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Army to rebuild depleted
battalions The Army has initiated an ambitious effort to re-build under strength battalions by re-deploying deserters in their original formations. Infantry battalions which have suffered heavily as a result of high intensity engagements in the ongoing Wanni offensive, Jayasikuru will be able to increase their power with the re-deployment of deserters."We are confident of re-building the existing battalions," said Brigadier K. B. Egodawela of the Directorate of Personnel Administration on Thursday. He placed the number of deserters who surrendered during the six day amnesty period at 5892.The amnesty ended on May 10. Between May 11 and upto six am yesterday 1928 deserters have been arrested. Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Gamini Gunewardene said that arrests were continuing. He said that private security firms too have been requested to hand over deserters if they have been employed by them. "We had a meeting with them on Thursday," he said.He did not give details. Both brigadier Egodawela and senior DIG Gamini Gunewardene said that the ongoing operations to arrest deserters will be suspended from 8am to midnight tomorrow [Sunday] with a view to permitting remaining deserters to surrender.They were replying questions asked by reporters at an Army Headquarters gathering Thursday night. Deputy Defence Minister and Kandy District MP Anuruddha Ratwatte, Army Commander Lieutenant General Rohan De S Daluwatte, Navy Commander Vice Admiral Cecil Tissera, Adjutant General Major General Wasantha Perera,military spokesman brigadier Sarath Munasinghe and the President's media advisor, Sanath Gunatilake were among the present. According to available records with the Army Headquarters, approximately 15,000 soldiers have deserted their posts. Of them 7820 deserters have returned by 6 am yesterday leaving approximately 8000 still at large. There was evidence to suggest that some deserters have joined the police and other services."We are aware of that,"admitted Brigadier Egodawela. Asked whether they intended to take action against those who have joined police and other services, the brigadier said "not at the moment,". Asked whether any new infantry battalions are to be formed, Lieutenant General Daluwatte replied in the negative. "We are trying to fill existing vacancies in battalions," he said adding that he was confident of raising strength of fighting battalions with the re-deployment of deserters. Replying another question, he said that the majority of mortar casualties could return to active duty. Troops engaged in Jayasikuru offensive have suffered considerable losses in mortar and artillery attacks. The Army has deployed three Divisions [53,55 and 56] for the Wanni offensive.However shortage of troops has considerably affected over one year old offensive, undoubtedly the bloodiest in the Eelam conflict. Almost all the Infantry Regiments, Sri Lanka Light Infantry,Sinha,Gemunu Watch, Vijayaba , Gajaba and Sri Lanka National Guard [SLNG] have suffered considerable losses in the past three years particularly. Apart from the infantry, both the special forces and commando battalions too have suffered heavy losses."Since August 95 we have been on the move," said Daluwatte. Troops brought the Jaffna peninsula, Vavuniya-Mannar road, Elephant Pass-Kilinochchi sector and large areas of Wanni under their control in operations since August 95 todate. At the moment there were 44 regular and 41 volunteer infantry battalions.These figures do not include special forces and commando battalions. At the moment some other specialised troops were used as infantrymen. The sixth regiment of the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps [SLAC] was engaged in infantry duties. Approximately 1300 soldiers had died in the ongoing Wanni offensive. The LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran in a special clandestine Voice of Tigers [VOT] broadcast monitored in Vavuniya on May 13 admitted that 1300 cadres were killed in Jayasikuru battles. Thousands have been wounded from both sides. Minister Anuruddha Ratwatte, replying a question said that despite on and off terrorist activity, troops were in firm control of the Jaffna peninsula.He said that terrorists were engaged in hit and run attacks in the deep south [Yala] and Moneragala district while carrying out covert operations elsewhere to upset the government's military strategy.He explained that there was no need to change the current strategy. The minister said that the security forces were continuing operations to weaken terrorist power in the Wanni. He said that previous strategy involved the deployment of bulk of forces in the Eastern theatre of operations and so called border areas. "Today we are on the offensive," he said insisting that troops were on the correct path. Saturday Commentary While the UNP claims that it scored heavily, exposing government's corruption on the live debate on the AirLanka-Emirates deal in Parliament, the PA government is of the view that it would not allow anymore live telecasts on controversial debates. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle who attended a party at the Chinese embassy after the debate was reported to have told a young UNP MP at the party that he would oppose any moves in the future to give live telecast on controversial debates. The government claimed that other than Opposition and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, the rest of the speakers from the UNP were a hand picked band to sling mud at the government. After the speech of Justice Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris, contributions from the other government speakers looked weary. UNP's Dr. Karunasena Kodituwakku argued on facts and figures rather than taking political advantage of the live cast to go before the people exposing the alleged corruption on the AirLanka deal. This gave weight to the government with Industrial Minister C. V. Gooneratne making full use to attack the UNP and Dr. Kodituwakku. Mr. Gooneratne in his usual fiery style claimed that Kodituwakku's speech was full of falsehoods. Mr. Gooneratne who spoke for nearly an hour defended the government strongly on the deal. UNP's A. H. M. Azwer who could not counter Mr. Gooneratne's strong arguments chose to humiliate the minister making remarks on the red handkerchief in the minister's pocket. Mr. Azwer said, 'Your red handkerchief might fall down because of the lies you utter'. The Minister who has experience in retorting spontaneuosly shot back, 'This red colour is meant to excite bulls like you'. Mr. Azwer screamed that the AirLanka deal will result in the removal of the sarees of the air stewardesses. Mr. Gooneratne once again shot back, 'Sir, Azwer has another problem when he talks about removing sarees and that his bulb was not functioning now, and he must take treatment for that'. Azwer left the chamber at this point with Mr. Gooneratne adding, 'Sir, the House is now free of donkeys'. Government speakers chose to attack the UNP MPs on personal grounds rather than trying to prove that there was no corruption on the AirLanka deal. Both Vasudeva Nanayakkara and Ravi Karunanayake were deprived of the opportunity to speak. However, Ravi Karunanayake fought back and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe assisted by Anura Bandaranaike argued that Mr. Karunanayake should be given time to refute allegations made against him. Mr. Wickremesinghe stated that he would give time to the member from the opposition's allocation and the chair recognised Mr. Karunanayake. The Lalith Front MP used the time to attack the government on the AirLanka deal and claimed he had no vested interests in AirLanka and had never bidded for anything in the Airline. Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle used his time to attack Ravi Karunanayake stating that the latter was a director of a company headed by Lal Wickremetunga, a director of the Sunday Leader and this company had bidded for ground handling in AirLanka. Karunanayake refuted this claim and said that he would prove that this company had never made a bid and once he proved it the minister should resign. Mr. Karunanayake issued a statement on Thursday refuting the minister's claim and urged him to resign forthwith. The outstanding contributions from the UNP came from Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, Sarath Ranawaka, Sarath Kongahage and the Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe. Mr. Wickremesinghe replied Minister Dharmasiri Senanayake's challenge saying that a government headed by him someday would certainly and definitely abrogate the AirLanka-Emirates agreement. Dr. Rajitha Senaratne who argues with facts and figures touched on many corrupt deals and chose to attack Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera alleging that the minister had enjoyed himself abroad using credit card facilities of the Sri Lanka Telecom. Mr. Samaraweera appeared furious and was heard making abusive remarks at the UNP's Dr. Senaratne which were expunged from the Hansard. Dr. Senaratne in his flamboyant style concluded showing a copy of the Asiaweek magazine which had Benazir Bhutto on the cover being charged for alleged corruption. He wound up, saying, 'In Pakistan it is Banazir Bhutto and in Colombo we have Thusnim Bhutho'. The government is planning to embarrass the UNP next month in Parliament by continuing with a live cast on the motion to expel Mr. Wijayapala Mendis. Majority of the UNP MPs are reported to have told Mr. Wickremesinghe that they do not wish to defend Mr. Mendis in the debate and had urged Mr. Wickremesinghe to speed up the disciplinary inquiry against Mr. Mendis before the next session of Parliament. Mr. Mendis too wants a live cast on the matter and says that if a live cast is not given the government should withdraw the motion. On the contrary, the UNP feels that a live cast would definitely embarrass the party as the party policy is to oppose corruption. A senior UNPer said that Mr. Mendis should be expelled from the party before the next sessions in Parliament. Mr. Mendis if removed from the party is prepared to challenge it in court. The UNP is happy about this move as it will tell in Parliament that it would not defend Mr. Mendis who had challenged the authority of the party in court and thereby it will absolve itself from defending Mr. Mendis at the debate. A group of senior UNPers met Mr. Wickremesinghe at his Parliament office this week to discuss Mr. Mendis's case. They requested the leader to inform the disciplinary committee probing Mr. Mendis to expedite the inquiry before the next sessions of Parliament. The government had given top priority to Mendis's motion in the order paper when the House meets next. Mr. Mendis's rival in Katana, Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle is keen to take up Menids's motion when the House meets next. Mr. Mendis too is aware that it is Mr. Fernandopulle who is pressing his motion to ensure that Mendis is eliminated from the political scene in the country. Both of them have been at each other since the day Fernandopulle entered Parliament in 1989. President at SAARC Communication
Ministers confab President Chand-rika Bandaranaike Kumar-atunga said nations and regions that value and apply the potential of the information communication and transportation technologies underlying changes for the help of their people and companies, would ride the winds of change and do well. Those that ignore these new forces and continue to rely only on commodities and cheap labour are likely to be further marginalised. She said so after inaugurating the SAARC Communications Ministers conference in Colombo yesterday. President said. that it took 106 years for the first 100,000 telephones to be connected, while the fourth 100,000 took less than one year. The President was stressing on the giant strides made in communications while emphasising on its importance. The President said that economic historian who studied the trade-based civilisation of the Mediterranean, documented the critical role played by the transportation systems that also served as the telecommunications systems of the times. "Today, as we strive to rebuild the great social and economic system, centred on the Indian ocean, we must heed the lesson from Braudel’s studies and improve the telecommunication networks of the region. The trade routes of our times are made up of leased lines and satellite phones, as well as container ports and highways," she added. She made reference to the observation made by the leaders of the ninth SAARC Summit in Male, with regard to the inadequate communication facilities amongst member states which was a major hindrance to closer economic co-operation, and was optimistic that the current conference would find a solution. The President identified two major phenomena taking place in the world, globalisation and the rise of information societies, between which she said was a correlation. "The rapid growth of international trade and the increased pace and volume of international movement of capital and labour have created a new world economy. At the same time, the very availability of information and telecommunication technology is changing human behaviour and spawning entirely new industries, that have in turn spread their production and marketing activities across the globe, thereby further accelerating the process of globalisation. Nations and regions that value and apply the potential of the information-communication and transportation technologies underlying these changes for the help of their peoples and companies, will ride the winds of change and do well. Those that ignore these new forces and continue to rely only on commodities and cheap labour are likely to be further marginalised," she said. The Secretary General of SAARC Naeem U. Hassan who also spoke said that "South Asia remains at the bottom end of the ladder in terms of coverage of telecommunication networks and their outreach". He added that the SAARC Technical Committee on Communication had before it the objective of promoting telecommunication facilities to the majority of population in South Asia by the year 2000. The Bangaladeshi Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, Housing and Public Works Mohammed Nasim, the Deputy Director of the Policy and Planning Division of Bhutan Daw Tenzin, the Indian Minister of Telecommunications (Ms) Sushma Swaraj, the Maldivian Minister of Transport and Telecommunication Shafeeu, the Nepalese Minister of Information and Telecommunication Mahantha Thakur and the Secretary (Communications) of the Pakistani government Dr. M. Akram Sheikh were at the head table. Foreign dignitaries, Ministers, Parliamentarians and Secretaries to the ministries were also present. Brigadier Neville Fernando has been appointed Southern Area Commander with immediate effect. Head-quartered at Boossa, the 13 Brigade was res-ponsible for the ongoing operations in the deep south [Yala] against a small group of terrorists operating in the area. He replaces brigadier D. S. G. Kempitiya. Brigadier Kempitiya returns to Army head-quarters. Apart from the Boossa Brigade, troops also operate in Yala. They have been placed under brigadier H. N. T. Perera. Both army and police have increased presence in the Yala area in view of the threat posed by approximately a dozen terrorists en-gaged in hit and run attacks. Recently terro-rists fired at troops operating at Yala. [SF] U.S., AI slam LTTE over Jaffna Mayor murder COLOMBO, May 22 — The United States and the humanrights group Amnesty Inter-national have strongly condemned the recent murder of the mayor of Sri Lanka’s northern Jaffna town and asked Tamil Tiger rebels to cease all acts of terrorism. "We strongly condemn this senseless act of violence," the U.S. state department said in a statement seen by Reuters on Friday. Sarojini Yogeswaran of the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) party was gunned down at her home in the former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) stronghold of Jaffna on Sunday. "Although a group calling itself the Sangilian Force has claimed responsibility for the Mayor’s assassination, we understand Sri Lankan officials view the LTTE as the primary suspect. We continue to urge the LTTE to cease all acts of terrorism," the statement said. The United States last year included the LTTE on its list of 30 foreign terrorist organisations, making it difficult for the representatives of the group to raise funds in that country. Amnesty said in a statement it deplored the attack carried out by the Sangilian Force, suspected to be a front organisation for the LTTE. "Amnesty Inter-national...calls on the LTTE to make a clear statement condemning the killing of Sarojini Yogeswaran...," the statement said. "It also appeals to the LTTE to ensure that such attacks by the LTTE forces, or by forces under LTTE control, on civilians taking no direct part in hostilities will not be tolerated." The LTTE have yet to comment on Yogeswaran’s assas-sination. Parliamentary sessions too
boring, no continuous live telecasts — Mangala Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera yesterday described parliamentary sessions too boring for it to merit continuous live telecasts. He was responding to a query at the cabinet press briefing whether the government would continue with live telecasts now that the Air Lanka debate was shown on national television. "We have watched D. B. Wijetunga having a nap and sometimes even we fall asleep. Parliamentary proceedings are generally routine and dull. It's only once in a while that you get some lively debates" Mr.Samaraweera said his personal view is that we are still not a mature democracy and continuous live coverage of parliamentary sessions is not good for the system. "It would give anarchists a chance to overthrow governments. However a committee is presently considering whether parliamentary sessions should be telecast live", he added. Mr. Samara-weera, when asked to explain his lack of control during a certian stage of the Air Lanka debate said" I usually don't lose my temper but I was responding to personal remarks made about the President. What is the need to talk of ‘bikkinis’ and ‘jungis’ when debating the restructuring of Air lanka. Attack us with facts but don't resort to falsehoods". Mr. Samara-weeera said the UNP had tried to make out that the restructuring of Air Lanka was the most scandalous since the Kandyan Convention but it only nominated it's backbenchers to speak during the debate. Opposition leader backs MP's
stand supporting Ravi Karunanayake Leader of the Opposition Ranil Wickremasinghe Friday backed in Parliament a call by his party's Colombo District MP, Tyronne Fernando, regarding a statement made in Parliament Friday by DUNLF's MP, Ravi Karunanayake. Tyronne Fernando rising to a point of order just before the adjournment of the days proceedings, told the Deputy Speaker Anil Moonesinghe who was presiding that the Standing Orders of the House, permitted the interruption of proceedings before parliament, at any moment by a motion based on a matter of privilege. Mr. Fernando quoted Standing Order 25. He said Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle produced false and untrue documents, in the course of the debate on the Airlanka deal on Tuesday in parliament, to substantiate allegations he (Mr. Fernandopulle) made against Ravi Karunanayake MP. This was televised live by the Rupavahini and the ITN and ten million people watched it. He requested the Chair to Order the Rupavahini and ITN to telecast the statement of Ravi Karunanayake MP., in parliament with the same prominence, that these institutions gave when they telecast the speech of Minister Fernandopulle. The Chair may direct the Rupavahini and ITN to telecast the statement along with a live interview with Mr. Karunanayake because Mr. Karunanayake was not given an opportunity to vindicate himself at the debate under the exposure to the TV cameras. Leader of the Opposition Ranil Wickremasinghe backing Tyronne Fernando's call, quoting relevant standing orders and Erskine May told the Deputy Speaker that the issue before the House is one of Parliamentary privilege and therefore affecting every Member of Parliament whether Opposition or Government. He said that right of free speech in Parliament was privilege of the Members of Parliament. The TV crews were in the Parliament on our invitation. They enjoy no privilege. They are free to report without molestation, he added. He said Ravi Karunanayake is entitled to same treatment as they had given to the Minister's speech. He requested the Chair to call the TV organisations to the House instruct them to act appropriately. If they refuse to obey they may not be allowed to come in, he said. The Deputy Speaker said he would consider the views expressed by the Opposition Leader and inform the Speaker. Chandrika, Ranil at today’s SLMC meet The 15th National Convention of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress will be held today morning at Stanly Jansz playground, Colombo. President Chandrika Bandara-naike Kumaratunga is due to address the Convention as chief guest whilst the guest of honour is the Leader of the Opposition Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe. All the members of the cabinet, Parliamentarians and representatives of all prominent political parties have been invited. Over 10,000 SLMCers from various parts of the country are expected to participate. This is the first time the Head of State and the Leader of the Opposition are addressing the SLMC’s Convention where SLMC leader M. H. M. Ashraff is expected to make an appeal to the two leaders to get together for a settlement of the ethnic problem, SLMC spokesman M. M. Abul Kalam said. Two estate youth arrested Two members belonging to plantation families of Haputale who are suspected of having close links with the LTTE, have been taken into custody by the Haputale police. Police said they were arrested after they received information that the two men had taken army uniform material to a local tailor and wanted him to stitch two pairs of trousers for them. One of them is an employee of a Colombo textile shop, police said. The shop owner was also being interrogated by police at the time this edition went to press. Colombo lawyer tipped to be
Jaffna Mayor? Colombo Lawyer P. Sivapalan, a TULF Central Committee member is strongly tipped to be the next Mayor of Jaffna, the office which fell vacant following the assassination of Sarojini Yogeswaran, according to TULF sources. Several names were proposed for the vacancy at the Front’s Central Committee meeting held yesterday in the Colombo office of the TULF presided over by Mr. V. Ananda Sangari. TULF sources said that the final decision would however, have to be taken with the return of Mr. M. Sivasithamparam. Troops killed four terrorists in separate incidents in the Vanni and Batticaloa on Thursday (21) military sources said. Of them two were sniped by Jayasikuru troops. At Palaiyoor in Batticaloa, troops in ambush killed two terrorists and recovered one T-56 weapon, two cyanide capsules and two identification tags. Earthslip damages a row of shops An earthslip in Niviti-gala in the Ratnapura area damaged a row of shops along the Ratna-pura-Kalawana road last Tuesday (19). Two shops were completely destroyed and several others damaged due to the earthslip that occurred around 2.30 in the afternoon, Assistant Divisional Secretary, Nivitigala, M. R. C. Muthunayake told 'The Island' yesterday. The landslide occurred during the heavy rains experienced in the region. The rains loosened the embank-ment which consists of mica, a mineral easily thinned causing the earth to slide. The shops were in its' direct path, he said. According to Niviti-gala Pradeshiya Sabha Secretary, G. D. Ananda Dharmasiri they are unable to assist the shopkeepers as they had no authority to set up shops in that particular area. The land which belongs to the Edu-cation Department has been vacant for a long period. Although the shopkeepers have been advised several times not to put up shops in that area they continued to do so as its' proximity to the road makes it an ideal market place. The weekly Sunday fair is held here, he said. Actress Nita Fernando’s felicitation programme on TV today National TV will relay a special programme based on the felicitation held at the Presidential Secretariat presided over by President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, for actress Nita Fernando, who had won international recognition, at 10.30 p.m. today. Joan Christine Foster dies peacefully Ms. Joan Christine Foster who was the sister of the late Canon A. J. Foster, Chaplain of S. Thomas' College, Mt. Lavinia and later at Gurutalawa, died peacefully in the Victoria Hospital, Wimborne, Dorset, after a short illness, aged 84 years on the 15th April. A Memorial Service was held at the Wimborne Minster on Tuesday, April 21st at 1.00 p.m. followed by a private cremation. Canon A. J. Foster died while he was Acting Headmaster at S. Thomas' College, Gurutalawa in 1964. A giant of a man in every sense, he was a beloved and saintly figure, whose influence permeated every aspect of life at S. Thomas' College, Mt. Lavinia and later St. Thomas' College Gurutalawa over three decades from 1932. Miss Foster was very much in the mould of her brother and ended a career in teaching as Assistant Headmistress of Queen Elizabeth School in Wimborne. She paid two visits to Sri Lanka in the company of Dr. R. L. Hayman who was the legendary Sub-Warden at Mt. Lavinia and Founder Headmaster of S. Thomas' College, Gurutalawa, and his wife Mrs. Mary Hayman, who served as sickroom matron of both schools. Her first visit was in February 1973 when she was invited by the Old Boys' Association of S. Thomas' College, Gurutalawa to open the Canon Foster Memorial new school hall. Her second was in February 1978 also coinciding with the Old Boys' re-union celebrations at the College, and again in the company of Dr. and Mrs. Hayman. Mutilated bodies of two women found AKURESSA: Unidentified, mutilated dead bodies of two women believed to be of the ages ranging from 30 to 40 years have been recovered by the Gandara Police from a two storied house at Talalla North in the Gandara Police area on Thursday morning. Both are supposed to have been cut to death by the assailants in separate rooms located in the upper and bottom floors of this house. The only other occupant of this house, a middle aged woman who Police say is not in her proper senses is unable to make a statement to the police regarding the tragedy and the OIC of the Gandara Police, Inspector Sarath Kumara is conducting further investigations into this incident. Three farmers, home guard die in Tiger fire Three farmers and a home-guard died and one other person was critically injured when terrorists fired on them while they were on their way to their paddy fields in 31st Colony in Uhana police area at around 7 a.m. on Friday. The critically injured was taken to Ampara Base Hospital and there after transferred to Kandy hospital. The home-guard had been on duty the previous night was also on his way to the field in the morning. The dead were identified as H. Gamini Dissanayake (21), A. Appuhamy (35), Wijeratne Withana (22), H. M. Sirisena (50) while the critically injured A. Rohitha (22) is in Kandy hospital. Uhana Police sources believe that the Tigers had come from the direction of the jungle area in Medapuraya in Ranamaduwa. |
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