Breakaway eastern LTTE leader V. Muralitharan, known as 'Col. Karuna', in his Heroes' Day speech yesterday said his group would welcome only the mediation of India and the United Kingdom in the Sri Lankan peace process. “Only Indian and the UK countries understand our problems very well,” he said. “In particular, India is the country which should come forward to settle our problem.” The former eastern Tiger leader also wanted the Sri Lankan government to “immediately revise the Ceasefire Agreement that had paved the way for the LTTE to kill Tamils, Muslims and the armed forces. “The Sri Lankan government should also reconsider the role of Norway, which had facilitated the agreement,” he said. Mr. Muralitharan added that LTTE leader V. Prabhakaran was “preventing” India and the UK from “intervening in our problem”. “If there is to be true peace in this country, the LTTE should be disarmed before commencing any talks with them,” he also said. Oxfam urges Clinton to ask Sri Lanka to allocate more land for tsunami victims Oxfam International, the global anti-poverty agency, has urged the United Nations Envoy for Tsunami Relief, former United States President Bill Clinton, to ask the Sri Lankan government to allocate more land to house tens of thousands displaced by last year's tsunami. The request was made on the eve of Clinton’s visit to Sri Lanka. “Thousands of permanent houses have already been built for tsunami survivors, but until new land is provided for those made landless, the rebuilding process will be too slow,” Oxfam said. Oxfam-Great Britain's Executive Director Barbara Stocking said in a statement, “Oxfam is supporting ... Clinton’s efforts to ensure that appropriate land is made available for permanent housing. “Some Sri Lankans feel that land the government has made available is inappropriate because it is not near the sea, and many of its would-be occupants make their living from fishing. This means rebuilding is delayed as it is unclear about whether the communities would move into any new houses built in these areas.” LTTE 'did not
declare war' Haukland said that he does not believe LTTE Leader's statement as a declaration of war. "Both the Government of Sri Lanka and LTTE are aware that Military solution is not the answer to this conflict, it has to be solved in political way" added Haukland. "According to the Ceasefire Agreement, if a party to Ceasefire Agreement wants to declare war that party has to give a notice fourteen days in advance and has to acknowledge the facilitator - The Norwegian Government". When questioned whether LTTE has informed the Norwegian Government Haukland said "I do not have any knowledge of LTTE informing the Norwegian Government on this regard" The importance of monitoring the Ceasefire agreement
has reiterated by the President Mahinda Rajapaksha in his policy statement
presented to the Parliament on Friday (26th November). "The only way to alter the existing Ceasefire Agreement is through a dialogue between both parties" added Haukland. "In order to implement the Ceasefire Agreement properly both parties must get into the discussion table without a delay", he insisted. 27 November 2005 LTTE
TO INTENSIFY STRUGGLE FOR SELF-DETERMINATION IF REASONABLE POLITICAL SOLUTION
IS NOT OFFERED SOON The leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), in his annual Heroes’ Day statement made an urgent appeal to the new Sri Lanka Government of Mr Mahinda Rajapakse to offer a reasonable political solution to the ethnic conflict without further delay. The Tamil Tiger leader cautioned the government that his liberation organisation would intensify the struggle for self-determination and political independence if the new regime adopts a hard-line position and fails to resolve the problems of his people. The LTTE leader said that a critical elucidation of President Rajapakse’s policy statement revealed that he has failed to grasp the fundamentals, or rather, the basic concepts underlying the Tamil national question. ‘In terms of policy, the distance between him and us is vast. Since President Rajapakse is considered to be a realist, committed to pragmatic politics we wish to find out, first of all, how he is going to handle the peace process and whether he will offer justice to our people. Therefore we have decided to wait and observe, for sometime, his political manoeuvres and actions’, the Tiger leader commented. ‘The past four years of the peace process have miserably failed to address the most urgent humanitarian needs faced by hundreds of thousands of Tamil refugees displaced by war and by the recent tsunami giving rise to hopelessness and disillusionment among our people’, Mr Pirapaharan observed. ‘Our people have lost patience, hope and reached the brink of utter frustration. They are not prepared to tolerate and wait any longer. The new government should come forward soon with a reasonable political framework that will satisfy the political aspirations of the Tamil people’, the LTTE leader declared. ‘If the new government rejects our urgent appeal, opts for a hard-line position and adopts delaying tactics, we will, next year, in solidarity with our people, intensify our struggle for self-determination, our struggle for national liberation to establish self-government in our own homeland’, Mr Pirapaharan asserted. The Tamil Tiger leader also revealed that to date nearly eighteen thousand LTTE cadres have died in the national liberation war and several times that number of Tamil civilians have been wiped out by the Sri Lankan armed forces. ‘We are deeply disappointed to note that neither the Sinhala nation nor the international community has understood the spiritual significance, the historical importance of the immense sacrifice made by the Tamil people for the liberation of their nation’, the LTTE leader lamented. The following is the translated version of the full text of Mr Pirapaharan’s statement. ‘The Sinhala nation continues to be entrapped in the Mahavamsa mindset, in that mythical ideology. The Sinhalese people are still caught up in the legendary fiction that the island of Sri Lanka is a divine gift to Theravada Buddhism, a holy land entitled to the Sinhala race. The Sinhala nation has not redeemed itself from this mythological idea that is buried deep and has become fossilised in their collective unconscious. It is because of this ideological blindness the Sinhalese people and their political and religious leaders are unable to grasp the authentic history of the island and the social realities prevailing here. They are unable to comprehend and accept the very existence of a historically constituted nation of Tamil people living in their traditional homeland in north-eastern Sri Lanka, entitled to fundamental political rights and freedoms. It is because of the refusal by the Sinhala nation to perceive the existential reality of the Tamils and their political aspirations the Tamil national question persists as an unresolved complex issue. We do not expect a radical transformation in the social consciousness, in the political ideology, in the Mahavamsa mental structure of the Sinhalese people. The scope and power of Sinhala-Buddhist hegemony has not receded, rather, it has revived and taken new forms, exerting a powerful dominance on the southern political arena. In these objective conditions we do not believe that we can gain a reasonable solution from the Sinhala nation. We have to fight and win our rights. We have never entertained the idea that we could obtain justice from the compassion of the Sinhala politicians. This has always been the view of our liberation organisation. Even though we are deeply convinced that we cannot obtain justice from the Sinhala political leadership, but rather have to fight and win our rights, we were compelled by unprecedented historical circumstances to participate in peace talks with the Sinhala state. We were compelled to engage in the negotiating process by the intervention of the Indian regional superpower at a particular historical period and by the pressure of the international community at a later period. There were other reasons also that encouraged us to engage in the peace process. Constructive engagement in the peace process is a viable means to secure legitimacy for our liberation organisation as the representative organ of our people. We also wanted to internationalise our struggle and win the support and sympathy of the international community. Furthermore, there is a need to convince the world community that we are not war-mongers addicted to armed violence, but rather, firmly and sincerely committed to non-violent peace process. Finally and most importantly, we wanted to demonstrate beyond doubt that the Sinhala racist ruling elites would not accept the fundamental demands of the Tamils and offer a reasonable political solution. It was with these objectives we participated in the peace process. Over the last three decades of our national liberation struggle we have observed ceasefires and participated in peace talks at different periods of time in different historical circumstances. We knew that our enemy was dishonest and devious. We knew that these peace talks would not produce any positive results. We knew that there would be peace traps. Yet we participated in the peace talks with sincere commitment and dedication. In the course of our engagement we encountered pressures and complex challenges. There were traps to undermine our liberation struggle. We acted prudently and avoided pitfalls. We vehemently opposed all subversive strategies that were detrimental to the interests of our people. The Tamil people are fully aware of the fact that during the time of Indian intervention, when we encountered a serious threat to our freedom struggle and to the interests of our people, our liberation organisation was bold enough to oppose the Indian superpower and fight its military machine. From the Thimpu talks, we have participated in several peace negotiations, at different times, at different places. Unprecedented in the history of our struggle, it is only now, we have devoted a lengthy period of four years for the peace effort. However, despite this protracted period of time our sincere and persistent efforts to reach a settlement to the problems of our people have become futile. The recent peace talks have been significant and essentially different. They have been held with the facilitation of a third country, with the supervision of the international community. There were sessions of negotiations with Mr Ranil Wickremasinghe’s administration and later with Chandrika Kumaratunga’s government. The decisions, resolutions and Agreements reached during these negotiations were never fulfilled. During this process of negotiations we were extremely tolerant and even compromised on several issues. Nevertheless, the Sinhala political leadership refused to offer justice to our people. On the 24 December 2001 we unilaterally declared cessation of hostilities and opened the doors for peace. At that time, when we extended our hand of friendship to the Sinhala nation, we stood on a strong foundation. Having liberated the Vanni region and over run the Elephant Pass military complex, we had firmly established the balance of military power in our favour. I need not go into the details of the peace negotiations we had with Mr Ranil Wickremasinghe’s government in various world capitals under Norwegian facilitation. It is suffice to say that Mr Wickremasinghe’s administration was unable to resolve even the basic existential hardships and urgent humanitarian needs of our people. Adopting delaying tactics, Ranil’s government was primarily focusing on setting up an international safety net aiming at decommissioning our weapons. An international aid conference was organised in Tokyo in June 2003 as an essential element of this subversive scheme. Having realised the implications of the international safety net we decided to boycott the Tokyo conference and eventually to suspend the peace talks. Having failed to achieve anything, Ranil’s regime came to an end. In the meantime President Kumaratunga formed a new government with the alliance of racist forces opposed to peace. Chandrika refused to initiate the peace talks even though our organisation was willing to negotiate on the basis of our proposal for an interim self-government authority. Time began to elapse in a political vacuum without an interim settlement or a permanent solution. We realised that the aim of the Sinhala chauvinistic political leadership was to misdirect and undermine our liberation struggle by entrapping us in the uncertainty of a political vacuum. Faced with the meaningless absurdity of living in the illusion of peace we decided to resume our national liberation struggle. It was at that conjuncture, during the latter part of last year, when we were charting our action plan, that the horrendous natural disaster struck. Suddenly, unexpectedly the tsunami waves struck at the villages and settlements along the eastern coastal belt of our homeland causing an unprecedented catastrophe. In this cataclysmic disaster unleashed by nature, twenty thousand Tamil and Muslim people perished and about three hundred thousand people lost their homes, properties and were reduced to conditions of refugees. As nature inflicted further calamity on the Tamil nation, which had already suffered monumental destruction by war, our people were burdened with unbearable suffering. In these circumstances, our liberation movement was geared to confront the crisis. Our fighting formations, as well as our cadres belonging to various social and administrative services, were immediately engaged in the tasks of relief and rehabilitation. As the tsunami catastrophe shook the conscience of the world, the international governments volunteered to provide huge sums of money in aid for relief and rehabilitation of the affected people. In the meantime President Kumaratunga expressed her willingness to form a joint administrative mechanism in cooperation with the LTTE to implement the tasks of relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction for the affected Tamil speaking people. We decided to talk to the Kumaratunga government since we had to give primacy to the extraordinary humanitarian tragedy faced by our people. Talks were conducted at the level of peace secretariats. Since we wanted to avoid delays in the negotiating process we adopted a flexible attitude, even compromised on crucial matters, and finally an agreement was reached to establish a joint administrative mechanism. The Accord was also signed by both parties. The international community expressed full support for the joint administrative structure worked out by both the Sri Lanka government and the LTTE. The international governments also expressed hope that a congenial environment for joint effort by warring parties had been created. But the Sinhala-Buddhist racist forces could not tolerate the emergence of a congenial environment of goodwill. Having registered their vehement protest to the joint administrative mechanism, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and Jathika Hela Urumaja withdrew their support to the government. These parties also filed a case in the Supreme Court challenging the constitutional validity of the joint administrative mechanism. The determination of the Supreme Court made the joint mechanism inoperative. With the demise of the tsunami mechanism the Sinhala-Buddhist chauvinism killed the last hope of the Tamil people. Even the all-powerful President Kumaratunga could not provide a simple humanitarian project for the Tamils against the wishes of the Sinhala racist forces. The tsunami mechanism was not devolved with any political power nor was it to have any administrative authority. If there was so much opposition in southern Sri Lanka to a simple provisional arrangement then it is a daydream to expect to secure a regional self-governing authority in the Tamil homeland by negotiating with the Sinhala political leadership. This is the political truth that we have been able to learn from the four year period of the peace process. We hope that the international community, which has been intensively observing this political drama, similarly understands this truth. I wish to explain here a matter of crucial importance, which betrays the politics of duplicity of the Sinhala ruling elites. You would have heard about a secret shadow war being waged against our organisation behind the screen of peace. This subversive war has been unleashed with the aim of weakening our liberation organisation and to undermine our struggle. A large number of people consisting of our senior cadres, important members, supporters, Tamil politicians, journalists and educationists who were sympathetic to our cause, have been cowardly murdered. We know the real masterminds behind this shadow war. Though these violent acts were committed under the guidance and direction of the Sri Lankan military intelligence, we are aware that mysterious hands of some racist Sinhala politicians are behind these nefarious activities. This subversive war is being conducted in the government controlled territories, with the backing of the armed forces, utilising Tamil para-military elements as instruments. We expressed vehement protest to the Sri Lanka government when our unarmed political cadres were murdered and our political offices were bombed in the government controlled areas. Since the government ignored our protests we were compelled to withdraw our cadres to our controlled areas. A strange low intensity war has been unleashed against us taking advantage of the conditions of peace effected by the ceasefire. Disarming the Tamil para-military groups is an obligation of the state under terms of the Ceasefire Agreement. Having failed to fulfil this crucial obligation the Sri Lanka state has been utilising the Tamil para-militaries as instruments of this subversive war against our liberation organisation. This is a serious war offence. This is similar to a treacherous act in which one stabs you in the back with one hand while pretending to embrace you with the other. This behaviour clearly demonstrates that the Sinhala ruling elites have no genuine interest in peace and ethnic reconciliation. The Sri Lanka state has not given up the military option but rather transformed the war into a new mode of state terror under conditions of peace. We hope that the international community will discern the real mode of this shadow war and perceive its ugly face and ulterior motives. As far as the Tamil people are concerned, the concepts of peace, ceasefire and negotiations have become meaningless; concepts that do not correspond to or reflect reality. A shadow war conducted under conditions of peace, military occupation perpetrated in violation of the terms of ceasefire, an international subversive network woven during political negotiations, are the distorted ways the peace process has been abused. Because of these factors our people have lost faith in everything. Our people have lost faith in a peace process that has failed to secure them a real, peaceful life; they have lost faith in a ceasefire that has failed to remove the occupation army from their homes; they have lost faith in the talks that have failed to resolve their long standing problems. Our people can no longer tolerate an unstable life and an uncertain future. The waves of popular upsurgence erupting in the Tamil homeland are manifestations of the discontent and despair of our people; they are fierce demonstrations of their political aspirations. The multitude of Tamil masses, who converged at recent Tamil resurgence conventions, have publicly proclaimed their demands. The international community cannot ignore these proclamations of a unified nation calling for the recognition of their right to self-determination, of their right to rule themselves. Our people aspire to determine their own political status. Having been subjected to decades of systematic state repression, they call upon the international community to recognise their political aspirations. We have now reached a significant historic turning point in our struggle for self-determination. The ruling elites of southern Sri Lanka will never recognise our people’s right to self-determination. The Tamil right to self-determination will never find space in the entrenched majoritarian constitution and in the political system built on that constitutional structure. Our people have, therefore, realised that they have no alternative other than to fight and win their right to self-determination. Self-determination entails the right to freely choose, without external interference, our political life. The Sinhala nation has been refusing to embrace our people, to recognise their national identity and to share political power. This political alienation has continued since the independence of the island 57 years ago. Frustrated by years of alienation, oppression and ill-treatment as an unwanted people, the Tamils have finally decided to exclude and boycott the Sri Lankan polity and its power system. The boycott of the presidential elections by the vast majority of Tamil people was a concrete expression of this perspective. Our people did not participate in the election even though they had the voting power to determine the election of a new president. The non-participation of the Tamils should not be construed as a judgement of the personalities or policies of the presidential candidates. Rather, this political boycott was an expression of deep distrust and disillusionment of the Tamil people with the Sinhala political system. This event symbolises a serious turning point in the political history of the Tamils. It signifies that the Tamil people may choose their own path and freely determine their own political destiny. The Sinhala nation has chosen a new national leader. A new administration has assumed power under his leadership. This new government has been elected by the Sinhala majority specifically with their voting power. The national minorities are not represented in this government. It is essentially a Sinhala-Buddhist regime. Therefore Mahinda Rajapakse does not represent all the social formations of this country. He has assumed power as a president to protect and promote the interests of the Sinhala-Buddhist community. We are all aware of Mahinda Rajapaske’s thoughts and policies. We are also aware of the incompatible gaps and the irreconcilable contradictions that exist between Mr Rajapakse’s political vision and the Tamils’ struggle for self-determination. I do not wish to engage myself in a comparative analysis of this issue. The recent presidential elections and the change in governance effected by the Tamil boycott have created a wide rift, politically, between the Tamil and Sinhala nations. While Sinhala-Buddhist hegemony has assumed predominance in the south, Tamil nationalism has emerged as a powerful force and consolidating itself in the Tamil homeland. While a new government under Mahinda Rajapkse has assumed power in the Sinhala nation, LTTE’s administration is expanding and gaining strength as a concrete embodiment of Tamil nationalism. The international community is fully aware of the fact that we are running an efficient, self-governing administrative structure in the majority areas of the Tamil homeland, which were liberated from Sinhala military occupation by our organisation. Our administrative structure is formidable, consisting of our controlled territories with huge civilian populations, protected by a powerful military force. We have a police force and a judicial system to maintain law and order. We have also developed a complex administrative infra-structure of a shadow government. Though a large number of Tamils are still living in the military occupied Tamil region, their allegiance is with our liberation movement. The Sinhalese ruling class refuses to accept this ground reality, this political truth and attempts to belittle our liberation organisation as a ‘terrorist group’. We are disappointed and sad to note that some international governments, having been influenced by this false propaganda, continue to retain our organisation on their terrorist list. Biased positions taken by powerful nations acting as guardians of the peace process, in excluding and alienating our liberation organisation as a ‘terrorist outfit’ and supporting the interests of the Sri Lankan state, severely affected the balance of power relations between the parties in conflict at the peace negotiations. This pro-state bias constrained our liberty to choose our own political status. This partiality finally became one of the causes for the collapse of the peace talks. There is no clear, coherent, globally acceptable definition of the concept of terrorism. As such, just and reasonable political struggles fought for righteous causes are also branded as terrorism. Even authentic liberation movements struggling against racist oppression are denounced as terrorist outfits. In the current global campaign against terror, state terrorism always finds its escape route and those who fight against state terror are condemned as terrorists. Our liberation organisation is also facing a similar plight. We have now reached the critical time to decide on our approach to achieve the objective of our struggle. At this crucial historical turning point a new government under a new leader has assumed power in the Sinhala nation. This new government is extending its hand of friendship towards us and is calling our organisation for peace talks. It claims that it is going to adopt a new approach towards the peace process. Having carefully examined his policy statement in depth, we have come to a conclusion that President Rajapkse has not grasped the fundamentals, the basic concepts underlying the Tamil national question. In terms of policy, the distance between him and us is vast. However, President Rajapakse is considered a realist committed to pragmatic politics, we wish to find out, first of all, how he is going to handle the peace process and whether he will offer justice to our people. We have, therefore, decided to wait and observe, for sometime, his political manoeuvres and actions. Our people have lost patience, hope and reached the brink of utter frustration. They are not prepared to be tolerant any longer. The new government should come forward soon with a reasonable political framework that will satisfy the political aspirations of the Tamil people. This is our urgent and final appeal. If the new government rejects our urgent appeal, we will, next year, in solidarity with our people, intensify our struggle for self-determination, our struggle for national liberation to establish self-government in our homeland.’ NE should never be demerged - TNA The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has cautioned that any attempt by the government to bisect the temporarily merged north and east would lead to 'unwanted' destruction. TNA Parliamentarian and Batticaloa District MP, Joseph Pararajasingham told The Sunday Leader that the Tamils would not at any cost let any government separate these two provinces that are already merged. The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) on Thursday demanded that the north and east provinces be broken into two. The JVP also said that the north and east where nearly 3.2 million Tamils predominantly live was merged by force. JVP Leader Somawansa Amarasinghe also told a news conference in Colombo that the east was annexed to the north by force and against the law and this should be reversed. He also said the North and East Provinces were merged through India's intervention and a Tamil-majority provincial administration was created in an effort to address Sri Lanka's separatist conflict in 1987. Meanwhile countering this, Pararajasingham said the north and east have been a contiguous habitation of the Tamils and these two provinces should not be demerged. "We would not allow any Sinhalese politician to do so," he warned. He further said that almost all the pacts signed since independence, have given due recognition to the fact that the north and east are part of the traditional land for the Tamils. Pararajasingham said the Banda-Chelva Pact indicated that any part of the east could merge with the north. He further said that the Dudley-Chelva Pact indicated that first the land must be given for occupation for the Tamils and then only consider other 'foreigners.' The TNA MP said the Indo-Lanka Pact also recognised the merger and added for the past 23 years the north and east have been merged and there was no necessity for it to be demerged. "It could only be merged permanently and never could it be demerged," he said. He further said that the international community has accepted that the north-east that is predominantly inhabited by the Tamils should be merged. "With this understanding only even the Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) was signed between the former UNF government and the LTTE in 2002. "There are many other valid reasons as to why these two provinces should not be de-merged. Therefore we will not let anybody do this," Pararajasingham observed. Youth shot in Valaichenai after bungled abduction attempt Unidentified gunmen riding in a white van in Valaichenai shot and injured Suganthakumar Selvaratnam, 24, a Tamil youth when he tried to escape after the gunmen attempted to abduct him around 12:45 p.m. Saturday, police said. Selvaratnam, a civilian, was rushed to Valaichenai Hospital with serious gunshot wounds to his chest and head. He was later transferred to Batticaloa Hospital at 1:30 p.m., medical sources said. The gunmen used T-56 type of rifle, sources added.The assailants had taken the motorbike of the youth in their white van, according to eyewitnesses. Stop torture call to Lanka A United Nations human rights panel yesterday said it was deeply concerned about torture in Sri Lanka and urged authorities to do more to halt it. The UN Committee Against Torture expressed "deep concern about continued well-documented allegations of widespread torture and ill-treatment as well as disappearances," which it said were mostly blamed on Sri Lankan police. Earlier this month, the committee reviewed a regular report from Sri Lanka, which must show what it is doing to abide by an international accord banning torture, like other states that have ratified the treaty. The committee said it was also concerned that violations are "not investigated properly and impartially" by Sri Lankan justice authorities. The committee also pointed to continued allegations of sexual violence and abuses of women and children in custody. In addition, it said it was concerned over the "undue delay" in trials of officials accused of torture, as well as allegations of reprisals and intimidation against witnesses and victims. The committee said it acknowledged the difficult situation in Sri Lanka, where the government has been battling Tamil rebels since the 1980s. However, it said, "no exceptional circumstances whatsoever may be invoked as a justification of torture". Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels honoured 17,000 "heroes" killed in the movement's drive for independence amid fears of a return to ethnic civil war. The Tigers offered flowers and lit coconut oil lamps in front of photographs of the dead guerillas during Heroes' Week celebrations, which were due to conclude today with a key speech by rebel leader Velupillai Prabhakaran. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam said they were holding religious services in rebel-held territory as part of the memorial ceremonies. LTTE will not talk without Norway The LTTE yesterday said they will only commence peace talks with the government if Norway is involved in the peace process as facilitator. The LTTE made its position clear 24 hours after the government announced that the Norwegian facilitators would not be involved in any future peace talks that the UPFA government will be having with the LTTE. LTTE Spokesperson Daya Master told The Sunday Leader the organisation would talk to Mahinda Rajapakse's government only through the Norwegian facilitators. He said the Norwegians were agreed upon by both the government and the LTTE and if a decision is taken at all to drop them from facilitating it should come from both parties. "We are comfortable with the Norwegian facilitators and we do not see them as having any bias," he said. Daya Master also said the Norwegians had the blessings of India, the United States and the European countries and any changes to the system should be done with proper reason. A Colombo Norwegian Embassy spokesman when contacted said they would continue to mediate only under conditions where the Colombo government and the LTTE wants them to continue with the facilitation. "We would function as a facilitator only if we could play a constructive role in the talks. But we cannot play a role if the government of Sri Lanka does not want us to do so," he added. Sri Lanka’s security is India’s responsibility - Indian High Commissioner India would extend its fullest support to Sri Lanka to resolve its ethnic issue said Ms. Nirupama Rao, High Commissioner of India. She said India considered that National security of Sri Lanka was a responsibility of India and India would do everything possible to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka. The Indian High Commissioner made these observations when she met Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake yesterday. Ms. Nirupama Rao praised Government of Sri Lanka for conducting a fair and free presidential election. Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake said he abhorred war and terrorism and the support given by India to defeat terrorism is highly acclaimed by him and the people of Sri Lanka. He also pointed out that the relations between Sri Lanka and India has not marred in any way. Mr. Wickremanayake said he hoped to continue the cordial relations between the two countries. Weather Monitoring Center opens in Kilinochchi Tamileelam administrative branch opened a weather monitoring
and forecasting center (WMC) in Bharathipuram, Kilinochchi Saturday celebrating
the fifty first birthday of Leader of the Liberation Tigers, Velupillai
Pirapaharan, sources in Kilinochchi said. Station will operate under the administration of The Economic Consultancy House (TECH), and NGO operating mainly in NorthEast and undertakes job generation projects. Executive Director of TECH, C Suhunan, lit the ceremonial lamp during the opening ceremony. Head of LTTE Political Wing, S P Thamilchelvan hoisted the Tamileelam flag. Tamil expatriate, Kugathasan Kannan, who was instrumental in establishing the Monitoring station, and Selvi Karthikeyan from the LTTE Peace Secretariat cut the ribbon ceremonially opening the office of the WMC. Thamilchelvan cut the ribbon for the operating building and started the equipment used for weather monitoring. Special Commissioner for Karaichi region, Pon Nithiyananthan and TECH's Suhunan spoke. "In addition to monitoring and forecasting weather conditions for the NorthEast, the WMC will also function as a central office to co-ordinate alerting NorthEast residents of impending calamitious weather conditions. Effort is in progress to setup automated facilities to receive tsunami alerts from Earth quake monitoring centers in US and from other key monitoring stations. We will also expanding the functions of this office to obtain satellite weather data and will be continually updating the facility with newer technologies as they become available," said Suhunan. Fraud halts Thonda's bid to join government The police have seized a stock of miscellaneous items worth millions of rupees hidden in two different locations in the plantations which have been donated to Arumugam Thondaman during his tenure as Minister of Estate Infrastructure Development by foreign organizations and funds to be distributed free of charge among estate schools and the plantation community. Among the items recovered by the police are 45 color
television sets, 13 computers, 38 bicycles, 86 sewing machines and a large
stock of sports and educational equipment. Two special police teams from Colombo carried out this
operation at Nuwara Eliya and Kotapola while Ceylon Congress Leader Thondaman
was holding talks with a leading Cabinet Minister to join the government.
According to reports the raid has been ordered by the President. There were no inventory records or any other relevant document for the items seized by the police. Sleuths from the Colombo Crime Division have grilled the Chairman of the Nuwara Eliya Pradeshiya Sabha, Sathyavale as to how he received these items and why they were not distributed among plantation workers. The police team probing the incident have received information that various items and equipment worth million of rupees, donated by foreign NGOs and other organizations to be given away among estate schools, sports clubs and the plantation community have been sold on the sly. The seized items are to be documented and produced before the court. Further investigations are being conducted by the OIC of the Colombo Crimes Division Nuwan Wedhasinghe under the supervision of the DIG in charge of the division, Asoka Wijethilake. Co-chairs seek meeting with Mahinda The four Co-chairs to the peace process have sought an urgent meeting with President Mahinda Rajapakse to clarify his position on the future course of peace talks. The Co-chairs - EU, USA Japan and Norway - made the request to President Rajapakse early in the week but had not elicited a response upto Friday noon. The Sunday Leader learns, the President has however decided to extend an invitation to the entire diplomatic community for a meeting on tomorrow, November 28, at 3 p.m. The President's main allies, the JVP and JHU have already rejected Norway as a facilitator to the peace process while Rajapakse himself had decided against Norway. In his policy statement in parliament on Friday, President Rajapakse said the facilitation and mediation extended by the Untied Nations, other such organisations and the international community including India and the regional states will be properly organised and utilised to strengthen the peace process. Mahinda meets foreign envoys to discuss peace process President Mahinda Rajapakse is scheduled to meet heads of diplomatic missions based in Colombo tomorrow to discuss, essentially, the peace process with the LTTE. President Rajapakse's meeting follows his twin addresses
to the nation, soon after taking his oaths, and then to Parliament where
he outlined his approach to direct talks with the LTTE, but with the help
of foreign countries. During his first address, President Rajapakse said he would welcome the "friendly countries who have worked with us in the past" to reach an honourable peace by getting the stalled peace process re-started, but an official English translation referred to "India and other Asian countries together with the international community" assisting in the task. The Sunday Times learns that the original draft of the President's Sinhala language text contained flowery language to describe India, and explain why she should get involved in the peace process directly, a line adopted by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), but senior officials of the Foreign Ministry had intervened and edited some of the references. However, the officials forgot to delete the references from the English text that was released to the media. Hours after the delivery of the address, the Foreign Ministry released an extract of the President's reference to "all countries that had worked in the past", but was careful not to make an issue of the reference to India in the English text. The reference to "all countries that had worked in the past", included the current Co-Chairs of the peace process, i.e. the US, the EU, Japan and especially Norway, the controversial peace facilitator since 2001. A few days later, however, the JVP told a news conference that its position was that it was opposed to Norway as the peace broker. It quickly added that the ultimate decision rested with the new President. Then, on Friday, in his address to Parliament, President Rajapakse came back to what he originally did not say, together with what he said, and in an all-embracing reference included "the United Nations and other such organisations that support peace in Sri Lanka, all friendly countries, the international community, India and other regional States" in strengthening the peace process. What was arguably significant was that the only country specifically named was India, and that Norway was specifically not mentioned. The Norwegian embassy in Colombo remained unmoved. Asked for a quote, a spokesman said "We do not want to comment on the policy statements". "From the Norwegian side what we have been saying that we will be ready to continue our role in the peace process, if both the LTTE and the government want us to continue and the Norwegian government thinks it could make a useful contribution." The Indian High Commission remained coy, refusing to make an official comment. All they would say is that they were "supportive"
of the peace process, and that they would need to understand and study
the role the different countries are supposed to play in the policy statement
enunciated by President Rajapakse read together with some of the other
aspects in the statement. India is currently without an External Affairs Minister following the removal of K. Natwar Singh, and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is handling the Ministry. Fonseka is new Army Commander Major General Sarath Fonseka, to be promoted Lieutenant
General, will be Sri Lanka's new Commander of the Army, The Sunday Times
reported this week. Lt. Gen. Foneseka will become the 17th Commander of
the Army and will succeed Lt. Gen. Shantha Kottegoda, against whom he
had unsuccessfully competed for the post in 2003. The Sunday Times reported last week that the new regulations, which President Mahinda Rajapakse termed as both "unfair and discriminatory" are to be annulled, probably next week, clearing the way for Maj. Gen. Fonseka who also turns 55 in December. Maj. Gen. Fonseka is regarded as one of the best battlefield commanders in the near two decades of war with the Tamil Tigers, the Sunday Times’ Defence correspondent, Iqbal Athas writes. He triggered a storm of controversy in December 2002 when he flatly refused to honour the Army’s obligations under the Ceasefire Agreement to withdraw from occupied civilian areas. Maj. Gen. Fonseka began his 35-year military career after he joined the Army on February 5, 1970, the Sunday Times reported. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on June 1, 1971. He rose in the ranks over the years and served in a number of important positions including Director General-General Staff at Army Headquarters, Commander, Security Forces Headquarters (Jaffna), Commandant of the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force and Deputy Chief of Staff. He is currently Chief of Staff. Maj. Gen Fonseka has undergone training stints in the United States, the United Kingdom, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The training included a Commando officers' course, Infantry Officers Advance Course, Senior Command course and a stint at Britain's prestigious Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS). "My party has conspired against me"- DM Posts and Telecommunications minister D.M.Jaya-ratne says a conspiracy against him is being engineered by his own party men, to ensure he is sidelined. He said most of the members of his party are junior to him and only wanted to see his retirement. He said even Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickrama-nayake was 11 years junior to him in politics. He said he was not disappointed as he was not appointed as the prime minister but added there could have been a consideration. "But the new President told me that he will appoint me later on. So I will wait," he said. Mahinda's statement provocative, says SLMC Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) General Secretary Hasan Ali says the throne speech delivered by President Mahinda Rajapakse in parliament on Friday was an 'invitation to war.' He said he feared for the Muslim community that is 'sandwiched' in between the two warring factions. "If a war breaks out, it is the Muslim community that would suffer along with others. The President should be careful in his policies," he said. He said the policy statement of the President indicated that there has to be a solution within a unitary status of government and that the 'homeland concept' of the Tamils would not be considered. Ali said this policy was 'provocative' and caused fear among all the communities. "Even if the president wanted to implement the policy, he should not have stated it at this juncture. This should have come out during negotiations," he said. However he commended the President for stressing that a Muslim delegation would be included in any future peace talks. "But the issue here is, what is the assurance that we have, peace talks could even take off the ground given the kind of policy statement the President has made already," the SLMC General Secretary lamented. He said the Muslim community has already faced immense incon- veniences due to war and the tsunami, and added the thought of another war might destroy their morale. "The President's speech may have pleased the south but I don't think it was appealing to the entire nation. We understood that he was catering to a section of society. But now that he is elected he is the president of all the communities. "Therefore the President should have chosen his words carefully on a special day like this," he said. Muttur East Volunteer Brigade passing out parade held The passing out parade of the second batch of 325 volunteers of the Rural Volunteers Special Brigade took place Friday evening at the Ganeshapuram Central College grounds in the Muttur east held by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The passing out parade of the first Rural Volunteers Special Brigade was held in August this year. Colonel Sornam, LTTE Trincomalee District Military Commander, Mr.S.Elilan, LTTE Trincomalee district political head, Trincomalee district military commander Mr.Vasanthan and LTTE leading activists participated in the event, sources said. Mr.Vasanthan lit the flame of sacrifice and Colonel Sornam hoisted the Thamileelam national flag. Later a meeting was held at the college hall where large number of villagers and new recruits participated, sources said. SLMM urges LTTE not to hoist its flags in govt. controlled areas The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) has requested the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) not to hoist its Eelam flags in the army controlled areas during the Maveerar Day (Heroes Day) celebrations. The request is a sequel to an appeal made by the Sri Lanka Army to the SLMM after the LTTE hoisted its flag during the opening of an exhibition in Trincomalee last week. The exhibition took place at the Cultural Centre in Trincomalee under the patronage of the LTTE chief in the Trincomalee District. The exhibition coincided with the Maveerar Day celebrations scheduled for this week. During the exhibition it was revealed that an estimated 17,903 LTTE cadres were killed during the entire Eelam war. Of this number 263 were suicide cadres and 279 home guards. 26 November 2005 A Country has two leaders:Telo Muthalvar Sivajilingam MP A TNA parliamentarian yesterday told Parliament that there were two countries within Sri Lanka in which President Mahinda Rajapakse was the leader of the Sinhalese and LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran remained the leader of the Tamils. Speaking during the emergency debate in Parliament, Telo’s Jaffna district parliamentarian M.K. Sivajilingam extended his congratulations to President Rajapakse and Prime Minister Ratanasiri Wickramanayake. He said his party would reject the government’s plan to enter into a dialogue on the peace process with the southern political parties without talking to the LTTE to identify its stance. Referring to the President’s plan to resume talks with the LTTE by leaving out the concepts of a Tamil homeland and self-determination, he asked on what grounds the President was going to discuss the issue by leaving out these key concepts. He said ‘the government had so far held talks with the Tigers with the mediation of a third party, but expressed concern over President Rajapakse’s silence regarding a third party involvement in resuming future talks with the LTTE. “Tomorrow, the leader of the Tamils celebrates his birthday. We wish him strength to gain self-determination rights for the Tamil community,” he said. He said President Rajapakse could not achieve peace by acting arbitrarily by giving into pressure from the JVP and JHU. Sri Lankan president to seek Indian support on peace process Sri Lanka’s newly installed President Mahinda Rajapakse on Friday vowed to seek the support of India and other countries in the region to assist in re-starting the stalled peace process with Tamil rebels. Rajapakse, making his first address as president to Parliament, said his aim was to follow a new approach in the peace process. He said he would also seek the support of the United Nations and friendly countries in the peace process. The new president did not specifically name Norway, which is currently backing the country’s peace process and has renewed its offer to help in continuing the process. The Marxist JVP, which strongly backed Rajapakse in his victory in last week’s presidential election, has strongly opposed the Norwegian involvement in the peace process and reiterated on Thursday that it does not want Oslo to take part because it was biased towards the rebels. Rajapakse said that he would work towards reviewing and strengthening the current Cease-Fire Agreement (CFA) with the rebels of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and said the monitoring process would be more transparent. The CFA agreement signed by former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in February 2002 has been the longest lasting truce with the rebels during the 22-year-old ethnic conflict and continues to remain in force despite a few serious violations. The cease-fire is monitored by a Scandinavian team of over 50 monitors based in the north and eastern parts of the country. “We will follow a more transparent policy in the peace process. One of the reasons that the peace process by the opposition failed was that only the LTTE and the government was involved in the peace process”, Rajapakse said. As an initial step towards the peace process Rajapakse has decided to call all parties in Parliament for a discussion to reach consensus. He said he hopes to reach consensus with all parties including the rebels and wants to have direct talks with the LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran. Analysts believe that reaching consensus to resolve the ethnic conflict would be a difficult process due to strong divisions among political parties on how the ethnic issue should be resolved. Wickremesinghe introduced the CFA without informing his own cabinet. Military strength, vigilance key to our freedom - Pottu Amman chief of LTTE Intelligence "The Tamil people, having dissociated themselves from the political choice of Sri Lankan nationalism, have unequivocally demonstrated their trust in their own leadership. They have categorically told the Sinhala people to take care of their own nationalism. Even this development is a manifestation of the might of the Tamil people," said LTTE senior commander and Intelligence Chief Pottu Amman, in a homage ceremony held at Elephant Pass (EPS), Thursday. The LTTE Intelligence Chief addressed a mausoleum gallery in Elephant Pass where, more than 3500 photographs of LTTE fighters who died in various battles, were venerated in an exhibition. “The Tamil nation gained unprecedented strength
through our military feats in the series of battles in Vanni against Sri
Lankan armed forces who were intent on annihilating us. This success was
made possible because our leaders never lost confidence and cadres believed
in our ability to confront the enemy even after the occupation of Jaffna
by the Sri Lankan Forces and the attempted rout by the Indian army. “The sacrifice of the lives of 600 martyrs during the first battle for Elephant Pass in 1991 should be gratefully remembered today, when we are speaking from this redeemed soil. The sacrifices of the 17,000 martyrs will be worth only when we are victorious in achieving unfettered sovereignty,” the senior LTTE commander said. “Let us remember that we are a nation forsaken by the international community in our struggle for freedom. It is in such situation that the fortitude of our fighters and their sacrifice gather momentous magnitude. When Tamils mature into a formidable military, political and economic force, the value of the lives sacrificed by our martyrs will attain fruition,” Pottu Amman told thousands of people gathered at the ceremony. Pottu Amman paying tribute to fallen Tiger fighters at
Elephant Pass “If we fail, our enemies will be the scribes of our history in which the lives of our martyrs will be tarnished and ridiculed. It becomes incumbent on us to give our martyrs, the glory they deserve,” added Pottu amman. Five years ago, on April 22nd, the Liberation Tigers hoisted their flag in the heart of what was once one of the most fortified military garrisons in South Asia. The fall of Elephant Pass, described as "impregnable" by a US army officer who visited the garrison months earlier, established the Tigers as the only non-state military force in the world today capable of complex manoeuvre war fighting. Col Soosai also spoke at the event. Enlarged photographs depicting scenaries from the battlefield are also displayed at the venue. Commander of LTTE’s Sea Tigers, Col. Soosai, Commander of the LTTE’s northern front forces, Col. Theepan, LTTE’s Special Commander for Amparai, Col. Ram, Commander T. Ramesh, Commander of Sothiya Regiment Col. Durga, Head of LTTE’s Financial Division, Mr. Thamilkumaran, Senior LTTE member Mr. K. V. Balakumaran, Deputy Head of Political Division , Mr. S. Thangan, LTTE’s Political Head of the Women Wing, Thamilini, and several other commanders, officials, cadres and the public attended the event. Emergency passed: 84 for, 15 against The government extended the state of emergency by a further one month with a majority of 69 votes in Parliament yesterday. The extension of emergency regulations was taken up for debate in the House and 84 MPs voted for it while only 15 MPs opposed it being extended. The UNP, JVP and JHU voted for it along with the government members, CWC members and EPDP were not present at the vote while the TNA MPs voted against it along with Western Province People’s Front MP Mano Ganeshan and Upcountry People’s Front MP N. Radhakrishnan. The SLMC abstained from voting, and UNP Parliamentarian S. Maheshwaran was also among those who voted against the extension. Starting the debate Prime Minister Wickramanayake said that the government had to declare the state of emergency in the country to facilitate investigations after the assassination of Foreign Affairs Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar. He said that there were several other alleged killings after this assassination, and investigations revealed a link between the Kadirgamar’s killing and them. “We imposed the state of emergency to conduct investigations fully into Kadir’s killing. According to investigations, we found a link among all those killings. Investigations are still going on to find the culprits. Otherwise, we are not happy to go ahead with the emergency situation. I apologise if anybody is inconvenienced under this situation,” he said. The Prime Minister said that the LTTE continued to kill police and government officials and army intelligence unit members and even after the emergency was extended from October 17 till November 10, they had killed 20 persons. He also held that the Tamil Tigers are responsible for
35 such attempts to kill people. He tabled a document containing information regarding such violent acts done by the LTTE during the last Month. Lorry owner shot dead in Batticaloa A lorry owner in Batticaloa, Mr. Vinasithamby Kandasamy, 46, was shot and killed by an unidentified assailant Friday around 7:00 p.m. at a shop in Koolavady, a suburb of Batticaloa town. The victim was a resident of Koolavady, 4th cross street in Batticaloa.The assailant used a 9 mm handgun and shot the victim, Batticaloa Police said adding that the reason behind the killing was not clear. Sub-Inspector, 6 police constables wounded in grenade attack in Batticaloa A Sri Lankan police Sub-Inspector and six police constables were wounded in a grenade attack around 9:00 p.m. at Iruthayapuram in Batticaloa Friday. An unidentified person riding in a motorbike lobbed a grenade at the police patrol at Iruthayapuram, 2 km north of Batticaloa wounding the policemen, Batticaloa Police said. The incident took place near the clock-tower located 2 km north of Batticaloa town.Two police constables of the road monitoring police patrol were seriously injured in the incident, Batticaloa police said. So far 17,903
LTTE cadres have died According to the LTTE statistics, out of the total dead cadres 14,908 were males and 3805 were females. Out of the slain cadres 265 of them belonged to most fearsome Black Tiger suicide squad and the breakdown shows that 79 of them were killed from the LTTE’s Army black Tigers squad and 186 of them were from the Navy Black Tiger suicide squad and out of them 69 of them were female Black Tigers. From last Monday up to 27th of this month, the week has been already declared as "Heroes Day Week" and the LTTE is making extensive arrangements to celeberate on 26, the birthday of its leader Velupillai Prabakaran and on 27th, the final day of the celebrations where the Prabakaran would deliver his annual Heroes days speech. LTTE’s Heroes Days are celebrated for the seven days ending November 27, which was the day, the first LTTE cadre Lt. Shankar (Sathianathan) died - on 27 November 1982. Heroes Day celebrations were first started in 1989 and it was held on a single day, on November 27. From 1990-4 the programme was held over a period of seven-days ending also on November 27th. Since 1995, it has been held for 3 days ending again on November 27th. Again this year LTTE has decided to hold the Heroes day celebration for one week staring from last Monday. Furthermore, it is expected that for the first time the small planes acquired by the LTTE are expected to fly in the air publicly and they will be dropping flowers from the sky to LTTE’s heroes day cemeteries in the Vanni districts. Youth shot, injured in Jaffna Naranthiran Nirojithan, 22, a Tamil youth who was involved in setting up ceremonial archs in Neervely, 10 km north east of Jaffna, was shot and wounded by unidentified gunmen who entered his residence Friday early morning around 3:30 a.m., residents said. The youth, a brother of an LTTE war-dead, was rushed to Jaffna hospital with two gunshot wounds and is being treated at the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital, medical sources said. Nirojithan organized the decoration of streets and setup ceremonial archs in Neerveli area in Valigamam Thursday, residents said.Neerveli residents alleged that the youth was shot by intelligence operatives working with the Sri Lanka Army. TNA unhappy with Mahinda President Mahinda Rajapakse's position that he rejected the concept of a traditional homeland for any ethnic group, was frowned upon by the Tamil National Alliance, TNA MP Suresh Premachandra said yesterday. Making his policy speech, in Parliament yesterday, the President said that Sri Lanka would remain a unitary state and he rejected the concept of Traditional Homeland for any ethnic community, TNA convenor and EPRLF General Secretary Suresh Premachandra told The Island, after President Rajapakse's speech, they did not foresee any positive signs of a negotiated settlement being evolved. He said that when analysing the speech on the whole they did not think there was any possible or positive sign for a negotiated settlement in the near future. As the President had also said that he would not accept the self determination of Tamils and had not mentioned anything on third party mediation or whatever happened during the last three years after the MOU and "I believe that he is not willing to start from where we left off". Leadership to be shared to resolve crisis Ranil Wickremesinhe and Karu Jayasuriya have reached an accord not to discuss the leadership issue at the UNP working committee meeting scheduled for Monday. The controversy surrounding the party leadership is to
be resolved through a separate discussion. Attempts are being made to find a way out of the problem by appointing Wickremesinghe as the leader of the United National Front and Jayasuriya as the leader of the United National Party as well as the Opposition Leader. Presidential elections
fair,exemplary - Indian HC She greeted the Prime Minister and stated further that the recent Presidential election was the most fair and exemplary election held during the recent time. She also wished the present government be able to fulfil all the wishes of the people. She expressed the view that her country will extend its co-operation to solve the ethnic problem existing at present in Sri Lanka. The Prime Minister expressing his views stated that he was pleased that the friendship existing between the two countries remains without causing any damages. He also stated that he condemned terrorism and war and his only determination is to seek an amicable settlement. He further stated that he respects and pays homage to India for the co-operation extended as a friendly country on all occasions, the release added. Terrorism ‘a threat to us all’, queen tells Commonwealth Queen Elizabeth II opened a summit of the 53-nation Commonwealth on Friday with an appeal for determined action against challenges such as terrorism that she said posed a threat to all. Dressed in cherry-red coatdress and broad-brimmed hat with a feather, the queen said the club of mostly former British colonies can be "strong and effective" in addressing problems such as terrorism and poverty as it is a diverse group of nations representing many faiths, cultures and people. "Determined and collective action can also help us tackle other challenges that cannot be addressed alone, such as the scourge of terrorism, which is a threat to us all and has directly affected a number of our countries," the British monarch said at the opening ceremony held at a conference center in Valetta. She expressed thanks to Commonwealth nations who stood by Britain in the wake of the July 7 bombings that killed 56 people on three London underground trains and a bus, the worst terrorist attack in Britain. Other than Britain, Pakistan, India, Kenya, Tanzania, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are among the Commonwealth countries also struggling with terrorism. The queen said that last year’s tsunami disaster in Asia and the October 8 earthquake in Pakistan that killed more than 73,000 people underscored the importance of solidarity among Commonwealth members. "These times of trial have brought us together as they have also shown how vulnerable we can be alone and yet how much more we can do together," she said. Turning to poverty, the queen noted that while there had been progress in achieving the UN millennium development goals, which seek to halve poverty by 2015, there was "greater and more sober recognition that much still remains to be done if the goals are to be achieved by 2015." "There are development challenges that weigh heavily upon so many of our members. It is our collective responsiblity to help," she said. Tamil Tiger supporters celebrate birthday of top guerrilla leader(AP) Supporters of Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels lit firecrackers and decorated the ancestral home of top guerrilla leader Velupillai Prabhakaran with balloons and lamps to celebrate his 51st birthday Saturday. Prabhakaran leads the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, which waged a two-decade war for independence for the island's ethnic Tamil minority before a cease-fire halted the fighting in 2002. The abandoned home where Prabhakaran was born on Nov. 26, 1954 in the northern Jaffna Peninsula was cleaned up by residents and decorated with balloons and lamps, while rebel organizations held cake-cutting ceremonies and played songs on loudspeakers to wish the guerrilla leader a happy birthday. Prabhakaran founded the LTTE in 1972 with a small circle of friends to demand a separate state for minority Tamils in the island's northeast. He built up his outfit as a conventional army over the years with modern weaponry and perfected the art of suicide bombings well before other militants in the world employed them. The Tigers have in the past marked Prabhakaran's birthday with attacks on military or economic targets, but no attacks have taken place in the three years since the cease-fire was signed. More than 65,000 people have been killed in Sri Lanka's civil war. Peace talks between the government and the Tigers have been stalled since the rebels withdrew in April 2003 demanding more autonomy in the northeast. The uneasy truce continues to hold despite frequent violence. 25 November 2005 Sri Lanka to toughen rebel ceasefire rules-Reuters "We are ready to start direct talks with the LTTE," Rajapakse said as he reopened parliament. "This … will be an open and transparent process. It will include the prevention of terrorist acts and child recruitment. We will review the present ceasefire agreement to include these aspects." Before the election, the rebels had warned that any tampering with the ceasefire agreement could cause it to collapse. Under the terms of the deal, both sides would have to agree for any changes to be made. Since his election victory last week, the Tigers — de facto rulers of a seventh of Sri Lanka after two decades of war that left 64,000 dead — have compared Rajapakse to their old enemies and warned that negotiating with the majority Sinhalese was impossible. Analysts say Rajapakse would likely have lost the poll if Tiger barricades and apparent intimidation had not scared away Tamil voters who had been expected to back more the conciliatory Ranil Wickremesinghe. Diplomats, markets and aid workers concerned that work with tsunami-hit communities on the east coast might be hit by worsening violence will all be closely watching Tiger leader Velupillai Prabhakaran's annual Heroes' Day address on Sunday. TROOPS READY Analysts say he might threaten a return to war and possibly set an ultimatum for government forces to pull back from some of the ground they now hold. A shrine to the Tigers' war dead — including Black Tiger suicide bombers. Don't seek Norwegian assistance, JVP tells Rajapakse The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), the Sinhala extreme
nationalist party, Thursday said it would firmly oppose Sri Lankan President
Mr. Mahinda Rajapakse seeking assistance from the Norwegian Government
to facilitate in the peace process between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil
Eelam (LTTE) and the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL). Mr. Somawanse Amarasinghe,
the leader of the JVP reiterated his party's position at a press briefing
held at the National Library auditorium in Colombo. "Finding a solution to the ethnic crisis on the basis of a unitary state was the key component of the agreement. The JVP has also opposed to the Norway's facilitation. Therefore our party would not change from its position agreed upon in the agreement reached with the President," the JVP leader added. Several JVP Parliamentarians who were Ministers during the Kumaratunga regime were also present at the briefing. The JVP has not accepted any ministerial portfolios in the Rajapakse government and preferred to remain as independent Parliamentarians, JVP sources said. Meanwhile, the Norwegian embassy spokesperson Tom Knappskog reiterated the Norwegian stance to Colombo media that the Royal Norwegian Goverment would continue to offer its services as the facilitator in the peace process if the Government of Rajapakse and the LTTE seek the help of the Norwegian Government. He added that the Norwegians are closely monitoring the political developments in Colombo. Sri Lanka President invites all parties to reach consensus on peace talks New President Mahinda Rajapaksa invited all political parties to come to a common position in order to revive the stalled peace talks with the LTTE immediately. Cabinet spokesperson Nimal Siripala de Silva said, “President Rajapaksa will immediately invite political leaders and parties representing Parliament to come to a certain consensus to revive the stalled peace talks.” Minister Silva also said the government wants to see what the consensus is after consultations. Responding to a question on Rajapaksa’s previous pledge to keep Sri Lanka undivided and his rejection of rebel demands for self-rule, the Minister said, “We don't want to be restricted to words.” Two civilians, two SLA soldiers injured in Trincomalee grenade attack Two soldiers and two civilians were injured when unidentified persons lobbed a grenade at an Sri Lanka Army(SLA) camp located along Trincomalee Kandy highway about 3 km off east port town Thursday night around 7:40 p.m. police sources said. Also on Wednesday night unidentified persons lobbed a grenade at an SLA vehicle supplying meals to soldiers manning checkpoint in Linganagar a suburb in Trincomalee town police sources said.One SLA trooper was wounded in Linganagar JVP demands breakup of ethnic Tamil province A radical partner of Sri Lanka's ruling coalition on
Thursday demanded that an ethnic Tamil-majority province be broken into
two - a move likely to provoke sharp objections from the Tamil Tiger rebels.
``East was annexed to the north by force and against the law and this should be reversed,'' party leader Somawansa Amarasinghe told a news conference in capital, Colombo. The Marxists oppose any power sharing between Tamil areas and a majority Sinhala dominated central government. It holds 39 seats in the country's 225 member Parliament. The rebels would likely oppose any move to break apart the two provinces. They regard the territory as the Tamil historical homeland and dividing it up could be viewed as an attempt to weaken Tamil control there. There are sizable Muslim and Sinhalese populations in the eastern province. North and east provinces were merged through India's intervention and a Tamil-majority provincial administration was created in an effort to address Sri Lanka's separatist conflict in 1987. Five SLA soldiers, civilian injured in Point Pedro Five Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers were injured, most
of them seriously, when the tractor they were travelling along the the
Point Pedro Jaffna highway at Maruthady junction, 500 meters south of
Point Pedro town, came under grenade attack by unknown assailants at 7.45
p.m. Thursday night, sources in Point Pedro said. Injured soldiers have
been taken to the Palaly Base hospital. The youth was rushed to Point Pedro General Hospital in Manthikai and later transferred to Jaffna Hospital, medical sources said. Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports said Kallapai SLA camp, which serves as a protective unit to the Point Pedro 524 Brigade Head quarters also came under gun fire from unknown gunmen. No details are available of any damages or injuries to personnel. Following the incidents Point Pedro town has been cordoned off and residents are blocked from gaining entry in or exit from the town area. Security of Vadamaradchy area has been strengthened after the incidents, sources said. Posters demanding
military to leave Jaffna Jaffna Campus Heroes' Memorial unveiled "People of Jaffna will never forget nor pardon the
desecration of the memorials of more than 900 war heroes in the hallowed
grounds of Kopay Martyrs Cemetary in 1996 by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA)
soldiers," Professor. C. Mohanadas, the Vice Chancellor of Jaffna
Univeristy told TamilNet after addressing the opening ceremony of a Heroes'
Memorial constructed within the Jaffna Campus premises, Thursday. "It
was an act, unheard of in the civilized world," the Vice Chancellor
said. Professor of Arts, R Sivachandran, Professor of Management, K Vevarajah, Professor of Agriculture, Rajadurai and Professor of Medicine, Sivapalan, lit the flame of sacrifice. Former member of International Student Federation S Sivakaran hoisted the Tamileelam National Flag. Professior Mohanadas then ceremonially opened the memorial by unveiling the name plate. International Students Union Kugan, and past president of Jaffna Students consortium, Selvakumar, paid floral tribute to the memorial. "Continued growth and development of Jaffna University is closely tied to the Tamil national struggle. Involvement of student community in our long struggle for freedom has significantly contributed to the strength and success achieved towards our goal. I wholeheartedly endorse the activities of the student group in raising Tamil consciousness among the public and creating awareness of the critical need for community's activism in demanding our rights to self-determination. "Campus student community should be proud for the involvement in organizing "Tamil resurgence" events which helped to attract international attention to the plight of NorthEast Tamils," said VC Mohandas in his opening speech. LTTE declared November 27, the remembrance day of Lt. Shankar (Sathianathan), the first LTTE fighter to die, as Maveerar (Heroes) day, to commomerate the LTTE fighters who died in the liberation struggle. Lt. Shankar died on 27th November 1982. The first Heroes day celebrations were held in 1989. The Sri Lanka Army gained control of Jaffna in 1995 following the mass exodus of people from Jaffna. The civilians who returned to Jaffna were not allowed to visit the site for more than four years. On the Martyrs Day in 1999, LTTE's Major Jeevan and another cadre were shot and killed by the Sri Lanka Army when they were returning after visiting the Kopay Heroes Cemetary after lighting candles at the site. Following the destruction of the cemetary in Kopay, Jaffna, the LTTE - war dead cemetaries in Kodikamam in Thenmaradchi and in Ellankulam in Vadamaradchi were bulldozed by the SLA under the Command of Lt. Gen. Lionel Balagalle. Tamils, Sinhalese and the international community await for the speech delivered by LTTE leader Pirapaharan on the eve of the Heroes day. The speech customarily contains nuances related the movement's thinking on the liberation struggle. RSF slams Mahinda
on media freedom It noted that 15 journalists had been killed in member-states Bangladesh, Gambia, India, Pakistan, Sierra Leone and Sri Lanka since the last summit in December 2003 and that virtually all the killers were still walking free. “Drastic steps must be urgently taken to penalise
member-states that do not make genuine efforts to ensure press freedom
and the safety of journalists.” says the Paris based media watch
dog. In its statement the RSF has it highlighted the killing of Dharmeratnam Sivaram, 46, editor of the news website TamilNet and a columnist in the Daily Mirror. Speaking to BBCSandeshaya, head of the Asia desk of RSF Vincent Brossel said that there may be others involved in the killing. Brossel said “He said all those involved should be bought to justice” Asked why the statement has failed to mention killings of Thinamurasu news paper distributors killed in the east Brossel said “Iam not sure if they were carrying out a journalistic duty”. He said they were carders of the Eleam Peoples Democratic
front distributing the party news paper, The Director General of UNESCO was among those who condemned the killing of Relangi Selvaraja, a presenter of the state run radio and television. He added that the RSF does not condone attacks blamed on Tamil Tigers Naveen claims Rs. 50m damages from Sudar Oli Dissanayake Amaratunga Asssociates, solicitors, attorneys-at-laws and notaries public, on behalf of their client MP Naveen Dissanayake had informed The Sudar Oli publishers to pay damages of Rs. fifty million or they would take legal action as the Tamil medium daily had published false, baseless and defamatory news item about the Nuwara Eliya District MP. The legal firm says that the news paper had published a defamatory headline story on its November 7, 2005 issue with the intention of bringing their client into hatred, disrepute, ridicule and contempt among the people at the eve of the Presidential Election of November 17. Ranil claims polls was not free and fair Defeated Presidential candidate, UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe holds that the election cannot be "considered conducted under free and fair conditions". In a statement to the media, he said he expects the European Union and other election monitoring bodies to confirm this in their reports. Wickremesinghe attributed his defeat to electors in the North, East and the South being unable to "cast their vote freely, independently and without hindrance." A large number of voters in the South found that they had lost their franchise since their names had been struck off the voting lists while voters in the North and East couldn’t exercise their franchise due to threats and intimidation, he said "In the Jaffna peninsula there were 701,938 eligible voters but only 8,524 of them cast their ballot. Wickremesinghe polled 5,523 votes and his opponent Rajapakse secured only 1,967 votes in Jaffna. Jaffna electoral district consists of Chavakachcheri, Jaffna, Kankesanturai, Kayts, Kilinochchi, Kopai, Manipay, Nallur, Point Pedro, Uduppidi and Vadukoddai. In the Wanni district there were 250,306 voters and only 85,874 cast their ballot." The LTTE’s unexpected decision to boycott the Presidential polls has rattled the rank and file in the UNP and the Co-Chairs. However European Union, Japan, Norway. Norway anticipated an overwhelming majority for Ranil Wickremesinghe at the polls. "The 22-member election observer team from the Association of Asian Election Authorities categorically stated that there was a third party behind the low voter turnout in the north. Because of this unfortunate situation, the divisions within us are becoming more wider and the chasms deeper he claimed warning that it will be difficult to find a ‘lasting solution to the north east conflict’ and it will also make it difficult to obtain the cooperation from the international community, hence we need to work carefully and thoughtfully in the future," Wickremesinghe said. "I have committed my best efforts to face the economic crisis the country is through and to encourage peace through the cease-fire agreement. I have planned to provide the people who are undergoing untold hardships due to the high cost of living with immediate relief while at the same time focusing on the peace process. I had hoped that by implementing my "Peoples Agenda", that included all these plans, I would have been able raise Sri Lanka to the standards of "an Asian Power," he said. "As a number of people who wanted to support these policies and aspirations, were unable to exercise their supreme franchise and I was prevented from getting the approval of the majority of the people to implement the People’s Agenda and added "Today we must work according to the decision that has been handed down to us." Wickremesinge expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the 4.7 million people who voted for him and the hundreds and hundreds of thousands who wanted to vote for him. "The future will decide whether I am right or wrong in following the path I have chosen,"he said. 24 November 2005 NE merger referendum to be put off? President Mahinda Rajapakse is likely to postpone the North and East referendum by another year following a meeting late last night with his political allies, a close confidante of the president told the Daily Mirror yesterday – the day that the last postponement was to be expired. The “temporary merger” of the two provinces took place as per the Provincial Council Act of 1988 and was being renewed annually since then by successive presidents. In the event of a decision to de-merge, a referendum should be held in the Eastern province to decide whether the people there want the province to continue to be merged with the North. Interestingly though the de-merger had been a recurrent theme in the nationalist movement, neither of the two nationalist parties – the JVP and the JHU included it as a demand in the proposals made to the UPFA presidential candidate for the November 17 polls. However a spokesman for the JHU said although the de-merger was not in the party’s set of proposal to the UPFA candidate that did not at all mean that the party was for the merger. “The democratic right of the eastern people to decide their future should be respected. However we have to be very prudent about the timing of the move” a spokesman for the JHU told Daily Mirror. Tamil National Alliance (TNA) R. Sampanthan speaking to the Daily Mirror said a de-merger of the North and East at this juncture “will definitely take the bottom out of the peace process”. “The peace process will not sustain without the merger because that is the very basis of negotiations” said Mr. Sampanthan. The EPDP which also prefers a merger however holds that the Eastern people should be given a chance to decide whether their province should remain merged with the North. Speaking to the Daily Mirror EPDP leader Douglas Devananda said “We are for the merger; however that should take place with the consent from the Eastern people. The unprecedented decision to let the merger expire is something that one has to take after weighing the pros and cons of it especially taking the context into consideration”. India donates urgently needed medicines to Kilinochchi hospital In a simple function held at the High Commission of India, High Commissioner Mrs. Nirupama Rao handed over urgently required medicines for use at the Kilinochchi District Hospital. The medicines were received by Dr. H. A. P. Kahandaliyanage, Director General of Health Services and Dr. V. Jeganathan, Consultant, North East Health Care-Development. Dr. T. Sathiyamoorthy, Deputy Provincial Director of Health Services Kilinochchi, was also present. The medicines will help alleviate a current shortage at the hospital, thus benefiting the people living in kilinochchi district. Indonesia has thousands of terrorists (UPI) Indonesian officials have begun leaking to the media their fears that thousands of Indonesian Muslim militants have infiltrated cities in Java and West Sumatra. Two Indonesian intelligence officers speaking on condition of anonymity said that the militants had received training and combat experience in Afghanistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Libya. Indonesian intelligence is attempting to ascertain if the militants have any direct links to the Jemaah Islamiyah network headed by Malaysians Azahari bin Husin and Noordin Mohamed Top. Husin died on Nov. 9 in a shootout with Indonesian security forces in Batu Malang, East Java. The pair are suspected of involvement in the 2002 Bali blasts which killed at least 202 people the August 2003 Marriott Hotel bombing in Jakarta and the September 2004 bombing of the Australian embassy. Husin and Top are also suspected of being behind the second Bali blasts in October, which left 23 dead, including three suicide bombers. Husin received training in explosives in Afghanistan and allegedly authored the Jemaah Islamiyah bomb manual, which was used in the 2002 Bali blasts and other attacks. Antara news agency reported that the chairman of Indonesia's Muhammadiyah organization recently stated that 3,000 former Afghanistan guerrillas had been recruited since 1980 to wage jihad in Africa. The two intelligence officers said that 5,000 Indonesian Muslim jihadists had trained abroad. Washington is increasingly recognizing Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim nation, as an essential ally in the war on terror. On Wednesday Washington lifted its arms embargo on Indonesia, imposed in 1999 following Indonesian army excesses in East Timor. Flood waters leave Mannar-Killinochchi road impassable Mannar -Pooneryn main road connecting the districts of
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) controlled Mannar and the LTTE controlled Killinochchi
has been washed away at Illupaikadavai area due to overflowing water from
Parangi Aru and Palee Aru following torrential rain of last few days.
Both rivers are located in the Manthai West divisional secretariat division
held by the LTTE. The main road at Illupaikadavai is still under three
feet of water, district secretariat sources said. World Vision has supplied a consignment of milk food, candles and other essential food items to the displaced due to flood and sought in schools, temples and other public places through the Mannar district secretariat, sources said About four thousand persons belonging to eight hundred families affected by recent flood in Mannar town are being issued with cooked food for three days by the Department of Social Services on the instruction of the Mannar Government Agent, sources said. Meanwhile, sea waves washed away about eight hundred million rupees worth fishing nets when the waves swept the coastal areas of Mannar at Kattalempadi and Thevanpiddy Tuesday. At Vidathalthivu, LTTE held village in Mannar district, about 296 families with 1800 members were displaced when large sea waves entered residential areas close to the shores, sources said. Sripathi take oaths in morning and resigns in evening Sripathi Suriyaarachchi who was sworn in this morning
before the President as the non-Cabinet Minister of Skills and Employment
tendered his letter of resignation to President Mahinda Rajapaksa this
evening Suriyaarachchi served as the Deputy Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs in the Chandrika government and has been eyeing a Cabinet portfolio in the Rajapaks government. He has reportedly made a claim for the media portfolio when the President held talks with former Ministers and Deputies prior to the selection of the Cabinet. He was a leading figure in the Rajapaksa campaign and the most participated Freedom Alliance representative in live TV debates. CBK eyeing Kadir’s seat? Former President and the leader of the SLFP Chandrika Kumaratunga is likely to appoint herself a national list MP to fill the vacancy created by the assassination of former Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar, party sources said yesterday. The sources said that she had informed SLFP General Secretary Maitripala Sirisena and UPFA General Secretary Susil Premjayanth that the vacant seat must not be filled without her approval. SLFP seniors had discussed the appointment of the former President to the seat following her direction to the two general secretaries, party sources said. Senior party members believe that she did not fill the vacant seat for the past three months as she had been reserving that national list seat for herself. The decision to fill the vacant seat has to be taken by the SLFP and till the SLFP leadership decides, the UPFA General Secretary cannot make a nomination to fill the vacancy, party sources added. TNA meets to discuss Mahinda’s peace plans The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) is scheduled to meet either this afternoon or tomorrow morning to discuss the future stand to be taken by the party with a new government in power. TNA MP Mavai Senathirajah said the meeting was originally scheduled for this afternoon. But may be postponed for tomorrow as the floods experienced in most parts of the country have delayed the arrival of TNA MPs from the East. Mr. Senathirajah said the party will also discuss the outcome of the speech expected to be delivered by President Mahinda Rajapakse in parliament tomorrow. Parliament meets tomorrow for the first time under the new President and cabinet after it was prorogued earlier this week. The TNA will be keenly focusing on the new President’s plans for the future of the peace process which has been in serious doubt after President Rajapakse got the support of the JVP and JHU for the polls. Mr. Senathiraja says at present there are no grounds for the new President to resume the stalled peace talks with the LTTE. In his inauguration speech the President expressed keenness to resume direct talks with the LTTE to resolve the ethnic conflict. However, TNA MP Eelaventhan speaking to the ‘Daily Mirror’ said the chances of direct talks with the LTTE are very slim. This was caused by President Rajapakse having ruled out federalism on the basis demanded by the LTTE . Mahinda gives peace process priority President Mahinda Rajapakse yesterday said that retired
career services diplomat Dr. John Gunaratne would take over the Peace
Secretariat. Gunaratne, who served the Secretariat headed by Ambassador
Bernard Tillekeratne and subsequently Jayantha Dhanapala, who recently
quit the post citing personal reasons, is expected to take over the high
profile assignment shortly. No ministers for religions in new Cabinet In a surprise move President Mahinda Rajapakse has not appointed a Minister for Buddha Sasana or for any other religion and the portfolio has been retained under the President. Tissa Karaliyadda has been appointed as the Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs representing all religions in the country. Earlier, Ratnaisiri Wickremanayake was Buddha Sasana Minister and Milroy Fernando was the Christian Affairs Minister while Douglas Devananda was the Hindu Affairs Minister. There was no separate ministry assigned for Muslim Affairs. While the Finance Ministry portfolio has been retained under the President two Deputy Ministers, namely Ranjith Siyambalapitiya and Rohana Dissanayake have been appointed. JVP leader Somawansa Amarasinghe along with Nandana Gunathilake and the JHU’s Athuraliye Rathana Thera were present at the ceremony. Deputy Foreign Minister Wijedasa Rajapakse, Deputy Media Minister Cegu Izzadeen and Deputy Tourism Minister Arjuna Ranatunga were not present at the ceremony. Following the ceremony, President Rajapakse thanked some of the ministers who volunteered to remain as non-Cabinet ministers given his decision to scrap the number of Cabinet portfolios to twenty five. The Cabinet of Ministers posed for a group photograph with President Rajapakse at the end of the ceremony. Tamil book seized in police raids-The Age Australian Federal Police have raided several Melbourne properties while investigating possible local links with Sri Lankan separatist movement the Tamil Tigers. The Tamil Co-ordinating Committee of Australia building in Burwood East was among the targets of yesterday's raids, which were made in response to a request for help from authorities in Sri Lanka. The federal police said the raids were not connected to Operation Pendennis, which this month arrested 18 suspects accused of being part of a terrorist organisation. Police would not confirm whether the investigation centred on the Tamil Tigers. The raids were part of an ongoing investigation into activities that did not involve plans to carry out an attack in Australia. Experts said that while some members of the Tamil community in Australia were suspected of fundraising for the Tamil Tigers, they were not interested in conducting operations in Australia. Police inspected a van parked in the driveway of the Burwood East address and seized a book with what appeared to be a picture of an artillery gun and Tamil writing on its cover. The book is advertised as War and Peace on the World Tamil Co-ordinating Committee website. The book, published in England with the sub-title Armed Struggle and Peace Efforts of Liberation Tigers, was written by Anton Balasingham, an international spokesman for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Police also removed several folders and other items in the raid. A federal police spokesman said a number of warrants were executed, but nobody was charged and the operation was continuing. "Due to the sensitivity of the operation we can't confirm the nature of the warrants," he said. The raids come a month after Charles Gnanakone, 60, who holds dual Australian and Sri Lankan citizenship, was arrested in Colombo over the assassination of the country's former foreign minister Lakshman Kadirgamar. 23 November 2005 Dissolution early next year President Mahinda Rajapakse is likely to dissolve parliament and call a general election early next year, party sources said yesterday. They said the election would pave the way for him to obtain a bigger majority in parliament by offering various welfare measures to the people in the new Budget to be presented next month. At present the PA has 66 seats with support from the JVP which has 39. The UNP has 82 seats, the TNA 22, the JHU 9 and the SLMC 5. The government has only a slim majority now. SL Military, not LTTE, is intimidatory presence - Thamilchelvan Denying accusation they had intimidated Tamils into not
voting in last week’s Sri Lanka Presidential election, the Liberation
Tigers said the boycott by the Tamil people last week was a reflection
of prevailing Tamil sentiments towards Sri Lankan leaders, based on their
bitter experiences of the past. The near total boycott by Tamil voters
took place despite the "oppressive presence of thousands of Sri Lankan
troops and Army-backed paramilitaries in Jaffna and other parts of the
Northeast," the LTTE's Political Head, Mr. S. P. Thamilchelvan, told
TamilNet Tuesday. He pointed out that the LTTE had not ordered Tamils
to boycott the elections. He questioned how the allegation of intimidation could be levelled against the LTTE when the voters in question were living under the guns of the occupying Sri Lankan forces. He also pointed out that LTTE members had long ago been withdrawn from SLA held areas in the wake of Sri Lankan military intelligence supported paramilitary attacks on them. "There are forty thousand Sri Lankan troops in Jaffna alone exercising a clear intimidatory presence," Mr. Thamilchelvan said. "Nevertheless, there was a record low in polling in Jaffna." "Those who allege that the Tamil people were intimidated
not only fail to understand the ground reality prevailing in the Tamil
homeland in both political and historical context, but also fail to interpret
the message the people have given," he said. "Our stand, as representatives of the Tamil people, on Colombo’s elections, was a reflection of what the vast majority of Tamil people felt," he said. "Our conclusion [on the elections] was thus a reflection of the prevailing views of the Tamils. We, as the representatives of the Tamil people have simply adhered to the principle of reflecting that view," he further said. Mr. Thamilchelvan further pointed out that the LTTE had not ordered Tamils to boycott the elections, but had declared not to mobilise for or against any of the Sinhala candidates contesting. "All access was provided to election monitors if they so wished. Roads were open," the LTTE's Political Head said. He added that election monitors were still welcome to take up the complaints against the LTTE "issue by issue" and "to examine the circumstances concerned in-depth." SLMM blasts LTTE on election road blocks The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) yesterday ruled that the LTTE had violated the ceasefire agreement when it set up road blocks at crossing points within uncleared areas in the Batticalao district to prevent civilians from crossing over and voting at the presidential election last Thursday. SLMM spokeswoman Helen Olafsdottir said the LTTE was found to have breached the ceasefire agreement at the Paddirupu, Ilantivu, Vavunaitivu crossing points, Manmunai ferry point and the black bridge.Although the LTTE had said the road blocks were set up by civilians, the SLMM said it was the responsibility of the LTTE to ensure the road was kept clear for civilian movement in uncleared areas. In Paddiruppu, SLMM monitors noted LTTE cadres in civilian clothes among the villagers who set up the road block and demonstrated against the presidential elections. In Vavunaitivu the LTTE was also found to have breached the agreement as it failed to ensure the safety and free access for SLMM monitors who were verbally threatened by villagers. The monitors are still probing the situation regarding the road blocks set up in Mannar and Jaffna district on polling day. All the road blocks were cleared by the LTTE at around 4 p.m. on election day, just as the allocated time for voting ended, after the SLMM contacted the LTTE leadership in Kilinochchi. Sri Lanka President appoints new Cabinet Ending all political speculation, President Mahinda Rajapaksa appointed his new Cabinet of Ministers this morning. The new Cabinet took their oaths this morning before the President. The important portfolios of Defense and Finance remain with the President, while the prestigious Foreign Ministry portfolio was given to Mangala Samaraweera. Significantly, President Kumaratunga's brother and SLFP stalwart Anura Bandaranaike did not receive the Foreign Ministry portfolio but was reappointed to the post of Tourism Minister. The Cabinet of Ministers is as follows:
Northeast is hit with torrential rain, thousands of families displaced Thousands of war and tsunami affected families, living in temporary shelters and tents have been once again moved to schools and other public buildings due to the heavy rain continuing for four days throughout the NorthEast. Several areas in Amparai, Batticaloa, Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mannar and Trincomalee are severely flooded with water. This continuous raining has disrupted the normal life of the people. Many roads are under water leaving several stranded travelers with no where to go. Villages including Soodaikuda, Koonitheivu, Akkaraichchenai, Kadatkaraichchenai, Upporal and Cheenanveli in Trincomalee are badly affected by heavy flooding and causing hardships to tsunami affected families living in temporary shelters. The people displaced from Mullaitivu town, Karaichi kudiyiruppu, Puthukudiyiruppu in Mullaitivu district, Vadamaratchi East in Jaffna district and Kandavalai, Murukandy and Kilinochchi town in Kilinochchi district have been relocated in makeshift camps created in public buildings. More than 3000 families living in temporary shelters in Kallady, Dutch Bar, Thiruchenthur, Nochchimunai, Navatkuda, New Kathankudi, Risvi nagar, Anvar nagar, Selva nagar, Palamunai, Kurukkalmadam, Mankadu, Kaluthavalai, Onthachchimadam, Koddaikallaru and Periakallaru in Batticaloa district have been displaced and relocated in makeshift camps. Unexploded Johnny mine recovered in Thallady Road Development Authority (RDA) workers Tuesday afternoon
around 1.45 p.m. recovered an unexploded Johnny mine when they were repairing
a culvert at Thallady in Mannar district. The incident was immediately
reported to the 212 Brigade of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) located in Thallady.
Bomb dispersal unit from Thallady camp rushed to the site to diffuse the
mine, security sources said. The causeway that links the Mannar island to the mainland is guarded by this SLA base. Sri Lanka's new government will maintain the Emergency Law Sri Lanka's new government will continue the state of emergency, which was imposed after the assassination of Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar in August. The government will ask the Parliament next Friday to ratify the emergency laws, sources said.President Rajapaksa prorogued the Parliament yesterday and summoned the assembly for Friday. On Friday, the new President will address the Parliament, and in the afternoon Parliament will meet to ratify the state of emergency. Remand extended for Sivaram murder suspect The Kaduwela Magistrate ordered further remand for the suspect in the Journalist Mr.D.Sivaram murder case when it came up for further inquiry on Tuesday. Criminal Investigation Department (CID) submitted a report to court stating that it has collected evidence to prove the suspect's direct involvement in the murder of Mr.Sivaram, legal sources said. CID officials further told court that another person in connection with the murder is to be arrested based on the statement by the suspect now in remand, legal sources said. State Counsel Mr.Achchala Wellipuli told court that the Attorney General is to file indictment against the suspect Sriskandarajah alias Peter. State Counsel objected the bail application submitted on behalf of the suspect. Sri Lanka Needs Peace Before It Can Prosper: William Pesek Jr. (Bloomberg) To stand on the ancient fort walls here in Galle, on the southern tip of Sri Lanka, is to travel back to globalization's earliest days. It was in this bustling port city of 100,000 that Chinese explorer Zheng He arrived in the early 1400s. In 1505, a Portuguese fleet landed here, setting the stage for an even bigger commercial boom -- this one between East and West. And in 1663, the Dutch built Galle Fort, the city's main tourist attraction. There have long been few better candidates for globalization than this island nation of 20 million. And Galle's past and present are reminders of how important trade with far off powers is to Sri Lanka's tea- and textile-exporting economy. Or at least that's how things looked as recently as the 1960s. Back then, Sri Lanka's per capita income was in the same neighborhood as South Korea's. Its location made it the Hong Kong of India -- a place perfectly situated to piggyback off a rising superpower just a ferry ride away. Just as Hong Kong is a gateway to China, it was long thought Sri Lanka would be one to India. Yet Sri Lankan living standards have stagnated since the '60s. It never did become a destination for foreign investment, nor did it evolve into an Asian hub for airlines, tourism or shipping. Why? Violence. Keeping the Peace Sure, failed experiments in economic socialism contributed to Sri Lanka's woes. Government control over potentially lucrative industries, such as rubber, gets considerable blame for the nation's failings. Yet the strongest economic headwinds came from Sri Lanka's two-decade civil war. The last few years offered a reminder of the good that can come from peace. Ever since a 2002 cease-fire with the Tamil Tigers, who want a separate homeland in the island's north and east, the economy has expanded every quarter. Sustained peace may attract the investment needed to rebuild after last December's tsunami disaster, which killed 40,000 in Sri Lanka. Now for the bad news: Sri Lanka's already tenuous peace may be in jeopardy -- again. One indication was the Aug. 12 assassination of former foreign minister Lakshman Kadirgamar, apparently the most serious violation of the cease-fire to date. Another: the results of last week's presidential election. Investors Wary Sri Lanka's benchmark index, the best-performing in Asia this year, had it biggest drop in 20 months on Nov. 18 after Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse was elected president. Most investors preferred Ranil Wickremesinghe, a former prime minister who in February 2002 secured a truce with Tamil rebels and had promised to negotiate a permanent end to the civil war. Markets liked Wickremesinghe's economic ideas, which included accelerating the privatization of state-owned enterprises. Getting industry out of government hands is crucial if Sri Lanka is to compete globally. Rajapakse pledged to halt sales of state assets to overseas investors, and the government recently said it will raise corporate tax rates. Investors also want to see the truce hold up. In order to see to it that the docks of Galle and elsewhere in the nation buzz with activity, executives and investors need assurances that the violence of the past won't scuttle Sri Lanka's potential. Wickremesinghe was pegged as weak on the Tamil issue in the days leading up to last week's election. His opponents chided him as being willing to give anything to achieve peace. Yet so would many of this nation's people and foreign investors who might rush into Sri Lanka if they believed the conflict that has claimed 60,000 lives since 1983 is ending. Four Suggestions Wickremesinghe said he was willing to grant greater autonomy to Tamils while protecting the country's territorial integrity. Peace talks broke down in April 2003 because the rebels said not enough was being done to improve life for Tamils. Wickremesinghe was essentially voted down for displaying a willingness to try something different. What does Rajapakse need to do immediately to win back investors? Here are four suggestions. First, get serious about keeping the peace. Rajapakse told voters he planned to revise the truce agreement. How that makes Sri Lankans safer or the economy more attractive is anyone's guess. Second, create a more market-based economy. Sri Lanka needs higher living standards and faster job creation. That means reducing inflation and, more importantly, striking a practical balance between the desire to protect strategic industries and increased trade and investment. In other words, more globalization. Globalization is Key Third, build a genuine national economy. That means closing the gap between the haves and have-nots. Immediate attention should go toward equalizing opportunities for those in Tamil-dominated areas. Tamils make up 18 percent of Sri Lanka's population and claim to be discriminated against by the majority Sinhalese. Fourth, trim the debt. The nation's budget deficit is forecast to widen to 9 percent of gross domestic product next year, compared with an estimated 8.5 percent this year. It's moving in the wrong direction and rebuilding efforts following last year's tsunami aren't helping. Reducing the deficit is vital to lowering bond yields so more businesses and consumers can afford to borrow. Ultimately, the answer today is the same as it was centuries ago: globalization. It's up to the new leadership to prod Sri Lanka toward peace so that it can participate more fully in the world's marketplace. Thonda-Hakeem secret talks in India A secret discussion between Mr. Rauff Hakeem, leader of Muslim Congress and Arumugam Thondaman, leader of CWC is to be held in India. This discussion is to be held to form an alliance of minority parties on the basis that they had performed to their maximum at the presidential election say our sources. It is believed that both parties would pay attention to the political decisions they would have to take in the future. They have also decided to remain in the opposition. Mr. Thondaman has already left to India and Mr. Hakeem too left to India tonight say our sources. TRO Flood Appeal Several days of torrential rains have produced extensive flooding in widespread areas in the NorthEastern Province in Sri Lanka. Mullaithivu town, Puthukudyiruppu,(Mullaithivu), Kilinochchi, Vadamaratchi East, and Trincomalee are all badly affected. Many of these same places were hit hard by the Tsunami of 2005,and 3200 people living in transitional shelters are homeless again,with their huts totally destroyed. TRO urgently needs funds to provide: 1) Plastic roofing sheets Continued heavy rain is forecast for at least the next 48 hours and the situation is expected to get worse soon. K.P. Regi, Executive Director of TRO, has issued an urgent appeal that they are running out of funds and need help. Please send your contributions to: All contributions are Tax Deductible and will be gratefully acknowledged with a receipt. N. Ranjithan, M.D., President, TRO-USA 22 November 2005 Ranil likely to quit, Karu taking over Opposition UNP leader and defeated presidential candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe is expected to step down from the leadership of the party and from the Opposition Leader’s post later in the week, UNP deputy general secretary Tissa Attanayake said. He said the UNP leader had arrived at this decision having assessed the performance of the party at the November 17 presidential election. UNP’s deputy leader Karu Jayasuriya is to take over the leadership while national organizer S. B. Dissanayake, though still in prison is likely to be elected as deputy leader.Mr. Wickremesinghe who led the UNP since 1994 has faced two presidential polls and was unsuccessful on both occasions.At last Thusday’s polls he obtained 48.43% of the votes against President Mahinda Rajapakse’s 50.29% However some senior members and some party organizations have requested Mr. Wickremesinghe to reconsider his decision as they feel such a move would further weaken the UNP. A final decision will be taken after meetings of the working committee and the parliamentary group. A strong request has also been made especially by the minority allies asking Mr. Wickremesinghe to retain his post as UNF leader which is a broader alliance comprising the SLMC,CWC and several other parties.UNP sources say Mr. Wickremesinghe is likely to accede to this request. Meanwhile Mrs, Maithree Wickremesinghe has told a close friend last evening that her husband had agreed to go to England with her for a period of three years until she completes her doctorate. Mrs. Wickremesinghe, a lecturer of English at the Kelaniya University is currently on study leave. SLN soldier disappeared, Nedunthivu under siege, 7 arrested Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) soldiers Monday morning cordoned off Nedunthivu (Delft) and conducted house to house search after two SLN soldiers were reported missing allegedly abducted by unknown men, sources said. Delft islet is under the control of the Sri Lanka Navy. However, SLN sources in Colombo said only one soldier was missing adding that seven youths have been arrested in Nedunthivu. All transport to and from Neduthivu islet has been suspended and the SLN said that until they find the whereabouts of the abducted soldiers, the transport will not be resumed. Youths decorating Nedunthivu streets for the beginning of the Heroes rememberence week were assaulted by the SLN soldiers. The injured youths were prevented from being taken to the Jaffna Teaching Hospital or outside Nedunthivu for treatment, sources said. Rats jump from sinking ship A group of UNP parliamentarians are engaged in a bid to work closely with the new Mahinda Rajapaksa government. Discussions in this connection are now underway and one group has expressed willingness to cross over to the SLFP while the other group is to forge a consensus with the government for a period of one year. The first group is reported to be led by former Minister
Bandula Gunawardane. However when contacted by Lanka e News, Gunawardane
said such rumours are common after any election and stressed he would
not leave the UNP. Meanwhile another group led by Badulla district parliamentarian Lakshman Seneviratne has called for a party revamp. 'Lanka e News' has reliably learnt that Colombo district UNP parliamentarian T.Maheshwaran has also been approached by the SLFP but he has declined to join the party. SL Supreme Court suspends P-TOMS inquiry Sri Lanka's Supreme Court Monday suspended the inquiry
into the Post Tsunami Operations Management Structure (P-TOMS) petition.
Chief Justice Sarath N.Silva announced that the inquiry into the petitions
filed against the implementation of the P-TOMS is suspended indefinitely.
The Chief Justice further extended the interim injunction on the implementation
of the P-TOMS indefinitely, legal sources said. The bench comprised Chief Justice Mr.Sarath N.Silva, Justice Raja Fernando and Justice Nihal Gamini Amarathunge, legal sources said. After hearing the submission of the counsel of both sides the SC delivered its order with the consent of the parties in the dispute, legal sources said. Mr.M.S.Jayasinghe, (Ministry of Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconciliation Secretary on behalf of the government) and Mr.S.Ranjan (on behalf of the LTTE) who signed the P-TOMS have been cited as the respondents in the FR petitions. US congratulates Mahinda, condemns LTTE for its interference at poll The US State Department in Washington D.C. has issued a statement congratulating President Mahinda Rajapakse. The statement says: The United States congratulates Mahinda Rajapakse on his victory in the November 17 presidential election and commends those citizens of Sri Lanka who peacefully exercised their democratic rights and responsibilities. We remain committed to maintaining the historically close ties between our two countries. The United States looks forward to working with President Rajapakse as he confronts many significant and immediate challenges. These include the need to strengthen the Ceasefire Agreement and bring renewed vigour to the peace process so that progress may be made towards a negotiated solution that meets the aspirations of all Sri Lankans. The United States regrets that Tamil voters in the northern and eastern parts of the island did not vote in significant numbers due to a clear campaign of intimidation by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). As a result, a significant portion of Sri Lanka's people were deprived of the opportunity to make their views known. The United States condemns this LTTE interference in the democratic process. Youth shot in Jaffna Mr. Kandasamy Thavakumar, 34, employed in Cholan Vanipam,
a Kilnochchi based business network, was shot allegedly by a Sri Lankan
Intelligence operative from a hidden location in Thirunelvely, 4 km east
of Jaffna town Monday at 5:30 p.m., according to civilian sources. However,
Police Officer-In-Charge in Kopay, Mr. Sri Selvam said the youth was wounded
when a gun belonging to a policeman riding in a Jeep accidentally went
off. Thavakumar, who sustained wounds in his chest and face, was rushed to Jaffna Hospital. Ten days ago, on November 11, a policeman was shot at Thirunelveli Market by unidentified gunmen. Failed kingmaker to make a comeback The news that CWC Leader Arumugam Thondaman, who broke ranks with the UPFA to support UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Election, is going to return to government ranks has roused a hornets’ nest among the rank and file of the UPFA. However, contacted for comments, spokesman for the CWC K. Moorthy told The Island that no final decision had so far been made. Mr. Thondaman would decide whether to rejoin "in the interests of the minority Tamils of Indian origin" on his return from India. On Sunday, the high command of the CWC met in Colombo to discuss the outcome of the presidential polls and to decide of the party’s future course of action with special emphasis on Mr. Thondaman’s rejoining. Mr. Moorthy said his leader would consult the people before taking a decision. Meanwhile, UPFA sources said there would be protests within the party against such a move, as accommodating Mr. Thondaman in the government would be at the expense of those who defected from the CWC in support of President Rajapakse and helped him obtain about 100,000 votes in Nurwara Eliya alone. A senior SLFPer involved in President Rajapakse’s campaign said if Mr. Thondaman is allowed to rejoin despite his campaign to defeat Mr. Rajapakse, it would amount to a betrayal of the faith CWC defectors reposed in the new President. Parliament prorogued : President Rajapakse to declare open new session on November 25 Parliament was prorogued at midnight yesterday . President Mahinda Rajapakse acting in terms of the powers vested in him made the prorogation order. The new Parliamentary session will be declared opened by President Rajapakse on November 25. The decision to prorogue Parliament was taken at a party leaders meeting yesterday chaired by the President.The Emergency debate will be taken up from 12.30 pm, on this day(25th). According to the leader of the House former Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva the decision to prorogue Parliament was taken, among other things to table a new appropriation Bill with the object of presenting a new budget before December 31st. Earlier, the regular sittings of the House was fixed for today. Tsunami survivors hit by floods Thousands of tsunami survivors in LTTE-held areas were evacuated to higher ground yesterday after lashing monsoon rains flooded their camps, an official said. “Around 4,000 families have been evacuated from transitional camps in the Mullaittivu and Vadamarachi East districts,” Laurence Christy, planning director of the Tamils Rehabilitation Organisation said. He said another 20,000 families, many of them living in mud shelters after being displaced by 30 years of civil war, had been affected by drenching rains which began pounding the north on Sunday. “We collected 300 volunteers and have evacuated those in the camps to public schools on higher ground,” Mr. Christy said. “Because there are not enough schools, we also gave tarpaulins and plastic sheeting to some families,” he added. “We are concerned about the hygiene situation.” The monsoon rains flood this area annually and some families may have to be accommodated at schools or in makeshift shelters until January when they abate, he said. Some of those being evacuated, Mr. Christy said, were being displaced for the third time -- first by the war, then by the tsunami and now by the floods. Panic selling by locals but foreigners optimistic The indices moved down drastically yesterday continuing the trend started on the election day. The All Share Price Index (ASPI) closed at 2159.91, which was 169.01 points lower compared to the previous days closing. The Milanka Price Index (MPI) closed the day at 2780.25, registering a fall of 242.58 points. The total market capitalisation which dropped to Rs. 705 billion on Friday further dropped to Rs. 654.2 billion at the close of trading yesterday. Angelo Ranasinghe of the Bartleet Mallory Stockbrokers said it was the locals who contributed to the market to go down while the foreigners were on the buying side. The total equity turnover was Rs. 607.3 million for the day. The net foreign inflows registered Rs 99.6 million with foreign purchases recording Rs. 142.7 million and foreign sales Rs. 43.1 million during the course of the day. "We saw a lot of panic selling by the locals when the foreigners seemed not to be perturbed by the political developments. This negative attitude from the locals is somewhat unrealistic. We have not yet seen any signal from the new President or the Government which could cause panic among the investors," he said. He said although a 14 percent drop in just two days was too much the market wouldn't continue in the same manner as a technical correction is inevitable. "The fundamentals are still strong. Panic selling will ease off soon and the market will stabilise. As long as the Government maintained the interest rates at single digit level and ensure a growth rate from 5 to 6 percent the investors need not be pessimistic. Of course, the peace process should continue. It is the most important factor," Ranasinghe said. Some analysts said that state institutions could help reverse the downward trend by being actively involved in the market. Hartal paralyses east Day- to-day activities in Kalmunai, Samanthurai and Akkaraipattu came to a standstill yesterday when Muslims in the area staged a peaceful hartal in protest over last Friday’s grenade attack on a mosque where six people were killed, police said. Eastern Province DIG Rohan Abeyratne said shops and schools were closed and transport services paralysed but he said no incidents had been reported so far. Meanwhile Akaraipattu Inspector K. Sooriarachchi said discussions were held with TNA parliamentarian P.M. Pathmanathan and residents of the area including Muslims, Tamils and Sinhalese in a bid to ease the tension. The South has Spoken Statement by the Australasian Federation of Tamil Associations By boycotting the presidential election, which pitted the openly chauvinistic Mahinda Rajapakse against the equally anti-Tamil, Ranil Wickramasinghe, the Tamil people have allowed the Sinhala South to have its say. The result speaks for itself. Sans the votes of the southern minority groups - the 'Upcountry Tamils' and the Muslims, who voted en masse for Wickramasinghe - the vote for Rajapakse by the Sinhalese was indeed a decisive one. The overwhelming majority of the Sinhalese have thus voted for the man who denies the existence of a distinct Tamil nation, a Tamil Homeland and the Tamil people's right to self determination. Instead, he believes in the inherent right of the Sinhala Buddhists to dominate and rule. His election promises include the redefining of the Cease-Fire Agreement and an emphatic denial of any political power sharing with the Tamil people. Why then did the Tamil leadership and the elected Tamil representatives call for a boycott of the elections? And why did the Tamil people heed this call? The answers lie in the duplicity of the Sinhala political establishment throughout the last five decades, including the last three and a half years. On every occasion that required the support of the Tamils, the dominant Sinhala parties have courted and wooed the Tamils only to later turn their backs and return to their chauvinistic agenda - an agenda which underpins Sinhala political philosophy and one to which all Sinhala parties have been faithful, without exception! Wooing the Tamils to win Government and reverting to type on winning has been the Island's true, but sad history. The war made little difference to the Sinhala political parties. Kumaratunge, who received overwhelming Tamil support in 1994, conducted the grotesque strategy of 'peace through war' - a strategy which resulted in the deaths of thousands of Tamil civilians, hundreds of 'disappearances', and the exodus of half a million Tamils from the Jaffna peninsula. Then there was Wickramasinghe. Having been elected Prime Minister on the promise of peace, he agreed to a cease-fire in the face of imminent defeat. Wickramasinghe soon reverted to type through delaying tactics. There was this loud proclamation by him about power sharing with the Tamil people, but it was directed primarily at the international community. More significantly, little was done to explain this concept to the Sinhala electorate. Instead, Wickramasinghe's 'achievements' include: the abysmal failure of SIHRN specifically formed to restore normalcy, the crafty attempt to construct an international safety net and, most tellingly, the cultivation of the renegade Karuna . The Tamil people realised that, while Rajapakse was engaged in the time tested Bandaranaike mode of openly racist campaigning, Wickramasinghe was pursuing the 'all things to all men' campaign. The Tamils were not prepared to be fooled by the man and exercised their democratic right to abstain. AFTA supports the decision of their brethren and looks forward to a political arrangement where the Tamil people of the NorthEast of the Island can exercise their democratic right to self determination. 21 November 2005 LTTE to celebrate Heroes Day at Elephant Pass army camp site The LTTE will conduct its Heroes Day celebrations at the site of the former Elephant Pass Army camp on November 27, ten days after the group prevented hundreds of thousands of Tamils in the North and East from voting at the Presidential election. The LTTE has erected a huge stage at the site of the former Army camp, which was once a stronghold of the Military in the North. The former Army camp has been cleared and cleaned up by the LTTE in preparation for its Heroes Day or ‘Marveerar Day’ celebrations, and a giant LTTE flag has also been hoisted at the location. The setting has also been elaborately decorated with red and yellow LTTE flags and a monument to commemorate LTTE cadres killed in the April 2000 Elephant Pass attack has been constructed. Further, the main A9 road has been lined on either side with red and yellow flags, the colours of the LTTE, from Elephant Pass to Kilinochchi. Elephant Pass is currently under LTTE control. In his annual statement marking ‘Heroes Day’, LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran is expected to outline his stance on the future of the peace process after the election of President Mahinda Rajapakse. His speech will be telecast live by the LTTE media unit from Kilinochchi on the LTTE TV channel ‘National Television of Thamil Eelam’ on November 27. The Marveerar Day celebrations in the Wanni will also be telecast from 5.30 p.m. to 8.30 pm on the same day. Last year in his Heroes Day speech Prabhakaran called the government to resume peace talks, without conditions, on the basis of the Interim Self-Governing Authority as proposed by the LTTE. He also warned the government that the LTTE would be compelled to launch the freedom struggle if peace talks were further delayed. LTTE Heroes Days are celebrated for the three days ending November 27, which is the day the very first LTTE cadre was killed in action. Heroes Day celebrations first started in 1989 when it was held on a single day but since 1995, it has been held for 3 days ending on the 27th. Woman's body found near Vallipuram temple Unidentified body of a young woman, estimated to be around
25 years, was found inside an abandoned building 200 meters from the Sri
Lanka Army (SLA) checkpoint along the Point-Pedro Nagarkovil road near
the Vallipuram Vishnu temple, sources from Jaffna said. Point Pedro police recovered the body around 5.30 pm and has transported the body to Point Pedro Government Hospital in Manthikai for postmortem examinations. Dr C Kathiravetpilliai attached to Manthikai Hospital said that the woman was strangled around her neck with the ribbon worn to tie her hair. Only postmortem examination will reveal if she was sexually assaulted before being killed, he told the press. The area is controlled by the SLA and people travelling to Vadamaradchy east from Point Pedro have to cross this checkpoint. People use this route only during day light hours. No vehicular or pedestrian traffic cross the checkpoint at night. Sri
Lanka's President appoints new PM Rajapaksa, 60, who was sworn in Saturday, dropped previous plans to give the premiership to foreign minister Anura Bandaranaike, the brother of former president Chandrika Kumaratunga. A government spokesman said the cabinet will be named either later on Monday or Tuesday and only the new prime minister was sworn in on Monday amid lobbying for jobs by key politicians. There were two front runners for the ceremonial post of prime minister, former public security minister Ratnasiri Wicremanayake and former posts minister DM Jayaratne. Wickremanayake, 73, is seen as a hawk who advocates a tough line against rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil eelam (LTTE). He is also opposed to any concessions to the Tigers and had earlier wanted the majority Sinhalese Buddhists to have more children in order to increase the population and help fight the Tigers. Muslim couple shot dead in Valaichenai Unidentified gunmen shot and killed Mr. Meerasaivu Ahammed Lebbe, 44, and his wife Fowziya Lebbaithamby, 43, Sunday morning at 1:30 a.m. in Miravodai, a Muslim village 28 km nortwest of Batticaloa. Mr. Ahammad Lebbe, a Middle-East employement agent and a supporter of the United National Party, died on the spot at his house. The reason behind the killings is not known, Police said. Liberation Tigers allege that the post-poll violence in the district was caused by paramilitary cadres targeting to disrupt peace and understanding between Tamils and Muslims in the district. Mrs. Lebbethamby Fowzia succumbed to her injuries at Batticaloa Hospital. The incident took place at the couple's house on Madeena Road. The couple was at sleep when the assailants entered the house and shot the victims with T-56 rifle Valaichenai Police said. Four Muslim worshippers were killed and more than 18 devotees were injured Friday morning when unidentified attackers lobbed grenades into the Akkraipattu Grand Mosque, 58 km south of Batticaloa in Amparai District. Around 600 Tamil families and more than 100 Muslim families were displaced from the Tamil-Muslim border villages in Akkaraipattu following the incident. A district-wide hartal to be observed on Monday has been called in Amparai. Delhi
must back beleaguered neighbour -India
Monitor Prime Minister Mahenda Rajapakse, backed by an alliance of over twenty political parties narrowly defeated his rival former Prime Minster Ranil Wickremasinghe. Rajapakse's election campaign was marked by his socialist rhetoric and an apparently hard line position on dealing with the country's simmering Sinhala-Tamil ethnic conflict. The stock market plunged by 176 points when Rajapakse's election was declared. The Norwegians who have facilitated the peace process in the Island voiced concern. Norway's Development Aid Minister Erik Solheim proclaimed: 'The situation could become very difficult'. What is heartening for India is that both candidates spoke of strengthening ties with it. Both advocated a more pro-active role for India in the ongoing peace process. Unlike in some of India's other neighbours, there is an overwhelming consensus in Sri Lanka for a closer relationship with India. Trade and economic relations are booming and Sri Lanka has shown due sensitivity about Indian security concerns in the Indian Ocean Region. Sri Lanka also quietly backed our candidature for Permanent Membership of the Security Council. India, therefore, has a vital interest in the unity and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka. New Delhi should spare no effort to ensure that the pluralistic character of Sri Lankan society is not undermined by LTTE sponsored terrorist violence. The LTTE, who are past masters in silent intimidation of the Tamil population, engineered a virtual boycott of the Presidential polls in Jaffna, where only 1.25% of the voters cast their votes. But in the Eastern province, 48.5% cast their votes, despite LTTE intimidation. LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran has always fought shy of free elections and is a known believer in one party rule. He has little respect for democratic values, or for pluralistic societies and has, over the last two decades, killed every influential Tamil leader ranging from Sri Sabarathinam of the TELO to A Amrithalingam of the TULF and former Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar. He did not even hesitate to execute his own army Chief Mahatya. It is, therefore, not surprising that one of Prabhakaran's main demands is for the northeast to be ruled by an unelected interim administrative set up nominated by him. Anyone who has dealt with Sri Lanka would have no illusions that Prabhakaran's sole aim is to carve out a separate Tamil State under one party rule in Sri Lanka's northeast. The comments of Erik Solheim and past Norwegian conduct show that the Norwegians have little understanding of the difficulties in preserving national unity in a pluralistic and democratic Asian country. New Delhi will, therefore, have to help President Rajapakse in dealing with the ethnic issue. One way would be to urge democratic elections in the northeast, with international election monitors, in an environment free from LTTE intimidation. New Delhi will also have to make it clear to the Norwegians and others that they should avoid their present tendency of equating the sovereign and democratically elected Government of Sri Lanka with a terrorist group like the LTTE. Finally, our booming economic relations with Sri Lanka will have to be reinforced with tangible security assistance and support to Tamil groups that believe in democratic values and pluralistic norms. Past experience has shown that public opinion at large within Tamil Nadu fully understands the dangers that LTTE extremism poses. One hopes that the compulsions of coalition politics will not deter New Delhi from following a policy that promotes larger national interests. Tiger poll boycott was to prove a point in the Tamil struggle – Balakumaran The LTTE says the decision taken by the Northern Tamils to boycott the just concluded presidential polls was not to ensure a victory for the UPFA or a loss for the UNP but instead to prove a point in the Tamil struggle. K.V. Balakumaran, a senior LTTE political leader speaking over the Voice of Tiger radio over the weekend said last week’s polls would go down in history as the turning point in the ethnic conflict. “The outcome of the polls cannot be seen as a victory or a loss for any political party. Instead it sends out a clear message on the stand of the Tamil people. The Tamils have spoken on their rights by boycotting the polls without any pressure from anyone,” Mr. Balakumaran was quoted by a pro LTTE Tamil website as telling Tiger radio. Balakumaran, who is residing overseas, said the world has been stunned by the stand taken by the Tamils in the North as it came unexpectedly and did not favour even the UNP as was anticipated by the Southern political parties. “We were forced to consider not to support even Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe for various reasons. The Tamils did not feel duty bound to support anyone. Ultimately we decided to think of our needs and not the needs of the South,” he said. The senior LTTE leader said the days ahead would be important as the attention of the world would now be focused on the political parties in the South and the direction the country would take by their decisions. Meanwhile the LTTE begins its heroes day celebration week from today and will culminate with the annual heroes day speech by the LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran on Sunday. The much anticipated speech of the LTTE leader is expected to deliver the stand of the rebels with regard to the future of the peace process under the new government of President Mahinda Rajapakse. Trincomalee experiences heavy rain, families displaced Torrential rain in Trincomalee has caused flood in several
villages forcing hundreds of tsunami-affected families to seek refuge
in schools and public buildings from their water inundated shelters. Several
roads have gone under water interrupting smooth transport system between
villages and outstations of the district, sources said. In Alles Garden area, a suburb in Trincomalee town, about 65 families with 202 members affected by flood have sought refuge in Barathi Vidiyalayam. Foundation for the Co-Existence (FEC) in Trincomalee has taken steps to provide cooked food. About fifty-five families with 210 members have been displaced from their homes in Pulmoddai village, north of Trincomalee as their residential areas have gone under flood. They have been provided shelter in school building and cooked food by NGOs, relief workers' sources said. In Puthukuddiyirupu area, about fifteen families sought refuge in public buildings as floodwater entered their houses Sunday morning. Mr.K.Thurairatnasingham, Trincomalee district parliamentarian with Ms S.Jalatheepan, Trincomalee Town Assistant Divisional Secretary, and Uppuveli Predesiya Sabah acting Secretary Mr.Jeyabalan, Attorney-at-Law Mr.K.Sivapalan visited the areas, which are affected by flood, sources said. Ms Jalatheepan assured that the affected families would be provided with free cooked meals for three days till the flood recede, sources said. Famous astrologer predicts settlement of ethnic conflict INDIAN Astro-consultant K.K. Theventhra Rajh who predicted the victory of President Mahinda Rajapakse three months before the Presidential poll said that within one year the new President and the LTTE leader would reach a settlement to the ethnic crisis in the country. Theventhra Rajh told the Daily News that even one day before the November 17 poll, he had again reiterated that Rajapakse would win despite the neck and neck race with his opponent Ranil Wickremesinghe. "According to the astrological timing and the planetary position from 2003, Mahinda Rajapakse will definitely remain in power until 2016. He will be able to deal with the country's ethnic problem successfully by having direct talks with the LTTE leadership. The planetary conditions are very much in favour of the President to give the necessary strength and the courage to face the problems he comes across," the astrologer said. Rajh said he predicted the downfall of the Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe when he became the Prime Minister in 2002. "Ranil wickremesinghe managed to win the Parliamentary Polls in 2002. However my prediction was that he would not last long as Prime Minister and thereafter even at the Presidential poll he would fail. I predicted this in December 2001." Rajh who hails from Chennai, Tamil Nadu that by reading the planetary conditions he had predicted several important political events in India. Manmohan invites Rajapakse to visit India New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh telephoned the newly elected Sri Lankan President, Mahinda Rajapakse, to congratulate him on his victory and invite him to visit India, official sources said on Sunday. In a separate message, President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam also congratulated Mr. Rajapakse on his assumption of office. Mr. Kalam said Sri Lanka and India enjoyed excellent bilateral relations in all spheres. "I am sure that under your able leadership, our two countries will be able to cement and strengthen it further," he added. 1000 policemen absorbed to PSD Some 1000 policemen from various police stations and special units are to be absorbed into the Presidential Security Division of newly elected President Mahinda Rajapakse. City Traffic Director DIG S. M. Wickramasingha has been appointed as the DIG in charge of the new PSD, police sources said. They said the former PSD unit of outgoing President Chandrika Kumaratunga would be dispersed and deployed in police divisions countrywide while a part would be retained for the former President’s security. A senior SSP and Chief Inspector had also been appointed as PSD Director and OIC respectively. The
Tamil state within a state -BBC Most of them were hidden behind a thicket of bushes on the main road through rebel-controlled territory, just 10 minutes outside Kilinochchi, the Tamil's unofficial capital. One of them had blown his cover by venturing out onto the roadside, bearing a warlike insignia on his sleeve - a sharp-fanged Tiger, roaring ferociously. The men spoke conspiratorially into their walkie-talkies. The man by the roadside had his finger on the trigger. Yet the men were dressed not in combat fatigues but blue pleated slacks and sky blue shirts. And they were wielding nothing more threatening than a radar gun. The only thing they were interested in killing was the speed of errant drivers. Within minutes, the traffic cops had claimed their first victim, a motorcyclist hurtling down the road on a Honda Hero. The digital display on the radar gun showed him travelling at 51 km/h on a section of road with a 40 km/h speed limit. The motorcyclist was given a stern talking to and handed an on-the-spot fine of 600 rupees (6 dollars). Suitably chastened, he mounted his bike and headed - more cautiously - towards town. Serial traffic offenders might end up under arrest, and be carted off to jail in one of the force's smart blue Toyota Land Cruisers - impressive-looking vehicles with the word POLICE emblazoned in pristine white letters on the bonnet, and the Tamil Tiger insignia on the doors. Perhaps they might even end up on trial at the local court house, where the proceedings begin each morning with a salute to the Tamil flag. Thwarted ambition The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam - to give the Tamil Tigers their full name - control about 15% of Sri Lankan territory. But the traffic cops and the courthouse are mere fragments of their longed-for state, and far from the fully-independent ethnic homeland that the Tamil Tigers have fought for since 1983. Kilinochchi is remarkable for three things: the war-damaged buildings that line its streets; the martial statues which venerate its war dead (one of the biggest is the statue of the first female suicide bomber); and the immense scale of its main cemetery. The cemetery contains row upon carefully regimented row of graves and tombstones - almost 2,000 in all. Most are shaped like coffins, with polished black marble nameplates. But there are hundreds of simple tombstones commemorating the 'Black Tigers' - suicide bombers whose bodies were blown to pieces. This for the Tamil Tigers is hallowed ground. Only the lives of those they call martyrs for the cause are commemorated within its walls. Chilling distillation In the cemetery we met 24 year old Suganthini and 25 year old Iyali, two members of the Tamil Tigers who had arrived at the graveyard bearing dark pink rose petals. They had come to dress the grave of their former comrade, Senthamilini, who had been killed during face-to-face conflict with the Sri Lankan army in Jaffna, the largest city in the north. As they stood at the graveside, the two young women thought of their friend's sacrifice, and the reasons why they are prepared to carry on the fight. "The Sri Lanka Army killed my father in front of my eyes, and then raped my sister," said Iyali, who was first inducted into the Tigers at the age of 16. "If my leader tells me to fight, I am prepared to die for the Tamil homeland." The sentence was at once dignified and hate-filled - the most chilling distillation of the Tamil cause that I have ever heard. Despite dropping its demand for outright independence ahead of a truce agreement in February, 2002, the Tamil Tigers want to extend their writ much farther than their present fiefdom. Their aim is to control a vast, spear-tip-shaped area of land encompassing all of the disputed north and much of the western and eastern seaboards. This so far thwarted ambition is one of the reasons why the peace process is presently stalled, and the political violence continues almost daily. The Tigers are not yet ready to sue for a permanent peace because they still believe they can achieve a more satisfactory power-sharing deal. They knew that boycotting the presidential election would depress the vote of Ranil Wickramasinghe, the former prime minister who negotiated the 2002 ceasefire agreement. The Tigers are not yet willing to return to the negotiating table, and they would have been under great international and moral pressure to do so had Mr Wickramasinghe triumphed. The Tigers wanted a hawk to win rather a dove. This presidential election had asked of the Sri Lankan people the same question which has been posed since the country's independence in 1948. Can the country's Sinhalese majority and Tamil minority occupy this stunningly beautiful island in peaceful coexistence? For now at least, the answer from the Tamil Tigers would appear to be no. They had dubbed Mahinda Rajapakse the "war candidate" - and their boycott helped him win. 20 November 2005 Sri Lanka's new president offers talks with Tigers, subsidies Sri Lanka's new president, Mahinda Rajapakse, pledged
to bring peace to the nation torn by ethnic violence, and offered an olive
branch to Tamil Tiger rebels at his inauguration. For peace, West seeks amends in Sri Lanka With a new president taking office in Sri Lanka, the
Western community is seeking greater access to LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran
and an end to anti-Norwegian rhetoric in Colombo to restart the stalled
peace process, well informed diplomatic sources say. Specifically, the West, which keeps India informed of its moves in Sri Lanka, wants Rajapakse and his allies, all of them Sinhalese-Buddhist hardliners, to halt forthwith their public condemnation of mediator Norway, which is seen by sections of the Sinhalese as being partial to the LTTE. If the propaganda continues, Norwegian diplomats feel it will become impossible for them to persist with their role. "As long as it was just election propaganda, the anti-Norwegian line was tolerable," a senior Western diplomat told IANS. "No more. The president and his allies have to stop speaking ill of Norway. This has to stop." According to Western diplomatic sources, Rajapakse, whatever his suspicion of the 2002 peace pact between Colombo and the LTTE, now has a golden opportunity to build bridges with the Tamil Tigers. At the same time, the West wants greater access to Prabhakaran, who will celebrate his 51st birthday on Nov 26, to ensure that its concerns and messages aimed at cementing the peace process are reaching him. There is a growing feeling within the Western community that its words are getting lost because most high-profile visitors to LTTE areas are not able to go beyond the group's political head, S.P. Thamilchelvan. The feeling is that if Sri Lanka's president, prime minister and opposition leader talk to Norwegian and other Western diplomats whenever a meeting is sought, there is no logical reason why the LTTE chief must play hard to get. There is also anger among Western diplomats that the LTTE virtually sabotaged the presidential election in large parts of the north and east of the country with a mixture of threats and violence, thereby ensuring the defeat of former prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who would have been more eager to put the peace process back on tracks. This has only further hardened Western attitudes towards the LTTE, which in August faced major curbs from the European Union after it was held responsible for the assassination of foreign minister Lakshamn Kadirgamar. Sri Lanka has seen a dramatic upsurge in tit-for-tat violence, mainly blamed on the Tamil Tigers, in recent months. The bloodshed has only gone up since August. The West feels that the new president will have to act fast - to gain the confidence of the LTTE. The LTTE alleges that the Sri Lankan military is colluding with its former regional commander Karuna, who has taken on Prabhakaran. On its part, the LTTE - declared a terrorist group in some countries including India - has been accused of eliminating its real and perceived rivals with impunity. These include Sri Lankan soldiers, military intelligence personnel and policemen besides Tamils opposed to the LTTE. On Friday, after the election results came in, Norwegian peace envoy Erik Solheim said in a statement that his country was committed to facilitating the peace process "as long as the two parties request such assistance and for as long as it is possible for Norway to play a constructive role". It will be for Sri Lanka's new president to say what he expects from Norway - and the West. Sri Lanka president's win angers rebels Sri Lanka's Tamil rebels reacted angrily Sunday to the election of hardline President Mahinda Rajapakse and his inaugural speech, saying they showed the country's Sinhalese majority had no understanding of Tamil aspirations for a homeland. Rajapakse, after assuming office Saturday, reiterated his opposition to the Tamil Tigers' demand for an independent state on the Indian Ocean island. But he also said he did not want to return to war. The rebels have demanded wide autonomy in the country's northeast, where most of the 3.2 million ethnic Tamils live, saying they can only prosper away from the domination of the Sinhalese majority. "The pillars of the Tamil demand, namely, Tamil homeland, Tamil nation, and Tamil self-determination will never be accepted by them," the rebels said Sunday on their official Web site, referring to Rajapakse's hard-hitting speech and his supporters. "There is no space to talk of a federal solution," they added. Rajapakse narrowly defeated opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, who favored granting the rebels more autonomy. An election boycott by the rebels prevented thousands of ethnic Tamils from casting ballots. Rajapakse sought the support of hardline Sinhalese Buddhist and Marxist groups by promising to review the Norwegian-brokered 2002 cease-fire that has grown increasingly fragile in recent months. The truce brought an end to fighting after nearly two decades of civil war. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam rebels have fought since 1983 for a Tamil homeland in the northeast, where they already run a de facto state. The war has claimed some 65,000 lives. The government and the rebels held six rounds of inconclusive peace talks before they were halted in April 2003 over the rebels' sweeping demands for autonomy. Most of Sri Lanka's 14 million Sinhalese are Buddhists who live in the southern and central parts of the tropical island. In a speech after taking the oath of office Saturday, Rajapakse said he wanted an honorable peace. "War is not my method," he said. "I will initiate a new round of talks with all those who have a stake in the solution of the national question." But Rajapakse said dividing the country is not the answer. "During the presidential election, the overwhelming majority of people said that the country should not be divided," Rajapakse said. "It is this aspiration that would be the basis of my policy for achieving peace." He also rejected direct foreign tsunami aid to the insurgents, who have repeatedly demanded access to some of the $2 billion promised to Sri Lanka so they can run their own relief effort. The Dec. 26 tsunami killed at least 31,000 people in Sri Lanka and swept away the homes or livelihoods of 1 million others. On Sunday, Rajapakse visited the Temple of Tooth in the Buddhist holy city of Kandy, the president's spokesman Chandrapala Liyanage said. The shrine next to a lake houses what Buddhists believe is a tooth relic of Buddha, the founder of the faith. Rajapakse, a devout Buddhist, was also to visit other shrines. The Temple of Tooth was attacked and partly destroyed by a rebel bombing in 1998. Observers say Rajapakse faces a giant task trying to reunite the country after winning the election with only 50.29 percent of the vote. Wickremesinghe, who favored granting concessions to the rebels, received 48.38 percent. "The position he had taken during the election campaign will make it difficult for him to reverse the decline" in relations between the government and the rebels, political analyst Jehan Perera said. Grenade attack on SLA sentry near Point Pedro schools Sri Lanka Army (SLA) sentry point, serving as the gateway
to Hartley College and Methodist Girls High School located within the
Point Pedro High Security Zone (HSZ), came under grenade attack at 7 p.m.
Saturday sources said. Gunmen riding a motorbike lobbed the grenade and
escaped via the Hostel Road. Point Pedro SLA declined to disclose the
damages to the sentry. Point Pedro town came to a standstill after 7 p.m. and all pedestrian and vehicular traffic remain suspended along college road near the sentry. The area where the sentry is located , in addition to the schools, also encloses Point Pedro district and magistrate courts, Kottadi Amman temple and a Hartley's church. The SLA occupied a larger area in Pt. Pedro than it did in 85-87 when it took control of the peninsula in 1996. All public and private properties in College Road, Vinayaga Mudaliyar (VM) Road, Police Station Road, Beach Road, Harbour Road and the 1st and 2nd Cross Streets are still occupied by the military. Some big names lose at Presidential poll Several Cabinet Ministers, Deputy Ministers and some senior UNP MPs were among those who lost their electorates at the closely contested Presidential poll. Among the big losers were Minister D.M.Jayaratna who lost the Gampola seat, Minister Sarath Amunugama - Galagedera and Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva - Badulla. Among the deputy ministers who lost their seats were Jayaratna Herath - Kurunegala and Mahindananda Aluthgamage - Nawalapitiya . Several prominent UNP MPs including G.L.Peiris (Moratuwa), Mahinda Samarasinghe (Kalutara district), Rajitha Seneratne (Kalutara district), Sajith Premadasa (Hambantota), Gamini Lokuge ( Kesbewa) and Jayalath Jayawardena (Ja-ela) were among those whose electorates went in favour of the newly elected President Mahinda Rajapakse. All of the 21 electorates in the southern districts of Hambantota, Matara and Galle went in favour of Mr.Rajapakse except for the electorate of Galle which was won by the UNP by a majority of about 3,000 votes. In the Jaffna district where polling was at an all time low, the UNP candidate got the few votes that were cast except in Kayts - the seat of Minister Douglas Devananda - where Mr. Rajapakse polled 139 votes against 98 for Mr.Wickremesinghe. In all three electorates of the Vanni district, Mannar, Vavuniya and Mullaitivu, Mr.Wickremesinghe secured a majority of the votes polled. In the Nuwara Eliya district in which the UNP candidate had the support of the Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC), the party candidate secured the majority vote in all four electorates while in the Badulla district too Mr.Wickremesinghe won all nine electorates except Wiyaluwa. Mr.Rajapakse won by a majority all the 14 electorates in the Kurunegala district except Hiriyala and Kurunegala. In the Puttalam district two of the five electorates Puttalam and Chilaw --went to Mr.Wickremesinghe, while Mr.Rajapakse secured victory in Anamaduwa, Nattandiya and Wennapuwa. In the Ratnapura district, Mr.Rajapakse won five electorates
and Mr.Wickremesinghe won three while in Kegalle, Mr.Rajapakse won six
electorates and Mr. Wickremesinghe won three. In the Batticaloa district, Mr.Wickremesinghe won all
three electorates, Kalkudah, Batticaloa and Paddirippu. In Trincomalee
district, two seats went to the UNP candidate and one seat to the UPFA
candidate. TRO to celebrate its 20th anniversary Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) is planning to have competitions to raise awareness on social service among people to mark its twentieth anniversary of services to poeple of NorthEast. Assistance of government agents of the districts, heads of government departments and universities in the northeast province, will be sought in organizing the competitions, said Mr.S.Rajagopal, Co-ordinator of the TRO 20th Anniversary Committee in a circular. Competitions would be concluded before the end of January next year. Best local non-governmental organizations and pre-schools selected by a board will be awarded with certificates for their services to the public. Individuals selected for their creative activities will also be honored, said Mr.Rajagopal. Conditions and other details of the competitions could be obtained from the Co-ordinator of the TRO 20th Anniversary Celebration Committee who is stationed in Killinochchi. The dates and places for the competitions would be announced later, the circular adds. Competitions will be held at the levels of university, school, Grama Sevaka division, education zones, divisional secretariat divisions, children homes, fisheries divisions and local non-governmental organizations in the northeast province, sources said. Profile of a soldier turned killer Nobody in their wildest dreams would have thought that a solider of the calibre of Major Wijebahu was a killer cum robber who took his own life by hanging himself from a piece of cloth whilst at the Bogambara Prison last week. He did so because he could no longer bear the shame for the crimes he committed whilst serving in the Army. None of his batchmates not his peers in the military were aware that he was a ruthless killer. It came as a horrifying shock to them after his arrest by the Wattegama police. Born in January 11, 1970, a native of Kandy, he attended a leading college in Kandy and joined the Army as a cadet officer in 1992. His brilliant career in the military was cut short after he was arrested by the Wattegama Police in November 2004. He attended the prestigious Kotalawala Defence Academy, Ratmalana and was posted to the Maduru-Oya Special Military Training Centre during the period 1993-1994. In 1997 he entered matrimony and was blessed with a three-year-old son. He was again posted to the Minneriya Military Combat Training School as an instructor. An able officer skilled in military warfare, he rose up quickly in the military ranks and was posted to the Wijeyaba Regiment. Later as an officer Commanding the 215 Balasena Battalion he was posted to battle torn areas in Murunkan, Elephant Pass, Paranthan, Chavakachcheri areas where he was in action. On May 14, 2001, Major Wijebahu assumed duties at the Mantota, camp and later became its commanding officer. Like most service personnel serving in operational areas, it was customary for them to go on long leave to be with their families. Major Wijebahu took ten days leave to be with his wife and the child in Napanne, Kandy and travelled to Kandy on 02 October, 2004 in an Army vehicle with 5377 number plate. He was accompanied by a Corporal from the same detachment. After arriving in Kandy he took his wife on a shopping spree in Kandy town and later dropped her at their home. He later arrived at the Sinha Regiment Camp in Kandy accompanied by the corporal. Well as a Commanding Officer he had the privilege to visit other Army camps for various official matters. He made use of the computer at the camp to print vehicle Number plate 8147 and took it along with him. On October 11, 2004 at 6.45 a.m. the corporal called over at his residence at Napanne, Kandy. Thereafter both of them arrived at Akurana and hired a car to proceed to Wattegama along with its driver. The Major was seated in front and the Corporal took a back seat in the vehicle. While proceeding on the Doragamuwa Road at Akurana, on a lonely spot, the Corporal all of a sudden leapt forward and held the drivers hands with an iron grip. Instantaneously the Major pointed a pistol at the drivers head and the vehicle came to an abruptly halt. Thereafter both of them gagged the driver and tied him up with a rope and threw him out of the vehicle near a quarry. Having robbed the vehicle both of them then proceeded towards Wattegama. Meanwhile the driver struggled all by himself and managed to free himself and rushed to the Wattegama Police Station. He lodged a complaint that his vehicle was robbed. OIC Wattegama, Police Station, Inspector T. Lodewike sprang into action and ordered his men to trace the vehicle. Later a police party that lay in ambush intercepted the stolen car around 9.30.a.m at Wattegama Road. The police questioned the suspects about the robbery. But the Major and the Corporal vehemently denied the allegation which ultimately led to a heated argument. Finally, a fight ensued between police and the suspects and they grappled each other for nearly 20 minutes before being overpowered by the policemen. Police found the pistol and several hand grenades in the possession of Major Wijebahu. Two suspects and the stolen vehicle were later brought to the Wattegama Police Station. On being further questioned, the Major confessed that he previously hired a car at Anuradhapura and killed its driver by cutting him with a knife. He admitted that the driver's body was brought to the Mantota camp and was buried there. The stolen car was later sold to another Army officer for a sum of Rs. 250,000. Police also found several identity cards at the Mantota camp. Four soldiers along with the Major was arrested in connection with the murder and robbery of the vehicle. They were produced before the Teldeniya Magistrate last year who remanded them pending completion of investigations. The police party that unmasked the killer army officer was OIC Wattegama, Inspector T. Lodewike, Sub Inspector Wimlalasena, Police Sergeant Wimalasena, Premasiri, Police Constable Tillekeratne, Wijesinghe. New Premier, new ministers, new Budget next week A new Prime Minister and Cabinet ministers will be sworn in by Monday, ahead of the next meeting of Parliament on Tuesday, an SLFP frontliner said yesterday. Government spokesman Nimal Siripala de Silva told a news conference that as announced by President Rajapakse in his message to the nation yesterday, a new budget would also be presented to accommodate proposals outlined in the ‘Mahinda Chinthanaya’. With the swearing-in of a new President, the Cabinet stands dissolved till a new one is sworn in. Mr. de Silva said party leaders would meet tomorrow to discuss how to accommodate the new budget in line with standing orders.The former Kumaratunga administration finance minister Sarath Amunugama presented a budget on November 8 and the debate on its second reading was scheduled to start on Tuesday. Mr. De Silva said the presentation of the Budget might take a few more days but it would be pushed through before the end of the year. Mr. Rajapakse’s campaign chief Mangala Samaraweera
told the news conference that not only the UPFA parties and those who
supported it but even those who did not would be welcomed to join the
new government. Cushnahan condemns LTTE The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) condemning the LTTE for creating a fear psychosis among the voters of the north and east thereby preventing them from exercising their franchise yesterday said that he would take this matter up with the Council of the European Union (EU). EU EOM chief John Cushnahan addressing the media in Colombo said that there was extremely poor turn out from the LTTE controlled areas and the government controlled areas in the north and east. "In Vavuniya, Trincomalee, Jaffna, Mannar and Batticoloa only a few people turned out to vote" he said. "It is unacceptable behaviour and purely discriminatory. People in those parts have a right to vote and choose their future president of the country," he said. He said that the joint statement issued by the LTTE and the TNA on November 10, asking the people to boycott the election had no ambiguity in its message. "The people in the north and east only speak to the LTTE and they listen to them," he said. He also said that the formation of cluster polling stations for the people of the north and east to vote would have affected the smooth flow of the poll. He said that the people had to travel a long distance to vote. "Originally the polling booths were 500 km from the Sri Lanka army line. An interim order from the Supreme Court on November 9, created another 500 km requiring voters to travel 1000 km in two segments to vote" he said. Referring to a possible repoll in the north and east on account of a poor turn out he said that if the UNP feels that the overall results have been affected by the LTTE's action, the party should file a fundamental rights application case at the Supreme Court for a repoll. Cushnahan opines as the Elections Commissioner decided to annul the elections in some of the electorates and ordered repolling during 2001 and 2004 elections, he should do the same this year as well. He regretted the absence of an elections commission, which he said would have strengthened the capacity of election officials to act efficiently and independently. "It is unfortunate that more than four years after the 17th amendment was adopted, the president of the republic has regrettably not been able to agree with the Constitutional Council, before it lapsed, on the appointment of a new independent Elections Commission," he said. Dissolving parliament unlikely - DM Posts and Telecommunications Minister and People's Alliance (PA) General Secretary D.M. Jayaratne yesterday ruled out the possibility of the newly elected president dissolving parliament. The Minister said given the electoral victory the UPFA has achieved after last Thursday's presidential poll, there is no necessity for the new president to dissolve parliament and consider going in for a fresh election. He told The Sunday Leader the party did not have any immediate plans to invite the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) to join the government. He said there was no necessity to extend the invitation to the JVP but added, "If they want, let them join." He also said he was not certain as to whether the next government would have to be formed in alliance with the JVP. "We have to now seriously think how we are going to finalise the working arrangements with the JVP. It is a big job to do. We must be careful and avoid areas where conflicts between the JVP and the SLFP could arise," he said. He also said he was not satisfied with the election results as the SLFP has lost most of the electorates. He expressed concern over losing the Tamil votes. "This is disappointing. The present results show the country is polarized," he added. "But I am glad the election was conducted minus violence and riots." Sri Lankan
Presidential Elections and the Future of Tamils The lack of crucial Tamil support for the UNP presidential candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe paved the way for Mahinda Rajapakse of the SLFP to win the presidential elections with a narrow margin. If the vast majority of Tamils had cast their vote, Wickremesinghe would won the post, even increasing his majority. But alas, Tamil refused to vote because they simply did not want the UNP to take them on another fruitless and dangerous road. Before the elections, it was clear to the LTTE and those freedom loving Tamils that presidential elections in the south mattered little to their long and arduous campaign for a just and peaceful solution to their plight. This led them to a logical and rational conclusion that nothing would be gained from exercising their vote to either one of the candidates. In this respect, the decision taken by the LTTE and the TNA was right and correction decision, a decision that would pave the way for the Tamils in the north and east to exercise their ultimate decision to self-rule. The UNP under Wickremesinghe had the golden opportunity to regain the trust and confidence of Tamils, but he failed miserably. In the last days of the campaign having realized that Tamils might not vote for him, some of his party stalwarts sought a move to right by boasting about how they split the LTTE, sank their ships and obtained the confidence of Indian and United States to check the military pursuits of the LTTE. This was something done consciously and purposely for them to gain the support of the Sinhalese chauvinistic elements. But to his dismay, it was not good enough to wean away the support of the majority of Sinhalese from Rajapakse and it was political disaster that alienated the millions of Tamils. In the final analysis, Wickremesinghe had to pay for his political opportunism by losing the overwhelming support of the LTTE. It is no use now blaming the Tamils for not backing me, he was mainly responsible for alienating the Tamils. Of course the history of the UNP is replete with examples how successive leaders before Wickremesinghe had betrayed and alienated the Tamils on the grounds of their chauvinistic policies. Rajapakse despite his close association with the right-wing Sinhala organizations like JVP and JHU, must thank the Tamils for not voting for Wickermesinghe. If they had, he would have gone into political oblivion, with no prospect of ever contesting for the coveted post. For the Tamil nationalist forces, it really does not matter to them who really become the president of Sri Lanka. In fact, there are grounds to believe that Rajapakse’s victory would provide the crucial political circumstances for the Tamil nationalist forces to convey and to impress upon the international community that there is no way that Tamils would expect any justice and decency from the chauvinistic forces currently represented in the office of the president. In a more concrete sense, the election of Rajapakse and his avowed intention to review the ceasefire, question the role of Norway and talk tough with the LTTE have provided the Tamil nationalistic forces the necessary political impetus to chart the next course of history. For sometime since the signing of the ceasefire agreement in early 2002, pretensions of turning Sri Lanka into a federal state to meet the aspirations of Tamil have come to complete naught with the election of Rajapakse as the president. The international safety net or sort of entrapment for the LTTE designed by Wickremesinghe in his early days as the prime minister must be in tatters. It should be remembered that this safety net was planned on the grounds of providing substantial autonomy for the Tamils in the north and east, but the recent elections have once and for all negated the question of autonomy for Tamils. Thus, in the absence of something substantial at least theoretically, the international safety net that was designed to check the separatist ambitions of the LTTE is a dead horse now. Wickermesinghe defeat in the elections has entombed the dead horse now. So with the prospect of further real impediments to the peace process, the stage has been more less set for the respect communities, both Sinhalese and Tamils to pursue different political paths in the coming years. For the Tamil nationalist forces under the leadership of the LTTE, less time will be spend on convincing the international community of its bona fide nature. There is no need to do so anymore. Instead in the coming days and months, the LTTE will have to focus on the following issues that are related to the exercise of its ultimate option of a separate state. First, it has think of ways and means to regain lost ground in the east and tackle the prevalence of the para-military Tamil forces that working hand in hand with the Sri Lankan army intelligence. It is expected that Rajapakse with the advice of the ultra-ring elements would provide more support for the Tamil decadent forces united around a few disgruntled elements. In this context, the east would become much more volatile and dangerous, something that could not be avoided. The LTTE will never give up the east, it is an integral part of the Tamil homeland. Second, is the question regarding the Jaffna peninsula. The Sinhala army occupation will be less and less tolerated now. It is not that the LTTE cannot take Jaffna, for a long time they refrained from doing so because there was a prospect for peaceful settlement. It is not that the Tamil national question cannot be resolved negotiated settlement, but the future prospect for such a direction seems rather slim given the change in the southern politics. The bluff of international military intervention to fight the LTTE seems a rather remote given the quagmire in Afghanistan and Iraq and the difficulty faced by the United States in imposing its will on North Korea and Iran. India has learnt some bitter lesson as well, but then with the intransigent power bloc in Sri Lanka, there is possibility that India might come around to see the rationale behind the ultimate option. Election of Mahinda a blow to peace - Eelaventhan The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) says that they are neither worried nor happy with the decision of the south to elect Mahinda Rajapakse as the fifth president of the country. The TNA also noted that they are not surprised that Mahinda Rajapakse was elected as president because the south has rejected peace. TNA Member, M.K. Eelaventhan told The Sunday Leader that the Sinhalese in the south have spelt out clearly how they consider the Tamils as an independent entity. Eelaventhan highlighted that president elect Mahinda Rajapakse does not recognise the Tamils, their homeland or their self determination and electing him as president proved that the Tamils are justified in chosing their path. "Let anything happen, but we will determine our own future," said Eelaventhan. He also added the LTTE leader's heroes day speech on November 26, that also coincides with Pirapaharan's birthday would be important to all Tamils. "We do not know what he is going to say," he said. Furthermore he explained that during last year's heroes day speech Pirapaharan had stated that their patience was being tested and the future was at stake. Eelaventhan says that now this situation is much worse than what it was last year. "President elect Mahinda Rajapakse's alliance with the JHU and the JVP is one factor that makes the situation much worse now," he added. "The Tamils are for a federal status but only if it is meaningful and concrete," he added. He further said, if the government failed to recognise the rights of the Tamils, then the end result would be revolt. "Our fishermen cannot fish, nor can our people get treatment at hospitals when they need to. We are being up rooted in our own country," stated Eelaventhan. North east ignored in ICT development The Tamil Centre for Human Rights (TCHR) has informed the United Nations World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) that successive Sri Lankan governments have rejected the concept of equality in education with regard to the people in the north east and been reluctant to develop Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in those areas. The TCHR in its report submitted to the WSIS session held in Tunisia said the right to freedom of expression is treated by the government of Sri Lanka as in the field of mass media. The report also included a list of journalists harassed and killed in the recent past and also had details of arson attacks on newspapers in Sri Lanka. The session that commenced on November 16 concluded on 18. All 191 member states of the UN, inter-governmental organisations, international and regional institutions, ECOSOC as well as other officially accredited NGOs and business sector entities, including the TCHR participated in the summit. In September 2001, TCHR participated in the NGO forum of the UN World Conference Against Racism - WCAR in Durban, South Africa. In 1993, TCHR held an information stall and a photo exhibition on human rights violations at the United Nations Second World Conference on Human Rights held in Vienna, Austria. Representatives of TCHR have been participating in the UN Commission on Human Rights, the Sub Commission on Human Rights and the Treaty bodies since it was founded in 1990.TCHR has conducted four fact finding missions in Sri Lanka, TCHR General Secretary S.V.Kirubaharan has said in a statement. Results show south has rejected peace People's Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE) has said the election results have indicated the rejection of peace and invited war. "But I do not know when the war will break out, but it is for sure," he said. He also accused the LTTE of betraying the UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and added, if the LTTE had given a free hand to the Tamil people to cast their votes according to their own conscience, Ranil would have become the head of state by now. "The election was certainly not free and fair. At least two million voters have been denied their franchise. So how can anybody claim the election was free and fair," he asked. He said the nation will have to wait for the heroes day speech to be delivered by LTTE leader Velupillai Pirapaharan on November 26. "Nobody knows what he is going to announce to the world. For all I know, the LTTE will not settle for any talks," he said. 19 November 2005 Taking oaths today The newly elected Mahinda Rajapakse is to take his oaths today as the 5th Executive President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. A government official said Mr. Rajapakse would take his oaths at 1.30 pm before Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva at the Presidential Secretariat. Sources close to outgoing President Chandrika Kumaratunga said it was unlikely she would be present at today’s ceremony. However Mr. Rajapakse last evening paid a courtesy call on Ms. Kumaratunga. She briefd him on her development perspectives and their dialogue also covered a familiaraation with the settings at President’s House. The Pime Minister’s Secretary Lalith Weeratunga is likley to be appointed as Presidential secretary. Stock
market crash! The Colombo stockmarket began its downward spiral on Thursday, when it became apparent that rebel Tamil Tigers in the North and East of the country were boycotting the election. LTTE boycott The lack of votes from the north was seen as a severe blow for the opposition leader. Mr Wickramasinghe's willingness to embrace free market policies in order to encourage local and foreign investment had attracted widespread approval from Colombo's business community. But the prospect of a government led by the Prime Minister Rajapakse caused unease - amid fears his Nationalist allies could undermine the economic reform process. Panic selling early in the day eased off later, as bargain hunters moved in. And despite the dramatic falls, analysts remain confident the pessimism will be short-lived. Short-term reaction Asanga Senaviratne, Chief Executive of Brokerage firm Asia Securities said, "The market was initially down nine percent but it has picked up and it's down seven percent. My personal feeling is that it's only a knee-jerk reaction and the market will gain back to the levels that it was, very very quickly, because the fundamentals are very good and I don't think Rajapakse administration is going to be any different from what we have seen with the Bandaranaike administration." The new president will take office over the weekend, and the Colombo exchange is expected to begin the new week in a calmer mood. Meanwhile many commentators believe that investors' worst fears are unlikely to be realised. Sri Lanka remains dependent on foreign goodwill to help rebuild an economy damaged by years of civil war. As a result, the president is expected to take a pragmatic approach to economic policy - and resist the urge for dramatic change. LTTE warns Mahinda The LTTE yesterday warned President-elect Mahinda Rajapakse of the dangers of any move to break the country's three-year-old ceasefire. "If they try to use military means to occupy our land or wage a conflict it will have negative implications for the other side," LTTE political wing leader S.P. Thamilselvan, told BBC. "We hope that they will understand the reality." In his victory speech in Colombo, Mr Rajapakse promised to bring "an honourable peace to the country". How he aims to do that is not clear. In his campaign he criticised his main rival for making too many concessions to the LTTE. Mr Thamilselvan said Mr Rajapakse was adopting the wrong strategy in promising to take a hard line with the Tigers. The Sinhala leadership, he said, should try to understand and address the political aspirations of the Tamil people. For his election campaign, Mr Rajapakse secured the support of the JVP and the JHU. Both these parties have been urging the government and the public to take a tougher stance against the Tigers. Mr Thamilselvan said he understood the promises made by the Sinhala politicians during the elections but now they should try to understand the ground situation. "Whoever comes to power they should try to address the political aspirations of the Tamils," he said. Norway offers to continue Sri Lanka Peace role Congratulating the newly elected Sri Lankan President
Mr. Mahinda Rajapakse, the Norwegian Minister of International Development,
Mr. Erik Solheim, Friday said that the Norwegian goverment was looking
forward to continuing its close cooperation with the new president and
the Government of Sri Lanka in a wide range of areas, including support
for the peace process. "Norway remains willing to facilitate the
peace process in Sri Lanka for as long as the two parties request such
assistance, and for as long as it is possible for Norway to play a constructive
role," Solheim was quoted in a press release issued by the Norwegian
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Friday. No.: 204/2005 Norwegian Minister of International Development Congratulates Sri Lankan President-Elect Mahinda Rajapakse Norwegian Minister of International Development Erik Solheim warmly congratulates Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse on his election as President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. Solheim said that “the Norwegian government looks forward to continuing our close cooperation with the new president and the Government of Sri Lanka in a wide range of areas, including support for efforts to achieve a lasting peace that inspires confidence in all Sri Lankans.” Noting that Mr. Rajapakse had received a mandate from voters to work towards a negotiated political settlement of the conflict, Solheim extended assurances of strong international support as the new president grasps the key challenges of preserving the ceasefire with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and taking forward the peace process. “The Government of Norway is deeply committed to promoting peace and reconciliation internationally,” Solheim said. “Norway remains willing to facilitate the peace process in Sri Lanka for as long as the two parties request such assistance, and for as long as it is possible for Norway to play a constructive role.” Solheim has responsibility for support for the peace process within the Norwegian government. Pt. Pedro Sergeant Attacked A Pt. Pedro Police Sergeant at the EPDP party office was shot and injured by an unidentified gunman alleged to be an LTTE pistol gang member yesterday morning. The victim PS Wickremesinghe (10847) was on duty when the assailants had come on a motorcycle and fired at him. The Sergeant was wounded on his left arm and chest and rushed to Pt. Pedro hospital . Jayaratne
claims premiership Jayaratne told BBC Sandeshaya that the party would, however, have to revise an earlier decision to appoint Foreign Minister Anura Bandaranaike as the prime minister, if Rajapakse elected president. Trade minister Jeyaraj Fernandopullai said that many senior party members oppose appointing President Chandrika Kumaratunga’s brother as the country’s next prime minister. “Anura Bandaranaike did not work for Rajapakse’s victory. He wished Rajapakse be defeated in Thurday’s polls,” he told bbcsinhala.com. Senior SLFP sources told the BBC that Rajapakse’s campaign manager Mangala Samaraweera is not considered as a contender for Sri Lanka's head of parliament. Clinton here on November 29 US former president Bill Clinton plans to return to Sri Lanka and Indonesia in his role as UN special envoy for tsunami relief to assess recovery efforts since last December's deadly earthquake and tsunami, his office said Thursday. Clinton will visit Colombo on November 29 and the Indonesian province of Aceh the following day, it added in a statement. It will be Clinton's second trip to the region as UN special envoy for tsunami recovery. He visited Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives last May. The former US leader will then travel to Brussels on December 1 to report back to the European Commission, discuss ongoing needs in the recovery efforts and coordination between the European Commission and other key players. In both Sri Lanka and Indonesia, Clinton will meet all concerned parties, including the Government, civil society, affected communities, UN officials, donors and members of the private sector to assess the current status of the recovery effort and address existing challenges. As special envoy, Clinton has brought together senior officials from the UN, the World Bank, non-Governmental organisations and the private sector both in the United States and Europe. The massive quake measuring more than 9.0 on the Richter scale sent a shockwave across the Indian Ocean last December 26, unleashing tsunamis speeding at up to 700 kilometres per hour in every direction. TNA says new President has to define his stance on ethnic issue The Tamil National Alliance yesterday said they were waiting for the new President to define his stance on the ethnic issue and would be “closely watching” him prior to deciding their next step on the peace effort. TNA leader R. Sampanthan told the Daily Mirror yesterday: “Let the new President go public on his stand regarding the peace bid. Let him get going with the matter knowing that Sri Lanka is a multi-religious, multi-ethnic and multi-lingual country”. Calling Mr. Rajapakse a “nice person” Sampanthan said it is up to him to decide on the direction of the peace process despite the involvement of “chauvinist elements like the JVP and the JHU”. “He is a leader elected by the Sinhala Buddhist of the country. But he should bear in mind that there are minorities representing various other religions and ethnic groups as well”, Mr. Sampanthan said. Asked whether the LTTE and the TNA were responsible for depriving the Northern Tamil of their right to vote by adopting a neutral stand on the election and sending the indirect message to boycott election, he said “ the low voter turnout in North reflected their grave sense of disappointment of the government”. Despite some 701,938 registered votes in Jaffna district, only a paltry 8524 voter turn out was recorded. In Wanni the registered voters was 250,386 but the total polled was only 85,874. He noted apart for the cease-fire agreement there was hardly anything the successive Southern governments had offered to the Tamil community. Asked whether he considered Rajapakse to be a better leader than Wickremesinghe, he refused a comment other than to say that Wickremesinghe had a “progressive policy with regard to the minorities in the country”. Mr. Sampanthan said the party would meet the LTTE to discuss on the peace matter after the President takes a firm stand on the matter. MTV journalist threatened JOURNALIST Jeyaratnam Sri Ranga of the MTV/MBC Channel (Pvt) Limited and his family members have been threatened for the past several months by unidentified persons. This has been brought to Inspector General of Police Chandra Fernando's notice by the Maharaja Organisation Group Director Priyantha Serasinghe. According to a press release by the Maharaja Group Ltd., there are certain groups trying to pressurise the independent media to achieve their personal objectives. "It is important for the public to be alerted on this intimidation to journalist Sri Ranga and his family members as this could affect the independence of the media, the release said. Journalist Sri Ranga is popular with the Sri Lankan political circle for his Television programme over MTV, Minnal and Shakthi FM programme Erimalai. He has also interviewed several foreign dignitaries including former Prime Ministers of India, Norway and Foreign Ministers of several countries. 18 November 2005 Rajapakse wins Lankan presidential polls Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse has won the presidential election by a narrow margin. Rajapakse, received 4.88 million votes or 50.29 per cent of the total 9.7 million valid votes cast, said A D de Silva, a member of the Election Commission. Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe who received 4.70 million or 48.38 per cent, has demanded a partial recount of the votes. The poll marks the end of President Chandrika Kumaratunga's tenure, which began in 1994. Pledge for peace Rajapakse, a hard-liner toward Tamil Tiger rebels, is a self-proclaimed "proud son of Sri Lanka" who campaigned on the simple message that his country must remain whole. To demands by the rebel Tamil Tigers for autonomy in their strongholds, Rajapakse says he will never give in. Instead, he has promised to deliver what could be described as an uncompromising peace. To those who want to further liberalise the island nation's economy, the Prime Minister says his country is not for sale. Rather, he has suggested a dose of protectionism may be in store. His populist messages appear to have won him wide support among the country's Sinhalese majority. They may have also helped him secure victory over Wickremesinghe, who was overwhelmingly supported by Sri Lanka's Tamil and Muslim minorities. Violence continues As echoed by newspapers and people in the street, voters in the north and east - territory of the feared Tamil Tiger rebels - had to face grenade attacks, roadblocks and fear, which prevented many Tamils from voting. Later on Friday, it was reported that suspected Tamil rebels had thrown grenades into a mosque, killing four and injuring ten people. Others heeded a boycott called by pro-rebel groups that complained that neither of the main candidates would help them win a homeland in northeastern Sri Lanka. The Tamils, whose plight is at the heart of a civil war that has lasted more than two decades, make up just under 20 per cent of Sri Lanka's 19 million people but were potentially pivotal in the tightly contested election. The political leader of the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) said there was a sense of apathy among Tamil people. The race pitted hardline Rajapakse against dovish opposition leader Wickremesinghe, whose softer line on peace talks with the rebels won him wide support among Tamils, a largely Hindu minority. Low turnout No polling stations were set up in Tiger strongholds because of security concerns. But the government set up special voting booths on the edge of insurgent territory to accommodate the more than 200-thousand voters who live behind rebel lines. However, officials said roadblocks and intimidation kept most from making it out of rebel territory to vote. Turnout was less than one per cent in and around the northern Tamil city of Jaffna - the lowest ever in any of the Indian Ocean country's twenty-two districts. Grenade blasts forced European Union observers to pull out of the eastern city of Batticaloa, the scene of frequent clashes between the Tigers and breakaway rebel factions. S. Lanka opposition demands partial repeat of vote - Reuters Sri Lanka's main opposition party formally requested on Friday a repeat of the presidential election in the north and east of the island, where a rebel boycott seriously undermined voting. Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe narrowly lost Thursday's election, partly because of the boycott called by Tamil Tiger rebels, which kept away voters from the Tamil minority who had been expected to vote for him. Party officials said they had handed over a letter to the Elections Commissioner on Friday morning requesting a new vote in polling stations where voters had been intimidated or their democratic rights compromised by the boycott. Six Muslim worshippers killed in grenade attack on Mosque in Akkaraipattu Unidentifed assailants lobbed two grenades into the Akkaraipattu Jummah Mosque killing six Muslim worshippers Friday early morning at 5:45 a.m. At least eighteen worshippers were wounded. Two victims died on the spot and the other four succumbed to their wounds at Akkaraipattu and Amparai Hospitals, medical sources said. Tension prevails in Akkaraipattu, 64 km south of Batticaloa town. The assailants hurled grenades on the floor of the moque crowded with devotees attending Jummah prayers Friday morning. Mr. Ibraheem, 36, Mr. Abubaker, 60, were the victims who died on the spot. Mr. M.I.M Mustafa and Mr. Noordeen were two of the victims who succmbed to their wounds. Names of the other two victims were not available at the moment. Wounded persons were rushed Akkaraipattu Hopital. Two victims succumbed to their wounds at Akkaraipattu Hospital and the other two died at Amparai Hospital, sources added. Additional troops and police were sent to the site, police said. Tamil civilians living in the border area were seen leaving their houses fearing a communal backlash following the incident. The Mosque is located on Akkaraipattu-Amparai Road. S.Lanka PM claims victory in presidential poll Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse claimed victory on Friday in Sri Lanka‘s presidential poll after taking a slim lead with more than half of votes counted, his office said. "The prime minister‘s election office is announcing that Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse has won the election for the fifth executive president of the country," Rajapakse‘s media secretary Chandrapala Liyanage told Reuters, reading a victory statement. "The Prime Minister‘s office requests everyone to peacefully celebrate this people‘s victory," the statement added. With more than 6 million votes counted by 0220 GMT, Rajapakse had secured 3,289,473 votes or 50.7 percent, just ahead of main opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe with 3,121,106 votes or 48.1 percent. Analysts said a boycott of Thursday‘s election enforced by Tamil Tiger rebels in the north and the east had helped swing the vote away from the more moderate Wickremesinghe toward the hawkish Rajapakse. Tamil Eelam TV coverage extended for Heroes Day National Television of Thamil Eelam (NTT) will extend
coverage during Heroes day celebrations on the 27 November from 5.00 p.m.
to 7.30 p.m, Tamileelam time, and will broadcast live the speech of LTTE
Leader Pirapaharan, media unit of the Liberation Tigers said from Kilinochchi.
The NTT official added that the Paris based Tamil Television Network (TTN) will relay the daily broadcast to their audiences in Europe between 8.30 pm and 10.00 p.m. 17 November 2005 Polling begins in Sri Lanka; low voting in North-East Sri Lankans began voting today amid tight security to elect their new president. The voting started at 7.00 am (local time) and in Colombo, people were seen waiting to vote in long queues, while reports from the North-East say that the polling was very dull with only few people coming to vote. However, the poll monitors are confident that the situation would improve before the poll ends at 4.00 pm. 13.3 million voters are eligible to vote at 10,486 polling stations island-wide, including 233 cluster polling stations set up in certain parts in the North-East for the people in the LTTE-held areas to vote. Police department sources said over 85000 police personnel were on duty to protect the polling booths and to ensure a free and fair election island-wide. Over 150,000 public servants were deployed for election duty. Both the local and foreign monitors have deployed over 22,000 monitors to observe the poll, which are generally marred high-pitch by violence. ''People are exercising their franchise today. The poll has been peaceful so far. I am confident of victory,'' a confident-looking Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, one of the main contenders in the 13-member fray, told reporters at a polling both in Colombo after casting his vote this morning. Accompanied by his wife, Maitri, Mr Wickremesinghe said the people were voting for him considering three main issues - hunger, unemployment and peace. ''I am told that people are coming out from the LTTE-controlled areas to vote in the government-held areas. I will win with a good margin of 300,000 to 400,000 votes. I know I am going to win let's see how the votes are coming,'' he said. He said that speaking with the other major party in the South, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) ''to take forward the peace process with the LTTE would be my first priority when I am elected''. Asked whether he would dissolve the existing parliament, where the ruling Freedom Alliance has lost its majority, Mr Wickremesinghe said: ''I will speak to the SLFP and decide whether to dissolve the existing parliament and go for parliament election''. Although thirteen candidates are running, the vote is seen as a straight contest between Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse and Mr Wickremesinghe. Prime Minister Rajapakse cast his vote at his electorate at Beliyatte electorate in the Hambantota district. Both the main candidates were provided heady security amidst reports of threat to their lives. Despite the fact that the Tamil Tiger rebels had announced last week that the organisation had decided to allow the Tamil speaking people in the North-East to decide for themselves with regard to taking part in the election although the forthcoming poll was ''totally irrelevant to the Tamil people'', several front organisations of the LTTE had called for boycotting the poll and observe it a mourning day instead, as a mark of protest. The Tamil Students' Consortium, Consortium of Public Organisations (CPO) and Makkal Padai (People's Force) were few such organisations which had distributed leaflets among the people in North-East urging them to remain indoors and to hoist black flags at their homes to demonstrate that they ''are not interested in the power struggle between the Sinhala political leadership in the South''. TNA
: No change in LTTE strategy There have been media reports that the Tigers have changed their initial strategy to boycott the elections and making arrangements for the voters to travel to the cluster polling booths in the government-controlled areas. Transport arrangements But the MP, speaking after travelling to the rebel-held areas and meeting Jaffna district LTTE political wing leader Ilamparithi, said the media reports are simply not true. “There is no need to arrange buses that early. LTTE can make transport arrangements even Wednesday evening, if they so willing,” Sivajilingam told bbcsinhala.com. He said there has not been any change to the initially agreed policy of actively not participating in the elections. “The LTTE has not announced any change to the agreed policy with political wing leader SP Tamilselvan on 10 November.” He said the TNA and the Tamil Tigers expect that the 95 percent of the Tamil voters in the North and East will boycott the Thursday’s elections as a protest. The parliamentarian added that, however, that the LTTE will not prevent those voters who are willing to participate in the democratic process. Ex-TELO cadre shot dead in Valaichenai Unidentified gunmen riding in a van kidnapped Mr. Rajmohan Seenithamby, 38, at 1:00 p.m Wednesday, Police said. The victim was found shot dead two hours later at a road junction on Punanai School Road. The victim forced into the van while he was on his way to vist his mother in Pethalai Kannan village, residents said.The incident took place in Valaichenai, 32 km north of Batticaloa. Polls violence: 235 incidents, three attempted killings A total of 235 incidents of election violence have been reported since September 22. PAFFREL and DIG Elections said that except for three attempted killings, most of the incidents were of a minor nature. Up to yesterday 170 persons were arrested for violations and produced in court. Incidents have been reported from Tangalle, Matara, Weligama, Galle, Ambalangoda, Elpitiya, Kalutara, Matugama, Bulathsinhala, Badulla, Moneragala, Bandarawela, Kandy Matale, Anuradhapura, Puttalam, Katuneriya, Gampaha, Jaela, Wattala and Colombo. The latest incident was reported from Yatiyana in Matara where former Sri Lankan cricketer Pramodya Wickremesinghe and a group allegedly attacked SLFP supporters. At Weligama three PA supporters were arrested with several anti-UNP and pro-SLFP posters. IGP Chandra Fernando said all security measures had been put in place with 60,000 policemen on election duty and two policemen assigned to each polling booth. Several road blocks and special mobile patrols are to be put on the roads. Police have been instructed to arrest under age persons who come to vote at cluster booths as EU polls observers had reported in 1999 that several under age persons had cast votes in the North and East. Police have also been instructed to shoot troublemakers at or near polling booths. Meanwhile several incidents were reported in the eastern range last night. A hand grenade was hurled at a polling booth at Inridiyapuram in Batticaloa around 8.45pm yesterday and three soldiers who had been deployed at the polling booth were severely injured. The casualties were rushed to the Batticaloa hospital. Batticaloa police said the party responsible for the attack was yet to be established while the security in the area had been strengthened. Policeman shot dead in Kalmunai An unidentified assailant shot and killed a Police Constable,
Mr. Ranjithkumar, 28, Wednesday morning in Kalmunai, 35 km south of Batticaloa.
The incident took place near Kalmunai police station in front of NSB Bank
at 11:45 a.m. The assailant shot the constable with a 9 mm handgun and
escaped in a motorbike, police said. Bridge
between Talaimannar and India "After winning the presidential election I will meet the Indian President and his government and discuss the possibility of constructing the bridge between Talaimannar and India, which even the Indian government is interested in. It will also help to increase solidarity between the two countries" said the leader of the opposition Ranil Wickramasinghe MP addressing a public rally held at the free trade zone on Sunday organised by the Biyagama electorate organiser Ruwan Wijewardena. Continuing he said "After taking the oath, I will consult Chandrika Kumaratunga and the SLFP and invite them to join the UNP and form a cabinet with them if willing, with a view to find a solution based on an unified state. Biyagama electorate had only two industries which provided employment to a large number of males and females. As a minister I requested the president J. R. Jayawardena to start a free trade zone and appoint a committee. This committee’s report was rejected but I persuaded and appointed engineers and consultants and reviewed the report and then I was given permission to start work. As a result more than seventy five industrial factories were opened and today millions of people are enjoying the benefits of this project." Today the prime minister accuses me of dividing the country where as the SLFP and the president praising the ceasefire and peace process, Samaraweera and others are opposing it. the Tamil population is now willing to discuss and to come to a solution. The present cost of living is very high, we will take immediate steps to bring down the COL and fertilizer will be given at 550 rupees per 50 kg bag and prices of essential items will also be reduced. It you want to get employment vote for me, if you want food for hunger vote for me, and to seek a remedy for division then you vote for me, and I promise to fullfil. What I say I will do, what I said I have done" concluded the UNP leader. The deputy leader of the UNP Karu Jayasuriya MP said, that in this election it is definite that Ranil Wickramasinghe will easily win without any difficulty as our former leaders have done yeoman services. D. S. Senanayake who was known as the father of the nation has developed the Galoya Scheme and developed the agricultural sector. R. Premadasa developed the garment industry and provided employment through out the country and housing schemes every where. Gamini Dissanayake developed the Mahaweli scheme and the former UNP leaders plans are still to be achieved which will be commenced with the presidentship of Ranil Wickramasinghe. Home guards shot in Welikanda, one dead, one wounded Unidentified gunmen shot two home guards killing one and wounding the other in Sorivil Wednesday morning around 9:00 a.m, Aralaganwila police said. Sorivil, located 70 km northwest of Batticaloa and 8 km from Mannampitiya, is an interior village in the Polannaruwa district along the Batticaloa-Polannaruwa road. The gunmen have used a T-56 rifle to gun down Mr. Sunantha Pathmakumar, 27.The wounded home guard, Mr. W. Premathilake, 23, was admitted at Polannaruwa Hospital, Police said.The paramilitary cadres of Karuna Group and the ENDLF Group are known to operate their camps in Welikanda. Frenchman shot by prison guard A prison guard Tuesday night shot and wounded a French national, who allegedly jumped over the wall of the high security Welikada prison. He had been admitted to the Colombo National Hospital. A senior official said that the foreigner was arrested early this week after he bit the hand of a policeman at the Bandaranaike International Airport. The suspect had been first admitted to the Angoda Mental Hospital before being moved to the Welikada prisons hospital. Authorities said that the foreigner jumped over the wall and run away. He attacked a guard who tried to detain him, they said adding the man was shot as he refused to surrender. Two Muslim businessmen shot in Kalmunai, one dead Unidentified gunmen shot and killed a Muslim businessman, Mr. Ahammad Lebbe Thaheer, 42, Wednesday around 7:30 p.m. at Natpittymunai in Kalmunai, north of Amparai town. Another Muslim businessman, shot and wounded in a separate incident at 8:15 p.m. in Maruthamunai in Kalmunai, was rushed to Kalmunai Ashraff Memorial Hospital, Police said. Mr. Ahammad Lebbe Thaheer was standing in front of his residence on Kiddanki Road when he was shot and killed by two unidentified gunmen who were riding in a motorbike, Police said.Kalmunai is located 39 km south of Batticaloa. 'Nawa Peraliya' newspaper office set on fire The office of the weekly tabloid 'Nawa Peraliya' was torched by an unidentified group last night. An adjoining ?Link Free? office has also been destroyed in the fire. The group broke open the gate and door of the newspaper office and had set it ablaze.Nobody was inside the office at the time of the incident and no arrests have been made so far.The newspaper was highly critical of the government and the JVP and came under an arsonattack on an earlier occasion as well. Two grenade attacks in Batticaloa, 3 SLA soldiers, policemen wounded Three Sri Lanka Army soldiers were rushed to Batticaloa Hospital with serious injuries following a grenade attack at them in Iruthayapuram 2 km north of Batticaloa town at 8:10 p.m. Wednesday, police said. At least two policeman were wounded in a separate grenade attack in Manmunai, 7 km south of Batticaloa.The SLA soldiers injured in the grenade attack in Iruthayapuram, W.G.K Chandrasena, 20, Monoj Indika, 20, P.S.P Pathirana, 20, were attached to Kallady SLA camp.The wounded polcemen were also rushed to Batticaloa Hospital, police said adding that there could be more than two policemen injured in the incident.Further details are not available at the moment. Deserters jump Army prison Twelve soldiers who were imprisoned in the Boyagane Army camp in Kurunegala have reportedly escaped early yesterday. The twelve prisoners are Army deserters arrested by the Military Police and awaiting court martial. Speaking on condition of anonymity a senior Army officer said an inquiry is on to find out how they escaped. Wayamba DIG Asoka Ratnaweera said he has started a special operation to re-arrest the deserters. As the Presidential election is imminent special attention is being paid to this escape, he said. Meawnhile, the UNP yesterday claimed the escape of 12 army deserters from the Boyagane camp was an elaborate ploy by the UPFA to rig today’s Presidential poll. Addressing a news conference in Colombo, UNP frontliner G. L. Peiris said such acts were committed in desperation despite the armed forces and the police taking a tough stand to curb violence. “The UPFA is now desperate having realised that defeat is imminent and it’s trying to unleash violence in several areas in the country,” Prof. Peiris said. Jaffna undergrads burn Mahinda, Ranil effigies Jaffna university students burnt effigies of the two main Presidential candidates Mahinda Rajapakse and Ranil Wickremesinghe at Thirunelveli junction in Jaffna yesterday morning while some of them lit fire crackers. The students had chanted slogans saying that they had no faith in the political leadership in the South. Meanwhile, a security officer of the Chavakachcheri EPDP office was injured in a hand grenade attack last afternoon. Grenade attacks escalate in Batticaloa A grenade attack was reported in Batticaloa at Koolavady
junction on Boundary Road Wednesday night around 8:15 p.m. A Sri Lanka
Army soldier and a policman were wounded in the incident, police said.
Another blast was reported in Chenkalady, Eravur around 9:15 p.m. Casualty
details from Eravur incident were not available at the moment. Tension
prevailed in Batticaloa and Amparai districts. Jaffna election irregularities on voting eve Reports from Jaffna reveal intimidating and underhand
activities of the Eelam People Democratic Party (EPDP) cadres in organising
vote-rigging in Sri Lanka Presidential election. Groups of armed EPDP
cadres were seen visiting house to house forcibly collecting the 'ballot-tokens'
from residents in islets off Jaffna peninsula, TamilNet learns. With armed
protection from the State armed forces, Douglas Devananda's EPDP is holding
unannounced short-meetings at market places and actively campaigning for
Mahinda Rajapakse, the candidate of the ruling party. Meanwhile, military sources in Jaffna have confirmed
in anonymity, that two military vehicles were used to transport ballot
papers from Palaly to an undisclosed destination in Jaffna. With divided
loyalties in Jaffna among the military personnel between Mahinda Rajapakse
and Ranil Wickremasinghe, there is an air of tension in the military camps,
the sources added. During the visit of Prime Minister Rajapakse's visit to Jaffna, EPDP invited volunteer teachers in Jaffna to its Sridhar Theatre head quarters promising "Bright future," only to take them clandestinely to Nadeswara College in the high security zone in Kankesanturai where Rajapakse's propaganda meeting was held. EPDP sent similar letters to office bearers of Community Centers and other Public organizations in Jaffna District baiting them with "Consideration of allocation of funds" to lure them to Sridhar theatre for bus trip to Nadeswara college. They had requested each organization to bring atleast five officials to a meeting "to discuss creative opportunities for development of [your] organization." EPDP is a paramilitary group and political party in UPFA alliance. The anti-LTTE group's cadres collaborate with the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) intelligence in the SLA controlled areas and Colombo. 16 November 2005 War or Peace will decide on 17th - Ranil 'The Choice is clear when Sri Lankans head to the polling station on 17th November ? what people should decide is if they want war or peace in the country' said UNP Presidential candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe who addressed his final political rallies yesterday in Matara, kalutara, Moratuwa and Colombo. Ranil said voting for Mahinda means the country dragging into a war and Vote for Ranil is for peace and prosperity for all Sri Lankans. The UNP Leader said as the fifth President of Sri Lanka he would adopt a new approach to take the country forward by ensuring the rights of all communities. Massive crowds thronged to these meetings yesterday as it has been the case in the entire campaign trail in all corner of Sri Lanka in the last few months. Addressing the meetings Ranil further said that he will strengthen the permanent ceasefire agreement and peace process would be taken forward and he will dedicate himself for that purpose. 'I will be the President of all Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim, Malay and Burgher people under one National Flag in this country after winning the election.' Mr. Wickremesinghe said he would bring peace and economic prosperity to the country so that the people could live without fear after he took over the mantle of the Presidency and for this he appealed to the people to give him a mandate. Ranil further said that he is confident that he can end hunger, provide jobs based on skills, and prevent separatism in Sri Lanka. But Ranil said after 19 months of Rata Perata government of Mahinda Rajapaksa and extremists JVP has proven to the people that they have no such programs to address the burning issues of the country. He said 'the main objective of Mahinda Rajapakse and the JVP is to defeat me and not defeat hunger and joblessness and this is the reason why people will vote for me'. All Sri Lankans he said would support him regardless of their religion and nationality to implement his development programs and the international community support him as done at the end of Tokyo conference where he got US$ 4.5 billion for reconstruction and development of Sri Lanka. Two LTTE cadres shot dead in Valaichenai Unidentified assailants shot and killed two Liberation Tigers cadres at Palainagar Junction on Batticaloa Polannaruwa road, 5 km north of Batticaloa Wednesday morning at 4:00 a.m. The bodies of the two cadres with their hands tied to their backs were handed over to Valaichenai Hospital by the Sri Lankan Police. Names of the dead were not available at the moment. Valaichenai is located 32 km north of Batticaloa. LTTE reverses decision, Tamils told to go to polls In an abrupt turn of face, the LTTE has reportedly decided to fully encourage the people of the north and east to exercise their franchise at tomorrow’s presidential poll. LTTE Leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, Political Wing Leader S.P. Tamilselvan and other senior LTTE members reached their final decision on the poll in Kilinochchi late Tuesday, with 48 hours to go, the Daily Mirror learns. Reports indicate the LTTE has decided to put all systems in place in the north and east in both cleared and uncleared areas to enable the people to cast their ballot tomorrow, an LTTE peace secretariat spokesman said yesterday. But LTTE spokesman Daya Master said yesterday there was no change in the earlier stance and TNA leader R. Sampanthan when asked to comment on the new move said he had no information but would be able to comment later. However, UPF leader P. Chandrasekeran who visited Kilinochchi yesterday said he had information that the LTTE’s top leadership had met on Monday night and would be meeting again last night to decide whether they should give a signal to the people to vote in large numbers at tomorrow’s presidential election. The decision follows a statement made by LTTE renegade commander Karuna Amman on Tuesday urging people to vote for the UPFA candidate and also speculation that paramilitary groups and UPFA coalition parties would rig the polls if there was a boycott, thereby distorting the Tamil vote in the northeast. The LTTE has, however, declined to tell the people which candidate to vote for, but is encouraging people to vote in their numbers based on their own choice for president. The LTTE has instructed TNA parliamentarians to make arrangements to transport voters from uncleared areas to cluster polling booths located in government areas tomorrow to vote. Sources in the east also told the Daily Mirror that LTTE members were going door to door in Batticaloa and urging people to cast their ballots. The sources also confirmed that propaganda vehicles had done the rounds in all areas under the LTTE control, calling on the people of the northeast to cast their vote at tomorrow’s election. None of the announcements carried messages about who to vote for, however, the reports said. Accordingly, some 500,000 people living in LTTE-controlled areas are expected to cast their ballot at tomorrow’s election with the blessings of the rebel organisation. The Elections Commissioner has been instructed by a Supreme Court order to establish cluster polling booths one kilometre from the government line of control in cleared areas and voters will be transported to the booths. With the LTTE being indifferent to the poll so far, the issue of transport to the polling booths was a major hurdle for voters in areas under the organisation’s control. However, as of Tuesday night, this obstacle has been removed and a higher voter turnout is expected in the northeast tomorrow. A TNA MP said they were aware of plans by certain groups to rig the northeast poll and were taking measures to prevent this. TRO office in Batticaloa attacked Two unidentified assailants lobbed grenades at the Batticaloa office of the Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO) Wednesday morning around 6:15 a.m., causing damage to the computer section of the TRO office, three tractors and a bus parked outside the office, Batticaloa Police said. The Batticaloa office of the TRO located within 100 meters from two Sri Lanka Army sentries, has been the target of unidentified attackers for the third time this year. Sinhalese person shot dead in Trincomalee Unidentified men shot dead a Sinhalese person in Palaiyootru,
a suburb in the Trincomalee town, and the Uppuveli Police Tuesday night
recovered the body in the shrub jungle in the area. The body was taken
to the mortuary of the Trincomalee general hospital for identification
and inquest, police said. EPDP cadre shot, injured in Kayts N Kumaran (31), a senior cadre of the Eelam Peoples Democratic
Front (EPDP) sustained severe injuries to his head when unknown gunmen
fired at him and his fellow cadres while they were distributing propaganda
leaflets in support of Sri Lanka presidential contestant, Mahinda Rajapakse,
in Kayts, Jaffna, a 1.30 p.m.Tuesday. The incident happened near the EPDP offices by the Little flower school in Kayts. Unidentified aircraft comes down in Puttalam search operation was launched off the Puttlam sea by the Navy yesterday evening, after fishermen informed the police that they had seen something like a light aircraft crashing into the sea, military sources said. They said Navy Dvora craft conducted extensive searches after the reports came in around 1 p.m. but no clues or signs like oil patches were found. Air Force personnel were also sent to the area and recorded statements from fishermen. An SLAF spokesman said no light aircraft or helicopter of the SLAF had gone to the area and all its aircraft were accounted for. Srilankan police harass people who go to lodge complaints People in Jaffna say that when they go to police station to lodge complaints, they are extremely annoyed by the harassment of the police. Jaffna is under the Srilankan army’s tight control. Recently LTTE cardres who were doing political work were withdrawn from Jaffna because of the threat to their security. When the LTTE cardres were in the Jaffna district, people also complained to them but now people have no other authorities except the Sri Lankan police to whom they can lodge a complaint. As a result incidents of crime are increasing in Jaffna. In this circumstance people have to go to the Srilankan police station to get justice. But there they are treated very indecently and humiliating words are used in Sinhala. People arrested for minor crimes have reported police brutality against them This is preventing people from lodging complaints with the police, the only remaining law and order authority in the district. People say that this will only worsen the law and order situation in the Jaffna district. Defence Ministry stops airlifting of army deserters to north The Defence Ministry has taken immediate action to stop the airlifting of some 300 Army deserters to the north on a request made by UNP General Secretary N. V. K. K. Weragoda, party sources said last night. The UNP made the request to President Chandrika Kumaratunga and the Defence Ministry after it heard of plans to airlift 300 army deserters to the north to create disturbances and disrupt the polls, they said. They said money had been paid to an airline to airlift the 300 deserters and the party had sent Defence Secretary Asoka Jayawardena a list of the names and photographs of those who were to be sent. The UNP also made a similar complaint to Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake and asked him to take action. Meanwhile, the UNP yesterday called for tight security to protect voters in the north. Party spokesman G. L. Peiris addressing a news conference called upon the people to protect their right to vote and defeat those who were trying to disrupt tomorrow’s presidential election. Prof. Peiris accused the JVP of trying to rig the polls and create trouble as it did in the past. He charged that some 300 army deserters had been mobilised by the JVP to disrupt the polls in the north and other parts of the country. In an upbeat mood, he said the victory of UNP presidential candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe was almost sure. UNP frontliner Bandula Gunawardene told the news conference that though the campaign upto now had been relatively peaceful, the party feared certain elements were trying to create trouble and disrupt the polls. Five Tamil youths arrested by SL troops in East Sri Lankan Special Task Force (STF) soldiers arrested
three Tamil youths at Paddiriuppu Bridge in Kaluwanchikudy, 24 km south
of Batticaloa, and the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers arrested two Tamil
youths at Black Bridge in Chenkalady, 13 km north of Batticaloa Monday.
However, the Police in Eravur is yet to confirm the arrest of the two
Tamil youths from Kaluwanchikudy, parents said. Kaluwanchikudy police confirmed that the STF soldiers at Paddiruppu Bridge have arrested three Tamil youths and said that the STF soldiers handed over mobile phones and a vehicle used by the youths to the police. Mr. Rojan Jeyakanthan, 33, from Kallaru, Mr. Yogarajah Rasamanikkam, 28, from Akkaraipattu and Mr. Pragasam Sathyamoorthy, 24, from Batticaloa, were the three youths arrested by the STF soldiers, Kaluwanchikudy Police said. US Senate resolution urges all parties to work for peace Two of the most powerful senators in the US Congress, Republican Senator John McCain and Democratic Senator Joseph Biden Jr., co-sponsored a bi-partisan resolution in the US senate on Monday in support of Sri Lanka, Washington sources told the Daily Mirror. Expressing hope that tomorrow’s presidential polls would be free and fair, the resolution moved by Arizona senator McCain and Delaware senator Biden commends the government of Sri Lanka for the “brave decision” to continue with the peace process even after the brutal assassination of Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar. The assassination is widely blamed on the LTTE by the officials in Sri Lankan, US and other governments. The resolution, which was moved just two days prior to the crucial presidential polls, urges “all domestic parties in Sri Lanka” to remain committed to the negotiation process and make every possible move towards national reconciliation. While calling for foreign governments, private individuals or groups to support and respect the democratic process of elections in Sri Lanka, the resolution also advocates that these groups “blunt the force of extremist groups representing all points on the political, ethnic and ideological spectrum”. The resolution also maintains that the US is aware of the presence of “non-democratic foreign powers and private sources” that have reportedly been funding and patronizing various political groups in Sri Lanka including the “extremist Sinhalese and extremist Tamil parties or groups”. On the November 17 polls the resolution reads that the US hopes “it will be free from interference and intimidation by non-democratic outside parties”. In 2003, the same senators — Mr. McCain and Mr. Biden — moved support for the proposed US-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (FTA) which is now in the pipeline. Body recovered from Varany Temple well Partially clothed body of a man around 40 years old was
found in a well at the premises of Chuttipuram Amman Kovil in Varani,
Jaffna along the Kodikamam-Point Pedro road, sources in Jaffna said. The
yet unidentified body was recovered by Kodikamam Police and has been transferred
to the Jaffna Teaching Hospital for postmortem examinations. Cause of death has not been determined. Kodikamam Police are conducting investigations.
EPDP leader Devananda appeals to Tamils to oppose oppressive forces EPDP leader Douglas Devananda in a last minute appeal to Tamil-speaking people said it was in the hands of the people to exercise their power and rise up against oppressive forces. He said, “You have the power to use your ballot – the biggest non-violent weapon in your hands. There is all the possibility of advancing ahead with Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa who has accepted our three-stage peace proposal.” He also said he did not believe in remaining neutral at this juncture because the ballot can serve the Tamils better than the bullet. “As a matter of fundamental principle, EPDP gave up the bullet for the ballot. We did so because EPDP believes that it can achieve through the ballot goals that cannot be achieved through the bullet, particularly in the current context of world turning against violent politics. If the EPDP decides to boycott or abandon the ballot, the next option is to go for the bullet. We do not believe in the myth of being neutral. We believe that it is in the best interest of our people to use ballot and not the bullet. This is the primary reason why we decided to participate in this election,” he said. “It is the duty of those who take on the responsibility of giving leadership to the people to guide them in the right direction, particularly in times of crises when people are at crossroads trying to decide which path they should take to the future. Leadership that fails or refuses to give directions at a time when the people need to know the road to the future is not serving the people. To use the people for self-serving political ends of leaders amounts to an anti-people activity – activity that would lead the people to darkness. “We feel that we must make a commitment to actively contribute to the outcome of this election,” he continued. “We do not think that this is an election of the Sinhala people, by the Sinhalese people for the Sinhalese people. This is an election which has the potential to determine the future of all communities. When all the other communities are participating in this election, knowing full well its implications for their future, why should the Tamils not participate in it? To remain neutral would be a self-defeating exercise for the Tamils. Those who urge you to keep away from the ballot box are being misled by the leaders of darkness. “The Tigers and their Tamil National Alliance have told the Tamil-speaking people not to take any interest in this presidential election. What they going to achieve by it? Can they stop the election by opting not to select the President of this country?” he asked. 15 November 2005 Survey shows a preference for Ranil An independent analytical survey conducted by three university academics reveals that a majority of Sri Lankans believe UNP Presidential candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe has the edge over Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse in terms of personality, popularity, decision making and international and national prestige. Researched by W. M Karunadasa, a history and international relations professor at the Colombo University, D. Atapattu, a economics and political science professor at the university of Ruhuna and Ariyawanse Dissanayake a economics professor at the Kelaniya University, the analysis suggests Mr. Wickremesinghe was heading the presidential election campaign particularly in the last two weeks. The study also reveals that 62.4% of those surveyed believe the UNP leader was more capable of bringing peace to the country as compared to 35.6% who placed their trust on Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse. At least 31% of the respondents also expressed displeasure at Mr. Rajapakse’s proposal to have direct talks with the LTTE and queried what other option he had except war if the direct talks failed. The reason for the little trust placed on the Premier on the peace issue is the nature of his coalition with the JVP. Most respondents also indicated there was a greater risk of war if the Premier wins Thursday’s polls which according to the analysis places Mr. Wickremesinghe in a highly predominant position than the Premier. The survey noted a majority of those interviewed supported co-operative politics as advocated by the incumbent President and the opposition leader. A copy of the analysis was sent to President Chandrika Kumaratunga, the Premier and the Opposition Leader. It concludes that Mr. Wickremesinghe will win the Presidential polls by a clear majority of over 52.85%. Two LTTE cadres shot and killed in Akkaraipattu Unidentified gunmen shot and killed two political cadres
of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eealm Monday night in Pallikudiyiruppu,
a Muslim suburb in in Sri Lanka Army controlled Akkaraipattu in Amparai
district, police said. The cadres, Mr. Suresh, 26, and Mr. Vellai, 22,
who use to come to the village to purchase meat, were kidnapped by the
gunmen, residents said. Mr. Thayamohan, the political head of LTTE in Amparai district told TamilNet that he was in contact with the cadres till 4:00 p.m. Monday. Meanwhile, a Muslim armed group active in Akkaraipattu, has allegedly lobbed a grenade at the residence of a journalist, Mr. A.H.A Vahab, a reporter of ITN TV. The incident took place around 11:30 p.m. Monday. Kilinochchi court extends remand for Sri Lanka policemen Tamil Eelam district court, Kilinochchi ordered further remand for three Sri Lankan policemen until 28 November. Prosecution assured the Court there was progress in investigations and that evidence was emerging that the accuesd entered Tamil eelam areas for purposes other than trying to arrest a child molester as was earlier claimed by the defendents. The case was taken up before District Judge Sathana, Monday, 14 November at 12.30 pm when bail was denied. 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 originally for entering Tamil Eelam without prior permission. Because of the conflicting confessions from the arrested Tamil Eelam Police decided to conduct proper investigations and had them remanded. Despite the Defence Attorney Velavar's plea for bail, the Police argued that as it involved safety and protection of Tamil Eelam, the detainees need to be questioned further. The attorneys for prosecution and defence including the detainees were summoned to the Judge's chambers where after discussions, request for further remand was upheld and the Police were requested by the Judge to expedite investigations. The three policemen from Sri Lanka pleaded they had crossed the border to arrest a culprit absconding justice in sri Lanka. United States reiterates commitment to peaceful resolution of the Sri Lanka conflict United States Ambassador Jeffrey J. Lunstead today reiterated that his country remains committed to the peaceful resolution of conflict and the strengthening of democratic processes in Sri Lanka. The Ambassador made this comment after announcing that the US Agency for International Development (USAID) will provide $132,500 in grants to the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) and the Center for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV). The Ambassador said, “The people of Sri Lanka are justifiably proud of the strong democratic traditions in this country. Our support for election monitoring will assist Sri Lankans to promote transparency and accountability, while ensuring all citizens have an opportunity to choose the future leadership of their country.” He said the US will support the efforts of Sri Lankan civil society organizations to monitor and report on the 2005 presidential election in order to help ensure a free and fair poll on November 17. The funding will be used to support the training and deployment of election monitors, evaluation of media coverage of the campaign, and administration and management of this nationwide program. Mahinda's vote rigging plan exposed - 36,000 forged ballot papers captured. A double cab belonging to the Vocational Training Ministry was nabbed this morning with 36,000 forged ballot papers by the Middeniya Police manning a road block. The forged ballot papers look identical to the ballot paper issued at polling centres. One person who was taken into custody in connection with the incident had later been released on bail reportedly due to pressure exerted by a senior government leader. Both parties woo Wanni but LTTE defiant It is reported the LTTE's stand on the voting at the presidential election remains unchanged. Representatives of the two main contenders have held several rounds of discussions with the Wanni LTTE leaders during the past few days to solicit their support for their respective camps. The Prime Minister's representative was Tiran Alles, an official of the Mangala Samaraweera's Ministry while Colombo district parliamentarian T.Maheshwarana has canvassed for the Ranil Wickremesinghe camp. However his discussions have been inconclusive and it was also reported that Upcountry People's Front leader P. Chandrasekaran visited the Wanni today to meet Tiger political wing chief Tamil Selvam for further discussions in this regard. Meanwhile the breakaway LTTE faction headed by Karuna has decided to back Mahinda Rajapaksa at the presidential election and Tamil Radio Network broadcasting from London has also appealed to Tamil people not to boycott the election. Mystery ship sighted Mystery surrounds a ship seen in the seas off the North. It is believed to be carrying weapons for the LTTE, but had disappeared sometime after it was sighted, Chief of Defence Staff, Vice Admiral Daya Sandagiri told The Island yesterday (14). When Navy vessels sailed towards the direction where the ship was sighted it had disappeared. However, the Navy continues its reconnaissance of unidentified vessels seen in the territorial waters, especially in the North or East. It was also reported that the Defence Forces and the Police are continuing operations to prevent any terrorist attacks in the South during the run up to the Presidential Election. A number of persons believed to be LTTE cadres have been arrested in these operations, Admiral Sandagiri added. Special Armed Forces groups have also been sent to different areas for special security duties during the next few days and any persons engaged in creating violence or disruption of normal election related activities will be arrested by the Forces and handed over to the police in the respective areas, he said. Members of the Armed Forces have been given orders to act impartially against all persons who break the law irrespective of their standing or political affiliations, he said. Army-type uniform found at PM’s final rally venue Amidst tight security in the city ahead of the Presidential election, a camouflage uniform similar to that used by the Army was found yesterday morning from Campbell Park, where Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse was to address his final rally last evening. Colombo said a special joint Police-Army search team found the uniform hung on a branch of a tree. Search operations are carried out ahead of all political rallies, he said. Following the recovery, steps were taken to step up additional security to the rally. He also said that IGP Chandra Fernando had earlier warned of LTTE attempts to carry a deadly attack by its cadres impersonating the security forces. “Following the threat we took steps to launch a system to identify the security forces members from the others”, the DIG said. The uniform had been handed over to the Borella Police for further investigations. DIG Jayasundara also said that extraordinary measures had been taken to strength security in Colombo for the two main rallies yesterday. “Army assistance was also sought as we had received information of a possible LTTE suicide attack”, the DIG added. Meanwhile, the intelligence unit had instructed Premier Rajapakse not to attend his last election rally following the recovery of the uniform. Halo Trust violates workers rights, striking employees say Workers at Halo trust, a British charity engaged in mine
clearing work in Jaffna for the past five years, went on strike to protest
the dismissal of four workers without warning. More than one hundred workers
picketed in front of the Halo trust vehicle park located on Temple road
near Nallur, Jaffna, from 9 a.m. Monday sources said. Halo trust employees also complained that some of the workers injured during demining activities were not medically taken care of and that workers should be provided with insurance to cover medical expenses due to work related injuries. Terminated workers, Thangarajah Rasanayagam, Sothi Yogarajah, Veeraiyah Jeyaveeran, and Antony Viji, have also started hunger strike. THe workers declined to accept the request by the Additional Government Agent S Sivasami who visited the site and urged the workers to discontinue the hunger strike. Talks between the Halo Trust management and striking workers are continuing to resolve the dispute, sources from Jaffna said. Over two lakhs of voters in LTTE areas As many as 208,820 voters, living in the LTTE controlled areas, who are eligible to vote at the Presidential Election this week, have to travel anything between 20 to 100 Kilometers to cast their vote at the cluster polling stations, Election Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake said yesterday (14). He said voters in the Mulaitivu District, under the control of LTTE, have to travel such distance and hundreds of buses and other vehicles will be provided by the Elections Commissioner to enable voters to commute to the cluster polling stations outside the areas where they live. Around 20 million rupees will be spent as transport charges and for building cluster polling stations for those living in the LTTE controlled areas, Chief Accountant, Election Secretariat H.A.S.Hapuarachchi said. A recent Supreme Court decision has ruled that cluster polling centres should be located at least 1,000 meters away from the Forward Defence Lines of the Armed Forces. According to the Assistant Commissioner of Elections, Batticaloa T.Krishanan Anandalingam there are 318,728 persons in the district eligible vote under the electoral register 2004. Among these were 80,443 living in LTTE controlled areas. There will be 353 polling stations in the district including 88 cluster polling stations for voters of the LTTE controlled areas. Staff at these polling stations will be Tamil speaking public servants selected from the Colombo District. Wanni District Assistant Commissioner A. S. Karunanidhi said there were 66,596 registered voters in the Mulativu District of which 65,504 were living in the LTTE controlled area. There will be 50 polling centres for this district with 49 cluster polling stations at Omanthai. Some of the voters here will also have travel about 100 kilometers to reach the polling stations. The Mannar District has 78, 906 voters of which 16,131 are living in LTTE controlled areas. This district will have 67 polling stations of which 12 will be cluster polling stations. Assistant Commissioner, Trincomalee District M. M. S. K. Bandara said there were 238,755 registered voters in the district with 278 polling station and 2 cluster polling stations at Kattaparichchan for 12,000 voters living in the LTTE held areas. These voters will have to travel up to 20 kilometers to reach their cluster polling stations. There 791,938 registered voters in the Jaffna District and 96,328 voters in the Kilinochchi District an LTTE controlled area. The total number of polling stations in Jaffna District with 224 cluster polling stations and 103 cluster polling stations for Kilinochchi Distirct located at Muhamalai and at Vadamarchchi East, Assistant Commissioner for Jaffna District P. Kuganathan said. Sri
Lankan children reject war The children have also suggested Tamil Tigers should work closer with the Sinhala public, in order to find permanent peace in Sri Lanka. According to the research, only three percent of children indicated in favour of fighting a war. More than 75 percent of the children interviewed were aware of Sri Lanka’s peace process, according to CZOP. “ 97 percent of children aware of the peace process believed that the peace process is good for Sri Lanka,” a statement issued by CZOP said. But the initiative said most of the children viewed alleviating poverty in the country as the number one priority for Sri Lanka. According to children participated, educational issues came second while establishing peace in Sri Lanka was the number three priority. Many children added however said that preventing them attending the school was the main problem they faced due to war. 1500 children (9 to 16 years) from all over Sri Lanka, apart from the LTTE-held Mulativu and Kilinochchi, have participated in the survey carried out between February and April this year. JVP members allegedly attack Lankadeepa cartoonist Police suspect members of the JVP in the attack on well-known cartoonist Dasa Hapuwalana. Hapuwalana, a cartoonist who works for the Sinhala daily Lankadeepa, was attacked in his private residence in Nittabuwa last night, police said. “We have reliable information that the attack was carried out by the JVP members in the area,” Nittabuwa police said. Mr. Hapuwalana has been critical of the JVP in his creations, published in Lankadeepa over the last few weeks. Lanka astrologers see better times after vote Sri Lankan astrologers have predicted their fortunes
will rise after Thursday's presidential election and see the opposition
leader as the candidate with the stronger horoscope. The seers had also pored over the election pledges of candidates and found only Wickremesinghe had promised an "Astrological Council" to boost the fortunes of the practitioners. "Yes, we will have a better time if the opposition leader wins the election," the association's leader Ananda Seneviratne told AFP. "But our calculations show he is winning." The soothsayers, who had remained unusually quiet during the campaign, made the surprise announcement after a private opinion poll put Wickremesinghe six percentage points ahead in approval ratings. Systematic intimidation in East by UPFA politicians Amidst fears and rumours of election violence in the east, reports surfaced last night of UPFA politicians’ allegedly intimidating people in Akkaraipattu and Pottuvil, demanding they boycott the poll. Foreign election observers operating in the area said these tactics were a form of “systematic intimidation” carried out by government ministers using state vehicles and persons attired in uniforms similar to those worn by STF personnel. An observer, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the Daily Mirror that these uniformed persons, the police and private supporters were going door to door warning people to stay at home on Election Day. “It is obvious that Akkaraipattu and Pottuvil are areas heavily in favour of the UNP candidate. So this is an attempt by government politicians in the area to try and make sure the people refrain from casting their ballot, thereby ensuring the national margin is not affected”, the polls observer explained. He said if the election was free and fair, 80% of the population would vote for the opposition candidate on November 17. “Several people had also been injured in the intimidation”, the election observer added. According to the monitors, tension was running high in Akkaraipattu and Pottuvil after several incidents were reported from the area, with supporters of Minister A.L.M. Athaullah allegedly preventing people from attending yesterday’s final rally organised by the SLMC in support of UNP candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe. “A government vehicle bearing number plate 65-0612 is being used to transport people carrying out this campaign of violence and intimidation and we have already recorded the statements of two or three people who have been injured in the process”, the observer noted. Independent election monitors have also voiced fears of threats and intimidation to themselves from the same politicos as they report on violence in the area. “The use of state vehicles, with visible number plates is good indication that this is clearly government sponsored intimidation”, the election observer said. He said they were expecting some major incidents in the area on Thursday, whichever candidate secured a majority in the area. The number of election monitors in the Eastern Province has been increased due to fears of violence and malpractice given the number of political players and actors operating in the area. There were also reports that LTTE renegade commander Karuna’s cadres had begun distributing leaflets in the east, urging people to vote for Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse on November 17. 14 November 2005 Hardline allies cost S.Lanka's PM votes in east-Source: Reuters Sri Lankan barber Nicholas Aruldas likes Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse, but he cannot bring himself to vote for him at this month's presidential election. Like many fellow minority ethnic Tamils and Muslims in Sri Lanka's war-torn, tsunami-battered east, Aruldas has been scared off by Rajapakse's hardline Marxist and Sinhalese nationalist allies and says he has no choice but to vote for his main opponent instead. "The Prime Minister is a good person and friend of the poor," Aruldas said as he trimmed a client's hair in his modest salon in the eastern town of Batticaloa. "But we can't vote for him because of his alliances with the (Marxist) People's Liberation Front and National Heritage Party," he added. Voters here believe Rajapakse's main rival, former prime minister and main opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, has a better chance of transforming a 2002 truce into lasting peace with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The Tigers and their political proxies this week vowed to remain neutral in the Nov.17 poll, and refrained from giving voters in their areas a customary nod as to who to back. Some analysts say the Tigers are not ready to give up their push for a separate homeland or to resume peace talks that stalled in 2003 and see their stance as tantamount to a boycott. They fear many ethnic Tamils living in and around rebel areas may not vote out of fear -- which could in turn hurt the chances of the more moderate and conciliatory Wickremesinghe, who many in the east see as the best choice to cement peace. SPORADIC VIOLENCE There has been no campaigning for any candidate in Batticaloa, which straddles government and rebel-controlled areas and has been blighted by sporadic violence since a factional split within the Tigers in 2004. Heavily-armed soldiers keep guard over the town. Security has been stepped up for fear of violence on election day. But many residents are determined to vote anyway. "No one told us not to vote so far ... We will vote," said J. Perimbarajah, who runs a wayside eatery in the heart of Batticaloa and wants Wickremesinghe to win. In the neighbouring Muslim town of Kattankudi, election activities are more visible and residents are also rooting for Wickremesinghe, who has promised to give them more say in the island's protracted peace process. "If Ranil comes to power, then peace will continue. We want to live in peace with all the community," said Mohamed Rafiq, who sells toys and trinkets on the pavement. Sri Lanka's main Muslim party, which represents the area in parliament, has pledged support to Wickremesinghe, giving his campaign a boost. Bus loads of supporters in green and yellow caps and T-shirts were heading to a party rally nearby. Muslims have been caught in the cross-fire of the Tigers' internecine feuding -- two Muslim timber workers who went to a forest near Batticaloa were killed on Saturday when a claymore mine hit their tractor. They want to have an equal voice in any peace talks aimed at ending a war that has killed over 64,000 people and displaced hundreds of thousands from their homes. "The Muslims ... are a very important element for the future pattern of governance for the north and east," Jayantha Dhanapala, outgoing head of the government's Peace Secretariat, told Reuters on a visit to Stockholm. "They are a very important minority who feel that they have not been recognised as an independent player with a role to play in the solution to this problem we have," he added. EPDP cadre shot dead in Colombo Two unknown gunmen riding in a motorbike shot dead Mr Vellaipodi Rasanayagam (36), an Eelam People Democratic Party (EPDP) cadre, Sunday night at about 8.00 p.m. at Maya Avenue in Wellawatte, Colombo, sources said. Mr Rasanayagam is alleged to be a key intelligence operative, and is in-charge of security for Leader of EPDP, Mr Douglas Devananda. Autonomy for Muslims will not be against NE Tamils says Hakeem The Tamil community, who respected the separate identity of Muslims as a community when they were fighting for their rights democratically, are non-committal about rights of Muslims now, said SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem in Kalmunai, on saturday. "We wish to make it clear to our sister community, Tamil, that autonomy for Muslims is not something against the Tamils in the North and East" he said. Speaking to a massive gathering of over 200,000 people
at the 24th National Convention of the SLMC, at the Ashraff Square in
Kalmunai, Mr. Hakeem said "Thanthai Chelva included autonomy and
Non-Contiguous Unit for Muslims in the party constitution of the Tamil
National Alliance, which had Muslim leaders such Mashoor Moulana as its
members, but this was when Tamils were fighting for their rights democratically.
In an era where sections of the Tamil community resorted to arms in fighting
for their rights and aspirations, they have become non-committal towards
the Muslims identity as a separate ethnic group. I wish to ask all our
Tamil brothers, both in the North and in the East engaged in the struggle
as to why they are keeping silence on the Muslim issues?". He said that there was no difference between JHU politics and Athullah's politics today. The JHU always attempt to cultivate communal and religious dissonance among the Sinhalese majority. Similarly Athaulla is attempting to create a perception in the minds of Muslims that for the liberation of Muslims, the merged North-East must be de-merged. "At a time a presidential candidate had agreed and included in his Manifesto, autonomy with non-contiguous units for Muslims, trying to cultivate thoughts injurious to the community is absolutely ridiculous", he said. Speaking further Hakeem said that "the SLMC is in the verge of making its late leader's dream for the community true". He added "Our great leader late M.H.M. Ashraff once said, ‘It is of no use even if we have hundreds of documents filed with regard to autonomy for Muslims in our archives, if we are unable to include such proposals in the manifesto of a Presidential candidate. We have achieved this today, Ranil Wickremasinghe has included this in his election manifesto". The ultimate decision is in our hands, we must vote for Ranil on the 17th and make these dreams real, Hakeem said. Curfew in D’gala after UNP, UPFA factions clash A curfew was declared in the Deraniyagala Police area following a clash, between UNP and UPFA supporters, opposite the main Bus Stand in the town, police sources said. Curfew was imposed from 6.00 p.m. yesterday till 6 a.m. today, police said. Deputy Trade Minister H. R. Mithrapala was injured and was admitted to Deraniyagala Hospital. The clash opposite the bus stand started around 1.30 pm when a group of pamphlet distributing UNPers, led by former Samurdhi Development Minister R. A. D. Sirisena, ran into a group of UPFA supporters, led by Deputy Minister Mithrapala. An alteracation between the two factions soon turned into a mini battle with sticks and stones being hurled at each other. Police brought the situation under control several hours later and imposed the curfew to arrest the spread of the clash outside the town. Additional policemen were deployed at all major junctions to avoid any untoward incident during the curfew. Further investigations are continuing under the supervision of Kegalle SSP Wilfred Mahanayake. Sri Lanka candidates to woo India (PTI) With Sri Lanka's presidential election campaign drawing to a close tomorrow, the two main contenders are poles apart on how to deal with the peace process and economy, but both want India's help in various areas if elected. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse wants India's help in the peace process although he has not clearly spelt out what that role should be. He has hinted about getting India involved in a monitoring role. Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe is also seeking India's support to modernise Sri Lanka's armed forces and the police if he is elected. He wants New Delhi's help to set up a rapid deployment unit to deal with inter-communal clashes especially in the island's multi-ethnic eastern province. Some 13.3 million voters are eligible to vote on Thursday and their choice is between the current premier and the former premier Wickremesinghe although there are 13 candidates in the fray. Opinions polls say Sri Lanka's troubled economy and the even more faltering Norwegian-backed peace bid with Tamil Tiger rebels have emerged as the two main issues at the November 17 vote. The devastation after last year's tsunami which killed more than 31,000 people has been pushed in to the background. The election is conducted under a state of emergency imposed a day after the assassination of Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar by suspected Tamil Tiger rebels. Sri Lanka's minority Tamils have emerged as potential king-makers at the election where the majority Sinhalese community is split down the middle between Rajapakse and Wickremesinghe. UPFA and UNP hold final rallies today The final propaganda rally in support of the UPFA Presidential candidate, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse will be held at 3.00 p.m. today at Campbell Park in Borella. Mr. Rajapakse will attend two rallies at Beliatte and Matara before attending the final rally at Borella which will be held with the participation of PA and JVP members. The Prime Minister with this rally will complete 146 propaganda rallies including those in the North and the East. The finally rally at Borella is being organised by the Borella SLFP Organiser, Laksman Premachandra. Meanwhile, the final propaganda rally in support of the UNP Presidential candidate, Ranil Wickremesinghe will be held at Colombo – Maradana junction at 8.00 p.m. today. With this final rally, Mr. Wickremasinghe will complete 125 propaganda rallies including those held in the North and East. UNP sources said that all the 125 rallies were well attended and that assures the victory of its Presidential candidate. The final propaganda rally of the UNP is being organised by Colombo District UNP Parliamentarian, Mohamed Maharoof. Nobody has accussed me of being corrupt – Ranil "I have never had any allegations of corruption levelled against me during my long political career, however Mangala Samaraweera, against whom there have been many allegations, chose to create an allegation against me" Presidential candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe said at mass rallies in Negombo and Beruwela on Thursday. However "I did not run away from such allegations or hide behind any judicial processes. Instead I extended all support to the investigations because I knew that I was totally innocent and I firmly believe that anyone who seeks the office of President of Sri Lanka must have an unblemished character", Wickremesinghe said. He said the time had come for all political parties to hold hands and step out together towards a new future. "We must join together to put out the fires of hunger, war, disease and death and by the fires that were stoked by the tsunami and the destruction caused by a war which would nearly have separated our country". "It is not only the political parties that I invite but also all religious leaders, leaders of our business community, trade unions, social service organisations, rural development committees and specially all the people who make up the most valuable resource of this country". "I have already joined hands with the SLFP and their principle of a just peace for the people of the country, whoever they are. I have also joined with the ideal of the SLFP to ensure the territorial integrity of this country, and that the country remains one united country". "How could Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse, who claims that he is the Presidential candidate of the SLFP, believe that my desire to join his party to ensure territorial integrity of this country is a betrayal of the nation? Is it because he is no longer the Presidential candidate of the SLFP? Or, is it because he is now the Presidential candidate of the JVP," Wickremesinghe asked. He said no one need fear that if the two main political parties, which represents more than 80 percent of the country, join hands to seek a just solution. "No one need to have any fears if the agreed solution is implemented after a national referendum where the final decision is taken by the people of this country. Since this government will be an inclusive government, it will not be limited to a few political parties, a few ministers or some members of parliament. My government will seek partnerships with all sectors of society", he said. All of us have a responsibility of pulling ourselves out of the quagmire that we are now in. All of us will then enjoy the fruits of an labour as well. Impossible for anyone to destroy us - Somawansa at JVP heroes rally JVP leader Somawansa Amarasinghe yesterday said that as they celebrate the 16th death anniversary of its founder Rohana Wijeweera, the Party has come to a focal point where it can decide the flow of the country’s politics. Addressing a packed crowd at the 16th commemoration of November Heroes yesterday at the Vihara Maha Devi Open-air Theatre, Mr. Amarasinghe said that late leader Wijeweera built the party in a way that it would never cease to exist. “Our enemies tried to destroy this movement not only once but twice. Yet they failed. People of the country drove us and will drive us to victory and it was proved that the movement initiated by comrade Wijeweera is lasting,” he said. “For those who even mistakenly are still dreaming to destroy the JVP, I would simply like to say that it will not become true. Now it is too late and impossible for anyone to destroy us”. Delivering the commemoration speech, Party’s General Secretary, Tilvin Silva said that the late leader had created a family and simply not a political party. Answering as to why some front liners of the Party like Wimal Weerawansa, Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Vijitha Herath were not present at the Commemoration Mr. Silva said; “The JVP is today playing a prime role in selecting a new president for the country. We want to defeat our enemies and prevent them from coming to power. As we are playing a key role in the election campaign some of our comrades could not attend. We expect the people of this country to give a proper reply to our enemies in four days from this commemoration”. Trinco, Amparai Tamil Students call for poll boycott Tamil Students Consortium in the districts of Trincomalee and Amparai in the east have appealed to Tamil people to boycott the presidential poll to demonstrate that they are not interested in the power struggle between the Sinhala political leadership in the south. In statements released in Trincomalee and Amparai Sunday the consortiums have stated that it's time for Tamil people in the northeast to tell the international community and Sinhala people in the south of Sri Lanka that they are not prepared to be deceived by leaders of Sinhala chauvinist political parties any more, sources said. "Please be firm and be in your residence on November 17 without participating in the presidential poll. The successful boycott of the election would be a victory for Tamil people who have been deceived by Sinhala political leaders since Sri Lanka gained political independence", the statement said. Alleged leader of vehicle robbery gang dies in hospital after suicide attempt Ex-army Major Anuruddha Chamika Wijebabu, alleged leader of a vehicle robbery gang who was undergoing treatment at Kandy General Hospital in a critical condition due to an attempt to commit suicide by hanging himself in the Bogambara Remand Prison died on Saturday (12). The deceased army Major had been taken into custody on October 21, 2004 by a team from Wattegama police station while getting away after robbing a vehicle at Akurana. He was remanded after being produced in Court. A Senior Police Officer said that the deceased was involved in the robbery of a vehicle in Anuradhapura after chopping its driver to death. The suspect has attempted to commit suicide a few weeks ago while he was in the Bogambara Remand Prison. Inquiries are being conducted by OIC Minor Complaints Division of Kandy Poice Head Quarters. Police Inspector, A. Dharmaratne and Police Sergeant K. George. SriLankapresidential debate called off due to disagreements The much-awaited debate between the two main presidential candidates, Mahinda Rajapaksa and Ranil Wickremesinghe, was called off yesterday evening after their two representatives failed to reach agreement on several issues. Issuing a joint statement, Prime Minister Rajapaksa’s nominee Dullas Alahapperuma and UNP leader Wickremesinghe’s nominee Milinda Moragoda said, “After two rounds of discussions on Friday and yesterday, we decided there was no time left to take a decision whether it should be a TV debate or a public debate.” It is learned that the UNP also rejected the UPFA’s proposal to appoint former Presidential Secretary K.H.J. Wijedasa as the moderator. SL Navy arrests 11 returnees Naval troops arrested 11 persons at Pesalai on Friday night. They had told the Navy that they were Sri Lankan refugees returning home from India, security sources said. The fibre glass dingy boat and all returnees with their personal belongings were handed over to Mannar Police for further investigations, sources said. Youth taken in on suspicion at Mahinda's rally Three youth from Ninthaur have been taken into custody by Kandy police on Saturday (12) during a search open before the arrival of Prime Minister Mahidna Rajapakse to address a presidential election meeting in Kandy. The three men were taken in for questioning with regard to their presence in Kandy. The three men have told the police they were brought by a middleman on the way to Italy for employment. Investigations are conducted on the directions of SP K. D. C. Karunaratne and Kandy HQI, IP, Sena de Alwis. Tamil public servants urged to boycott election duty An organization called "Peoples Force" in Jaffna
district called all Tamil public servants to ignore election duty on the
presidential poll scheduled to be held on November 17 and to observe the
day as mourning. Boycott posters are seen in public places throughout
the Jaffna district, civil sources said. I is the duty of Tamil people and Tamil public servants to boycott the presidential poll. It is meaningless for Tamil public servants to perform election duty in Jaffna district, the appeal further stated. Afghanistan to join South Asian group of nations: Indian PM Afghanistan is to join the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh told the closing session of the 13th SAARC summit. "We welcome Afghanistan to our group," Singh said in a brief statement summarising the pledges and agreements achived by the summit. SAARC already groups Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. It was founded in Dhaka in 1985 with the aim of promoting economic cooperation and alleviating poverty in South Asia. The region is home to 1.4 billion people, many of whom live below the poverty line. The 13th summit took place in the Bangladesh capital Dhaka this weekend. HRC "disturbed" over govt. stand The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (SLHRC) expressed
the shock and disbelief of the remarks made by a government representative
over attempted arson attack on its headquarters a month ago. Sri Lankan delegation at the 35 session of the UN Committee against Torture in Geneva has said that ‘some disgruntled drivers of the HRC’ have attempted to set fire on the building. The HRC headquarters was set on fire on the 15th of October. 'Internal job' Deputy Solicitor General Shaveendra Fernando, who is Geneva with the government delegation, told BBC Sandeshaya (bbcsinhala.com) that it was already revealed that the attack was ‘an internal job.’ Describing Fernando’s remarks as ‘very sad and surprising’ Punchihewa said it was irresponsible to jump into conclusions while two separate investigations are still being conducted. Fernando told the BBC on Saturday that the HRC has already taken disciplinary action against drivers responsible. But the senior HRC official questioned how the deputy solicitor general can talk about punishment while the internal inquiry does not implicate insiders. No arrests "The initial investigations suggest the attackers were outsiders. But the investigations haven’t been completed," Punchihewa told BBC Sinhala Service. He said the police chief Chandra Fernando has appointed a special CID team, on the request of the HRC, to conduct a separate investigation. The Hong Kong based Asian Human Rights Commission, meanwhile, has strongly criticised the government's lacklustre attitude in bringing the culprits into justice. "The absence of arrest relating to this incident suggests an attempt to hush up the inquiry and to let the protest die out and to slowly forget the incident itself," the statement said. 13 November 2005 Radhika laments absence of a holistic Sri Lankan identity The desperate struggle of Sri Lankans to establish a Sri Lankan identity reflecting the aspirations of various groups has resulted in an appalling human rights record for the country, said Sri Lanka’s top human rights expert at an awards ceremony held in Montreal, Canada earlier this week. Dr. Radhika Coomaraswamy, who chairs the National Human Rights Commission and is director of the International Centre for Ethnic Studies (ICES), was the recipient of McGill University’s Robert S Litvack Human Rights Memorial Award named after a McGill law graduate who was a tireless advocate for aboriginal rights. “The problem with Sri Lanka is that there is not one idea of what Sri Lanka is and the contest over that idea has become vicious and brutal, fed by underlying material grievances,” said Dr. Coomaraswamy, addressing a gathering of lawyers, human rights activists and scholars on a chilly Montreal evening. According to Dr Coomaraswamy, the problem with Sri Lanka is that for the Sinhala Buddhist majority, the idea of Sri Lanka is a “Sinhala Buddhist land where the majority will must prevail and where the markers of the Sinhala Buddhist identity must be celebrated above all others.” For Tamils living in the north and the east, Sri Lanka is put forward as two nations where the north and the east are a separate ethnic and cultural space requiring either independence or power sharing with the Sinhalese Buddhist south. While some see Sri Lanka as a multi-ethnic, multi-religious society where pluralism is required, for Marxists, Sri Lanka is all about the rural poor and the welfare state, she said, indicating that such conflicted identities mean that Sri Lanka is a place where these groups want to conquer and eliminate the other. “No one attempts to formulate a more holistic vision that tries to incorporate all these ideas in an inclusive concept of Sri Lanka where all these yearnings find expression within a plural whole. We are still waiting for the Messiah or a time where everyone will give up in a state of fatigue and sit down and draft the model social contract for an island that has had more than its share of hardship,” she said. Dr. Coomaraswamy’s comments came as Sri Lanka’s human rights record was being discussed at various international fora given the recent attacks on the National Human Rights Commission and the requests made by the Asian Centre for Human Rights to publish a report on the Bindunuwewa massacre. There have also been reports of custodial torture and also increased recruitment of child soldiers by the LTTE. Conscious of her role as an international human rights activist and UN Special Rapportuer on Violence against Women, her speech titled “Human Rights at home and in the world” addressed issues such as detention camps, torture and human rights in the context of the “war on terror” and women’s rights. A strong believer that the peace process cannot progress without the parties to the negotiations signing a human rights agreement, she told the Sunday Times: “There is a belief among some people engaged in conflict resolution that raising sensitive human rights issues would prevent one from coming to an agreement for solving the conflict peacefully. But the fact of the matter is that unless you deal with human rights from the very beginning, you will find that the peace agreement is not sustainable.” According to Dr Coomaraswamy, a human rights agreement would keep the negotiating parties in place where human rights are concerned, despite the difficulties of enforcing such an agreement. In the absence of such an agreement, she points out, human rights violations would threaten the ceasefire and the peace process and make them illegitimate in the eyes of the people. She said the Sri Lankan Tamil community once represented as hard working, cultured and non-violent was now represented as a community living close to criminality, feeding the international underworld of crime and being comfortable with the forces of terror. “This saddens me greatly. Peace must come soon to Sri Lanka and not only with a federal model. It must also come with a commitment by national and international actors to transform the politics of the north and the east into a haven for democracy. “We must also learn the art of reconciliation. I have lived among Sinhalese all my life and though some are consumed by the nightmare of the Tamil “other,” they have an extraordinary capacity for generosity. Generations of Tamil politicians instead of harnessing this generosity played to Sinhalese fears and nightmares, brokering deals with Sinhalese elites without explaining their grievances and aspirations to the average Sinhalese.” She also said that the time has come for a new politics for Sri Lanka, “where we harness the goodwill and the creative energies of our people and work towards an inclusive, plural, Sri Lankan identity. It is a long, hard, arduous task but it has to be done.” The McGill Law Department also established a fund in memory of former TULF parliamentarian and human rights scholar Dr Neelan Thiruchelvam, who was killed by the LTTE in 1999. The Fund will provide financial assistance to McGill law students who cannot meet the expenses of taking up an internship at ICES in Colombo. Prior to receiving her award from McGill University, Dr Coomaraswamy received another prestigious human rights award from the Urban Morgan Institute of Cincinnati University, USA. This award was first awarded to Mary Robinson, a former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. A Unitary Unit,
Federalism or Independence The international community, the SLFP as led by Mrs Kumaratunge, the UNF and the LTTE are all supposedly committed to seeking a Federal Constitution to solve the nation's ethnic dilemma. Federalism, however, is a vague and uncertain concept. The ISGA proposal by the LTTE is the only concrete alternative to an Unitary Constitution made so far. Regardless of whether this amounts to Federalism or something more than that, the fact is that neither the international community, nor the SLFP as defined above have offered any acceptable alternative to these proposals. All the international community, the SLFP and the UNP have done is condemn the idea of separation, which in essence amounts to nothing more than Independence from the continuing Sinhalese domination and suppression of Tamil aspirations. This is, after all, what the whole ethnic issue is all about. Neither the international community nor Mrs Kumaratunge are willing to acknowledge this simple reality. Rajapakse and his JVP cohorts on the other hand, stick with the outworn idea of a Unitary Constitution, which has been the underlying cause of the nation's ethnic discontent. They can well be regarded, by all but themselves, as the coalition of the clueless. Their commitment will only serve to seal the need for separation. What the nation needs and what the nation lacks is a leader with insight and a political will to match. What the nation does have is the legacy of Mr Pribakaran, which is the only legacy that stands firm. The succession of calamities that has plagued the nation to date stems from the inability of both the international community and the Sinhalese leaders to recognize that this is not a nation any more and that Tamil independence from Sinhalese domination is the only acceptable alternative to the present crisis. Instead of shuddering at the concept of separation, it is time they recognized that this the the only acceptable solution to the present problem. They must also recognize that the optimistic calls about forging ties between the Tamils and Sinhalese rulers is a cry that has long evaporated. It is no more than a dream that has lost both its meaning and its significance. TNA to field polling agents in Jaffna The LTTE has authorised the TNA to field polling agents in the Jaffna District at the November 17 presidential election to prevent rigging. The polling agents are to be fielded through one or more of the candidates contesting the election, it is learnt. This decision was taken by the LTTE Thursday, November 10, at a meeting with the TNA MPs after concerns were expressed that the EPDP might use the Tigers' decision not to participate to stuff ballot boxes in the north. The Sunday Leader learns Jaffna District MPs Suresh Premachandran and N. Raviraj had raised the issue of rigging in the north following the LTTE decision to refrain from participating at the election. Informed sources said while the TNA would provide polling agents for one or two of the candidates to man the polling booths, separate security arrangements would also be put in place by the party to prevent intimidation of the voters. The UNP it is learnt is also expected to field polling agents in the north. Sri Lanka govt orders all liquor shops to close for four days during election The Sri Lankan government today announced that all shops selling alcoholic drinks will be closed for four days in view of the upcoming presidential election. The closure will start on the full moon Poya day next Tuesday. The government has taken this decision to prevent any violence that could erupt during the election period. Police have been directed to strictly follow the order without considering any pressures. Severe punishment will be imposed on those who are not following the government order not to sell liquor during this period, the government said. SLA soldier shot in Vavuniya, gunmen seize weapons Two motorbike-riding assailants shot and wounded a Sri
Lanka Army soldier at a checkpost located in Ganeshapuram, 6 km northwest
of Vavuniya town, around 1:30 p.m. Saturday. The assailants, who seized
two AK-47 rifles from the soldiers, fled away in their motorbike, Vavuniya
Police said. Jaffna polling booths slashed Candidates contesting next Thursday’s presidential election have agreed to a pruning down of the number of polling stations in the northern Jaffna peninsula, Government Agent K. Ganesh said yesterday. He said the decision came after the Defence Ministry and Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake reviewed the security situation in the peninsula. “Polling stations have been reduced from 624 to 220 in the Jaffna district,” Mr. Ganesh told The Sunday Times yesterday. This is made up of 103 cluster polling stations in the Muhamalai area and 117 in the rest of the peninsula. Muhamalali is the gateway to security forces controlled Jaffna and is separated by a stretch of no-man’s land from the Tiger guerrilla dominated territory in the Wanni. But Government Agent Ganesh said he had instructed all his officials who have been assigned for election duty to be present. He said he did not expect that the polls in the north would be disrupted due to lack of officials. Mr. Ganesh said the reduction followed a request by the
Ministry of Defence on grounds of security. He said he made the reduction
after consultations with Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake.
Candidates contesting the presidential election have also given their
consent for the reduction, he added. However in the eastern Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Ampara
districts, officials said preparations were under way to conduct the elections
as planned. Ceasefire violations affecting children says UNICEF UNICEF says despite the 2002 ceasefire agreement the number of incidents involving civilians are on the rise and children are paying a high price for the escalating violence. UNICEF's Van Gerpen called on all parties to the conflict to respect the rights of children as laid down in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which Sri Lanka is a party since August 1991. "These situations, which disrupt normal life and place extra hardship on the counry's children also make it more difficult for aid organisations to provide support for relief and rehabilitation," Gerpen has said in a statement to the media. Kadir killed by politicos: Tamil group In a petition urging the European Union to lift its ban on LTTE delegations and other restrictions, a Tamil group is insinuating that former Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar was killed by leading Sinhala politicians. The petitioners want the UK, as the current president
of the EU to take immediate steps to act on all their requests “and
inform us of your actions.” “It is reported that President Kumaratunga warned
Lakshman Kadirgamar not to have any meeting with the JVP leaders without
her knowledge. In spite of the warning Lakshman Kadirgamar created close
relationship with the JVP when the President was away because he felt
that his political carrier (sic) would come to an end when President’s
political term ends. Kadirgamar planned to continue his political carrier
through the JVP and JHU’s support which she didn’t like,”
says the petition addressed to “Political Heads of EU Countries,
Westminster and Political Leaders of the other Nations.” Blaming the police for raiding the house from where the shots were fired at Kadirgamar, two hours after the killing, the petition says that “the evidence produced in the courts could have been planted by the raiding party as usually happens in Sri Lanka.” It questions why President Kumaratunga kept silent when
“Scotland Yard’s intelligence offered an open voluntary help
to investigate the murder.” Stating that “in order to safe the Cease Fire and Peace Process we request the followings to be undertaken by the EU presidency,” the petitioners urge, among other things; not to place the LTTE on the EU ban lists of organisations; to lift the UK ban on the LTTE as it is not based on reality and fairness; to initiate public inquiries into the killings of all Tamil politicians, human rights activists, journalists and all civilians during the current cease fire.• to urge the Sri Lanka Government to implement the Post-Tsunami Operation Joint Mechanisn. It is not known when the group intends to complete its signature campaign and present the petition to the British Government that will hold the EU presidency until the end of the year. Professionals appeal to vote for Ranil A group of professionals have come forward to make an appeal to the public to cast their votes for the UNP presidential candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe. In a statement to the media the group has said that it is Wickremesinghe who effected the ceasefire agreement which has ultimately given the people of this country the much needed peace. They have said since year 1956 Sri Lanka has witnessed an ethnic divide due to opportunistic politics which triggered a chain of events leading up to militant and separatist movements which has resulted in loss of lives and property, and economic retardation in Sri Lanka. "The Leader of the Opposition believes in a federal solution to end this ethnic divide. Even President Kumaratunga who has ruled this country for the last 11 years appreciates this and is supportive of a federal solution to the ethnic problem. Our neighbour India that desires stability in Sri Lanka favours a federal solution. "Likewise the international community which is observing the peace process in Sri Lanka also favours a federal solution. But the Prime Minister rejects the federal solution which is pregnant with dangerous consequences for our motherland Sri Lanka," the group has said. They have said Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse has not only rejected a federal solution to the ethnic problem but is also propagating divisive ethnic, racial and religious consciousness in a manner reminiscent of the opportunistic politics of the year 1956. "Mahinda Rajapakse has allied himself with racial and religious extremists and has taken their extremist policies rejecting the moderate policies advocated in recent years by the SLFP," they said. The group has appealed to the Tamils in particular and all right thinking citizens of whatever community they belong to, to vote for Wickremesinghe. The statement is signed by P. Vimalachanthiran, attorney-at-law, Annamalai Kathiresan, attorney-at-law, A. P. Niles, attorney-at-law, K. G. John, attorney-at-law, S. Kumaranathan attorney-at-law, Logini Nalliah, accountant, Kumudini Rajanathan, attorney-at- law and M. K. Mylvaganam, businessman. Literary competitions to mark Heroes day begin Event marking fine arts and literary competitions among
the different fighting divisions of the Liberation Tigers (LTTE) was inaugurated
at the Lt Col Rajan Education Center organized by the Center's staff in
Vanni Saturday, media section of the LTTE said. LTTE cadre, Ahanalagan,
also a member of the Education Center, presided the event. Head of Women's Wing of Lt Col Rajan Education Division, Jeyanthi, lit the flame of sacrifice at the Heroes memorial at the Center and Ms Selvi, a cadre attached to the Sothiya Brigade paid floral tribute to the memorial pictures. Organizers said that they have planned to conduct competitions among cadres of LTTE fighting divisions through the next two weeks preceding the Heroes Day celebrations which takes place on the 27 November. Millions of dead fish washed ashore in Trinco THE stench of dead fish suffocated most of Trincomalee town last week, as government agencies and NGOs launched combined efforts to rid the beach of millions of dead fish that were washing ashore. Two kilometers of beach between the Trincomalee Naval Base and town center were suddenly covered with millions of dead and decaying sardines that had washed ashore last Monday. While the exact cause of the phenomenon was unknown, it was judged by experts to be due to natural changes, particularly given that only one type of fish was affected. The Urban Council, Fisheries Department, UN, USAID and environmental authorities joined hands in trying to dispose of the carcasses using tractors, buckets and whatever was at hand. "We decided to join with government officials because of the sheer magnitude of the problem, which convinced us that help would be needed," Head of Office, UNHCR Trincomalee, Brita Helleland, told The Sunday Leader. Both UNHCR and UNICEF joined in the cleaning efforts. "We helped in a small way providing equipment like masks, gloves, buckets and tractors to the provincial council," Helleland said. She added that the cause was thought to be the heavy rain and lack of oxygen in the water. "The stench was terrible,"she said. According to Public Health Inspector, Urban Council, Trincomalee, N. Senthinathan, the crisis lasted over three days with dead fish continuing to wash onshore throughout. "We were burying the fish at a dumping ground using tractors to transport them; but the situation is worsening with more and more fish coming in," Senthinathan said. He said council labourers and volunteers from various organisations were currently involved in the clean up. Tamils to stage anti-LTTE rally in Brussels Tamils from several European countries are to stage an anti-LTTE rally in Brussels tomorrow urging the European Union to ban the Tamil Tiger organisation and take urgent steps to halt its fund raising. This rally, organised by Tamil democratic groups, is a counter to the LTTE demonstration held in Brussels recently that demanded the EU lift the ban clamped on LTTE delegations visiting EU capitals. Tamils sources in London said Monday’s demonstration is also to call on the EU countries not to return failed Tamil asylum seekers for fear that they would be detained in Sri Lanka by the government or the LTTE. Tamils from the UK are also expected to participate in the anti-LTTE rally, the sources said. They said that the LTTE fund raising in Europe was causing much concern among expatriate Tamils. Two explanations are being offered for the intensive fund-raising campaign in Europe and elsewhere. One is that the LTTE is preparing for war again and would provoke incidents after the November 17 Presidential election. The LTTE had earlier put their faith in Ranil Wickremesinghe to help it return to the negotiating table by agreeing to a tsunami aid sharing arrangement. But recent statements by leading UNPers that the Ranil Wickremesinghe government had built an “international safety net” to keep the LTTE in check and was also responsible for Karuna’s split with the Wanni leadership, have disillusioned LTTE supporters worldwide, they say. Tamil sources point out that in recent days Tamil newspapers including some published in London have tended to veer toward Mahinda Rajapakse, though not openly espousing support for him. The second explanation offered is that the LTTE leader is going to declare unilateral independence in January next year and needs the funds to maintain the LTTE’s ‘Eelam’ in the Wanni while trying to convince the international community that he had no other option. Tamil sources said Velupillai Prabhakaran would give an indication of his intentions when he addresses the local Tamil community and the Tamil diaspora on Mahaveerar Day on November 27. Campaigns close tomorrow night All campaign work related to the presidential election scheduled for November 17, will come to an end on Monday (14) midnight. According to the law pertaining to elections in Sri Lanka, all campaign work related to elections has to be concluded 48 hours prior to the election. Apart from the main party offices in every district all other party offices of candidates too have to be closed 48 hours before the election. Electric fence claims Mannar Police officer's life Mr. Gunasingalage Gunatilake (33), a native of Middeniya
in Tangalle area and Reserve Police Constable in Mannar, was electrocuted
Saturday morning around 8.40 p.m. when he came in contact with live barbed
wire fence of the Murunkan police post in Mannar district, said Police
sources. Vote for a candidate who advocating non-violence - Asgiriya Maha Nayake The Mahanayake of the Asgiriya chapter, the most venerable
Udugama Sri Dhammadassi Rathanapala Buddharakkitha thero has appealed
to Buddhist voters to vote for a candidate propagating compassion and
non-violence. 'We should dispel revengeful and hateful thoughts. If we
attempted to counter terrorism through terrorism we would also become
terrorists. Lord Buddha preached that the entire mankind wants to enjoy
freedom and have the right to practice a religion of their choice. 12 November 2005 Soldiers
"fled from Jayasikurui operation" "I remember, On Nov. 01, 1999, soldiers have fled the battlefield leaving all their valuable belongings," Munasinghe, currently a leader of the opposition United National Party (UNP), told journalists in Colombo. Federal solution Addressing a media conference in support of main opposition candidate Ranil Wickramasinghe, Gen. Munasinghe said there was no clear winner from two-decades of civil war. He added that more than 45,000 soldiers have deserted Sri Lanka armed forces during the civil war. Appearing before media after a long silence, former chief peace negotiator Prof. GL Peiris said the UNP was successful in changing the separatist hard-line adopted by the Tamil Tigers. He said the LTTE softened their demand to a federal state as a result of UNP-led government’s diplomacy. The UNP claimed that the leadership of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) also admitted that Sri Lankan economy showed a rapid development as a result of the Cease Fire Agreement (CFA) signed with the Tamil Tigers. There is no middle way for Sri Lanka, prof. Peiris said, than either war or peace. Two Muslims killed, four wounded in claymore attack in Vaharai A Claymore mine exploded Friday midnight at Kirimichchai
in Vaharai, 44 km north of Batticaloa, killing two Muslim timber workers,
Mr. Mohammed Munas, 28, and Mr. Athambava Mohammed Lebbe, 35. Four persons
were rushed to Batticaloa Hospital with wounds, Police said. The crew
that had gone to the jungle area to cut timber three days ago, was returning
from Kirimichchai to Valaichenai through the Welikanda area in a tractor
with woods, civilian sources said. The claymore blast, believed to be targeted at LTTE cadres travelling southwards from Vaharai, took place around 00:30 a.m. Saturday on a lane circumventing the Panichankerni Sri Lanka Army (SLA) camp which is located on Vaharai Valaichenai main road. Tension prevailed in Valaichenai, the home town of the Muslim victims, following the incident that took place 17 km north of Valaichenai. Cyclone warning The Meteorology Department yesterday warned of a cyclonic weather threat to Sri Lanka till next month and called on the people, especially those living in the coastal areas in the East to be cautious. Deputy Director S.H. Kariyawasam told a news conference that October -- December with the onset of the inter-monsoon was the season for cyclones in the Bay of Bengal. “There is a possibility of cyclonic weather which could affect Sri Lanka”, he said. In the event of a cyclone its entry path would be from Pottuvil and Mullaitivu areas in the Eastern coastal line. Damage to power lines may be caused due to heavy lightning, winds and rains accompanying cyclonic weather conditions. Therefore he warned people living in the Eastern coastal area to evacuate from those areas. Policeman succumbs to gunshot wounds in Jaffna A policeman, Mr. Senanayake, 38, wounded in gunfire by
unidentified gunmen at Thirunelveli market in Jaffna around 4:00 p.m.
Friday, succumbed to his wounds at Jaffna Hospital, medical sources said.
Gunmen riding in a motorbike had fired at a group of policemen who had
arrived at Thirunelveli market junction in Jaffna town from Atchchuveli,
Jaffna Police said. All shops and other establishments in the area were closed immediately as tension prevailed following the gunfire, residents said. Rupavahini to telecast Sri Lanka presidential debate The state-run Rupavahini Corporation has decided to telecast the proposed presidential debate live on Channel One. The government electronic media giant has written to both candidates regarding the telecasting norms and ethics and urged them to hold the debate on or before next Monday. UNP presidential candidate Ranil Wickramasinghe has challenged ruling party candidate Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa to a TV debate. Last week Premier Rajapaksa accepted the challenge and said he would like to hold a public debate with the participation of the general public. He has given his green light to telecast the same debate on TV. “I am not going to participate for a ‘studio debate’. I am ready for a public debate and it’s always fair for the voters,” the ruling party candidate told ColomboPage this morning. Meanwhile, both candidates have appointed coordinators, namely Milinda Moragoda and Dullas Alahapperuma, to prepare the ground rules for the debate. Two abducted from Jaffna prison Two armed men believed to be LTTE cadres abducted two remand prisoners from Jaffna prison last evening, police said. They said two men had come to the prison at about 5.00 pm saying they wanted to see two prisoners. When the two prisoners were brought to see their visitors they (the visitors) grabbed the weapons carried by the guards and demanded that the prisoners be released. The armed men then fled the scene in a vehicle taking with them the abducted prisoners after firing in the air. Police were alerted and several teams were deployed in search of the fleeing men. "My close
relative Prabhakaran" - Mangala The aim of Prime Minister Rajapakse is to create a land with equal opportunity for all races and religions said the Minister. He said the opposition has attracted the racist groups, at a media gathering in Colombo. "On Ranil Wickramasinghe’s stage, there is Thondaman asking for a "Malayanadu" in the Central province. There is Prabhakaran who wants a separate Tamil land in the Northeast, Hakim is pressing for a separate administration for the East. Under the circumstances, people have to decide who is really representing a country where everyone can live together in one state". In a statement on the recent budget proposals, Minister Jeyaraj Fernandupulle said even if Ranil Wickremesinghe wins, he would not be able to change anything as the majority of the parliament is not with the UNP. Economy could collapse if a government was formed with extremists - President The economy could collapse once again if a government was formed with extremist parties like the JVP and the Hela Urumaya, President Chandrika Kumaraunga has warned. She sounded this warning at a tea party hosted in her honour after the recent opening of the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Children's Hospital at Peradeniya. Ministers Nimal Siripala De Silva, A.H.M.Fowzie, Central
Province Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake and senior officials of the Health
Ministry were present when the President made this remark. The businessman has told the President that under these
circumstances he may be compelled to close down his hotels and leave the
country. Every Muslim with dignity should vote for Ranil – Basheer Shegudawood SLMC Chairman Basheer Segudawood addressing a party election propaganda meeting in Kathankudy last Tuesday said that each vote to UNP presidential candidate Ranil Wickremasinghe will mean war-free country and peace to the people. ‘An election agreement which recognizes the dignity and political aspirations of the Muslim community has been entered into between Ranil Wickremsinghe and the SLMC' he said. Former Deputy Minister M.L.A.M. Hisbullah party front-liner M.I.Raheem also addressed the gathering at the Market Square, Kathankudy. The Muslims were heaving a sigh of relief during the ceasefire period but during the war thousands of them had lost their homes, all belongings, properties and their loved ones. They were forced to flee their native places empty handed with only the clothes they were wearing, the party chairman said. Those who call themselves as the leaders of the Muslim people are extending support to PM Mahinda and are bent upon bringing about the era of war once again to totally ruin the Muslim community, he said. ‘ A war again would mean absence of talks which in turn would also mean no independent representation status for the Muslim thus depriving them of their right to self-determination', Segu Dawood said. For the Muslims to get independent representative status and self-autonomy, every Muslim with dignity should vote for UNP candidate Ranil Wickremasinghe, he said. Student resurgence convention concludes in Jaffna Students from Jaffna schools assembled Friday at the
Kailasapathy Hall Jaffna Campus to discuss issues confronting Tamil students
in NorthEast. Head of Jaffna Students Federation, Mr Gunendran, presided
the event. Organizers said this was the first event of this type arranged
by the students in the NorthEast. Prof.Mr.Mohanathas and Mr.S.Thevarajah, Head of the Commerce Department at Jaffna University, delivered fecilitation speeches. Several hundred school students along with academics from the Universities, school principals, teachers and other officials in the education sector participated in the convention. Seminars exploring problems faced by the students at the convention included: Injustice to the Tamil students in University admissions
- By C.Navaraj, student Hartley College, Point Pedro, Following the seminars students formed into groups and discussed other issues and difficulties faced by the students. The discussions led to the formation of four student committees to followup on the issues determined to be critical to the welfare of Tamil students in the NorthEast: Committee to study issues confronted by students on daily
basis such as transportation, school books, safety. GL explains Oslo Declaration COLOMBO District UNP MP Prof. G. L. Peiris said there was a misconception concerning the Oslo declaration. "What the Oslo declaration said was that the two parties - the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE have agreed to explore the Federal system. But it is unfortunate that the UNF Government could not proceed in studying the federal form of governments in the world as the UNF Government was dissolved," Prof. Peiris said. "The International Community promised US$ 4.5 billion and the United States of America promised another US$ 5,000 to Sri Lanka. But all that money we could not put to use as the UNF Government was dissolved," he said. The Sri Lanka polity need not fear at the idea of Federation. It is a concept where you devolve power from the centre while retaining certain power with the centre. It is one way towards finding a final solution to the ethnic conflict, we are faced with. We are free to chose the form of federalism that suits our country having gone through several models available in the world," he said. "Both the UNP and the SLFP have agreed that desolation of power was the best option we have if we are rejecting war. We propose to share power within a united Sri Lanka, maintaining the territorial integrity of the land," Prof. Peiris said. Addressing the UNP media conference at the Opposition Leader's office in Colombo, Prof. Peiris said the UNP loved the country and its founder D. S. Senanayake, was a great patriot. The present UNP leaders follow his policies, beneficial to the country, he said. Dealing with the issue of power sharing, Prof. Peiris pointed out that there would be no compromise over the oneness of the country or the territorial integrity. "It is a one single country", he said. He said Armed Forces, and Foreign policy and economic policy will be the prerogatives of the Central Government. Although the power is devolved the country remains one single entity, he said. In respect of devolution of power, the UNP intends to hold discussions with the SLFP and reach an agreement. "Once we have agreed as two major political forces in the country, we will go to the people seeking their ratification for our proposals to end the conflict," Prof. Peiris said. This will be the referendum. If the two major parties could not reach an agreement, implementing of solution, would be a futile exercise. If the people at a referendum endorse the proposal, then it would be legitimate exercise of power. If the people reject, nothing can be legally done to resolve the issue. The people have to give their consent to the Government to implement the proposals to end the ethnic strife, he said. Referring to the Ceasefire Agreement (CFA), Prof. Peiris pointed out that President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and the SLFP had referred to CFA as a great strength to the country. "They have also said that a large number of investors keep on coming here to invest," he said. Prof. Peiris said once the Presidential election is won, the UNP would proceed with the peace process from where it abruptly stopped and make use of the funds promised by the international community for economic and social development of Sri Lanka. "The peace process is stagnant and stalled and we intend taking it forward," he said. Former UNP MP Sarath Munasinghe said the Armed Forces and the police in the North and East did not want to go back to war, and the people as well hate to think of war, as they had suffered enough from the war - which both parties have come to realise is unwinnable. Munasinghe observed that the people in the North and East have begun to enjoy the fruits of the Ceasefire Agreement. He said during the PA regime, the Army and Security Forces were morally down after waging war and over 45,000 men and women from the Forces left in disgust. He accused the JVP of misleading the people with false propaganda. "The JVP knows nothing about our Armed Forces. They know nothing of the army regiments. What UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said was that he intended improving quality of Armed Forces. He will first work strengthening six regiments and then go on strengthening the next. We need improvement in manpower and ammunition. All that needs money. Money will come provided there is peace in the country. Our aim is to bring back peace," he added. Malteser to fund Children's Home building construction Malteser International, Order of Malta Worldwide Relief,
finalized agreement to fund the second phase of the reconstruction of
a three storey building for "Anbu Illam," a Trincomalee children
home, for a cost of about Rs.8.3 million, officials said. Anpu Illam has
been providing shelter to orphans who lost their parents in the war. Malteser International delegation comprised Ms Maren Paech, Co-ordinator Partner Projects-East and another official. The children home delegation comprised Ms Rajeswary Thedchanamoorthy, Secretary of the institution and Mr.N.Rajanathan, a member of the committee. "Anbu Illam" is now under the supervision of the TRO with a Committee of Management The first phase of the reconstruction was completed with a two-storey building to house female children. Male inmates of the Home are provided shelter in the prayer hall due to lack of space. Once the second phase of the project is completed they will be shifted to the new building, TRO sources said. At the conclusion of the discussion, Malteser International delegation congratulated the three students of the institution who recently excelled in the island wide religious competition by winning gold medal and other prizes. 11 November 2005 LTTE-TNA conference concludes: "Tamil people have no interest in SL Presidential elections" Emerging from the three and a half hour meeting with
the Political Wing of the LTTE, Wednesday, R.Sampanthan, Leader of the
TNA Parliamentarians, categorically declared to the media, "Nothing
worthwhile would be achieved by supporting either of the two leading candidates
in the Sri Lankan Presidential election." Mr Sampanthan, following
discussions presided by S.P.Thamilchelvan, leader of the Political Wing
of the LTTE, assured the press in Kilinochchi, that Tamil People are "not
at all interested in the forthcoming Presidential election." "We are convinced that Tamil people will not benefit by showing any interest in the forthcoming Sri Lanka Presidential elections," added the parliamentary group leader of Tamil National Alliance (TNA), talking to the press after the meeting with the LTTE's Political Head at the LTTE Peace Secretariat in Kilinochchi. "The past bitter experiences of the ordinary Tamil people are such that they will never forget their sufferings, especially under military subjugation, both during their non violent struggle as well as during armed confrontation." said Mr Sampanthan. "It is not surprising that the Tamil people have lost all interest in the forthcoming Sri Lankan presidential elections. The experience the Tamils have had over five decades, has taught them neither to trust the leading Sinhala political parties nor to have faith in their leadership,” the leader of the TNA said. The meeting with twenty one TNA MPs and senior officials of the LTTE took place at 11.00 a.m. and lasted more than three hours. Mr. Thamilchelvan was joined by Deputy Head of LTTE Political Wing, S Thangan, Director of LTTE Peace Secretariat, Puleedevan, Head of Jaffna district LTTE Political Wing, Ilamparithi, Head of Vavuniya district LTTE Political Wing, Gnanam and Head of Mannar district LTTE Political Wing, Iniyavan. All TNA MPs, except Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, who is on a US visit, attended the discussions. "Neither the TNA nor the LTTE will advise people not to vote. We will not be in their way, blocking them from exercising their democratic right. But all signs are, the decision not to show interest in the Presidential election is gathering momentum among the Tamils. That is what we could gather from our political experience and interaction with the people," the veteran politician from Trincomalee observed. "Tamil residents in NorthEast are fully aware of the conduct of the two major Sinhala parties. They have been through and suffered through periods under these parties' governance. We know and understand Tamil peoples' frame of mind. We have no doubt that they are in full agreement with our thinking," Sampanthan told the press. "We discussed in depth and exchanged our views on the situation related to the elections and what historical significance our participation in the elections is going to be for the future of our people. "We talked about the conduct of the Sri Lanka Governments from the time of independence and how they attempted to resolve the Tamil National question. We discussed how our people were oppressed under armed threat and how genocide was perpetrated on our people. We looked at how the Sinhala governments approached the peace process and examined their actions especially during the last three years of peace. "There was no doubt in any of the participants' mind that the Presidential election will not produce any positive shift in the Southern Polity's thinking and approach that will in anyway result in any progressive advance towards resolving the Tamil question. "That is why we decided that it is a futile exercise to show any interest in the elecions," Sampanthan told the press. PM wants Indian help to review ceasefire UPFA Presidential candidate, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa told an election rally at Puttalam on Wednesday that when he is elected President he will revise the Ceasefire Agreement with the LTTE to prevent any form of terrorist acts under cover of the CFA in future. He said he that he will re-examine the ceasefire monitoring done so far and in doing so he will secure the assistance of India and other countries in the region. Rajapaksa noted that Puttalam District symbolized Sri Lanka's ethnic and religious harmony since the Muslim majority (50 percent) lived in friendship and brotherhood with the Sinhala (30 percent) and the Tamil communities (20 percent). His aim was to make the whole country one big family as in the case of Puttalam. Scoffing UNP allegations that he was a racist bent on instigating ethnic and religious conflicts, the PM further said that he had many friends among Tamils and Muslims when he was attending school and studying at Law College. That friendship continues to this day. Since his very young days he had closely associated people of all races and religions, the Prime Minister emphasized. He pointed out that Udukiriwela — close to this Medamulana ancestral home — was a Muslim village. In Tangalle, where he lived, the Catholics lived in perfect friendship with Buddhists and those of other faiths. He also drew attention to the fact that the well-known Catholic shrine of Thalawila in Puttlam attracted even non-Catholics. He reminded that it was the SLFP, PA and UPFA governments that had developed the Thalawila sacred area, which he planned to develop further in consultation with church authorities. The premier recalled that over 60,000 Muslims who were displaced as a result of the conflict in the Northeast, had come en masse to Puttlam. They had lost all their possessions except what they were wearing when they were chased away from their native lands. They had suffered for several years under the UNP government, which had done nothing to solve their problems. It was the PA government and Ministers like Alavi Moulana and Fowzie who had taken steps to build houses and provide other needs of these Muslim refugees, Rajapaksa reminded. He said that the CFA that former PM Ranil Wickremesinghe signed with the LTTE brought immense suffering to Muslims. They had to pay taxes to the LTTE when engaged in paddy cultivation. Even worse was that the LTTE demanded ransom payment for the release of innocent Muslim hostages by the Tigers when they went to fetch firewood. The Prime Minister asked what action had Ranil Wickremesinghe taken as Prime Minister when the LTTE massacred 103 Muslim devotees in the Kathankudi mosque in August 1990. Rajapaksa also wanted to know what Wickremesinghe had done when the LTTE had repeatedly attacked and chased Muslims away from the North. Had he at least condemned the crime? — the PM wanted to know. He also recalled the destruction of life and property of Muslims in Mutur by the LTTE after the CFA was signed in 2002. Rajapaksa asked those present whether they were going to vote for Ranil Wickremesinghe who justified the US invasion of Iraq and justified American bombing of Muslim civilians in that country. He said that he formed the Palestine Solidarity Association to support the Palestinian people's struggle. When he was an ordinary MP he made arrangements for the then PLO Leader, the late Yaser Arafat to visit Sri Lanka. The PM added that he was still a patron of the solidarity association. He said that he never betrayed the Muslims at anytime during his political career. The premier promised to increase the monthly income of Samurdhi recipients to Rs. 5000 and restore Samurdhi benefits to families in the Puttlam district who were deprived of such assistance by the previous government. The PM also pointed out that the UPFA government had taken steps to repair the Colombo-Puttlam highway, which had been in a dilapidated state for many years. He promised that the Anuradhapura-Trincomalee highway to would be completely repaired by 2007. Special attention will be paid to infrastructure development in the Puttalam District where funds have been allocated under the Maganegama programme for preparing 200 km of roadway and bridges in the area. Grenade lobbed at TNA MP's Lodge in Jaffna Unidentified attackers lobbed a grenade into the premises of the lodge owned by Jaffna Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP Mr. Suresh Premachandran at 4:30 a.m. Thursday. The lodge is located in Kattaipirai on Jaffna Point Pedro Road. No one was injured in the incident. Neighbours in the area said that they heard the sound of a speeding motorbike following the grenade explosion. Suresh Premachandran's main office is located in Jaffna and he does not use lodge except on special occasions, sources added. The MP left for Kilinochchi with fellow TNA MPs for a crucial conference with Liberation Tigers Political Wing Thursday morning. Suresh Premachandran is the leader of Eelam Peoples Revolutionary Liberation Front (EPRLF). Meanwhile, there have been reports in Jaffna of the presence of paramilitary cadres belonging to ENDLF, a group which was based in South India and was also known to operate in the Polannaruwa district with the Karuna Group. NPC concerned by pressure on Sri Lanka's North East Tamils The National Peace Council (NPC) today claimed that any direct or indirect pressure on the Tamil people in the North and East not to vote at the forthcoming presidential elections will be unacceptable to Sri Lankans. Issuing a statement, the NPC said, “There are statements being made and pamphlets being distributed in the North East calling on the people to boycott the forthcoming presidential elections. This is causing anxiety amongst the people who are concerned about the LTTE's stance with regard to these elections. In their public statements LTTE officials have said that they are going to remain neutral in the elections and will not obstruct the elections in any way. As there is uncertainty in the minds of the people, it will be a positive gesture on the part of the LTTE to continue to make it known that they are not opposed to the people casting their votes in the presidential elections. “The presidential election is one of the most important political events in the country,” the Peace Council continued. “Those who call for a boycott of the election point to the failure of past elections to solve the problems of the Tamil people. However, there is a need for partnerships to deal with these problems and bring peace to it. No single community can do this, and the South cannot solve the problem without the North East. Just as much as the government's efforts to find a solution to the ethnic conflict by itself proved futile, so will any Tamil belief that they can stay aloof from the imperatives of national politics including those of the South. North East and South are inextricably inter-connected, and what happens in one part impacts upon the other. This is why partnerships, and not boycotts or isolation, are vitally important for peace building. “The National Peace Council believes it is in the national interest to encourage the Tamil people to take part in the forthcoming presidential elections,” it clearly stated. “We call on all parties to act positively to take the peace process forward through the democratic process, and with international support, by facilitating the people's democratic right to vote now and in the future. Those who work for peace in Sri Lanka can only gain legitimacy nationally and internationally only within the democratic framework.” US to fund PAFFREL and CMEV The United States will fund two private election monitoring outfits in Sri Lanka in a bid to ensure that next week's presidential vote was free and fair, the US embassy said yesterday. The two organisations have been appointed to “monitor and report on the 2005 presidential election and to help ensure a free and fair poll on November 17,” it said in a statement. The US will fund operations of the People's Action for Free and Fair Elections and the Centre for Monitoring Election Violence for a total of about US $ 130,000, an official source said.The two organisations were given a total of more than US $ 100,000 by the Japanese government earlier this month to boost their activities ahead of the vote. The election is expected to be a face off between Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse, the ruling party candidate, and opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe. Private monitors have said there had been a marked drop in campaign-related violence in contrast to previous elections. Two masons shot in Eravur An unidentified assailant shot and wounded two masons,
Mr. Ganeshamoorthy Chandrakumar,20, and Mr Navaratnarajah Kannan, 24,
in Vantharumoolai in Eravur, 18 km north of Batticaloa. The incident took
place around 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday. The wounded persons were rushed to Batticaloa Hospital. Eravur Police is conducting investigations into the incident. Suspect who allegedly aided suicide bomber further remanded Colombo Fort Magistrate directed the police to further remand the suspect who aided and abetted the suicide bomber who blasted herself last year at the Kollupitiya police station until the Attorney General gives its advice. Police stated that they had produced extracts to the Attorney General and were awaiting advice. CID stated that investigations had established that the suicide bomber was Jeyaraj Thiagarajah of Jaffna. She had come accompanied by the suspect on the pretext of soliciting a job from Minister Douglas Devananda. The Magistrate directed the prison authorities to produce suspect L. Selvakumari before the prison magistrate. CID are conducting investigations on the conspiracy to kill Minister Douglas Devananda and the incident which led to the death of four police officers, injury to nine persons and damage to the Kollupitiya police station. The suspect Selvakumari of Jaffna who was an ex employee of the EPDP was alleged to have aided and abetted the suicide bomber by taking her to the office of Minister Douglas Devananda. Police stated that when suspicion arose among the security staff of the minister, the suicide bomber who was brought to the Kollupitiya police station blasted the bomb strapped to her killing four police officers. CID appeared for the prosecution. Indian Navy looks up to Lanka for coordination Following the successful coordination of the Indian Navy with its Sri Lankan counterpart over the past two months, the country was actively exploring the feasibility of conducting joint patrolling operations on a long-term basis. Interacting with media persons here on Thursday, Vice Admiral Suresh Mehta, who had recently assumed charge as Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, said there was a real scope for conducting joint patrolling operations with Sri Lanka in the near future. “We are planning to launch an awareness programme for our fisherman on territorial issues so that they do not stray into Sri Lankan waters while venturing out for fishing. We are also keen on initiating discussions on patrolling matters with the Sri Lankan Naval authorities,” he said. There was a need for a humanitarian approach while dealing with fishermen, who accidentally strayed into alien waters, he felt. “Having recently completed a joint exercise with the Russian and French Navies, our ships and seamen are all set to leave for Malaysia and Singapore for yet another joint exercise in the coming December,” the Admiral said. The Navy was taking adequate measures to provide security to Sri Lankan Tamil refugees in the State, he added. Cushnahan to visit Jaffna John Cushnahan, chief obeserver of the EU Election Observation
Mission, accompanied by Head of EU delegation to Sri Lanka, Ambassador
Julian Wilson, are to visti Jaffna, Friday, a press advisory from the
EOM offices in Colombo said Thursday. The Chief Observer of the European Union EOM, Mr. John Cushnahan, will tomorrow (11 November) visit the Jaffna District in the Northern Province of the country. He will be accompanied by the Head of the EU Delegation to Sri Lanka, Ambassador Julian Wilson. The Chief Observer will meet with the EU EOM Long Term Observers who are observing the electoral process in Jaffna, Kilinochchi and Mullaittivu districts. He also will meet with representatives of the political parties involved in the electoral campaign (EPDP at 10h00 and TNA at 12h00) and the authorities in charge of the organisation of the elections at local level (Returning Officer at 11h00). Mr. Cushnahan will be pleased to meet with the representatives of the media at 13h30 at the IOM (International Organization for Migration) Office 70, Temple Road, Jaffna. Hijacked van seized while entering LTTE area A Dolphin (Hiace) van which was hijacked a few days ago in Trincomalee was found as the vehicle was about to be driven into LTTE territory in Madhu, on Wednesday. The vehicle was hijacked at kinniya in Trincomalee.The owner of the Dolphin van with the number 252-0967 has been identified as Vinodini Hewawitharana of Trincomalee.It was hijacked at gunpoint by two men after threatening those in the vehicle and tying the driver's hands at the back military sources said. Later last Wednesday security personnel manning the check point in the military line of control, identifying the hijacked vehicle had stopped it as it was about to enter into the LTTE held areas via the Madhu region in Wanni, sources said. Two persons the driver Ratnam Sabapathy Mohandas and another person identified as K.Prabakaran has been taken into custody by the Vavuniya police. Interrogation revealed that the gunmen who staged the hijack had decamped just before the vehicle reached the checkpoint after directing the driver to take the vehicle into the `Tiger' territory sources said. Further investigations are being carried out by the Vavuniya police. The Dolphin the van is now in the custody of the Vavuniya police sources said. 10 November 2005 Sri
Lanka peace official resigns The fate of the three-year-old truce between the government and the rebels will be a key issue in the 17 November presidential election. Peace talks between the two sides have been on hold since April 2003. President Chandrika Kumaratunga has accepted Mr Dhanapala's resignation. She did not name a replacement head of the Secretariat for Co-ordinating the Peace Process. Political killings Sources close to Mr Dhanapala told Agence France-Presse he had been unhappy with progress in the peace process. Mr Dhanapala, who is also the country's nominee for the UN Secretary General's post after Kofi Annan retires, is currently out of the country. The ruling party candidate for the presidential polls, Mahinda Rajapakse, has vowed to take a hard line against the rebels if elected. However, his main rival, Ranil Wickramasinghe, has promised to carry forward the peace talks. He sealed a ceasefire with the rebels in 2002 when he was prime minister. Violence has increased this year with the number of political killings nearing 200, according to the Scandinavian monitors who oversee the ceasefire. More than 60,000 people have been killed in the two decades since the Tigers began fighting for a Tamil homeland in the island's north and east. Postal voting ends in Sri Lanka, 85% voted Postal voting for the November 17th presidential election ended yesterday evening without any major incident, the Election Secretariat said. Mostly government servants and armed forces personnel voted over the last two days, the Secretariat added. “Eighty-five percent of the registered postal voters cast their votes on Monday and Tuesday,” Election Secretariat sources told ColomboPage. They added that the Election Commissioner is now considering fixing another day for postal voters who missed their opportunity to cast their votes for various reasons. “Some places we have very poor response due to bad weather,” sources said. Jaffna postal voting concludes, less than 1300 vote At the completion of two days of postal voting less than
26% of those who applied for postal ballots voted in Jaffna district,
according to Election officials at the Jaffna Secretariat. Of the total
of 7068 Government officials who are eligible, 4068 had applied for postal
voting. Less than 600 on Monday, and less than 700 Tuesday voted, officials
added. Election officials in Jaffna said that during the two days of voting there were no incidents of violence, reports of harassment or intimidation. Mahinda distressed at Archbishop’s letter UPFA Presidential candidate Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse has told Colombo Archbishop Oswald Gomis that he read with sorrow a letter of the Archbishop reproduced in some national newspapers. In a letter addressed to Archbishop Gomis Mr. Rajapakse said it was particularly sad that this letter appeared along with an advertisement designed to encourage the citizens to vote against him at the upcoming Presidential election. The letter said: “Your letter suggests that ‘some radical and extremist elements are rejecting this path and paving the way for war. I am not sure whether you were referring to one of the parties allied with me. Again, later in your letter there is mention of what could be seen as another of my allies, in the context of religious freedom.” In this regard I should make it clear that as my manifesto indicates, I will safeguard the rights of all religions, as I enunciated clearly at my meeting with the JHU at the Dalada Maligawa,” Mr. Rajapakse said in his letter. The letter goes on: “I agree with you that ‘a nation could be built only on mutual confidence, love, maithri and deep respect for each other and not on hatred or violence' but I would add that duplicity should also be avoided.” “With regard to the contents of your letter, I agree strongly with the points you make, as I hope is apparent from my manifesto. With regard to the ceasefire, which it has been suggested I wish to abrogate, I have only made it clear that it should 'be amended so as to ensure that acts of terrorism would not be permitted in any way.' I believe continuing killings, and the smuggling in of arms, should be prevented, as was orginally envisaged, and I am sure you share my beliefs in this regard. However, as my manifesto makes clear, I am committed to discussion, including direct talks with the LTTE, and maximising devolution within a democratic framework.” “I should add that we are fully committed to the UN Declaration of Human Rights, which you mention. The second sentence in my manifesto affirms my determination that 'children of all religions would be able to obtain an education in keeping with their religious beliefs.' And, far from engaging in meaningless gestures where size is equated with spirituality, I am committed to rebuilding all religious places damaged by the tsunami, not simply those of particular religions. I would also draw your attention to the specia1 attention I will give to the Madhu Church sanctuary (in addition to already rebuilding the road) in view of its unique spiritual status. “Unfortunately, my opponents seem determined not to accept that my allies all subscribe fully to my manifesto. Though some of them may have different ideas, they all realize that, in participating in government, compromise and consensus are essential. As we have pointed out, in response to the question as to whether I can achieve my vision in a coalition, it is better to have the cooperation of others so we can discuss matters, rather than treat them as enemies. And it should noted that we found a very helpful spirit of compromise in preparing the manifesto, and as you can see, the question of any anti-conversion bill has not even been raised.” Another two youth arrested near Devananda's office Police arrested two youth loitering near the office of EPDP leader Minister Douglas Devananda and took them for questioning last night. Operational Headquarters said the two suspects, both from Batticaloa, were handed over to the Narahenpita police for further interrogation. In the recent past, many such arrests were made as Minister Devananda continues to be on the LTTE hit list. Following these recent developments, security was tightened around the Minister. TULF to JVP-Support Indian style devolution TULF President V. Anandasangaree has appealed to the JVP to support the ‘Indian pattern of devolution’ in working out a solution to the ethnic problem “If you fail to take a decision in favour of the proposal early, it will be a great disappointment for many” said Mr. Anandasangaree in a letter addressed to JVP general secretary Tilvin Silva. Following excerpts of the letter sent to Mr. Silva “I am perhaps the only one Tamil leader who does not see you as a group spreading hatred among various ethnic groups. Your Party has a clean record of having not harmed single Tamil or Muslim. Not even a stone had been thrown on them. No inflammatory speeches had been made to promote dissension among various communities. Yet your party is branded as a communal party opposed to the other minority groups. The damage is done by some Tamil media directly or indirectly controlled by the LTTE. They do not hesitate to condemn everyone apposed to the views held by the LTTE. “Most people do not know that I am a founder member of the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) that was responsible for adopting a resolution at its convention in 1976 for the creation of a separate stale for Tamils called ‘Eelam’. Soon after adopting that resolution our leader declared that ‘If a viable alternative is offered, the TULF if satisfied with it, will take it to the People for their approval’. “For the benefit of the younger generation and to refresh the memories of the older ones, I wish to state that the said resolution was adopted under compelling circumstances to show the: government that if a solution was not found, the only option Tamils had was to think of separation. The ethnic problem in Sri Lanka gained momentum with the passage of the Sinhala Only Act.. The Banda-Chelva pact or five years later the Dudley-Chelva pact would have solved this problem, if not disrupted. The Government's proposal of 1996 also met with the same fate. After fifty years of agitation we are back to square one. A country that should havebeen peaceful and a paradise on earth is in shambles and with no hopes of a bright future. “I do not want to blame one party or the other. We must leave it in the hands of the younger generation to find a solution. The present day youths are more educated and more enlightened. They do understand the high principles of Democracy. They know what discrimination means. They should feel for the pitiable condition in which displaced people are living in camps for over fifteen years. The Muslims sent out of the North are living in more than 125 refugee camps in the Puttalam and Anuradhapura districts. Tamils in the North and East living within LITE held areas do not enjoy even their basic rights. The suffering of the displaced Sinhalese also sis a factor that cannot be ignored. “The present day youth should take the responsibility on themselves and unite all forces to arrive at a consensus on the ethnic issue. The demand for Federalism as a solution to the ethnic problem is gaining ground day by day. For the first time in fifty years major political parties in Sri Lanka are putting forward Federalism as an election pledge, to solve the ethnic problem. The UNP and .the SLFP have already declared their stand. The Left Parties had always supported it. It appears that the JHU also is favouring an Indian pattern of devolution. “I understand that your party the Jathika Vimukthi Peramuna has declared that if the LTTE gives up its demand for .separation they will also reconsider their earlier decisision. “The Indian pattern of devolution seem to be acceptable to all sections of the people of Sri Lanka. I earnestly plead with the JVP also to take an early decision on this matter without making a historic blunder. Everyone wants a solution early and if a consensus is arrived at then after the Presidential election is over, the details of the solution can be worked out. The LTTE should now realize that separation is not possible and give up its demand for separation. Neither the international community nor India will approve separation. India's disapproval will be mainly due to avoiding a similar demand within itself. I can assure with confidence that a federal solution will never lead to a division of the country. Instead it will keep the country united. The international community has made it very clear that they would like a solution within a united country. “In conclusion 1 wish to point out that with your party also deciding to support the Indian pattern of devolution, this proposal will receive the support of a very large section of the people of Sri Lanka. If you fail to take a decision in favour of the proposal early it will be a great disappointment for many, with no hopes of a solution for many more years Let not the future generation curse us for missing a golden opportunity that came on our way with large majority of the people of Sri. Lanka agreeing for an amicable settlement of our problem. As for me like many others, I am also getting disgusted with the ways various parties deal with this issue, which in turn has brought ruin to the country and its people. “I trust your party will take a favourable decision before the election and make an announcement accordingly. I am available to you any time if you want to discuss this matter with me.” Danish group informs United Nations about torture by Sri Lanka police The Danish Rehabilitation and Research Centre for Torture Victims (RCT) has raised concerns regarding the large number of police torture cases in Sri Lanka, many of which involve torture "committed for the purpose of extracting confessions and as a result of the lack of proper investigation skills." In a written statement to the United Nations Committee against Torture, RCT expressed its concern over the lack of effective remedies. The statement was submitted in advance of the Committee's hearings regarding Sri Lanka's compliance with the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment, scheduled for November 10 and 11. At this time, the Committee will study Sri Lanka's second periodic report submitted in accordance with article 19 of the Convention. According to RCT, unless the Sri Lankan police are properly trained and equipped to carry out their duties, there is “little hope” of eradicating torture within the country. The Danish group has worked with the Hong Kong-based Asian Human Rights Commission since 2003 to prevent police torture in Sri Lanka. “RCT encourages the Committee to raise this issue with the State Party and recommend better training for police officers, a higher level of discipline within the ranks of the police and a higher level of accountability,” the statement said. Another area of concern raised by RCT relates to the lack of witness protection for torture victims who stand up for their rights and file cases against the perpetrators. Many of these victims have experienced serious threats and in November 2004, torture victim Gerald Perera was murdered. “The victims need to be protected from the police and not by the police,” said the group. Ice Manju hiding in Tiger camp?-Daily Mirror The suspect, identified as Ice Manju, wanted in connection with the killing of Major Muthaliph is reportedly hiding in the LTTE camp in Sampur, the CID said. The CID has obtained evidence that Ice Manju was also responsible for killing Col. Meedin, it said. The CID said witnesses who were shown a photograph of Ice Manju had identified him as Colonel Meedin’s killer and two police teams investigating the killing had unearthed a great deal of information about Ice Manju. Ice Manju was a wanted criminal in Trincomalee. UNP Trincomalee organiser Ariyawathie Galappathy had said Ice Manju had sought protection from the LTTE following death threats. The LTTE had reportedly promised him protection after he killed Col. Meedin. Police also have the number of the vehicle in which he had fled after the killing. The LTTE has reportedly promoted him as a ‘major’. Two brothers of Ms. Galappathy, Chamil and Ruwan had reportedly associated closely with Ice Manju who had obtained an introduction to Col. Meedin through them. Meanwhile, yesterday the CID arrested a businessman at Kiribathgoda who is alleged to have provided protection to Ice Manju. The CID said he has revealed vital information about the killing. Ex-India president
Narayanan dies Affirmation He had a long association with the Congress Party after India's first Prime Minister, Jawarlal Nehru, appointed him to the diplomatic service. Mr Narayanan was admitted to the Army's Research and Referral Hospital in Delhi on 29 October suffering from pneumonia and kidney failure, defence ministry spokesman Sitanshu Kar said. Analysts say Mr Narayanan's rise to the presidential office
from the Dalit caste was seen by many as an affirmation of India's democratic
roots. Mr Narayanan's rise to an important if largely ceremonial role was considered a remarkable achievement. He preferred not to focus on his background but did talk on the subject in a 1998 television interview, saying: "If you can see one consistent tendency in India, one trend in India, from the time of the Buddha onwards, it is the slow, but steady movement of the lower classes among the scale of the class system. "But it has been very slow. It took 2,000 years. But it is something which is going on." Before becoming president, Mr Narayanan served as Indian ambassador in Beijing and Washington. He won a seat in parliament in 1980 and enjoyed an impeccably clean reputation. LTTE meets TNA Parliamentarians today The political wing of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam is holding a crucial meeting with The Tamil National Alliance Parliamentarians today in Killinochchi to discuss the issues with regard to the next week's Presidential poll, sources said. The LTTE's political wing leader S.P. Thamilselvan along with other senior members of the organisation will meet the 21 Tamil National Alliance Parliamentarians at the Killinochchi Peace Secretariat at 11 am today sources said. The LTTE has already announced that it was not going to support any of the candidates at the Presidential poll and has left it to the people in the North and the East to vote for the candidates who ever they preferred. TNA Parliamentarians are expected to brief the LTTE about the Presidential poll trend in the south to the LTTE's political leaders.The future political agenda in the North and East and the post election stance of the LTTE and the TNA would also be discussed extensively sources said. Since the campaigns kicked off the main contenders SLFP's Premier Mahinda Rajapakse and the United National Party candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe had a few rallies in the East and a visit to the High Security Zone around the Palaly military base in the North. The posters of both candidates have been put up in various parts in the North. 09 November 2005 UNP: ‘We trapped and split LTTE, sank their ships’ Sri Lanka’s opposition United National Party this
week claimed credit for engineering a split within the Liberation Tigers
of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) through the peace process whilst at the same time
keeping the movement locked in via an international security net. The
UNP also claimed credit for the sinking of LTTE vessels during the peace
talks. In an interview with the Daily Mirror published Tuesday, Mr. Moragoda said the UNP would review the ceasefire it had signed with the LTTE and crackdown to end a spate of killings the Army blames on the Tigers, but international monitors say is part of a cycle of mutual attacks in an ongoing ‘subversive war.’ “There is a difference between the rule of a democratically elected government and that of a rebel group,” Mr. Moragoda said of the LTTE. “The government has to ensure that the writ of the government is run in the government controlled areas.” He rejected accusations by Sinhala ultra-nationalists, including Mr. Wickremesinghe’s main opponent, that the UNP government had weakened Sri Lanka’s national security when it signed a ceasefire with the LTTE in February 2002. “It should be remembered how active our naval forces were when we were in power,” Mr. Moragoda said, referring to the sinking of two LTTE merchant vessels in international waters in March and June 2003. “There was so much of activity and with the help of the international intelligence network that we had set up, our navy managed to intercept several LTTE arm ships.” “But we hardly heard about such interceptions after the UPFA came into power,” Mr. Moragoda said of the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA), which toppled the UNP-led one in April 2004. He also denied reports the UNP was planning to downsize the Army: “We in fact feel that we need more soldiers and that is why we launched several recruitment drives when in office.” “Our efforts to further strengthen the military based on the advice of international military experts, especially from the US and India, had been misinterpreted and given some twists,” he said referring to reports quoting UNP officials as saying its government had envisaged Indian and US troops fighting the LTTE. But at the same time Mr. Moragoda said the UNP had enmeshed the LTTE’s armed struggle in “an international safety net” and thereby prevented a return to war. Asked why he though the ceasefire had survived this long, he replied: “Purely because of the international safety net that we managed to muster. If not for that by now we would have reverted back to war.” “Mr. Wickremesinghe at the very outset saw through the challenges and made it a point to garner the support of the leading international players as guarantors of the peace process,” he said. Mr. Moragoda defended the February 2002 ceasefire agreement, saying “everybody is finding fault with the clauses in the ceasefire agreement still nobody wants to do away with that … end of this ceasefire means war.” “However there is no doubt about the fact that we have to review the agreement to suit the new challenges of the process. This is a fact accepted by all parties including the LTTE,” he said. The LTTE has however refused to contemplate reviewing or altering the agreement and instead have sought discussions on the lack of implementation by the UNP and UPFA governments of several key clauses. Further rejecting accusations by the UNP’s critics that the party had strengthened the LTTE through the peace process Mr. Moragoda instead said the party had fostered fissures within the LTTE, referring in particular to the rebellion against the organisation’s leadership by its former eastern commander, Karuna. “Mr. Wickremesinghe always says that we have to create the right environment so that the LTTE would not be able to behave the way it does,” he said. “A dissident Karuna would most probably have never emerged in a war situation. By silencing guns, by opening roads and removing barricades we created an environment that offered alternatives to the most ruthless of the LTTE cadres,” Mr Moragoda said. “Even a suicide cadre who had seen all these positive changes would think twice because he has been offered an alternative to their resolve to die for a cause. When they see that they can live the life of any other citizen and have the same access and opportunities they will definitely think twice.” In March 2004 Karuna, then the LTTE’s commander for the Batticaloa-Amparai sector, rebelled against the LTTE leadership, but when his six week rebellion collapsed following a Tiger offensive over the Easter Weekend, Karuna defected to the Sri Lanka Army with a handful of close confidantes. The LTTE accuse Sri Lankan military intelligence of supporting the Karuna Group and other paramilitary groups in a violent campaign against its members and supporters. Mr. Moragoda acknowledged the charge, but refused to say if Mr. Wickremesinghe would disarm the paramilitary groups as stipulated in the ceasefire agreement. “We see it more as a law or order issue [than a ceasefire matter] especially in the Eastern province than anything else,” he said. “Karuna is a product of the peace process for which the UNP had made the bulk of the contributions. … As to what we should do with Karuna is something that we have to decide once our candidate is elected the president.” Ranil wants live debate with Mahinda before Nov. 14 Tells Premier to translate acceptance into action UNP leader and presidential candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe has welcomed Prime Minister and UPFA presidential candidate Mahinda Rajapakse’s acceptance of his challenge to a public debate to be telecast live on the main issues involving the crucial presidential election. In a letter to Mr. Rajapakse, Mr. Wickremesinghe has urged him to translate the acceptance into action and suggested ground rules for the debate to be held within the coming week. Mr. Wickremesinghe said: “It gave me great pleasure to learn from the news media that you had made an announcement at a meeting on November 6, that you will accept my challenge to a public debate in the run-up to the Presidential Election on November 17. “As you are aware, in order to comply with election laws such a debate would have to take place before November 14, leaving very little time for arrangements to be made. “I am therefore writing to you to request you without delay to nominate your representative for the purpose of working out the rules and modalities for this debate. “My representative for this purpose will be Milinda Moragoda, MP, who can be contacted on telephone No. 0777 486799. “I am gratified that you have accepted my challenge even at this late stage, and hope that your acceptance was not merely rhetorical. I urge you to take urgent and meaningful steps to translate your acceptance into action, so that this debate can in fact take place within the next week. Rarely, in the history of our country have the people been faced with such a crucial choice as they will be on November 17 a choice between a prosperous, liberal, secular society built on a just and lasting peace as offered by me; or the confused solution offered by you. “I therefore urge you without delay to give effect to the statement made by you on Sunday by actually participating in a debate with me and invite you to request your representative to make contact with Mr. Moragoda without any further delay “The "Suggested Ground Rules for the Debates"
are annexed herewith. Two one hour debates in total including six breaks of two
minutes each, the frequencies of which can be decided mutually. This will
enable the participants to consult notes and collect their thoughts. 1. Each opening statement would be of 60 seconds duration. 2. A first period - 24 minutes - where the moderator will ask the same question of both candidates alternating the order so that each candidate could take turns to go first. The candidate will have one minute and thirty seconds to respond to the question of the moderator. The candidates will be cut-off if the time limit is exceeded. 3. A second period - 16 minutes - where the candidates would ask each other questions. The questions should not exceed 30 seconds and the answers should not exceed one minute and thirty seconds. The moderator will be permitted to intervene during this period if order needs to be restored, or at the request of either candidate. 4. Each candidate will be permitted a three minute closing
statement. 6. The remaining two minutes will be allocated to the moderator
for opening and closing greetings. Suicide jacket found near Sri Lanka Prime Minister's residence In a shocking development, police found an explosives-filled jacket worn by LTTE suicide bombers at 13th Lane, Kollupitiya, last night. Police said that raising fears of an assassination bid, an anonymous caller led them to a complete suicide jacket in the lane, which was situated a few metres away from the Prime Minister’s residence, Temple Trees.Meanwhile, a Tamil youth who claimed he was a suicide member of the LTTE had demanded that the United States Embassy in Colombo provide enough security for him. Later he and another companion, who was an Army deserter, were handed over to the Kollupitiya police. Surrendered cadres expose SLA complicity with Karuna group Two underage youths, Suresh Kandasamy (16) and Babu Selvam (15), and another foreign returnee Shanmugam Sarwarajah (21), recruited with promise of financial incentives by paramilitary Karuna Group surrendered to the Liberation Tigers and talked to media Monday evening at Solaiyaham Conference Centre in the LTTE controlled area of the Batticaloa district. The cadres said they were under continuous monitoring by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and decided to surrender when they were sent on missions to attack LTTE posts. Suresh and Selvam from the Tamil village of Karapola in the Polannaruwa district, were kidnapped by Karuna Group cadres in August of 2005. Suresh said, he was kept inside a bunker for six days by a key operative of the Karuna Group, Jim Kelly Thatha, at the Sri Lanka Army camp (SLA) located in Kakachiaveddai. Suresh was promised Rs 6000 a month to work for the group. Suresh said he was given training on operating guns at the SLA camp and was engaged in missions against the Tigers. A few days ago, Suresh surrended to the LTTE when he was sent with a pistol to gundown a person at Mandoor bridge, he said. Selvam kidnapped by the paramilitary cadres riding in a Dolphin van was taken to a paramilitary camp in Thivuchenai, Welikanda, located close to an SLA base. He said the paramilitary cadres were also involved in robberies in Oddamavadi area in Valaichenai. He was also given 6000 rupees as salary. Selvam said he knew of at least seven Tamil youths who were brought to the camp and were killed there.Shanmugam Sarwarajah (21) from Kokkaddicholai said Karuna operative Markkan convinced him to return from Qatar and join their group. According to Sarwarajah, there were at least 65 persons in the paramilitary camp in Thivuchenai where he was given training. He was also recruited for payment.Sarwarajah said that after a month of training he was taken to Chenaipuram SLA base in Welikanda in a Buffel RPC vehicle and introduced to Capt. Kumarasinghe, the head of the base. The paramilitary group received supplies, instructions and was under complete supervision of the SLA, he added.The press conference arranged by the LTTE at Solaiayakam,15 kilometres southwest of Batticaloa town, began at 3:30 pm. and ended at 5:00 pm. Wide ranging relief
offered to electorate * Rs 1,500 monthly savings for each tsunami affected child. * Rs 15,000 million for mother and children nutrition programmes * Rs 3,000 million to increase monthly Samurdhi allowance by Rs 750 each * Rs 700 million to promote deep sea fishing industry * Income tax exemption for agriculture and processed agricultural products * Incentives for advanced technology based industries * Computers and accessories would be exempted from VAT * VAT rate changes to reduce prices of essential food and commodities * Rs 1,000 cost of living allowance for public servants and armed forces * Rs 500 cost of living allowance for pensioners * Betting and gaming levy increased * Port and Airport Development levy raised * Excise duty increased on hard liquor by Rs. 15, soft liquor by Rs 5, Cigarettes by 50 cents * Salaries of public servants increased The main Opposition yesterday staged a walk out of the House
in protest no sooner Finance Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama commenced presenting
the budget in Parliament. The Finance Minister said: "I have prepared this budget under difficult conditions. The budget process coincided with an unexpected election cycle. The preliminary Budget call was issued in July this year. The consultation process started thereafter and the Appropriation Bill was placed before Parliament one month ago. We have also entered into an international rating process for which regular fiscal policy conduct is critical. The private sector, investor community and public services need continuity in their work. The tsunami related work needs to be managed satisfactorily before its anniversary in December, when the eyes of the world will be turning towards us again." In summarising the benefits of the budget, the Minister said: "Children, Mothers and disabled are given special recognition. * A large number of professionals and new skillholders will become global service providers due to new incentive structure and expenditure allocation in favour of such a development. This should provide employment for over 50,000 and generate a large inflow of foreign exchange. * Emergence of an export entrepreneur economy with agriculture, SMEs, software and IT enabling services, tourism, apparel and local value addition industries and provincial industrialization becoming added growth sources in the economy will provide employment for over 100,000. Wide ranging * Integrated rural infrastructure development consisting of Dahasak Maha Wev, Maga Naguma, Pubudumu Wellasa, Raja Rata Navodaya, Udarata Development, Osu Gammana, Vidatha resource centres, Navoda school development programme, North East rehabilitation, Post-Tsunami construction and estate community infrastructure development and Jana Pubuduwa, Gami Pubuduwa and Gami Diriya will improve livelihood for over one million people assisting them to move away from poverty on a sustainable basis. * Better producer prices for paddy, milk, fruits and vegetables, provision of credit seed, fertilizer at affordable prices and new market access help our farming community. * Salary and pension increases will provide benefits to about 850,000 public servants including employees in armed services and about 450,000 pensioners. `95 Nearly 2 million Samurdhi beneficiaries will get additional living allowance. "The proposals I have placed before this House provides an opportunity tomake a leap forward in exports all the way from ornamental fish and software to professional services. Our infrastructure strategy not only links us to global markets,but also establishes strong connections and among ourselves within all provinces the surest way of creating equitable opportunities to all our people. Our economic reforms will consolidate fiscal position and provide a stable economic environment. A crime free, secured living environment as well as our commitment to protect our natural environment should position ourselves in a strong footing in the region. We must be a country which looks confidently into the future and not one which is constantly looking back and only giving voice to grievances," he said. Chandrasekaran threatens to withdraw support over UNP MP's statement The Upcountry People's Front (UPF), which has extended its support to UNP presidential candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe, today threatened to withdraw its support if the UNP leadership fails to explain a statement by a senior party member. The UPF was referring to a statement made by Nuwara Eliya District UNP MP Navin Dissanayake at a meeting held at Ginigathhena. Mr. Dissanayake had said that if Velupillai Prabhakaran decides to wage war, the UNP would get the United States and Indian forces to fight in Sri Lanka. He also said the CWC, led by Arumugam Thondaman, represents the majority of people in the estate sector, and Mr. Thondaman has assured the votes of the estate sector to UNP candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe. In a media release, UPF leader P. Chandrasekaran said in response, “Before we agreed to support the UNP, we also requested Ranil Wickremesinghe that UNP should treat equally all upcountry parties. To our dismay, we find the UNP giving prominence to one selected upcountry party in its propaganda meetings. We are forced to conclude that the UNP is intent on marginalizing Upcountry People’s Front.” The release also said, “If UNP fails to provide acceptable explanations to the above matters and take Upcountry People’s Front into confidence, UPF feels its continued support to the UNP will definitely bring in danger to the Tamil people and UPF.” He added, “If the UNP has plans to undermine the North-East struggle by inviting foreign military forces, then Upcountry People’s Front will not only withdraw its support to the UNP but will work against its candidate in the forthcoming presidential elections.” Businessman shot by Muslim gunmen in Eravur Mr. Sinnathamby Puhari, 26, a Muslim owner of a business
was shot and wounded in Monday night at his residence in Eravur by gunmen
believed to be belonging to a Muslim armed group. Mr. Puhari was shot
when he returned home after talking to his friends at Meerakerny in Eravur
at 8:30 p.m., Eravur Police said. Police allege that a Muslim armed group
in the east is engaged in extortion among Muslim business owners in Batticaloa.
The victim, who is married and has a child, was admitted to Batticaloa Hospital. Eravur is located 15 km north of Batticaloa town. “SCF has rendered significant service in a post-war situation” “Save the Childen Fund (SCF) has a long record of service in the Tamil Homeland and has helped the people immensely in its support to the most vulnerable segment of the society, the children, during and after the war and tsunami” said Mr.S.P.Tamilselvan, Head of the Political Wing in a meeting with SCF’s outgoing Country Head Mr. Richard Mawer and his successor Mr.Gregoreg Frankalin Duty today, 8 November 2005 at the Peace Secretariat in Kilinochchi. At the outset Mr. Richard Mawer thanked Tamilselvan for the co-operation extended by the LTTE in carrying out SCF projects and said that the new Country Head would continue implemenation of projects in consultation with the LTTE and the community at large. The new Country Head mapped out the SCF strategy for 2006 and reiterated the commitment to work for the betterment of the children through livelihood, eduation and nutrition projects. Mr.Tamilselvan pointed out that the SCF’s role in the Tamil habitats assumes larger dimensions in the context of a people who have suffered untold hardship during the last two decades due to war, its destruction of the social and economic infrastructure, several displacements and loss of breadwinners, all of which having a cumulative effect on the life of children. Encouraging SCF to engage in more projects focussed on vocational and technical education of children, Mr.Tamilselvan assured that the LTTE would always support SCF initiatives to add quality to the life of the children. Sri Lanka: No travel for child soldier recruiters Human Rights Watch laid the groundwork for the European Union's recent decision to impose a travel ban on the leaders of a Sri Lankan rebel group responsible for the widespread recruitment of children into its army. Our November 2004 report documented the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE, or Tamil Tigers)'s escalating abduction and recruitment of children in the north and east of Sri Lanka, despite a ceasefire agreement with the government since 2002. We successfully pressed the United Nations Security Council to publicly speak out against child recruitment and to urge countries to adopt sanctions against those responsible. In response to continuing child recruitment and political killings, the European Union has said it will refuse to admit LTTE delegations into any of its member states. Human Rights Watch is also calling for an independent commission of inquiry to investigate the recent spate of political violence and murders in Sri Lanka, including the assassination of Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar in August. Cushnahan visits Trincomalee, observes polling arrangement Mr.John Cushnahan, Head of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU-EOM) to Sri Lanka Tuesday visited Trincomalee and held discussions with election officials and representatives of the two main political parties contesting the presidential poll. Two long-term observers stationed in the east port town participated in the discussion with Mr.Cushnahan. Later in the afternoon Mr.Cushnahan briefed the media persons at the Trincomalee Hotel Club Oceanic. He said he met with the Additional Government Mr.G.Amaratunge, Assistant Election Commissioner Mr.Bandara Mapa, Mr.Nimal Gamini, District organizer of the Sri Lanka Freedom party (SLFP) and Ms Ariyawathie Galapathy, District Organizer of the United National Party (UNP). Mr.Cushnahan in reply to a question stated that cluster polling booths for the voters in the LTTE held areas in the Trincomalee district will be established in a neutral zone as in the last year general election. He added that the reports that such polling booths will be placed inside the army camp area are incorrect and misleading, according to Mr.Bandara Mapa, Assistant Commissioner of Elections. "We hope every voter will be allowed to exercise his/her franchise without fear, intimidation and bureaucratic obstruction in the forthcoming presidential poll," said Mr.Cushnahan. Mr.Cushnahan said four short-term observers of the EU-EOM will arrive in Trincomalee during the weekend to assist the two long- term observers already in the east port town on the polling day. Mr.Cushnahan said he will be in Jaffna Friday to see the polling arrangement there. 08 November 2005 75% turn out for postal voting Some 75% had voted at yesterday’s postal voting for the presidential election, a spokesman for the elections department said. Except for 20 minor incidents the polling was conducted in a peaceful manner without any major incidents of violence or irregularities being reported. The voting could not be conducted at a polling station in the Dehiwala-Mt. Lavinia Municipal Council area as necessary documents were not received on time due to the death of a close relative. PAFFREL Chairman Kingsley Rodrigo said the polling was conducted peacefully and while polling in the Batticaloa district was fairly successful it was somewhat weak in the Jaffna district. Jaffna postal votes cast, said historic low Election officials at the Jaffna Secretariat said that less
than 10% of those applied for postal voting cast their votes when the
first day of postal voting completed on Monday. Although there is expected
to be voting in some centers tomorrow, the election officials added that
the numbers voted present a historic low for the district. A number of those who cast votes said they exercised their franchise by voting to neither candidate and cancelling their vote. Others said that they voted for Mr Wickremasinghe, media sources said. Accomplice in Lt.Col. Meedin murder arrested The special police team on the trail of Ice Mamjula, the prime suspect in the assassination of senior Army Intelligence Officer Lt.Col. Tuan Meedin arrested a close associate of the suspect in Trincomalee. The arrested man, police said, is the go between who brings ‘jobs’ for Ice Manjula on contract from the LTTE. He is also said to be a person selling large stocks of diesel to the LTTE in the Vakarai and Sampur areas in the east, and has earned a considerable income from his transactions with the terrorists and owns two houses. Police also said that the associate of Ice Manjula is planning to kill all those who may give information about him to the police. Police also said Ice Manjula and his gang have earned millions of rupees from the transactions they have had with the LTTE. More and more clues about the assassination of Lt.Col.Meedin, are being disclosed to the police teams investigating the case and some more suspects are to be arrested in the near future. “Karuna Defection, Wickremasinghe's Ploy” - UNP Stalwart A United National Party (UNP) stalwart in Nuwara Eliya district,
Mr. Naveen Dissanayake, has said that it would not be necessary for Sri
Lanka’s Military to fight the Tigers. "American and Indian
forces will fight the LTTE if Liberation Tigers' leader Pirapaharan opts
to wage a war," Naveen Dissanayake told the audience at an Election
propaganda meeting, Thursday, at Ginigathena in the upcountry district
of Nuwara Eliya, a Tamil daily, Uthayan, quoted in its headline story,
Monday. Mr. Dissanayake has also claimed that a situation was created
to make the renegade LTTE commander Karuna to get dissatisfied with his
leadership during the period covering his trips to Europe, the paper said.
Dissanayake also referred to Mr. Wickremasinghe's meetings with the US President, George W. Bush, and Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, the president of the Indian National Congress (Congress Party), and said that Wickremasinghe has made the necessary groundwork to conduct the war with the LTTE, if the latter opts for one. "There will be no need for Sri Lankan forces to do the fighting," he further said. The meeting was organised by the Nuwara Eliya district organiser of the UNP, Mr. K. K. Piyadasa. Mrs. Hema Premadasa, the wife of the late Sri Lankan president and former UNP leader Mr. R. Premadasa , UNP parliamentarian Bandula Gunawardene, and Mr. Vijeyakumar, the General Secretary of the Upcountry People’s Front were present at the meeting, the paper said. The UNP parliamentarian Naveen Dissanayake is the son of late Gamini Dissanayake. Plot to assassinate Dhammaloka Thera The Police Intelligence unit has initiated investigations following reports of a possible plot to assassinate former JHU General Secretary and Parliamentarian Ven. Uduwe Dhammaloka Thera. Intelligence unit sources said reports indicated a contract had been given to an underworld gangster in Kelaniya together with a weapon to assassinate the charismatic monk. Ven. Dhammaloka Thera entered Parliament as a member of the Jathika Hela Urumaya and crossed over as an independent member but recently he came forward to support the candidature of UNP Presidential Candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe. The investigators have unearthed details of a secret meeting at which plans for the assassination were discussed at a house in Maligakanda. According to the plan, the LTTE’s Karuna faction was to be blamed for the assassination, they said. Ranil promises separate Muslim Ministry UNP Presidential candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday assured about 1,000 Muslim representatives that as President he would setup a separate Muslim affairs ministry if he is elected President to safeguard the rights of the country’s Muslim community. Addressing the large gathering of Muslim leaders at an event organised by the UNP’s Muslim affairs committee, Mr. Wickremesinghe said the rights of the Muslim community had been disregarded since the government did not have a separate Muslim affairs ministry. The UNP leader also vowed to develop Kalmunai making it the largest Muslim city in the east.Referring to the peace process, Mr. Wickremesinghe assured the rights of the Muslims would not be overlooked when pursuing a final solution. “As a safeguard we will first have a referendum before arriving at a final solution. There is also a severe drop of law and order in the east so I will revamp the police force to control the situation,” he said. Mr. Wickremesinghe also outlined proposed measure for the welfare of Muslims affected by the tsunami in the east. Election travel restrictions at Omanthai Checkpoint In a meeting held at the Vavuniya secretariat Monday at
3.30 p.m., Sri Lanka Army (SLA) high level officials and, Vavuniya district
election Commissioner and Government Agent Mr S Shanumugam, decided to
restrict travel at the Omanthai checkpoint and disallow heavy vehicles
during Sri Lanka presidential elections on 16th and 17th November, secretariat
officials said. Voters will be searched only by Police officers and not by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers, the officials said. Further, the voters will not be allowed to bring in any parcel or baggage to the polling stations. Of the 104884 eligible voters in Vavuniya district, 78906 in Mannar district, and 66596 voters in Mullaitivu district, 18,857 (Vavuniya), 16131 (Mannar) and 65504 (Mullaitivu) voters reside in areas controlled by the Liberation Tigers, officials said. Eligible postal voters include: 2450 (Vavuniya), 1170 (Mannar) and 324 (Mullaitivu). Gnanakone to be produced in court The Colombo Crimes Division (CCD), informed the Colombo Magistrate that businessman Charles Gnanakone, arrested in connection with the assassination of former Foreign Minister, Lakshman Kadirgamar, will be produced before court. The CCD, investigating into the murder, informed Colombo Chief Magistrate Kusala Sarojini Weerawardena, that the suspect who was arrested on October 9, was under interrogation in police custody, under a detention order. Gnanakone, an Australian passport holder, was arrested on a tip-off by the Army Office Command Colombo (OCC) on a raid on a house at Nikape, Dehiwela, in the early hours of October 9, and handed over the suspect to the CCD. Filing an investigation report, SI R.M.A. Rajapakse informed court that the inquiry was continuing and more suspects are to be arrested. The suspects, M. Sabhadevan, S. Sivaranjan and D. Arogyanathan who were arrested in Vavuniya, for aiding and abetting in the murder of the late Foreign Minster, were detained till November 20. The court ordered to remand till Nov. 16, three other suspects, M. Thamil Eniyam, Rengam Jeganan and Aiyar Kumar, who were taken into custody earlier. Indian foreign minister
removed -BBC Natwar Singh and the main party in India's ruling coalition, Congress, were both named in a UN report into the scandal. Both deny any wrongdoing. India's opposition has renewed calls for Mr Singh to be sacked outright. Natwar Singh is a close ally of Congress party chief Sonia Gandhi and as a former ambassador to Pakistan used his contacts to push forward the two countries' peace process. BJP demands Natwar Singh's removal from the post of foreign minister while his alleged misdealing is investigated came at his own request, according to a government statement. The new minister without portfolio was summoned to an hour-long meeting with the premier on Monday and left without making any comment. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is taking over the foreign minister's portfolio ahead of a regional summit in Bangladesh this weekend, his spokesman said. The BBC's Sanjoy Majumder in Delhi says the government has been deeply embarrassed by the UN report revelations and has moved quickly to contain any political fallout. Its decision to remove Natwar Singh is an uncharacteristically swift response to what is one of the biggest crises it has faced since coming to power, our correspondent says. Many observers had said the foreign minister's position had become untenable. India's main opposition BJP party had demanded his resignation, saying he was unfit to stay in office. It is still pressing for him to leave the cabinet. "He has embarrassed the government. By continuing as minister without portfolio he has earned himself a price for silence," BJP spokesman Arun Jaitley told NDTV television. Claims dismissed The UN report, published last Thursday, was written by the former US Federal Reserve chairman, Paul Volcker. It said more than 2,000 firms made illegal payments to Saddam Hussein's government. Under the UN programme, Saddam Hussein's government could sell oil as long as the proceeds were used to buy humanitarian goods. Natwar Singh, who held senior diplomatic posts in previous governments, was not in office in 2001 when he is alleged to have profited from Iraq oil-for-food deal. On Saturday, Mr Singh told the NDTV television channel that the charges had no basis. "I am dismissing [the Volcker report] here on behalf of the Congress Party and as the foreign minister of India." On Monday, the government said a retired Supreme Court judge, RS Pathak, would head the judicial inquiry. Former Indian UN official, Virendra Dayal, has also been appointed to gather information about the charges. 07 November 2005 Only federal solution possible – UNP One of the major issues being discussed at the present Presidential election campaign is the mode of solving the North East problem. The United National party has consistently maintained that a solution is only possible through a united Sri Lanka and a federal solution. Whether in or out of power, this has been the stand of the UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe. However, the stance taken by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse, is complex and cannot be understood easily due to the contradictory agreements entered into with the JVP and the JHU, said former parliamentarian Tilak Karunaratne, addressing a UNP media briefing at the office of the Leader of the Opposition on Friday "Even personally, the views experienced by Mahinda Rajapakse have become capricious by nature. "There is no other way to solve the North-East problem other than through a federal solution within a united Sri Lanka. This is the official view of the UNP. It is possible for small political groups to shout themselves hoarse demanding a solution within a unitary state. But when in power, the large political parties have to face reality and adopt practical means of settling the problem. He said that the spokesman of the UPFA government claimed that the cease-fire agreement had resulted in the division of the country. "However, the country was divided when the LTTE won decisive battles and took over the Army camps and land around Mullativu, Kilinochchi and Elephant Pass during the previous regime of the present government during the period 1994 to 2001. The CFA helped to unite people who were divided following LTTE victories. This was a major achievement of the Ranil Wickremesinghe administration in 2001." "Being unable to face certain defeat on November 18, the campaign Leader of the Prime Minister's team Minister Mangala Samaraweera has suddenly developed an affection for the late General Secretary of the UNP, Gamini Athukorale and is planning to have a Presidential Commissioner appointed to probe the circumstances that led to the death of Gamini Athukorale," said UNP Parliamentarian Thalatha Athukorale. "He has raised this issue, 14 days prior to the Presidential election and has expressed views which are base and insulting and have to be treated with contempt. Mangala Samaraweera is running short of legitimate campaign issues and is now resisting to raking up matters which derisory in nature," she said. "He is representing the Prime Minister who had publicity sated that his aim was to ensure wellbeing of children. Doesn’t Mangala Samaraweera realise that the late Gamini Athukorale has a 13-year-old child who has been traumatised by his actions," she said. All our family members are satisfied with the result of the post-mortem held at the time of his death where medical specialists from our own family were present. It was confirmed that he had died of natural causes and there was no need for political dissections to satisfy the sinking egos of Mangala Samaraweera, and his campaign team," she said. Bus-depot official shot dead in Akkaraipattu Unidentified gunmen shot and killed Mr. Thasaputhiran Thasakumar,
33, a staff worker attached to Sammanthurai bus depot of the Sri Lanka
Transport Board (CTB), at his residence in Akkaraipattu, 64 km south of
Batticaloa. The incident took place Sunday at 7:30 p.m., Akkaraipattu
Police said. Police has handed over the body to Akkaraipattu Hospital. Akkaraipattu is located in Amparai district Police close in on Ice Manjula A special police team investigating the assassination of Lt. Col. T. R. Meedin has arrested a key suspect, believed to be an accomplice of the main suspect A. H. Chaminda Manjula alias Ice Manjula. The police said they suspected he, too, was in league with the LTTE. Information elicited from him, the police said, might lead to several more arrests in Trincomalee. Some of them could be fish traders, they said. This suspect was the first person Manjula had called after killing LT. Col. Meedin. The police believe the suspect they have arrested possesses vital information as to the movements of the main suspect, who fled to LTTE-controlled areas. The arrest had been made in Trincomalee, the police told The Island adding that they would be able to net Ice Manjula before long. Several police teams have been deployed in many parts of the North and East in pursuit of the Manjula, who the police say, will not be able to remain in the LTTE-controlled areas for long. Cabinet Spokesman Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva recently told the media that Ice Majula had received weapon training from the LTTE. The police have already arrested five suspects who had associated with Manjula. Among them is a person called Chumley, who had been sighted with Lt. Col. Meedin on the day of his assassination near the Kiribathgoda National Housing Scheme on October 29. Paramilitary cadres abduct 3 youths in Batticaloa Armed men believed to be the cadres of the paramilitary
Karuna Group have kidnapped three youths at gunpoint Saturday night in
Kaluwankerny in Eravur. Complaint lodged by parents of the kidnapped youths
at the Eravur Police said that the kidnappers had come in a white van.
At least five youths have been reported disappeared last week in the Batticaloa
district. Treasure Island By Ron Moreau Things obviously haven't worked out that way. In the decades since Lee's praise, Sri Lanka has failed miserably to live up to its glowing postcolonial promise. (The country's per capita income is roughly $1,000, compared with nearly $28,000 for Singapore.) A series of economic and political errors over the years has stymied its development: long-discredited socialist policies; the nationalization of the once thriving tea, rubber and coconut plantations; populist subsidies for everything from rice to electricity. Worst of all has been the country's failure to solve the long-running conflict between the ethnic Sinhalese majority and the Tamil minority. Twenty years ago, tensions boiled over into a bitter, budget-busting bloodbath. Some 60,000 Sri Lankans have died since fighting began in 1983 between the military and Tamil guerrillas, called the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Last December's devastating tsunami, which killed 35,000 Sri Lankans and left 500,000 homeless, was seen as a chance to get the government and the LTTE to cooperate in distributing aid. But those efforts were stillborn, largely due to government political infighting. With a presidential election scheduled for Nov. 17, the country is now at a crossroads. "This is unquestionably the most important election since independence," says R. Rampanthan, a leading Tamil politician. "The outcome will determine this country's future." Sri Lanka has a spiraling budget deficit and a crushing public debt equal to 108 percent of the country's GDP. Lacking a negotiated, permanent peace, foreigners and even many Sri Lankans are reluctant to invest. If that doesn't change soon, the country risks being consigned to has-been status: with its neighbors gobbling up more and more of the global outsourcing pie, and the lifting of textile quotas threatening one of its major industries, the country's prospects are fragile. "We need leadership that will be—gin taking the dramatic steps necessary to give us peace along with political and economic stability," says Saman Kelegama, executive director of the Institute of Policy Studies in Colombo. The election's two front runners, both Sinhalese Buddhists, present sharply differing visions. Current Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse is the more charismatic candidate, but his platform is more modest. He wants to proceed cautiously on the peace front, looking only to renegotiate a shaky ceasefire that ended major combat in 2002. He is skeptical of proposals to grant sweeping autonomy to the Tamil-dominated north and east as the price for peace. Before re-entering peace talks with the Tigers, he wants the Sinhalese Buddhist majority in the south, which makes up about 75 percent of the population, to reach a consensus negotiating position—a process that could take months, if not years. Rajapakse is also more of a populist economically. He opposes further privatization of state assets, and talks about hiring more civil servants to solve the problem of unemployed high-school graduates. His opponent, Ranil Wickremesinghe, successfully negotiated the 2002 ceasefire and began Norwegian-brokered peace talks with the LTTE while he was prime minister between 2001 and 2004. He's a colorless campaigner, but his proposals are ambitious: an economic liberal whom one Western diplomat in Colombo calls a "neo-Thatcherite," he favors the privatization of ailing state companies. Most important, he strongly believes in a rapid return to talks with the Tigers and advocates a federalist solution—devolving substantial self-governing powers to the Tamil-dominated strongholds. In a recent campaign appearance he promised to negotiate a "permanent peace" with the LTTE in two to three years. Responding to such talk, Rajapakse's economic adviser, Ajith Cabraal, says Wickremesinghe "would give anything and everything to achieve peace." After years of war, so would many Sri Lankans. (Recent polls show Wickremesinghe with a slight lead.) The country desperately needs to upgrade its roads and seaports, and to exponentially increase agricultural and manufactured exports. Peace would allow the defense budget to be slashed, freeing up funds for development and education. Outsourcing is a potential growth area. The one bright spot is the garment industry, which continues to attract high-end contracts from companies like the Gap and Victoria's Secret. The industry has become the nation's leading foreign-exchange earner, with $2.5 billion in exports last year, and is the main reason the economy will grow by over 5 percent this year. "Sri Lanka has enormous potential," says U.S. Ambassador Jeffrey Lunstead. Some analysts suspect that the hard-line LTTE leadership hopes for a Rajapakse victory. In that case the Tigers could accuse Sinhalese of rejecting the peace process, and justify a return to combat in order to win an independent Tamil state. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, executive director of Colombo's Center for Policy Alternatives, says only moderates on both sides can end the conflict. "The Sri Lankan state has to move toward power sharing and federalism," he says, "and the LTTE has to transform itself into a responsible, democratic player, giving up violence as well as secession." Unfortunately, neither side has shown much inclination to take any historical steps. Without them, Sri Lanka's genuine promise will never be realized. Presidential hopefuls cannot solve major problems facing the people: Bala Tampoe General Secretary of the Ceylon Mercantile Union (CMU), yesterday claimed that neither of the main Presidential hopefuls could be expected to resolve ‘any of the major problems facing the people’. A Union press release said: “Presidential elections were held in 1988, 1994 and 1999. The CMU did not call for the support of any of the presidential candidates in those elections, as they were also held under the same 1978 Constitution. Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga promised, prior to her first election as President in November 1994, to abolish the Executive Presidency. She did not do so even after she was re-elected as President in 1999, under the same Constitution. Now, Mahinda Rajapakse, the Prime Minister appointed by President Kumaratunga, has stated in his election manifesto that he expects, if elected, "to present a Constitution that will propose the abolition of the Executive Presidency and to provide solutions to other issues confronting the country. He says that this will be done "with the consensus of all". That is impossible, since it would require the consent of the UNP and its political allies, including the Ceylon Workers' Congress and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, which are all opposed to the removal of the Executive Presidency. “Even Mahinda Rajapakse’s most vocal allies, the JVP, have laid it down in their written agreement with him, that it is agreed “to terminate the Executive Presidential system before the end of the tenure of office of the 6th Executive President which comences from the year 2005." This really means that they want Mahinda Rajapakse to be the Executive President for the next six years. They obviously expect him to give them Ministerial portfolios and other positions, with perks and privileges. Mahinda Rajapakse's manifesto also envisages a 6-year period for his action plans to be implemented under him as President. “There is, therefore, really only one issue that will be decided by the people who may vote for Mahinda Rajapakse or Ranil Wickremesinghe on the 17th November 2005. That is, which of the two of them is to be vested with the powers of the Executive Presidency for six years, under the 1978 Constitution, whether, or to what extent, the one or the other of them can fulfil the expectations of the political parties, organisations and other group's that support them. People who may vote for them, will depend mainly on the economic, political and military realities of the situation in which they could exercise those powers, if elected; and not on their individual beliefs, intentions, or capabilities. “The two candidates differ on the important question of whether they should deal with the LTTE directly or not; and if so, on what basis. That is, whether to negotiate with the LTTE or not, in regard to the question of the administration of the Northern and Eastern provinces, large parts of which continue to be under the military and partial administrative control of the LTTE, and in relation to which the sovereignty of the Sri Lankan State cannot be exercised. “Having regard to the policies of the UNP under the leadership of Ranil Wickremesinghe, both as Prime Minister and as Leader of the Opposition our union cannot, expect anything beneficial to the working people from a government headed by him, but rather, the contrary”. Number of election violations – 145 Since September 22 up to yesterday morning the number of incidents of election violations has risen to 145 according to PAFFREL and the DIG Elections office. Most of the incidents were of a minor nature. DIG Elections, Gamini Navaratne said 165 persons had been arrested for these violations and were produced in court. Most of the incidents were reported from Tissamaharama, Tangalle, Weligama, Galle, Ambalangoda, Kalutara, Matugama, Bulathsinhala, Ratnapura, Colombo, Gampaha, JaEla, Wattala, Katuneriya, Marawila,Monaragala, Badulla, Bandarawela, Matale and Kandy. DIG Elections said the assistance of the army and air force will be sought to handle election work in the North. The latest incidents reported were from Kalpitiya where an illegal election office was in operation and one suspect was arrested. At Galle 14 incidents of violations were reported from Hiniduma, Galle, Nagoda, Udugama and Neluwa. Eight persons were arrested, produced in court and remanded. The DIG Elections has called for public cooperation to report all incidents of election related violations LTTE cautions Jaffna residents of poster hoax Jaffna district Political Wing of the Liberation Tigers
of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) today issued a statement warning people to be vigilant
of the fake posters and leaflets being circulated by anti-LTTE elements
in Jaffna. "The leaflets printed under the Tiger insignia and signed
by "Jaffna district LTTE political section," requesting people
to vote in the forthcoming presidential elections, are fake and a hoax
being perpertrated by nefarious elements to cause confusion among voters,"
the statement from the LTTE said. The posters were seen posted in Gurunagar
and areas surrounding Jaffna town, Sunday. Campaign against deporting Sri Lankan from Britain A campaign is building up in Plymouth in Britain to prevent
the deportation of an ailing Sri Lankan national whose application for
asylum has been rejected. The asylum seeker wants to be identified only as Sebastian and is said to be 28 years old. He recently underwent a lifesaving kidney transplant. Campaigners believe that deporting him to Sri Lanka could lead to his death within two weeks because of health complications. Solicitors say they will submit a fresh appeal based on a previous case in which they successfully represented a client in a similar situation who was to be sent back to Sri Lanka. Hayley Kemp, of Plymouth Racial Equality Council, said: "We're hopeful; it's not the end of things, but it's a lifeline." Sebastian arrived in Britain seeking asylum in 1999, after fleeing alleged persecution in Sri Lanka. Reports say that he had been detained by government forces in Sri Lanka because of the involvement of some of his relatives with the Tamil Tigers, although he never had any association with the rebel movement. In 2001, he developed kidney failure and had a transplant at the Derriford Hospital. His consultant at Derriford, Peter Rowe, says that if his patient is returned to Sri Lanka he would not have access to the drugs he needs to stop his body rejecting the organ. Without them, Sebastian has been told his new kidney will fail within two weeks. Rowe said: "If he goes back, his life is under threat. Sending Mr Sebastian back to Sri Lanka would be like throwing the kidney in the bin." Sebastian also believes it would be disrespectful to the organ donor who gave him the chance of life, and says that if he is deported he would rather have the kidney removed so that it could benefit someone else. He told the Western Morning News: "The person who died gave this organ to somebody to survive. He gave this opportunity for a chance of life for me. The kidney would be of no use to me there, as it wouldn't last." Campaigners have petitioned Immigration Minister Tony McNulty for a review of the case. Consultants at the South West Transplant team have sent a letter to Home Secretary Charles Clarke, urging that he grant Sebastian asylum on "humanitarian, ethical, medical and economic grounds". It states that it would be "grossly disrespectful to the donor of this kidney to simply abandon the continued support of the kidney graft". The Home Office said in a statement: "The UK Government will grant asylum to those with a well-founded fear of persecution under the terms of the 1951 Geneva Convention. "People are removed only after all appeals have been heard and dismissed." Jaffna's tsunami hit get mobile paediatric clinic from Italy The Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Italy's Alicei and Comune di Bolongna to implement a mobile paediatric clinic in Jaffna for those affected by the tsunami. The clinic is composed of a glass-resin cell installed on a steel tailer and is equipped with extensible examination coach, angle shelf, one large closet with shutters, bathroom with wash basin and mirror, electrical power generators and waterworks with water reservoirs. The MoU was singed last Friday between Ministry Secretary Ranjith Maligaspe and Benedetto Zacchiroli of Commune di Bolonga and Sara Piazzano, a representative for Alicei. A Health Ministry spokesman said the MoU will be operative initially for one year from the date of its execution and thereafter for a further period as may be mutually agreed upon from time to time by the partners. "The Ministry will make arrangements to make available the land and other non-monetary requirements for the implementation of the project," he added. The spokesman said the project will be implemented in accordance with Health Ministers guidelines, specification, designs and standards. "The Ministry will appoint a committee consisting five persons with proven ability and expertise in fields related to the project. This committee will oversee the activities of the project," he said. SLA groups in civilian clothes patrol at night, causing fear among Jaffna residents Sri Lankan Army (SLA) forces in civilian clothes have been
patrolling areas in Jaffna at night, arbitrarily questioning pedestrians.
The groups of SLA soldiers arrive to various villages in Jaffna by motorbike
and subject civilians to unnecessary questioning, causing fear among residents.
Residents of villages in Meesalai and Sarasalai are afraid to leave their
homes at night in fear of being confronted by SLA forces. Clerical Union calls for Jaffna Postal vote boycott Tamil Government Clerical Services Association Sunday made
a public call for all Government workers in Jaffna district who are eligible
for postal votes for the forthcoming Sri Lanka presidential elections,
to boycott the vote in unison, in a media release issued in Jaffna Sunday.
"Both presidential candidates are focussed on becoming the supreme
commander of the Sri Lanka Security Forces to continue suppression of
Tamil people. Neither are interested in finding an amicable solution to
the burning Tamil National question," the statement said of candidates'
intentions. "While the general public in Jaffna district and all across NorthEast have resolved to boycott the elections, the Government workers too should join with them to express their wholehearted agreement with the peoples stand in boycotting the poll," the media statement said. Tamil Government Clerical Services Association's call for boycott comes in the wake of another appeal by Consortium of Tamil Speaking Peoples Trade Unions in Jaffna to the public servants in the district to boycott postal voting for the November 17 presidential poll. 'I don’t consider myself to be an icon', says Sri Lankan ace Muralitharan Pune: Sri Lanka may have been pushed to the backfoot in
the ongoing one-day series against India, but Muttiah Muralitharan’s
popularity has not waned one bit here. Gulf News: How do you live with the icon status? The younger generation in Sri Lanka not only wants to become Muralitharan, but want to copy your action as well. I’ll not advise anybody to copy my action. Every bowler or a batsman or a fielder has got his own way to perform. Everybody is different. I think everybody should be allowed to flourish in his own way. How do you practice these days? During the Super Series, Shane Warne said that you’ll
reach the 1000-wicket mark. What went wrong in the Super Series? We saw you bowl from umpire Daryll Hair’s end. Have
you forgotten the controversy of 1995? Are you still very close to Arjuna Ranatunga? How do you like Tom Moody as coach? What made you choose an indian girl for your wife? Update us about the Galle stadium. What is the role of the Muttiah Muralitharan trust? 06 November 2005 LTTE gives Tamils a free choice at the presidential election The Tamil people will be given the freedom to decide what they want to do at the presidential election, the LTTE has decided. The LTTE position on the election was disclosed at a press conference by Jaffna district political head, C. Ilampartithi on Friday. "LTTE will not exert any pressure on Tamils on this issue," Ilampartithi had said in response to a question at the press conference according to the Tamilnet. Ilampartithi had also said the decision to boycott or vote at the election will be entirely upto the Tamil people and that the LTTE will not interfere in their decision. "However we will be vigilant during the election period," he had also said. The LTTE Jaffna district political head's comments were seen a counter to claims that the LTTE had called for a boycott of the poll through a poster campaign believed to be the work of the EPDP. Tamil businessman shot, wounded in Puttalam Two unindentified gunmen entered a jewellery shop located on Puttalam Mannar Road in Puttalam town Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and shot the shop owner. The victim, Mr. K. Pathmalingam, 39, was wounded and rushed to Puttalam hospital, police said. Motive behind the shooting incident is not clear, according to Puttalam Police conducting investigations. The gunmen were riding in a motorbike. Postal voting begins tomorrow Postal voting for the presidential election begins tomorrow with over 300,000 public servants and other eligible voters eligible to cast their ballots, Senior Deputy Elections Commissioner P.M. Siriwardena said yesterday. A total of 323,176 eligible postal voters are on the lists and Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake said over national television that they must remember that the voting procedure at this election is different from voting at parliamentary, provincial and local elections. "The voter must mark the figure 1 in the cage opposite the name of the candidate of their first choice for president," Dissanayake explained. The voter is entitled to mark three preferences if they so desire, and can write the figures 2 and 3 against the names of other candidates they have picked as their second or third choices, a senior elections official explained. But expression of such preferences is not compulsory. The law prohibits the display of candidates’ photographs and publicity material near the postal marking centres or the distribution of campaign pamphlets or canvassing near these centres. The Elections Department promised that they would enforce security measures to ensure compliance with the law during the postal voting. Meanwhile two Commonwealth polls observers are due on Monday and they will be monitoring the postal voting, elections officials said. The European Union’s (EU) elections monitoring team would comprise 29 observers who will be uniformly deployed to different parts of the country, Mr. John Cushnahan the chief observer of the EU’s election observation mission said. He has already written to the 13 candidates expressing a desire to meet them or their representatives before the poll. Cushnahan said that he was due to meet with the SLMC leader Rauf Hakeem on Monday and fly to the North East to meet with representatives of the SLMM, political party representatives and members of civil society next week. The People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) will be deploying 2,000 local and 20 international observers to monitor the postal voting, PAFFREL Executive Director Kingsley Rodrigo said. Senior Deputy Elections Commissioner P.M. Siriwardena said that those entitled to vote by post included members of the police, the armed services and public servants on election duty who can vote on Monday and Tuesday (November 7 & 8) during office hours. However since Treasury officials are busy preparing for the November 8 budget, they will be granted a special facility to exercise their posting voting right on November 9. Deputy Postmaster General R.P.D. Gamini said that delivery of nearly all the insured packets of postal ballot papers to the heads of departments have been completed and the task will be accomplished when the postal voting begins. Arrangements have been made for the postal balloting to be observed by representatives of the candidates as well as monitors. Youth shot dead in Trincomalee Unidentified men Saturday night around 8.30 p.m. shot
dead a Tamil youth identified as Thurairajah Kannan in front of a leading
jewellery shop along Dockyard Road in Trincomalee town. The site where
the incident took place is located a few meters from the main entrance
to the eastern headquarters of the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN), Trincomalee police
said. Navy seize five dinghies with Sea Tiger The Navy seized five dinghies with a Sea Tiger in the deep seas, 40 km away from Sangamankanda in Pottuvil early yesterday. A senior naval officer said the arrested LTTE member had been deployed to look after the dinghies, which were ready presumably to transport arms and ammunition which had been brought in a another vessel, to an LTTE camp in the area. At the time of the arrest, Navy had found him in a motorised dinghy. .At the time of his arrest there were no arms and ammunition aboard the dinghies, he said. As the navy has intensified surveillance in the Mullaitivu area, the Sea Tigers now unload weapons in the south east., the official claimed. Tigers open 4th ‘court’ as crime rate rises The LTTE will open another 'court’ in the uncleared
area of Pallai in the Jaffna Peninsula to take up complaints from the
government controlled areas in the peninsula, its judicial chief V. Pararajasingham
told The Sunday Times. "We have decided to set up the court as currently cases relating to thefts, robberies, land disputes, family disputes and other matters are coming to Kilinochchi, far from the scene of the incident,” he said. Mr. Pararajasingham claimed that since the closing down of LTTE offices in Jaffna town, there had been an increase in crime with some 200 complaints being received at Kilinochchi during the past two months alone. Explaining the situation, senior police officers said there was an increase in the crime rate because police could not venture out without Army assistance due to a security crisis after the killing of Senior Superintendent Charles Wijewardena. The Pallai LTTE court will be the fourth with others functioning in Kilinochchi, Uyliankulam in Mannar and Pattipalai in Batticaloa. Britain names new High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Mr. Dominick Chilcott, CMG, has been named Britain’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka to take up appointment here next April with concurrent accreditation to the Maldives. Chilcott will replace Stephen Evans who will be transferred to another diplomatic service appointment according to a British Foreign Office announcement. The new High Commissioner who joined the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1982 had previously served in Africa and Europe. Colombo will be his first Asian appointment. Chilcott, born in Nov. 1959 and married with one daughter and three sons, served as Private Secretary to the Foreign Secretary from 1996 to 1998. His most recent appointment has been as Director Europe at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office with responsibility for bilateral relations, resources and Mediterranean issues. He had earlier served in the FCO as Director of Iraqi Planning (later Policy) and had also spent four years in Brussels as the British representative to the European Union where he served as Head of External Relations. Separate territory not viable in ‘little’ Lanka, says Mahinda Presidential hopeful Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse yesterday declared that he was ready to accept the challenge of establishing a unitary and peaceful Sri Lanka while devolving power to the maximum. He made this statement at two election rallies in Teldeniya
and Gelioya. He said a separate ruling territory and state were not possible in 'little' Sri Lanka and denounced what he called 'false propaganda' carried out by interested parties that he was for war. Mr. Rajapakse appealed to the people to join hands with him to build a disciplined and decent society and said that he would instill good culture and morality in the hearts of the people when elected President. The Premier pointed out that he would develop infrastructure facilities country-wide as reflected in his Mahinda Chinthana without favoring any region. He assured that his government would present the 2006 budget
as planned and claimed that others were scared of the benefits it would
offer the people. Government rejects IMF dictat The government has refused to accept USD 389 million offered by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for policy reforms, Ports and Aviation Minister Mangala Samaraweera told at a news conference held at Sri Lanka Foundation Institute (SLFI) last week. He added that the Government has refused funds offered by the IMF for policy reforms the pre-condition of which fund was that government should agree to abolish the pensions scheme, privatise water resources, Inland Revenue Department, Customs Department, People's Bank and Excise Department. In addition send over 300,000 State employees on compulsory retirement, the Minister added. The UNP government led by Ranil Wickremesinghe had agreed to these conditions. These are the funds that Ranil Wickremesinghe refers to at election rallies. In the event of his victory, he will place these State institutions and water resources on the IMF platter and make 300,000 employees jobless, he warned. Minister Samaraweera also refuted charges levelled against the Government by the UNP Presidential candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe that the government had not used funds allocated by the Tokyo Donor Conference. He added that government has entered into US$ 4.5 billion worth of agreements with foreign funding agencies. In addition to this the government has already prepared a long-term plan to utilise promised US aid. Minister Samaraweera also rejected charges levelled against the Government by the UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe of the non-growth of the economy under the UPFA government. He said that under the UNP regimes economic disparity had widened. Now we have filled this gap upto a certain extent. In 1994 per capita stood at Rs. 600 now it has grown upto Rs. 1,200. In 1994 the GDP stood at 12 percent now it has increased up to 18 per cent. In 1994 export earnings stood at Rs. 1.2 billion now it has grown upto Rs. 5.8 billion and foreign remittances in 1994 were Rs. 600 million and now it has grown upto Rs. 1.5 billion. In 1994 unemployment stood at 12 percent now it has been reduced to 8 per cent. Once he was a Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader of this country but still the UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe seems not conversant with State affairs. Therefore his suitability to be the President of this country is in question, the voters will give him a negative answer in the forthcoming Presidential Election, he warned. SL Navy on alert in North Security in the North Sea has been tightened. News has been received that LTTE is attempting to smuggle in a stock of arms by boats. News also has been received that sea tigers are conducting naval exercises in the North Sea. Naval and Army troops have been deployed along the coastal belt say sources. Go and Vote - North
and East Bishops He said "we have not only written to the voters but we will actively be involved in facilitating voters to get to the pooling booths and also see that there is no foul play". Asked about posters appearing in the North asking voters to boycott the elections the Bishop said that the Tamil Tigers don't have a hand in it and it's the work of a private party. Bishop Rayappu Joseph said that they could not allow the voters to be influenced by such elements. He also said that in the last parliamentary elections the voters participated with enthusiasm to vote for the Tamil National Alliance and this time there isn’t encouragement for voters. The Bishop urged all candidates to actively campaign in rebel held territory as well as other parts of the north and east. TNA MPs to meet the
LTTE next week to decide whom they should back in the coming presidential
election Sampanthan, leader of TNA In an unprecedented turn of events, some twenty murders have been carried out in October alone allegedly by the LTTE, the government Spokesman told a news conference last week. While condemning it outright the government said all these are being done by the LTTE despite extending facilities to transport LTTE cadres from Killinochchi to Colombo, for urgent medical treatment. “The LTTE is acting in barbaric manner. But the Sri Lankan nation will not descend to that level. We are reciprocating in a humane manner”. The TNA which has close links with the LTTE, insisted that the peace process need to be put back on the track soon. However he justified the LTTE’s refusal to come to the negotiating table to review the cease-fire agreement. “It is understood why the LTTE do not want to start talks just ahead of a presidential election. Moreover the government is inviting for talks while Prime Minister Mahinda Rajpakse’s party is at ‘sixes and sevens with his medley of alliances,” Sampanthan told in an interview with the “Asian Tribune. “ Both Presidential candidates visited war-hit Jaffna this week in a fresh bid to garner the minority ethnic votes. Asked whether he saw the move as a positive sign, Sampanthan said what matters at the end of the day is not whether they visit Jaffna but how they would approach the issue of ethnic conflict. Sampanthan said they would meet with the LTTE leadership next week before taking a decision this week on whom to back in the forthcoming election. The TNA also protested against the Government decision to present the budget on November 8, just ahead of a crucial election saying they are trying to exercise undue influence over the voters by making election pledges based on the budget proposals. “This is totally undemocratic”, he said. Following are some excerpts: Question: Has the TNA decided which candidate to support at the polls and what would be the deciding factor? R. Sampanthan:No, We are yet to take a decision. The party is hoping to take a decision this week after meeting with the LTTE leadership. Question:The government last week accused the LTTE of being behind some 20 murders committed in the month of October alone. It said the LTTE is acting in barbaric manner despite certain goodwill acts by the government. As a party closely associated with the LTTE what is your comment? R. Sampanthan: We as a party maintain that political killings are simply not acceptable whether they are committed by the LTTE or paramilitary groups. But the LTTE too must be having its own reasons. Question: Do you mean it justifies their killing? R. Sampanthan: No. We do not justify them. It is totally unacceptable. My opinion is that the bigger problem - - which is the peace process should be put on the right track as soon as possible. Question: But it is the LTTE who said ‘ no’ to talks to revise the cease-fire agreement. So how can the government get the peace process on track? R. Sampanthan: It is understood why the LTTE said no to talks just ahead of a Presidential election. Without knowing who would be the next President, it is useless to start talks. The government, or for that matter the Prime Minister whose party is at sixes and sevens with all the alliances that he is tied up with, is inviting us for talks. It does not make any sense. Question: Main Opposition UNP said they are opposed to the national budget being presented in Parliament on November 8, ahead of a crucial election. The TNA too protested against the decision but the government seems to be going ahead with the budget. Comment? R. Sampanthan: There is no need at all to present the budget at this point. It should be left for the new President to deciide and allocate funds for the economic policies of the government. This is totally undemocratic. The government is trying to exercise undue influence over the voters by presenting the budget prior to election. 05 November 2005 Norway to consider withdrawing from leadership of the international observer force in Sri Lanka Norwegian International Development Minister and former special peace envoy for the Sri Lankan peace process Erik Solheim says Norway will consider withdrawing from the leadership of the international observer force. The Norwaypost newspaper, quoting a spokesperson for the Sri Lanka Democracy Forum, reported, “It is unfortunate that Norway is both mediating between the two sides in the civil war, and at the same time heading the observer force which is supposed to criticize those who break the ceasefire.” Solheim however also emphasised that such a move must be taken in close cooperation with the two sides in the conflict. Mahinda in Jaffna, blasts UNP Prime Minister and UPFA Presidential candidate Mahinda Rajapakse on a sudden visit to Jaffna yesterday – a day after a similar visit by his main rival - attacked the UNP as hypocrites, who once robbed the rights of the Tamil community and now posed as saviours. “Who torched the priceless treasures of the Jaffna Public Library, who were the people who triggered the July 1983 riots, Who plundered the votes at the Jaffna District Development Council elections in 1981,” Mr. Rajapakse asked at a public rally at the Nadeswara College, Jaffna. Mr. Rajapakse who visited the northern capital a day after UNP leader and Presidential candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe visited Palaly to sell his peace package to the troops, said the UNP’s catastrophic policies had turned ballots into bullets with disastrous consequences for all. Mr. Rajapakse said the gun culture which began after the killing of Jaffna Mayor Alfred Duraiappah was now a domineering force in the north and he wanted to win the Presidency to ensure the reemergence of the voice of democracy in the North. The Premier pledged that as president, he would work out a lasting and honourable peace without comprising the unitary character of the country. Mr. Rajapakse said he would also ensure that Sinhala and Muslim people who had been chased out of Jaffna would be resettled there to foster ethnic harmony and cooperation. In a concession to the Tamil people, Mr. Rajapakse said he hoped to pay compensation to those who were displaced by the high security zones. He said the peace he had in mind was similar to the peaceful cooperation between the world famous cricket stars Muttiah Muralitheran and Sanath Jayasuriya. Mr. Rajapakse said he could identify closely with the people of the north as the palm tree was common to them and his home town of Hambantota. Mr. Rajapakse said that instead of a military war, he would focus on the war to eradicate poverty, give healthcare and education to all. Grenade attack on Muhamalai LTTE post foiled, attacker shot Two men who entered the Liberation Tigers controlled area and attempted to lob grenades at the checkpost were shot while they tried to escape from the Muhamalai checkpoint, civilian sources said. One of the attackers was later rushed to Chavakacheri hospital by the Sri Lanka Army. The incident took place around 1:00 p.m. Friday when the attackers, caught by the personnel manning the checkpoint, tried to escape from the site, sources added. The wounded person, Mr. Vijeyavarman Mathimugarajah, 27, believed to be one of the attackers, was later transferred to Jaffna Hopital from Chavakacheri Hospital, medical sources said. The fate of the other attacker is not known. Mr. Vijeyavarman Mathimugarajah, is the son of late Mr. Pon. Mathimugarajah, the former secretary of the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF), Jaffna Branch, sources added. Pon. Mathimukarajah was gunned down in December 1998. The Tigers were blamed for the killing by the Sri Lankan Police LTTE complains it lost 26 vessels when I was PM – Ranil Opposition leader and UNP presidential candidate Ranil Wickremessinghe said in Jaffna Thursday (3) that the LTTE had complained that it lost 26 vessels in battle with the security forces during his tenure as prime minister. In discussion with security forces and police personnel at the Palaly Military base Thursday, Wickremesinghe it was ironic that despite the security forces having achieved such success under his leadership his opponents keep accusing of trying to divide the country. Wickremesinghe, warned that the time had come to resolve the ethnic issue peacefully and any delay would result in serious repercussions. "Let me tell you in all seriousness that if we continue to remain divided we are finished .It is time that all unite in finding a peaceful and just peace that would be cherished by generations to come." He urged the establishment of a national identity that existed when the founding fathers created the national flag by incorporating both a tamil and muslim identity. Commenting on the JVP, he said it wants the army disbanded since it wants to form its own army . "Rohana Wijeweera himself called for the army to be disbanded and today Somawansa Amerasinghe keeps repeating it. This is not an idle threat it their ideology." Wickremesinghe, said that it was the army that prevented the JVP from achieving its ideological objectives and for that reason it holds a grudge against the army. LTTE, TNA meets to decide on support The LTTE and the Tamil National Alliance will meet at Kilinochchi on November 10 to deliberate on which Presidential candidate they will support on November 17. The discussion was to be held yesterday but it was postponed at the request of the LTTE. The LTTE yesterday informed the TNA that the participation of all TNA members at the meeting was mandatory. A spokesman said that the final decision on which candidate the parties would support would be taken at this meeting. Sri Lanka rebels brush off poll, voters await signal (Reuters) Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels say they are completely disinterested in the island's upcoming November17 presidential election, but voters in areas they control are waiting for a lead from the militants. In the northern rebel stronghold of Kilinochchi some voters said they would prefer opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe -- who brokered a 2002 truce that halted two decades of war -- over Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse, favourite of Sinhalese nationalists opposed to wide devolution to minority Tamils. But residents in and around the de facto capital of the seventh of the country the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) control say polling day turnout is up to the rebels. "We will act according to what the LTTE tell us," said storekeeper Suppiaah Ravi. "If they tell us to vote, we will vote, if they tell us not to, we will not." Voters from Tiger-held areas -- almost all from the island's Tamil minority -- will be bussed to polling stations on the edge of the no-man's land with government territory amid election officials' fears the rebels could interfere. Poll monitors worry the Tigers -- blamed for bomb attacks that disrupted Sri Lanka's last two presidential campaigns and a rash of killings in recent months despite the truce -- could intimidate voters or boycott the election. Analysts say that would likely hurt right-of-centre Wickremesinghe, who is seen as more likely to be able to convert the cease-fire into a permanent end to twenty years of war that killed over 64,000 people on both sides of the ethnic divide. But S.P. Thamilselvan, head of the Tigers' political wing, told Reuters the group did not believe either candidate had their interests at heart, saying both were using the peace issue in a bid to win votes from Tamils and the majority Sinhalese. "After the election, all the promises are forgotten," he said through an interpreter. "We are totally unconcerned about the outcome of this election. We are a responsible political organisation and have decided that people are at liberty to make a choice whether to vote and how to vote." RISKY SITUATION The Tigers say that 3-½ years into the cease-fire, peace in Sri Lanka is more under threat than ever before. In the east, they are facing a group of renegade Tigers they say has become a government paramilitary group - which officials deny. "We cannot say that we are moving towards a war but we are moving into a very risky situation," Thamilselvan said, sitting in the offices of the rebel peace secretariat. In both the east and north, increasing numbers of sentry posts and pillboxes are coming under grenade attacks the military blame on Tigers trying to spread fear among voters. The Tigers -- who say they took up their autonomy struggle because of discrimination against Tamils -- deny responsibility for the attacks, or for the killing a week ago of a senior intelligence officer in Colombo and the August assassination of the foreign minister. Few believe them, however, and the European Union banned
the Tigers from visiting its member states in the wake of the assassination
and is considering listing them as a terrorist organisation, which the
United Kingdom and United States have already done. But in the dusty market at Kilinochchi, some 20 miles (30 km) from the desolate no-man's land of bombed palm trees that separates the two sides, voters fear a growing risk of conflict and say they would like to vote accordingly. "If Mr. Rajapakse wins, we will move towards war," trader Nadesan Thanigasalam said. "But the LTTE have not yet advised us and if they do we will follow. The LTTE is the people, and we the people are the LTTE." Sri Lanka rebels want EU polls monitors in their areas Sri Lanka Tamil Tiger rebels have invited the European Union polls monitors into areas under their control to observe the country's Nov. 17 presidential poll. The Head of the Political Wing of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) S.P. Thamilselvan in a letter to the Norwegian Ambassador in the capital Colombo Hans Brattskar had made the invitation, diplomatic sources said Friday. In a message to reporters in the rebel-held northern district on Thursday, Thamilselvan said that despite the EU restrictions on them, the EU polls monitors are welcome in the LTTE-held areas. The EU in late September announced that it was earnestly considering placing a ban on the LTTE and that their members would not be received as part of official delegations by EU member countries numbering 25. The EU response came as its condemnation of the Aug. 12 slaying of Sri Lanka's foreign minister Lakshman Kadirgamar. The EU polls monitors numbering 72 have already arrived in the country, the fourth such election observation mission undertaken by them in this Indian ocean island since the year 2000. Thamilselvan in his letter had assured Brattskar that his organization would take all security measures to ensure protection of the EU monitors. Thamilselvan has added that the LTTE would not bring any pressure on the civilians and that they were free to vote according to their wishes. However, he had pointed out that voters in LTTE areas would find severe transportation difficulties in order to vote by proceeding to the government-held areas. Political watchers say that Tamils in LTTE-held areas are likely to favor the main opposition challenger Ranil Wickremesinghe on the strength of his peace initiatives backed by the international community. In the 2004 parliamentary election, the EU monitors said the poll in the north and east provinces was full of malpractice. The majority Sinhala political parties in the south accused the LTTE of indulging in wrong doings to support its proxy, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), to gain more seats from the two troubled provinces. Grenade attack at Jaffna SLA sentry point Sri Lanka Army (SLA) sentry point located near the gas station
close to Jaffna Windsor theatre came under grenade attack by unknown assailants
2.50 p.m. Friday. No one was injured. The sentry received extensive damages,
sources said. London murder suspect
named According to the Police reports, the murder was committed on Friday 24th of May at approximately 11.55pm. 22-year-old Pirapakaran Krishnasamy, also known as Praba, of Cranborne Rd, Barking was fatally stabbed outside the Shell petrol station Ilford Lane, Ilford. Praba was rushed to King George's Hospital. He died shortly afterwards. A statement issued on Tuesday, the metropolitan Police says, "Praba was with friends who had pulled into the service station in a car. Subsequently these men were involved in an altercation with a number of other men. The victim was stabbed; his friends managed to make off." Police wish to trace Srinavatheepan Srirangarajah also known as Theepan or Teepan in connection with this murder. He is Sri Lankan, 24 years of age and described as dark skinned in appearance, 6" in height, with dark hair. Leading Tamil educationist passes away Mr.Kandiah Thangarajah (65), leading educationist in Trincomalee
district and who headed the organization committee of the Tamil National
Resurgence Convention in Trincomalee passed away Wednesday night after
a heart attack. His funeral was held Thursday evening at Hindu cemetery
in the east port town amid large gathering of members of the public and
friends. Mr.R.Sampanthan said Mr.Thangarajah was an activist of the Ilankai Thamilarasu Katchchi (ITAK) in early days. It was unfortunate that Mr.Thangarajah passed away at a time when his services were needed to the Tamil community. Tamil people in this region had not only lost an educationist, writer, poet but also a Tamil activist who was contributing to the liberation of Tamil people. Mr.K.Thurairatnasingham recalled his services to education of Tamil children in remote villages in the Muttur at a time when there was no proper transport to travel. Mr.M.H.M.Careem, retired Divisional Education Officer, Kinniya said he worked with late Mr.Thangarajah for uplifting the standard of education in the district. Mr.K.Thilakaretnam, Trincomalee Zonal Director of Education who succeeded Mr.Thangarajah when he was transferred to Vavuniya North in the same capacity, and Mr.S.Thandayuthapani, Vavuniya North Zonal Director of Education who succeeded Mr.Thangarajah when he retired from service also eulogized the services he rendered to the community in various capacities. Mr.Thangarajah was born in Alankerni, a traditional Tamil village in Kinniya division in Trincomalee district and had his primary education in Alankerni Tamil School, and higher education in Vantharumoolai Central College. He obtained his degree from Peradeniya University and Post Graduate Diploma from Jaffna University. He entered the teaching profession forty years ago and his first posting was as a teacher to Kanguvely Tamil School in Muttur east. Later he became a Principal and served in several schools in the district. He was appointed as the Director of Education for the Trincomalee education zone when the zonal system was introduced in Sri Lanka on 1.1.1991. He was later transferred to Vavuniya north zone as the Director of Education and served there till his retirement. He composed the zonal anthem for the Vavuniya education zone following his assumption of office. He was a poet and a writer. He had written several poems under the pseudonym " Aalaiyoran". Leading Tamil dailies and weeklies Virakesari, Thinakural, Thinakaran, and other periodicals had published his works. Former Indian president
in coma Mr Narayanan was the first member of the Dalit or untouchable caste to become president, a position he held from 1997 to 2002. Correspondents say Mr Narayanan has been suffering from poor health for some time. He had a long association with the Congress Party after India's first Prime Minister, Jawarlal Nehru, appointed him to the diplomatic service. He is being treated at the Army's Research and Referral Hospital in Delhi. Special transport for voters in uncleared areas THE Government has issued Rs.3 million to the top State official in Kilinochchi to make arrangements for special transport to facilitate voters in uncleared areas on polls day. Kilinochchi Government Agent T. Rasanayagam said the Elections Department has granted him the funds to arrange heavy vehicles operating in uncleared areas to transport voters to and from the cleared areas to cluster polling centres in Government controlled areas for voting. The military has given clearance to issue 70,000 litres of diesel and 20,000 litres of petrol to the GA for facilitating transport, he said. The Elections Commissioner decided to facilitate transport for voters in the uncleared areas this year after accusations that the voters from uncleared areas were largely discriminated at the 2004 General Election for having to travel 40 to 50 kilometres to the cluster polling centres in the cleared areas. It was decided to restrict polling Centres only to Government controlled areas since police officers, primarily responsible for security in the polling centres, cannot entre uncleared areas armed under the CFA. The GA said they have completed training 640 clerical servants and 300 Chief Polling Officers who will be manning cluster stations in the North. The GA has come to an agreement with the heavy vehicle owners association in Kilinochchi to operate a special transport service on the polls day. A total of 200 cluster polling centres will be set up in the North and East to conduct the poll on November 17. Although the LTTE has not openly called upon the North East Tamils to boycott the upcoming election on November 17, it has reportedly stated that it was not taking the election that seriously and they would not be providing any facilities for the voters as in the 2005 election. Last year they ferried voters to the border areas from Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu. 04 November 2005 Sri Lanka Opposition Leader visits Jaffna, seeks military support United National Party presidential candidate and Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe today traveled to war-hit Jaffna seeking support from security forces. Arriving on an Air Force plane with several Colombo-based media personnel, Mr. Wickremesinghe met security forces personnel in the Palali military complex. He also visited the military hospital inside the complex and the naval base. The candidate urged security forces personnel to give their fullest support and elect him as the country’s next President. Mr. Wickremesinghe did not travel outside the complex, after the government’s military intelligence warned him not to do so. Government side rejects recommendations by SLMM to remove armed paramilitaries A senior military intelligence officer rejected the recommendation
by the SLMM and the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to remove Tamil
paramilitaries in Northeast working with the Sri Lankan military. The officer also criticized the SLMM head for making the recommendation. The intelligence officer said that the SLMM head is assisting the LTTE’s aim to destroy the military’s intelligence network that uses Tamils. He further said that they are gathering information on LTTE activities through this intelligence network of Tamils. He said that this recommendation and similar actions are aimed at disrupting the military’s intelligence work. Three policemen, EPDP cadre, tri-shaw driver shot in Batticaloa Unidentified assailants Thursday morning opened fire at
a tri-shaw transporting an EPDP cadre and the policemen providing escort
to his vehicle. Three policemen, the EPDP cadre and the tri-shaw driver
were wounded and rushed to Batticaloa Hospital. The incident took place
near a police post located north of Batticaloa town on Trincomalee Road
around 10:30 a.m., police said. The policemen opened fire at the assailants who shot at them. However, the attackers managed to flee from the site, police said adding that the gunmen had used T-56 rifle to fire at the victims. The policemen, Mr. Ranjith Anuruddha, 35, Mr. Karuna Tissa, 39, and Mr. K. Jayaratna, wounded in the incident, were attached to Batticaloa Police. The wounded tri-shaw driver has been identified as M. Siriwardena, 30. The wounded persons were rushed to the Batticoloa hospital for treatment. EU to double its staff in Lanka The European Commission and the Government of Sri Lanka agreed to upgrade the level of its representation in Sri Lanka in recognition of the importance of relations between the European Union and Sri Lanka and to ensure that close relations are well served and maintained. The delegation is now a fully-fledged diplomatic mission with an accredited Head of Delegation of Ambassadorial rank based in Colombo. With the upgrading the staff of the European Commission, the delegation will be doubled and from 2005 all operational decisions will be managed locally in Colombo by the expanded team. The relations between Sri Lanka and the European Union have been expanding in the recent years. The Commission is a major development partner of Sri Lanka with over Euro 150 million in aid to tsunami relief and reconstruction, and over Euro 70 million in conventional development expenditure. The Union now offers Sri Lanka its most concessional trading status (the GSP plus, scheme), which assures the country of maximum access for its exports to the Union and has made the European Union one of Sri Lanka’s most important trading partners. Sixth anniversary of Unceasing Waves-III commemorated Sixth anniversary of Unceasing Waves-III, the operation by Liberation Tigers that captured areas along A9 highway from Elephant Pass to Muhamalai, was commomerated in Oddusuddan, presided by the Head of Women's Wing of Lt Col Rajan Education Division of the LTTE, Jeyanthi, at 11 a.m. Wednesday, LTTE media section in Kilinochchi said. Commander Ramesh hoisted the Tamileelam National flag. Mullaitvu District Head of LTTE Political Wing, S Muhunthan, lit the flame of sacrifice to the photographs of those died in the battle of Unceasing Waves. Parliamentarian S Kanagaratnam garlanded the photographs. Head of Batticaloa LTTE Political Office Amuthan and Head of the LTTE cinematic division Thulasi Chelvan, spoke. In the event presided by Head of Rajan Education Division, Geethan, a book of poetry by LTTE cadres, "From within Fire," was released by Col Jeyam and sister of Major Amutha, Ms Mahilnangai, accepted the first book. LTTE senior member K.V. Balakumaran spoke on the achievements of LTTE and the contribution of the people towards the LTTE military victories in the Jeya Sikurui battle which was aimed at bifuricating the land mass in Vanni that was militarily critical to the Liberation Tigers. Chilaw bishop slams CBK over Norochcholai In what is described in political circles as a possible
showdown between the government and those who oppose the Norochcholai
Coal Fired Power Plant, the bishop of Chilaw, who has been the staunchest
opponent of the project, yesterday expressed his strong opposition to
the signing of the project agreement with China and criticised President
Chandrika Kumaratunga’s proposal to lay the foundation stone within
a few days. "As far as we are concerned, our position regarding this project remains unchanged." "We are totally against the erection of a coal power plant at Norochcholai," he added. "We have clearly stated our reasons right from the start." "As responsible leaders, we have advised one and all against any confrontation on this occasion," Bishop Fernando continues. "At the same time, we are aware that the authorities have been working day and night during the past few weeks to win over the people in the immediate vicinity and create the impression that the local people welcome the project." "For the past few weeks, the CEB (Ceylon Electricity Board) has been busy intensifying its propaganda drive, cutting down coconut trees and fixing high tension wires in the areas promising people an immediate supply of electricity," he noted. "Other forms of enticement, too, have been employed." "One might question how ethical it is (in fact, some are asking how legal it is) for a leader of a country to commit the country to a staggering foreign debt at the tail end of one’s tenure of office and tie down the future," Bishop Fernando asserts. "It is also to be remembered that this project has all along been a highly controversial one. History shows that such hastily signed agreements have not un-often been selfishly motivated and deeply flawed." It is reported that an influential business tycoon (who is very much in the news these days) is handling the Norochcholai project. "We place on record our strong disapproval of the signing of this agreement with China and the laying of the foundation stone on the eve of a crucial presidential election." S.Lanka PM's camp abusing election rules -watchdog Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse's presidential campaign team is unfairly using public resources to further his election bid, the local arm of corruption watchdog Transparency International said on Thursday. Sri Lanka's elections commissioner has ordered both Rajapakse and his main opponent, opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, to desist from using state resources in the run-up to a Nov.17 presidential election, but to no avail, it added. "It amounts to millions if not billions of rupees (of state funds)," J.C. Weliamuna, director of Transparency International Sri Lanka told a news conference, adding Rajapakse was taking unfair advantage of being in power. Neither Rajapakse nor his campaign team were immediately available for comment. Transparency is helping to monitor the election, along with observers from the European Union, Asia and Sri Lanka, some of whom fear the poll will be marred by violence amid a spate of attacks the Tamil Tigers and military -- technically on a truce since 2002 -- each blame on the other. Rajapakse's team was using his official residence, Airforce helicopters, government vehicles and advertising space in the state controlled media on credit for political purposes, going against the orders of the island's elections commissioner, Weliamuna said. Sri Lanka's constitution and election laws prohibit the abuse of public property for electioneering, but it has been systematically violated by subsequent governments over the years, he added. Trade union urges public servants to boycott postal voting Consortium of Tamil Speaking Peoples Trade Unions in Jaffna
appealed to public servants in the district to boycott postal voting for
the November 17 presidential poll. The statement charged that the presidential
candidates have once again ignored the Tamil speaking people by their
"impractical promises." A solution that is dependent on "ethnic
majoritarian consent," as the way to resolve the Tamil National question,
will stand little chance of being successful, the statement further said.
"Hence we appeal to all Tamil speaking public servants to express their feelings that they are not prepared to be deceived anymore by Sinhala political parties and to inform the international community the true position of the Tamil speaking people," said the statement of the trade union. Postal voting is to take place on November 7 and eligible public servants have already been notified by the Election Commission, sources in Jaffna said. Plot to kill Southern VIP? A special police team led by ASP D.E. Wedasinghe has been sent to the South to arrest an underworld gang that had allegedly planned to assassinate a VIP in the South, Police Chief Chandra Fernando said. He said that according to information received a contract had been given by a party in Colombo to a group in the South to assassinate the VIP. An earlier police team sent to the South had unearthed the plot, he said. He said it is expected the gang would be rounded up within a week. JVP has become a joke –Vikalpa Kandayama Spokesman of the JVP ‘Alternate Group’ (Vikalpa Kandayama) D.R.P.Premachandra, at a press conference in Kandy said that they would be supporting the UNP at the forthcoming presidential election. Premachandra, an ex-railway worker, described himself as a former member of the ‘Operations Command’ of the Kandy District during the 1988/89 period. Producing a membership card, he said he was in the trade union movement and that was why he held a membership card. The press conference held at the Keppetipola Waishakaya Dhana Sangraha Samiti Hall on Thursday, was presided by the co-ordinator of the ‘Alternate Group’ Mihira Udumulla. Premachandra who arrived at the press conference in a bloodied state, said he could not identify his attackers and participated at the press conference despite many difficulties. He said he would be making a complaint to the police once the conference ended. He charged that the JVP had not issued identity cards after the death of Wijeweera and party secretary Wimal Weerawansa did not hold membership in the organization. He added that if the true path of the JVP as propounded by Wijeweera was adhered to there would be no class distinction within the party, nor would people be fighting for Ministerial posts. In answer to a question Premachandra admitted that a case of assault was pending against him in the courts. In that instance he had assaulted a foreman of the establishment he had been working for. He said the codes which governed the JVP, promoted confrontation and negotiations were frowned upon. He claimed his action had been governed by this mindset. Premachandra claimed that while the late Rohana Wijeweera was not perfect, he was a man of principle. One of these principles was that position and facilities were scorned. But the present leaders of the movement had lost sight of these founding tenets. The JVP of today is not the real JVP he said, it is a JVP cross. The utterance of Somawansa clearly reflect these deviations. The question facing the JVP is whether the correct path is the path enunciated by Wijeweera or that of Weerawansa. He charged that the JVP had become a joke, they speak behind security glass screens, wear expensive shirts and need expensive cellular phones. The Vikalpa Kandayama had started with only three members
he said, but today it had grown into a major people’s movement. SLA restricts civilian travel to Muttur east Civilians entering the Liberation Tigers controlled Muttur east territory in the Trincomalee district are now subjected to severe checking and interrogation by soldiers of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) manning the Kaddaiparichchan army camp checkpoint located on the border of the SLA and LTTE controlled areas. The defense establishment since last week has imposed this new security alert. In several instances civilians going to Muttur east were refused entry, sources said. A group of Sri Lankan officials of the Education International (EI), all Sinhalese, were detained Wednesday from around 11 a.m. till 1 p.m. at the Kaddaiparichchan army checkpoint because they were Sinhalese. Soldiers told them that they will not allow Sinhalese persons to enter the LTTE held areas without the permission of the defense higher authorities. Sinhalese officials told the soldiers that they were going to two Tamil villages Cheenanveli and Uppooral in the Muttur east to lay foundation stones for new buildings of two schools, which were damaged by recent tsunami. Sinhalese officials were accompanied at that time by two expatriate officials of the N (O) VIB (Oxfam Netherlands), which is funding the reconstruction of these schools with the approval of the Colombo Education Ministry. Later Colombo defense establishment ordered the SLA authorities in Kaddaiparichchan camp to allow these Sinhala officials to go to LTTE held villages. Again on Thursday morning soldiers at Kaddaiparichchan camp stopped a group of representatives of fisheries co-operative societies in the Trincomalee district to attend a discussion held in Chenaiyoor Central College. The discussion was arranged by the LTTE Trincomalee district political division to study the problems faced by fishermen in their areas. Soldiers told the representatives, all Tamils to return to Trincomalee as they had been instructed not to allow any outsiders to LTTE held areas. The matter was immediately brought to the notice of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) in the east port town and on the intervention of the monitoring group about an hour later, they were allowed to proceed to Muttur east, sources said. Kaddaiparichchan army checkpoint is now closed after 7 p.m for civilian movement and no civilian to and from Muttur east is allowed to pass through the checkpoint thereafter till next day morning 6 a.m. Earlier this army-check point was opened for twenty-four hours, sources said. India beat S Lanka to seal series Forth ODI, Pune: India 262-6 bt Sri Lanka 261 by four wickets
Captain Marvan Atapattu hit 87 as the tourists were bowled out for 261, with seamer Ajit Agarkar claiming 5-44. India were cruising at 176-3, thanks to 63 from skipper Rahul Dravid, but they then lost three wickets for four runs. But Dhoni (45) hit successive sixes off Russel Arnold to seal victory with 4.2 overs left, while Raina contributed 39. Dravid's decision to put the Lankans in paid off when the in-form Kumar Sangakkara (8) and fellow opener Sanath Jayasuriya (16) were trapped lbw by Agarkar. Things got worse when Upul Tharanga was caught by Agarkar off young paceman Shanthakumaran Sreesanth to leave the visitors on 51-3. Paceman Ajit Agarkar was in man-of-the-match form for India Atapattu helped rebuild the innings by putting on 97 for the fourth wicket with Tillekeratne Dilshan (52) and 83 with Arnold (32). But after Dilshan cut spinner Harbhajan Singh to Sachin Tendulkar and Irfan Pathan knocked over Arnold's off-stump, Atapattu soon went. His 100-ball knock came to an end when he miscued a drive back to part-time spinner Virender Sehwag and Agarkar mopped up the tail. India's reply also faltered early on, with Chaminda Vaas bowling Tendulkar (11) and Yuvraj (10) caught off Nuwan Zoysa. Dravid repaired the damage by putting on 78 with Sehwag (48) and 64 with Venugopal Rao (38) but the latter and Pathan were caught behind off Muttiah Muralitharan (3-35) to spark a mini-collapse. In between those dismissals, Dravid failed with an ambitious hook shot off paceman Vaas and Sri Lanka sensed an unlikely way back into the series. But Dhoni and super-sub Raina played patiently before the wicket-keeper twice launched Arnold over long-on to leave them with only pride to play for in the fifth match in Ahmedabad on Sunday. 03 November 2005 Lankan
opposition ahead in presidential race: poll The Centre for Policy Alternatives, a think tank, in a 17-page survey report today said that a sampling of 1,200 voters across the country believed cost of living and the peace process were the two main issues for the election. On both counts, opposition leader and former premier Wickremesinghe was six percentage points ahead of his main rival, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse, the survey showed. Wickremesinghe scored 41 per cent for his ability to manage the economy while Rajapakse got only a 35.1 per cent approval rating. More people - 45.4 per cent - believed the opposition leader had the ability to handle the peace process with Tamil Tiger rebels while Rajapakse trailed with 38.7 per cent. However, 23.9 per cent said both were incapable of dealing with living costs. "The majority of every age group decides on the ability to control cost of living when choosing a candidate," the survey report said. "The ability to solve the ethnic conflict seems to be the second highest reason for deciding on a candidate," it said. Most people were sceptical about both candidates delivering on election pledges with less than 37 per cent confident of their success in this respect. Lanka poll: Rajapaksa
needs big lead in Sinhala areas With Tamil and Muslim votes slated to go almost en masse to his principal rival Ranil Wickremesinghe of the opposition United National Party (UNP), Rajapaksa has to score very high in the Sinhala-majority areas to make it to the Presidency. Within the Sinhala-majority area, Rajapaksa is streets ahead
of Wickremesinghe in the deep south, an area know as "Ruhuna".
This is simply because he hails from this area. In the deep southern districts
of Galle, Matara, Humbantota and Moneragala, Rajapaksa is called "Ruhunu
putha" or Son of Ruhuna. But outside Ruhuna, he faces stiff competition.
In some districts here, Wickremesinghe is ahead. Tough fight outside deep south But outside the Ruhuna region, Rajapaksa's support base is uneven. In some, he fares badly; in others, he has a good lead; while in most, the gap is narrow. Rajapaksa has an eight percentage point lead in Gampaha; 14 percentage point lead in Kalutara; 21 percentage point lead in Matale; 2 percentage point lead in Kurunegala; and 2 percentage point lead in Kegalle. But he does badly in Kandy, with his rival, Wickremesinghe, ahead by 20 percentage points there. Wickremesinghe is ahead by 70 percentage points in Nuwara Eliya; 17 percentage points in Puttalam; 6 percentage points in Colombo; 3 percentage points in Anuradhapura; 33 percentage points in Polonnaruwa; 7 percentage points in Badulla; and 7 percentage points in Ratnapura. North-East backs Wickremesinghe In the Tamil-Muslim dominated North Eastern districts, Wickremesinghe is streets ahead of Rajapaksa. Wickremsinghe is 29 percentage points ahead in Jaffna; 96 percentage points ahead in Vavuniya; 100 percentage points ahead in Mannar; 18 percentage points ahead in Trincomalee; 38 percentage points ahead in Batticaloa and 10 percentage points ahead in Amparai. While the Muslims of the rest of Sri Lanka seem to be solidly behind Wickremesinghe, the Muslims of the North East are at least partly with Rajapaksa because of the latter's more aggressive stance towards the LTTE. The Muslims of the North East feel discriminated against and oppressed by the LTTE. This is reflected in Wickremesinghe's smaller lead in districts with a large Muslim population like Trincomalee and Amparai. While in the deep south, Rajapaksa has the advantage of being a "local man", in the rest of the Sinhala-dominated districts, he has to appeal to people on other grounds. In the latter areas, Wickremesinghe does not face the handicap of not being a local man. The playing field is more even. In the non-deep south districts, Rajapaksa is trying to project himself as a true Sinhala-Buddhist/non-urban/simple man of the masses, without a tinge of Westernisation. But it is yet to be seen if such a projection or portrayal is enough to swing Sinhala-Buddhist votes in such a way that Wickremesinghe is beaten decisively in this all-Island contest. Economic or bread and butter issues may well be holding the key outside the deep south. If this is so, Wickremesinghe may score over Rajapaksa simply because he is in the opposition, and Rajapaksa has an anti-incumbency factor to contend with. Wickremesinghe has been campaigning on economic issues rather than on ethnic issues. "Bread and butter issues are more important for the masses than ethnic issues," he says. Wickremesinghe has the solid support of the minorities, principally Sri Lankan Tamils, Indian origin Tamils, Muslims and Christians. But still, he has to have a good chunk of the Sinhala-Buddhist votes to become the next President of Sri Lanka. Therefore, the Sri Lankan presidential election of November 17 is essentially a battle for the Sinhala-Buddhist vote. Two imponderables However, there are two imponderables in the Sri Lankan election situation now: (1) the mind of the Sinhala electorate in areas outside the deep south, (2) the attitude of the LTTE, which has sway over the Tamils in the North and East. Will the LTTE support one or the other candidate or will it remain neutral? Will it issue a diktat, or will it allow the people of the North East to vote according to their conscience? Sources in the North East say that if allowed to vote freely, the Tamils there will vote for Wickremesinghe because he signed the Ceasefire Agreement and brought peace to the country when he was Prime Minister in 2002. But there is also a school of thought, which believes that the LTTE will want Rajapaksa to win because his Sinhala-Buddhist radicalism and opposition to federalism (thanks to the influence of his radical Sinhala electoral allies) will enable the LTTE to legitimise its extremist/separatist goal. As on date, the LTTE's view, as expressed by its political leader SP Tamilselvan, is that there is little to choose between Rajapaksa and Wickremesinghe, and therefore, the Tamils have little interest in the election. According to him, neither candidate has any credible plan to meet the long-standing political demands of the Tamils. However, he assures that the Tamil people will be allowed to exercise their franchise freely. But political observers take such statements from the LTTE with a pinch of salt. They do not rule out a change in stance just before polling day. Meedin killer an LTTE undercover agent Ice Manjula the suspect wanted by the police in connection with the murder of Lt.Col.Tuan Rizwi Meedin is said to be a undercover LTTE agent, who has been used by the group to transport arms and ammunition from Colombo to Trincomalee and vice versa in lorries carrying fish. DIG Trincomalee Rohan Abeygunawardena said the suspect could have gone to an LTTE controlled area after the assassination and may be enjoying the hospitality of the terrorists. Chumley, who is now in police custody, has told the police that he did not know anything about Ice Manjula’s activities but came to know the suspect through the slain Intelligence Officer. However, the police believe Chumley is trying to mislead them and the veracity of his statement could be ascertained when Ice Manjula is arrested, they said. Police are also investigating Chumley’s movements and business contacts as well as his bank accounts and have questioned a number of people who had dealings with him in the recent past. Police and intelligence services had on earlier occasions come to know of a number of Sinhalese youth who have connections and dealings with the LTTE. LTTE encourages Muslim resettlement in Jaffna- Moulavi Moulavi L.Shakil, Secretary of the Muslim Peoples' Office
in Jaffna, Tuesday said the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has
been extending full support for the displaced Muslims to resettle in the
Jaffna district. "Some sinister forces are spreading unfounded allegation
in the South that LTTE is obstructing resettlement," said Moulavi
Shakil addressing a press conference at his office located along Navalar
Road in Jaffna town Tuesday. Muslim Peoples' Office is looking after the welfare and interests of the resettled Muslim people in the Jaffna district. The media conference was held to brief the progress in resettling displaced Muslim families in the district, sources said. Commenting on the presidential poll fixed for November 17, Moulavi Shakil said resettled Muslims in Jaffna would join the Tamil people in their protest if Tamils decide to boycott the poll. He added both candidates Messrs Ranil Wickremasinghe and Mahinda Rajapakse have failed to bring any fresh ideas in their manifestos regarding the question of solving the problems of Tamil speaking people. Mahinda victory will lead to JVP led military regime - Hakeem Should the JVP controlled Mahinda alliance win the Presidential election it will lead to a military like regime in Sri Lanka, SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem said. Addressing an election rally in support of UNP presidential candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe at Thoppur in Trincomalee, Hakeem said that Somawansa Amerasinghe wants the army to be disbanded since the JVP wants to be the army in the event Rajapakse wins the presidential election. "This is a Buddhist country, no minorities could claim this as their motherland and there will be no right to self determination for any minority community, are the main adamant policies of the JVP, this JVP must be defeated", he insisted. During Sirimavo Bandaranaike’s governance the DPA was formed with the coalition of a large number of parties, the JVP quit the alliance because the SLFP included self rule for Muslim in its manifesto, how could Mahinda Rajapakse do any good for Muslims while having the same JVP who continuously opposed the rights of Muslims? Hakeem queried. Hakeem said that the JVP which deprived people of their democratic rights of supporting other political parties and killed them, were now acting with jealously over the bargaining powers of SLMC and the CWC. ‘They uttered that they will not need the support of the SLMC and the CWC to ensure Mahinda’s victory’. ‘The JVP also speak of Ranil Wickremesinghe giving away another part of the island to Rauff Hakeem, by singing an electoral pact. This shows that they are keener in what should not be given to other communities instead of thinking what could be given for the betterment of their own community and it is with this JVP Mahinda Rajapakse has allied’, he said. Hakeem said that in order to win self autonomy in the North-East, a Non Contiguous Unit for Muslim and other rights and aspirations, Ranil Wickremesinghe needed the votes of Muslims and the SLMC. ‘It is only at presidential elections that we could win such demands’, he said. President Chandrika Kumaratunga fought a war for peace, did she achieve peace? Can Mahinda Rajapakse or the JVP claim that by war they weakened the LTTE or can they confidently state that by declaring a fresh war they can defeat the LTTE? Hakeem asked. "Can they ensure that they could gain control of the Vanni lands without any dispatching of bodies of the Southern youth in sealed coffins? No! They cannot. It was during the war the LTTE gained strength, but what has happened when there is no war? The government, the LTTE and Muslims, we all have become weaker. Therefore, these elements publicly accusing Ranil Wickremasinghe of endangering security of Muslims will result in serious consequences to the Muslim community itself, he insisted. ‘Of course we had lapses during post CFA period, but this somewhat peaceful life we experience now should not be brought to an end. We need permanent peace to solve these shortcomings’, he added. ‘The demand for the vote of the SLMC is at peak during this presidential election. We have taken the right decision at the right time’, Hakeem claimed. Those who boycotted parliament against Ranil Wickremesinghe then, were seeking refuge of the JHU and the JVP, he said. Have Ferial, Athaulla, Anver Islmail, Rishard Badiudeen or Najeeb A. Majeed got any assurance on autonomy for Muslims? They can neither achieve this nor talk of it, because they have become slaves in the hands of the JVP and the JHU. Mahinda Rajapakse could tell the Sri Lankan Muslims that he has voiced on behalf of the Palestinians. But it was not only Mahinda Rajapakse who had stood for the Palestinians, the SLMC too has its links with the Palestinians, we have been also voicing on behalf of them, various leaders of Sri Lankan have also voiced for them, even the US Senators had voiced in favour of the Palestinians. What Mahinda Rajapakse, who claimed to have voiced for Muslims had done for Muslims in Hambantota? Muslims should think about what happened to the mosque destroyed by tsunami in Hambantota, Hakeem warned. Three grenade attacks in Jaffna, 3 policemen, 2 SLA soldiers wounded Three Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers and two policemen were
injured in 3 different grenade attacks in Jaffna Wednesday night. Two
Sri Lankan policemen were wounded when unidentified assailants lobbed
a grenade into a police post in Navanthurai, a coastal suburb of the Jaffna
town around 9:00 p.m. Wednesday. Two soldiers were wounded in Malusanthi
junction near Nelliyadi in Vadamaradchi at 9:30 p.m. when unidentified
assailants lobbed a grenade at an Army checkpoint. Wounded policemen were admitted at Jaffna Hospital for treatment and the three SLA soldiers were rushed to Palaly Military Hospital, police said. Meanwhile, tension prevailed in Gurunagar, another coastal suburb of Jaffna, from 7:00 a.m. as soldiers blocked civilian movement following grenade incident at an SLA checkpoint. A grenade lobbed at the checkpoint by unknown assailants did not explode. School children, fishermen and public servants were affected by the traffic blockade and the extended delay in diffusing the unexploaded grenades. Civilians close to the site were seen moving away from the area fearing army reprisals. Ex-LTTE members shot dead in Valaichenai Unidentified gunmen shot and killed a former member of the
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam Wednesday morning 8:30 a.m. in Kurunchi
Nagar in Valaichenai, 32 km north of Batticaloa. The victim, Mr. Sellathamby
Punniyamoorthy,26, a father of two children, was kidnapped three days
earlier by the assailants suspected to belong to the paramilitary Karuna
Group, civilian sources said. Another former member of the LTTE was shot
and killed on Monday in Kiran. The victim, a resident of Vinayagapuram, Valaichenai, left the LTTE two years ago, sources added. Valaichenai Police conducting investigations said that the hands of the victim were tied behind his back with a rope. The body was handed over to Valaichenai hospital, police said. On Monday, another ex-LTTE member, Mr. Kandasamy Sasikumar, 22, from Kiran in Valaichenai, was shot and killed by paramilitary gunmen at 1:30 a.m. Five gunmen entered the house of the victim and took him a few meters away before they shot him. Former house keeper to 3 presidents fears giving evidence A seventy-two year old witness, L.P. Karunaratne, former housekeeper to Presidents J.R. Jayawardene, R. Premadasa and D.B. Wijetunge who was summoned to give evidence before the High Court in connection with the theft of a painting from President’s house begged that he not be questioned. The witness was summoned to give evidence in a case where Rohan Jayakody, son-in-law of late President Premadasa was indicted for misappropriation of an archaeologically valuable picture titled ‘Temple of Mulkirigala in the South Ceylon’ which was in the President’s House during the period from April 28, 1989 to June 25, 1997. Witness informed Court that he was not in control of what was happening at President’s House and was afraid to give evidence. Mr. Karunaratne said he had been questioned earlier by the CID and was afraid to leave Court as the CID would question him again. At this stage High Court Judge Ms. Rohini Perera informed witness that he was not summoned to be punished, but to give evidence. During yesterday’s evidence led by Senior State Counsel P. Surasena, witness said that there were ten bed rooms and several other rooms including a TV room, a visitors room and a meeting room. Witness said that he served under the Presidents J. R. Jayawardena, R. Premadasa and D. B. Wijetunge and the painting in question was hung in the upstairs corridor while President J. R. Jayawardena was occupying President’s House. He said that when President Premadasa was in power he was not permitted go upstairs without permission from Mrs. Premadasa. He stated that the accused Rohan Jayakody, used to come to President’s House. Mr. Karunaratne said that in addition fifteen other private servants worked at President’s House. He said that at the time President D.B. Wijetunge occupied President’s House the painting in question was not there. Further trial was adjourned for today. The President who gives herself character certificate In two weeks Chandrika Kumaratunge is relinquishing, her
top post as President, all the executive powers that go with it, and the
Presidential residence and she will return to her home. It is expected
that a few days before she is to handover the power to the winner of the
November 17th Presidential elections, she will give a farewell speech
on the national television. She has claimed that she is leaving the post of President without mud or blood on her hands. Tamil people are fuming that she is attempting to hide mountain with her skirt. This President first came to power with unprecedented number of votes by proclaiming that she will find a solution to the ethnic conflict through peace talks. Through these promises she created the illusion among the Sinhalese that she is a peace angel. She also raised the hopes of the Tamil people and the international community that this is the leader that Sri Lanka has been waiting for and so desperately needs. What happened later? The peace angel became the war monger. She let loose a brutal war as never seen before against Tamils. Tamil homeland faced horrendous war destruction and devastation. All civilian infra structure of the Tamils was destroyed. Tamils lost their families and friends and displaced in thousands as destitute people. Thousands remain as destitute people in refugee camps. Many still in pain due to severe injuries and without their limbs. Tamil land is forcefully taken away in the pretext of high security zones. This respectable President as the head of the government was responsible for the devastation and oppressive actions against the Tamils. As the supreme head of all three forces, the army, navy and air force, she must also take the responsibility for all their cruelty. After heading a government that caused river of blood to flow in Tamil homeland she is now flattering herself saying that she is leaving with no mud or blood on her hand. She is also the person who destroyed and continues to destroy the peace efforts taken forward from end of 2001 to end of 2003 by the then Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe. She also, 1.severely criticized the same ceasefire agreement that she is now praising, 2.dismissed the government that was taking forward the peace process using her executive power in order to grab more power to herself, and 3.gave encouragement to the chauvinistic forces in the south and thus destroyed future opportunities for peace in the country. The people of the south may be willing to accept her crowning herself but Tamils are no fools to accept it. Private media 'biased
towards Ranil' PAFFREL spokeswoman Nilusha Wijethilake told journalists in Colombo on Wednesday that some private media institutions, however, have managed to carry out balance coverage. "Lakbima newspaper for example has offered similar space to all candidates. It was also analysed that TV Lanka has been neutral in their coverage". LTTE anger She added that apart from "Asura FM", the coverage of all other private radio channels have been biased towards the leader of the opposition. Kingsley Rodrigo, head of PAFFREL, told BBC’s Elmo Fernando that the LTTE was highly critical of the government decision not to hold elections in the rebel-held area. "The LTTE also assured that they have no intention
of sabotaging the elections". PM Rajapakse and the opposition and United National Party leader Ranil Wickramasinghe are the main contenders of the November 17 elections. 02 November 2005 Call
for an urgent investigation -BBC "Immediate sanctions should be imposed against all alleged perpetrators while the investigation is in progress," the AHRC said in its appeal. "If it is found that the alleged perpetrators committed crimes against the victim, they must be indicted under the CAT Act No. 22 of 1994," it said. According to AHRC sources, Lalantha was taken from his uncle's house after the family lodged a complaint with the police over a stolen necklace and disputed land. When the victim’s family proceeded to the Koswatte Police station to report the matter, the police refused to take a report and instead assigned two policemen to try and locate Lalantha. Acting on information reportedly obtained from a policeman who was allegedly involved in the case, Sub Inspector (SI) Nilanga Perera, the family found the victim lying battered and semi-conscious at Tunmodera. Lalantha remained in the National Hospital in Colombo for nine days before dying on October 19. A post-mortem report concluded that he died as a result of force from a blunt instrument applied to his head, chest, and kidneys. Lalantha’s death has sparked strong protest among the local population and media. Under heavy pressure, SI Perera has been transferred out of his station pending inquiries. The other policemen allegedly involved, however, have not been charged or sanctioned and have continued to report for duty as usual. There are grave concerns for the safety of other family members. "Should there be threats against the complainants in the course of seeking redress for grievances, appropriate protection must be afforded by the government to them," the AHRC said. "The government of Sri Lanka, in particular the National Human Rights Commission should also ensure that appropriate compensation is provided to the victim’s family if it is established that the police are guilty of the victim’s death," it added. Journalists assaulted at slain Intelligence officers house Ms. Ranee Mohamed, a feature editor and Mr. Berty Mendis,
a photographer at the English weekly Sunday Leader in Colombo, were assaulted
by a group of men armed with batons and swords Tuesday morning at the
residence of the slain Sri Lankan senior Intelligence officer, Lt. Col.
Tuwan Rizwi Meedin, in Kiribathgoda in Colombo when they went to obtain
interviews from Meedin's family members, media sources in Colombo said.
The attackers had alleged that the Sunday Leader was supporting the Liberation
Tigers of Tamil Eelam. However, the journalists managed to escape from the residence of the slain Intelligence officer and lodged a complaint at Kiribathgoda Police. Later, a person turned up at the Kiribathgoda Police station and handed over the removed items to the police, sources added. Lt. Col. Tuwan Rizvi Meedin, a high ranking senior intelligence officer attached to Colombo's Second Army Intelligence Unit, was shot and killed inside his car Saturday night near his residence in Kiribathgoda. Police sources said Tuesday that the shots were fired by an assasin who was inside Meedin's car and that the Police were invstigating two Sinhala persons alleging that the suspects were hired by the LTTE to assasinate the Sri Lankan Intelligence officer. Features Editor Ranee Mohamed had won the award for "Earning the Appreciation of Peers and Public" five times at the annual Journalism Awards of Excellence events organised by the Editors' Guild of Sri Lanka. The Sunday Leader, often labelled as a pro-UNP paper in Colombo media, has been a critical voice towards the governments in Colombo from the time the paper started publication in the mid 90s. On October 17, a group of seven unidentified men, armed with batons and swords, entered the printing press of the Sunday Leader and threatened the employees and set fire to bundles of papers. Police believe Chumley misleading them Police believe that the Chumley, who they are presently grilling over the killing of Lt. Col. Tuan Meedin, is attempting to mislead them. "After shooting Lt. Col. Tuan Meedin, ‘Ice Manjula’ started running away but I do not know where he went, Chumley," has told the police. But the investigator shave come to the conclusion that Chumley, once a resident of Trincomalee and believed to be the person who introduced Lt. Col. Meedin to Ice Manjula, the main suspect, is misleading them. Ice Manjula, police said, was a man with links with the LTTE and an underworld leader of Trincomalee who has been responsible for extortion and murder cases in his hometown. Immediately after Lt. Col. Meedin was shot Chumley had gone to the home of one of his friends at Kadawatha near the 9th Mile Post on the Kandy Road and when police raided the friends house, Chumley had got out through the kitchen and started running but was caught. A few hours before the shooting took place, Chumley and Ice Manjula had attempted to find lodging for a Tamil youth in a hotel at Kiribathgoda but had been turned down. Chumley had also told the police that he telephoned the home of Lt. Col Meedin and informed his family about the shooting and that he went towards Mahara after making the call. Police are continuing to question the suspect as he may be aware where Ice Manjula is hiding. A number of police teams have been detailed to track down Ice Majula and the police do not rule out that he may have fled to a LTTE controlled area. Police are continuing to question a number of persons in the Kiribathgoda area including two brothers of Chumley. Arrest leads to large haul of detonators The arrest of a man with 4,000 detonators last Sunday, led police to another haul of 1,700 detonators buried in a coconut plantation in Talaimannar yesterday. Talaimannar police took three persons, believed to be members of a gang of smugglers, into custody over the find and are grilling them. The detonators are believed to have been smuggled into the country across the Palk straits by boat. One of he men arrested is from Kayts whilst the others are from Talaimannar. OIC Talaimannrar police Sudath Asmadala said they believe that there could be other stocks of detonators and explosives, smuggled into the country, hidden in the area. Thamotheram, social activist, passes away Mr C J T Thamotheram, social activist and an expatriate
doyen of Tamils in England, passed away on Thursday. Son of Mr CP Thamotheram
who was a principal at Hartley College (1915 - 1943), CJT Thamotheram
was a student and teacher at Hartley College, Point Pedro, and later teacher
at Latymer Upper School in U.K. Earlier this year, despite poor health, he launched the Tamil Writers' Guild. The funeral service takes place on Friday 4th November at 11.00 AM at the Rivercourt Methodist Church, King Street, Hammersmith, London W6 9JT. The funeral will be followed by a private family cremation. Those wishing to pay their final respects could do so at Henry Paul (Funeral Directors), 3 Uxbridge Road, Hanwell, London W7 3PX, on Wednesday 2nd/ Thursday 3rd November between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. He is survived by his widow Florence (Malar), his sons, Vijay, Priya, and Raj, daughters Sunetra, Thiru and Shantini, six grand children and two great grand children. Family requests not to send flowers and to make donations made payable to 'White Pigeon', (Registered Charity) to the Henry Paul address. Wijesekera wants devolution for South A UNP frontliner in the Southern Province says not only the North, but also all regions of the country should be given wide autonomy to fully exploit the resources in those areas. Former Minister and Matara District parliamentarian Mahinda Wijesekera told a news conference that the Southern Province was rich in natural resources which could be fully tapped if power was devolved to the area. Mr. Wijesekera said devolution of power would not only solve the ethnic conflict but would help develop the whole country. Hitting out at Prime Minister and UPFA Presidential Candidate Mahinda Rajapakse, Mr. Wijesekera said Mr. Rajapakse had during the past 30 years developed only poverty and created a fertile ground for the JVP to achieve its own agenda. TNA hits out at Batti operation The Tamil National Alliance yesterday expressed outrage over the cordon-and-search operation carried out by the military in heavily populated Tamil areas in Batticaloa in search of LTTE cadres. TNA Batticaloa district parliamentarian Joseph Pararajasingham said the search operation went against the ceasefire agreement and violated human rights. "The army is using the Public Security Ordinance to carry out the operation. This is a violation of the CFA and also human rights. Carrying out such an operation is unacceptable at this juncture especially since an election is close at hand," he told the Daily Mirror. Mr. Pararajasingham said he was writing to the Defence Ministry to express his opposition to the military operation. The military rounded up more than one thousand young men and women from Mamankam, Jayanthipuram, Iruthayapuram and Urani, near the Batticaloa town on Monday after which they were paraded for identification. According to reports some 20 Tamil youths were detained by the army for further questioning. Mr. Pararajasingham said the arbitrary round-ups by the army had caused panic and confusion among the population in the Batticaloa district. Police in justifying the operation said they had received
information that the LTTE had given arms, ammunition and explosives to
people in the area to carry out robberies and other acts. Among the items seized were Two T-56 rifles, sixty live bullets, two magazines, five hand grenades and an automatic pistol with five cartridges. The suspects were produced in court and remanded. Sri Lankan president says country's int'l image changed Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga, who is due to end her presidency in mid-December, said Monday she has changed Sri Lanka's international image during her two terms. Addressing a public rally in Bibile in the central part of the island, Kumaratunga said when she was elected president in 1994, Sri Lanka's international image had taken a battering due to the armed conflict with the Tamil Tigers and a rebellion launched by the leftist extremists. "The word peace was unheard of until I came in," said the president, adding that she had taken the initiative for a negotiated settlement with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam ( LTTE) aimed at ending the long drawn out separatist armed conflict. Kumaratunga was elected with a massive 62 percent mandate in the presidential election of 1994 with a larger percentage of minority Tamils opting for her as their leader. She was re-elected president in 1999 and just three days ahead of the poll she survived an assassination attempt by the Tamil Tigers. The Tigers were unhappy with her "war for peace" strategy after direct talks between the two sides had failed. In 2000 she formulated a new constitution outlining a framework of autonomy for the Tamils in a federal structure but was unable to adopt it due to hard-line Sinhala majority pressure and a non co-operative opposition. She named the incumbent Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse as her party's presidential candidate for the Nov. 17 poll but does not see eye to eye with Rajapakse for his deals with the leftist JVP or the People's Liberation Front and the all Buddhist monk party the JHU or the heritage party. She warned that it would be disastrous to cooperate with extremist political elements in trying to tackle the country's ethnic conflict. Kumaratunga is widely believed to remain in the political arena as the leader of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party. Premier assures equal place for all religions Prime Minister and UPFA presidential candidate Mahinda Rajapakse
pledged yesterday he would respect and treat all religions on an equal
basis while according Buddhism its due place. Rejecting opposition charges that his policy would drag the country back into war, Mr. Rajapakse said he was looking for a new approach and new solution to the ethnic conflict but there would be no return to war. Mr. Rajapakse also assured that the ceasefire agreement would be taken forward but major changes were required in it because of some unacceptable or absurd situations. He pointed out that while he had carpeted the road to Madhu, he could not go to that hallowed shrine without LTTE permission though he could go to any part of the world any time. He said 25 parties including Tamil parties were supporting him and he would find a lasting and honourable peace within three months after winning the presidency. Rejecting claims that he was a war monger, Mr. Rajapakse threw the charge back at the UNP leader and others who supported the US attacks on Iraq and the killings of thousands of people. On the religious issue, Mr. Rajapakse said he believed religion was largely a matter of the heart and external conversions were meaningless. He said that from his schooldays and his Law College days he had developed a deep respect for the Christian faith and he had precious Christian friends. Election violence, a steady rise Police Election Secretariat has received up to date, 121 complaints of election related violence from September 22. The Elections office of the UNP at Elpitiya had been set on fire with no reports of anyone being injured. DIG, Police Election Secretariat Gamini Navaratne said the majority of complaints were minor incidents reported from Tangalle, Matara, Galle, Ambalangoda, Kalutara, Matugama, Bulathsinghala, Colombo, Gampaha, Katuneriya, Puttalam, Badulla, Moneragala, Kandy and Matale . He said that 161 suspects had been taken into custody in connection with the incidents and were either remanded or released on bail, according to the offence committed. The DIG also said that about 60 vehicles are to be sent to Jaffna to meet the requirements of the police in that area during the election. Claymore mine found in jungle A high-powered claymore mine weighing 3 kilograms was recovered from a jungle by the Embilipitiya police on Monday. Police said the bomb would have been hidden in the jungle to be used later to perpetrate a crime. The bomb squad of the Sri Lanka Army defused the bomb. Meanwhile, Embilipitiya police are conducting inquiries into a robbery of a white coloured Dolphin van. It is alleged that the robbers had hired the vehicle from Kamburupitiya under the pretext of going on a trip. Ceasefire will be amended, says Mahinda Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse said once elected President, he would get the Ceasefire Agreement with the LTTE amended to protect the safety and dignity of Security Forces, members of political parties opposed to the LTTE in the North and East and ordinary people, so that the Ceasefire Agreement would become something meaningful and fruitful. Rajapakse speaking at a rally on 'Dinavamu Sri Lanka' in Kandy, said that the Ceasefire Agreement in its present form was more advantageous to the LTTE. He said it helped the terrorists eliminate security personnel and those of Tamil political parties opposed to the LTTE and civilians who either opposed their fascist activities or did not agree to tow their line. Rajapakse added that it was strange that Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has started to love the SLFP. "Wickremesinghe has said that he wanted to save the SLFP. It was during his premiership that President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga's hand bag was ransacked by his Cabinet colleagues. They accused her of carrying explosives in the hand bag. Wickremesinghe did not intervene and stop them," the Prime Minister said. SLFP leaders are aware of from whom the SLFP should be protected, he said. Rajapakse said the UNP in a desperate attempt to win tried to fix the "communal" tag on his election campaign. "Wickremesinghe has said that he would unite the SLFP, JVP and the JHU and solve the ethnic issue. But I would like to tell Wickremesinghe that already the parties mentioned by him, other than the UNP have united and was working together. Once I am elected on November 17, I will invite the UNP too to work with my Government and bring about peace," Rajapakse said. Wickremesinghe was giving promises to youth that he would make available job awareness in lakhs. It was under his two and a half year rule that rulings were issued banning the recruitment to public sector jobs. It was his UNP regime that curtailed pension rights of public servants. The Alliance Government gave jobs to 41,000 graduates at once and several thousands will be getting jobs soon", he said. ‘Estate workers should join hands with me’ - Mahinda Referring to the relations the Ceylon Workers Congress maintained with the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and the Peoples Alliance, Presidential candidate, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse said that it was the late Prime Minsiter, Sirimavo Bandaranaike who brought the former CWC Leader Saumyamoorthy Thondaman to Parliament, although the present leaders have forgotten history. The Prime Minister brought this to light at a propaganda rally held on Sunday at the Nuwara-Eliya Municipality playground. Speaking further Mr. Rajapakse said that estate workers should consider the service rendered by the SLFP for their well being and join hands with him. The Prime Minister said that he was happy to be able to open a ‘Nena Sala’ computer library at Bambarakele with the Hindu temple as the centre. The premier was also happy to have a large gathering of estate workers. ‘When ‘Nena Salas’ were opened, former Minister Thondaman said that there was no need for ‘Nena Salas’ in the estate sector. “However, we have identified the needs of the estate population and had prepared plans for the development of the area in consultation with three provincial council members and parliamentarian, Sathasivan representing the estate sector. Estate roads will be developed and the housing problem will be settled by allocating seven perches for each family for the construction of permanent houses. Three thousand teachers will be recruited for estate sector schools. An investment zone will be set up centred round Nuwara Eliya. This will also develop the tourist industry with area. A good school will be built in each divisional secretary’s division in the area. Plans are ahead to provide seed Potato and vegetable seeds at subsidised rates. Meanwhile, the price of milk had been increased from Rs. 18 to Rs. 21 per litre and steps will be taken to increase it to Rs. 30”, the prime minister said, and added that it was the UNP who deprived the estate workers of their right to vote in 1947. “The estate population has immensely benefited by the Sirima-Shasthri Pact,” he said and added that Thondaman had forgotten history. “I made inquiries from a parliamentarian as to the reasons for his decision to support the UNP candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe. He said that he was directed by the businessmen in Colombo to take this decision. When inquiries were made about the views of the estate population the MP said that the estate workers will do whatever the parliamentarians want”, he said. The premier requested the estate population not to get misled by the parliamentarians. 01 November 2005 Views of the Oslo professor and further views related to it Eelanadu editorial “If the Sri Lankan government is to take forward the
peace talks with LTTE in a meaningful manner there should be political
maturity among the political actors in the South. Without this maturity
no meaningful resolution will be found in the future peace talks.”
There are indeed no signs that the southern leadership has the maturity to receive such advice let alone act on it for the benefit of the people. There are no signs that it will reach that maturity anywhere in the near future. The professor’s view does convey one message very clearly. Professor’s view is that the present style of democracy in Sri Lanka will only maintain the continuation of the ethnic conflict. The truth is that although democracy, socialism and dharma are spoken about the driving force of the Sri Lankan politics is Sinhla Buddhist chauvinism. This is the root cause of the ethnic conflict. The southern political struggles while has the appearance of being democratic are in fact based on ethnic politics that openly rejects basic rights of the minorities. The humiliation and deceptions experienced by Tamil side is and other minority groups who attempted to hold talks with Sinhala leadership believing that it has in fact reached such a maturity are boundless. If the solution put forward by the Sinhala leadership for the ethnic problem was termed “war for peace” one can see the political maturity of that leadership. The election manifesto of the current presidential election that is held during a ceasefire period further demonstrates the war mentality of the Sinhala leadership. The Oslo professor’s message is therefore also saying that there are no signs of any progress in the peace efforts in the near future. Also to be taken note of is the fact that the professor is from, Norway, the country that is facilitating the peace efforts. International community, in particular, the EU, must take note of this. Grenade attack on Police in Jaffna, one killed, 3 wounded A Policeman was killed and three were injured near Kandarmadam
Junction on Palaly Road, 2 km north of Jaffna town, Monday around 7.00
p.m. Unidentified men lobbed a grenade on a Police Jeep killing its driver
and wounding the three policemen. The 3 policemen injured in the incident, Mr. A.J. Nishankamalara, 34, K.W. Gunawardene, 33, and R.P. Piyadasa, 45, were admitted to Jaffna Hospital, medical sources said. Civilian travellers at the site were beaten up by the policemen and the soldiers following the incident, civilian sources said. This is the third grenade attack to be reported in Jaffna within the last 24 hours. Sri Lanka govt condemns Army officer's killing, calls LTTE for immediate talks The Sri Lankan government today condemned the killing of a top intelligence officer while calling the LTTE for immediate talks to review the fraying ceasefire. In a statement, the government said, “The killing is another in a series of targeted assassinations of key intelligence officers, which the government strongly condemns.” It also stressed the “need for an urgent review of the implementation of the ceasefire agreement with a view to prevent further killings.” It said that 17 officers from intelligence units have been assassinated since the ceasefire was signed. Lt. Col. Rizwi Meedin was shot and killed, allegedly by the LTTE, late Saturday night near his home in Kiribathgoda. SLMM condemns Meedin killing In a press release issued Monday, the Sri Lanka Monitoring
Mission (SLMM) condemned the killing of Lieutenant Colonel Meedin in Colombo
Saturday and urged "the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation
Tigers of Tamil Eelam to work together to end the violence in the country
so that the confidence between the two Parties can be restored and the
Peace Process continued." Subject: SLMM condemns the killings of Lieutenant Colonel Meedin The SLMM condemns the killing of the senior officer of the Military Intelligence Corps, Lt. Col. Meedin, which took place on Saturday night. Our sympathies are with the family of the deceased. Over 190 people have been killed in Sri Lanka since the beginning of the year in suspected political killings. The SLMM has on countless occasions expressed major concerns over this constant violence. The killings have gradually undermined the CFA and resulted in mistrust and bad atmosphere between the Parties. The SLMM would like to urge the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to work together to end the violence in the country so that the confidence between the two Parties can be restored and the Peace Process continued. SLMC for non-contiguous territorial autonomy for Muslims - Hakeem Mr.Rauff Hakeem, Leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress
(SLMC) Sunday said in Trincomalee that SLMC is for "non-contiguous
autonomy" for Muslim territory in the northeast province, which recognizes
Muslims right to self-determination. "The SLMC reached an understanding
after several rounds of talks with the United National Party (UNP),"
said Rauf Hakeem addressing an election rally in Jamaliya Nagar, a suburb
north of Trincomalee town Sunday evening in support of Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe
for Sri Lanka presidency. "Traitors are now backing the ruling party presidential candidate Mr. Mahinda Rajapakse who has joined hands with the chauvinist parties," he said. "We welcome the Executive Presidency system that can help the minority communities to meet their political aspirations and other rights," he further said. The presidential election is a political weapon for the minority communities to show their political strength within the current political system, Hakeem observed. Between the two presidential candidates, Mr. Wickremasinghe is accepted by majority Muslims for his policy, which is based on bringing permanent peace through maximum devolution of power through a federal arrangement. "However, chauvinist political parties are dictating the ruling party presidential candidate against accepting minority communities' political aspirations," he said. The SLMC leader said: "my party is against weakening the liberation movement of another community. The SLMC opposes traitors in other organizations because we suffer due to such elements in our party. We are prepared to talk with Sinhala political leadership about our political aspirations. Likewise, we are also prepared to talk with the Tamil political leadership. No one should think that our leadership is weak in this regard. We will not allow elements to weaken our party." "LTTE is fighting for the political aspirations of the Tamil people. We will not allow maligning their freedom struggle. At the same time we will not allow us any pressure on us to deviate from our mission," said Mr.Rauff Hakim. The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) is now shedding crocodile tears for the Muslim people. They say that they will safeguard the rights of Muslims in Sri Lanka. Muslims are not depending on the Sinhalese political leadership for their security. They are depending on the Almighty Allah for their security. Currently in Sri Lanka two minority communities are fighting for their existence and political freedom, Mr.Rauff Hakim said. LTTE get security from the Army and then kill them - Sangaree The Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) yesterday said
the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) are never be grateful. They
seek the protection from the Army and then kill them He said the LTTE is doing whatever it wants to. They are yet to release the three police officers who went to arrest a paedophile. "What is the international community doing? Why are they silent and why are they having a hands off approach? he asked. Anandasangaree also said the government should take serious steps and whoever comes to power must cancel the Ceasefire Agreement and ask the LTTE to come on fresh terms and then obey the agreement. He said the violations by the LTTE are taking place mostly in cleared area since they are moving freely. Earlier Anandasangaree had warned that the way the killings are taking place in the country, the LTTE will take over Sri Lanka. Rifles, grenades
seized in Batticaloa - SL Police The arms and ammunition were seized during the cordon and search operation conducted in the northern suburbs of Batticaloa town, police further said. SLA rounds up thousand young men, women in Batticaloa More than one thousand young men and women from areas of
Mamankam, Jayanthipuram, Iruthayapuram and Urani, some popular and heavily
populated suburbs of Batticaloa town were herded into common grounds by
the Sri Lankan Military personnel in a cordon and search operation that
was launched Monday early morning at 4:00 a.m. Masked paramilitary cadres
wearing military uniforms assisted the Sri Lanka army personnel to round
up the Tamil youth and parade them to common grounds for identification.
Twenty Tamil youths, identified by masked-men were detained by the SLA forces for further questioning. Civilian sources in Batticaloa town said that the return to arbitrary round-ups by SL armed Forces on a big scale involving large number of personnel and masked paramilitary cadres, frequent only during pre-ceasefire days, has caused panic and confusion among the population in Sri Lanka Army held areas in the Batticaloa district. Media under censorship Sri Lankan Police have imposed a news blackout on the media in relation to the number of polls-related incidents and abuse of state property by politicians. The Sunday Times said Police Chief Chandra Fernando took the decision after consulting Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake. Fernando said quoted as saying it was not a kind of censorship “but we are not releasing the figures because we are not keeping a record of the statistics.” However Senior Police Superintender Rienzie Perera, who is the police spokesperson, had a different story. He said details of violent incidents and other related matters were not being released in a bid to help reduce violence. “Compared with previous years the number of incidents has dropped by around 50 per cent . In previous years we used to give the statistics relating to election violence to the media but now we have learnt by the statistics going public it might aggravate situations and might lead to public unrest,” Perera said. Meedin killing: Gang leader arrested Police yesterday arrested underworld figure Chamila Roshan alias Chammi from a house at Kadawatha in connection with the killing of Military Intelligence officer Colonel Rizli Meedin. A senior police official said Chamila was believed to have enticed Colonel Meedin out of his Kiribathgoda house before setting him up for the killing by Ice Manju, a Trincomalee based underworld leader known to be a close associate of the LTTE. Military spokesman N. Witaranage said the army suspected the LTTE to be behind this assassination since the intelligence officer had been under LTTE threat for a long period. He said police also arrested four other suspects including
a brother of Chamila Roshan and a special police team had been flown to
Trincomalee to arrest Ice Manju, who is believed to be under the protection
of a well-known politician of the area. The Army had complained to the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission over last Saturday’s assassination of its top Military Intelligence officer Colonel Rizli Meedin, claiming the killing constitutes a violation of the ceasefire agreement signed between the government and the LTTE. Army deserter kills mother An army deserter, Saman Kumara Liyanage, who was always advised by his mother to return to camp and protect his job killed his mother by hitting her with a coconut scraper. The deserter identified as Saman was arrested by the OIC of the Akmeemana Police Gamini Ehalawela and produced before the Galle additional Magistrate, Mrs. Kavinda Nanayak-kara. The suspect was remanded till November 8th. Headless body found in sea Naval troops in the sea area of Puiliyanthivu about 7.5 km west of Kayts recovered a headless body on Thursday (27) around 5.25 p.m. security sources said yesterday. The remains are lying at the hospital for identification and post-mortem. The Kayts police is conducting investigations. EC grant for two projects in North and East The European Commission (EC) has extended support to the Government by granting Rs. 900 million (Euros 7.4 million) to carry out the work in relation to uplifting the lives of the tsunami victims and victims of ethnic conflict in the North and the East regions. A press release issued by the UNDP said the Sri Lanka Government was utilising the grant provided through the UNDP to assist in livelihood of those affected by war and tsunami disaster and for the waste disposal in the North and East. The Government is implementing a programme of action to rebuild and provide income generating activities to improve the tsunami and conflict affected families. The European Commission is extending support through the UNDP by granting Euros 7.4 million (Approx. Rs. 900 million) for the uplift of the tsunami and conflict affected families in the North and East regions under two projects namely: Quick Recovery Project (QRP), Livelihood Development Project in the North and East (LDP). Under the quick Recovery Project, the activities will include: support to local bodies by assisting in waste removal and storage; improvement to access roads and transport corridors; provision of employment by engaging in activities such as; debris removal and small infrastructure development. The activities under the Livelihood project include assisting in the provision of productive inputs in the fisheries and agriculture sectors, construction of associated community infrastructure relating to livelihood development. The sub-projects will be implemented through the Government Agents of the respective districts and the UNDP. The District Review Board in each district will approve these projects. During the last few years, the UNDP and the Government have been implementing sustainable livelihood development projects in the North and East with funds given by the EC, Denmark, Australia, Canada and Norway. All these projects address the needs of the conflict and tsunami affected communities with several humanitarian, transition and development activities. The EC is an active and large donor to Sri Lanka and it provides assistance for relief, infrastructure, rehabilitation, reconstruction, mine action activities and for the promotion of human rights and democracy in Sri Lanka. The signing of the Grant Contract took place at the RRR Ministry Conference Room on October 31 at 3.00 p.m. LTTE, SLMM meet in Trincomalee Mr.S.Elilan, Trincomalee district political head of the
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Monday brought to the notice of
the members of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) in the east port
town, several ceasefire violations by the State armed forces in the district,
LTTE sources said. The LTTE delegation told the SLMM during the one hour long discussion that the LTTE has evidence to prove that Sri Lanka Army soldiers are attacking LTTE cadres with the assistance of paramilitary Tamil groups in the LTTE held Vaharai division in Batticaloa district. LTTE delegation pointed out that paramilitary groups supported by SLA soldiers are entering LTTE areas only to retreat later into SLA camps when confronted by LTTE cadres. The delegation told the SLMM that this is against the ceasefire agreement as the CFA stipulates that all paramilitary groups should be moved out of the northeast province. LTTE delegation further told the SLMM that the SLA has now curtailed the movement of civilians and vehicular traffic till 7 p.m. daily through its Kaddaiparichchan checkpoint, which divides the government and LTTE controlled areas in the Muttur division. The checkpoint was opened for twenty-four hours daily since the CFA came into operation till recently. The unilateral decision of the SLA is causing severe hardships for seriously ill patients in the LTTE held Muttur east villages to seek urgent medical attention in hospitals in government controlled areas, LTTE delegation pointed out to the SLMM, sources said. The SLA has imposed restriction on civilians taking fuel such as kerosene and diesel for their domestic and agricultural purposes to the LTTE held Muttur east through Kaddaiparichchan SLA camp checkpoint. Furthermore all passengers and civilians traveling by buses and other vehicles are subjected to severe body checks through Kaddaiparichchan army camp. Tamil civilians are losing confidence on the CFA because of these violations by the government security forces, LTTE delegation told the SLMM. ehk;;
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