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Galadari bombers captured say
Police After months of intensive investigations, a special police squad has captured four key LTTE activists who were being sought in connection with the Galadari bomb blast and a series of attacks on other civilian and military targets, senior police officials said. Among those arrested was the driver of the TATA lorry laden with a 250 kilo powerful bomb used by the LTTE to blast the Galadari Hotel. The four men described by police as "hardcore terrorists" were captured by the police in Nuwara Eliya and Batticaloa, the officials said. The arrests were made by a special police team attached to the Central Range DIG's headquarters with assistance from the respective police stations. According to police sources the four Tigers had followed training in the handling of arms at "Tarava" LTTE camp in Batticaloa. A LTTE mechanic who had also undergone training at the 'Tarava' camp was among those in police custody. The bomb laden lorry was taken to the premises of Galadari on the directions of LTTE leader Arul of the Kokkadicholai LTTE camp, it has been disclosed in the course of interrogating the suspects, police sources said. Following interrogation at length the suspects have also disclosed that two lorries, a TATA and an Isuzu were purchased by the LTTE and the TATA was used for the attack. The vehicles were purchased through 'other people' with funds given by the LTTE, investigations have revealed. Apart from the four main suspects seven others too have been arrested by the police. All eleven suspects have been remanded pending further investigations. The operations and investigations were conducted by CI, K. M. S. Bowala, SI Ranasinghe, SI Yatawara, SI Rafaitu, PS Tennakoon, PC Ranaweera, PC Abeykoon, PC Nihal, WPC Nanda, PS Balbanda several others on the directions of DIG Sirisena Herath and former DIG A. A. Samarasinghe and Kandy SSP Nihal Madiwaka. India ready for talks with
Pakistan says Vajpayee NEW DELHI, May 20: Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee said today New Delhi is ready for talks with Islamabad in the wake of the nuclear tests conducted by this country last week. He said this while talking to reporters at Pokharan in the Rajasthan desert soon after inspecting the site, where India had conducted five successful underground nuclear tests early last week. But, he added, Pakistan has to take the initiative for such a dialogue. This is the first time the prime minister disclosed his readiness to hold talks with Pakistan on the nuclear question since India stunned the world by exploding three nuclear devices on May 11 (including a hydrogen bomb) and two more on May 13. Even though there is a hot-line between the offices of the prime ministers of India and Pakistan, Vajpayee and his Pakistani counterpart have not spoken to each other on telephone during the past 10 days, sources in the Indian government have said. Vajpayee spoke on telephone with British Prime Minister Tony Blair and South African President Nelson Mandela to explain to them why India had to undertake the nuclear tests. He has also written personal letters to United States President Bill Clinton, Russian President Boris Yeltsin and a host of other global leaders on the subject. But no communication has gone to Nawaz Sharif so far. Foreign Secretary K. Raghunath and his senior colleagues in the Indian foreign ministry have been briefing foreign diplomats based here about the nuclear tests. But Chinese and Pakistani diplomats have not been invited for such briefings so far. Officials said separate briefings will be held for them, but did not specify when. In the wake of the Indian nuclear tests, Sharif, his Foreign Minister Gohar Ayub Khan and other Pakistani leaders and officials have lambasted India and threatened retaliatory blasts. The Pakistani newspapers too have been vociferous in their criticism of the Indian action. Lanka for total N'disarmament Sri Lanka is for total nuclear disarmament declared foreign ministry spokesman Ravinath Ariyasinghe yesterday claiming that much of the confusion regarding the Sri Lankan position was due to Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar's statements on the issue not being fully reported in the press. Mr.Ariyasinghe replying a question at the cabinet press briefing in Colombo regarding the official position of Sri Lanka on Indian nuclear tests claimed that Mr.Kadirgarmar's statements in this regard at a Foreign Correspondents Association ( FCA) meeting recently had not been fully covered. "The Indian part was covered but not Pakistan " Sri Lanka being a founder member of the Non Aligned Movement ( NAM) he said is fully concerned about the security situation in the region and would do all it can to develop an ambience for security and peace in the South Asian region. "The US ambassador who called on Deputy Foreign Minister Lakshman Kiriella on Wednesday sought clarifications on the Sri Lankan position on the Indian nuclear tests and was fully satisfied with the replies ". Mr.Ariyasinghe said that Mr.Kadirgamar during the discussions with Deputy Foreign Ministers of Pakistan, Bangladesh and India last week in Cartegena, Colombia the venue of the minsterial meeting of NAM had also clarifed questions pertaining to the Sri Lankan view regarding nuclear tests. Mr.Kadirgamar was quoted by the media as having said that India has a right to do what it wants and that Sri Lanka is not opposed to India going nuclear. He was also quoted as having said that the nuclear block need not be confined to five states and that economic sanctions should not be imposed on those conducting nuclear tests. Regarding Mr.Kadirgamar's visit to China expected to take place shortly Mr.Ariyasinghe said that the visit was arranged before the Indian tests were conducted. Suharto quits: deputy takes over JAKARTA, May 21 - Students danced on the roof, dived into the fountains and charged across the manicured lawns of Indonesia’s parliament on Thursday as loudspeakers blared out the news that President Suharto’s 32-year reign was finally over. A huge roar erupted as the students, who have occupied the parliament complex for the past three days and nights, learned that the 76-year-old president had stepped aside and handed power to Vice President Jusuf Habibie. Hundreds rushed outside, cheering, weeping and hugging each other. A chanting crowd gathered on the steps to the parliament chamber, shouting: "Goodbye Suharto, Goodbye Suharto". They raced through the grounds, waving banners and flags and shaking hands with a few hundred troops who had turned up at dawn and stationed themselves at the main gates of the complex. "The young people have thrown out the old thief," said Eji, a student from Jakarta’s Technical College who had been in parliament since Monday, when students marched in through the gates to demand that the government remove Suharto. Five more Tiger boats destroyed Navy Dvora craft attacked and destroyed five LTTE boats killing at least 30 Tigers in the seas of Verugal Aru in Trincomalee district during the early hours of yesterday. The LTTE boats were moving towards Mullaitivu from Vakarai when they were intercepted and attacked by the navy, security sources said. A LTTE leader is believed to be among the Tigers killed. The name of the Tiger leader has not been divulged so far. Navy had not suffered any casualties in this attack, the sources said. There have been no reports of Sri Lankans being harmed as a result of the crisis in Indonesia, Foreign Ministry spokesman Ravinath Ariyasinghe told journalists yesterday. He said that of the seventy Sri Lankan families in Indonesia forty who hold Australian passports have gone back to Australia while some Sri Lankans in Jakarta have asked for assistance. (ZJ) Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera claimed during the course of yesterday's cabinet press briefing that an arms dealer who hopes to publish a Sinhala newspaper is providing legal fees to the suspects in the Iqbal Athas harassment case. He said that the arrest of the suspects and the subsequent action filed in courts has vindicated the government which was earlier being accused of masterminding the harassment of Mr. Athas, Consultant Editor and Defence Correspondent of the "Sunday Times" newspaper. Sujata Jayawardena passes
away Mrs. Sujata Jayawardena died yesterday morning after a brief illness. A prominent and versatile figure, she was the president of the Alumni Association of the University of Colombo and an active figure in innumerable fund raisers. As the hostess of "Portraits" a chat show by her for many years, she was a familiar face to many television viewers.
A talented oriental dancer in her youth she had been chosen to star in "Stars over Colombo" when she was in her twenties. "She was the first Asian woman to star in a Western film" Ramani said. Originally chosen for her dancing talents the movie had to be changed when they realised her capacity for acting. She had also taken part in many English stage dramas and had later taught oriental dancing in about 15 schools. President of the Alumni Association for six years she almost single handedly raised funds for the women's hostel of the Colombo University, a five storey building situated down Bullers Road. Her chat show "Portraits" which has been telecast over Rupavahini over the past many years has been rated by the BBC as one of the best chat shows in Asia."She was known as the local Babara Walters", said a popular American chat show host ."Her work at Rupavahini was done in an honorary capacity" her daughter further said. A prominent figure in charitable activities she has raised funds for various projects for societies and institutions including the Cancer Society. She adored her family and was devoted to her grandchildren says her daughter." she was a different kind of person ..... always lively" she was 70 years old at the time of her demise. She leaves behind her husband, five children and seven grand children. The funeral will take place at the General Cemetery Kanatte, Borella at 4.00 p.m. on Saturday. Tense situation in S. Asia causes
concern Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar addressing the NAM Bureau in Cartagena, Colombia on May 19 expressed his concern over the tense situation in the neighbourhood of South Asia. The minister pledged that the Sri Lankan government will do all it can to help develop an ambience of security and confidence in the region and to remove the causes for anxiety. The minister stressed that the present situation in the South Asian region reinforces the necessity for serious and sustained efforts to be made to achieve global nuclear disarmament leading to total elimination of nuclear weapons. The minister in his speech further dwelt on the work of the past year with reference to the NAM Panel of Experts set up in New York last year following an initiative taken by Sri Lanka at the New Delhi Ministerial meeting last year. The establishment of an International Criminal Court (ICC) by next month was hailed in Minister Kadirgamar's statement 'as one of the major achievements of the UN' and he expressed his hope that terrorism will be recognized by the court as a crime against humanity and the issue of conscription of children in armed conflict be given due consideration in the statute of the ICC. The minister urged the NAM members to become parties to the international instruments on terrorism 'so that our struggle against this scourge could be pursued effectively.' The minister further observed: "My delegation wishes to place on record its appreciation of the inaugural address delivered by the President of Colombia in his capacity as chairman of our movement. With his customary eloquence he chartered clearly the progress of the NAM and the important tasks that lie ahead of us. Sri Lanka, a founder member of the Non-Aligned Movement, is deeply concerned about current developments in the security situation in our immediate neighbourhood of South Asia. We hope very much that notwithstanding the prevailing tensions in the region, the members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) will continue to strengthen measures for practical, meaningful cooperation among them including those which have already been launched. The security of South Asia cannot be considered in isolation. The present situation in our region reinforces the necessity for serious and sustained efforts to be made by the entire international community to achieve global nuclear disarmament, leading to total elimination of nuclear weapons without which peace and security will continue to be in constant jeopardy everywhere. The final stage for the establishment of an International Criminal Court (ICC) will begin next month in Rome. While acknowledging the fact that once set up the ICC will be one of the major achievements of the UN, we have to be mindful of the fact that there are certain key issues pending finalization. These include the jurisdiction of the court, the question of the consent of the state and the definition of crimes, including war crimes. While these and other issues have to be resolved, Sri Lanka is firmly of the view that terrorism should also be recognized by the Court as a crime against humanity. It would be recalled that considerable work has been done on this subject which includes the 1994 Declaration on Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism, the 1996 UNGA Declaration to supplement the 1994 Declaration, and the 1997 UN Convention on Suppression of Terrorist Bombing, which is now open for signature. In addition, a new Convention on Nuclear Terrorism is currently being negotiated in New York. Sri Lanka urges the NAM members to become parties to these international instruments on terrorism so that our struggle against this scourge, which has acquired alarming international dimensions, could be pursued effectively. Another crime that should enter the statute of the ICC is the issue of children in armed conflict. Recently, the Executive Director of the UNICEF proposed that the use of children in armed conflict should be considered a war crime. At my invitation, Mr. Olara Otunnu, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General on Children and Armed Conflict, visited Sri Lanka early this month to study the issue resulting from the conscription of Sri Lankan Tamil children by a terrorist group operating in the Northern and the Eastern Provinces of my country. I strongly urge the Movement to focus on the question of child combatants along with terrorism, with a view to eradicating that problem as well.' HC summons Bribery Commission Acting DG over
Gamage plea Colombo High Court Judge Raja Fernando hearing the revision application filed by Premalal Gamage, husband of former Director General of Bribery and Corruption Commission, on Wednesday issued notice on Acting Director General of the Commission returnable on June 2. In his revision application, Premalal Gamage challenges the order made by Colombo Magistrate's Court on March 20, 1998 refusing his application. Petition stated that earlier the petitioner Premalal Gamage was ordered to appear before the Commission on September 3, 1997. He was only given two days notice. Thereafter, the police filed a "B" report on February 19, 1998 in the Colombo Magistrate's Court stating that he had forwarded a forged document. Subsequently, he made an application before the Magistrate to discharge him as there was no legal basis to maintain the charge. This application was refused on March 20, 1998. The petition sought an order to set aside the said order. TELO decides to participate
in northern local councils The General Council of Tamil Eelam Liberation Organisation (TELO) decided to call off the boycott of local bodies in Jaffna peninsula and participate in the work of councils to which their members were elected. The 49-member General Council of TELO met last Sunday presided over by President S. Vinothalingan unanimously passed two resolutions and one of them called upon EPDP leader Douglas Devananda and his parliamentarians to vote against the extension of the Emergency in Parliament. Propaganda Secretary of TELO and former Provincial Minister of North-East Aboo Yusuf told 'The Island' while welcoming PLOTE action to vote against the emergency regulations, they call upon EPDP Parliamentarians led by Devananda also to follow the example set by TULF and PLOTE in voting against the extension of emergency regulations in Parliament. "We call upon the EPDP to do so, as the emergency gives the government legitimacy to this war and all other repressive measures against the Tamil speaking people. Mr. Yusuf said other resolution adopted by the General Council requested the Government to call for an immediate ceasefire with LTTE and to enter into negotiations as the ongoing war causes devastation of lives and property. It also calls upon the government to invite the UNP also for such talks. 'We make this demand as the government had failed for last four years to come out with a proposal to solve the ethnic crisis by incooperating factors that will satisfy the national aspirations of Tamil speaking people', the statement said. Railway chief mechanic files rights case against Judge Chief mechanic in the Railway Department's workshop at Ratmalana Gunapala Colombage has filed a fundamental rights application in the Supreme Court against High Court Judge Shirani Thilakawardena alleging inter alia that she had unlawfully and maliciously remanded him on January 28, 1988. The application will be supported in the Supreme Court today by Mr. Colombage's Counsel Upul Jayasuriya assisted by P. Radhakrishnan and Hisham Faiz. 'Deserters get one more chance' Military spokesman Brigadier Sarath Munasinghe yesterday attributed the arrest of 1768 army deserters during a one week period to more effective procedures being employed. He told the Cabinet press briefing that the amnesty granted to army deserters lapsed on May 8, but following appeals by the clergy and religous leaders the Defence Ministry has decided to give one more chance for the deserters to return. All those surrendering between 8 a.m. and 12 midnight on Sunday will be reabsorbed into the service after undergoing a refresher course. "None of the 5982 deserters who surrendered before the May 8 deadline will be punished. But all those soldiers arrested after the deadline lapsed may have to face disciplinary action ". Asked what was the need to arrest army deserters when the Army Commander had said that he needs only another 5000 soldiers, Brigadier Munasinghe said that they cannot allow deserters to roam the streets. Questioned about an army deserter who on Monday put a foot before an oncoming train to avoid arrest, he said that it was an unfortunate incident. "We certainly need brave people but I cannot say if the soldier concerned had any mental problems". 'Heart of tie-up a management deal' Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs G.L.Peiris , yesterday claimed that the heart of the Air Lanka-Emirates tie up was the management contract without a fee being levied. He told jourmalists at the Cabinet press briefing held at the People's Bank auditorium in Fort that Air Lanka standing on its own could not have got most favoured buyers status. "Emirates having earlier purchased 16 planes from the Airbus Industrie of France used it’s goodwill to secure the most favoured buyers status for Air Lanka. Banks would be prepared to deal with Emirates because of its financial standing" Minister Peiris denied that tender procedure had not been followed in divesting 40 per cent of Air Lanka to Emirates. "There have been many false versions about Air Lanka’s restructuring programme repeated consistently with a view to making it look real. Seventeen companies were disqualified for technical reasons.We desperately needed new planes to keep Air Lanka afloat". (ZJ) Mrs. Klett here again on May 23 Mrs. Waltraud Klett will be back in Sri Lanka once more on May 23. This is her 10th visit to the country. She had made arrangements to distribute pairs of spectacles on the same day at Purvaramaya, Dias Place, Gunasinghapura, Colombo 12. The event has been organised by Ven. Pathagama Anuruddha Thera. Mrs. Klett is a German national and a teacher by profession in a training school for disabled children in Germany. She is a social worker, who is out to help the unfortunate ones in society. "Although stricken by poverty, the ordinary Sri Lankan villager is lovable and pleasant because of his Buddhist cultural background", she says. She makes it a point to visit the villagers known to her during her visits to Sri Lanka, with bags full of gifts. On several occasions she had donated pairs of spectacles worth many hundred thousands of rupees among the needy. Colombo Traffic police announced that the following roads will be subjected to diversions due to the above conference. SAARC Communications Ministers’ Conference from May 22-24 -- Galle Face Centre Road from Kollupitiya Junction towards Fort, Chaittiya Road, Lotus Road and Sir Macan Markar Mawatha. Additional Solicitor General, Mr. K. C. Kamalasabayson, President’s Counsel, has been appointed Acting Solicitor General, in the absence of, Mr. Upawansa Yapa, PC, who is overseas. Mr. Ashraf-Ud-Doula has been appointed High Commissioner of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to Sri Lanka, in succession to Mr. Masum Ahmed Chowdhury, Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced. Unilever
workers on strike As 1200 workers at Unilever Ceylon Ltd. continue to be on strike, Swarnapala Silva, General Secretary of the Commercial and Industrial Workers Union said that the strike which started on May 5 was a result of the enforcement of self service groups despite opposition by the workers and the suspension of 22 office-bearers of the trade union. Unilever together with other multi national countries are getting ready to face the challenges that the South Asian Presidential Trade Agreement (SAPTA) has brought with it. They have to increase their produce in order to compete with other multi national companies. "However putting all the pressure of this challenge on the worker and pressurising him both physically and emotionally is unfair" Mr. Silva told a news conference. Unilever has come up with structural changes to face this challenge, first phase of which recommends the workers to work during the lunch hour in shifts. The second, working in self service groups. The third is the four group three shifts system. Because of strong demands made by the management the workers agreed to work during the lunch hour. This resulted in the company making the produce of 13 months in 12 months, he claimed. However, the belief that the company would not enforce phases two and three because the workers had agreed to phase one proved wrong, the CIWU said. The company decided to enforce the self service group system. The trade union decided to oppose the decision and this resulted in 22 members being suspended on May 4. The management has said that it would lift the suspension if the workers agree to the system introduced by them. "The leaders of the union cannot change a decision taken by the entire union. Using union leaders as 'hostages' to achieve their end has resulted in the management itself driving the workers towards a strike," the CIWU further claimed. With the introduction of the self service group system the grading system has automatically been abolished. This latter system had enabled workers to rise to their ranks according to seniority. Popular among the workers, it had also played a role in increasing their productivity. The four group three shifts system they said took away the free time they had to spend with their friends and families. Workers will have to work on Saturdays and Sundays as well. This system focuses on achieving the highest profits with a minimum number of workers. The workers are faced with many problems as a result. According to the CIWU the management keeps postponing the signing of their bilateral agreement. They feel that the steps taken by the management are a violation of this agreement. "The workers have become like machines that operate full time" a CIWU member said. If Unilever succeeds in going ahead with this system it is not just that it will effect us but all private sector workers. Therefore we will be holding a general protest. We also hope to brief other unions on this issue" they said. |
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