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Barring of night visit to relief camp arouses tension
Thursday, 27 January 2005 - 1:05 AM SL Time
The STF had prevented a senior LTTE cadre from entering a tsunami welfare centre at Shanthi school, in Vinayagapuram Tuesday night, triggering tension in the area. Police commandos deployed outside the school premises had barred Kuileepan, believed to be the Tigers' Ampara district political leader.
`He tried to enter the school premises in a pick-up and we stopped him. We told him visitors weren't allowed in the night and reminded him that the welfare centre is situated in the government-held area,` Commandant DIG Nimal Lewke told The Island. `We asked them to visit the welfare centre in the morning.`
Kuileepan and four other LTTE cadres had come there earlier and had argued with commandos over, what Lewke termed, a ridiculous dispute. They had disputed the commandos' right to talk with the displaced Tamils. They had ordered the people to keep off the STF or face the consequences. The commandos had dismissed Kuileepan's group while urging them not to stir up trouble.
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Tamil Tigers `draft child troops`
Wednesday, 26 January 2005 - 9:55 P SL Time
At least three of the children were taken from tsunami relief camps, Unicef said. One recruit was 13 years old.
The rebels have not yet commented on Unicef`s claims.
The issue of child recruitment has been a major point of difference between Unicef and the Tamil Tigers since a ceasefire began in early 2002.
December`s tsunami killed nearly 31,000 people in Sri Lanka and displaced up to one million, many of them in northern and eastern areas controlled by the Tamil Tigers.
Complaints:
Unicef spokesman, Geoffrey Keele, said: `We have 40 cases of confirmed child recruitment since the tsunami. We had hoped that with such a disaster the [Tigers] would have ended this practice. But unfortunately no.`
Unicef said it was acting on complaints from families of the children recruited.
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Sri Lanka stocks at new high,investors buy bluechips
Wednesday, 26 January 2005 - 9:53 P SL Time
COLOMBO, Jan 26 (Reuters) - Sri Lanka stocks rose to a third consecutive record high on Wednesday, driven mainly by foreign investor buying in bluechip shares which are expected to perform well this year, brokers said.
The Colombo all-share index rose a provisional 0.61 percent, or 9.82 points, to 1,632.77 points. The bourse ended at 1619.44 points on Tuesday, the previous closing high.
The index has gained more than 8.0 percent so far this year, boosted mainly by a construction sector seen benefitting from post-tsunami reconstruction.
The Milanka index -- which tracks the most liquid and highly capitalised stocks -- rose a provisional 0.02 percent, or 0.50 points, to 2,259.74 points.
`Foreign investors are picking up shares that are good long-term investments while the (share) values are lower than their potential,` said one broker.
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Politics
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Appointed Chairperson of Disaster Relief Monitoring Unit
Thursday, 27 January 2005 - 3:59 AM SL Time
The Human Rights Commission has appointed Lionel Fernando as Chairperson of the Disaster Relief Monitoring Unit to ensure human rights protection during the post-tsunami reconstruction phase.
Fernando has had an outstanding career as Secretary to the Ministry of Media, Tourism and Aviation, Secretary to the Foreign Ministry. Ambassador in the Netherlands, Chairperson Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation & Governor of the North East Province.
He has also been Secretary, Ministry of Civil Defence and Commissioner General of Rehabilitation and Essential Services, states a press release issued by the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka. Fernando will work with the IDP Project of the HRC and the Investigation and Inquiries Division of the HRC in ensuring human rights protection in the post-tsunami period.
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Don`t include LTTE in post-tsunami rebuilding effort - JVP
Wednesday, 26 January 2005 - 9:59 P SL Time
Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), a major coalition partner of President Chandrika Kumaratunga`s Freedom Alliance government and a self styled radical marxist party that draws on Sinhala nationalist sentiments to augment its popularity, has expressed its strong opposition to the government`s bid to include the Liberation Tigers in the post-tsunami relief, reconstruction and rehabilitation process using the outpouring international aid resources.
Addressing to a large number of JVP relief workers assigned to the Amparai and Battticaloa districts, JVP`s leader Somawansa Amarasinghe said in Polonnaruwa last week that the party would not accept the LTTE`s participation in this effort as it would give advantage to legitimize the LTTE.
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STF and LTTE row over refugee children
Wednesday, 26 January 2005 - 1:53 A SL Time
The row errupted after the STF had informed the local police about the LTTE taking 21 young children away from the tsunami refugee camp at RKN college premises in Akkraipattu.
Later the STF informed the police, that they have spotted the children been taken to the Barbers in the akkaraipattu.
According to the information received by the acting officer in charge of the Akkraipattu police W Siripala, the Tamil Tigers had taken the children with the consent of their parents.
But the acting commanding officer of the STF unit in the area, EA Perera says the children were taken by the Tamil Tigers without the consent of their parents.
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Editorial News
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Fortune favouring the brave
Thursday, 27 January 2005 - 3:58 AM SL Time
The glad news from the tragedy-hit regions of Sri Lanka is that people are beginning to pick up the pieces. The colour pictures on our Op-Ed page yesterday showing some of the ordinary people of these areas forging ahead with the task of getting back onto their feet, spoke louder than words.
Rather than beg or wait passively for State handouts, these persons have taken it on themselves to re-introduce a degree of independence and dignity into their lives.
This spirit of courage and independence is what is needed most at the moment. While it is true that Sri Lanka has been hit by one of the worst natural disasters in living memory, it just woudln`t do for us to wallow in a sea of self-pity, overwhelmed by a sense that all is lost. In this direction lies perpetual defeat and backwardness.
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Signs of renewal scarce along Sri Lankan coast Only flickers of hope on Buddhist holiday
Wednesday, 26 January 2005 - 9:52 P SL Time
Kalmunai, Sri Lanka -- Inside the children`s building of the public hospital in Maruthamunai, a silent jumble of empty white metal cribs screams out testimony to what happened here one month ago.
It was the day of a full moon, or poya. The full-moon day is a monthly national holiday in the Buddhist tradition of this island nation -- a day of reverence for the faithful and a relaxing day away from work for those of other faiths.
The open-sided children`s hospital, just a hundred yards from the ocean, normally was kissed with a sea breeze that carried the calming sound of gentle surf through the metal screens of the nursery. But water marks on the walls show that the sea rose 10 to 12 feet here. Twenty-seven children died when the water rushed into the room full of cribs. As if caught by a sieve, paper and trash line the inside of the screen all the way up to the ceiling.
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Minister suspends Medical Council
Wednesday, 26 January 2005 - 1:48 A SL Time
GMOA general secretary Dr. Anuruddha Padeniya told BBC Sandeshaya that the Medical Council failed to carry out its responsibilities.
The doctors` union agreed to suspend Tuesday`s token strike after the minister appointed a committee to look into the matter.
Doctors all over the island except in tsunami struck areas stopped work in protest to the SLMC`s decision to register Russian document holders.
After complaints by the GMOA that appointments were made without properly checking their qualifications, the Supreme Court earlier ordered the SLMC to take appropriate steps to address the issue.
Although the `diploma certificates` say that they studied for three years in a St. Petersburg university, their passports indicate they have only been abroad for six months, Dr. Padeniya said.
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| Security |
British men get `life` for fatal beating of Sri Lankan man
Thursday, 27 January 2005 - 3:58 AM SL Time
Two British racists who fatally beat a slightly-built Sri Lankan man in what was described as a `vicious and unprovoked attack` were jailed for life on Tuesday.
James Rossiter, 22, and Tony Pile, 19, were ordered to serve a minimum of 25 years for murdering Bapishankar Kathirgamanathan in Ashford, Kent, southern England, in April last year.
The trial at Maidstone Crown Court heard that Kathirgamanathan, who was known as Sebastian, was walking across a footbridge with a friend when the British men, who had been drinking heavily, shouted racist abuse before attacking him.
`This was a brutal, vicious and unprovoked attack which was clearly racially motivated,` prosecutor Anthony Haycroft told the jury earlier in the trial. `Rossiter and Pile punched Sebastian in the head before kicking him to the ground, and not content with that they continued to kick him in the body and around the head until he had stopped moving.
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LTTE-Muslim meeting in Batticaloa
Wednesday, 26 January 2005 - 1:55 A SL Time
For the first time in 18 months, representatives of the LTTE and Muslim community met in Kokkadicholai to discuss land, resettlement and other post-tsunami issues.
LTTE`s political wing leader in Batticaloa E Koushalyan, and about 20 representatives of district`s Muslim Mosque Federation attended the meeting held in LTTE`s district secretariat.
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Weapons factory raided in Chilaw
Wednesday, 26 January 2005 - 1:17 A SL Time
Wennapuwa Police yesterday uncovered an illegal weapons manufacturing plant in Waikkala and nabbed the principal suspect. Police also seized over 50 disassembled parts of pistols, equipment and machinery used for the manufacturing.
Chilaw SP Crimes, Roshan Fernando told the Daily news yesterday that the arms cache was raided last evening on a tip-off. Preliminary Police investigations had revealed that the suspect had been engaged in manufacturing weapons for nearly three years.
The suspects had told Police that several politicians and underworld gang members had approached him during previous elections for their requirements, SP said.
It was also revealed that the suspect had first dissembled weapons such as T56 and redesign the body into a pistol using machinery. The suspect had also been working on three miniature pistols at the time of his arrest. Police suspect that local pistols of this plant had been used in several contract killings in the area.
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Business / Economy News
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Saudi Red Crescent Society donates US$ 130 mn for Tsunami relief
Friday, 28 January 2005 - 1:57 AM SL Time
President of the Saudi Red Crescent Society (SRCS) Dr. Abdul Rahman Al Sweilem, offered his country's support for the reconstruction process in Sri Lanka the Tsunami disaster and the rehabilitation of the victims.
A total of US Dollars 130 million has so far been allocated by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on King Fahd's request for the countries hit by Tsunami and Sri Lanka will get US Dollars 30 million. If necessary Saudies will increase their donations later, said Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Sweilem at a press conference held at Hotel Trans Asia, last Tuesday.
Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Mohammed Mahmud Al Ali, Environment and Natural Resources Minister A. H. M. Fowzie, Head of the Sri Lanka Islamic Centre M. H. Mohamed MP were among those present at the press conference.
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Tsunami insurance claims could top Rs. 15 billion
Thursday, 27 January 2005 - 3:56 AM SL Time
With gross insurance claims estimated between Rs.12 and 15 billion as a result of the tsunami the country`s insurance companies are facing the challenge of minimizing the possible long term impact on the industry by way of depletion of capital and higher insurance premiums which would be demanded by re-insurers.
Buddhika Piyasena of Fitch Ratings Lanka said yesterday that although the insurance losses due to the unexpected disaster is low compared to economic losses the industry will have to focus on good underwriting, a sound re-insurance program and increasing financial strength in order to face a future crisis.
He was addressing a seminar on `Sri Lankan Insurance Market and the Impact of the Asian Tsunami on the Industry` in Colombo.
The event was organised by CFA Sri Lanka, a member society of the CFA Institute, USA.
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Quicker European Union Duty Free access to Lanka
Wednesday, 26 January 2005 - 1:14 A SL Time
The European Union has decided to advance duty free access for Sri Lanka under the GSP + scheme to support the country`s economy which is recovering from the recent tsunami disaster.
Accordingly, around 7,200 products from Sri Lanka will enjoy duty free access to the EU countries from April 1, which was otherwise scheduled to come in to effect from July 1.
The EU has decided to expedite the process saying that Sri Lanka needs urgent international backing supported by liberalised trade measures to recover from the disaster.
According to the Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF), Sri Lanka has qualified for GSP + meeting 26 out of the 27 conventions that the EU has required. The GSP+ is a new trade policy with trade concessions that the EU will implement this year for developing countries.
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| Sports News
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Caltex wants powwow with Priyantha & Co
Friday, 28 January 2005 - 1:58 AM SL Time
Managing Director of Caltex Lubricants, Kishu Gomes says that his firm will continue to be involved with the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU), during the forthcoming rugby season but noted the importance of having a dialogue with the new administration in an effort to improve the image of the sport.
`We are committed to sponsoring the main Premier League and the Clifford Cup for 2005,` Gomes told 'The Island' Thursday.
`But we think the new council has to address a few issues if the game is to progress after the unsavoury incidents of last season.
`With that in mind Caltex will meet the new office bearers to discuss how best to further improve the game and how best to market our product, which is one of our prime objectives.`
Gomes explained that Caltex Lubricants, the local oil giants, had signed a fresh three year sponsorship deal with the SLRFU in 2004, but stressed that the administration to be headed by Priyantha Ekanayake needs to put forward an image building programme in which his firm could also play a vital role.
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Inter-Provincial cricket from February 5
Friday, 28 January 2005 - 1:58 AM SL Time
The Inter Provincial cricket tournament conducted by Sri Lanka Cricket will get underway from February 5. Four teams; Western Province, Central Province, North Central Province and Southern Province will feature in this annual tournament which was first introduced last year.
The organisers this time have opted to field only four teams. There were five teams in last year's tournament. All Test and leading club level players feature in the tournament. Muttiah Muralitharan will captain the Central Province while Mahela Jayawardena will skipper the North Central Province. Marvan Atapattu and Chaminda Vaas will captain the Southern Province and Western Province, respectively.
The final will be played at Dambulla from March 3.
Last year, Central Province captained by Muralitharan, beat the Southern Province, skippered by Atapattu, in the final.
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Oshada enters top 200, eyes French Open entry
Thursday, 27 January 2005 - 1:35 AM SL Time
The 17-year-old lanky youngster Oshada Wijemanne, who is sporting long hair these days which is a trend in world tennis, performed well in the recently concluded ITF junior championships, held in Singapore and Bangladesh, to break into the top 200 of the world junior ranking from his previous position of 465.
Remaining in the first 200 for four more ITF events, scheduled for early this year in Colombo, Mauritius, Malta and Italy respectively, will enable Oshada to earn a memorable main-draw entry into the prestigious 'French Open' boy's singles tournament in May.
After reaching the semi-finals in Singapore, Oshada grabbed runners-up spots in singles and doubles respectively in two ITF junior C'ships held in Dhaka and Rai Shan, Bangladesh.
Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA) sources said last week that Wijemanne had recorded a significant win against fancied Australian Joshua Crowe who had been afresh in Singapore after winning the well-known 'ITF Perth Junior C'ship.' In a hard fought quarterfinal against Crowe which had lasted nearly four hours, the Lankan had emerged victorious in the end 4/6, 7/6, 6/3. After the hectic quarterfinal, Oshada went down against a relatively easy opponent in Agoon Bagoos of Indonesian, seeded fifth, in the semi-final of the tourney, that too after 'tensed' first two sets (3/6, 7/5, 6/3).
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