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 It was a happy reunion yesterday for those captives freed by the LTTE as their families eagerly awaited their return at the ICRC office in Colombo. Among those released were (from left) W. I. Loyala Fernando, Captain of ‘Iris Mona’, Janaka Thenuwara, skipper of ‘MV Missen’ and Wijesekera Munasinghe, chief cook of ‘Iris Mona’. — (Picture by Srilal Gomes)
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Unless parents make specific complaints
ICRC won’t negotiate with LTTE about abducted children
by Shamindra FerdinandoThe ICRC has declined to get involved in efforts to secure the release of children abducted by the LTTE unless they [ICRC] receive specific complaints from parents or guardians, The Island learns.Two expatriate ICRC delegates on October 21 had met the General Officer Commanding [GOC] 2.3 Division, at Minneriya to discuss the abductions and also explain the ICRC’s position with regard to the so called wave of LTTE engineered abductions in the Ampara-Batticaloa region.
In a lead story headlined " Military seeks ICRC intervention to secure release," The Island revealed army’s efforts to involve the Geneva headquartered organisation to persuade the LTTE to set free abducted children.
The meeting at Minneriya Division headquarters came days after the Brigade Commander, Batticaloa sought the intervention of the ICRC to end the wave of abductions in the region. Batticaloa based ICRC delegates had travelled overland to Minneriya amidst continuing abductions in parts of the Ampara-Batticaloa region.
They have explained that they were not in a position to act without receiving specific complaints from parents or guardians of the abducted persons, informed sources told The Island yesterday.
The military has informed the ICRC that parents of the abducted children will face death at the hands of the LTTE if they blame the LTTE for the abductions.
The delegates during the discussions at Minneriya had admitted that they too have heard of the abductions, sources said. Despite that, they have pointed out they can act only if parents come forward and give details including the identities of the children abducted, locations and the persons involved.
The military said that according to available information 150-200 children had been abducted from uncleared areas in the Batticaloa district. "We believe over 100 children have moved to cleared areas in Batticaloa, Polonnaruwa and Welikanda to avoid forced conscription," a senior officer said yesterday.
The LTTE launched the forced recruitment drive soon after they captured Kilinochchi town after forcing the government forces to withdraw late last month. The military said that the LTTE was trying to use the capture of Kilinochchi town to inspire youth to join the organisation. Many villagers in the east and other uncleared areas in the north had been shown the video of the assault on Kilinochchi in a bid to inspire new recruits, defence sources said. These videos had been also smuggled into Colombo, sources added.
The military said that current phase of terrorist recruitment in the east had been prompted by the heavy losses they suffered during the battle for Kilinochchi.
The military said that they were trying to do their best to control the abductions wave. The ICRC refusal to act without specific complaints was a setback, sources said.
Authorities said that already abducted children had been moved to Thoppigala jungles in central Batticaloa where there is no armed forces and police presence.
The TULF parliamentary delegation’s leader and Batticaloa District MP Joseph Pararajasingham last Thursday told this correspondent that he was not aware of any LTTE engineered abductions in Batticaloa area.He also warned that more youth will join the LTTE to fight the system if the government fails to solve the North -East crisis.
Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena, the chairman of the Parliamentary Lobby for Child Rights said that the 21 member Lobby has pledged to promote the UN Convention for Rights of the Child[CRC] and to take up children’s issues as National issues. "All members of our Lobby are united on this issue and work as a team sincerely and genuinely to implement the UN Convention on Rights of the Child in Sri Lanka," the MP stated in a communique issued last Friday [23].
On the previous day, he declined to comment on the LTTE engineered abductions in the east without consulting other members of the Lobby.
"We are totally committed to the implementing of all articles of Convention which includes issues such as Social Security, Health,Education, Refugee children, Children in armed conflicts and abductions of children etc," the statement added.
However the statement avoided making any direct reference to ongoing LTTE organised abductions in the east.
The Parliamentary Lobby, under MP Jayawardena’s chairmanship was launched by Justice Minister G.L.Peiris and the UNP leader Ranil Wickremasinghe.
Some believe that LTTE was trying to recruit as many as 6000 fresh fighters. Others said that terrorists were seeking approximately 3000 fresh cadres to re-build formations depleted as a result of resisting the ongoing Wanni offensive, Jayasikuru and the attack on Kilinochchi.
Batty and Vasu want PA to solve ethnic problem soon, abolish presidency
From Cyril WimalasurendreKANDY: Cabinet Minister Batty Weerakoon and Ratnapura District MP Vasudeva Nanayakkara led a largely represented demonstration in Kandy on Saturday calling upon the People’s Alliance government to expedite resolving the ethnic problem of the country and adopt the proposed constitutional reforms.
The demonstrators urged the United National Party (UNP) to support the government’s proposed constitution based on the Package despite the few issues the UNP disagrees with because the package endeavoured to resolve the continuing ethnic conflict.
The demonstrators further urged the Government to act immediately to do away with the Executive Presidential system.
The demonstration was held at Dalada Veediya with participants carrying placards and shouting slogans.
The Kandy branches of the LSSP, CP, Sri Lanka Mahajana Pakhaya, Deshavimukthi Mahajana Pakshaya and several other organisations including the Peoples Forum for Peace and Democracy, organised the demonstration.
ICRC helped in release of 19 soldiers from LTTE, says army commander
By Norman PalihawadanaThe release of nineteen soldiers and civilians by the LTTE was not due to any agreement reached between the government and the LTTE, but the result of the good offices of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Army Commander Lt. Gen. Rohan Daluwatte told ‘The Island" yesterday.
"I am happy about the release" the Army Commander said.
The families of these nineteen persons had appealed to the ICRC to secure the release of their loved ones being held by the LTTE.
When asked about the number of army personnel held by the LTTE, the Lt. Gen. Daluwatte said he was unable to give any figures as such.
Meanwhile, the Tiger cadres surrendered to the armed forces will be rehabilitated army chief said.
The 19 persons released by the LTTE would be first sent for medical examinations and later questioned by the Criminal Investigations Department.
Released captain tells his tale of woe
"When I was in LTTE custody a small boy squeezed my nose. I kicked him and he was thrown aside. Then they got together and assaulted me. I told them that they should be a shamed to hit a person under their custody. Later I was shifted to a room 6 by 7 feat and they tied me with chains and welded the Chains" said Sujith Janaka Thenuwara, Captain of ‘M.V. Missen’ who arrived at the ICRC Headquarters in Colombo yesterday afternoon after being released by the Tigers.
Speaking to journalists captain Thenuwara said that there was a toilet attached to the room he was in and he was given one bucket of water for a day. ‘’I was taken out once a week for a bath. Later I thought that somehow or other I should safeguard my life. Then I began to be friendly with them. After seven months I was brought back to where the other captives were being held. The day we were taken to Madu Church, we saw Tiger boys between 10-12 years of age", he added.
Warnakulasooriyage Ignatius Loyala Fernando (46), Captain of the ship ‘Irish Mona’, Wijesekera Munasinghe (38) chief cook in the ship, Sujeeth Janaka Thenuwara (34), captain of ‘M. V. Missen were brought by officials of the ICRC to its headquarters in Colombo at about 1.20 p.m. yesterday (25) and were handed over to their family members.
The wife and children of Loyala Fernando, wife of Sujith Janaka and relatives, father of Wijesekera Munasinghe and some relatives were present to receive them at ICRC Headquarters, Colombo.
Speaking further Captain Loyala Fernando said "Our ship was taken into custody off Pesalai seas on August 29, 1995. We were taken in a boat and were kept in the jungle that day. The following day we were taken in a vehicle to another place. Tigers informed us that as we were in the navy two of us could not be released early. Later the Tigers told us that if 20 Tiger cadres in the custody of the Sri Lanka government were released then they would release us. But the government was not agreeable to such a condition the Tigers said.
We were not harmed. Whatever they ate they gave us also to eat. In the morning we were fed with kanji, noon and night rice with vegetables or fish. But we detested the food.
Later when they said that three of us would be released we were dumbfounded. Though they released me I couldn’t bear the thought of my other staff members still remaining in the clutches of the terrorists, he said.
Officials of the ICRC visited us on and off. They brought us clothes. It was heart rending to think of my wife and two children, he further said.
There are three from the ship Iris Mona, three from M.V. Missen and four others from the ship Princess Cash still in the custody of the Tigers. There were no presence of soldiers where we were held, he said.
When those released were brought to the ICRC Headquaters their family members and relatives unable to contain their joy started weeping. ICRC officials therefore had to close the gates for some time.
SAARC law school will help strengthen regional co-operation
- Indian legal expertOne meaningful way of strengthening ties between the SAARC nations will be to set up a SAARC law school, the law being the main aspect of the regional cooperation, Dr. N. R. Madhava Menon, an internationally famed Indian legal expert observed last week in Colombo.
He was speaking at the felicitation ceremony organised by the Neethi Vimar-shana Sansadaya (NVS) to honour Minister of Justice, Constitutional Affairs, National Integration and Ethnic Affairs and Deputy Minister of Finance, Prof. G. L. Peiris on the occasion of the release of eight of his books on the law (reprinted). The NVS comprises mainly of Prof. Peiris’ students over 26 years.
Dr. Menon, referring to the event as a historic one said that the proposed SAARC Law School did not have to be located in one particular country. Instead, he said, branches of it could be set up in every member country. For example, he pointed out, a branch could be set up here in Sri Lanka to teach laws related to Investment, one in Bangladesh to deal with Laws of Sea and Admiralty, and another in India to conduct courses in Commercial and Trade Arbitration and so on.
Prof. Peiris later commenting on the idea mooted by Dr. Menon viewed it as a very timely and important proposal and said SAARC had to pursue that with a view to making it a reality.
Prof. Savithri Gunasekera, a teacher of Prof. Peiris in her speech said he was a brilliant student in the university and he was so brilliant that he had reached the top notches in the Law Faculty even before her, his teacher. She, referring to Prof. Peiris, as an excellent teacher commended his remarkable ability to communicate in both the Sinhala and English languages over which had unmatched mastery.
Mr. Ranjith Abeysuriya, P.C. said he was not as fortunate as his son was because he had not had the opportunity to study under Prof. Peiris, the don. He said he was happy that at least his son had been fortunate to learn his law from the brilliant academic that Prof. Peiris was.
However, he said he could console himself as he had benefited immensely from the Prof. Peiris’ works on the law as a lawyer and held them in high esteem.
Principal of Sri Lanka Law College, H. J. Silva congratulating Prof. Peiris said that he had rendered an excellent service to the country by making so excellent a contribution to those in the field of law throughout the country.
Attorney General Sarath N. Silva said Prof. Peiris had excelled over all his predecessors as the minister who had introduced the largest number of laws within so short a period of time in the history of the country. He said he had been fortunate to work with two outstanding ministers, one was Mr. Felix Dias Bandaranaike and the other Prof. Peiris. He saw a difference between the contributions the two ministers had made to the legal system.
Mr. Bandaranaike, he said, had introduced new laws while Prof. Peiris was keen on streamlining the prevailing legal system.
President of the NVS, Susantha Wijemanne said Prof. Peiris was one of the best teachers the university had produced and his students were lucky to have studied under him, an internationally acclaimed legal luminary. In addition to his teaching career, he said, Prof. Peiris had rendered an excellent service to the country by authoring so many books which were treasured by all those in the field of law.
A happy Prof. Peiris, in his address said he considered the felicitation ceremony as the highest tribute that students could pay to a teacher. He donated the income of royalty of the books to the Janayaya Trust, an organisation to promote legal education, vocational training, social development and legal aid.
Past students of Prof. Peiris, publishers of his books, Sirisumana Godage (Sinhala) and Henry Samaranayake (English) were also present.
The books (reprinted) released on this occasion were: 1. Aparada Neethiye Sampadake Dathu (Sinhala), 2. Samanya Viyathireka (Sinhala). 3. Thethkireema, Anubaladeema saha Podu Chethanawa (Sinhala), 4. Sasski Neethiya I and 5. Sasski Neethiya II, (Sinhala), 6. Laws of Evidence and 7. Offences under the Penal Code and 8. General Principles of Criminal Liability.(P.S.)
Time bomb defused
Mohamed Ghouse in BatticaloaBatticaloa army bomb disposal squad yesterday afternoon defused a time bomb planted opposite the Ariyampatai Pradeshiya Sabha office, Security sources said. The time bomb weighing approximately 750 kgs was detected on information provided by civilians in the area.
The second death anniversary of President J. R. Jayewardene will be commemorated by the Jayewardene Cultural Centre with a Scholarship Awarding Ceremony and a Sanghika Dana.
A Sanghika Dana for 150 Bhikkhus will be held at the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya on Sunday the November 1.
A special feature of the commemoration is the Sanghika Dana arranged by a Japanese delegation of 70 members led by Ven.
Shinko Iwatsubo, Chief of the Hachiyoji Temple and Ven. Ruygen Tanaka Bhikkuni of the Ruygen in temples who are scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka on October 30. A Buddha Pooja performed according to Japanese traditions will be held before the Sanghika Dana, a Jayewardene Cultural Centre news release stated.
The second highlight of the commemoration is the Awarding of Scholarships to needy students of the Kelaniya Electorate. Distribution of awards will be held at the J. R. Jayewardene Centre on Monday the November 2 at 9 a.m.
Mr. Pradip Jayewardene, grandson of President J. R. Jayewardene who is now in the United States on a business tour is expected to be back towards the end of the month to participate in the religious ceremonies. Mr. Jayewardene is the operations Director of the Jayewardene Centre.
There will also be a bana preaching on the night of October 31 and an alms giving on the following day at "Braemer", the residence of the late President J. R. Jayewardene, it added.
Lalith Athulathmudali murder probe
ASP files writ application challenging findings of Commission
by Chitra WeerarathneGamini Dissanayake, an ASP of the Terrorist Investigation Department, Colombo 1, has filed a Writ application in the Court of Appeal, challenging the findings made against him, by the Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry, which probed the killing of the late Lalith Athulathmudali.
The respondents cited to the action are Chairman of the Commission, G. R. Tissa Dias Bandaranayake, member of the Commission, G. W. Edirisooriya, High Court Judge, Matara and the Attorney General.
The petition requested the Court of Appeal, to refer the petition to the Supreme Court, acting under Section 18 A of the Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry Law No. 7 of 1978, as amended by Act No. 4 of 1978, and to exercise the writ jurisdiction through the Supreme Court, since the Athulathmudali Commission, was chaired by a retired Supreme Court Judge.
Thereafter, the petition requested the Court, to issue a writ of certiorari, to quash the adverse findings, made against the petitioner, by the first two respondents.
The petition said that, the petitioner, has been condemned in the Commission report, without the petitioner being summoned before the Commission and being heard by the Commission.
The findings of the Commission, are contrary to the facts and evidence placed before the Commission and/or are not supported or justified by the evidence placed before the Commission. The findings are based on surmise, conjecture and the said findings are unreasonable. The findings are based on matters and evidence, which were never placed before the Commissioners in evidence. The findings are made in breach of natural justice and due and fair procedure.
The petition said that the petitioner feared that the State might act on the recommendations made by the Commission and institute disciplinary action against the petitioner, which would be detrimental to the career prospects and the reputation of the petitioner.
The petition requested the Court to call for the record of the Commission proceedings and to examine the same and further to issue a writ of certiorari to quash the adverse findings made against the petitioner, by the first two respondents, the Chairman and Member of the Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry.
'CF Connection' completes one year
'CF Connection' radio programme completes one year on November 1. Forty two programmes and an average of 2 competitions per programme and on some special programmes as many as four prizes had been awarded.
On the air every Saturday morning it's hosted by three DJs who bring in a lot of friendly banter and casual off the cuff humour. Another DJ gives the listeners a hand-picked selection of what is the latest in the musical scene. Then a truly 'golden' selection of some of the best of the 'oldies'. The programme is compiled and produced by Sunil Simon, presented by Dayan Candappa, scripted and assisted by Kumar Samuel, Manisha Dias Jaya-singhe and/or Ramona Seneviratne. The cream of Radio Announcers have been featured on the programme at various times - Viran Corea hosted it originally, Niranjan Abey-sundera, V. Rajendra, Indrani Senanayake and Nihal Bhareti! They have individually contributed much to give the programme variety. Every week there are fresh innovations such as Word Games and other quizzes. Apart from these there is the 'Then and Now' segment, Movie Themes, Love Songs, Variations, Album of the Hour, the pick of Sri Lankan talent, and of course dedications for birthdays, anniversaries, etc. Innovative quizzes brought in listener participation. There is also an effort to invite those working on a Saturday morning.
CV leads investment and business promotion team
An investment and business promotion delegation led by Industrial Development Minister C. V. Gooneratne is on a visit to Germany, Italy and Belgium from today till November 6.
The delegation consisted of Thilan Wijesinghe, Chairman/Director General, Board of Investment, M. Susiriwardana, Additional Director General, Dept. of National Planning and 15 private sector representatives including Ken Balendra, Chairman, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce/Chairman, Keells Group of Companies, Chula Jayasooriya, Secretary General, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, Roshan Motha, General Engineers & Suppliers Co. (Pvt) Ltd., Gamini Wickramasinghe, Informatics (Pvt) Ltd., S. C. Weerasooriya, Finco Ltd., M. M. Udeshi, C. V. Bhatt (Pvt) Ltd., Gamini Fonseka, Walkers Sons & Co. Ltd., Mrs. H. J. Ebert, Synergetics Lanka (Pvt) Ltd., Noel Selvanayagam, Senok Trade Combine Ltd., Danister S. Munasinghe & Suresh Dias, Radiant Gems Co. (pvt) Ltd., A. H. N. Imthizam, Gem Paradise, T. Someswaran, Someswaran Jayewickreme & Co., K. K. S. Padmalal and D. Lalith Jayatileka, Sarath Leather Products.
The delegation will explain to foreign investors the Sri Lankan economic and political environment which offers full freedom to private sector to actively involve in establishment and promotion of their business activities. The delegation will publicise the attractive incentives offered, among the business communities in target countries through several business promotion seminars and round table discussions. The private sector representatives will make use of this opportunity to initiate and involve in various investment, technology, marketing and other business arrangements with the counterparts they meet. This mission takes place as agreed at the visit of the German Business Delegation led by Dr. Hanz-Olaf Henkel, President, Federation of German Industries (BDI) which visited Sri Lanka in April this year.
Sri Lankan embassies in Bonn, Rome and Brussels are involved in organizing the programmes in Germany, Italy and Belgium respectively in co-ordination and active involvement of the respective embassies of the target countries in Colombo together with the Federation of German Industries, European Business Promotion Centre in Colombo, the bilateral Business Councils and Trade Chambers of the respective countries in consultation with the BOI and the Ministry of Industrial Development.
C. V. Gooneratne will also take this opportunity to meet representatives of the respective governments and the European Commission to discuss bilateral and multilateral issues of importance to Sri Lanka including investment opportunities and issues related to textile quota implementation.
