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Sightings
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Sightings of unidentified aircraft in
North Amidst reports of sightings of unidentified aircraft over the northern theatre of operations, the Air Force has further increased anti-aircraft defences, headquarters spokesman said yesterday. "We have taken claims of aircraft and helicopter sightings seriously," he told The Island adding that the defences in Colombo and other areas threatened by possible terrorist air attacks had been provided with increased security. Asked whether the Air Force or intelligence services were aware of the type of aircraft or helicopters acquired by the LTTE, the spokesman replied in the negative. Last month’s detection of unidentified echoes by a Navy vessel operating off the Mullaithivu coast fuelled speculation that the LTTE has acquired a helicopter. A senior Navy officer said that a patrol boat picked up echoes of a "thing" which moved overland. "It can be a flock of birds," he said. Military officials said that terrorists could have acquired small aircraft which can be smuggled in knocked down conditions. "We must not think in terms of specialised combat helicopter," one officer said. The Air Force is keen to establish the type of the aircraft or helicopters the enemy has acquired, if any, the spokesman added. "We like to interview whoever who had seen aircraft or helicopters," he said. He ruled out the possibility of LTTE manufacturing its own helicopter. However they will be able to build a machine that can fly for a single suicide mission, he said. During operation Riviresa to regain control of the Jaffna peninsula, troops came across evidence that terrorists were trying to build a machine that can fly. The Air Force spokesman without going into details said that counter-measures have been taken against the threat posed by a possible attack from the air. He pointed out that if they [terrorists] mounted an attack it will have to be suicide mission. "We will be able to have better defences if we have any idea of the equipment they have," the spokesman said. Since the end of the second World Aar, Sri Lanka has not sought to establish an anti-aircraft defence system. Sri Lanka does not face an external threat, defence sources said. However in view of the alleged threat posed by the LTTE, the armed forces have been compelled to seek ways of countering threats from the air. [SF] Suspects involved in helicopter purchasing attempt discharged Three persons suspected of attempting to purchase a MI 24 helicopter gunship from a Ukranian source were discharged by Colombo Fort Magistrate and Additional District Judge Mervyn Wijetunge on Wednesday. This was following an application made by the CID. The CID which was investigating the alleged attempt to purchase a MI24 helicopter said that it had been advised by the Attorney General to inform court that there was no evidence on which to institute criminal charges against the suspects. The three suspects, Mohamed Sally, Rajan Vairavanathan and Ranjith Dahanayake were taken into custody following a report of an attempt to purchase an attack helicopter. They were subsequently released on bail. But their passports were impounded. Mr. Upali Gooneratne, senior counsel for Mr. Vairavanathan made an application to court for the release of his client’s passport which was in court custody. The Magistrate duly released the passports and withdrew the order restraining the suspects from leaving the country. He also instructed the CID to release all items belonging to the suspects which were in CID custody. Mr. Palitha Liyanage with Mr. Shiraj Noordeen appeared for Mr. Sally, Mr. Upali Gooneratne with Messrs. Prasad Sirimanne, Dumith Bandara and Thusitha Senanayake appeared for Mr. Vairavanathan while Mr. Mohan Peiris with Mr. Shanka Ranasinghe appeared for Mr. Dahanayake. Tiger held with lethal cargo shortly before
President's arrival Matale police yesterday arrested a terrorist suspect during at operation an Ukuwela a few hours before President Chandrika Kumaratunga arrived at Ukuwela for a public function, security sources told The Island. Police were able to recover one JR type hand grenade, four rounds of 303 rifle ammunition and one SMG round. The arrested person is from Trincomalee. At the time of his arrest, the suspect was carrying a letter in Tamil. Fast-unto-death threat over delay in Chemmani
mass graves inquiry The Guardians Association for Persons Arrested and Disappeared in the North has threatened to launch a fast-unto-death in Jaffna today if the government further delayed inquiring into 'unsolved issues of Chemmani mass graves and the disappearance of 700 persons after operation 'Riviresa' in the Jaffna peninsula,' reports from the North indicated yesterday. The Association has faxed an appeal calling for swift action in this regard, President Chandrika Kumaratunga and Chairman of Human Rights Commission, Justice O. S. M. Seneviratne this week, the reports said. Their fax message states that when they met the President on December 29 last year, they were assured that a one man commission of inquiry would be appointed to probe into the disappearances in the north and report within a period of six months but no action had been taken in this regard. The first suspect in the Krishanthy Kumaraswamy rape and murder case disclosed at time of his conviction in court about a mass grave in Chemmani, but four months had elapsed since this disclosure and nothing concrete had taken place in connection with this inquiry, the Association had claimed. Member of Human Rights Commission retired judge T. Sundaralingham was scheduled to visit Jaffna peninsula on October 4 but he had failed to turn up for this investigation due to logistical problems, they said. The Association has threatened to carry out a 'non stop fast unto death' opposite the Jaffna branch of the Human Rights Commission down Somasundaram Avenue at Chundukuli in Jaffna town and opposite the Jaffna kachcheri from today until the government and the Human Rights Commission took immediate action in connection with the disappearances and the Chemmani graves. Defence Ministry latest figures on
K'nochchi—Paranthan battle Operational Headquarters of the Defence Ministry yesterday admitted that 18 officers and 771 other ranks had been placed missing in action after the LTTE attacks on Paranthan-Kilinochchi areas in the last week of September. However the majority of them had been killed and their bodies returned by the LTTE to the army, military sources said. The ministry in a special communique issued yesterday evening stated that another four officers and 132 other ranks had also been killed. Altogether 22 officers and 903 other ranks had been both killed and placed missing in action. The Ministry further said that 25 officers and 401 other ranks had been wounded in action. Quoting intercepted evening transmissions both during and after the battle, the ministry said that at least 717 terrorists were killed and approximately 1100 wounded. ICRC had transferred bodies of 684 army personnal from the LTTE to the government controlled area in the Vavuniya district within days after the battle Authoritative military sources said that the majority of officers and men placed missing in action had been killed in action and their bodies returned to army by the LTTE through the ICRC. 684 bodies had been sent on three separate convoys. The first convoy had transferred 600 bodies of which the army initially identified 400 as of personnel killed at Paranthan-Kilinochchi sector. UNP decides on PSC instead of no-faith motion on debacle The UNP Parliamentary Group which met on Wednesday (7) has decided to request for the appointment of a Parliamentary Select Committee on the LTTE's September 27 attack on troops at Kilinochchi, party sources said. However the ruling party was not likely to agree for the setting-up of a select committee, political sources said. The army has already appointed a Court of Inquiry to probe Kilinochchi setback. The UNP has decided to educate the people on the government's wrong handling of the war effort, the party sources further said. Sources said that the party decided to call for a select committee instead of moving a no confidence motion against the government over the Kilinochchi setback (SF) PS chairman, members injured by grenade
explosion Mahiyangana police arrested two persons on Wednesday (7)in connection with a hand grenade attack on UNP Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Arrumapperuma Arachchi earlier in the day. The attack had taken place at the Pradeshhiya Sabha Holiday Resort. Four persons were injured including the Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman. The others were P.A. members and a civilian. They were admitted to the Mahiyangana base hospital and then transferred to the Badulla base hospital. They were talking inside a room when the grenade was hurled, police said. The grenade had rolled under a bed and exploded. This had to a great degree minimised the destruction caused. On the same day police had arrested the suspects. The suspects are two brothers. Police suspect a personal grudge to be the motive behind the attack. Arachchikattuwa PS opp. leader remanded The opposition leader of Arachchikattuwa Pradeshiya Sabha, C. H. Sudantha (UNP) who surrendered to the Colombo Chief Magistrate M. A. Silva on Wednesday evening was remanded till October 20. Warrants were issued last Monday for the arrests of Sudantha and three others by Chilaw Additional District Judge and Magistrate Sugath N. Gopalla in connection with the killing of Arachchikattuwa Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman K. M. Kingsley Sarath Hemachandra (PA) on September 25 at his residence. Court also ordered the Immigration and Emigration Department to prevent any attempt by Sudantha to leave the country. The suspect’s house was bombed and burnt last week by a gang at Arachchikattuwa. Five army deserters escape from police cell Five army deserters held in a cell at the Panadura police station had escaped last Wednesday after assaulting a policeman on duty. At the time of escape there had been only a sergeant and another reserve policeman on duty, police saucers said. One of the deserters in the lockup had wanted to go out to answer a call of nature. The sergeant had then ordered the reserve policeman to take the deserter out. When the reserve PC opened the door of the lockup the five army desserters who were inside had pounced on him, assaulted him and escaped, police said. US official arrives in Colombo A senior US State Department official responsible for South Asia affairs has arrived in Colombo on a consultation and familiarization visit, US Embassy and Foreign Ministry sources told The Island. Office Director for India and Sri Lanka was scheduled to meet Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar, the UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and several senior government officials. Mr.Wickremesinghe, during his recently concluded official visit to the United States met Gary Usery and several other State Department and White House officials. [SF] Museum library closed on Sundays Sirinimal Lakdusinghe, Director of National Museums said that the Colombo National Museum Library will be closed temporarily on Sundays with effect from 11th October, 1998, and instead of that the library will be opened to the public on Saturdays. The government school terms for 1999 according to a Circular (1998/29) issued by the Education and Higher Education Ministry to heads, of schools. First term for Sinhala and Tamil schools from Monday Jan. 4 to Friday April 9. First term for Muslim schools from Monday Jan. 25 to Friday March 26. Second term for Sinhala and Tamil schools from Monday April 26 to Friday July 30. Second term for Muslim schools from Monday April 5 to Tuesday July 27. Third term for Sinhala and Tamil schools from Wednesday, Aug. 25 to Friday Dec. 10. Third term for Muslim schools from Monday Aug. 9 to Wednesday, Dec. 8. Anura Bandaranaike's rights plea The fundamental rights violation plea, filed in the Supreme Court, by Anura Bandaranaike, UNP, National List MP was called yesterday (8). The newly appointed IGP Lucky Kodituwakku had been made an added respondent in the petition, by which, Mr. Bandaranaike, challenged the legality of the search of his Rosemead Place residence, by the police and the CID, on 11.2.96. The search had been done allegedly to look for Susantha Punchi Nilame, who was wanted in connection with the shooting of Nalanda Ellawala, at Ratnapura on 11.2.96. Deputy Solicitor General, Kolitha Dharmawardene said that the added respondent should be given two weeks time to file objections as the respondent had got the connected documents only last Tuesday. Faiz Mustapha, President's Counsel, who was senior counsel for Anura Bandaranaike did not object. Two weeks time was granted to IGP Kodituwakku to file objection papers, if any. Hearing was fixed for December 8. Faiz Mustapha PC, appeared with Sanjeewa Jayewardene and Mrs. Faizar Mustapha Markar for the petitioner, Anura Bandaranaike. Deputy Solicitor General, Kolitha Dharmawardene, with senior state counsel, Buwaneka Aluwihare, appeared for the respondents, the IGP, T. V. Sumanasekera and Bandula Wickremasinghe both of the CID. The bench comprised, Justices S. W. B. Wadugodapitiya, Dr. Asoka de Z. Gunewardene and Lukshman Weerasekera. Kadirgamar highlights deployment of child soldiers by LTTE Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar who is now in Washington on a bilateral visit, has held a series of meetings with Congressmen and Senators on Capital Hill, at which he has brought to their attention the continuing problem of the deployment of child soldiers by the LTTE in Sri Lanka, which has been vividly brought out by the recent surrender to the army of 26 girls and boys between the ages of 13 and 17. Minister Kadirgamar has urged that the U. S. Congress adds its voice to the growing coalition of support to end the deployment of children in combat. On Wednesday the Minister met with Senator Robert G. Torricelli (Democrat/New Jersey), who has probably been Sri Lanka’s longest standing friend on Capitol Hill, having championed Sri Lanka’s cause and pleaded a better understanding of a country’s problems since as early as 1983, when he was a member of the House of Representatives. In July 1997, the Senator initiated a ‘Sense of the Senate’ amendment expressing the serious concern of the Senate and urging that the LTTE be listed as a terrorist organisation. The Minister thanked the Senator for his unwavering support of Sri Lanka for many years when the country was misunderstood and said that not only the present Government but the people of Sri Lanka remain deeply grateful to him for his support. Senator Torricelli who inquired about the present situation relating to the ethnic problem, was briefed in detail by the Foreign Minister on the steps taken by the Government to resolve the problem politically, as well as the operation to open the main supply route to the Jaffna Peninsula. He drew the attention of the Senator to the continued conscription of children in war by the LTTE. He noted that only last week, 26 such ‘child soldiers’ who had surrendered to the Sri Lankan forces had revealed the extent of the ruthless use of children in the conflict by the LTTE. The Minister urged that the US Congress adds its voice to the growing coalition of support to end the deployment of children in combat which is a growing menace in several parts of the world, most prominent among which is by the LTTE in Sri Lanka. The Senator expressed his abhorrence of this growing menace and said the United States strongly condemned this act and would join international efforts to end it, as it had done with respect to terrorism. Earlier on Tuesday, at a meeting with Representative Doug Bereuter, (Republican - Nebraska), Chairman Sub Committee on Asia and the Pacific of the Committee on International Relations, Minister Kadirgamar discussed development within SAARC and the South Asia region. He thanked Representatives Bereuter for the continued support he has extended to Sri Lanka in recent times, particularly in introducing a congratulatory resolution on the occasion of Sri Lanka’s 50th year of Independence. Representative Bereuter who shared his thoughts with the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister on developments in the South Asia region commented that SAARC’s recent relationship established with the ASEAN could well provide an avenue to develop a link with the APEC of which the US was also a member. They also shared their perceptions on the problem of terrorism in the context of it’s impact on Sri Lanka. Rep. Bereuter noted that the recent visit to Sri Lanka by several Congressional Aides, including his own, had provided the US Congress a better appreciation of the terrorist problem. Foreign Minister Kadirgamar while reiterating Sri Lanka’s appreciation to the US administration for the listing of the LTTE as a terrorist organisation last year indicated to the Congressman the role played by various front organizations of the LTTE throughout the world. Representative Bereuter said he would immediately take steps to ensure that the decision to declare the LTTE a terrorist organisation will be effectively implemented in the United States. At a meeting with Senator Dianne Feinstein, (Democrat - California), Member of the Sub Committee on Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs of the Committee on Foreign Relations, Minister Kadirgamar briefed her on the latest developments relating to the Government’s efforts to bring an end to the ethnic problem. He also informed the Senator of the initiatives that are being taken by the SAARC at the present and said the Association was presently focusing attention on expanding it’s relations with the outside world. Senator Feasting who observed that she deeply appreciated the growing significance of the Asia Pacific region and the progress that SAARC was making in this context, also expressed the hope that Sri Lanka would soon be able to resolve the ethnic problem. The Minister also informed the Senator that Sri Lanka would shortly be opening Consulate in the Senator’s home state of California which was intended to serve some eighty thousand Sri Lankan Americans resident in the area. Senator Feinstein who welcomed the move said she would be glad to participate in the inauguration of the new Mission and would support it’s development. Another
baby giant Another giant baby! This time from Akarawita in Kosgama. This baby, Chathurika Madhushanthi is only one year and three months old but she weighs over 22 kilogrammes. Her father is D. K. Karunasena, a labourer and mother M. Indrani Sriyalatha. They live in a hut close to Lenagama Raja Maha Vihare, Akarawita, Kosgama. As in the case of Dimbulagala giant baby, her parents too are faced with the problem of feeding the baby. Her father earns a daily wage as a labourer and this is grossly insufficient to meet the expenses involved. As a result the mother also had to find employment to make ends meet. She is now employed in a garment factory at Hanwella, five miles away from Akarawita and she walks all the way from to work and back to savemoney to feed the baby. When the father and the mother are away from home the baby is looked after by an aunt. Chathurika Madhushanthi requires over three packets of milk food per week. She eats five buns for one meal. A large packet of cream cracker biscuits is not enough for Madhushanthi for a meal. Fourteen days after her birth, she had developed fever and was then taken to a medical specialist. But the specialist had informed the parents that Madhushanthi was not suffering from any sickness but was growing at extraordinary rate. She was then taken to Lady Ridgeway children’s hospital for examination. The diagnosis of the doctors there too was the same, her mother Indrani Sriyalatha said. The biggest problem confronting the parents is to feed the child. They said they had told their predicament to a Minister of the area without any results. Divisional Secretary of Hanwella too did not show any response. 'Millennium Bug' Presidential task force to
hand over report in December The Presidential Task Force set up to examine the year 2000 Millennium Bug problem in Sri Lanka is to hand over its report to President Chandrika Kumaratunga in December. This was disclosed yesterday by Chairman of the Council for Information Technology (CINTEC) Prof. V. K. Samaranayaka at the inauguration of the International Information Technology Conference (IITC) held at the BMICH. Many local and foreign experts in the field of Information Technology (IT) were present at the conference which is the first of its kind. Sending a special message via a computer visual, the President said her government had understood the importance of the IT field and is giving it priority. "We declared this year as the Year of Information Technology because of this reason," she said. "The government has understood IT as a good resource for the development of the country. Therefore we give it the maximum attention as it is a major requirement as Sri Lanka is a commercial hub in the region," the President said. She said that the decision to bring down the duty rates on computers and computer accessories was to enable the citizens to acquire a computer of their own. This act has boosted the IT field in Sri Lanka to a great extent, she said. "We have also understood the gravity of the Year 2000 problem and established a task force through the Ministry of Science and Technology to provide solutions for the problem in Sri Lanka. The task force is currently in the process of designing the ideal solution for our country," she added. Chief Guest on the occasion, the Minister of Science and Technology, Batty Weera-koon said that his Ministry has asked for the cooperation from the private sector computer agencies to provide assistance in training the country's schools on the computer usage. "I am glad to say that they have agreed and we hope to educate the younger generation to be computer literate," he said. Mr. Weerakoon said that the government has assured the private sector all support it needs to achieve this task. "We have given prominence to the private sector as it has a lot of experts in the IT field," he said. "IT is a highly competitive industry in the modern world and once anyone starts using it they cannot stop half way. I would mention a Sri Lankan proverb "Koti walige alla gaththa wagé" (getting hold of the Tiger's tail). IT is a good example because once you let go of it you will be doomed in the modern world," the Minister said. He concluded by saying that in his opinion Sri Lanka has a bright future in the IT field as the younger generation is very much enthusiastic in learning about computers. Their achievements such as winning medals in international olympiads and also the recognition of Sri Lankan experts in the international community are proof for that, he said. Prof. Samaranayaka said that the CINTEC, which is the leading authority in the computer field in Sri Lanka, is working to a master plan to achieve the maximum out of the IT field and put Sri Lanka in the forefront in it. Some of the actions in this plan is to prevent computer crimes, changing the existing laws to combat computer crime, data protection, setting up of community centres linked to the Internet where locals who do not have a computer of their own can benefit and training the younger generation on the computer usage. "The CINTEC is working with the Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to establish a local interchange network and also we have formed a legistlation draft which will be used to combat computer crimes," he said. A postal stamp to mark the year of information technology was also issued on the occasion. Govt. to allocate Rs. 800m for education
reforms next year The government is expected to allocate approximately Rs 800 million for the implementation of education reforms next year. Dr. Tara de Mel who is a member of the Presidential Task Force on Education Policy Reforms speaking at a press conference at Temple Trees yesterday, said that reforms which she described as being revolutionary would seek to change the very basic structure of education. She said that in January 1999 reforms would be introduced at three levels — grade one, six and nine. Dr. de Mel explained that the reforms in terms of grade one would be revolutionary in that the teacher-based education method would shift to a pupil-based system. In effect, learning at what would be year one level under the existing system would take on an activity based structure. "It will be more in the form of guided play. Basically teaching through activity," she said. For this purpose the government intends to equip schools with 10 items of priority from a fifty item list identified as being necessary for the new methods of learning. The equipment which will be made available next year includes such items as a sink, a working table, and plug bases which would provide electricity in exercises using light. The aim she said was to create a different atmosphere within the class room. However it is to be noted that many schools in rural areas have no electricity leave alone plug bases. The academic curriculum at grade one will lay emphasis on three areas mother tongue, arithmetic and religion. The introduction of English for communication will also be a main component of the new system. Dr. de Mel said that the basic shift was in terms of the method of imparting knowledge in that it would be more pupil friendly. She added that the introduction of audio-visual means of instruction were also part of the ambitious project, but at this stage this was only a dream. She explained that a joint team from the National Institute of Education, the National Commission of Education and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education had already trained 13-15000 grade one teachers from all provinces who would then train other grade one teachers in their provinces. These master teachers had been given a several months training by experts in primary education. The master teachers are scheduled to train other grade one teachers in their zones for two months. This programme will commence at the end of this month. Once the term commences in January these teachers would compulsorily follow resident training workshops of two to three days every month as a follow up. The principals of schools too will undergo training next year. As a monitoring mechanism the Provincial Education Director and the Secretary would set up units to ensure the continuation of the training programmes for teachers. There would be a special officer in charge of the English teaching aspect at the grade one. According to Dr. de Mel the National Authority on Teacher Education has formulated a programme whereby a continuous English Teachers Quality Management system would take place. This too will come under the monitoring units to be set up at provincial level. The reforms will be continuously assessed through a monthly meeting attended by the Presidential Task Force, the ministry, the provincial panels, the NIE and the NEC. The President will then be informed of its outcome. The pilot project already in effect was introduced to 500 schools in the Gampaha district in January,1997. "The reforms have been successful in Gampaha," Dr. de Mel said. The second phase the grade two reforms will be implemented in Gampaha as a pilot project next year. The reforms in the primary tier from grade one to five are three phased. In the first phase consisting grade one and two the students will study mother tongue, arithmetic and religion as the main subjects with English for communication which would be verbal English making the fourth component. In the second phase (grades two and three) English will also be included as a subject in the syllabus. It will cease to be just verbal communication skills. The third phase (grade five) will see the introduction of a second national language which means that the Sinhalese students will learn Tamil and vice versa. The unique feature of the reforms will be the gradual departure from activity based learning to traditional instruction based learning. In terms of the second tier of reforms the O/L years will be reduced to two from the existing three. Students will sit the O/L in Grade 11 (currently year 11) The third tier of reforms envisage the introduction of an aptitude test for those who sit the A/L. The students would necessarily have to pass the aptitude test termed the Common General Paper to enter university. The paper would include a current affairs, mathematics skills and simple language skills components. Dr. de Mel said that a model test conducted recently had demonstrated a 70 per cent pass rate. The students who will sit for the very first test under these reforms will be those sitting for their A/L in 2000. English would also be introduced as a compulsory subject in September, 1999. But the students would not have to sit for an examination. Dr. de Mel described the proposed reforms as being a multi-pronged approach. One component a library project to provide library facilities to the rural population is already under implementation. |
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