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| UNP, TULF reiterate call
for talks with LTTE "Nallur bomb was a clear signal" by Shamindra Ferdinando Mr. Tyronne Fernando said that the government must listen to reason before more people die in violence. The leader of the TULF parliamentary group and Batticaloa District MP Joseph Pararajasingham said that he always advocated unconditional talks with the LTTE. "They are the key players and must be part to whatever proposed settlement," he said yesterday. He said that a decision on the vacancy created by the assassination of Mayor P. Sivapalan will be taken after consulting party leader Murugesu Sivasithamparam and Secretary General R. Sampanthan who were out of the island. The TULF has sent it's senior vice president Mr. Anandasangari to Jaffna to take charge of the funeral arrangements. The TULF will not be attending tomorrow's UNP convened Consultation on Free and Fair Elections. This seeks to depoliticise key institutions by setting up independent police, elections and public service commissions. "We will not go," Pararajasingham said. "It won't help end the war." "It's high time main political parties take a common stand on vital issues affecting the country," he said claiming that there was no alternative but to enter into negotiations with the LTTE. Some analysts said that the attack was a direct response to government's rejection of unconditional talks with the LTTE. President Kumaratunga early last week ruled out unconditional talks while blaming the UNP for collaborating with the LTTE to topple her administration. Fernando said that despite the Friday's attack, the party will go ahead with the proposed consultations. "This will be an ongoing process," he said. "A non-partisan committee will be appointed to facilitate the process and report to the plenary which will be convened at the end of November this year," he said. Fernando said that almost 400 people had been invited. PA Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle said that there was no point in attending the so called consultations. "The PA will not go," he said pointing out that the UNP which failed to solve the country's problems for 17 long years will never be able to do so through fresh consultations. Government officials described the LTTE's Nallur strike as a sign of desperate tactics. "If they are that strong there was no need to assassinate the Mayor along with several other Jaffna based Tamil officials," the military said. The former Mayoress Sarojini Yogeswaran was assassinated on May 17 this year just less than five months after she was elected the first citizen of Jaffna. Jaffna Security Forces Commander, Major General Lionel Balagalle said that there was evidence to suggest that the explosive device used in the attack had been planted during Mrs. Yogeswaran's brief administration. The most senior officer in the peninsula and the neighbouring Kilinochchi district, Balagalle said that investigators believe terrorists had fixed two claymore mines between the ceiling and the roof of the Kaliyana Mandapam building. "Only one claymore mine exploded on Friday exactly at 10.58 am," he said saying that there would have been more loss of life if the second mine exploded. The military had recovered the second device, he said. Powerful TNT had been used to build the mines. The military said that this was the first time a claymore type device was used against "targets" within a building. Claymores are regularly used against both mobile and foot patrols in operational areas. Officers said that they have not encountered similar devices within buildings in any part of the country before. The muncipal building which was blasted was built by slain Jaffna Mayor Alfred Duraiappa. It had been used to hold functions particularly weddings. The Jaffna MC was forced to take over this particular building as the original kachcheri too had been damaged in a bomb attack. Balagalle said that during Mrs. Yogeswaran's administration she hired some contractors to renovate the building. "We believe that the bombs were fixed during that time by the people involved in renovation or with their knowledge," Balagalle said. Asked whether he was due to attend the ill-fated meeting, Balagalle replied in the negative. Although public buildings are checked by troops before senior police and security forces officers attend functions, a check would not have revealed the presence of explosive devices between the ceiling and the roof, Balagalle admitted. Jaffna Town Commandant, Brigadier Susantha Mendis was among the victims of the latest terrorist outrage. Mendis was the second Jaffna Town Commandant to die since the forces regained the peninsula. Earlier Brigadier Ananda Hammangoda died in an attack by a suicide bomber at Stanley Road, Jaffna. Balagalle said that terrorists had always targeted popular officers stationed in the peninsula. Former Vadamaratchchi brigade commander, Larry Wijeratne too died in a suicide attack. Many important people have visited Kalyana Mandapam. Visitors include the British High Commissioner David Tatham. Tatham during a visit there in the middle of last month, urged Jaffna Municipal Councillors and officials to persuade their people abroad to stop funding the ongoing war. Military authorities said that in view of the attack they will have to take further measures and security steps. "We'll have to advice against senior officers having routine meetings at public buildings," sources said. |
| 'Bomb exploded just before tea was
served' From
Dharmaratne Wijesundera in Jaffna Selvaratnam who suffered head injuries in Friday's explosion spoke to 'The Island' from his bed at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital. 'The Mayor came to the office around 9.30 a.m. and postponed the council meeting as there was a special conference with police and military top brass on new security and traffic arrangements for Jaffna town. around 10.45 a.m. Brigadier Susantha Mendis, SSP Chandra perera and other officials arrived for the conference. The Mayor instructed me to prepare tea for the visitors. As I was entering the conference hall carrying a tray with the cups of tea the bomb went off and I was hit by flying debris', he recalled. He said the army moved in immediately and evacuated the injured to hospital. |
| MEP, JVP and SLMC to boycott UNP
conference By Shamindra
Ferdinando The MEP has rejected both the PA initiated devolution package and the UNP's Consultations. "There was no point in having such consultations," the MEP said while blaming the UNP for failing to reveal the party position on key national issues. JVP spokesman and central Committee member Wimal Weerawansa said that the UNP has no right to mislead the people again. "They had failed in their attempts to solve problems affecting the people," he said. Deputy Chairman of Committees and the National List MP, Rauff Hakeem said that the party will not be attending the conference. He said that the UNP must get together with the PA to find a lasting political solution to key national problems. The SLMC leader M. H. M. Ashraff has left for Malaysia to watch the commonwealth Games. 'He will be having a meeting with the Malaysian Premier," Hakeem said revealing that the party has sought a separate meeting with the UNP to discuss key national issues. Tamil political parties too have decided not to participate in the consultations, political sources said yesterday. The CWC leader Thondaman said that they will not be attending the meeting. "We did not have time to discuss the issues among ourselves," he told the 'Sunday Island' yesterday. The TULF parliamentary group leader and the Batticaloa district MP Joseph Pararajasingham too said they will not attend the meeting. |
| Denzil
Kobbekaduwa Trust to launch fund Landmine victims to get artificial limbs A few thousand boys who are in the Defence Forces of Sri Lanka have lost a limb - some of them above the knee while the majority are below the knee amputees. The Denzil Kobbekaduwa Trust which is an income tax deductible fund has launched an appeal in collaboration with the Island and Divaina Newspapers, to collect funds from the members of the public, Private Sector Companies and others willing to contribute for this purpose. Investigations have been made by the members of the Trust on the availability of artificial limbs at competitive prices. A firm in Basingstoke in the United Kingdom which is over 100 years old has been contacted and asamples obtained. This firm has a branch in Malaysia. These are called the Atlas limbs. There is also a manufacturing unit in Sri Lanka. Suitable limbs from these places will be supplied to amputees of the Defence Forces and to civilians living in the war torn areas, regardless of ethnicity. Mrs. Lali Kobbekaduwa the Chairperson of the Denzil Kobbekaduwa Trust and the other members of the trust have decided to launch this fund with the active support of Divaina and Island and they are hopeful of being able to fit all amputees with limbs. Since the rate of production of these limbs is limited, the entire project will take about 2-3 years, by which time the dreadful war will hopefully come to an end. Contributions however big or small could be sent to - The Chairperson Cash donations made by hand will be acknowledged at once with official receipts. Money orders and cheques will be acknowledged by mail on realization. All donations will be additionally acknowledged through the columns of Divaina and Island on a weekly basis. Divaina and Island believe that the state cannot provide adequate funds for this purpose because of its heavy commitments. We believe that every citizen of this country, of whatever social status or ethnic origin has a duty to restore mobility to these unfortunate victims of treacherous of landmines. |
| Who will be JSC appointee? A place in the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has remained vacant for over a month since the retirement of Justice S. Anandacoomaraswamy, legal sources confirmed yesterday. The JSC headed by the Chief Justice usually comprises the next two most senior judges of the Supreme Court. With the retirement of Justice Ananda Coomaraswamy the most senior judge on the SC bench next to the Chief Justice is Justice Mark Fernando. However, it is unlikely that Justice Fernando who was earlier a member of the JSC will be reappointed because his term was not extended by President Chandrika Kumaratunga the appointing authority, legal circles said. The big question in legal circles now is who will be the third appointee? Is an unwillingness by judges to vault over more senior colleagues causing a problem in filling the vacancy, they ask. The sitting members of the JSC are the Chief Justice G. P. S. de Silva and Justice Priyantha Perera. |
| Provincial Council elections in January? By Shan Wijetunge Although the government had intended to first have a presidential election, it has now been decided to have the PC elections first in view of requests made by members of the dissolved councils and those who have quit their jobs to run at these elections, this minister said. The possibility of holding these elections before December had been explored but the presentation of the budget in November and the debate that will continue till the second week of December were matters that had to be considered. Therefore a January date is likely. These sources also said that it was likely that the nominations for the PCs already received in August will be nullified and fresh nominations called. Enabling legislation that can be passed by a simple majority is being prepared for this purpose. Political sources believe that this could mean that some ministers who were thinking of running for provincial chief ministries may still run. The terms of five PCs - Western, NCP, Central, Uva and Sabaragamuwa - have already ended. The NWP Council ends its term in November while the Southern PC's term will extend till February. These are likely to be dissolved so that elections to all PCs (except possibly the defunct temporarily merged North-East P.C.) can be held together. Government parties have already begun setting up their election machines. |
| Bar
Association condemns arrest The executive committee of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) yesterday condemned the arrest by the CID of Colombo High Court Judge Mahanama Tillekeratne as a "serious affront to the dignity of the judiciary and a threat to its independence.'' This was stated in the context of reiterating that "while all persons are equal before the law and the law must take its course.'' "The executive committee of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka strongly condemns the improper conduct or the authorities concerned which is grossly violative of personal liberty and the safeguards provided by law for the protection thereof,'' the statement said. A statement from the committee saying it was "gravely perturbed'' by the circumstances under which the judge was arrested narrated the preceding events. Prior to the arrest on a warrant issued by the Kesbewa Magistrate, the judge with his lawyers had appeared before the magistrate. On submissions that were made the magistrate had released him on bail, recalled the warrant and directed the judge to appear in his court on Sept. 17, BASL said. Despite this, Mr. Tillekeratne had been arrested by CID officers the same evening although his lawyers had showed police a certified copy of the bail order. "Thus at the time Mr. Mahanama Tillekaratne was arrested, he had been released on bail by the court,'' the BASL statement said. The judge who had been taken to custody at about 8.30 p.m. had been detained overnight at CID headquarters and produced before the Chief Magistrate of Colombo (not the judge who gave bail) at about 1.15 p.m. on Friday. The Chief Magistrate ordered that he be released as the Kesbewa magistrate had already released him on bail. |
| Maligawatte terrorised by armed gang An armed gang of youths backed by a local government politician from the People's Alliance are terrorising the people of Maligawatte, residents in the area allege. Many murders have taken place in the area in the recent past. The residents say that the politician concerned is now spearheading a campaign with the assistance of certain other government politicians to remove the OIC of the area who is doing his best to maintain law and order. |
| Before signing SAPTA deal, Sri Lanka should
review economic situation - Dr. Kelegama by Shakuntala Perera He was addressing the seminar on "SAPTA and SAFTA, opportunities and challenges" organized by the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka and the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the BMICH. "When India opened up their market to the outside world in 1980 they already had goods competitive in the international market. But Sri Lanka does not yet have such a well established industry base to compete with India. And when imports start flowing in there are certain imports which may have an adverse impact on the existing industries in Sri Lanka. "It was stated that if Sri Lanka could purchase potatoes from India at a cheaper rate and feed its 18 million consumers. It was well and fine. But we have to look at the 5,500 potato farmers against this 18 million consumers who will benefit from it. Can we give the farmers the protection for three years till he is able to increase production to a competitive price? "We have other similar challenges to face if we are to sign SAPTA. Our exports to SAARC countries for example are not doing as well as those coming in. In the clause of Rules of Origin too this has already been violated by India especially in the clove market over that of Sri Lanka. This is a misuse of the rules of origin. Another challenge will be the removal of non-tariff barriers. When a product reaches a market there is some form of tariff be it port charges or excise duty imposed. Then there is the challenge in the sphere of supply. In tea for example our production is insufficient to satisfy Pakistan demand the supply of spices cannot meet demand of the Indian market. "We need to explore these ideas closely if the supply areas could be enhanced," he further added. Minister of Internal and International Commerce and Food, Kingsley Wickra-maratne stated that it was important for the region to come together as one market to forge ahead to the global village as a strong market. "Together we could be very strong. This is a massive market of 3.5 billion people. As a single market and it is unsaturated. A single market will help us find our strengths and weaknesses. We need to pool our resources together so that we can move towards the global village together. SAFTA needs to come a day before the World Trade Agreement. "According to the World Bank, the inter-trade within the region which is US$ 3 billion should increase to US$ 15 billion in the year 2000, but I say that this US$15 billion trade is already taking place in the region in the informal market economy. There are Indian goods coming to Pakistan from Dubai. And in this informal market there is under-invoicing and smuggling. So this US$15 is already taking place. "What is happening today is Pakistan fears Indian goods coming to Pakistan and we fear Pakistani goods coming here. We fear each other. When we understand each other we get ones this fear and can join together as a single market," he added. The President of the SAARC Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Kanthikumar R. Poda also spoke. |
| UNP proposes Land Use and Water Resources
Council The UNP has recommended the setting up of a "Land Use and Water Resources Council" in the new Constitution as part of its stand on land use and state lands. The following is the full statement issued in this connection. Sri Lanka has a land area of 25,000 square miles (65,525 sq. Km) or 16 millions acres (6,476,421 hectares). When Land Development and Alienation Policies were formulated in 1930 Sri Lanka had a population of 5,000,000 i.e. a density of 200 per square mile (76 per sq. km) or 3 acres per person (1.2 hectares per person). By 2010 our population will be 22,000,000 i.e. a density of 880 per square mile (335 per sq. km.) or 3/4 of an acre per person (0.4 hectares per person). Such a far-reaching change in the population density requires the most effective use of land as well as the development of our water resources. 1.2 Land Use and Water
Resources Council a) Formulation of national policies regarding land use
and the development of water resources. Select Committee
should decide guidelines. c) Ensuring that the minimum area for forest cover (in
accordance with accepted norms) is maintained. 1.3 Composition of the
Land Use and Water Resources Council An appeal will lie to the Supreme Court from the determinations of the Arbitration Committee of the council on such matters. 2.1 State Land 2.2 Reserved Lands a) Forests (including Wild Life Reserves and Jungles) Shall constitute Reserved Lands. These lands will be utilized by the government only for the specific purpose referred to above. The Government will be responsible for Reserved Lands. The Land Council will Supervise and Repot on Reserved Lands. The Law will prohibit encroachment or destruction of Reserved Lands. The Government, Provincial Councils and Local Authorities shall be empowered to obtain Court Orders and to take appropriate action when there is a breach of the Law. The Select Committee may consider formulating a procedure and criteria for forest lands to be made available for other purposes subject to 1.2 (c). 2.3 Provincial Council
Lands 2.4 Local Authority
Lands |
| EPRLF condemns LTTE barbarism Leader Suresh Premachandran EPRLF commenting on the Nallur bomb blast said that this barbarism of LTTE has to be condemned in no uncertain terms by the Tamil people. The full text of Premachandran's statement issued is as follows: Around twenty people including the Mayor of Jaffna the Commanding Officer of Jaffna Town, high ranking army and police officers and top officers of the municipal administration were killed in a bomb blast that took place in Jaffna today. The LTTE and their supporters may feel proud that they have eliminated high ranking officers of the security forces but through this dastardic act valuable lives of brave Tamil officers who did not run away to Europe or America leaving their people but stayed there to serve them are lost. The Tamil community has already lost many able officers, intellectuals and political leaders. Is it a divine curse on our people that lives of such able and dedicated Tamils to be wiped out by a fascistic group of fanatics who claim to be fighting for a noble cause? This barbarism by LTTE has to be condemned in no uncertain terms by the Tamil people. Otherwise the Tamil people will sink into this barbarism. Are the Mayor and the other Tamil officers who chose to live and work among their own people traitors of Eelam? The EPRLF believes that it is high time the Tamil people of this country must decide whether they want democracy and development or perpetuation of this LTTE barbarism. The EPRLF salutes Mr. P. Sivapalan who bravely came forward to serve his people after the assassination of former Mayor Sarojini Yogeswaran and the other officers who died in the blast and expresses its deepest sympathy to their relatives and loved ones. |
| Norway
condemns Jaffna killings From Sisira Wijesinghe in
Oslo "The government of Norway condemns this terrorist act, and wishes to extend sympathies to the members of the bereaved families in Sri Lanka," said Geif Pedersen, a spokesman for Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Oslo. "\we condemn all forms of terrorist acts wherever they occur with no reservations. Sri Lankan people have to find a solution to their ethnic problem soon. Weregret to hear this tragic incident and wish to extend our sincere sympathies to the members of the bereaved families," Pedersen said. Asked whether there are any plans on the part of Norwegian government to mediate in the Sri Lankan conflict, he replied in the negative. "Other than our bilateral cooperation programmes, we have not taken any initiative in this regard in the recent past. Our deputy minister of development cooperation was in Sri Lanka quite recently for regional consultations and country programmes," he added. In reply to another question whether Norway would like to play the role of a facilitator, if requested, Pedersen said; "In any conflict, if such a request is made, we will consider it at state level and see what we can do," he concluded. In May, LTTE shot dead mayor Sarojini Yogeswaran, the widow of an assassinated moderate Tamil politician at her home in Jaffna. |
| One Silver and one Bronze at the Portugal
Olympics Asanka Herath of Maliyadeva College, Kurunegala, won a Silver Medal and Thushara Karunaratne of The British School a Bronze Medal at the International Olympiad in Informatics held in Setubal, Portugal from the 7th Septmber to 11th, 1998. The Sri Lanka team consisted of Asanka Herath from Maliyadeva College, Kurune-gala, Prabath Gunawardene and Sasakth Abeysinghe from Royal College, Colombo and Thushara Karunaratna from the British School, Colombo. The team is expected back in Colombo on the 14th. The team, selected by the Council for Information Technology (CINTEC), after a series of tests, were given an extensive training during weekends in solving IOI type problems by a team of trainers headed by Mr. Krishantha Jayaratne who was the deputy leader for the IOI '97 team. The training was provided at the Institute of Computer Technology, University of Colombo. The six-member team was led by Mr. Krishantha Jayaratne and Mr Sifaan Zavahir functioned as the deputy leader of the team. Mr. Zavahir was a gold medalist at the 1995 IOI. The CINTEC IOI Committee was responsible for the organisation of all activities related to this event. The CINTEC IOI committee consists of representatives from the Computer Society of Sri Lanka (CSSL), the Association of Computer Training Organizations (ACTOS), the Sri Lanka Association for the Software Industry (SLASI), the National Institute of Education (NIE) and the University of Colombo. The President's Fund, Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, National Savings Bank, IFS Sri Lanka Ltd. and CINTEC helped to meet the cost of sending the team. The medals won in 1998 makes the total number of medals won since CINTEC commenced sending a team to the IOI in 1992 to one Gold, three Silver and three Bronze Medals. |
| Maldives presidential nomination begins Male: 12 Sept-The Maldives elections commissioner, Abdulla Rasheed, today invited nominations for the post of president in this Indian Ocean Archipelago. Nomination papers will be received from today till 19 September. The current term of President Gayoom ends on November 10. The normally idyllic tourist paradise is set for an exciting period of politics as the elections are being held under more open, democratic and transparent procedures provided for by the new Constitution which came into force this year. According to the revised electoral procedures, the elections commissioner will ascertain whether the individuals who file their nomination papers by the deadline meet the criteria stipulated in the Constitution to become president, and forward a list of eligible candidates to the Peoples' Majlis (Parliament). The Majlis will, by secret ballot, select a candidate who will be put to a nation-wide public vote for election as president for a five-year term beginning on 11 November this year. Every Maldivian over the age of 21 will be eligible to vote. According to previous procedures, the Majlis selected, without nominations, a candidate who was then put up for the people's endorsement. The new procedures have been warmly received by all sections of the public. Aishath Shifa, 25, a school teacher said, ''The new process is not only more exciting but clearly more democratic as well. Anyone who thinks he can do a good job as president, can run for office. Isn't it the way it should be?'' Ali Hassan, 34, a western educated university graduate said: ''The country has reached an important stage. We have now developed important links with the outside world. Our economy is growing and we face many opportunities and challenges. The process of political modernisation and good governance must be continued to meet these challenges. And we need a leader who can do all these. Many Maldivians, seem to be clear on as to who could do that job. It is President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom who has taken the country during the past two decades, as a veteran diplomat put it, '' out of economic stagnation, social malaise, political repression and international isolation into economic prosperity, social progress, political openness and international respect.'' Since winning his first election in 1978, Mr. Gayoom has been re-elected president, on his track record at three successive elections, each time with outstanding public support. |
| Baby Dishani needs your help Five months old baby N. Dishani Ransika Kumari is suffering from a heart ailment commonly known as hole in the heart (Atrial Septal Defect) and the doctors have recommended an open heart surgery as early as possible. The only place this surgery can be performed at the earliest is the Sri Jayawardhanapura hospital. The surgery is estimated to cost Rs. 110,000 and the father of the child who does not have a permanent job requests public assistance to save the child. Donations can be sent to Account No. 6601740 at the Seylan Bank, Maharagama Branch or W. A. Kusum, No. 878/4, Rukmale Road, Pannipitiya. |
| Safari Camp at Kuda Oya Local and foreign nature lovers are said to be flocking to the "Tasks" Safari Camp situated in Kuda Oya, 34 Kilometres off the Tanamalvila Wellaw- aya Road in the deep South. Manager of "Tasks", Mario Gerreyn said the visitors were naturalists who preferred camping out in tents in the open air beside the Kuda Oya. The campers go to the Udawalawe, Bundala and Yala sanctuaries to watch the wild life. Gerreyn said that all were full of praise for these open air camps which are well located, economical, clean and safe. (FRS) |
| Five
arrested Talangama police arrested on Tuesday (8) five suspects who are alleged to have been involved in a spate of robberies over a long period of time. The total value of the items which were robbed is estimated around one lakh fifty thousand rupees. Police have also recovered a gallcatas and a hand grenade which is believed to have been of foreign made. The suspects were produced before the Kaduwela Magistrate Perl Karaliyadde. They were remanded till September 16. |
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