Police teargas Kelaniya undergrads
Rival factions clash before student council nominations
By Upatissa PereraPolice used tear gas to stem violence at the Kelaniya Vidyalankara University following fierce clashes between two student factions which left at least two undergraduates seriously injured yesterday morning.
Police anti-riot squad moved in to restore order as clashes between the two student factions intensified and tear gas canisters were fired to disperse the defiant undergrads, some of whom were armed with wooden poles, police said.
The senate of the Vidyalankara University decided to temporarily close the university with immediate effect and declare it out of bounds for students following the eruption of the violence. Students occupying the hostels were also ordered to vacate them by 3 pm yesterday.
Propaganda work for nominations in connection with the forthcoming annual election of the Students' Council had triggered off the clashes. One faction putting up posters had been attacked by a rival student group sparking off a wave of violence, police said.
As attempts by the Vice Chancellor to restore order failed, the Senate decided to close the university until further notice.
Two students who were critically injured in the clashes were admitted to the Colombo National Hospital while five other undergraduates received OPD treatment for injuries sustained, police said.
Police stepped up security and intensified patrolling to prevent a fresh bout of violence.
Defamation suit against 'Sunday Observer' and ex-wife
by Gregory WickremesingheMr. Shelton de Alwis, Managing Director Asian Wings (Pvt) Ltd., Colombo has instituted a defamatory suit in the District Court, Colombo against the Editor of the "Sunday Observer" and his ex-wife Ms. Ramya Weerakoon claiming from each damages in ten million rupees.
In the plaint filed against by Messrs D.L. and R. de Saram, lawyers for plaintiff de Alwis against the defendants it is alleged that the "Observer" carried an interview the paper had with Ms. Weerakoon following the Gold Award she won for the Woman Entrepreneur of the year 1997, wherein she was quoted to have made a reference to Mr. de Alwis which is false and per se defamatory of him.
Quoting the 'Sunday Observer' of the 10th of May 1998, under the title. "Honesty in business the best policy" The plaint states the paper published the following statement. "I asked this attractive widow (Ms. Weerakoon) why she did not marry again. She was frank when she said the had ended a five-year registered marriage with a man who was after her money while 'living it up' abroad.
The plaint further states the plaintiff de Alwis was married to Ramaya Weerakoon referred to, in the said article and lived with her abroad and in Sri Lanka for newly six years. Thereafter de Alwis' marriage to Ramya Weerakoon was dissolved on grounds of adultery with a man called Toutrand de Silva.
The words "a man" mentioned in the article, the plaint asserts, is a reference to plaintiff de Alwis and contain the invedo that he acted dishonestly. The statement is calculated to lower him in the estimation of all right thinking members of the community and cause him to be shunned or exposed to contempt and ridicule.
The statement which has been made maliciously, has been published by the paper, the plaint further alleges.
Ramya Weerakoon is the Chairperson of Ramya Apparels (Pvt) Ltd. The court has fixed the summons returnable date for December 4th.
Army denies LTTE possessing aircraft
By Zacki JabbarThe army yesterday denied that the LTTE has acquired either Fixed Wing Aircraft or Helicopters describing what had been sighted by Naval personnel on their radar screens at night as "lights".
Military spokesman Brigadier Sunil Tennekoon told yesterday's cabinet press briefing at the Parliamentary complex that there is no positive evidence of the LTTE having acquired any type of aircraft.
"Some Navy personnel at sea on Monday had sighted flashes of light on their radar screen. That does not mean it could be interpreted as flying objects. However we are taking all the necessary precautions," he added.
Cabinet spokesman and Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera interjecting queried if these aircraft being spoken of are similar to the UFO's said to have been sighted in America some years back.
Brigadier Tennekoon said that the Security forces are keeping an open mind on the flashes of light seen off the Jaffna islands.
He confirmed that Naval personnel had fired at the flashes of light they had observed.
Asked if the Sri Lankan government had complained to the South African government about the LTTE having obtained aircraft allegedly from South Africa, Brigadier Tennekoon replied that he is not aware of any such development.
About two weeks ago the Navy reported the sighting of an unidentified aircraft in the North. Subsequent inquiries revealed that it was a civilian passenger aircraft on its way to Colombo.
S. Africa soil being used by LTTE says Kadirgamar
There was information that South African soil is being used by the LTTE to support its terrorist activities in Sri Lanka including the possible use of SA ports for arms smuggling Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar told a press conference in Pretoria yesterday.
Addressing the press at the conclusion of his four day visit, he said that during his stay he had the opportunity to hold extensive consultations with Foreign Minister Nzo, Minister of Water, Affairs and Forestry, Kadar Asmal, the Deputy Minister of Intelligence Services, J. M. Nhlanhla, the Deputy Minister in the Office of Deputy President M'bekke, Essop Pahad, the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Portfolio Committee Ibrahim as well as a member of senior officials of the South African government. These interactions with a cross section of South African society, including presently with members of the press, have enabled him to reach as many people as one can reach in a period of just over three days and have, I believe, helped to clarify issues, he said.
A foreign Ministry press release is as follows:
Sri Lanka received reliable information that the LTTE may be trying to shift its headquarters to South Africa in the wake of new laws that have been enacted in the United Kingdom to curb the activities of terrorist organisations. These laws have been enacted pursuant to the UN Convention on the Supression of Terrorist Bombings. There is also information that South African soil is being used by the LTTE to support its terrorist activities in Sri Lanka including the possible use of South African ports for arms smuggling. There is also concern about the role being played by several front organisations of the LTTE, for instance the Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO), which has an office in Durban. These matters are of great concern to Sri Lanka. In the spirit of the long standing friendship that has prevailed between our peoples, we have brought these matters to the attention of the South African government.
Kadirgamar said that he did not come there to make any accusations, but to forewarn the South African government of a possible danger and to ask for its help. The activities of the LTTE cause us much harm. They cause much suffering to the people of Sri Lanka. The LTTE's activities will also pose a considerable threat to South African society if this ruthless band of terrorists is allowed to take root in South Africa. It will be recalled that a similar situation occurred in India when the LTTE was given a free run in the 1980's which ending in the terrible tragedy of the murder of Rajiv Gandhi for which the LTTE leader Prabhakaran has been convicted of murder by the Indian courts and the LTTE has been banned.
Sri Lanka has received firm assurances from the Government of South Africa that the LTTE will never be allowed to open an office in South Africa that the government of South Africa was in the process of making intensive investigations into the activities on which the LTTE may be engaged in South Africa, including the activities of numerous front organizations that the LTTE masquerade as religious, humanitarian and human rights bodies and that a list was being compiled of persons who are said to have connections with the LTTE.
Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar has said, the funds raised on behalf of the LTTE by numerous front ogranisations that masquerade as religious, cultural humanitarian and human rights bodies throughout the world, including in South Africa, were going directly to the LTTE's war chest. He said this was a chief contributory factor to the prolongation of the military conflict in Sri Lanka, despite viable political proposals for devolution of power that were acceptable to all other Tamil Groups being placed before the people by the Government of President Kumaratunga.
Earlier the Foreign Minister addressed a well-attended gathering of diplomats, academics and journalists at the South African Institute of International Affairs, University of Witwaters rand on the theme ''South Asian Economic Cooperation: Problems and Prospects''. Tracing the recent history of regional cooperation in South Asia, the Foreign Minister Kadirgamar explained the key developments in the field of economic cooperation at the recent SAARC Summit in Colombo, despite the prevailing political tensions in the region. Placing particular emphasis on growing external linkages between SAARC and other regional organisations, he referred to the possibility of greater interaction between SAARC and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Associated with the Foreign Minister at these discussions were Mr. Gamini S. Munasinghe, Sri Lanka's High Commissioner to South Africa, Mr. Mangala Moonesinghe, Sri Lanka's High Commissioner to India, Dr. Rohan Perera, the Legal Adviser of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Mr. Ravinatha Aryasinha, Foreign Ministry Spokesman.
Only flashes of light, not aircraft, says Army
by Zacki JabbarThe army yesterday denied that the LTTE has acquired either fixed wing aircraft or Helicopters describing what had been sighted by Naval personnel on their radar screens at night as " "flashes of light".
Military spokesman Brigadier Sunil Tennekoon told yesterday's cabinet press briefing at the parliamentary complex that there is no positive evidence of the LTTE having acquired any type of aircraft.
"Some Navy personnel at sea on Monday had sighted flashes of light on their radar screen. That does not mean it could be interpreted as flying objects. However we are taking all the necessary precautions" he added.
Cabinet spokesman and Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera interjecting wondered if these aircraft being spoken of are similar to the UFO's said to have been sighted in America some years back.
Brigadier Tennekoon said that the security forces are keeping an open mind on the flashes of light seen off the Jaffna islands.
He confirmed that Naval personnel had fired at the images they had observed.
Asked if the Sri Lankan government had complained to the South African government about the LTTE having obtained aircraft allegedly from South Africa Brigadier Tennekoon replied that he is not aware of any such development.
About two weeks ago the Navy reported the sighting of an unidentified aircraft in the North. Subsequent inquiries revealed that it was a civilian passenger aircraft on its way to Colombo.
Deputy Defence Minister General Ratwatte was quoted in the media recently denying that the LTTE has acquired any type of aircraft.
Fifty four positive cases of cholera countrywide
by Danielle BoekelFifty four positive cases of cholera have been so far detected islandwide, Dr. Wimal Jayakuru, Director Epidemiological Unit of the Ministry of Health disclosed yesterday. She confirmed that four cholera patients had died so far in Colombo and suburbs.
According to Dr. Jayakuru thirty seven of these cases are from Colombo. She said that proper care should be taken in the consumption of food and water and in sanitation. She added that no country in the world can eradicate cholera, but it is a disease that can be prevented if proper methods are adhered to.
Minister of Health, Nimal Siripala de Silva said yesterday that the co-operation of the society is most important if preventive measures against the spread of cholera are to be taken. He said that improper disposal of garbage also contributes to the outbreak of various diseases and this problem is at large in the country. The Minister said that people who do not adhere to proper sanitation standards or waste water and garbage disposals could be prosecuted as it's an offence under the Nuisance Ordinance. Imposing a heavy fine and instituting legal action would be the only way that they would learn, he said.
The responsibility of detection lies heavily with Public Health Inspectors (PHIs). Seven hundred and fifty PHIs are currently undergoing training at the Nurses Training Institute in Kalutara. Two hundred and seventy five are expected to arrive in Colombo today for posting in various areas.
Several eating houses in the Maradana and Pettah areas were closed down last week due to uncleanliness.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), cholera is nicknamed the "health challenge of the 21st century". Health officials at the Ministry reiterated that cholera could not be eradicated but what was left to be done was for the public to avail themselves more of the dangers the disease brings with it.
Second thoughts on booze, fags advertisement ban
The proposed ban on advertising of alcohol and tobacco products is being reviewed following various suggestions from concerned persons Cabinet spokesman and Posts Telecommunications and Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera said yesterday
He told yesterday's cabinet press briefing that until such time the code of conduct followed by the Rupavahini Corporation regarding the advertising of such products will apply.
Asked if the new legislation will be presented in January as earlier stated Samaraweera said that it would take some time in view of the various suggestions that have been made.
A Presidential Task Force appointed to look into the adverse effects of alcohol and tobacco advertising has recommended that legislation be introduced to ban the advertising of these products. (ZJ)
Tamil United Liberation Front in a statement yesterday condemned last Sunday night's attack on Mr. S. Veerasingham, President of the Vavuniya M.P.C.S. Union by two unidentified persons. While he was having his dinner, the other inmates after being locked up in a room, Mr. Veerasingham was taken outside his house and shot at and cut by a sword. The victim now lies in a critical condition in the I.C.U. of the Anuradhapura General Hospital, having undergone a major operation lasting several hours.
Vavuniya is a place where thousands of policemen are stationed along with SSPs, SPs, IPs and SIs. Apart from this, thousands of Army personnel are also stationed there. Inspite of this situation it is shocking to learn that during the last three years at least 46 civilians had been killed and regrettably not a single incident had been properly investigated or the assailants brought to book. One is compelled to come to the conclusion that the police in Vavuniya have abdicated their powers. If they are not allowed to do the investigation or take action unhindered - there is no point in maintaining such a large number of policemen in Vavuniya at very high cost. The people of Vavuniya, who are living in constant fear and tension cannot be left at the mercy of these offenders. The Government must take the full responsibility for this situation and go all out to restore law and order in Vavuniya, TULF senior Vice President V. Anandasangaree said.
A cross section of the people of Vavuniya were met by some of our members and we have come to the conclusion that if these crimes are not properly investigated and the offenders brought to book, the people of Vavuniya will lose confidence in the police and on the government as well, the statement signed by Mr. Anandasagaree added.
Garbage, a problem, now becomes a useful product - President
By Sanjeevi JayasuriyaThe steps taken by the National Engineering Research and Development Centre (NERD) to make use of the knowledge of the local scientists are very important for the country's development, said President Chandrika Kumaratunga.
Speaking at the ceremony to hand over the NERD , "Dry Batch" market project to the Colombo Municipal Council, she said, disposal of garbage had been a problem for the past few decades and with this project the waste is converted into a useful product providing a solution to the garbage problem.
The government had been struggling with the difficulty in identifying a disposal site until now. With the highly technological solution provided to this problem, other associated problems regarding garbage such as the mosquito menace also could be overcome.
The President said that the first problem identified by her when she was Chief Minister, Western Province, was garbage disposal. A solution from the World Bank to use garbage to fill the low lands was not given the green light by the relevant authorities using political powers. But things have changed by now and there is a better solution provided by this project. In this context, the President offered her heartiest congratulations to all involved in this project.
This method was in operation in China and India. The project that Sri Lanka has implemented is superior to those countries. It also has a bright future and there is a possibility of developing this further.
The government has made much effort in developing the fundamental scientific methods and encouraging applied research. Though the private sector had originated a number of researches, they had not seen the light of day. There should be a proper commitment and understanding to perform whatever the market oriented tasks are efficiently, the President noted as this project progresses, farmers and urban families will largely be benefited. The support given by the CMC for this project was commended by the President.
NERD has the capacity and the will to make this project a success, said Mayor of Colombo Karu Jayasuriya. With a population of 700,000 and a floating population of 400,000 totalling to more than one million, the cleaning up process is a big task. Developing of a garbage disposal project of this nature and educating the people in a correct way, gives a lasting solution, the Mayor observed.
The garbage re-cycling project is an important method. A concept called "neighbourhood" had been introduced. The cooperation of the citizens in garbage disposal is lacking and the Mayor requested the media to give publicity in educating the people in this regard.
The project which has many advantages is a step taken forward in solving a national problem, said Minister of Science and Technology Batty Weerakoon.
It is essential to stabilise the food situation in a country. In this regard the bio-fertilizer the project provides, plays an essential commodity. This fertilizer is environment friendly and better than chemical fertilizer. The Minister remembered with appreciation the services rendered by late Bernard Zoysa for the development of this field.
The exchange of documents in relating to the project handing over from the Ministry of Science and Technology to CMC was made. A plaque was handed over by Minister Batty Weerakoon to the President who in turn handed it over to the Mayor.
Commandos kill six Tigers
From Shihara LatiffKATTANKUDY: Police commandos yesterday shot dead six LTTE cadres and wounded at least five others at Sinnawatte in the Ampara district. A senior police spokesman said that two commandoes were slightly wounded during the brief exchange of fire.
A group of commandos from Sinnawatte detachment had confronted approximately 20 LTTE cadres at 11 a.m. Police later recovered six bodies along with five T-56 weapons, 12 T-56 magazines, 280 rounds of T-56 ammunition, one night-vision set, one communication set, four cyanide capsules, six hand grenades and one medical kit.
Police said that arrangements have been made to hand over bodies to LTTE through the ICRC.
Ven. Kamburupitiye Vanaratana Maha Nayaka Thera passes away.
Ven. Kamburupitiye Vanaratana (87) Maha Nayaka Thera of the Rohana Chapter of the Siyam Maha Nikaya passed away last morning.
An expert in archaeology, the Van. Maha Nayaka Thera wrote several books on the subject including "Matara Manawa Wanshaya". He was instrumental in starting the Rohana Chapter. He rendered a yeoman service the Buddha Sasana.
His remains are lying at the Sri Ratanajothi Piriven Viharaya at Kamburuputiya, Matara. Cremation will take place on November 23.
Patients starve at Polonnaruwa hospital
Karunaratna Gamage, Spl. Polonnaruwa Divaina Corr.Utter chaos prevailed on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Polonnaruwa hospital following the failure of the authorities to provide meals to the nearly 450 indoor patients and to hold the clinics scheduled for the two days where the patients numbering over 800, who attended the clinics had to go home disappointed after a long wait.
Conditions however have not returned to normalcy at the time this edition went to press.
The majority of the indoor patients had to starve.
The work of the hospital came to a virtual standstill because the workers refused to work over the non-payment of overtime and the meals for about 450 patients were unavailable because the contractor had suspended supplies because he too had not been paid for more than three months.
The situation also called for stoppage of work in the OPD.
If the contractor does not resume supplies, arrangements would have to be made to transfer all indoor patients to another hospital, the hospital authorities said.
Stranded Jaffna residents await ship at Trinco
From K. Thambirajah in TrincomaleeMore than 5,000 Jaffna residents and 507 Jaffna refugees are stranded at Trincomalee for over a month awaiting the resumption of the shipping service from Trincomalee to Jaffna. The vessel "Lanka Muditha" which is in the Colombo port at present, is expected to return to Trincomalee after loading cargo and take these passengers to Jaffna. This vessel is due in Trincomalee in a couple of days time, sources said.
The ICRC vessel "Javagulf" left for Kankesanthurai from Trincomalee with 24 patients, 13 passengers and 65 mail bags. She arrived back in Trincomalee on November 18 with 23 patients, 14 VIPs and 26 mail bags.
Wedding raggers sent packing
(From. A. W. Ramanayake, Divaina Corr.)Beliatta - When a number of friends made an attempt to rag a bridegroom and the bride at the conclusion of a recent wedding here, the elders of the couple turned abusive and violent and chased away the trouble makers.
They had planned to huddle the couple into a decorated bullock cart which even had tags bearing odd and vulgar writings.
Though they took to their heels when they got wind of what was in store for them, the fleeing wedding guests took little time off to torch the cart they kept in readiness some distance away from the house after freeing the bull fastened to the burning two wheeler the only trail they left behind!
