.

Bloody Friday killer squad dead

by Shamindra Ferdinando and Norman Palihawadana
Four LTTE suicide squad members yesterday blew themselves up when commandos raided the Serpentine flats at Wanathamulla where they were holed up since fleeing Rajagiriya after a brief but bloody skirmish that left three terrorists, 14 civilians and six policemen dead.

Army headquarters spokesman said that the four wearing explosive packed jackets detonated devices during the raid ordered after several hours of sporadic exchange of gunfire between the terrorists and the security forces.

Four commandos were wounded during the assault.

He said that one suicide cadre who made a bid to breakthrough the security cordon was gunned down. He had been wearing the explosive packed jacket.

They had been among the eight man group in security forces type uniform seen behind the bushes near the Cotta Road - Castle Street roundabout at 6 pm on Friday but managed to walk away and take up position at the Serpentine flats.

Police said that the badly mutilated bodies of the four suicide cadres and the cadre who made an abortive bid to flee had been collected along with one General Purpose Machine Gun[ GPMG], one Multi Purpose Machine Gun [MPMG], three T-56 assault rifles, two disposable Rocket Propelled Grenades [RPGs] and two hand grenades.

One unexploded hand grenade found at the scene was later defused by the army.

Eyewitnesses said that the group in uniforms but wearing rubber slippers walked to Wanathamulla about 30 minutes after they heard gunfire and explosions at Rajagiriya. The group after walking away from the Rajagiriya carnage had walked along the railway track to Wanathamulla and then obtained some biscuits, bread and two soft drink bottles from a shop before entering section C of the Serpentine flats.

Troops had followed the group and about one hour after the Rajagiriya shooting completely cut off the Serpentine flats. People were prevented from leaving or entering the flats.

Since then they had been exchanging fire with troops. Later a special group of commandos had fought their way into the building and reached the top floor of the C block where the four committed suicide and one shot dead.

After using all their ammunition, they started exploding themselves in the early hours of yesterday and the one who tried to escape was shot dead by commandos.

The incident was very much similar to the one in which a group of terrorists entered Lake House and exchanged fire with troops before taking their lives by exploding hand grenades.

Military officials said that a water tank at the Serpentine flats was badly damaged during the yesterday’s confrontation.

Another eyewitness said that when they phoned the local police station, a constable had asked the caller to get underworld activists at Wanathamulla to kill the terrorists.

Many residents at the Serpentine apartments said that they were surprised that these men armed with "big" weapons managed to walk away from the scene of the clash at Rajagiriya.

Military officials said that three terrorists believed to be members of the suicide squad were killed at Rajagiriya. Two were shot dead by troops who rushed to the scene and one exploded himself.

One T-56 weapon, two hand grenades, two explosive packed suicide jackets, two disposable RPGs, one timing device, four T-56 magazines, one ammunition belt with a large quantity of live ammunition and a few other items were found at the scene of the Rajagiriya confrontation.

However, there had been no evidence to suggest that the group was planning to explode claymore mines. "We did not find any claymores," one officer said adding that the group appeared to have been tasked to assault a ministerial or security forces motorcade coming out of the Parliament. They were not supposed to escape that was why all were wearing suicide jackets.

Police said that the LTTE had to abort their plan when a civilian after seeing a member of the group near the Cotta Road - Castle Street junction alerted the police. The police had been deployed at the check point on the Sri Jayewardenepura - Parliament Road opposite the Ayurveda hospital near the Royal Park Junction.

As soon as a policeman went there to investigate, terrorists had shot him dead and knowing their plan had been bared, had fired indiscriminately.

Fourteen people including women were killed along with six policemen at the check point. The dead policemen were identified as Sgt. Maldeniya [14401], PCs Wickremesena [15641], Jayasundara [6335], Dayaratne and RPCs Perera [24658] and Dharmasena [11549]. Police said that a traffic policeman attached to Borella police was among the dead. The majority of the rest were those sent from other police stations for special duty in the city.

While Tigers cause death, destruction
"PA, UNP playing politics"

by Shamindra Ferdinando
The National Joint Committee [NJC] — an umbrella organisation of 47 groups and the National Movement Against Terrorism [NMAT] yesterday accused both the PA and the UNP of playing politics while separatist LTTE terrorists continue to engage in more death and destruction.

The NJC’s secretary Dr. Piyasena Dissanayake and NMAT’s Champika Ranawaka yesterday said that Friday’s carnage at Rajagiriya should open the eyes of President Chandrika Kumaratunga and the UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe.

They must discuss the security threat and take necessary measures to defeat the LTTE, militarily, they said pointing out that the LTTE will not change its attitude unless they are humiliated on the battle field.

Dissanayake and Ranawaka pointed out that the attack indicated the LTTE’s determination to ensure that the ongoing Norwegian brokered peace effort does not succeed in bringing the government and the LTTE back to the negotiating table after securing UNP’s support to the effort.

They said that the majority in the PA and the UNP are convinced that the LTTE would not agree to any deal that does not give them a separate state. But they are silent and permit the minority to dance to the tune of the LTTE and their supporters both in and outside the parliament.

The LTTE went on the rampage at Rajagiriya soon after an alert civilian led police to a group of armed persons hiding behind the bushes near the Cotta road-Castle street roundabout.

The attack came a day after PA and UNP delegations met at Temple Trees and decided to go ahead on a consensus on the controversial plans to bring in the devolution package.

The two delegations were scheduled to meet again next Thursday. Despite the attack the two parties are expected to continue with their effort to enter into a dialogue with the LTTE.

Security forces and terrorists exchanged fire at Rajagiriya as the parliament approved a government resolution to extend the state of emergency by one more month by 96 votes in favour and 68 against.

Earlier in the day the Deputy Defence Minister Anuruddha Ratwatte moving the motion to extend the state of emergency said that the LTTE was expected to continue its "inhuman and heinous" acts.

However, the UNP, the TULF and the single SLPF MP voted against the extension and the TULF opposed the votes of the Defence Ministry.

The Rajagiriya carnage came about eight hours after the motion was moved.

Ranawaka said that the killers were probably waiting for a ministerial motorcade or staff cars carrying the armed forces top brass from the parliament at the end of the Defence Ministry vote. Timely detection aborted their plans but two dozen people, mostly office workers returning home were killed when they were caught in the crossfire.

Instead of seeking a bipartisan approach towards peace talks, the PA and the UNP must discuss how best they could destroy the LTTE and restore public confidence. Here PA and UNP politicians are seeking ways and means of satisfying terrorists and their international sympathisers while they go on the rampage just outside Parliament, Dissanayake said.

The PA and the UNP must ask the Norwegians to explain the LTTE’s behaviour, he said insisting that the LTTE will not accept any deal unless they secure a separate state.

Officials said that the bloody attack took the Colombo based diplomatic community by surprise. "They never expected the LTTE to strike in Colombo especially in view of the two day International Democratic Union conference being held at the Colombo Hilton," one official said.

The British Opposition leader William Hague and over a dozen politicians from Finland, Germany, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Australia, Austria and the United States were among the participants at this conference.

Hague’s Conservative Party had been instrumental in an abortive bid in early 1997 to get the PA and the UNP to adopt a bipartisan approach when dealing with the LTTE.

Political sources said that some delegates to the IDU conference hosted by the UNP were horrified when they heard of the latest LTTE inspired carnage.

Dissanayake said that the Army Commander Lieutenant General Srilal Weerasuriya recently explained the need to defeat the LTTE militarily, adding that they appreciated the army chief’s going on record saying that the LTTE must be militarily crushed.

Weerasuriya, during his address to troops on January 1 said that the armed forces must crush the LTTE.

Peace process must continue, says TULF

The Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) yesterday described the Friday’s LTTE attack at Rajagiriya as "senseless" but stressed that it should not be allowed to derail the peace process.

A senior TULF parliamentarian said that the LTTE should not have mounted the Friday’s operation at Borella especially in view of the ongoing Norwegian brokered peace initiative.

"The bloodshed must end," he said pointing out that both the PA and the UNP leaderships should not deviate from the peace process in response to the latest incident.

He was critical of the LTTE’s decision to provoke the gun battle that resulted in the deaths of over 20 people.

Womens’ hospital bends rules to save man

COLOMBO March 11 (AFP) — A man who was shot and wounded by Tamil Tiger rebels became the first male casualty to undergo emergency surgery at a maternity hospital in the Sri Lankan capital, doctors said Saturday.

The 35-year-old man, Pradeep Dahanayake, was hit when gunmen indiscriminately sprayed bullets after a devastating bomb attack along Ceremonial Drive that leads to the national parliament on Friday evening.

Doctors said he was hit near the gates of the Castle Street maternity hospital, where he underwent surgery that saved his life. He is at the intensive care unit while his pregnant wife was in a nearby ward.

Director of Colombo’s main hospital, doctor Hector Weerasinghe, said it was the first time a male had been admitted to the old Castle Street hospital and he was making arrangements to have him transferred to a male ward at the earliest.

"We are not in a position to keep the patient at the female hospital, so we want to shift him to the main hospital," Weerasinghe said.

Dahanayake was a among some 60 people wounded when Tamil Tiger rebels opened fire on the busy street. One rebel later carried out a suicide bombing, killing 20 people.

Mahinda Rajapakse honoured with Sri Rohana Ranjana

Colombo, March 7 (AFP) — Buddhist leaders in Sri Lanka have conferred a rare honour on Fisheries Minister Mahinda Rajapakse, indicating their choice in a succession battle in the ruling party, political sources said Tuesday.

Rajapakse who was side-lined by President Kumaratunga after he initiated a workers’ charter that was popular among workers but resented by employers and top bureacrats was honoured by the monks over the weekend.

One of the top Buddhist temples, the Malwatte Chapter, said it was giving the title of "Sri Rohana Ranjana" as he was vastly popular with the masses and a devoted worker. President Chandrika Kumaratunga who is currently serving her second and final term as executive head of state has not named a successor and political sources expect a struggle with the ruling party to fill the leadership vacuum.

The monks announced that the only other person in Sri Lanka similarly honoured by them was the ailing 83-year-old Prime Minister Sirima Bandaranaike, who is the mother of the President.

Political observers noted that it was unusual for Buddhist monks to honour a minister who was in charge of the fisheries ministry especially because Buddhists were opposed to all forms of killing including fishing.

Army corporal and soldier prime suspects in rape and murder incident

An Army corporal and a soldier have been identified as prime suspects with regard to the rape and murder of Aida Kamaleeta Laila of Pallimunai West, Mannar and papers have been submitted to the Attorney General for indictment, the President’s Committee on Unlawful Arrests and Harassment said in a news release that a complaint sent by the mother of the deceased to the President has been referred to President’s Committee on Unlawful Arrests and Harassment for inquiry and necessary action.

The complainant has stated that on July 11, 1999 some men intruded her house, pulled her out and tied her eyes with a piece of cloth and have kicked her. Then they locked the male members of the house in a room and entered the room where her 21-year-old daughter Aida Kamalita had been sleeping. She heard her daughter screaming. By that time she managed to remove the cloth tied to her eyes and she saw the intruders seducing her daughter. She ran to the Police Station begging them to rescue her daughter, which they refused. When she returned home she had found her daughter shot dead, the news release stated.

Upon receipt of this complaint the Committee called for a report from the CID which has already begun investigations. An identification parade had been held where the witnesses identified a L/Cpl and a soldier as the intruders, it said. (The two suspects were taken into custody and produced in MC Mannar B 195/99 and were remanded to fiscal custody). Eleven weapons used by the soldiers of the Pallimunai camp were taken over by the CID and forwarded to the Government Analyst through courts. Eight empty casings and four slugs that were recovered at the scene of crime were also referred to Govt. Analyst for scientific examination and the report is awaited.

CID has also taken charge of the clothes worn by the deceased at the time of the crime for subsequent scientific examination which would facilitate the identity of the perpetrators! the news release added.

Britain denies claim of Sri Lankan asylum seeker

STRASBOURG (AFP) — The British and German governments on Tuesday denied claims made by a Sri Lankan asylum seeker to the European Court of Human Rights that he would be tortured if he were sent home.

The 31-year-old man, who wishes to be known only by the initials T.I., is fighting expulsion by Britain, which wants to send him back to Germany, where he has already been refused asylum.

The man’s lawyers told a hearing of the court that in Sri Lanka in the early 1990s, he had been forced to work for and was imprisoned by the separatist Tamil Tigers. In April 1995 he escaped his captors, but was then tortured in interrogation by a pro-government Tamil group, ENDLF. Finally he claims he was beaten during questioning by police.

In February 1996, he fled to Germany, where the government said his asylum claim was based on "a completely fabricated issue of lies."

In September 1997, he left Germany for Britain, where he also claimed asylum. However, British authorities requested that Germany accept responsibility for the man’s asylum request.

The refugee is fighting expulsion by Britain, claiming that if he is sent back to Germany the authorities will refuse to reconsider an asylum claim and he will therefore be deported to Sri Lanka. He complains that he will be tortured and ill-treated if he is sent home.

T.I.’s lawyers showed the court photographs of scars, burns and injuries that the man had on his body.

His lawyers complain that if he is left with no other option but to return to Sri Lanka, this would be contrary to the European Convention on Human Rights.

At the request of the European court, the British authorities have meanwhile accepted to delay the man’s expulsion until the case has been investigated by the court.

The European court will give its verdict in two to three months.

Friday’s massacre victims identified

Police have sought public assistance to gather more information regarding Friday’s LTTE attack at Rajagiriya.

Media Director and police spokesman, SSP Rienzie Perera said in a statement yesterday that of the 20 people who were killed in the attack, six were policemen. The others were civilians.

The civilians killed have been identified as Udeni Samanthika Dayananda (Thalawathugoda), Devika Sumanasena Rupasinghe (Nugegoda), Thilak Balasuriya (Kohuwala), Achani Asha Senani (Homagama), Sukumal Asanka Perera (Homagama), Sarath Wijesinghe (Pannipitiya), Wasantha Kumari (Nugegoda), Mangalika Wickremasinghe (Homagama), A. S. Somadasa (Thalawathugoda), Damayanthi Premaratne (Homagama), H. C. B. Perera (Colombo 4), Saman Gunawardena (Kotte) , Neranjala Renuka Upasena (Rajagiriya), Lakmini Vinitha (Bandaragama).

SSP Perera said that 54 people who were injured in the incident have been admitted to the Sri Jayewardenapura and Colombo National Hospitals

Members of the public can convey any information regarding this incident to the police on telephone numbers, 685151, 685154, 693173, 433333, 691500, or 436161.

Developing social values essential in safeguarding democratic rights — Hague

By Chittaranjan de Silva
Chairman of the International Democrat Union (IDU), and leader of the British Conservative Party, William Hague said yesterday that developing social values is important in safeguarding the rights of a democratic society.

Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Institute of Democracy (IOD), as the guest of honour, Hague sympathised with the bereaved families of those who were killed or injured during Friday’s LTTE attack at Rajagiriya. "I sympathise with them on behalf of the IDU participants gathered here’, he said.

While pledging IDU’s support for IOD, which was set up to uphold democracy in the country, he said that it is values that guide policies adopted by various political parties.

We believe that some values should cross party boundaries," Hague said.

He noted that political parties carry the aspirations and hopes of the people. Sri Lanka has a proud history in this part of the world, and also has democratic institutions which have stood the test of time, he said.

I hope this institution (IOD) will champion and safeguard ideals of democracy in Sri Lanka," Hague said.

Chief Justice, Sarath N. Silva, also expressed his grief over Friday’s carnage by the LTTE which claimed the lives of many innocent people.

My thoughts were disturbed by the events of last evening," the Chief Justice said during his address which touched on conflict resolution.

There should be a need for consensus in important matters that pertain to ethnic crises at political level," the Chief Justice said.

He said that through the studying of American and European history, he is convinced that consensus is vital in conflict resolution. Without consensus,progress cannot be achieved, he added.

After the world war was over there was consensus among the warring parties, he pointed out.

The Chief Justice also stressed the importance of social values in preserving human rights in society. He emphasised the need to uplift social values at all costs, and added that the concept of good governance surpasses all political barriers.

The Chairman of the Institute of Democracy, former Secretary General of Parliament, Sam Wijesinghe said there is an urgent need to dispel the darkness in today’s society due to the erosion of values.

The word ‘democracy’ has many meanings and according to legendary American President Abraham Lincoln, it could be defined as the government of the people, by the people and for the people, he said.

It is through the duly cast ballot that democracy could be safeguarded, since the people’s representatives are chosen through it, Wijesinghe said.

Hague’s visit not linked to peace process

Contrary to recent claims and reports, the visiting Conservative Party leader William Hague did not meet President Chandrika Kumaratunga to discuss the Norwegian brokered peace process.

Hague on Friday denied his visit was in anyway linked with the peace initiative.

Government officials last week said that Hague’s visit has nothing to do with the ongoing Norwegian initiative to bring Sri Lankan government and the LTTE back to the negotiating table.

AI condemns LTTE

From Sujeewa Nivunhella
Amnesty International condemned the indiscriminate killing of at least 12 civilians during an attack suspected to have been carried out by members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Borella, Colombo.

The civilians were reportedly killed while members of the LTTE -armed with rocket-propelled grenades — shot indiscriminately through bussy traffic. The LTTE members were fleeing after a failed attack thought to have been aimed at an as yet unidentified dignitary returning from parliament.

"Both the security forces and the LTTE must respect the lives of civilians in the area," Amnesty International said.

Hundreds of security force personnel are currently searching for four LTTE members suspected of involvement in the attack and reported to be hiding in a large apartment complex in the area. To Amnesty International’s knowledge, no civilians have been so far moved out of these apartments.

"Under international humanitarian standards all parties to a conflict must refrain from direct attacks on civilians or indiscriminate attacks and are obliged to take all necessary measures to prevent civilian casualties," Amnesty International said.

Troops kill 13 terrorists

Troops killed five terrorists during a confrontation at Kanda-kulam in the Jaffna district on Friday [10] army headquarters spokesman said yesterday. Four soldiers were also wounded in action, he said adding that terrorists were in a bunker at the time troops assaulted it with RPGs and machine guns.

Later two T-56 weapons and three T-56 magazines were found.

At Vathiriyan also in the same district, troops killed two terrorists. In another incident at Kulairetam, troops called for artillery support during a confrontation.

At Amduwelip-uram in the Trinco-malee district troops on Friday killed two terrorists after they threw hand grenades at a police patrol injuring one. Within minutes after the grenade attack, troops from a nearby camp cordoned off the area and mounted a search operation. During the search the attackers were found and shot dead. Their bodies were found along with two hand grenades, one 9mm pistol and one cyanide capsule.

At Udiveralikulam in the Welioya region, troops killed four terrorists last Friday.

No refunds for poor signals

A customer who complained to Lanka Bell that his telephone is on the blink due to ‘poor signal’ has been told that it’s the policy of the company not to refund on lines which have been active for a year.

Lanka Bell’s Senior Executive Customer Care, Farzana Shaffi says in a letter to this subscriber residing at Gothatuwa, Angoda that ‘a survey was done on the line due to the prevailing problem and after a thorough investigation on the signal strength, we are unable to obtain the required signal at your present service address’.

‘As per our company policy, we do not refund on lines which have been active for a year. Therefore, we are unable to refund your initial payment depending on the time of the first opened repair ticket. Hence 50% of your initial payment can be arranged if you wish to go for a refund’, the letter added.

"This is unfair. It’s the responsibility of the company to ensure that the telephones it installs after ‘thorough investigations and payment in full’ are in working order", the subscriber complained.

Lanka Bell’s General Manager Bennet Paternot, when contacted said that he was not in a position to comment on the matter, but assured that a responsible official of the Customer Care Division will get in touch with the ‘Sunday Island’.

Shaffi who telephoned a few hours later said that poor signals have become a problem not only to subscribers, but to the company as well. It generally tends to happen after some time when unexpectedly a building comes up and the signal is affected.

She said that the procedure is to refund only 50% of the initial payment, but in the case of this customer a full refund will now be made.

Subscribers who face problems relating to poor signals are advised to apply for the transfer of the telephone to a different location, but the number seeking a refund is minimal as most of them opt to keep the instrument with them, she claimed.

A senior official of the Telecommunic-ations Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) said that problems of this nature can be referred to the TRCSL for redress.

‘We can take necessary action if such complaints are made. Any problem which a subscriber cannot sort out with the telephone company concerned can be directed to the TRCSL for relief’, he explained.

Complaints should be accompanied by copies of all relevant documents and addressed to the Director-General, he said. (Suresh)

All your telephone numbers in a compact disc

by Saman Indrajith
Instead of printing bulky directories, the Cyber Search (Pvt) Ltd., has produced a business directory in a compact disc for the first time in Sri Lanka.

The Managing Director of the Cyber Search, Bandara Atugoda explaining the concept said that there are over 800,000 telephone users in Sri Lanka. "Over 60% of these telephones are used for business purposes. There are also several directories. However, there is not a single telephone directory listing all fixed line, wireless and cellular phone subscribers. This is mainly due to the bulky volume of paper such as a single directory will require. If such a directory is printed, it is likely to run into more than 4000 pages and weigh over 10 kilogrammes. That’s why the Cyber Search has decided to introduce this compact directory to the market," he told a news conference.

This compact directory has six advantages than the currently used printed directories. In addition to the telephone numbers of business or private subscribers, e-mail or fax numbers are also available in this compact directory, he added.

"Information about Sri Lanka is included under different subjects for the benefit of students as well as tourists. Information relating to history, social and economic factors, important places, national parks, museums, etc. have also been included in this directory," Atugoda said.

"Lists of professionals have also been included in this directory. A person who wants to consult a professional in his areas or town, will be able to do so through this directory. For this purpose contact telephone numbers and the addresses of doctors, lawyers, engineers and accountants etc. have been included, he said.

"This directory also contains information useful to an average citizen in his daily life like weights and measures, currencies used in different countries, global difference in time, local train schedules, local and international flight details and useful contact number etc.," the MD said.

Atugoda said that a Sri Lankan and world maps have been included for the benefit of the students.

The Chairman of Cyber Search, Kumudu Indika said that the most important feature in this directory is that it is very convenient to its users.

This product will be available in the market by the end of May this year, he said.

Shell gas claims prices here are world’s lowest

Shell Gas Lanka Ltd. (SGLL) said in a statement last week that at the current global import price level, the selling price of a domestic cylinder in Sri Lanka should be Rs. 518/- in order to break even. SGLL has been working very closely with the government of Sri Lanka to manage LPG prices at levels which are affordable for customers in the country, it said.

As a result, SGLL has been selling LPG at price levels which are among the lowest in the world. This effectively means that SGLL is subsidising every customer in Sri Lanka at the rate of Rs. 152/- per domestic cylinder under the current global LPG price. In January 2000, SGLL had to subsidise a total of Rs. 97 million followed by Rs. 80 million in February. This expected level of subsidy will reach a staggering Rs. 147 million in March 2000, the statement claimed.

SGLL advised customers that they should look for ways to manage their consumption of LPG which could include conservation and rationing measures. This would reduce the financial burden to themselves as well as the company. At current prices, the more LPG that’s consumed, the greater the loss to SGLL, it said.

Referring to the recent reduction in the LPG quantity in its cylinders, SGLL said that an announcement in this connection was made by way of a Press notification on January 28, 29 and 31, 2000. This reduction was done in line with international safety standards of LPG. Accordingly a 13kg cylinder contains 12.5kg and a 40kg cylinder contains 37.5kg of LPG, the statement said.

By reducing the quantity and maintaining the price at the prevailing level, this equates to a Rs. 13/- increase in price for a domestic cylinder. This has been fully discussed and agreed between SGLL and the government in the management of LPG pricing in Sri Lanka, it added.

International standards in countries such as the UK, France, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, India, Pakistan etc., require that adequate space is allowed in the cylinder for ullage. This means that LPG should not be filled up to the brim of the cylinder, it said.

On the withdrawal of the 2.4kg cylinders from the market, SGLL explained that this process began in December, 1999 as a result of concerns over the profitability of the business as well as safety issues associated with some of the cylinders. As many of these cylinders were carry-overs from the days of the Colombo Gas Company and had been in the market for a relatively long period of time, there were many incidents of leaks and related accidents which were brought to the notice of the company, SGLL said.

In addition, it was also reported that there had been unauthorised re-filling of the cylinders using larger cylinders. This is clearly a highly unsafe practice as this is done without the approval of SGLL and without complying to any safety standards. The company is reviewing the feasibility of introducing a small cylinder (complete with accessories) to the local market. If this feasibility study proves positive, the company plans to introduce this package by the end of this year, it said.

Drawing a comparison between selling prices of LPG in various countries, (to achieve consistency, the values are converted into US$ and pegged at the equivalent of the 12.5 domestic LPG cylinder), with the exception of only Pakistan, Sri Lanka’s selling price is one of the lowest in the world. Our current price of Rs. 365/- is equivalent to US$ 5 (based on the exchange rate of Rs. 73/- per US$ 1). In Pakistan, India (local) and Malaysia, LPG is subsidised by the government, SGLL said.

The selling prices, according to the SGLL statement, are as follows; Pakistan US$ 4.20, Philippines US$ 5.88, Vietnam US$ 5.70, Romania US$ 6.25, India (Local) US$ 3.38 and (imported) US$ 5.00, Hong Kong US$ 14.35, Switzerland US$ 31.25, China US$ 5.63, Belgium/Lux US$ 12.50 and Malaysia US$ 5.99.

With the expiry of the LPG monopoly in Sri Lanka in December this year, the market will be open to new entrants from January 2001. It’s reported that at least two other companies have plans to enter the market. SGLL welcomes their entry and looks forward to healthy competition, the statement noted.

Historic tunnel crumbling

from Cyril Wimalasurendra
KANDY: The historic Anniewatte tunnel is under threat.

Earlier known as the Halloluwa tunnel, this archaeological treasure will crumble if the apathy and lackadaisical attitude of the Kandy Municipal Council continues.

Built in the year 1828 by Governor Edward Barnes to transport British troops to the Kandyan Kingdom through Halloluwa, this 542-feet long and 20-feet high tunnel has now been sadly neglected. Over-head metal barriers were in place at one time at its entrance and exit to prevent heavy vehicles using the tunnel. But they have been removed by some unknown persons and this historic entity is taking a painful battering as heavy vehicles rumble through it. And nobody in authority seems to care.

Of course there are two boards put up by the Municipality prohibiting heavy vehicular traffic, but without the barriers in place, it’s blatantly violated.

There was so much done in the past by geologists and civil engineers to preserve this archaeological masterpiece. But all that’s history. The tunnel has now been left to look after itself and sans the care and maintenance it deserves, it’s falling apart.

This tunnel was constructed at a point of the mountain range which extends from Asgiriya to the bank of the Mahaweli river. However, subsequently it remained buried under mounds of earth and was out of use for a long period of time during the latter part of British rule. For nearly 75 years it was impassable and people used to cross the hillock taking a longer route via Primrose estate.

It was C. E. Fonseka, the Kandy MC works engineer who was instrumental in re-opening this tunnel in 1950.

The Kandy MC is duty bound to protect and preserve this unique gift the British Governor left behind....

Supermarket blues

Supermarkets are an easy and convenient way of shopping, but as one shocked customer found out last week, he had been mistakenly charged Rs. 192 for a small tube of herbal toothpaste he had purchased, among other items.

On reaching home, this customer had perused the receipt item by item to ensure that everything was in order as it was a credit card transaction. To his utter consternation, he had come across a strange ‘grill sauce’ for which he had been charged Rs. 192, in place of the tube of toothpaste which cost Rs. 20. He had immediately telephoned the duty manager of Keells supermarket at Mt. Lavinia, who had asked him to call over to sort it out. When another visit was made entirely for this purpose as an inordinate delay could be disadvantageous to this customer, the manager had apologetically admitted that it was an error which had occurred due to a mix up of the code.

All items for sale are coded and if the cashier uses the wrong code, blunders of this nature emerge, it has been explained.

With an apology, the manager had refunded the excess money charged, the customer said.

‘Wasn’t it fortunate that I checked each item on the receipt and made the detection just half an hour after the purchases had been made? But, how many of those who patronise these supermarkets bother to go through their receipts to ensure that they have brought home in the proper order all the stuff they had paid for?’, he queried. - (Suresh)

Cement company sets standards in construction industry

by Saman Indrajith
Recognising the excellence, leadership and contributions towards development in the construction industry as a whole, the Puttalam Cement Company Ltd. (PCCL) held an awards ceremony last Thursday at the BMICH.

The event, named ‘Sanstha Awards 2000’ handed out awards to the top 30 Sanstha dealers, four merit awards to some institutions in the field of construction, a special award for the best project built by using Sanstha cement.

Speaking on the occasion, PCCL Chairman, Manilal Fernando said that the company has decided to share the happiness of its achievements with those who shouldered it. The PCCL has embarked on very successful and firm journey so far, and it will proceed as the leader in the field in the years to come as well, he noted.

"I know that we can lead the way ahead and we will," Chairman Fernando stressed.

PCCL Chief Executive Officer, Martin Forman said that as a trend-setter and the leading provider of training in the field today, the PCCL Group has come forward to hand down these awards as part of its consistent endeavours to set quality standards for the construction industry.

The owner of Lahiru Enterprises at Pannipitiya, Ranjith Weragala who had topped the target in the sale of Sanstha Cement was adjudged ‘Best Dealer’.

Twenty nine other dealers were also given awards for their preserving enthusiasm and dedication, which led them to be Sanstha top achievers.

In addition, four merit awards were given to the Institute of Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission, Institute for Construction Training and Development, National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority and Vocational Training Authority in appreciation and recognition of their unstinting efforts and commitment to improve quality standards in the construction industry through various skills development programmes.

There was a special award for the best project built by using Sanstha cement and an additional award for the engineer responsible for the construction of the best project. The year 2000 award went to the Economic Center at Dambulla. The engineer who received the award for the Best Engineer was Nihal Rupasinghe of the Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau.

The PCCL group is affiliated to Holderbank, which is the largest cement manufacturing company in the world.

War veterans want more gratuity payment

From Reggie Goonewardene
The Sri Lanka War Veterans Association of World War II adopted a resolution at its recent Annual General Meeting (AGM) to appeal to the government to grant them a gratuity of Rs. 500 per month of service in the military. It was also resolved to submit a copy of this appeal to the Prime Minister of Britain, whose war they fought 55 years ago.

World War II veterans are a dwindling tribe and there is only a handful alive today, observed the Association’s General Secretary, H. G. P. Jayasekera.

He said that after the war ended in 1945, the demobilisation of soldiers began and they were granted a paltry gratuity of Rs. 1.33 per day in accordance with the pay they drew at that time. As textiles were rationed, they were issued with coupons to buy their clothes, he added.

In 1949 when the Ceylon Army was formed, only a few of these war veterans were absorbed into it, he said.

The following office bearers were elected for the ensuing year, at this AGM held at the Colombo YMCA:

President - Basil S. J. Fernando, Vice President - K. W. Amaradasa de Silva, General Secretary - H. G. P. Jayasekera, Assistant Secretary - D. P. M. Hettiarachchi, Treasurer - C. P. Himarangi and Capt. Clarence A. de Silva, P. V. S. Fernando, M. A. Isaac, Ranjith Fernando and M. E. P. Cooray as committee members.

| POLITICS | EDITORIAL | DEFENCE | FEATURES | LEISURE | BUSINESS | SPORTS |ADS |