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To revive political activities in N & E
Perumal meets President

By Amal Jayasinghe
COLOMBO, May 14 — A Sri Lankan Tamil party Friday said its top leader who ended a self-imposed exile in neighbouring India had talks with President Chandrika Kumaratunga to revive political activities in embattled regions.

The leftist Eelam People’s Revolutionary Liberation Front (EPRLF) said its leader A. Varadharaja Perumal met with President Kumaratunga on Thursday and had extensive political discussions.

The two had "further discussed at length the means of establishing a peaceful political environment in the north-east," the EPRLF said in a statement.

The EPRLF is opposed to Sri Lanka’s dominant Tamil separatist group, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The EPRLF is a maintream political party after having given up separatist demands.

Perumal who fled more than eight years ago after issuing an ultimatum to the government here demanding greater autonomy for minority Tamils in the island’s northeast returned in January leaving his family behind in India.

His family continue to receive protection from India which backed his northeastern provincial council that was eventually sacked by then Sri Lankan president Ranasinghe Premadasa.

Kumaratunga’s slain husband, Vijaya was a keen ally of the EPRLF which until 1987 was fighting Sri Lankan government forces demanding a separate Tamil state. Later, the EPRLF settled for regional autonomy.

Perumal had warned he would unilaterally declare independence in the island’s northeast within a year unless the government granted promised powers to his semi-autonomous regional administration.

With the withdrawal in March 1990 of Indian troops delpoyed in Sri Lanka’s northeast in line with a bilateral peace pact of 1987, Perumal’s EPRLF was also driven out.

However, it currently has no representation in parliament. Indian authorities who had backed the EPRLF together with several other Tamil political parties which supported the 1987 Indo-Sri Lanka accord, provided tight security to Perumal at Ajmir in India’s Madya Pradesh state.

Tamil politicians here also speculated on the possibility of Perumal accepting an high profile job within the government but there was no official word from the administration. (AFP)

Call for third party mediation ignored
12 soldiers, 19 terrorists die in Wanni

by Shamindra Ferdinando
Contrary to expectations in some quarters, the government appeared to have ignored the latest call for third party mediation as fierce clashes broke out between troops engaged in the third phase of operation " Ranagosa" and the LTTE in the western part of the Wanni region, political and military sources said yesterday.

"Confrontations are taking place in the area," a major general told The Sunday Island yesterday afternoon as ruling party sources rejected reports, claims and speculation that the government is planning to suspend ongoing operations to facilitate resumption of fresh negotiations with the help of an inter - religious group.

"We are going ahead with planned operations," the officer said adding that full details of the ongoing operation will be released soon. Military officials yesterday said that at least 19 terrorists and 12 soldiers were killed in fighting southeast of Periyamadu in the western part of the Wanni on Friday. "37 officers and men were wounded in action," a senior officer said adding that bodies of seven dead terrorists were recovered along with 12 assault rifles, 21 magazines and 33 hand grenades.

Troops had captured a heavily fortified defence line southeast of Periyamadu. Friday’s battle was the biggest since troops launched "Ranagosa" last Monday.

The cabinet, which met last Wednesday [12] ignored the latest call for third party mediation to end the conflict. "The meeting was over within 30 minutes and no one raised the issue," a minister revealed pointing out that there was no evidence to suggest that the government will change its position on third party mediation. The LTTE too has called for third party mediation.

PA leaders have rejected earlier calls for third party mediation.

Attempts to force third party mediation were made as foreign based Tamil organisations and the LTTE failed in their bid to draw a similarity between the ethnic Albanians and those living in North East Sri Lanka. Since NATO launched air strikes against Yugoslavia, the Tamil lobby had been seeking to focus world attention on Sri Lanka. But the international community has ignored these attempts, diplomatic sources said adding that Colombo renewed offensive operations in the Wanni last week.

Armed forces last Monday [10] launched "Ranagosa" just two days after the Ven. Palipane Sri Chandrananda Thero of the Asgiriya Chapter told a PA delegation that the North-East crisis should be solved if necessary with third party mediation.

However, delegation sources claimed that this statement was made by another buddhist monk.

"The call for third party mediation was not made by the Mahanayake Thero but another monk in his delegation," a minister of PA administered Western Provincial Council said.

The Mahanayake, however has not opposed this position.

Asked whether the Malwatte Chapter too has changed its position on this particular issue, the Most Ven. Rambukkwella Sri Vipassi Maha Nayaka Thero said that this could not be discussed over the telephone.

Lakbima journalist remanded till May 27

Matugama Magistrate Sirisunanda Herath yesterday remanded Lakbima journalist Sri Lal Priyantha until May 27 when the Criminal Investigation Department [CID] produced him at the Magistrate’s residence in the evening.

The journalist had been handed over to Kalutara prison authorities.

The suspect was produced by a Chief Inspector of the CID, Magistrate Herath told The Sunday Island. "He will be produced at the Magistrate’s court in two week’s time," the Magistrate said.

The suspect had been represented by lawyers Channa Munasinghe, Chandana Perera and P. Amugoda.

The Lakbima staffer had been arrested in connection with his alleged involvement in at least five killings during the abortive JVP insurgency, at Matugama Magistrate Court.

A senior spokesman for the Lakbima editorial yesterday said that Priyantha was arrested Friday afternoon. At the time of the arrest he was living at No 24, Soratha Mawatha, Gangodawila in the Nugegoda police division.

Lakbima editor Bandula Padmakumar had spoken to IGP Lucky Kodituwakku regarding the arrest.

Although Srilal Priyantha had been arrested for what police describe as five gruesome killings ten years ago, persons responsible for his abduction and assault had not been found so far. Srilal Priyantha was allegedly abducted and assaulted by a group of unknown persons on March 14 this year.

The police has informed Lakbima editorial that the suspect would be produced at Matugama Magistrate’s Court because he allegedly carried out killings in that area.

Police said that the suspect then [during the insurgency] was known as Priyantha Jayalal of Welipanne, Matugama. According to police reports, the suspect had killed at least five persons including a school principal and an agricultural officer.

Controversy over escape of big narcotics dealer

Police and prisons departments officers traded charges and counter-charges over last Wednesday’s escape by one of Sri Lanka’s main narcotics dealers when he was being escorted by prisons officials to Welidada prison.

Police accused prisons officials of helping the heroin dealer to escape. "The man was not even handcuffed when he was taken to Welikada," a senior policeman said reminding that several narcotics dealers including foreigners had escaped with the help of prisons officials.

A senior prisons official admitted that there were a number of incidents where department personnel had helped narcotics dealers and other criminals to escape. "I don’t deny that," he said revealing some people had been dismissed from service after being found guilty.

But, he pointed out the police was involved in all sorts of under dealings including the booming narcotics trade. Policemen, prisons and sometimes customs officials have been involved with the underworld which runs the narcotics trade, he said.

The authorities admit that 42 % of country’s prisons community was linked to the narcotics trade or offences connected with narcotics. "This figures continues to grow," the official said adding that the customs, police and the prisons departments will have to establish an unified system to fight the growing narcotics menace.

The underworld controls a large number of prisons officers. "They have been compelled to take orders or face risks," one police officer said reminding that an officer refused to co-operate with thugs was killed two years ago. The killers were never found. Several personnel had been threatened and assaulted if they refuse to play ball.

Narcotics and hooch dealers as well as organised gangs running brothels are in touch with law enforcement authorities, these sources said. However, a senior policeman pointed out that people running illegal operations were in touch not only with cops but journalists as well.

Police headquarters sometime ago established a strike force with powers to conduct raids in any part of the country. The move was a result of the then IGP admitting that many local police stations were not carrying out operations against kassippu dealers, brothels and other illegal operations- [SF]

Clarke’s translator now Hungary’s president

Space age prophet Arthur C. Clarke has just discovered that the man who translated his "2001: A space odyssey" into the Hungarian language in 1973 is now President of Hungary.

"I just found it out," Clarke said from his Colombo home where a whole bookshelf is occupied by copies of 2001 in dozens of different languages.

The latest Hungarian translation dated 1994 is copyrighted in the name of Gonsz Arpad, now the President of Hungary who first translated the book over 25 years ago, Clarke said.

SSP’s gold ring robbed

by Kalinga K.A.Weerakkody
Police have arrested three suspects in connection with the robbery of a gold ring from Colombo Fraud Bureau SSP V. Kandasamy on the Kollupitiya sea beach around 7.30 pm last Thursday.

The SSP had been taking a stroll with his pet dog when some men had pounced on him and at knife point demanded his cash and valuables, police said.

The senior police official had defended himself but they had got away with a gold ring, worth around Rs. 10,000, he was wearing at that time, OIC (Crimes) IP M. L. Mahagedara said.

Police were able to arrest two suspects on the same day and another the following morning. The stolen ring was found in the possession of the suspects who are heroin addicts in the 19-24 age group, he said.

Police are trying to ascertain whether these men from Sedawatte in Totalanga were also involved in similar robberies reported from the sea beach in the Wellawatte, Bambalapitiya and Kollupitiya areas.

Police warn the public not to hang around in beaches till late hours.

Wijeyapala Mendis insists on all his posts

By Shamindra Ferdinando
Veteran politician Wijeyapala Mendis last week insisted that he should be given the posts he held before the leadership forced him out of the party using findings of the Special Presidential Commission [SPC] that found him guilty of misuse of power. " Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe should have restored positions I held before the party acted on the bogus findings," Mendis said adding that he seeks the post of the Chief Opposition Whip and also his rightful place in the Working Committee.

Restoration of my party membership, Mendis pointed out is not enough as the leadership took away key posts held by him using the SPC of Inquiry Act.

The UNP has divided the post held by Mr. Mendis and created two posts, one the Parliamentary Group Whip and the Chief Opposition Whip. Messrs Tyronne Fernando and W. J. M. Lokubandara had been appointed the Group Whip and the Opposition Whip respectively.

However, Mendis points out that these appointments have to be temporary. "I am back in the party," he said insisting that the leadership has no alternative but to give him due positions.

Mendis said that he has already pointed out to Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe the need to give him both posts. "I met Ranil a week after they lifted suspension on my membership," Mendis said adding that he has pointed out the party has made fresh appointments to the Working Committee without bringing him back to the decision making body.

"The Supreme Court had cleared me," he said saying that some people in the party appeared to have no faith even in Supreme Court decisions.

The 71 year old Gampaha district politician indicated that he will fight for his rights within the party. "I am not alone," he said revealing that many party men including seniors who have been involved in politics for several decades were with him.

Mendis believes that these problems should be solved before parliament meets again on June 8, just two days before the SPC elections. The party has been divided over moves made by one section to keep me away, Mendis claimed pointing out that problems within the organisation will only help the ruling party.

Import ban on three wheelers will affect job opportunities

Hundreds if not thousands of new job opportunities will be lost if authorities restrict the expansion of the booming three wheeler industry, trade sources said last week. Amidst moves to check the import of three wheelers, the sources pointed out that thousands of people will be affected if the government goes ahead with the crippling three wheeler "ban".

Sri Lanka’s largest importer of three wheelers, David Peiris says that Bajaj provides sustenance for a large number of people. " The number of families which depend on the three wheeler industry continues to rise annually," an industry source said adding that restrictions will only increase unemployment.

Restrictions, the source said is against the government’s own initiatives. The government has recommended the acquisition of a three wheeler as a self-employment scheme for Samurdhi recipients. Following this many youth had acquired three wheelers. Apart from the three wheeler owners, people have established sales inquiry centres, spare parts shops and service stations. Hundreds of youth work at approximately 140 service stations in many parts of the country. Their employment, the source said entirely depends on the continuing expansion of the industry. "Nobody will invest in support services if authorities check the import of three wheelers," the source said. Apart from the dealers appointed by the importers many self employed entrepreneurs have been created through this industry.

Although some three wheeler drivers claim that they have noticed a drop in their income in the recent past, they admit of earning enough. Industry sources said that banks and other financial institutions have provided loan facilities to acquire three wheelers. According to reports, well over 21,000 loans had been granted by Regional Development Banks, Bank of Ceylon, People’s Bank, Hatton National Bank, Co-operative Rural Banks, Seylan Bank, Commercial Bank and several other financial institutions.

However Transport and Highways Minister A. H. M. Fowzie believes that there were too many three wheelers particularly in the Colombo district. The Minister insists that he is not the only one who thinks that the country has been flooded with three wheelers.

David Peiris and the AMW, both importers of three wheelers had sold less than 80,000 vehicles so far. The AMW which entered the trade recently had sold less than 3000 vehicles. The number of three wheelers in Colombo is not more than 30,000, trade sources said. Apart from Colombo, over 10,000 three wheelers had been sold only in the Gampaha district while other districts had recorded 4000 units or less.

The sources said that contrary to reports, all three wheelers are not for hire. Several thousand three wheelers had been acquired for private use, several hundred for temples and other institutions. The sources said that some of the three wheelers are used both for hire and private use. [SF]

CP condemns bombing of Chinese embassy

Communist Party of Sri Lanka in a statement issued yesterday condemned NATO for the brutal bombardment of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Belgrade and killing three persons and injuring a large number of its occupants. This constitutes a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the People’s Republic of China as well as the United Nations Charter, International law and the Geneva Convention.

There is reason to believe that this dastardly act was not an accident but a premeditated act intended to intimidate People’s China - the most populous state which has raised its voice against the naked aggression of Yugoslavia by the member states of the NATO and for the observance of respect for the sovereignty of independent states. This dangerous development poses a grave danger to the maintenance of peace in the world and international cooperation.

Soysapura flat dwellers protest against price disparity

Scores of residents of the Moratuwa Soysapura housing complex’s new wing have stopped paying the monthly instalments due on their apartments in protest against what they term ‘the gross injustice perpetrated on them by the National Housing Development Authority (NHDA) in selling these flats far above the assessed value’.

Identical units within the same blocks in the exact location were sold at two different prices and the lesser fortunate had to pay almost Rs. 2 lakhs more than the others, residents complained.

‘The construction of these flats commenced during the tail end of the UNP tenure, but no sooner the PA came to power the prices were abruptly raised’, they said.

Legal action has so far been filed against several flat dwellers in the new wing for non-payment of the due monthly instalments, a senior NHDA official said.

In addition to the lakhs of rupees dished out to secure these apartments, another Rs. 25,000 had to be paid for so-called maintenance. For months on they didn’t even collect our garbage, let alone any maintenance, residents pointed out.

‘We have been taken for a ride. Most of the fittings in these flats are substandard. In certain units water is seeping into the walls from the upper floors posing a threat of electrocution. A common television antenna was promised, but over two years after, it still remains a pipe dream. As if to add insult to injury, we had to pocket out an additional Rs. 2 lakhs. This is atrocious,’ they charged.

The majority of these units were purchased by middle class people with a partial payment backed by a bank loan arranged by the NHDA. In most cases the monthly instalment payable is around Rs. 6000.

Some residents have taken us to courts on the price disparity, the NHDA official said.

People living in certain sections of the old blocks pay a monthly rental as low as Rs. 50 and garbage disposal and maintenance are carried out free of charge.

‘That’s because they come under a different agreement’, the official said.

Residents claim that the NHDA is acting like a ‘mudalali’ raking in millions of rupees from flats meant for the middle class.

‘Pricing is determined by many factors including land value’, the official explained,

‘Those who fail to pay the monthly instalment will face litigation’, he warned.

As NHDA Chairman M. M. C. Ferdinando is out of the country, the ‘Sunday Island’ was asked to contact Deputy General Manager Bernard Vasantha. However, he declined to comment on the issue saying that he had no authority to do so as he is a government official.

Asked whether there was any truth in allegations that certain NHDA officers were transferred for under-hand dealings in allocating these flats, Vasantha reiterated that he cannot speak to the media without permission from his superiors.

These ‘B’ type two-roomed flats in the new wing were sold for prices ranging from Rs. 660,000 to Rs. 720,000 depending on the floor while the three-roomed ‘C’ type ranged from Rs. 9 lakhs to 11 1/2 lakhs.

Over 30,000 people live in the massive Soysapura housing complex which has more than 2000 flats. (SPP)

IMPA health camp today

The 58 health camp of the Independent Medical Practitioners Association will be held at Sri Sunandaramaya Temple, Medagama, Gampaha today (Sunday May 16) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Inmates of a children’s home and an elders home will be attended to during the camp. Poor and needy in the area will be screened against infectious diseases, nutritional problems, skin diseases, diabetes and high blood pressure during the camp.

Health educational material will be distributed during the camp and health education lectures will be delivered by the doctors. IMPA doctors, who are mainly general practitioners, will conduct the camp assisted by numerous volunteers.

The World Fellowship of Buddhist Sri Lanka Regional Centre is providing transport, refreshments to doctors and other volunteers. They are also preparing the venue and attending to the publicity work so that people in the area make best use of the opportunity. The drugs and nutritionals required for the camp will be provided by the pharmaceutical industry.

The Health Camp programme is the main community service activity of the IMPA, conducted with the objective of improving the health of the population of the lower income groups.

Jetliners in Toronto

Sri Lankans in Canada were given a rare treat on Valentine’s Day when they were entertained by the Jetliners who reproduced the kind of performance they used to give at the "Coconut Grove" of the Galle Face Hotel thirty five years ago.

Reporting the event in the Sri Lanka Reporter, Ontario, former Sri Lanka journalist Srimal Abeywardena, now News Editor of that paper says "Those jets thundered for hours and hours keeping the Toronto audience glittered to a superb session of music.

They replaced the usual "Kussi Amma Sera" to "Dompe Ayah" with a taste of solid rock music of the early sixties... Harris Jurampathy, the small man with a big heart... from Dakshinarama Road, Mt. Lavinia, Anton Gunawijaya, Indra Raj, Felix Fernando, Conrad de Silva, Tony Samaranayake and Brian Feltman... were all there, while Glen Bandara and Duran Beckmeyer ran the show superbly.

The show was a Voice of Lanka entertainment event produced by Ranjit Wickramasinghe.

Cricketing idiom at PC election campaign

Galle’s former Mayor Wijaya Dahanayake who is now a member of the Municipality told a recent meeting he chaired at Siyambalagahawatte that the Galle District team of provincial candidates was like the world cup side.

"The Sanath Jayasuriya of the Galle team is Attorney Maithri Gunaratne of the UNP who is not only a good batsman but also a top lawyer’’, he told the meeting supporting Guneratne’s candidature.

Dahanayake said that he remembered how Guneratne prosecuted the Education Minister through a private plaint. He fought hard single handed against 32 lawyers demonstrating the quality of a leader.

He said that many people were seeking votes today but the voters must remember those who fought for their rights at the time of need.

Responding to a request for an adequate water supply for Galle, Guneratne said: "I don’t treat you as voters or as constituents but I treat you as my friend. I cannot lie to my friends and I cannot promise you water overnight. However, I will do everything within my capacity to obtain your water requirements’’.

Guneratne said that he will stand with the people to fight oppression and thuggery. "We are civilised people, and it is only those uneducated people who have assumed power who behave like rowdies.

"Don’t vote for people inciting violence and speak in bad language. We have to raise the standard of our conduct’’, Guneratne said.

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