Hakim seeks impartial inquiry into Muslim fisherman's death

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 31 December 2002, 18:46 GMT]
The leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) and Minister Mr.Rauff Hakim Tuesday requested the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) and the officials of the Sri Lanka navy (SLN) to conduct an impartial inquiry into the Mutur incident where Muslim fisherman Yakub Javed died when a SLN craft rammed a plastic fishing boat Tuesday early morning, sources said.
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Film release celebrates Sea Tigers' tenth anniversary

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 31 December 2002, 17:43 GMT]
“Nitharsanam” TV unit of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Tuesday released the film “ Kadaloorakatru” (A wind along the coast) produced after the ceasefire agreement between the government and LTTE came into force, simultaneously in six districts in the northeast province celebrating the tenth anniversary of Sea Tigers, sources said.
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Commercial Bank opens branch in Batticaloa

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 31 December 2002, 16:55 GMT]
"The climate of peace the past year has seen economy growing at a commendable rate. Buisness environment in the North East region is becoming more conducive for setting up private enterprises. We are keen to expand our branches in the North East," said Mahendra Amarasuriya, President of Commercial Bank, while opening a branch in Batticaloa yesterday.
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Fisherman dies as navy rams boat

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 31 December 2002, 14:32 GMT]
A Muslim fisherman was killed and another seriously wounded when a Sri Lanka Navy craft rammed their fishing boat near Mutur jetty, south of Trincomalee, Tuesday morning. "The navy rammed our plastic boat deliberately, destroying it," the wounded fisherman, Mr.Razik, of Thaha Nagar now warded in the Mutur hospital told journalists.
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HSZ issue draws Sri Lanka government team to Jaffna

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 31 December 2002, 13:37 GMT]
A high level team of Sri Lanka government officials led by Minister Mr.Milinda Morogoda Tuesday flew to Jaffna to hold crucial discussions regarding the dispute that has arisen between the hierarchy of the Sri Lanka Army and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on the question of resettling displaced families in villages of the high security zone (HSZ), sources said.
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NE Tamil festival concludes with awards to Tamil scholars

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 31 December 2002, 08:19 GMT]
The three-day Tamil Literary Festival of the North East provincial Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs concluded Monday evening with conferring of Governor's Awards to eight Tamil scholars and Literary Awards to seventeen Tamil authors.
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NE official applauds women's contribution to struggle

[TamilNet, Monday, 30 December 2002, 23:30 GMT]
"Tamil leadership is currently engaged in political negotiations from a position of strength. Tamil women's contribution to all aspects of our struggle is equal to those from our men", said Mr.S.Rangaraja, Chief Secretary of the Tamil dominated North East Provincial Council (NEPC), addressing as the chief guest on the second day Sunday evening session of the Provincial Tamil Literary Festival held in Trincomalee.
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President meets JVP to discuss security

[TamilNet, Monday, 30 December 2002, 19:25 GMT]
Sri Lanka's President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge met with a group of JVP members led by Wimal Weerawansa, the party's propaganda secretary, and held a lengthy discussion at the presidential secretariat today, sources said.
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Parliamentary debate on Oslo talks scheduled

[TamilNet, Monday, 30 December 2002, 17:20 GMT]
The parliamentarians of the ruling United National Front (UNF) government in a meeting held today agreed to a demand by the opposition leader Mr. Mahinda Rajapakse to hold a parliamentary debate on the peace talks held in Oslo between the LTTE and the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL), and the debate will be held on January 14 at 9 pm, UNF sources said.
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Ponnalai IDPs picket demanding resettlement

[TamilNet, Monday, 30 December 2002, 17:04 GMT]
Several hundred internally displaced people from Ponnalai in Jaffna district Monday launched a protest campaign picketing in front of the office of the Chankanai Divisional Secretariat (DS), demanding that they should be allowed to resettle in their lands, sources said.
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Security forces tighten control over Nedunthivu

[TamilNet, Monday, 30 December 2002, 16:50 GMT]
Sri Lanka police have taken steps to set up camps in government buildings in Nedunthivu, an islet in Jaffna district, while the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) increased its control over the civilian movement to the village by sea, sources said.
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Staff shortage cripples NE universities - Tamil Don

[TamilNet, Sunday, 29 December 2002, 17:33 GMT]
"Shortage of academic and non-academic staff in Universities in the northeast province has a crippling effect on the academic growth of students and the general progress of the campuses. Quite often the lecturers and other academic staff are forced to carry out clerical tasks," said Mr.S. Yogarajah, senior lecturer in the Tamil department of the East University of Sri Lanka (EUSL) Sunday.
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Resettlement and normalisation ‘main issues’ for Thailand talks - Balasingham

[TamilNet, Sunday, 29 December 2002, 12:26 GMT]
The resettlement of displaced Tamil people and the normalisation of conditions in their areas of residence will be the main issues to be taken up at the negotiations in Thailand next month between the Liberation Tigers and the Sri Lankan government, the LTTE’s chief negotiator, Mr. Anton Balasingham, said Sunday.
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Festival focusses on revival of Cultural, Literary values

[TamilNet, Sunday, 29 December 2002, 02:18 GMT]
"After twenty years of brutal war, with the dawn of peace, Tamils in northeast province have now got an opportunity to work for the revival of their lost literary and cultural values," said Mr S.Sivanandan, Director of Education of the Provincial Ministry of Education, presiding over the first day evening session of the Tamil Literary Festival held in Trincomalee.
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SLA blocks removal of Navalar Road land-mine

[TamilNet, Saturday, 28 December 2002, 17:57 GMT]
Residents of Navalar Road and surrounding area east of Jaffna town are disturbed by the refusal by the soldiers of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) manning a nearby checkpoint to remove an unexploded mine lying close to the Jaffna-Kandy road stating that the 512-th brigade head quarters of the SLA has not given permission to do so, sources in Jaffna said.
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Public urged to safeguard Jaffna's antiques

[TamilNet, Saturday, 28 December 2002, 16:33 GMT]
The Head of Tamil Department of the Jaffna University, Professor K.Shanmugathas, Saturday made an appeal to all citizens to take immediate measures to safeguard antiques found in Hindu temples and other public places from being smuggled out of Jaffna peninsula, sources in Jaffna said.
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LTTE's help sought to trace Jaffna missing

[TamilNet, Saturday, 28 December 2002, 16:24 GMT]
The Jaffna Missing Persons Guardian Association (MPGA) Saturday appealed to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) seeking its assistance to trace their loved ones disappeared during 1996 and 1997 after arrest by Sri Lanka's State armed forces, sources said.
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LTTE lauds writers, artists contribution to struggle

[TamilNet, Saturday, 28 December 2002, 15:07 GMT]
Creative writers and artists played a vital role in successfully supporting the progress of Tamil freedom struggle, said Ms T.Karoonja, LTTE Trincomalee district student head addressing a oriental dance programme organized by Bramashetrya Spiritual Centre, held Thursday evening at Trincomalee Sri Koneswara Hindu College hall. Kanniya is located eight km off Trincomalee town.
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Freedom of press high on UNF's agenda - Minister

[TamilNet, Saturday, 28 December 2002, 14:25 GMT]
"During the People's Alliance (PA) Government there were severe restrictions on freedom of press and Journalists were prosecuted under criminal law. United National Front (UNF) abolished all restrictive laws allowing journalists to function with total freedom," said Imtiyaz Bakeer Markar, Minister of Communications, in an event organized to provide Press Identification Cards to Journalists by Sri Lanka Government Information Department Friday in Batticaloa Secretariat, said sources.
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Pomp and Pageantry mark start of NE Tamil Festival

[TamilNet, Saturday, 28 December 2002, 12:22 GMT]
The three-day North East Provincial Tamil Literary Festival commenced in Trincomalee Saturday with pomp and pageantry with a two km long cultural pageant depicting Tamil literary values progressed from the office of the provincial ministry of education to the venue of the festival Trincomalee St.Joseph's College through main street and Thirugnanasampanthar Street. A statue of Tamil Annai (Mother Tamil) lead the cultural pageant, sources said.
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TRO compensates victims of hartal violence

[TamilNet, Friday, 27 December 2002, 17:58 GMT]
Trincomalee district secretariat of the Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) Friday distributed one hundred and seventy seven thousand rupees to the victims of the October 11 hartal violence. Each family of the dead was given ten thousand rupees and the wounded forty-nine persons were given three thousand rupees per head as compensation, sources said.
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SLMM support for Army over HSZs is 'unacceptable' - LTTE

[TamilNet, Friday, 27 December 2002, 15:17 GMT]
The LTTE Friday rejected the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission's justification of the Sri Lanka Army's High Security Zones on the grounds of security as "unacceptable," saying "this adjudication simply reinforces the SLA's position on the illegal military occupation of public property." Responding to a letter sent Thursday by SLMM head, Maj. Gen. Tronde Furuhovde, the LTTE's Chief Negotiator, Mr. Anton Balasingham, said: "This purely militaristic argument to support your thesis on balance of forces, has completely ignored and trivialised the grave humanitarian issue of the displaced population."
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LTTE's Television unit releases film in NE

[TamilNet, Friday, 27 December 2002, 14:22 GMT]
"Nitharsanam" television unit of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for the first time is to release a film called "Kadaloorakkatrukkal" (A wind along the coast) in all the eight districts of the northeast province simultaneously on December 31. "The film depicts the sufferings of people of the northeast coast and traces the history of Tamil freedom struggle," said Mr.Veera, a Nitharsanam official at an event held at Trincomalee New Silver Star Hotel Thursday evening.
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Distillery under new administration, picketing called off

[TamilNet, Thursday, 26 December 2002, 19:18 GMT]
Picketing by members of the Vadamarachi Palm Co-op Societies Federation (VPCSF) was called off Thursday afternoon following an agreement to bring the Thikkam Distillery under a new administration comprising of members from Palmyra Development Board (PDB), VPCSF and an employee of the Distillery, sources said.
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LTTE rejects army's demand as 'unacceptable and unrealistic'

[TamilNet, Thursday, 26 December 2002, 11:30 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), in an official statement released from its headquarters in Killinochchi, northern Sri Lanka today, accused the state's military hierarchy of imposing unacceptable and unrealistic conditions for the resettlement of the internally displaced Tamils in their own homes and villages in Jaffna presently under heavy military occupation.
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Hakim to represent Muslims at peace talks

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 25 December 2002, 19:07 GMT]
Minister and the leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Mr.Rauff Hakim said Wednesday that he has been given permission by the party's supreme council and politburo to attend peace talks between the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) and Liberation Tigers (LTTE) as the sole representative of the Muslims.
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TRO to compensate victims of Trinco 'hartal' violence

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 25 December 2002, 14:16 GMT]
The Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) will compensate the families of victims of the hartal (general shut down) violence on October 11 in Trincomalee town when three tamil civilians were killed and several injured, sources in the eastern town said.
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'Vihare construction continues in Tamil village despite protests' - TNA

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 25 December 2002, 13:25 GMT]
Construction of a Buddhist shrine in Vilankulam, a traditional Tamil village, 11 km off west in the eastern port town is continuing despite protests made to the Prime Minister by the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentary group leader and the Trincomalee district parliamentarian Mr.R.Sampanthan, said TNA Member of Parliament (MP) Mr.K.Thurairetnasingham, Thursday.
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“Intelligentsia must represent Muslims at peace talks”- Athaullah faction

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 25 December 2002, 13:06 GMT]
Athaullah faction of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) held its eighteenth annual convention Wednesday at Akkaraipattu where delegates unanimously adopted a resolution that expressed the need for sending a group of independent Muslim intelligentsia to represent Muslims in the peace talks between the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), said sources.
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Trinco university campus faces uncertain future

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 25 December 2002, 01:49 GMT]
In a meeting held at Trincomalee Sri Koneswara Hindu College hall Monday evening, leading educationists, citizens and heads of schools in the Trincomalee district expressed serious concern over the lack of support by the University Grants Commission and the Administration of the Eastern University on developing Trincomalee campus of the East University of Sri Lanka to a quaity academic institution, sources said.
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Archaeologically significant findings in Kokkavil?

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 24 December 2002, 21:08 GMT]
The Road Development Authority (RDA) has dug out gravel sand from the Kokkavil area in the Vanni, and metal ingots thousands of years old, and possible archaeologically significant evidences, were also dug out while the workers of the RDA were busy excavating gravel in Kokkavil for renovating A9 highway, sources said.
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SLFP opposed to Federalism - General Secretary

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 24 December 2002, 18:53 GMT]
The Sri Lanka Freedom Party will remain implacably opposed to the federal system in the North-East as agreed between the United National Front government and the LTTE, said Maithripala Sirisena, the SLFP general secretary and a member of parliament, speaking at a meeting of the party’s youth wing in Pollanaruwa, today.
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Eight Tamil scholars to be conferred with Governor's Award

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 24 December 2002, 18:22 GMT]
Eight Tamil scholars are to be conferred with Governor's Award at the three-day North East Tamil Literary Festival of the Provincial Ministry of Education scheduled to begin on December 28 in Trincomalee, education sources said.
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Nedunthivu residents reject TNA plea to suspend picketing

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 24 December 2002, 18:01 GMT]
Residents of Nedunthivu island in Jaffna district Tuesday rejected a plea made by Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarians to suspend their month long picketing against the presence of members of the para military group Eelam Peoples Democratic party (EPDP) in their village on the basis of the assurance given by the Prime Minister, TNA sources said.
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Paramilitary group member shot in Batticaloa

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 24 December 2002, 17:51 GMT]
M. Uthayakumar, 25, a member of the paramilitary Varathan group working closely with the Special Task Force, a paramilitary force of the Sri Lankan government, was shot today at 6:55 pm in Aaraiyampathy in the Batticaloa district, and is admitted at the Batticaloa hospital where he is undergoing emergency surgery and in critical condition, sources in Batticaloa said.
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Expatriate co-ordination center opened in Batticaloa

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 24 December 2002, 15:14 GMT]
"We acknowledge the enormous contribution of Tamil expatriates from across the world to the progress of our struggle. On our leader Pirapaharan's directive we are opening co-ordination centers for Tamil expatriate visitors to get any help they need to make their visit an enjoyable and rewarding experience," said Kausalyan, Head of Batticaloa-Ampara political section of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) opening the co-ordination center in Kalladi, Batticaloa, today.
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SLA ragging kills soldier, 16 remanded

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 24 December 2002, 15:07 GMT]
The Chavakachcheri acting Magistrate Tuesday ordered sixteen soldiers of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) to be held in remand in connection with the ragging death of a fellow soldier, S.Ratnayake (25) of Balangoda, legal sources in Jaffna said.
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Buddhist monks burn Norwegian flag

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 24 December 2002, 00:22 GMT]
National Bhikkhu Front (Jathika Sanga Sammelanaya- JSS), a Sinhala nationalist organisation of monks with branches in all the Sinhala majority districts of the island and a close ally of the marxist Janata Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) held a demonstration opposite Royal Norwegian Embassy in Colombo demanding the expulsion of Oslo's envoy to Sri Lanka, Mr. Jon Westborg, sources in Colombo said.
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SLMM hands over SLA proposals on HSZ to LTTE

[TamilNet, Monday, 23 December 2002, 19:15 GMT]
The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) Monday handed over a document containing proposals by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) regarding the normalization of High Security Zones (HSZs) in Jaffna peninsula to the representatives of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), sources in Jaffna said
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Picketers force closure of Thikkam distillery

[TamilNet, Monday, 23 December 2002, 19:08 GMT]
Hundreds of people Monday extended their picketing campaign to Point Pedro Thikkam distillary premises demanding the return control of Thikkam distillery from Palmyra Development Board (PDB) to the administration of the Vadamarachchi Palm Co-operative Societies Federation. Picketing of the Jaffna office of the Palmyra Development Board is also continuing, sources said.
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Report soon on LTTE's broadcast equipment - G.L. Pieris

[TamilNet, Monday, 23 December 2002, 17:03 GMT]
The United National Front Government will soon release a report giving details of the broadcasting equipment given to the LTTE and this will clarify the misleading information spread to the public by some interested parties, said G. L. Pieris, minister of Constitutional Affairs and the leader of Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) negotiating team, speaking to journalists at a press conference in Colombo today.
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Agreement to rebuild A9 signed

[TamilNet, Monday, 23 December 2002, 15:06 GMT]
Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed an agreement Monday morning at the Kilinochchi political head quarters to provide a Rs.600m loan to rebuild 103km segment of Jaffna-Kandy road (A9) beginning from Vilakuvaithakulam in Omanthai to Jaffna Town, sources in Kilinochchi said.
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Minister says majority support federal concept

[TamilNet, Sunday, 22 December 2002, 18:27 GMT]
Health Minister in the United National Front government (UNF), Mr.P.Dayaratne, addressing a public meeting at Kurunagala Sunday said, "Majority of the people in south are supporting the federal concept. Only few communal elements are against a political solution to the ethnic problem based on federal constitution," sources in Kurunagala said.
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Body of EPRLF member recovered from Mandoor Lake

[TamilNet, Sunday, 22 December 2002, 18:25 GMT]
Body of Poopalapillai Alaguthurai, Porathivu Predheshya Sabha member from the Eelam People’s Revolutionary Liberation Front (EPRLF) who disappeared on 16 December was recovered from Mandoor lake close to the Batticaloa-Ampara border Saturday, sources in Batticaloa said.
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Minister urges UNP-PA to work together for peace

[TamilNet, Sunday, 22 December 2002, 17:36 GMT]
Minister of Fisheries, Mr.Mahinda Wijesekara, addressing a seminar Sunday at Devinuwara, a town in deep South, appealed to the United National Front (UNF) government and the main opposition People's Alliance ( PA ) to bury their differences and work together to find a lasting political solution to the ethnic conflict.
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Police collect details of Vavuniya Traders

[TamilNet, Sunday, 22 December 2002, 13:28 GMT]
Names, address and other personal details of employees of business establishments in Vavuniya are being collected by police stations in Vavuniya district, alarmed traders in Vavuniya said. Police officers have distributed forms to businesses and have directed all employees to submit completed forms back to the police stations.
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Pooneryn suffers from floods

[TamilNet, Sunday, 22 December 2002, 13:13 GMT]
Recent torrential rain in the Vanni area has inundated Nallur, Mutkomban, Mission Settlement, and Neradamban villages in the Pooneryn district with flood waters forcing 516 families to seek shelters in public buildings, sources in Pooneryn said.
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Government aid for Batticaloa flood victims, Rs.36

[TamilNet, Sunday, 22 December 2002, 06:27 GMT]
People displaced by floods in Batticaloa are being given dry rations worth thirty six rupees for three days, and the victims, mainly very poor families who depend on meagre income from day labour, are unable to return to their flood damaged homes and are languishing in temporary shelters in schools and public buildings, sources in Batticaloa said.
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Rehabilitation, Development discussed in Trinco conference

[TamilNet, Sunday, 22 December 2002, 05:27 GMT]
The political section of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) organized a conference Sunday to discuss proposed development and rehabilitation work in Trincomalee district and to establish a framework for the Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) that promotes close coordination to avoid duplication of effort while facilitating the NGOs to function without any obstacles, sources in Trincomalee said.
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PA allies support UNF government's peace efforts

[TamilNet, Saturday, 21 December 2002, 04:18 GMT]
Sri Lanka's Communist party, one of the constituents of the main opposition Peoples Alliance (PA) Friday pledged its full support to the peace efforts now being taken forward by the United National Front (UNF), sources in Colombo said.
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Sri Lanka Govt allocates 2m rupees for Trinco flood victims

[TamilNet, Saturday, 21 December 2002, 03:53 GMT]
The leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) and Minister Mr.Rauff Hakim Friday evening said at a conference held in Trincomalee that two million rupees would be allocated for providing relief to around thirty thousand families who have been affected by flood in the district.
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Shelter lacking for victims of floods in Kilinochchi

[TamilNet, Friday, 20 December 2002, 18:42 GMT]
The floods during the past few days in the Kilinochchi district have destroyed 46 homes in the Anaivilunthan area and residents have sought refuge in the only school in the area, but as the roof of the school has been damaged they are without proper shelter, officials in Kilinochchi said.
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LTTE returns children to their parents in Vavuniya

[TamilNet, Friday, 20 December 2002, 17:54 GMT]
Political leader for Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for Vavuniya, Mr. Ezhilan, returned six children under the age of 18 who wanted to join the LTTE, to their parents, in the presence of Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) officials and journalists in Vavuniya today.
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Magistrate orders India returnees to be resettled

[TamilNet, Friday, 20 December 2002, 17:45 GMT]
The Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) arrested seventeen Sri Lankan Tamil refugees Thursday evening in the Talaimannar Sea when they were returning from South India and handed them over to the Mannar Police Friday. When Talaimannar Police produced the refugees before the Mannar Magistrate Mr.M.P.Mohideen later Friday, the magistrate ordered the authorities concerned to resettle the refugees in their villages, legal sources said.
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TRO assists Muslim flood victims

[TamilNet, Friday, 20 December 2002, 16:40 GMT]
Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) and its support arm Social Economic Development Organization (SEDO) in Trincomalee Friday commenced distribution of relief items to about fifty-nine refugee families, majority of them Muslims, affected by the recent flood, sources in Trincomalee said.
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PTA, ER, instruments to circumvent Human Rights norms – SC Judge

[TamilNet, Friday, 20 December 2002, 13:00 GMT]
Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court Judge Mr. C.V.Vigneswaran Thursday said, “Laws such as Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and Emergency Regulations (ER) are not conducive to the creation of an environment for peace. Such laws are devious methods by which conformation to the International Covenants on Human Rights are avoided, ” in his keynote address as the chief guest at the International Human Rights Day event held Thursday at Trincomalee Hindu Cultural Hall.
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Military enclaves in civilian areas, a Rights violation - Judge

[TamilNet, Friday, 20 December 2002, 12:51 GMT]
Military camps in heavily civilian populated areas is a form of human rights violation, said M. Sittampalam, President of Vavuniya Attorneys Union and District Court Judge, in a meeting at Vavuniya Suthananda Hindu Youth Association building, celebrating the Human Rights Day.
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European Union to fund NE demining effort

[TamilNet, Friday, 20 December 2002, 02:56 GMT]
Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian affairs with the European Union (EU), Paul Neilson said in a report that the Internally Displace Persons from NE returning to resettle in their homes are facing severe hazards due to the buried land mines, and EU will do its maximum to provide financial support towards NorthEast demining effort.
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Thousands displaced, stranded by floods in Batticaloa-Amparai

[TamilNet, Thursday, 19 December 2002, 23:23 GMT]
Continuing torrential rain in Batticaloa-Amparai has affected 94549 families, 8577 families have abandoned their homes and sought refuge in schools, temples and public buildings, 1406 homes have been damaged and thousands of acres of paddy fields have been destroyed by flood water, officials in Batticaloa said.
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Irrigation tanks overflow, A9 repaired

[TamilNet, Thursday, 19 December 2002, 15:53 GMT]
Transport on the A-9 highway was interrupted Wednesday morning as heavy rainfall worsened the conditions of the already damaged highway between Umaiyalpuram and the Chemical factory in Paranthan. The Tamil Eelam Administrative Service, The Tamil Eelam Police Service and the Tamil Eelam Traffic Police jointly repaired the road and transport was restored to normal by Wednesday night, the Voice of Tigers radio said in its news broadcast.
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UNHCR gets Australia's support to help NE IDPs

[TamilNet, Thursday, 19 December 2002, 04:47 GMT]
The Australian Government has agreed to provide funds to UNHCR to assist the relocation and reintegration of Sri Lankans internally displaced by conflict, sources close to UNHCR said.
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TRO to assist Trincomalee flood victims

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 18 December 2002, 18:21 GMT]
The Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) Wednesday said it would distribute dry rations to flood victims in the Trincomalee district. "Already our support organization, Social Economic Development Consortium (SEDC) has started collecting details of the flood affected families in the district from Muttur to Kantalai areas," said Mr.K.Mathavarajah, Co-ordinating Secretary of the TRO in Trincomalee district.
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CID commences inquiry into alleged plot to kill President

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 18 December 2002, 18:20 GMT]
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Wednesday launched a full probe into a news report carried by a Sinhala weekly that a leading politician of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), main constituent of the main opposition People’s Alliance is behind a plot to assassinate President Ms Chandrika Kumaratunge, legal sources said.
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Trinco workshop emphasizes GO, NGO co-operation vital for NE development

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 18 December 2002, 17:34 GMT]
A one-day awareness workshop on ‘Government Organizations (GO) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) Collaboration in Development’ was held Wednesday at Trincomalee Education Training Center. "It is high time for the GOs and NGOs to work together for the development of the northeast province which has been devastated by the war," said Mr.N. Puhendran, Deputy Director of Planning addressing the workshop.
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Vadamarachi Palm Co-ops demand return of Thikkam distillery

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 18 December 2002, 17:21 GMT]
Several hundred people Wednesday launched a picketing campaign in front of the Palmyra Development Board office in Jaffna demanding that the distillery at Thikkam in Point Pedro area should be returned to the administration of the Federation of Vadamaradchi Palm Co-operatives Societies, sources said. Presently the Thikkam Distillery is under the administration of the Palmyra Development Board (PDB).
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Floods cause A9 highway closure

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 18 December 2002, 17:14 GMT]
Torrential rain continued Wednesday in northeast province mainly Killinochchi, Vavuniya, Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Ampara districts bringing transport through A9 high way to and from Jaffna came to a standstill Wednesday, sources said. The Elephant Pass Bridge, the gateway to northern district is under floodwater, sources in Jaffna said.
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Norwegian envoy encouraged by discussions in Kilinochchi

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 17 December 2002, 20:53 GMT]
The Norwegian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Mr. Jon Westborg, told journalists today that he is encouraged by discussions held in Kilinochchi on matters related to the resettlement of people affected by the war in the North-East.
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Mahen Ratwatte surrenders

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 17 December 2002, 18:17 GMT]
Mahen Ratwatte, third son of former Deputy Defense Minister General Ratwatte, Tuesday evening surrendered to the Colombo Fort Magistrate in connection with the alleged assault on a leading singer Sunil Perera Saturday early morning at a five star hotel, police said. He was later released on surety bail of Rupees Twenty five thousand by the Colombo Fort Magistrate, legal sources said.
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ICRC officials visit Nedunthivu

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 17 December 2002, 18:12 GMT]
Officials of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Tuesday visited Nedunthivu Island in Jaffna district and met the residents who were picketing outside the Pradeshya Sabha and divisional secretariat buildings against the presence of members of para military group Eelam Peoples Democratic Party (EPDP), sources said. EPDP members are staying in the office buildings of the Pradshya Sabha and divisional secretariat since they entered the island with the escort of Sri Lanka Navy and the police.
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Thousands affected by floods in NE

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 17 December 2002, 16:35 GMT]
One hundred thousand families mainly from Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Amparai and Killinochchi, have been badly affected by the flood waters caused by torrential rains in the northeast province since Monday evening, social department officials said Tuesday.
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Third Ratwatte son to be arrested

[TamilNet, Monday, 16 December 2002, 17:57 GMT]
Mahen Ratwatte, third son of former Deputy Defence Minister Anurudha Ratwatte, is likely to be arrested any time in connection with the alleged assault on well known singer Sunil Perera in a five star hotel Saturday early morning around 1.30.a.m., police sources said.
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Hakim removes rival from ERA chairmanship

[TamilNet, Monday, 16 December 2002, 16:47 GMT]
Mr.Rauff Hakim, leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) removed his rival group leader Mr.S.Subairdeen from the post of chairman of the Eastern Rehabilitation Authority (ERA) Monday. The new Chairman is to be appointed Tuesday by Minister Rauff Hakim, according to the media unit of the Ministry of Port, Shipping, Eastern Regional Development and Muslim religious cultural affairs, sources said.
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Protests continue while EPDP reduces Nedunthivu strength

[TamilNet, Monday, 16 December 2002, 16:39 GMT]
The para military Eelam Peoples Democratic Party (EPDP) Monday decided to halve its strength in Nedunthivu Island in Jaffna district at the general council meeting of the EPDP held Monday following a month long agitation by the people of Nedunthivu demanding the immediate withdrawal of para military group members.
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Maldives keen to host Lanka-LTTE talks

[TamilNet, Monday, 16 December 2002, 12:27 GMT]
The government of Maldives Monday said it was keen to host the peace talks between the Liberation Tigers and the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) during a two-day visit to the atoll nation by Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister, Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe. The Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom wished success for the peace talks to end Sri Lanka’s ethnic conflict during official talks with Mr. Wickremesinghe in Male, the main atoll that is the country’s capital.
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Jaffna gets first woman de-miner

[TamilNet, Monday, 16 December 2002, 00:13 GMT]
Ms. Niroja Srirajakumar, 19, of Navatkuly east of Jaffna town, became the first woman in Jaffna to join de-mining work in the peninsula, officials at the Jaffna District Secretariat said Sunday. Ms. Niroja was trained in de-mining techniques and safety procedures by a Swiss organisation in Vavuniya.
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Japanese envoy unveils key Secretariat in Kilinochchi

[TamilNet, Sunday, 15 December 2002, 17:58 GMT]
The secretariat of the Sub-Committee for Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of the Northeast was opened in Kilinochchi Sunday morning, according to the Voice of Tigers radio. Japan’s ambassador for Sri Lanka unveiled the secretariat’s name board while Norway’s ambassador cut the ribbon to ceremonially open the building, according to the VOT.
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Muslims rights will be safeguarded - Prime Minister

[TamilNet, Sunday, 15 December 2002, 17:00 GMT]
Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe Sunday assured the Muslim community that his government would do everything in its power to safeguard the rights of Muslims in the eastern province when finding a negotiated political solution to the ethnic conflict in the peace talks between the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), and would never let down Muslims at any stage of the peace talks, when he addressed the gathering in Madwela, Kandy, sources said.
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SC Judge to address Human Rights celebrations in Trincomalee

[TamilNet, Sunday, 15 December 2002, 16:53 GMT]
A full day programme to celebrate the International Human Rights Day will be held in Trincomalee on December 19 and Mr.C.V.Vigneswaran, Judge of the Sri Lanka's Supreme Court will deliver the keynote address on the topic "Human Rights and Peace," sources in Trincomalee said.
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'Our choice is between Prosperity and War'- Ranil

[TamilNet, Sunday, 15 December 2002, 00:00 GMT]
Sri Lanka's Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, said that the country has entered a critical stage and people of Sri Lanka have to choose between prosperity and war while addressing the forty eighth annual general meeting of the United National Party (UNP), the main constituent of the United National Front (UNF) government Saturday at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium in Colombo.
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Abduction attempt thwarted in Valaichenai

[TamilNet, Saturday, 14 December 2002, 18:54 GMT]
Abduction of M. Krishnapillai, 61, of Vipulanantha Road in Valaichenai, Batticaloa district, by a group of persons claiming to be from the Police Intelligence wing was foiled by Valaichenai Police who arrested the abductors and their van yesterday night, sources in Batticaloa said.
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'EPDP is being used to derail peace process'- Karuna

[TamilNet, Saturday, 14 December 2002, 16:51 GMT]
"Some elements are using the Eelam Peoples Democratic Party (EPDP) to derail the peace process. The return of EPDP members to Nedunthivu and recent incidents in Nelliady have clearly demonstrated the motives of such elements," Colonel Karuna, Special Commander of the Liberation Tigers (LTTE) in Batticaloa-Ampara district said Saturday.
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Bomb blast damages Batticaloa TRO Office

[TamilNet, Saturday, 14 December 2002, 14:18 GMT]
Investigations are in progress on the bomb blast that damaged the Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) building in Batticaloa town Thursday alleged to have been carried out by groups opposed to Liberation Tigers (LTTE) operating in Batticaloa area, sources from the Eastern town said.
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Phased approach agreed to address Jaffna HSZ resettlement

[TamilNet, Saturday, 14 December 2002, 13:54 GMT]
At the second meeting of the Sub Committee on De-escalation and Normalization (SDN) held Saturday at Muhamalai it was agreed that a solution to the resettlement of internally displaced people in High Security Zones (HSZ) and other areas presently perceived as inaccessible to the public could be only solved through integrated plans of action agreed upon by the two parties, said a press release issued by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Sri Lanka.
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AG urged to file appeal against Mylanthanai acquittal

[TamilNet, Saturday, 14 December 2002, 13:05 GMT]
A delegation of leading human rights lawyers led by President Counsel Mr.Desmond Fernando requested the Attorney General (AG) to consider filing appeal against the acquittal order by the Colombo High Court in the Mylanthanai massacre case in which eighteen soldiers of the Sri Lanka Army were charged with murder, attempted murder of thirty five Tamils including men, women and fourteen children under twelve years, legal sources in Colombo said.
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Self employment help benefits low income Mutur residents

[TamilNet, Saturday, 14 December 2002, 01:03 GMT]
Low income residents of Mutur living below poverty line were given bicycles, sewing machines and water pumps that enhanced their income earning potential, in a function held at Chenaiyoor Central College in Muttur east Thursday as part of the World Bank funded North East Integrated Agricultural Project (NEIAP), sources said.
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Business establishments reopen in Nelliady

[TamilNet, Friday, 13 December 2002, 17:44 GMT]
Business establishments in Nelliady, which remained closed following the Police attack against picketers on Tuesday, reopened today, and trading is coming back to normal, sources in Nelliady, a town 30 km north east of Jaffna, said.
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'Eschew communal politics'- UNF minister

[TamilNet, Friday, 13 December 2002, 17:16 GMT]
"Peaceful environment has dawned in the island after a brutal war for over a period of twenty years. To consolidate the present peace process all should work together irrespective of party politics and other differences. This is not the time for singing old communal songs," said the United National Front (UNF) Minister of School Education Development Mr.Suranimala Rajapakse, addressing a conference held Friday at the Trincomalee district secretariat.
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Resettlers protest planned colonization of Tamil Village

[TamilNet, Friday, 13 December 2002, 17:01 GMT]
A group of Sinhalese led by a Buddhist priest, assisted by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) are constructing a Buddhist Vihare in a traditional Tamil village Vilankulam, 11 km off west of east port town on the Trincomalee-Kandy road, the East Lanka Peoples' Development Center (ELPDC) Friday said in a memorandum sent to the Minister of Hindu Cultural Affairs Mr. T.Maheswaran, sources said.
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Police record statements from Nelliady victims

[TamilNet, Friday, 13 December 2002, 16:47 GMT]
The Jaffna Police Friday recorded statements from three traders in Nelliady area and an employee of the Janasakthi Insurance Corporation regarding the attack by the Police on last Tuesday on civilians when they were picketing the Eelam Peoples Democratic party (EPDP) office against its presence in Nedunthivu and elsewhere in the peninsula, sources said.
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Appeal Court confirms Rauff Hakim leadership

[TamilNet, Friday, 13 December 2002, 15:13 GMT]
The Court of Appeal Friday rejected an appeal challenging the legality of the ruling by the Colombo District Judge who revoked his earlier enjoining order which restrained Mr.Rauff Hakim from functioning as the leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), legal sources in Colombo said. The appeal was filed by Mr.S.Subairdeen who claimed to be the leader of the SLMC and twelve others including Minister Mr. A.L.Athaullah.
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SLFP questions UNF approach to peace

[TamilNet, Friday, 13 December 2002, 14:29 GMT]
The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) the main constituent of the Sri Lanka opposition the People's Alliance (PA), demanded in a press release that the ruling United National Front (UNF) government should explain to Sri Lankan people different concepts and terms included in the Oslo statement which embodied the agreement between Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
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HRC to begin investigations into Jaffna disappeared

[TamilNet, Thursday, 12 December 2002, 19:34 GMT]
The Human Rights Commission (HRC) has set December 16 as the date to start investigations into the disappearance of a large number of people following their arrest by the Sri Lankan security forces in Jaffna during 1996 and 1997, said HRC coordinator for Jaffna district, Mr. Rohan Chandrasekara today.
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Fishermen demand removal of Kaluwankerni SLA camp

[TamilNet, Thursday, 12 December 2002, 17:52 GMT]
The Fishermen's union of Kaluwankerni, a village located 24 km northeast of Batticaloa town, has demanded that the Sri Lankan Army encamped at the ice production factory at the village be withdrawn, in a letter to the Sri Lankan Armed Forces officers, sources in Batticaloa said.
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Sri Lanka Police arrests four LTTE cadres

[TamilNet, Thursday, 12 December 2002, 17:08 GMT]
Four Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres including two women tigers were arrested by Sri Lanka police at the checkpoint in Uthayapuram in Ampara district today, sources in Ampara said.
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Tamil fishermen attacked in Sandy Cove

[TamilNet, Thursday, 12 December 2002, 15:21 GMT]
A group of Sinhalese fishermen Thursday evening attacked Tamil fishermen preventing them from fishing near Sandy Cove in Trincomalee sea claiming that the particular area in the sea belongs to the Sinhala fishermen and that the Tamil fishermen are forbidden from using that area, fisheries sources said.
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Hartal paralyses Jaffna district

[TamilNet, Thursday, 12 December 2002, 15:08 GMT]
All activities in the Jaffna district came to a standstill and normal life was disrupted Thursday as Hartal (general shut down) was observed in protest to the attack by the Police on unarmed civilians picketing against the presence of para military Eelam Peoples Democratic party (EPDP) in Nedunthivu and other places in the peninsula Tuesday, sources said.
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'Significant progress achieved in peace talks' -World Bank official

[TamilNet, Thursday, 12 December 2002, 13:49 GMT]
The World Bank and the North East Provincial Council in Sri Lanka Thursday signed an agreement for the immediate implementation of the North East Emergency Reconstruction Programme (NEERP) at a cost of thirty one million US dollars. "Significant progress has been achieved in the peace process between the parties concerned and more funds would be made available soon to assist affected people in the conflict areas," said Mr. Peter Harrold, World Bank Country Director for Sri Lanka addressing NEPC ministry officials after signing the agreement.
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LTTE officials study Swiss Federalism

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 11 December 2002, 17:41 GMT]
A top level delegation of the Liberation Tigers this week visited Switzerland at the invitation of the government there to study the country’s federal system, officials said. In a packed schedule, the Tiger delegation met with senior officials of the Swiss government, but squeezed in time to take a guided tour of Bern, they said.
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Parliament approves BOI bill

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 11 December 2002, 17:28 GMT]
The Board of Investment Bill was passed in parliament Wednesday with a majority of fifty-one votes amidst vehement opposition to create one economic commission for the entire northeast province. An amendment brought by the main opposition People’s Alliance (PA) and Sinhala hardliner Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) to have separate economic commission for the north and east was defeated by a majority of forty-nine votes.
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NE Emergency Reconstruction to begin with World Bank funding

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 11 December 2002, 17:27 GMT]
The World Bank Country Director Mr. Peter Harrold and the North East Provincial Council (NEPC) Chief Secretary Mr.S.Rangarajah will sign an agreement for the North East Emergency Reconstruction Programme (NEERP) Thursday at 12 noon at the auditorium of the NEPC Health Ministry in Trincomalee, sources in Trincomalee said.
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JDMA condemns attack on journalist

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 11 December 2002, 14:43 GMT]
The Jaffna District Media Association (JDMA) Wednesday condemned the police attack on its President Mr.V.Thavachelvam at Nelliady as a blatant violation of press freedom." Even after showing the press accreditation card Mr.Thavachelvam was attacked by the Police," said JDMA in a statement issued today.
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Jaffna high security zones to continue - SLA

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 11 December 2002, 13:46 GMT]
The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) Wednesday said the High Security Zones (HSZ) in Jaffna peninsula would not be removed. Major General Sarath Fonseka, Jaffna area commander, told a delegation of the Movement for Goodwill, Peace and Justice (MGPJ) at a discussion held at the Jaffna Bishop’s House Wednesday that the army has taken steps to re-open the Clock Tower Road, Power House Road in Jaffna town for the public and also will vacate Gnanams Hotel.
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Vadamaradchy observes hartal

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 11 December 2002, 13:18 GMT]
All business activities in Nelliady, Puloly, Udupiddy, Valvettiturai and Manthikai areas in Vadamarachchi division in Jaffna district Wednesday came to a standstill as hartal (general shut down) was observed in protest against the Police attack on civilians who picketed the office of the para military Eelam Peoples Democratic Party (EPDP) Tuesday afternoon, sources said. Picketing was held against the presence of EPDP cadres in Nedunthivu island others areas in the peninsula.
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Sri Lanka Opposition decries Government's fiscal policies

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 11 December 2002, 04:30 GMT]
The second budget of the United National Front (UNF) government passed in parliament Tuesday night with a majority of thirty-six votes with one hundred and twenty one parliamentarians voting for the 2003 budget and ninety one voting against, parliamentary sources said.
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Vadamaradchi traders to observe 'hartal' against police firing

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 10 December 2002, 18:36 GMT]
Nelliady and Puloly Traders Associations in the Vadamarachchi division in Jaffna district Tuesday decided to observe hartal (general shut down) in their respective areas Wednesday protesting against the police firing on traders this afternoon on hundreds of civilians picketed the office of the para military Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP), sources said.
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Police fired live bullets on Nelliady picketers

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 10 December 2002, 18:35 GMT]
Medical sources in the northern Jaffna town said Tuesday evening that Police had fired on the anti-EPDP picketers with live bullets and not with rubber bullets as earlier stated. On Tuesday night three of the eight seriously wounded traders were admitted to the Jaffna teaching hospital with gunshot wounds, the sources said.
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MPGA pickets Jaffna Human Rights Commission office

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 10 December 2002, 18:33 GMT]
The Missing Persons Guardian Association (MPGA) Tuesday picketed the office of the Human Rights Commission (HRC) of Sri Lanka in Jaffna, to coincide with the International Human Rights Day. Hundreds of members of the Women's Front and Jaffna District Non-governmental Organisations Consortium also participated in the picketing.
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Police attack injures fifteen anti-EPDP picketers

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 10 December 2002, 11:56 GMT]
At least fifteen civilians were injured Tuesday afternoon in Nelliady, 30km northeast of Jaffna, when Police used tear gas and opened fire with rubber bullets on the picketers in front of the local office of Eelam Peoples Democratic Party (EPDP). In a subsequent grenade attack eight persons, were seriously wounded including journalist Mr.V.Thavachelvan. All have been warded in the Point Pedro base hospital, medical sources said.
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Varathan Group attack injures two civilians

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 10 December 2002, 11:42 GMT]
Ex-militants of Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization (TELO) currently part of Varathan Group working closely with the Special Task Force (STF) in Araiyampathi, Batticaloa district, attacked and seriously injured two civilians near Mariamman Kovil road Sunday 6.45 pm sources in Batticaloa said.
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Police to collect information on Journalists

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 10 December 2002, 11:18 GMT]
Inspector General of Police (IGP), T.E. Anandarajah, has directed all Police stations to collect details of journalists working in their respective areas to enable the police personnel to develop 'close understanding' and 'mutually beneficial relationship' with the journalists, sources said.
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Dissidents given time to accept Hakim leadership

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 10 December 2002, 02:24 GMT]
The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) politburo Monday night decided to ask all dissidents except those five expelled from the party last Monday to rejoin the party accepting the leadership of Mr.Rauff Hakim without any conditions. However the expelled five dissidents will not be taken back to the party, SLMC spokesman said.
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EPDP, PLOTE, EPRLF meet SLA officers in Batticaloa

[TamilNet, Monday, 09 December 2002, 20:38 GMT]
The paramilitary EPDP, PLOTE and EPRLF(V) groups met with officers of the Sri Lanka armed forces at the headquarters of the 23-3 brigade of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) in Batticaloa today to discuss their own security, sources said.
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SLMC secretary resigns

[TamilNet, Monday, 09 December 2002, 19:40 GMT]
Mr. Basheer Segu Dawood, who was appointed as the new general secretary of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) yesterday night, resigned his post today, saying that he did so in the interests of the party, sources said.
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'War imminent if federal solution is rejected'- Minister Peiris

[TamilNet, Monday, 09 December 2002, 18:39 GMT]
The United National Front (UNF) government Monday said if the attempt to find a political solution to the ethnic conflict through a federal constitution is rejected then there is high likelihood of war breaking out again. "Instead of amending the clauses of the present constitution, the government has decided to table a new constitution that will embody the new political framework," said Professor G.L.Peiris, Minister of Constitutional Affairs and cabinet spokesman at a press briefing Monday in Colombo.
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MPGA wants missing children, rejects compensation

[TamilNet, Monday, 09 December 2002, 16:16 GMT]
Rejecting offers of financial compensation from the government for their children missing since their arrest by the State armed forces in 1996 and 1997, the Missing Persons Guardians Association (MPGA) Monday demanded that the Jaffna Government Agent (GA) make arrangements for them to meet the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister to discuss the issue.
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Athaullah group expelled, Hakim leadership strengthened

[TamilNet, Monday, 09 December 2002, 03:57 GMT]
The leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress and Minister Mr.Rauff Hakeem Monday consolidated his position by expelling rival leaders from the party politburo permanently during a five-hour politburo meeting Sunday early morning at party headquarters Darussalam in Colombo and filled the vacancies created by the expulsion with his close confidantes, SLMC spokesman said.
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SLN expands Thiriyai naval base

[TamilNet, Sunday, 08 December 2002, 20:14 GMT]
Thiriyai Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) main base, relocated to a new location one mile from the Thiriyai Tamil Vidyalayam in May this year, is now being strengthened as a permanent base, a group of civilians told the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader and the district parliamentarian Mr.R.Sampanthan when he paid a visit Saturday evening to see if any progress has been made by recently resettled farmers, sources said.
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SLAF occupation adds to Muthalikulam farmers' woes

[TamilNet, Sunday, 08 December 2002, 16:43 GMT]
The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) occupies twelve buildings of the Irrigation Department located at Pankulam and Muthalikulam, 24 km west of Trincomalee town blocking the Engineers from providing water to resettled farmers engaged in paddy cultivation causing severe hardship, rehabilitation agency sources said.
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Nedunthivu mother of four sexually assaulted

[TamilNet, Saturday, 07 December 2002, 17:23 GMT]
A Tamil young mother of four children is alleged to have been sexually assaulted by Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) personnel at Nedunthivu (Delft island) in the Jaffna district Saturday afternoon around 3 p.m.while she was praying in a church, according to a complaint lodged at the Police Station in the islet, sources in the island said.
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Hakim canvasses Tamil support to defeat party saboteurs

[TamilNet, Friday, 06 December 2002, 23:53 GMT]
The leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Mr.Rauff Hakim said Friday that Muslims should be allowed to enjoy the same rights and privileges provided to Tamils in the merged northeast province when a political solution is found to the ethnic conflict. Mr.Rauff Hakim was given a rousing welcome in Mutur town in the Trincomalee district Friday when he paid his first visit after he regained the leadership of the SLMC on the order of the Colombo District Court Thursday.
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CTTU leads Rights Conference in Batticaloa

[TamilNet, Friday, 06 December 2002, 17:51 GMT]
"Human rights abuses in Sri Lanka abound because people refuse to accept other people's views. If every community develops the mindset to listen and understand views of others, there would be no war and destruction," said Mr. K. Velayutham, the Badulla district member of parliament (MP), speaking at a conference on "Human Rights and Democracy" in Batticaloa today.
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US, UK welcome Tamil Federal solution

[TamilNet, Friday, 06 December 2002, 16:17 GMT]
The United States and United Kingdom Thursday applauded the agreement reached between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to work towards a Federal model. The historic breakthrough was made at the third round of peace talks held in Oslo this week.
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Jeevan memorial unveiled in Batticaloa

[TamilNet, Friday, 06 December 2002, 15:10 GMT]
Memorial for Lt.Colonel Jeevan and seven LTTE cadres who died in a confrontation with Sri Lanka Army (SLA) last year was ceremoniously opened in Illuppadichenai juntion today at 10.30 am on the day of the first anniversary of their death, sources in Batticaloa said.
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Picketing against EPDP spreads to other areas in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Thursday, 05 December 2002, 20:06 GMT]
Hundreds of people Thursday picketed several offices and camps of the para military Eelam Peoples Democratic party (EPDP) in the Jaffna district in support of the protest by the Neduntheivu civilian families which entered twentieth day Thursday.
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Courts allows Hakeem to function as SLMC leader

[TamilNet, Thursday, 05 December 2002, 20:04 GMT]
The Colombo District Court Thursday vacated the enjoining order restraining Minister Mr.Rauff Hakeem from functioning as the president of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress.
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TNA demands better facilities for Mutur villages

[TamilNet, Thursday, 05 December 2002, 19:56 GMT]
"More than twenty Tamil villages in Mutur east held by Tamil Tigers are without electricity supply and most of the roads in these villages cannot be used by motor vehicles," said Tamil National Alliance (TNA) national list parliamentarian Mr.K.Thurairatnasingham participating in the committee stage debate for the budgetary allocations of the Ministry of Power and Energy and the Ministry of Transport held Wednesday and Thursday.
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LTTE denies involvement in abduction

[TamilNet, Thursday, 05 December 2002, 17:07 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Thursday categorically denied any involvement in the alleged abduction of three members of para military Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP) in the Batticaloa district, sources said.
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People of Vaakarai demand basic telephone facilities

[TamilNet, Thursday, 05 December 2002, 16:25 GMT]
Government employees and residents of Vaakarai, located 64 km north of Batticaloa, have demanded that the SL Telecom should provide basic telephone facilities to the area.
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LTTE, GOSL reach exploratory agreement

[TamilNet, Thursday, 05 December 2002, 12:04 GMT]
The government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam reached an exploratory agreement Thursday to “explore a solution to end the island’s conflict founded on the principle of internal self determination in areas of historical habitation of the Tamil speaking peoples, based on a federal structure within a united Sri Lanka”. “Sri Lanka needs a new constitution that would radically transform its polity," said Chief negotiator of the Liberation Tigers, Mr. Anton Balasingham, addressing a joint press conference Thursday morning at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in downtown Oslo.
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MPGA picketing cripples Jaffna civil administration fourth day

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 04 December 2002, 16:28 GMT]
The picketing by the members of the Missing Persons Guardian Association (MPGA) crippled Jaffna District Secretariat, the main administrative centre in the northern province for the fourth day Wednesday. The MPGA members demand the government expedite the investigation into the disappearance of hundreds of youths after being arrested by the Sri Lankan government troops, in Jaffna peninsula in 1996 and 1997.
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Picketing in Nedunthivu enters nineteenth day

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 04 December 2002, 16:26 GMT]
The picketing campaign by the villagers against the presence of para military members of the Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP) in Nedunthivu (Delft Island) in Jaffna entered nineteenth day Wednesday. The protesters demand immediate withdrawal of armed EPDP members from their village, sources said.
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LTTE, GOSL discuss framework for political solution

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 04 December 2002, 15:01 GMT]
The negotiating teams of the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) and the Liberation Tigers (LTTE) continued discussions on a framework for a political solution in Oslo Wednesday.
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MPGA picketing of District Secretariat continues

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 03 December 2002, 20:11 GMT]
Members of the Missing Persons Guardian Association (MPGA) continued their picketing in front of the Jaffna District Secretariat Tuesday crippling the civil administration for a second day, sources said.
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LTTE police stations 'not a new phenomena' - Balasingham

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 03 December 2002, 15:26 GMT]
The LTTE's Police and law and order systems would not extend into areas controlled by the Sri Lankan government while continuing to maintain law and order in Tiger-controlled areas, Mr. Anton Balasingham, the movement's Chief Negotiator and political advisor told reporters in Oslo Tuesday. He was speaking at a press conference held during lunch on the second day of the third round of peace talks between the LTTE and the Sri Lankan government.
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Govt. agrees for parliamentary debate on Oslo peace talks

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 03 December 2002, 15:07 GMT]
The ruling United National Front (UNF) Tuesday agreed for a two-day debate on the peace talks now being held abroad between the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). This decision was taken at a meeting of the leaders of political parties represented in Sri Lanka parliament presided by the Speaker Mr.Joseph Michael Perera, sources said.
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Court restrains Hakim functioning as SLMC leader

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 03 December 2002, 14:39 GMT]
The Colombo District Court Tuesday issued restraining order on Minister Rauff Hakim preventing him from interfering with the leadership of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) and its high command. After considering a petition filed by Minister Mr. A.L.M.Athaullah and eleven others including the new President of the SLMC Mr.Subairdeen the Additional District Judge Mr. Leslie Abeyagunaratne issued the said restraining order, legal sources in Colombo said.
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SLMC Leader Rauff Hakim asserts his position

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 03 December 2002, 14:04 GMT]
"I am still the leader of the Muslims and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress," declared Minister Mr.Rauff Hakim Tuesday at a hurriedly arranged press conference held at party headquarters Darussalam in Colombo on his return from Oslo. Mr.Hakim identified the present situation in the SLMC "as an act of opportunist conspiracy to change the balance of power in parliament."
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Former Intelligence Operative shot dead in Batticaloa

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 03 December 2002, 03:41 GMT]
M. Abdul Azeez, 25, who had previously worked closely with the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) intelligence division, was shot dead and another youth Meerasahib Mohammed Buhari (20) seriously injured by unknown group of gunmen in the Muslim village of Kavathamunai 34km north west of Batticaloa district at 10.30 pm Monday, said sources in Batticaloa.
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MPGA pickets Jaffna district secretariat

[TamilNet, Monday, 02 December 2002, 19:38 GMT]
The Jaffna District Secretariat came to a standstill Monday due to the picketing by members of the Missing Persons Guardian Association (MPGA), demanding the government to expedite investigations into the Chemmani mass graves.
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LTTE opens first Thamileelam court in Trincomalee district

[TamilNet, Monday, 02 December 2002, 17:17 GMT]
The second Thamileelam law court in the eastern province was opened Monday at Kattaiparichchan village in Muttur east area held by the Liberation Tigers in the Trincomalee district." Our judiciary is eight years old and Thamileelam law courts are established in areas in the northeast controlled by us," said Mr.S.Tilak, LTTE's Trincomalee district political head in a keynote address at the inaugural ceremony of the Thamileelam Courts. The Trincomalee District Superintendent of Thamileelam Police Mr. Avaikumaran lit the traditional oil lamp.
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Third round of peace talks open in Oslo

[TamilNet, Monday, 02 December 2002, 16:32 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) began the third round of peace talks to end Sri Lanka's ethnic conflict at the Radisson SAS Plaza Hotel in downtown Oslo Monday afternoon.
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Athaullah and Hafrath attend parliament

[TamilNet, Monday, 02 December 2002, 14:54 GMT]
Although suspended from Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) party positions by the SLMC leader Rauf Hakim, Athaullah, party's Chairman and Minister of Highways, and M. Hafrath, General Secretary, attended the parliament today and occupied their seats, sources in Colombo said.
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Road blocks remain in Batticaloa district

[TamilNet, Sunday, 01 December 2002, 21:32 GMT]
Speed barriers and road blocks in Batticaloa district roads are still obstructing traffic in many roads in Batticaloa causing severe hardship to residents in several areas of Batticaloa, sources in the east said. Assurance given by the Sri Lanka military chiefs during the meeting of the Sub-Committee on De-escalation and Normalization held in Vavunathivi 20 October that efforts will be taken to remove these barriers still remains to be fulfilled, sources said.
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TNA mourns death of veteran Trinco Tamil activist

[TamilNet, Sunday, 01 December 2002, 21:21 GMT]
"At a time when we are at the doorstep of finding a just, permanent and lasting solution to the Tamil national question through talks between the United National Front (UNF) government and the Liberation Tigers (LTTE) Trincomalee Tamils have lost a veteran activist who has worked for the political emancipation of his community for about fifty years," said the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentary group leader Mr.R.Sampanthan paying Homage to Mr. Subramaniam Gunanayagam Sunday evening.
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Wickremesinghe visits Dalada Maligawa

[TamilNet, Sunday, 01 December 2002, 18:17 GMT]
Sri Lanka's Prime Minister (PM), Ranil Wickremesinghe, travelled to Kandy today morning and had discussions with the Diyawadane Nilame of Kandy Dalada Maligawe Mr.Niranjan Wijeratne after worshipping at the Temple of Sacred Tooth of Buddha, sources in Kandy said.
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Bishop exhorts Tamils to work with confidence

[TamilNet, Sunday, 01 December 2002, 17:22 GMT]
"Tamils in northeast province now live in a transitional period expecting a constitutional change to find a just and lasting political solution to their problems. We should work towards this with utmost confidence," said Rt.Rev. Dr.Kingsely Swampillai, Bishop of Trincomalee-Batticaloa Diocese, addressing the annual prize-giving day of the Trincomalee St.Joseph's College as Chief Guest Saturday.
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Hakeem suspends SLMC Chairman, General Secretary

[TamilNet, Sunday, 01 December 2002, 17:19 GMT]
Rauff Hakeem, Minister in Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) and President of Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) suspended the party's Chairman A.L.M.Athaullah and the General Secretary Dr.M.Hafrath for allegedly plotting to upstage him in his absence violating the party discipline, SLMC sources in Colombo said.
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