High Court takes up Mylanthanai massacre case

[TamilNet, Monday, 30 September 2002, 14:09 GMT]
Thirty Tamil witnesses including thirteen women from Batticaloa were present in the Colombo High Court Monday to give evidence when the Mylanthanai massacre case was taken up for inquiry before a Sinhala speaking Jury. The HC Judge Mr.S.Sriskandarajah fixed October 2, Wednesday, the date to start the inquiry.
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'Trinco Hindu temples singled out for destruction'-TNA MP

[TamilNet, Monday, 30 September 2002, 00:43 GMT]
"From Thennamaravadi, north of Trincomalee district, to south Killiveddy, several Hindu temples were destroyed in the war but places of worship of other faiths did not suffer any damages," said Tamil National Alliance (TNA) national list parliamentarian Mr.K.Thurairatnasingham addressing a meeting held at the office of the Trincomalee District Young Men Hindu Association (TDYMHA) Sunday evening. Hindu temples in Trincomalee district should be safeguarded to ensure the identity of the traditional Tamil villages, said Mr.Thurairatnesingham.
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NIE rejects request for Jaffna Branch office

[TamilNet, Sunday, 29 September 2002, 19:09 GMT]
The National Institute of Education (NIE) that comes under the purview of the Ministry of Education has turned down a request made by the Ceylon Tamil Teachers' Union (CTTU) to open its regional office in Jaffna district. The CTTU said its request was made to ensure equal opportunity to Tamil medium teachers and students in education in the northeast province as in other provinces.
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Supreme Court urges action on torture accused

[TamilNet, Sunday, 29 September 2002, 18:47 GMT]
The Attorney General (AG), on a directive from the Suprem Court, has called for relevant documents from the Registrar of the Supreme Court and instructed the Inspector General of Police to consider taking action against police officers who had been found guilty for violating the Fundamental Rights (FR) of Yogalingam Vijitha, a 27-year-old Tamil woman of Kayts in Jaffna district, legal sources said.
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SLA soldiers assault Tamil civilian

[TamilNet, Saturday, 28 September 2002, 17:57 GMT]
A group of Sri Lanka Army soldiers Saturday afternoon severely assaulted a Tamil youth who was returning from Koddady in the high security zone in Point Pedro town after seeing his resettled relatives, said a complaint submitted to the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission in Jaffna district. Twenty five year old S.Ravindran alias Kannan has been warded in the Valvettithurai government hospital with serious head injures, medical sources said.
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LTTE, GOSL exchange detainees of war

[TamilNet, Saturday, 28 September 2002, 15:46 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers said Saturday that President Chandrika Kumaratunga's government was responsible for delaying the release of the last batch of Sri Lankan army and Navy personnel in their custody by not acting on the matter with "prudent and humanitarian consideration." The LTTE and the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's government exchanged prisoners of war as part of the peace building process to end the island's ethnic conflict Saturday in Omanthai, on the southern border of the Vanni region.
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Five judges to determine legality of constitutional amendments

[TamilNet, Saturday, 28 September 2002, 13:30 GMT]
The Chief Justice has named a five-member panel of judges to determine the legal validity of the eighteenth and nineteenth constitutional amendments tabled by the United National Front government in parliament. The thirty-two petitions filed by opposition political parties and lawyers challenging the legality of the amendments will be taken up for inquiry before the panel of Supreme Court Judges from October 1, legal sources said.
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Polio immunisation targets northeast

[TamilNet, Saturday, 28 September 2002, 13:27 GMT]
More than three hundred thousand children under five years of age in Sri Lanka’s northeast province were immunized against Polio Saturday, health officials said.
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ULF supports autonomous region demand

[TamilNet, Saturday, 28 September 2002, 13:15 GMT]
"The division of the country is inevitable if the majority Sinhalese fail to accept the concept of an autonomous region for Tamils," said the President of the United Left Front (ULF) Dr.Wickremabahu Karunaratne in an interview with the state run Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) Saturday.
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"Muslims rights should be respected" - Karuna

[TamilNet, Friday, 27 September 2002, 17:15 GMT]
"We must respect the rights of Muslims. We will create an environment where the three communities who live in our area can live in unity. We are not warmongers. We have come forward openly to achieve the legitimate aspirations of Tamils through peaceful negotiations," said a senior commander of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, Colonel Karuna Amman, addressing a large gathering at the concluding event of the fifteenth death anniversary of late LTTE senior commander Lt.Colonel Thileepan Thursday evening held at Vellaveli in the Batticaloa district.
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UK envoy holds discussion with Thamilchelvan

[TamilNet, Friday, 27 September 2002, 15:14 GMT]
The British High Commissioner in Sri Lanka, Mr. Stephen Evans, Friday met the political head of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam Mr.S.P.Thamilselvan at Killinochchi and discussed issues related to development of northeast. A team of officials including Mr. Nicholas Brewer, Director General of Programme, Department of International Development, accompanied the UK envoy.
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Disabled Tigers return overland to Batticaloa

[TamilNet, Friday, 27 September 2002, 09:26 GMT]
Seven wounded and disabled Liberation Tigers recuperating at a rehabilitation centre in Mullaitivu Wednesday travelled through Sri Lanka Army controlled territory to meet relatives in Batticaloa, Tamil press reports said Friday.
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LTTE protests Jaffna cadres' harassment

[TamilNet, Friday, 27 September 2002, 08:11 GMT]
Political activists of the Liberation Tigers working in the islands off the Jaffna peninsula under the terms of the ceasefire agreement with the Sri Lanka government say they are being harassed by Navy personnel in the region, Tamil press reports said.
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Westborg meets Thamilchelvan in Kilinochchi

[TamilNet, Thursday, 26 September 2002, 20:37 GMT]
Norwegian Ambassador to Colombo, Mr. Jon Westborg held discussions with the Political Wing leader of the Liberation Tigers, Mr.S.P.Thamilchelvan in Kilinochchi Wednesday. Sources said the discussions centred around setting up of LTTE Peace Secretariat in the Northeastern Province.
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Lt.Col Thileepan death anniversary concludes in NE

[TamilNet, Thursday, 26 September 2002, 20:10 GMT]
"The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam have begun peace negotiations with the United National Front government sincerely and with confidence that we can achieve full autonomy based on Tamil nationality, Tamil homeland and the right of self determination" said the Head of the LTTE's Judiciary Mr. Pararajasingham addressing the concluding ceremony of the week long observance in honour of the Tiger martyr Lt.Colonel Thileepan in Poonthottam, Vavuniya Thursday morning.
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Thirty-one petitions against constitutional amendments

[TamilNet, Thursday, 26 September 2002, 18:18 GMT]
Thirty-one petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court (SC) challenging the legality of the eighteenth and nineteenth constitutional amendments, which was tabled in parliament on September 19.
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Twenty-two PTA cases withdrawn in four days

[TamilNet, Thursday, 26 September 2002, 18:06 GMT]
Twenty-two cases filed under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) have been withdrawn in the Eastern High Court held at Trincomalee since Monday till Thursday on the advice of the Attorney General. On Thursday alone the State Counsel withdrew seven PTA cases. The HC Judge Mr.J.Visvanathan discharged the accused in all the cases.
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SLA soldiers in LTTE security zone arrested

[TamilNet, Thursday, 26 September 2002, 11:47 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam Wednesday morning took seven soldiers of the Sri Lanka Army into custody when they entered a security zone between two LTTE camps at Kumburupiddy, 22 km north of Trincomalee town, Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission sources said. “All steps are being taken to release the soldiers in view of the prevailing goodwill between both sides,” an LTTE official in Kilinochchi said.
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SL Minister slates island military

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 25 September 2002, 19:26 GMT]
“The Sri Lanka army is treating the people of Mandatheevu like slaves,” charged Mr. T. Maheswaran, Sri Lanka’s minister for Hindu Affairs who visited the island south of Jaffna town Wednesday. He said that the SLA has blocked more than three hundred IDPs who came back to resettle in the island from reclaiming their homes and lands.
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SLN blocks Delft islanders at sea

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 25 September 2002, 19:11 GMT]
The Sri Lanka Navy stopped civilians travelling in seven boats from the island of delft in Jaffna to the island of Eluvaitheevu off Jaffna Wednesday afternoon around 4 p.m. The civilians were on their way to attend the remembrance day celebrations of Lt.Col Thileepan who fasted unto death in September 1987. The SLN attempted to board the boats and tried to force the civilians to return back to Delft, press sources in Jaffna said.
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HC rejects confession, acquits PTA accused

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 25 September 2002, 19:10 GMT]
The Eastern High Court Judge Wednesday rejected the confession purported to have been made by the accused in a Prevention of Terrorism Act case stating that it was not a voluntary one. "Hence I acquit the accused," said Judge Mr.J.Visvanathan. The case was tried in absentia of the accused.
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Navy intransigence, mines plague Muslim resettlers

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 25 September 2002, 14:48 GMT]
(Feature) “Muslims are still unable to resettle in their villages even after six months of a stable ceasefire because of Sri Lanka Navy’s intransigence and land mines,” said Mr. M. M Saburudeen, the representative of the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) in the Mannar Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission and Chairman of the Mannar Citizen’s Committee. “The premises of the Mosques in Talaimannar Pier and Konar Pannai are full of SLN mines. How can Muslims resettle in a place if they cannot pray in the mosque there for fear of the mines?” he asked.
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SLA dismisses A9 reports

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 25 September 2002, 11:40 GMT]
The Sri Lanka army Wednesday dismissed reports in sections of the Tamil press that the A9 would be open 24 hours on all days of the week for public traffic. Sri Lanka Ministry of Defence officials said that they are working on having the road open round the clock on all days of the week. The Liberation Tigers say that limits on the traffic flow through the A9 should be removed.
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SLA escorts LTTE convoy to Vanni

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 24 September 2002, 23:34 GMT]
A large number of Liberation Tigers from Batticaloa-Ampara district travelled to the Vanni region by road Tuesday, escorted by Sri Lankan troops. Sources said 285 LTTE members made the journey.
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Fifteen petitions against 19th constitutional amendment

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 24 September 2002, 17:52 GMT]
Fifteen petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the legality of the 19th constitutional amendment, which restricts the presidential powers to dissolve parliament after its one-year existence. Nine petitions were filed in the Supreme Court Tuesday alone against the constitutional amendment, court sources said.
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High Court allows bail for rape victim

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 24 September 2002, 14:37 GMT]
Sathasivam Rahykala, 28, who had been subjected to severe torture and sexual assault by several police personnel while in custody was allowed on surety bail by the Eastern High Court Judge Mr.J.Visvanathan Friday at Batticaloa session.
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AG withdraws eleven PTA cases

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 24 September 2002, 14:35 GMT]
The Eastern High Court in Trincomalee Tuesday discharged nine accused when the State Counsel withdrew the indictments against them in eleven cases filed under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) on the advice of the Attorney General (AG).
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New SL Navy base violates ceasefire - LTTE

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 24 September 2002, 11:42 GMT]
The political wing leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam Mr.S.P.Thamilselvan said Tuesday that the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) is building a new camp on the island of Delft off Jaffna in violation of the LTTE's Ceasefire Agreement with the Government of Sri Lanka. He urged the head of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission to take immediate action on the matter.
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Karainagar resettlers barred after dark by SL Navy

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 24 September 2002, 03:52 GMT]
The Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) has barred refugee families that recently resettled in their village in the island of Karainagar, west of Jaffna, from staying in the area after 6 p.m. Residents of the 45 Housing Scheme in Thoppukkaadu, Karainagar, said that the SLN ordered them to leave their homes at dusk everyday and return in the morning. The villagers complained about their plight to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) on Monday.
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PTA suspect raped and tortured -JMO

[TamilNet, Monday, 23 September 2002, 20:35 GMT]
The medical report to the Eastern High Court in a Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) case revealed that twelve police personnel had raped Sathasivam Rathykala, aged 28, at night at the Polonaruwa police station on 24.11.2000. The report was submitted by the Batticaloa Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) to the Eastern High Court on September 18. The JMO in his report has recommended that counselling and rehabilitation should be provided to the suspect in consultation with a psychiatrist as the victim has suffered acute mental trauma.
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North East Tamil-Muslim unity stressed

[TamilNet, Monday, 23 September 2002, 19:21 GMT]
"Sinhalese politicians have now realized that they can no longer adopt divide and rule policy between Tamils and Muslims when serious negotiations are in progress to resolve the ethnic conflict," said Mr. R.Sampanthan, Tamil National Alliance leader and district parliamentarian addressing the Tamil language day celebrations held Monday in Trincomalee. Tamils and Muslims should shed their differences, especially in the northeast province, if we are to achieve sustainable peace, Mr.Sampanthan appealed.
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SLA stops Sinhala tourists to Nagar Kovil festival

[TamilNet, Monday, 23 September 2002, 17:04 GMT]
Hundreds of Sinhala tourists were blocked by the Sri Lanka army from taking part in the Nagar Kovil temple’s annual festival in Jaffna’s southeastern coast Sunday, sources said. The visitors from the southern parts of the island had come in 30 buses to see the ‘Ship Festival’ (Kappal Thiruvila) of this Tamil temple that lies close to the line of control in the northern peninsula.
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Peace pulls thousands to Kokkaddicholai festival

[TamilNet, Monday, 23 September 2002, 14:33 GMT]
The Chariot Festival of the Kokkaddicholai Thaanthonreeswarar Siva Temple in Batticaloa’s LTTE controlled western hinterland was celebrated Sunday. The prevailing peace between the Liberation Tigers and Colombo drew more than 25,000 devotees to the festival. According to local traditions, the temple’s original structure was built by provincial governors of the Chola Empire in the eleventh century. The island was a province of the powerful medieval Tamil empire for three centuries.
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Repeal PTA, release political prisoners -CHRD

[TamilNet, Monday, 23 September 2002, 06:49 GMT]
The Centre for Human Rights and Development (CHRD) Sunday held a one-day seminar in Trincomalee Town Hall to mobilize the support of the people for an agitation campaign demanding the repeal of the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and the release of all Tamil political prisoners now being held in various prisons in the south.
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Premier returns after US visit

[TamilNet, Sunday, 22 September 2002, 18:00 GMT]
Sri Lanka's Prime Minister, Mr. Ranil Wickremasinghe, returned to Colombo Sunday after a ten-day high profile visit to United States of America. The Prime Minister undertook the tour while the historic peace talks between his government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam commenced in Sattahip, a port town in Thailand last week.
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Education said central to Tamil cause

[TamilNet, Sunday, 22 September 2002, 16:35 GMT]
“The National Institute of Education (NIE) discriminates against Tamil medium education, distorts the island’s history taught in schools and is dominated by Singhalese. We can develop and improve our education system when the interim administration for the Northeast is established,” said Mr. Ilankumaran, head of the Education Division of the Liberation Tigers, addressing the inaugural meeting of the Jaffna Education Development Society (EDS) Sunday.
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Unidentified group assaults Hartley Principal

[TamilNet, Sunday, 22 September 2002, 13:42 GMT]
The Principal of Point Pedro Hartley College in Point Pedro, Jaffna, was severely assaulted by a group of unidentified persons Saturday night. Mr. Murugupillai Sripathi, 57, is warded at the Manthikai government hospital, two miles south of Pt.Pedro town.
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LTTE condemns Mannar anti-Muslim leaflet

[TamilNet, Sunday, 22 September 2002, 13:40 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers issued a statement Saturday condemning ‘disruptive forces’ behind a leaflet ordering Muslims to leave Mannar. The leaflet, issued surreptitiously in Mannar by a group called ‘Elalan Force’ last week, threatened that rivers of blood would flow if Muslim schools in the district do not shut down before end of September.
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Socioeconomic development will aid ethnic reconciliation - NECORD Director

[TamilNet, Sunday, 22 September 2002, 12:39 GMT]
"Trincomalee is one of the worst affected districts in the island due to the ethnic war. It is estimated that a minimum sum of ten billion rupees is required to resettle and rehabilitate the displaced population and to rebuild damaged and destroyed infrastructure," said the Project Director of the North East Community Restoration Development (NECORD), Mr.T.Lankaneson. He was addressing a seminar in Trincomalee Saturday, Organised by the Rotary Clubs of Colombo Mid-City and Trincomalee.
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Vanni MPs slam SLA for blocking resettlement

[TamilNet, Friday, 20 September 2002, 22:54 GMT]
"If Mannar and Vavuniya districts are to be developed the Sri Lanka armed forces have to vacate our homes, and agricultural lands. We are not asking for houses or buildings in Anuradhapura and Madawachchiya. We are only asking permission to go back to our homes, to the lands of our forefathers," said the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Vanni district parliamentarian Mr.Sivasakthi Anandan addressing a conference held Friday at the Mannar district secretariat on resettlement.
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SLMC leader returns from Thailand

[TamilNet, Friday, 20 September 2002, 22:53 GMT]
The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress leader Mr.Rauff Hakeem expressed optimism Friday that talks between the government and the LTTE would progress step by step. "In the first round of talks held at Thailand between the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE I was able to know the stand of the LTTE on the Muslim issue," said Minister Mr.Rauff Hakeem when he return to Colombo Friday night.
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China pledges to assist rebuilding north

[TamilNet, Friday, 20 September 2002, 16:40 GMT]
The Chinese government Friday promised that it would offer financial assistance to rebuild houses destroyed by war in the Jaffna district. "My government is developing a rehabilitation programme for implementation in the north," said Chinese ambassador in Colombo, Mr.Jiang Quizheng, addressing a conference at the Jaffna district secretariat Friday. The Ambassador during his visit to Jaffna inspected the Point Pedro jetty, which is in the high security zone of the Sri Lanka Army.
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Ratwatte assets to be scrutinised

[TamilNet, Friday, 20 September 2002, 16:35 GMT]
The Presidential Secretariat has forwarded a detailed report to the Commission for Bribery and Corruption detailing the assets of General Anurudha Ratwatte acquired during the period from 1997 to 2001 while he was a Minister in the then People’s Alliance (PA) government.
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Police arrest ten Point Pedro fishermen

[TamilNet, Friday, 20 September 2002, 15:40 GMT]
The Point Pedro Police in Jaffna district took ten Tamil fishermen for questioning Thursday in connection with the loss of a T-56 rifle belonged to a police constable.
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SLA discusses fishermen grievances

[TamilNet, Friday, 20 September 2002, 15:34 GMT]
The Sri Lanka Army Thursday held a discussion with representatives of Vadamarachchi fisheries societies regarding their grievances. The conference held at the headquarters of the 52-4 Brigade of the SLA. assurances were given at the conference that the SLA would take up the question with higher authorities to allow displaced Vadamarachchi fishermen now in LTTE held Vanni region to travel by sea in their boats for resettlement in their villages.
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Indian fishermen, trawlers released following talks

[TamilNet, Friday, 20 September 2002, 14:56 GMT]
One hundred and three Indian fishermen and their twenty five trawlers were released Friday morning and handed over to the Indian Navy following lengthy talks held Thursday night at Mannar, police sources said. The fishermen of Pesalai in Mannar district had detained them Wednesday night when they were caught illegally fishing in Sri Lanka territorial waters.
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LTTE committed to peace -Pathuman

[TamilNet, Friday, 20 September 2002, 02:51 GMT]
"We are firmly committed to peace. But keeping a strong, well trained military force is essential for achieving legitimate aspirations of the Tamils, said Pathuman addressing a gathering Thursday evening at Chenaiyoor Central College grounds south of the eastern port town of Trincomalee after taking salute at the passing out parade for new LTTE recruits.
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Chinese Ambassador meets Thamilchelvan

[TamilNet, Thursday, 19 September 2002, 23:00 GMT]
The Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Mr. Jiang Qinzheng, met the head of the Liberation Tigers’ Political Wing, Mr. S. P. Tamilchelvan Thursday, sources said. The discussions were held at the LTTE’s political headquarters in Kilinochchi.
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Soosai readies for road opening

[TamilNet, Thursday, 19 September 2002, 19:31 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers will push for immediate action to rehabilitate the Pt. Pedro-Maruthankerni Road on Jaffna’s southeastern coast and will promptly send teams to de-mine the blocked parts of the route, said Mr. Soosai, the commander of the Sea Tigers, addressing a gathering of more than 150 Sri Lankan government officials, representatives of local civil society groups, community leaders and local LTTE officials at the Maruthankerni Hindu School Thursday morning.
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Mannar fishermen seize poaching Indian trawlers

[TamilNet, Thursday, 19 September 2002, 06:39 GMT]
Fishermen in Mannar late Wednesday night seized 25 Indian trawlers and 111 Indian fishermen who were poaching in the seas off Talaimannar and Pesalai. The Mannar fishermen are refusing to release the Indians and their boats, sources said.
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SLA says no to IDP resettlement in Vavuniya north

[TamilNet, Thursday, 19 September 2002, 02:42 GMT]
A team comprising government officials, officers of the Sri Lanka Army, officials of Liberation Tigers and civilians Tuesday visited Iranai Illupaikulam and Kalmadu in the Vavuniya district to make an assessment for resettling of internally displaced persons and to recommence paddy cultivation in fields in the region abandoned due to military operations.
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UNP politician opens LTTE office

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 18 September 2002, 23:33 GMT]
The ruling United National Party organiser in Trincomalee and a former parliamentarian of the district, Mr. Sunil Shantha Ranaweera, unveiled the name board of the Tampalakamam political office of the Liberation Tigers during the opening ceremony this Wednesday. Tampalakamam is a traditional Tamil agricultural village in the district twenty-seven km northwest of Trincomalee town.
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ICRC releases half-year activity report

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 18 September 2002, 20:50 GMT]
"The government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam have not sought the assistance of the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) up to now in opening the A9 highway for twenty hours," said ICRC Information Officer Mr. William Sukumar Rockwood addressing a press conference held Wednesday evening in Trincomalee. "If such a request is made by both parties the ICRC will consider it," said Mr. Rockwood in reply to a question.
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Tigers demand 'substantial autonomy, self government'

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 18 September 2002, 17:56 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers said Wednesday that they are seeking “substantial autonomy and self government in the Tamil homeland and expressed optimism that a solution to Sri Lanka’s ethnic conflict could be worked out by negotiation. Addressing a press conference in Sittahip, Thailand, after the first round of direct Norwegian facilitated talks with the Sri Lankan government, the Chief Negotiator of the LTTE, Mr. Anton Balasingham said the LTTE would only seek an independent state “as a last resort” if the Tamil demand for “regional autonomy is rejected and conditions of oppression continue.”
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Preliminary steps towards interim administration agreed

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 18 September 2002, 17:53 GMT]
Preliminary steps towards an interim administration for the Tamil areas of the island were agreed as part of the first direct Norwegian facilitated talks between the Liberation Tigers and the Sri Lankan government, the chief negotiators of both sides told a press conference in Sittahip, Thailand Wednesday.
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Norway hails promising start, practical steps

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 18 September 2002, 11:33 GMT]
Wrapping up the first round of direct talks between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers in seven years, the Norwegian government, acting as facilitator said Wednesday that three future rounds have been scheduled. In a statement, Norway also said two joint committees comprising LTTE and Sri Lankan officials are to be established – one to entrench the permanent ceasefire signed in February and the other to implement humanitarian and reconstruction activities.
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Stable cease-fire between armies of GOSL, LTTE must for peace- Balasingham

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 18 September 2002, 09:18 GMT]
Addressing a press conference at the Sattahip naval base in Thailand Wednesday after the conclusion of the three-day peace talks between the government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) and the Liberation Tigers, the head of the LTTE’s team, Mr. Anton Balasingham said that a stable cease-fire between the standing armies and naval forces of the LTTE and the GOSL is important for laying a firm foundation for peace. “The LTTE is very happy with the proceedings and we have taken a few decisions,” he said.
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Resettled families lack basic facilities

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 17 September 2002, 18:22 GMT]
Hundreds of displaced families resettled in Mandaitivu village in Jaffna district lack even the most basic facilities, humanitarian agency sources said. Since the houses of many of these families were either completely destroyed or badly damaged during military operations, the resettled families are forced to live in temporary huts in public land.
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SLA restores Anagarika’s propaganda vehicle

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 17 September 2002, 15:02 GMT]
The Sri Lanka army said Tuesday that soldiers of its Electrical and Mechanical Engineer Regiment (SLEME) restored the propaganda vehicle used by the Sinhala Buddhist revivalist and nationalist, Anagarika Dharmapala, to “its pristine glory” upon a request by Buddhist clergy. Many Sri Lankan social historians say that Anagarika Dharmapala was the main architect of militant Sinhala Buddhism in Sri Lanka, of the idea that the Singhalese are the only rightful owners of the whole island.
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NE local government polls postponed

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 17 September 2002, 14:57 GMT]
The Commissioner of Elections Tuesday announced that the local government polls in the Northeast province scheduled for 25 September has been postponed for the second time in a year. According to the notification issued by the Commissioner Mr.Dayananda Dissanayake Tuesday, the elections to Northeast local authorities will be held on 25 June, 2003.
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UN, US, EU hail Thailand talks

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 17 September 2002, 09:57 GMT]
On the eve of the first peace talks between the Liberation Tigers and the Sri Lankan government, the United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan welcomed the negotiations, saying the United Nations might play a bigger part in the peace process. Meanwhile, the US, welcoming the negotiations, said it would review its ban on the LTTE depending on the progress of the talks.
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Islanders complain navy harassment

[TamilNet, Monday, 16 September 2002, 22:16 GMT]
The Island Peoples’ Welfare Society (IPWS) Monday complained to the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission and Human Right Commission in Jaffna district that people living in islets are once again subjected to severe checking and harassment at the hands naval personnel stationed at Allaipitty and Ponnalai SLN camps. The SLN camps at Allaipitty and Ponnalai have re-introduced stringent checking earlier withdrawn with the signing of a cease-fire agreement between the United National Front government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, society sources said.
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SLFP to oppose nineteenth amendment

[TamilNet, Monday, 16 September 2002, 22:10 GMT]
Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), the main constituent of the chief opposition People’s Alliance (PA) Monday decided to oppose the nineteenth constitutional amendment brought by the United National Front (UNF) government to restrict the presidential powers in dissolving the parliament. "Disciplinary action will be taken against SLFP parliamentarians who speak in favour of nineteenth amendment to the constitution," said former Minister Mangala Samaraweera, parliamentary whip of the SLFP Monday in a press release.
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Norway urges funds for peace building

[TamilNet, Monday, 16 September 2002, 09:24 GMT]
Addressing the opening session of the first round of formal peace talks between the Liberation Tigers and the Government of Sri Lanka Monday, Mr. Vidar Helgesen, State Secretary, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reiterated the need for tangible financial support from the international community to make peace a reality in the daily lives of people.
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Can't wish away suspicion, antipathy overnight - G. L

[TamilNet, Monday, 16 September 2002, 06:46 GMT]
"A reservoir of suspicion and antipathy, which has filled to the brim over extended periods, can scarcely be wished away overnight," said Prof G. L Peiris, head of the Sri Lankan government delegation, addressing the inaugural session of the peace talks between the Liberation Tigers and the Government of Sri Lanka in the Thai naval base Sattahip Monday.
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'We are optimistic' - Balasingham

[TamilNet, Monday, 16 September 2002, 06:17 GMT]
Addressing the opening ceremony of the first round of formal talks between the Liberation Tigers and the Government of Sri Lanka in Thailand Monday, Mr. Anton Balasingham, the political advisor of the LTTE said "We are optimistic that the peace talks will succeed because Mr. Velupillai Pirapaharan, the leader of the LTTE and Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, have genuine will and firm determination to resolve the conflict through the process of dialogue."
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SLA opens Chavakachcheri-Kachchai road

[TamilNet, Monday, 16 September 2002, 00:21 GMT]
The Chavakachcheri- Kachchai road in Jaffna district was opened Sunday morning after a period of six years. Priests, leading citizens and members of public attended the function held in connection with the opening of the road. The road was closed for public from 1996 by the SLA due to military operations in Thenmaradchi sector of Jaffna peninsula by the Sri Lanka Army.
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NE observes Lt. Col.Thileepan death anniversary

[TamilNet, Sunday, 15 September 2002, 23:52 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam Sunday commenced commemorating the fifteenth death anniversary of one of its senior commander Lt.Colonel Thileepan throughout the Tamil dominated northeastern province including Sri Lanka Army held areas for the first time. Lt.Col.Thileepan started his fast unto death agitation fifteen years ago on 15th September, 1987 putting forward five demands to be implemented following the signing of Indo-Sri Lanka agreement in a bid to solve the country's ethnic conflict.
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Police hand in Murunkan robberies alleged

[TamilNet, Sunday, 15 September 2002, 17:18 GMT]
The Mannar magistrate Sunday remanded a Police constable accused of robbing a shop in the Murunkan town. The PC was caught by the townspeople Saturday night around 8.30 p.m. while robbing a grocery. A tense standoff developed late Saturday night between the townspeople who had tied up the PC and more than 300 Police who had surrounded them, demanding the robber’s release. Murunkan residents and traders allege that the Police have been regularly robbing shops in the town for more than three years with impunity.
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Mankerni residents tell SLA to stop harassment

[TamilNet, Sunday, 15 September 2002, 17:15 GMT]
Residents of Mankerni, 47, kilometres north of Batticaloa, said Sunday that the Sri Lanka army should move out its camp from the centre of village and stop harassing them. The village school, the local Roman Catholic Church, nursery, the village library, three shops, ten homes and a privately owned coconut estate are inside the SLA camp in Mankerni.
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Historic peace talks to begin in Thailand

[TamilNet, Sunday, 15 September 2002, 15:18 GMT]
The first face-to-face meeting between the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) and The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) peace delegates is scheduled to take place at Ambassador City Jomtien Hotel, in the Sattahip Naval Base at Chonburi Province in Thailand at 3.00 pm tomorrow. This will be preceded by an opening ceremony at 10.30 am presided by Thailand Permanent Secretary Mr. Tei Bunnang. More than 200 reporters from world media are expected to cover the event.
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Resettling IDPs in Vavuniya discussed

[TamilNet, Saturday, 14 September 2002, 20:16 GMT]
The Defence Secretary said Saturday that immediate resettlement of displaced families in areas close to high security zone in Vavuniya district is impossible. However, at the request of Defence Secretary Mr. Austin Fernando, it was agreed at the conference held Saturday at Vavuniya district secretariat that a committee comprising government and security officials and Liberation Tigers leaders should submit a report regarding resettlement within two weeks, after visiting the areas.
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Mannar farmers plight spotlighted

[TamilNet, Saturday, 14 September 2002, 18:31 GMT]
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Saturday brought to the notice of the United National Front government the urgent need to repair the major Giant Tank in Mannar district, which irrigates more than twenty five thousand acres of paddy land.
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Government peace delegation leaves Colombo

[TamilNet, Saturday, 14 September 2002, 16:49 GMT]
The four-member Sri Lankan government peace delegation left Colombo Saturday morning. The delegation comprises Ministers Messrs G.L.Peiris, Milinda Morogoda and Rauff Hakeem and Peace Secretariat Secretary General Mr.Bernard Gunatilake.
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Anti War Rally to be held in Colombo

[TamilNet, Saturday, 14 September 2002, 10:37 GMT]
The National Anti-War Front (NAWF) Saturday announced that it would hold a mass rally and prayer meeting in Colombo on September 16 to invoke blessings for the historic peace talks at Thailand. "The people of Sri Lanka has been offered a new opportunity to end the twenty year old brutal war through negotiation," said the NAWF in a special message issued Saturday.
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SL Navy restricts fishing in Manalkaadu

[TamilNet, Friday, 13 September 2002, 21:12 GMT]
The Sri Lanka Navy has re-imposed draconian restrictions on fishing in the Manalkaadu area on Jaffna's southeastern coast from Thursday, fishermen from the region said. They were also ordered by the SLN to obtain special identity cards and permits for setting out to sea. "The SLN has no legal grounds for imposing restrictions on fishing in this manner," said Mr. M. K Sivajilingam, Tamil National Alliance MP for Jaffna.
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SLA arrests another Pt. Pedro fisherman

[TamilNet, Friday, 13 September 2002, 21:09 GMT]
The Sri Lanka army arrested a fisherman in Pt. Pedro Friday night around 9. 30 p.m. sources said. Ponnuchchami Jeyartnam, 59, was at the Munai beach near Pt. Pedro town when soldiers from the 52-4 Brigade took him into custody. Human rights lawyers said the situation is serious because the Sri Lanka army, which has no legal power whatsoever to make arrests after the Emergency lapsed last year, is continuing to take civilians into custody in Pt. Pedro.
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Decision on NE local polls next week

[TamilNet, Friday, 13 September 2002, 20:53 GMT]
The Commissioner of Elections, Mr.Dayananda Dissanayake said Friday that he will announce on September 18th his final decision on holding polls to the local authorities in the northeast province scheduled for September 25. The Commissioner had met with Assistant Returning Officers from the NorthEast at his office earlier on Friday.
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Prime Minister leaves to US

[TamilNet, Friday, 13 September 2002, 20:50 GMT]
Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe Friday left for United States of America on an official visit. "The main purpose of his visit is to brief world leaders on the ongoing peace process and seek more foreign investment," said Cabinet spokesman Minister Mr. G.L.Peiris at press briefing Friday.
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Constitutional amendment in parliament on September 19

[TamilNet, Friday, 13 September 2002, 20:46 GMT]
The United National Front government Friday said it would table the nineteenth constitutional amendment bill in parliament on September 19. "The debate on the bill which was gazetted last Wednesday midnight will take place in parliament during the second week of October," Constitutional Affairs Minister Professor G.L.Peiris said Friday at a press briefing.
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Cholera warning in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Friday, 13 September 2002, 06:35 GMT]
Health officials have warned local authorities and travellers to Jaffna to beware of a possible outbreak of cholera following the death of one and the detection of two confirmed cases in Jaffna, state media reported Friday.
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SLA meets LTTE’s Northern Forces Commander

[TamilNet, Thursday, 12 September 2002, 17:08 GMT]
(Adds: Photo) The commander of the Northern Front Forces of the Liberation Tigers, Col. Theepan, had discussions with the commander of the Sri Lankan security forces in Jaffna, Major. Gen. Sarath Fonseka, Thursday evening to discuss the opening of the Pt. Pedro – Maruthankerni Road on Jaffna’s east coast and the positioning of Forward Defence Localities in the Nagar Kovil sector.
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Fishermen complain army harassment

[TamilNet, Thursday, 12 September 2002, 17:04 GMT]
The Vadamarachchi Fisheries Co-operatives Federation Thursday complained to the Human Rights Commission (HRC) in Jaffna that the Sri Lanka Army is falsely implicating fishermen in the area in connection with incidents that took place during student's agitation on September 2 in Point Pedro town. The complaint was lodged following the third arrest of a fisherman by the Police Thursday.
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Police harass journalist for reporting torture

[TamilNet, Thursday, 12 September 2002, 16:59 GMT]
Reporters Without Borders (Reporters Sans Frontières) called on the Sri Lankan government Thursday to swiftly investigate and punish those responsible for the harassment of a journalist who reported the alleged torture in custody of a woman by police officers in the north-western town of Wariyapola.
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19th constitutional amendment gazetted

[TamilNet, Thursday, 12 September 2002, 05:22 GMT]
The United National Front government Wednesday midnight gazetted its nineteenth constitutional amendment, restricting the powers of the Executive President in dissolving parliament after the completion of one year of its existence. The gazette notification was issued after Cabinet approved the draft bill of the 19th amendment last night, ruling party sources said.
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STF assaults resettlement program masons

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 11 September 2002, 18:19 GMT]
Six masons working on a World Bank funded resettlement project in Saakamam, an interior Tamil village on Sri Lanka’s southeastern coast, were assaulted by commandos of the elite Special Task Force, a village official said Wednesday. Work on the site has been halted because the masons are scared to go back to Saakamam, said C. V. P Manikkam, the President of the Rural Development Society of the area.
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Police intimidating sexually tortured woman – AI

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 11 September 2002, 18:18 GMT]
Amnesty International made an urgent appeal to the Sri Lankan government Wednesday urging it to prevent Police officers on trial for sexually torturing a woman in their custody from intimidating her, her family, her lawyer and a human rights defender who has been involved with her case.
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Nimalarajan murder case suspects allowed bail

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 11 September 2002, 18:16 GMT]
The Vavuniya High Court Wednesday allowed the bail applications submitted on behalf of two vital suspects in the Jaffna journalist Mylvaganam Nimalarajan murder case. The High Court Judge Mr.A. N.Ramachandran overruled the objections raised by the counsel for the deceased and allowed bail for the suspects Michael Collin David and Palanichamy Visvan with two persons as sureties on a bond of one hundred thousand rupees each.
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TNA urges PM to put off NE local polls

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 11 September 2002, 16:00 GMT]
The Tamil National Alliance Wednesday urged Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to postpone elections to local government bodies in the northeast scheduled to be held on 25 September. The polls were postponed in March this year upon a request by the TNA that the situation was not conducive at the time. The Elections Commission said last week that the polls to the local authorities will have to be held as scheduled unless the law is amended.
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19th amendment will strengthen parliament- PM

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 11 September 2002, 15:52 GMT]
Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe Wednesday said that the nineteenth constitutional amendment has the sole objective of strengthening parliament and not to curtail powers of any individual. "The nineteenth amendment will be passed in parliament before the presentation of 2003 budget," said Mr.Wickremasinghe addressing the government parliamentary group meeting Wednesday at the parliamentary complex.
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Protest against privatisation in Colombo

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 10 September 2002, 19:44 GMT]
Hundreds of workers of state runs banks and the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation demonstrated Tuesday in downtown Colombo against the United National Front government's plans to privatise the institutions. The demonstration was organised by Ceylon Bank Workers'Union and Sri Lanka insurance Corporation workers Union.
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Murunkan protestors demand share in peace dividend

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 10 September 2002, 19:41 GMT]
More than five hundred farmers, traders and community leaders demonstrated in Murunkan in Mannar Tuesday demanding the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) to deliver on its promise to start rehabilitation and reconstruction in the area following the ceasefire. Sri Lankan government officials in Mannar said that the Minister for Rehabilitation and Reconstruction had allocated 208 million rupees for the purpose but the Treasury had no money to give.
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Tigers mourn death of senior commander

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 10 September 2002, 18:36 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers in Jaffna Tuesday mourned the death of one of their most senior commanders. The northern town was lined with red and yellow pennants as the dead LTTE commander’s remains were taken to the Jaffna Hindu College where a meeting in homage was held Tuesday afternoon. Col. Raju (Kuyilan), who had served as the special commander of the LTTE’s elite Leopard Commandos and had played a key role in developing the Tigers’ artillery division, died on 25 August due to a terminal ailment, Tiger officials in Jaffna said.
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SLA arrests two civilians in Point Pedro

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 10 September 2002, 18:08 GMT]
Soldiers of the Sri Lanka army Tuesday arrested the president of a fisheries co-operative society in Pt. Pedro and a local fisherman for allegedly causing damage to properties belonging to the military during a protest last week by students and parents in the northern town . “The arrests are in clear violation of the ceasefire agreement between the Liberation Tigers and the Sri Lankan government and hence a very alarming development”, a lawyer in Pt. Pedro said.
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Army strength not reduced – Defence Minister

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 10 September 2002, 13:08 GMT]
Sri Lanka's Defence Minister said Tuesday that the Army camps removed from areas in the northeast province under the ceasefire agreement with the Liberation Tigers have been relocated close to their original locations and denied the number of soldiers deployed in Tamil areas had been reduced.
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SLA builds new camp in Mirusuvil

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 10 September 2002, 13:05 GMT]
The Sri Lanka army is building a new camp behind the Mirusuvil hospital, according to residents in the war-scarred town east of Chavakachcheri in Jaffna. The site for the camp is situated along the northern and southern boundaries of the hospital, encompassing lands and homes belonging to the townspeople.
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Confrontational politics bane of Sri Lanka – Ranil

[TamilNet, Monday, 09 September 2002, 19:17 GMT]
"The main reason for the present crisis in Sri Lanka is due to the confrontational politics between the two major political groups in the south," said Prime Minister Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe addressing a mammoth rally held Monday evening at Colombo Town Hall. "Both parties to the conflict should participate in the peace talks scheduled to begin in Thailand next week between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam with full confidence," said the Prime Minister Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe.
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Hartley, Methodist re-open amid unease

[TamilNet, Monday, 09 September 2002, 19:13 GMT]
Student turn out was very low when the Sri Lanka army permitted the reopening of Hartley College and Pt. Pedro Methodist Girls High School in Jaffna Monday amid tensions, teachers said. The two schools were shut down by the SLA last week when students and parents, who were protesting against the military, urging it to remove its bunkers and defence positions around the two schools, stormed the checkpoints and demolished some.
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Saththurukkondaan massacre remembered

[TamilNet, Monday, 09 September 2002, 16:59 GMT]
The twelfth annual remembrance of the Saththurukkondaan massacre was observed Monday at Panichchaiyadi junction near Batticaloa town Monday. Sri Lanka army soldiers and Muslim home guards murdered 186 Tamils, mostly women and children, in the villages of Saththurukkondaan, Panichchaiyadi, Kokkuvil and Pillaiyaradi on the northern outskirts of Batticaloa town on 9 September 1990. A memorial for the victims was unveiled near the scene of the massacre.
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Justice officials inspect destroyed Jaffna courthouses

[TamilNet, Monday, 09 September 2002, 16:34 GMT]
Officials from Sri Lanka's Judicial Service Commission (JSC) headed by its secretary paid a two day visit to Jaffna peninsula inspecting court houses destroyed in the heavy fighting which raged in the northern peninsula in the past. JSC Secretary Mr. S. W. Jayatilake Monday inspected the Point Pedro magistrate court building, which is presently occupied by the Sri Lanka Army.
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Colombo gets ready for 'People's Power' rally

[TamilNet, Sunday, 08 September 2002, 20:22 GMT]
Colombo city has been put on security alert from Sunday night, with more than ten thousand police personnel manning various strategic points, as thousands of supporters the United National Front (UNF) government started arriving to attend a mammoth rally scheduled to be held Monday evening. The UNF government organised this campaign to show its strength and support of the masses for its peace efforts, ruling party sources said.
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Help displaced obtain documents, government told

[TamilNet, Sunday, 08 September 2002, 20:20 GMT]
The government should take immediate steps to address the needs of the displaced people of the northeast, a conference was told Saturday. Displaced people in the Northeast face several problems in obtaining government assistance as they do not possess vital documents, said Mr. Mr. C.V.Vigneswaran, Supreme Court Judge, speaking at the tenth anniversary celebrations of the Legal Aid Foundation. The authorities should take immediate steps to attend these shortcomings and make life of the displaced similar to that of others who enjoy the benefits provided by the State, he added.
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Point Pedro high security zone to remain

[TamilNet, Saturday, 07 September 2002, 22:58 GMT]
The Sri Lanka's Defence Secretary said Saturday that Point Pedro Hartley College and Methodist Girls High School in Jaffna district are within in the high security zone, which encompasses the harbour, courthouse, rest house and some other public offices. The roads leading to these schools will not be opened to the public, he said.
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Rebuilding Mutur farmer economy stressed

[TamilNet, Saturday, 07 September 2002, 22:54 GMT]
Paddy production in Mutur must be rebuilt, those gathered at the opening of a seed-cleaning centre at Killiveddy, south of Trincomalee, was told Saturday. "Paddy production in the Mutur area, which was once considered a granary of the Trincomalee district was badly affected due to the war as most of the farming families had been displaced, lost their homes and had properties destroyed," said Mr. Rasalingam Thiagalingam, Secretary to North East Provincial Ministry of Lands and Agriculture addressing a gathering, which followed the opening.
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Sixth Amendment threat looms over peace talks

[TamilNet, Friday, 06 September 2002, 19:08 GMT]
(Newsfeature) President Chandrika Kumaratunga’s People’s Alliance and the Sinhala nationalist Janata Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) vowed Friday to fight the United National Front government for lifting of the ban on the Liberation Tigers. The spokesman for the People’s Alliance Dr. Sarath Amunugama said the party will take legal action and start mass protests against the de-proscription. He was addressing a press conference at the opposition leader’s office in Colombo Friday.
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Mines, apathy balk temple zone re-settlers

[TamilNet, Friday, 06 September 2002, 19:02 GMT]
Hundreds of families that were driven out of the environs of the historic Thiruketheeswaram temple in Mannar twelve years ago by Sri Lanka army operations are unable to go back to their villages because their paddy fields are mined and homes have been razed to the ground, rehabilitation officials in the district said.
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Special prayers in Trincomalee supporting peace talks

[TamilNet, Friday, 06 September 2002, 19:00 GMT]
Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists and Christians in Trincomalee district Friday prayed for the success of peace at special ceremonies held at their respective places of worship. Tamil National Alliance parliamentary group leader Mr.R.Sampanthan and TNA national list parliamentarian Mr.K.Thurairetnasingham attended prayers at the historic Koneswaram Temple, Jamaliya Mosque and Uppuveli Buddhist Vihare Friday. Trincomalee district UNF parliamentarian Mr.M.A.M.Maharoof attended the special prayer held at Jamaliya Mosque along with TNA parliamentarians.
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PA to oppose 19th constitutional amendment

[TamilNet, Friday, 06 September 2002, 18:54 GMT]
The parliamentry group of the Sri Lanka’s main opposition People’s Alliance (PA) Friday decided to oppose the nineteenth constitutional amendment which is to be moved by the United National Front government, restricting the presidential powers to dissolve parliament. However, two leading PA parliamentarians and former ministers Mr.A.H.M.Fowzie and Mr. Richard Pathirana were the notable absentees at the meeting, party sources said.
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Black September remembrance in Batticaloa university

[TamilNet, Thursday, 05 September 2002, 21:53 GMT]
Batticaloa marked the beginning of Black September Thursday with a largely attended function at the Eastern University in Vantharumoolai on the 12th anniversary of the massacre of 174 refugees who had sought asylum on the campus during Sri Lanka army operations in the area in 1990.
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Hartley and Methodist Girls reopen

[TamilNet, Thursday, 05 September 2002, 21:28 GMT]
The Sri Lanka Army Thursday agreed to allow Hartley College and Vadamarachchi Methodist Girls High School in Point Pedro to reopen starting from Monday September 9. "These schools were shut down to enable the SLA to rebuild and strengthen the sentry and check points which were damaged by students during the agitation Monday. We have now strengthened our positions around these schools," Jaffna district SLA area commander Major General Sarath Fonseka said at a conference held Thursday at the Vadamaradchi Methodist Girls High School.
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TNA tells Chandrika to shun JVP

[TamilNet, Thursday, 05 September 2002, 19:28 GMT]
The Tamil National Alliance Thursday said that President Chandrika Kumaratunge should not take any decisions regarding the peace process on the guidance of the Janata Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP).”Instead it is essential for her to take decisions in the interests of the country and of finding a permanent and just solution to the ethnic conflict,” said Mr.R.Sampanthan, leader of the TNA parliamentary group in a statement issued Thursday, welcoming the de-proscription of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.
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SC holds Vavuniya pass system violates FR

[TamilNet, Thursday, 05 September 2002, 19:16 GMT]
Sri Lanka's Supreme Court held Thursday that the security pass system in Vavuniya under thePeoples Alliance government was a violation of the fundamental rights of citizens. Residents and visitors had to obtain special security permits to to live, stay or travel outside Vavuniya and Mannar. The system was abolished after the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers signed a ceasefire agreement in February this year.
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Sri Lanka's Defence Minister de-proscribes LTTE

[TamilNet, Thursday, 05 September 2002, 06:49 GMT]
The ban on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam imposed in Sri Lanka has been lifted with effect from Wednesday midnight, the State run Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) reported in its news bulletin Thursday morning. The Defence Minister, however, has the power to re-impose the ban, the radio said.
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Govt. to announce de-proscription

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 04 September 2002, 16:23 GMT]
A Gazette notification regarding removal of ban on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in Sri Lanka will be issued tonight, government sources said. The de-proscription comes 10 days ahead of the commencement of peace talks between the government and the LTTE in Thailand.
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Hakeem and Balasingham meet in London

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 03 September 2002, 15:40 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers' chief negotiator, Mr. Anton Balasingham, and the leader of the Sri Lankan Muslim Congress, Minister Rauf Hakeem, met Tuesday for two hours in London, a press release by the Norwegian government said. It was agreed that Mr. Hakeem will join the Sri Lankan government delegation in the first round of peace talks, the statement said. The "constructive and cordial" meeting, which Norwegian facilitator Erik Solheim also attended, was held at the residence of Oslo's ambassador to UK.
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Gazette notification on 19th amendment postponed

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 03 September 2002, 15:26 GMT]
The United National Front government Tuesday decided to postpone the gazette notification on the nineteenth constitutional amendment until Friday to give time for President Chandrika Kumaratunge to submit her response, Prime Minister office sources said.
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General shut down as military closes Point Pedro schools

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 03 September 2002, 15:18 GMT]
(Adds: Photos) A complete 'hartal' (general shut down) was observed in Point Pedro and Manthikai areas in the Jaffna peninsula Tuesday in response to a call by the Jaffna Journalists' Association condemning the assault of two journalists and students during the picketing campaign held Monday. All shops and schools were closed down and black flags were hoisted. The military ordered the indefinite closure of Hartley College and Vadamarachchi Methodist Girls High School whose students were involved in Monday’s protests.
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PA opposes 19th amendment, demands talks agenda

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 03 September 2002, 15:08 GMT]
Sri Lanka’s main opposition People's Alliance Tuesday demanded that the agenda of the proposed direct talks between the government and the Liberation Tigers should be made public before the commencement of such talks in Thailand. Mr.Mahinda Rajapakse, Leader of the Opposition told a press conference that the PA had already decided to oppose the proposed 19th amendment to the constitution restricting Presidential powers related to dissolving parliament.
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Sinhala nationalists protest in Colombo

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 03 September 2002, 14:27 GMT]
Thousands of Sinhla nationalists, including hundreds of Buddhist monks took to streets in Capital Colombo, Tuesday, protesting against the government's decision to lift the ban on Liberation Tigers. The protestors were blocked by police as they attempted to march towards the Prime Minister's office.
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Court to hear Mylanthanai massacre case

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 03 September 2002, 14:15 GMT]
The Colombo High Court Tuesday fixed September 30 as the date for inquiry into the Mylanthanai massacre case before a panel of Jury. In this case the Attorney General had indicted twenty-one soldiers of the Sri Lanka Army for killing thirty-five Tamil civilians and causing injuries to twenty-four others, court sources said.
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UNF said to have power to de-proscribe

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 03 September 2002, 09:52 GMT]
A leading legal luminary has said that the Defence Minister in the United National Front (UNF) government has the authority to issue gazette notification announcing the de-proscription of the ban on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. "Once the ban on LTTE is lifted the President absolutely has no right to change that decision," said President Counsel Mr. Desmond Fernando referring to the constitutional conflict that has arisen following the President's remarks that she would oppose de-proscription.
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Monks urge President to block de-proscription

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 03 September 2002, 09:48 GMT]
A deputation of the National Bhikku Front (Jathika Maha Sangha Sammelanaya) Monday night requested President Chandrika Kumaratunge to take control of the Defence Ministry and to use her executive powers to prevent the de-proscription of the LTTE and setting up of an interim administration in the Northeast Province.
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PA parliamentarian for ban removal before talks

[TamilNet, Monday, 02 September 2002, 18:11 GMT]
A leading People’s Alliance parliamentarian Monday openly said that the ban on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam should be lifted before the commencement of Thailand peace talks on September 16. " All peace efforts taken by the United National Front government will be ruined if the ban on the LTTE is not removed before the commencement of Thailand talks," said Mr.A.H.M.Fowzie, a senior minister in the then PA government and a leading member of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party.
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General Ratwatte investigation moves to Kandy

[TamilNet, Monday, 02 September 2002, 18:05 GMT]
The Criminal Investigation Department Monday began investigations against former deputy defence minister General Ratwatte's financial transaction in Kandy following fresh leads. The Kandy Magistrate Mr.N.Seneviratne Monday allowed an application submitted by the CID to examine some safety vaults rented by General Ratwatte and his wife in a private bank located at Katugastota in the hill capital, legal sources said.
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Jaffna students storm SLA positions

[TamilNet, Monday, 02 September 2002, 14:15 GMT]
(News Feature) Over two thousand protesting Tamil students Monday forced their way into Sri Lanka Army positions and camps in Point Pedro in the northern Jaffna peninsula, destroying barriers, sentry points and checkpoints. Students demanding the withdrawal of troops from public places also blocked the main entrance of the SLA's 52-4 Brigade headquarters. Troops fired tear gars and live rounds and assaulted students, journalists and local officials of the Liberation Tigers' political wing who intervened.
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Batti TEEDOR launches Book

[TamilNet, Monday, 02 September 2002, 08:51 GMT]
"Our National Leader's objective is not to prolong the long, devastating war. His primary focus is in obtaining a lasting peace through negotiations that allows our people to live free and with dignity," said Ramesh, the Special Military commander of LTTE for Batti-Ampara district at a book launching ceremony organised by the TEEDOR (Tamil Eelam Economic Development Organisation).
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Civilians to picket against army presence

[TamilNet, Sunday, 01 September 2002, 21:19 GMT]
The Vadamaradchi People's Movement (VPM) Sunday announced that a mass picketing campaign blocking three supply routes to the Sri Lanka Army's 524 Brigade Headquarters in Point Pedro town would be launched Monday demanding the withdrawal of armed forces from areas encompassing court house, post office, schools, rest house, places of worship and several civilian homes.
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Chandrika slams UNF government 'without vision'

[TamilNet, Sunday, 01 September 2002, 18:32 GMT]
"The United National Front government has no vision nor ability to rule the country," said President Chandrika Kumaratunge Sunday evening at Bogambara grounds, Kandy in the Central province. The President was addressing a large gathering at the fifty first convention of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) which was founded by her father, late Premier S.W.R.D.Bandaranaike in 1951.
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President lays conditions for de-proscription, interim administration

[TamilNet, Sunday, 01 September 2002, 12:25 GMT]
President Chandrika Kumaratunge has announced her stand on the removal of ban on the Liberation Tigers in Sri Lanka and setting up of an interim administration in the northeast province. "I will oppose de-proscribing the LTTE before the commencement of direct peace talks. I will also oppose the setting up of interim administration in the northeast before reaching an agreement with the LTTE by the government on the core issues related to the conflict," said the President when addressing a gathering, according to a press release issued by the Presidential Secretariat Sunday.
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PM Secretary meets Thamilchelvan

[TamilNet, Sunday, 01 September 2002, 12:22 GMT]
Prime Minister's secretary and advisor Bradman Weerakone met the head of the Liberation Tigers' political section, S.P. Thamilchelvan at the Political Head Office in Kilinochchi at 10 am Sunday. Mr. Weerakone who arrived in Jaffna Saturday morning, travelled to Vanni by land.
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EPDP controlled PS building damaged

[TamilNet, Sunday, 01 September 2002, 12:19 GMT]
The new building of the Karaveddy Southwest Pradeshya Sabah (local authority) built at a cost of nine million rupees was damaged by unidentified persons Saturday night, police sources in Jaffna said. The Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP) controls the Karaveddy Southwest PS administration. The ceremonial opening of the office is scheduled for Monday with the participation of UNF senior Minister Dr.Jayalath Jayawardene and EPDP Secretary General and Jaffna district parliamentarian Mr. Douglas Devananda, EPDP sources said.
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SLFP opposes 19th amendment

[TamilNet, Sunday, 01 September 2002, 12:16 GMT]
The central working committee of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), the main constituent of the main opposition People's Alliance (PA) Saturday night decided to oppose the proposed nineteenth constitutional amendment restricting the Presidential powers to dissolve parliament.
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