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Gang in double cabs shoot at UNP candidate's home
Wayamba violence takes one life, critically injures 2

Election violence in the Wayamba took a turn for the worse with the killing of a young man at the home of a UNP candidate at the forthcoming provincial council election shortly before midnight on Friday, police said.

The victim was T. Sivam, 26, described as an activist of the UNP's Jathika Yovun Peramuna (National Youth Front) at Kuliyapitiya who was in the Kadurugahahena home of candidate Gamini Dissanayake when a gang of armed men in three double cabs fired at the premises.

Sivam, the treasurer of the youth wing, who was on a corridor in the house was struck by a bullet and died instantly. Two others in the premises, Dissanayake's wife, Padma Kumari, 35, the mother of two children, and S.A. Tudor, 49, described as a supporter, who were seriously injured were rushed to the Kuliyapitiya hospital.

They have since been transferred to the National Hospital in Colombo as their condition was serious.

The fatal bullets are believed to have been fired with a T-56 weapon.

A UNP spokesman said that there had been a similar shooting incident at Dissanayake's house a couple of day earlier but despite a complaint that had been lodged with police, no action had been taken. The candidate was a member of the previous provincial council and seeking re-election. He had previously worked as secretary for the late Mr. I.M.R.A. Iriyagolle, a political stalwart of the area who was a member of the Dudley Sennanayake cabinet from 1965-70.

Inspector M.A.A.R. Masinghe, OIC of the Kuliyapitiya police, said they were trying to find out the direction in which the assailants' vehicles had gone. No arrests had been made at the time of writing.

Both the UNP and the PA held meetings at Narammala and Kuliyapitiya on Friday, with the party leaders, Ranil Wickremesinghe and President Chandrika Kumaratunge being the chief speakers. The shooting had occurred after the meetings had ended.

While there have been previous reports of shooting, this is the first instance of a life being lost in the run-up to the Wayamba Provincial Council election.

On Saturday, a statement by Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera said that the UNP was attempting to create a fear psychosis by showing a non-existent state of terror. This was given prominence in the state media.

The UNP's campaign manager issued the following two paragraph statement on the incident:

"On January 15, 1999 around 11.45 pm at Kadurugashena, Kuliyapitiya armed PA supporters who arrived in 3 double cabs and a jeep, attacked the home of Mr. Gamini Dissanayake, UNP candidate, and repeatedly shot into the house.

Mr. T. Sivam, Treasurer of the UNP Youth Wing of Kuliyapitiya was killed instantaneously. Gamini Dissanayake's wife, the mother of two kids, has been admitted to the Colombo National Hospital in a critical condition. Another party supporter Mr. S.A. Tudor is also in a critical condition.

"This attack is the second attack on Gamini Dissanyake's house. On January 5, PA supporters had attacked the house and threatened him with death. This incident was promptly reported to the Kuliyapitiya police. But so far no action has been taken on this incident''.

Is this media fantasy?- UNP

UNP General Secretary Gamini Athukorale alleged in a statement yesterday that the killing of a UNP activist at Kuliyapitiya was a result of the atmosphere created by President Chandrika Kumaratunga at a PA rally there.

Athukorale said in his statement that the President's response to the demand that widespread violence in the Wayamba election campaign should be controlled was that this violence was in the imagination of the media.

He said that the UNP and other parties and groups as well as other independent organisations have been demanding that the government brings this widespread violence under control. But the president waved away these demands at Kuliyapitiya saying that these stories were all made up by the media.

"We would like to ask the President on this occasion whether it was the media that was responsible for the death of young Siva at Kuliyapitiya?'', Athukorale asked.

The UNP General Secretary alleged that the President was trying to cover up the dirty deeds of the PA Mafia trying to abort the free votes of the people of the Wayamba by attributing what is happening to media fantasies.

Sri Lanka in bad company

Sri Lanka has got some very bad publicity in the journal of the Institute of Management (previously the British Institute of Management) which enjoys wide readership among business executives in Britain and Commonwealth countries.

An article on the "Protection Racket'' in the August 1998 issue of Management Today is illustrated with a chart headlined "If you are looking for trouble....'' listing a dozen countries where conditions are risky. Sri Lanka figures in this dirty dozen.

The chart ranks political risk, security risk and travel risk and has been sourced to a publication called Control Risks. Sri Lanka's political risk is rated as "high", and security risk and travel risk as "extreme.''

A footnote explains: "Extreme means that the government has more or less ceased to function, the economy is in ruins, and civil war is underway or imminent. Clearly these are not conditions conducive to business - protection is difficult or impossible to arrange, travel is extremely dangerous and any foreign companies already there should look very seriously at pulling out.''

The countries on the list (in alphabetical order) are: Afghanistan, Burundi, Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia. Georgia (Abhazia), Lebanon (South of Awali River), Russia (Chechnya), Sierra Leone (Freetown, Eastern Province), Somalia, Sri Lanka and Sudan (South).

The saving grace for us is that international companies already located here are not thinking of pulling out and also that at least some foreign investors are looking at us. Knowledgeable sources say that many foreigners are unfamiliar with the location of the theatre of Sri Lanka's civil war.

"Even if they are familiar, they also know the LTTE's terrorist capability,'' one source said.

The Institute of Management has a recently formed Sri Lanka chapter with a membership of about 300. The president of the parent body is due here shortly to confer the prestigious Companionship of the Institute on two distinguished business leaders, Mr. Ranjit Fernando, chief executive officer of the National Development Bank and Mr. Rienzie Wijetillake, CEO of the Hatton National Bank.

Kadirgamar in Belgium for bilateral talks

Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar met last week Mr. Herman van Rompuy, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Budget of Belgium, for discussions on bilateral economic relations.

Minister Kadirgamar briefed the Belgian Vice Premier on Sri Lanka's continued efforts for economic liberalisation and financial reforms. It was agreed that the two countries would work towards Sri Lanka receiving an investment mission from Belgium shortly.

Brussels being the headquarters of the European Union and seat of the European Commission, Minister Rompuy briefed Minister Kadirgamar on recent developments in European regional co-operation. In turn Minister Kadirgamar apprised Minister Van. Rompuy of the decisions taken at the late SAARC Summit in Colombo and the mandate of the Summit to further expand SAARC relations with other regional bodies including the European Union. Minister Rompuy welcomed the commitment on the part of both associations to strengthen their cooperation.

Consultations took place with the European Commission in Brussels on 15th January. These consultations were in pursuance of the meeting that was held in New York in September 1998 with the participation of Minister Kadirgamar (in his capacity as Chairman of the SAARC Council of Ministers), the other SAARC Foreign Ministers and the European Union Troika (leadership). Due to certain sudden developments that affected members of the European commission (the European Union's Executive body), following on a session of the European Parliament on 14th January at which an unprecedented censure motion against the Commission was taken up, a scheduled meeting between European Commission Vice President Manuel Marin and Minister Kadirgamar had to be deferred.

Ronnie sues Dinamina

Lawyers for Mr. Ronnie de Mel have served a letter of demand on the editor of the Dinamina, the Lake House Sinhala daily, claiming that an article title "Ronnie who tries to keep two legs in four places" written under the pseudonym Vini-vida is "false, malicious and defamatory."

The lawyers have said that his article is intended to harm the reputation of Mr. de Mel who is an MP and former cabinet minister presently engaged in active politics as a senior member of the UNP.

They have dem-anded immediate payment of Rs. 500 million which Mr. de Mel has estimated as the damage caused to him by the publication of this article.

To mark donation of 40,000 eyes to 62 countries
Chief Justice consents to donate eyes

Chief Justice G. P. S. de Silva has consented to donate his eyes and will sign a consent form at the BMICH today.

This will be done at a Sri Lanka Eye Donation Society organised ceremony to mark the gifting of 40,000 eyes to 62 countries.

One of witnesses to sign at today's donation is the well-known surgeon Dr. P. R. Anthonis who himself will sign a consent form to donate his eyes.

Among the countries receiving eyes are neighbouring Pakistan (over 16,800), India, Singapore, Nepal, Afghanistan, Maldives, Indonesia, Brazil, Montevedo, USA, UK, Switzerland, Korea, Japan and New Zealand. Foreign delegates attending today's ceremony will include 70 from Taiwan alone.

Scuba divers a threat at Kirinda

Fish mudalalis have employed scuba divers to plunder fragile conch resources from the seabed off Kirinda, conservationists said yesterday.

These sources said that over fifty boats are hired locally every day and nearly a hundred boats are engaged in this activity.

Concerned persons who are knowledgeable about the area and its treasures fear that the attention of the divers have been drawn to the historical shipwrecks on the nearby Basses ridge.

"Conch shell divers have also seen the rich fishery in the area and there is talk that they may very soon resort to dynamiting to exploit the resource,'' one knowledgeable source said yesterday.

Apart from the security threat posed by the large number of divers equipped with sophisticated underwater gear as there are naval bases at Kirinda and Tangalle as well as the busy local north - south international sea lanes close by, the scuba divers are known to plunder anything of value such as shells, coral, artifacts etc.

"Immediate action is needed,'' a concerned conservationist said yesterday.

Troops kill nearly 30 terrorists within two days

In a limited operation conducted in the area North of Mankulam troops confirmed they killed ten terrorists, by firing motar and artilleri fire. Three soldiers were killed and 12 were injured due to terrorist motar fire on Friday.

Troops also captured a terrorist bunker line North Western Mankulam according to a press release issued by the Operational Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence.

On Thursday around 8.45 p.m. at Oddusudan, terrorists lobbed a hand grenade at Naval troops manning defences and troops retaliated with motars and small arms causing terrorists to flee with their casualties.

Subsequently Naval troops searched the area and recovered one T-56 weapon and one T-81 weapon left behind by the fleeing terrorists. One sailor was injured during the confrontation. Around 11.15 on Friday at Tannimurippukulam, troops observed a group of six terrorists constructing a bunker and engaged with small arms killing five terrorists. Subsequently troops searched the area and recovered one T-56 weapon, one ammunition box and a few military items.

On Friday around 11.15 am at Vannivilankulam, troops in ambush confronted a group of terrorists and killed two. On Thursday around 8.30pm Northwest of Oddusudan, troops operating forward of defence observed a terrorists movement and engaged with small arms. Troops confirm ten terrorists were killed and on subsequent search troops recovered one T-56 weapon, one T-81 weapon and 150 small arms ammunition.

Around 2.50 p.m., on Friday Northwest of Oddusudan, troops operating forward of defence observed a group of four terrorists constructing a trench line and engaged with small arms killing three terrorists.

Explosion in cargo section caused Lionair crash say CIS aviation experts

by Zacki Jabbar
Russian aviation experts strongly feel that the crash of the Lionair flight 602 shortly after take off from the Palaly airbase in September last year could have been due to an explosive device being planted in the cargo section of the aircraft, says the Managing Director of the airline Palitha Wijesuriya.

Mr. Wijesuriya spoke to "The Island" shortly after he returned to the country on Friday night after visiting Ukraine to meet with Lionair's principal in that country - AAR airlines.

"I took with me photographs of the five items washed ashore on the Mannar coast. All these items belonged to the rear cargo compartment of an aircraft similar to the one which crashed. The photographs were submitted to the Inter State Aviation Committee of CIS based in Russia through our principal AAR airlines of Ukraine".

Mr. Wijesuriya said the photographs depicted pictures of the door of a waste cabin, pedal of a cabin door, a life jacket whose number tallys with that of the crashed aircraft and a 5' by 4' separation between the rear cargo compartment and the toilet which was in two pieces.

"The Inter State Aviation Committee of the CIS will specifically say what happened to the aircraft once they have finished studying the photographs" he added.

About a week after the Lioanair aircraft crashed a five member team of Russian aviation experts including two from the owning company Gomalevia came to Sri Lanka and assisted the inquiry conducted by the Civil Aviation Department.

Asked if the Russians would make a second visit to Sri Lanka, Wijesuriya said they could but only on invitation". They do not want to be seen as interfering with the inquiry conducted by our Civil Aviation Department. However if invited they would certainly help us".

It is learnt that the inquiry conducted by the Civil Aviation Department which had been concluded was re-opened after the decomposed body of a man in with a life jacket was found washed ashore on the Mannar coast recently.

Mr. Wijesuriya said that they are eagerly awaiting the Civil Aviation Department's report on the crash of flight 602 with 48 passengers, six crew members and a labourer on board. It is believed that the aircraft had gone down over the Iranativu Islands off the Mannar coast which is under LTTE control.

"To compensate the families of those who have lost their lives we need to have the official report," he added.

Asked about allegations that flight 602 had not taken the safe route with a view to saving on fuel, Wijesuriya said that no such route had been given by the authorities.

"We made up a safe route that was changed from time to time for security reasons. But it was always done in consultation with the Airforce and the Defence Ministry . As for saving on fuel I think it is an absurd allegation. We would never take such risks just to save a little fuel", he said.

Religious leaders in prayer meeting for peace

Our country today remains overshadowed by the trauma and heartbreak of the ongoing war and while the social elite continue to remain immune to its frightening realities, there are still those who care enough to try to make a difference.

In an unprecedented gesture of 'unity in diversity', the Conference of Major Religious Superiors together with members of the laity held a 'Meeting of Prayer' presided over by dignitaries of all religions to invoke blessings on our country and its people, for peace and racial harmony.

This was held last Wednesday, January 13, at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute.

Among the dignitaries present were the Ven. Kotugoda Dham-mawasa Anunayake Thera, His Grace the Archbishop of Colombo, the Most Rev. Dr. Nicholas Marcus Fernando, Swami Atmaghananda, the Rt. Rev. Kenneth Fernando, Bishop of Colombo and Al-Alim A. R. M. Zarook.

In his introductory address, delivered in all three languages, the Archbishop stressed the need for religious leaders to set an example of unity. Swami Atmagahananda intoned the Hindu stanzas for peace. Echoing the cry of all our hearts today, the Ven. Kotugoda Dhammawasa Anunayaka Thero exhorted us not to let our youth, the wealth of our country, continue to be sacrificed in war. He also urged all religions to unite under one banner for peace. Al-alim A. R. M. Zarook in his discourse stressed the need to create a climate for peace and to follow faithfully the five precepts common to all religions so that we can move forward with a sincere change of heart to meet the dawn of the new millennium in the Brotherhood of Man.

Besides the clergy and laity, a few parliamentarians too attended the meeting with the controversial Kumar Ponnambalam also gracing the occasion.

The programme was interspersed with songs based on the theme of peace, sung in all three languages.

The Hon. K. B. Ratnayake who was scheduled to deliver the concluding addressing had sent a letter apologising for his inability to attend due to ill health.

Father Alfred Alexander, SSS, the tireless coordinator of the programme, brought the proceedings to a close with a thought provoking vote of thanks, also delivered in three languages.

Power supply to Batticaloa restored

By Srian Bulathsinhala
After nearly three months the electricity supply to Batticaloa was restored on Thursday, sources in Batticaloa said.

The power was restored after mediation with the local authorities and the terrorists, the sources said adding that the power line comes through a LTTE controlled area.

The civilians were able to celebrate Thai Pongal normally and it is presumed that the power will be there for Eid-Ul-Fitr.

Community leaders said the power supply had not been totally restored to its original state. The Electricity Board had fixed a power line which carries two phase current to Batticaloa from Ampara but the lights are dim.

Batticaloa has two main power supply routes, one coming from Habarana north of Batticaloa and the other from Ampara. The LTTE damaged both these routes during their attacks, the military said.

"Officials are working to restore the power supply from Habarana as well. Batticaloa can get three phase electricity from Habarana, they said. They hope to complete the work soon.

"The people were getting frustrated of being left in the dark for more than two months.

The LTTE blasted the power installations to show the difficulties faced by the civilians living in these areas without electricity. But these efforts made them more unpopular among the civilians living in Batticaloa and other government controlled areas," they said.

The LTTE is reported to have several major camps south of Batticaloa.

In a series of explosions carried out by the LTTE in Batticaloa region, Batticaloa suffered a total blackout. The LTTE blasted nearly all the pylons and transformers in the region. The few remaining transformers had to be guarded by the police to prevent further damage, military officials said.

The business community had welcomed the move to restore power. Persons who had made a living by leasing out generators will go out of business.

They said that two ground based telecommunications distribution points were blasted during last two weeks. The latest incident was on Thursday at Kalladi. About 200 lines are said to have been effected by this blast, the sources said.

Military sources said the telecom point was probably blasted using an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).

'The cost of damage has not been estimated yet," they added.

Certificates awarded to students who passed Hindi Language exams

At a colourful function held recently at the auditorium of the High Commission of India, Colombo 3, 207 certificates were awarded to the candidates who successfully completed various examinations of Dakshina Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha, Chennai, conducted during February 1998, by Shri S. Tripathi, Deputy High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka.

Addressing the large gathering Shri Tripathi complemented the Hindi teachers at the Indian Cultural Centre and also other individuals and organisations engaged in the propagation of Hindi in Sri Lanka. He just reminded that Hindi has been taught at the High Commission Classes, for over forty years and at present there are over 300 persons who are following various courses at the Hindi Classes conducted at the Indian Cultural Centre, Bambalapitiya.

Congratulating those who passed the examinations, Mr. M. A. Nair thanked all those who were present on the occasion. He stated that the percentage of Hindi speaking people in India is increasing day by day and for Sri Lankans to have close cultural and other contacts with India, Hindi is the best medium, and not English. In addition, Hindi is the third largely spoken language in the world.

Though many languages in India, have far richer cultural and literary traditions than Hindi - as is seen in Bengali, Tamil and Malayalam - Hindi is accepted as the National official language of India, as it is spoken and understood by a vast majority of the people in India, though due to certain constraints, its implementation is taking longer time than expected earlier.

Hindi is even more popular in Sri Lanka than in some places in India as it is more musical, sweet and simple and has close resemblance with Sinhala.

After studying Hindi at the High Commission classes many have become Hindi teachers by profession.For over forty years Hindi was taught at the High Commission classes free, and sometimes even free books are provided.

For all this, Mr. Nair said, we should all be more and more grateful to the Government of India, High Commission of India and its devoted officers and dutyful staff.

Ocean Protection Brigade of vital importance - Mahinda

The Ocean Protection Brigade set up to protect and conserve the coastal belt is a significant and positive step taken towards the environmental conservation of that eco system. It is possible for this unit to prevent the destruction of coral reefs and illicit exploitation of valuable and rare fish species along the coastal sea area, said the Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development, Mahinda Rajapakse at his office in Maligawatte, Maradana recently.

The regulation introduced in July 1998 regarding the exportation of live fish is another step taken to conserve the marine bio diversity. Under this regulation it is entirely prohibited to export 12 varieties of sea fish and 13 varieties of fresh water fish alive. In addition 17 varieties of sea fish and 8 varieties of fresh water fish are not permitted to be exported alive.

There are signs that indigenous species like 'Bulath Hapaya' and 'Mal Poottuva' are facing the danger of extinction. This circumstance indicates the need for the establishment of an indigenous Fish Conservation Bank according to the minister.

The Ministry will soon introduce a scheme to utilise modern technology for the protection of indigenous species with the assistance of NARA. It will also implement a programme to educate the general public on the necessity to conserve and protect the available bio diversity. The exporters of live fish and the customs officials will be instructed on the regulations related to the exportation of live fish varieties. Those inhabiting wetland areas will be given an education on bio diversity conservation.

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