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Second day of operation Desert Fox
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Second day of operation Desert
Fox ALALSALEM AIR BASE, Kuwait, Dec 17 (Reuters) British Tornado bombers launched their first Iraq air strikes at 1500 GMT from a Kuwaiti air base in the second day of U.S.led military operations. A spokesman for the Royal Air Force in Kuwait told Reuters some of the 12 Tornados deployed at this base '....are taking an active part in the campaign over Iraq'. The spokesman said the aircraft took off for Iraq missions shortly after sunset in the northern Gulf 'on their first mission of the campaign'. Earlier on Thursday, the warplanes stood armed and ready near the Iraqi border, waiting for orders to carry out precision bombings with laser guided weapons. They had been on high alert at this base some 56 km (35 miles) south of the Iraqi border for the past five weeks. Western defence sources told Reuters that these Tornados could be responsible for 20 percent of the military campaign which was launched to punish Baghdad for what Washington and London say is failure to fully cooperate with United Nations arms inspectors. U.S. air raids early on Thursday hit the Baghdad security police and military intelligence headquarters buildings, Foreign Minister Mohammed Saeed alSahaf said. Addressing a news conference in Baghdad, Sahaf said cruise missiles had hit the two buildings, together with several factories. But he gave no details of the extent of damage. 'Among the government buildings, they attacked the headquarters of the security police,' the minister said. 'They also bombarded the military intelligence services headquarters' Sahaf said that both buildings had been inspected more than once by U.N. weapons inspectors. He also listed a number of government industrial sites where he said U.N. weapons inspectors had installed surveillance cameras. Accused in the Athulathmudali
assassination case By Shamindra Ferdinando A group of unidentified persons had shot Upali at least four times soon after he alighted from a bus at Bokundara junction, SP Mount Lavinia M. K. Sugathadasa told The Island adding that the gang had dragged the wounded man to a van and taken him to Mawiththara before shooting him again. 'Five more shots had been fired at Mawiththara,' he said. The incident occurred around 2.40 p.m. 'Upali was returning from Aluthkade when killers moved into action,' Sugathadasa said. At least two members of the gang had trailed Upali in a three wheeler who boarded a Horana bound bus but got off at Bokundara junction, police said. Several other persons had come in a blue colour Dolphin van. 'We believe persons in the three wheeler were communicating with persons travelling in the van,' Sugathadasa said. There was no doubt they carried cellular phones, he said. Quoting eyewitness, police said that Upali had been shot at least four times soon after he got off the bus at Bokundara junction. Upali, bleeding profusely from bullet wounds had been dragged into the Dolphin van. They had sped towards Mawiththara temple. Closer to the temple, Upali had been dragged out and shot again, police said. Police believe that no shots were fired inside the vehicle. Later the three wheeler was found abandoned in the area. Upali's lawyer, Hemantha Warnakulasuriya last night told The Island that earlier in the day the Criminal Investigations Department [CID] wanted Colombo Chief Magistrate M. A. Silva to remand Upali in connection with the illegal detention of Ragunathan whose body was found in close proximity to the scene of the Athulathmudali assassination. However Mr. Warnakulasuriya had objected and the Magistrate had not remanded Upali. Athulathmudali was assassinated in April 1993. Police believe that Upali's killers had been waiting outside the courts. He had been followed from Aluthkade, police said. Police and informed sources said that at least two gangs had been hunting for Upali and his associates. Police said that one gang was led by Dammika, the younger brother of Chintaka Nalin Perera alias Chintaka Amarasinghe. Chintaka was among many who died in gang warfare in the past three years. Police said that Kaduwela Wasantha's gang too had tried to kill Upali less than an year ago. The attempt was made in the Borella police area when Upali was returning from Aluthkade. The People's Alliance government recently accused the UNP of planning to use Upali in the polls campaign in the North Western Province. Upali, a small time thug in early 80s later became one of Sri Lanka's most infamous people. The UNP had to use Upali and his associates in polls campaigns during the terror unleashed by Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna [JVP] second insurgency. Senior UNPers had admitted that Upali was used to put up posters and do other election work during that period. Upali was also given small contracts in Gam Udawa sites. However Upali lost his powers after D. B. Wijetunga became the President following the assassination of President Ranasinghe Premadasa. Police said that Upali and his people lost their freedom and approval to engage in criminal activities soon after Mr. Wijetunga took over. 'He had been close to many senior police officers,' police said pointing out that Upali's connections with powerful officers paved the way for many criminal activities. Although Upali and his associates had been involved in a series of incidents, the first big killings occurred in March 1993 at Gothamipura, Borella. Chintaka who led a gang against Upali gunned down two of his close associates, Malu Nihal and Cheena and escaped. Both Malu Nihal and Cheena were among the persons involved in the attack on 'Aththa' cartoonist Jiffry Yoonoos in August 1992. However, Chintaka was killed in early 1996 by Kalu Ajith, undoubtedly one of the most powerful underworld leaders. A group of unidentified persons shot dead Kalu Ajith and three of his associates and later set their bodies on fire last year. According to police Upali was the one who replaced Sunil Perera alias Gonawala Sunil. Sunil who played a key role in political violence directed against opponents of certain UNP leaders was shot dead in July 1987. Destroyed Tiger craft was coming from India SLN By Shamindra Ferdinando Navy Commander Vice Admiral Cecil Tissera confirmed the destruction of the enemy craft during a fierce confrontation south of Delft Island. Approximately 18 metre long boat carrying at least 15 terrorists caught fire after four Fast Attack Craft [FAC] patrol engaged it within Sri Lankan waters, the Navy chief told The Island yesterday. The Navy did not suffer losses. Vice Admiral Tissera said that terrorists fought back and tried to escape towards NachchakudahDevil's Point area. He further said some enemy craft which were operating in the area did not come to the assistance of the attacked craft. The incident comes soon after some Indian politicians claimed that the BJP government has directed the Coast Guard to go slow on LTTE activity. A senior member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence, Dr. Subramaniam Swamy has gone on record as saying that the BJP has ordered the Coast Guard to go slow on the LTTE. However, a senior Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry official last Tuesday told The Island that there was no evidence to suggest that India has relaxed pressure on the LTTE. It was not clear whether the boat destroyed this week was bringing in arms, ammunition or fuel. Some officers believe that some of the terrorists onboard the destroyed craft were returning after recovering from war wounds. 'We believe there were senior LTTEers on board the illfated craft,' one officer said adding that the incident was the first confrontation in this particular area in the recent past. Some officers believe that the LTTE under pressure in the eastern part of the Wanni after the recent capture of Oddusudan was trying to shift some of its key facilities and bases to the western part. A senior officer who did not want to be named said that the LTTE has no alternative but to shift at least some of its facilities out of Mullaithivu in view of the stepped up military activity in the area. Early this month troops secured NedunkerniOddusudan and the MankulamOddusudan roads thus moving closer to Mullaithivu. Mullaithivu which fell to LTTE two years ago is 15 miles off Oddusudan. 'From there we can threaten all their bases on the east coast,' the deputy defence minister Anuruddha Ratwatte told this reporter during his recent visit to Nedunkerni. Troops operating ahead of newly captured area had been able to inflict considerable losses on enemy groups. 'We are not talking about big confrontations,' an officer said adding that small group operations have been able to produce good results. No ban on import of threewheelers By Zacki Jabbar He told yesterday's cabinet press briefing that the government is considering a request by the ThreeWheel Taxi Drivers Association to bring some form of control over the operation of three wheel taxis since 69,000 of them are presently on the roads. Asked about Wednesday's 'Evening Observer' lead story that the government is to ban the import of trishaws, Samaraweera said 'Even the Observer can get things wrong'. He said the cabinet on Thursday discussed the request of the Three Wheel Taxi Drivers Association but put off taking any decision since it was felt the matter needs to be examined further. Samaraweera said no decision was taken to introduce taxi meters either. 'I think the three wheel taxi drivers are providing an excellent service, especially in the rural areas' he observed. Transport and Highways Minister A. H. M. Fowzie told 'The Island' on Wednesday that the government has taken a decision to restrict the importation of three wheel taxis from early next year and also introduce meters on the existing fleet. Fowzie said that under the proposed regulations drivers of three wheel taxis will be registered and their names, addresses and National Identity numbers prominently displayed. It will help the government to establish a proper and effective three wheeler taxi system in the country, he added. Halal Bill a threat to Buddhism and Buddhist culture says Ven. Sobitha Thera By Harini Dias Bandaranayake The Halal way of extracting meat food which is to slit the throat of the animal and bleed it to death for assurance that the meat is begotten of a freshly killed animal, is offensive and inhumane to other communities in the Sri Lankan society, he told at a meeting sponsored by the National Joint Committee at the Y.M.B.A, Borella on Wednesday. Ven. Sobhitha Thera, said that Buddhism which is the majority religion in Sri Lanka is protected by the constitution. But , he said, it is not only the mere proposition of a Halal Bill that is offensive to the religion but that it is to be proposed by Lakshman Jayakody, Minister of Buddhist Affairs does greater injustice to the religion and its followers. 'We support all causes for the propagation of peace and harmony among all communities of Sri Lanka but when unfairness and threats are levelled at Buddhism, its culture and its people, we simply cannot remain silent', he added. 'Muslim fundamentalism has posed a threat to all countries in the east and west,' Dr. Piyasena Dissanayake, Secretary, National Joint Committee said. Mr. Dissanayake, quoting an independent practising lawyer, brought up examples of foreign countries where certain religious practices were legally outlawed as they offended other communities living in those respective countries. The banning of cow slaughter in the State of Bihar and the outlawing of the practice of polygamy in the U.S. were two such examples. 'Therefore', he argued,' on all legal, scientific and humane grounds this method of slaughter should actually be banned and not extended to affect other communities.' The levelling and removal of earth from 10 acres of land around the ancient stupa at Oluvil Aru was also highlighted by Mr. Dissanayake. This earth, had been extracted from near the Dighawapi Viharaya in Ampara for the construction of a road in Kalmunai, he claimed. Ven. Nannapurawe Buddharakkhita Thera, Chief Prelate, Dighawapi Rajamaha Viharaya, said that 'attempts had been made to level the mound of the ancient stupa by using bulldozers. ' He said 'I found scattered ancient bricks on the ground. I removed a few of them and showed them to the archaeological authorities and the police'. Archaeological authorities have recognised the area of about 100 acres in extent and contains ancient ruins, he said. He appealed to the government and the Buddhist public to ensure that the area be declared sacred. The stupa, the Ven. Thera said, may have been erected by King Saddhatissa and should be considered sacred Buddhist heritage. 'It is a widely publicised fact that some Buddhist monks are being 'bribed' and 'bought over' in the Ampara area because they are ignorant of underlying intentions of those who bribe them', Himadurawa Sri Sumangalaramadhipathi, Ven. Giritale Sunanda Thera charged. There is a proposal by Minister M. H. M. Ashraff to give this land to Muslim residents of Ampara and they have chosen this very sacred place to bulldoze and destroy, to set up their hometown. We express our deep disgust and sorrow at this', Ven. Maduluwawe Sobhitha Thera said, expressing his thoughts on this issue. He explained that the Buddhist heritage was being gradually taken away by other communities who have taken advantage of them. Speaking on the construction of 'Ramapura' in Nuwara Eliya, he said that these actions are aimed at converting Sri Lanka into a Hindu country. Plans to construct kovils for the worship of Rama, Seetha and Hanumantha at Ramapura at a cost of Rs. 300 million, was the brainchild of Minister S. Thondaman, to 'exploit' Sinhalese land to carve direct admission to and involvement of the Indian people and the Indian government in Sri Lanka, he claimed. The Nuwara Eliya land of 30 acres , the Deputy Minister of Cultural Affairs, W. B. Semasinghe had suggested, would be an excellent tourist site which would attract a great number of Indian tourists which in turn will bring in much needed foreign exchange to the country, Ven. Sobhitha Thera said. But, he argued, the worship of Rama, Seetha and Hanumantha are only mere legends and not widely practiced in the Hindu religion. He said that in addition, such construction should be done with just consideration of other communities living in the area. 'The fact that the area is predominantly Sinhalese and that it is also a high security forest reserve are all the more reason to refrain from constructing such kovils in the area,' he said, he maintained that India had contributed very little in the past to foreign exchange brought in by tourism and in the future also will not yield much in this regard. B. O. S Amarasekera, General Manager, Y.M.B.A highlighted two other key issues that the Ananda College, Colombo Past Pupils Association together with the Young Men's Buddhist Association (Y.M.B.A) had proposed to present to the government. These include action to control the consumption of intoxicants in Sri Lanka as well as the banning of its advertisement directly or otherwise, and the legalizing of the promises issued in 1961 when Buddhist schools were acquired by the government. These promises include the percentage of the Buddhist student population at the time of acquisition would be maintained in the future, Mr. Amarasekere explained. CEB signs agreement for power expansion project By Azhara Raban Chairman of the CEB P. A. M. Deraniyagala said the almost 1 Billion Rupee project will covers the construction of a new 132/33 Grid substation at Veyangoda, augment the 132/33 existing Grid substation at Sapugaskanda, Kiribathkumbura, Kurunegala, Embilipitiya, Kotugoda, Matugama, Bolawatta and Ukuwela and instal the capacitor banks at Kiribathkumbura, Kurunegala, Puttalam, Habarana and Panadura. He said that 'this investment on the transmission system is important for us as the CEB has been criticised in the past for having ignored this part of the electrical system. We have not only planned transmission but also distribution'. The project will enhance the transmission system by 263 MVA at 07 Grid s/s and thereby increase the distribution capacity of about 230 MW. Installation of 80 MVA capacitor banks will eliminate the low voltages at specified Grid substation and thereby reduce the system losses. This transmission project is expected to develop and strengthen the transmission and distribution system for the construction of the new Grid Substation at Veyangoda which would avoid voltage drop in Attanagalla, Nittambuwa Mirigama, Kiridiwela and Divulapitiya areas in the Western Province and also would be able to meet the growing electricity demand in Veyangoda area and for the proposed Export Processing Zones at Thihariya, Watupitiwala and Mirigama, he said. Augmentation of the Sapugaskanda Grid substation will prevent overloading of the substation and thereby meet the growing demand in Kelaniya, JaEla and Sri Jayawardenapura areas. The augmentation of the Kiribathkumbura Grid substation will provide a reliable supply to Kandy and Kundasale areas having important industrial and commercial loads. Augmentation of the Kurunegala Grid substation will prevent the overloading of the substation and provide a reliable supply to Kuliyapitiya and Kurunegala areas with high potential for demand growth in both domestic and industrial sectors. Augmentation of Embilipitiya Grid substation will prevent the overloading of the substation and provide a reliable supply to Hambantota and Ratnapura areas having proposed development projects. Augmentation of Matugama Grid substation will provide a reliable supply to Horana, Kalutara areas with very high potential for future developments due to proposed industrial zones and other development projects. Augmentation of the Bolawatta Grid substation will relieve the loading of this substation and thereby meet the rapid growing demand for industrial and domestic loads in Wennappuwa and Negombo areas. Finally the augmentation of Ukuwela Grid substation will provide a reliable supply to areas which have been taken over to CEB from local authorities recently including Kandy Municipal Council, he explained. As the demand for electricity grows and as the CEB extends electricity to rural areas, this project will plan to what areas the CEB should extend, Mr. Deraniyagala said. He said at present, electricity is supplied to only 50% of the households in the country. ' This project will go a long way in accelerating the supplies of the remaining households'. The project which is to commence in three months with the site construction is expected to be completed by August 2000. Mr. Alfred Koch, Managing Director of AC and DC systems of SIEMENS said part of the engineering skills and the manufacturing skills will be from India as SIEMENS is an international multicultural company where it follows a regional concept. Therefore part of the project will be carried in Germany and the other part on a regional level. By Zacki Jabbar He told yesterday's cabinet press briefing at the parliamentary complex, that Operation Jayasikuru had been terminated after achieving its three phase objective. 'Our objective was to take control of Omanthai, Puliyankulam and Mankulam, and we have done just that. To say that the operation had been abandoned is not correct'. Asked if Operation Jayasikuru had achieved its stated objective of opening up a main supply route between Vavuniya and Killinochchi, Tennekoon said their plans have not been abandoned. 'Our objectives remain and our plans will be implemented. Various strategies are employed in battle, but we cannot disclose our plans. But you can be assured that we will achieve our objectives. How it is done will be determined by us' he added. Cabinet spokesman, Minister Mangala Samaraweera interjecting said that it is not possible to reveal battle plans while fighting a war. 'We have plans and are going ahead with them ' he said. Asked what the governments priorities are for 1999, Samaraweera said ' our hope is that the elusive peace could be achieved at least in 1999'. Q: Do you think the devolution package will be approved in 1999? Samaraweera: Yes, it will. From Gamini Wijeyaratna,
Polonnaruwa Corr. The first batch of fish precipitated on to the cross road in front of the cooperative retail shop at Thopawewa. 'I heard a sound similar to hailstorm. It was drizzling at that time, soon I noticed fish dropping down instead of ice, A. G. Somawathie, manager of the cooperative outlet told 'The Island'. 'Thereafter the rain of fish expanded towards the playground she added. This correspondent counted over 150 fish scattered in and around the playground. The biggest were about 31/2 inches long and all of them were fresh at 12.45 yesterday afternoon. 'A tornado can take up any thing or any fish in water or even uproot trees and roofs of houses too when its speed reduced things taken by the tornado precipitate'. K. R. Abhayasingha senior meteorologist of the Meterorological Department told 'The Island'. Perhaps these type of tornados carry them 3 or 4 kilometres away from the place of origin and this was the first to be reported in 1998, he added. Thopawewa school playground is situated about one kilometre away from the Parakramasamudraya tank. By Zacki Jabbar The cabinet subcommittee he said has recommended that the price of a kilo of potato be maintained at Rs. 30 and any potato imports be imposed a duty of Rs 10 per kilo. 'It has also been recommended that the price of B Onions be maintained at Rs 25 per kilo and a surcharge be imposed on any imports of the produce. Similarly a surcharge on the import of chillies has also been recommended' he said. Hoarders of rice will be dealt with in terms of the Food Act Samaraweera said. He said a proposal by President Kumaratunga to provide jobs to 4000 unemployed graduates to implement the programmes of the government was also approved. 'They will be paid a monthly salary of Rs 4000 during a training period of one year. One thousand of these trainees will be absorbed by various ministries and departments. The other trainees will be offered jobs by the National Job Bank,' Samaraweera said. A proposal by Housing Minister Indika Gunawardena to construct 250 houses for public servants in a site at Maharagama was also approved, he added. President halts road work till Jan. 2 The government has decided to suspend all road development projects in the city until January 2, following complaints by the public to the President that such work at this time of the year has increased congestion on the roads, cabinet spokesman Mangala Samaraweera said yesterday. He told yesterday's cabinet press briefing that the President after examining the complaints had found that road development work is in fact the cause for the severe congestion in the city. 'Therefore she has directed a temporary halt to road development work in the city until January 2', Samaraweera said, (ZJ) On numerous requests by families of soldiers who have deserted the service the new Army Commander Lieutenant General Srilal Weerasooriya has granted a one day amnesty commencing Saturday, Military spokesman Brigadier Sunil Tennekoon said yesterday. He told yesterday's cabinet press briefing that those who surrender will be reinstated in service with all the facilities they enjoyed previously. Appeal against double cab tender award by Home Ministry By Shamindra Ferdinando However, the tender has run into controversy with one of the bidders seeking Finance Ministry intervention against the decision to give the tender to a higher bidder, sources said. Asked to comment, a ministry spokesman said that they accepted the most suitable offer. These vehicles will be distributed among Divisional Secretaries, he added. United Motors Lanka Limited [UMLL], the first government undertaking to become a fully public quoted company had sought the intervention of the Tender Appeal Board headed by Treasury Secretary Dixon Nilaweera to prevent the ministry from awarding the tender to a higher bidder. UMLL is the local agent for KinshoMataichi and Mitsubishi corporations of Japan. Both Japanese corporations have backed UMLL's call for Tender Appeal Board's intervention, business sources said. In a letter sent to the Tender Appeal Board with copies to the Secretary to the Public Administration, Home Affairs and Plantation Industries Ministry and Secretary to the cabinet, UMLL had explained the events leading to the award of the tender to a higher bidder. UMLL had said that they quoted prices on Free On Board [FOB], Cost Insurance and Freight [CIF] and local charges were the lowest. A week after that Chairman of the Tender Evaluation Committee had requested UMLL to submit operation and maintenance costs or double cabs. UMLL had responded to this request within a week. 'Then, by a letter dated November 5, chairman, cabinet appointed tender board wrote to us stating that the prices quoted were too high and as such, the tender board has decided to summon qualified bidders requesting them to resubmit their offers,' UMLL's letter to Tender Appeal Board stated. UMLL had resubmitted an offer, sources said. The letter further states that 'in the meantime, we reliably understand that the tender had been awarded to the second lowest bidder. 'We now in terms of Appeal Against Determination, provided in page 72 of the Guidelines of the government tender procedure, revised edition August 97, wish to protest in this unfair award, if this has truly been awarded and we wish to have redress and fairplay,' the letter states. UMLL claimed that they offered to provide Mitsubishi double cab for Rs. 1,337,066.50.But the tender had been awarded to the bidder who offered another type of double cab for Rs. 1,406,580.45, it alleged. Lalith Athulathmudali
assassination case By V. Varathasuntharam This was sequel to a plaint filed by the CID. J. Priyankara Jayamanne, Upali Ranjith alias Sothi Upali, B. Somaratne, U. L. Seneviratne, B. G. Devasurendra, N. Abdeen, Ranganathan Karunaratne and M. Somaratne are the accused in the case. In this case, all the accused are charged with conspiracy to assassinate Lalith Athulathmudali during the period between April 18, 1993 and April 24, 1993. The first accused Priyanka Jayamanne is charged with the murder of Lalith Athulathmudali. All the accused are charged with illegal detention of Ragunathan whose body was found in close proximity of the scene of the assassination of Athulathmudali. They are also charged with causing the murder of Ragunathan. There are fiftynine witnesses cited in the plaint. Court issued a warrant on the first accused, and notice on the seventh and the eight accused. R. Charles, Hemantha Warnakulasuriya, Saliya Pieris and Gowry Shankari Thavarasa, appeared for the accused. Alavi Mowlana expresses shock at air strikes It is regrettable that two Western Nations had launched an Air strike against Iraq. This sudden attack has surprised the people of Iraq, surprised us and has left us deeply disturbed. When I watched television from my bed it gave me sadness, stated by Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government Al Haj Alavi Mowlana in his message condemning the us Air Strike launched against Iraq. He has further stated in his message: 'When the Islamic Community is about to engage in one of their sacred duties by observing the Fast in the coming week, the action taken by America and Britain cannot be condoned. It should be outrightly condemned. Iraq is accepted by all Muslims as a Holy Nation. By launching this attack in this Holy Nation it has saddened the hearts of the world Muslim Community. When the Muslim world is about to observe fasting during the Holy month of Ramazan it is regrettable that such a situation has occurred. The international community is well aware that for the past nine months because of the sanctions the people of Iraq have undergone severe hardships. I call upon the international community particularly the United Nations and its members to call a halt to this wanton air strikes and let peace prevail. I am making this appeal on behalf of the people of Sri Lanka,' Mr. Mowlana added. Jaffna Municipal Council meets after three months lapse By Franklin R. Satyapalan TULF councillor S. Sinnathurai presided over the meeting which was the first after the tragic death of Jaffna Mayor Pon Sivapalan. Mr. Sinnathurai presided in the absence of Deputy Mayor R. Raviraj who is out of the country. The budgetary allocation of Rs. 4.6 million for the 23 wards in Jaffna Municipal Council for 1999 was passed with 17 of 23 members present. With Jaffna Municipal Council celebrating its golden anniversary in 1999 a committee was appointed to coordinate all arrangements, the sources said. For the first time journalists were not allowed to cover the proceedings and had to wait outside to be briefed later by a spokesman. Of the nine Municipal Councillors of the TULF 7 participated along with 4 of PLOTE led by S. Kirubairaja, 5 of EPDP led by K. V. K. Jegan and one member of EPRLF when the council met. Meanwhile Senior Vice President of TULF V. Ananda Sangari yesterday refuted reports that the TULF had voted with the government on the budget. All our MPs voted against the 2nd and the 3rd reading of budget. TULF MPs voted for Livestock Development and Estate Infrastructure not for love of CWC leader S. Thondaman or the PA but to save democratic norms and against UNP's undemocratic actions.' Seven arrested over B'caloa explosion Seven suspects including a Municipal Councillor from Batticaloa were arrested over Tuesday night's bomb explosion in the compound of the Eelam Revolutionary Organisation of Students (EROS) headquarters at Govindan road in Batticaloa town. The blast took place around 9.30 p.m. The Councillor and six others who were in the EROS office at the time of explosion were arrested by SIU branch of Police and are now being interrogated. (FRS) Temple to rehabilitate twelve remote villages GALLE: The Chief Incumbent Ven. Welivitiye Sumana Nayake Thera of Baddegama Ganegame, 'Ratnasara Viharaya', has decided to rehabilitate 12 remote villages under the 'Pansalen Gamata' programme. Coordinating committees are being set up in every village for the purpose which will be headed by the 'Grama Niladhari'. The committee in charge of development work will be educated through the coordinating committee. In addition to state development schemes, the committee will concentrate on additional emergency development projects. Shramadana campaigns will be held to sink wells, construct spouts and develop rural roads with the manpower of Dayaka. Developing the village by using the funds of the temple will be the second stage of planning. Ven. Welivitiye Sumana says that by the Year 2000, all the remote villages will be developed. Removal of plaque from playground opposed BATAPOLA: In a letter written by SPC member, Upali Sirisumana to the Chairman, UC Ambalangoda, M. W. Aruna Pradeep, the former has expressed his displeasure at the removal of the plaque installed at the Children's Playground in Hirewatte when it was opened by the MP for Gampaha district, Joseph Micheal Perera on 25598 with the participation of the Chairman as well. The PA ruling UC constructed the playground using the monies allocated from the decentralised budeget of the SPC member, Upali Sirisumana (UNP). In this letter the member adds that the plaque was constructed with the approval of the Chairman and the opening function was done with the participation of both PA and UNP UC members and parliamentarians. The letter says that the Chairman had ordered the removal of the plaque and adds that it seems that the Chairman has been misled by someone who doesn't like to see the happiness of the poor children at Hirewatte. It adds that the chairman should be kind enough to replace the plaque forthwith and if by any chance this uncrupulous act was done by someone without the knowledge of the Chairman, legal action must be taken against him. Copies of this letter had been sent to all UC members of the Ambalangoda UC. The United National Party will hold its 45th annual general meeting on Saturday (19) at the sacred city of Kataragama. A large gathering of party cadres are expected at this meeting at which several important resolutions with regard to the party's action in the immediate future will be adopted. Commenting on the significance of this year's convention General Secretary of the party Gamini Athukorale said: 'The UNP is the only political party which holds its annual general meeting upholding the most valuable democratic traditions enunciated from its inception. We held the party convention even during the time of JVP insurrection. The resolutions adopted at each for these general meetings have made it possible to keep the party policies peopled based, realistic and pragmatic. Most of the resolutions adopted at the party conventions reflects the aspirations of the people and more particularly the new generation, Mr. Athukorale said. Students protest over politico's conduct which led to Principal's suicide By Chandrasiri Dodangoda,
Upatissa Perera and Tony Karunanayake The beginning of the end of this 36 yearold Principal, who came up the hard way, could be traced according to school sources, to his refusal to admit, to year one of the school, a child that the local politician seemed to be very much interested in. Being a man who followed regulations to the last letter, he had refused to comply with the request of the politico explaining that it was tantamount to a gross violation of the laid down procedure. The principal had also shown the politico, in no uncertain terms, he was not the type who would succumb to political pressure. That position, the sources say was indicated by the Principal when the irate politico resorted to pressure tactics. That had been the first and last time the principal had seen that powerful man. From that day onwards he and his family were repeatedly threatened with death over the telephone. He had also heard frightening sounds outside his house by night on a number of occasions. After some time a new principal was posted to the school above him. Things did not end at that. Many more developments followed. Seven members of the staff formed themselves into a gang and they began intimidating and harassing him to an extent that life became miserable for him. In utter desperation and in a state of acute mental agony, he decided to call it a day writing a letter to his wife Premila and fouryear daughter Mihiri when they were out of home last Friday. In that letter he had asked them not to misunderstand him because he had decided to end his life in a rather tragic and an unethical manner as a solution to the problems he was faced with. He had also said that he got himself educated so that he would not be a burden to others in society. His mission in life was to do good to others and justice. It was suffering that had to be experienced even when trying to do that. 'Even over trivial matters the tendency had been to make me out a big criminal. We are incapable of changing this social system. I cannot be miserable and lovely in this society. Although you my loving wife and daughter have understood me well, the society has not. Therefore I decided to leave it for good. I am greatly indebted to all those who knew my qualities and sincerely helped me. This is a strange world a correct understanding of which is necessary. Love all those who understand humanity'. Earlier testifying at the inquest held into Kumarasinghe's death, wife Premila Manel said a Junior Minister in the Minuwangoda electorate and his son had been constantly worrying her husband regarding admission of children to the school and his refusal to oblige them resulted often in his getting anonymous phone calls threatening him with death. She said due to such phone calls and constant worries caused, her husband was in a disturbed mental state. Premila Manel, herself a teacher, was testifying before Inquirer into Sudden Deaths Gampaha M. A. K. Jayawardane. She said the school had political problems. There was a certain group in the school called 'Hathe Kalliya'. That group harassed her husband very much. They campaigned against him in the school after consuming liquor. A politico by the name of Prasanna Ranatunga abused her husband over the telephone and threatened him that he would not spare him. Anthony Fernando, the Secretary of Reggie Ranatunge got one Dickson Fernando Wappointed to the school as Principal. That also caused disappointment and grief to her husband. A verdict of suicide by hanging was returned at the inquest. Violent storm causes severe damage By Indira Perera
They are to be given Rs. 25,000 in cash per family and land. Picture taken by our photographer Sri Lal Gomez shows the extent of damage the tidal wave, caused to the coconut trees along the coastal belt. |
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