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Part time English teachers protest in Jaffna[TamilNet, Thursday, 30 September 2004, 17:16 GMT] About one hundred members of the North-East Part Time English Teachers'
Association Thursday morning held a picketing in front of the Jaffna
district office of the Additional Provincial Director of Education
demanding permanent appointment without delay. The picket continued till
after noon about 2 p.m., sources said.Full story >> Jaffna SLA commander meets civil representatives[TamilNet, Thursday, 30 September 2004, 15:27 GMT]Major General Sunil Tennekoon, Jaffna area commander of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) Thursday said during a discussion he had with the representatives of the People's Committee for Peace and Goodwill (PCPG) in Jaffna district that he is taking every possible step to open A9 highway from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Full story >> Veteran Sinhala actor Gamini Fonseka dies[TamilNet, Thursday, 30 September 2004, 14:19 GMT] Mr.Gamini Fonseka, the well known Sinhala cinema actor turned politician died Thursday. He was 68. Mr. Fonseka played the leading role Gamperaliya, the first Sinhala film to win an international award. His film on the 1958 anti Tamil pogrom, Sarungalay, was well acclaimed. Mr. Fonseka was elected as an MP of the United National Party and served as the Governor of the Northeastern Province (1995 - 1998). His stardom and his fame remain unmatched in Sinhala cinema.
Full story >> Tigers handover under age youth to parents[TamilNet, Thursday, 30 September 2004, 11:59 GMT]The political division of the Liberation Tigers for the Batticaloa-Amparai District said in a press note Thursday that it handed over to their parents two under age youth who had left their homes to join the LTTE. "The two youth were handed over to their parents in the presence of UNICEF representatives by Mr. P. Thayamohan, head of (LTTE's) administrative service and Mr. T. Thamilaaravan, officer in charge of (division dealing with) NGOs at the LTTE's Batticaloa-Ampara District Secretariat", states the press note. Full story >> Talks in US to expand economic partnership[TamilNet, Thursday, 30 September 2004, 11:02 GMT]United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Minister of Finance Dr. Sarath Amunugama is scheduled meet with the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to apprise him of the economic policies of the Sri Lanka Government and, to discuss matters related to further broadening and deepening the US-Sri Lanka bilateral economic relationship. Said Embassy of Sri Lanka Washington DC Press release issued today. Full story >> Youth shot dead in Eravur[TamilNet, Thursday, 30 September 2004, 06:56 GMT]A youth who was taken away from his home by unidentified men Wednesday night was found shot dead in Redd Barnapuram in Eravur, 14 kilimoetres north of Batticaloa, Police said. The body of the youth, Mr.Dharmalingam Gopalakrishnan, 19, was found in shrub near his home with gunshot wounds Thursday morning, according to Eravur Police. Full story >> Tension in Akkaraipattu after attack on shops[TamilNet, Thursday, 30 September 2004, 04:43 GMT]Tension prevailed in Akkaraipattu Thursday after several shops in the Tamil division of the southeastern town were smashed up in the early hours of Thursday morning. "Sri Lanka Police stood by doing nothing while some thugs attacked the shops. The attack is aimed at instigating a violence between Muslims and Tamils. We are determined to stop this by peaceful means. We appeal to Tamils and our Muslim brethren not to rise to the bait of those who want to fan communal violence and divide our people", said Mr. S. Kuyilinpan, head of the LTTE's political division for the Ampara District Thursday. Full story >> Colombo to probe assault on Jaffna HRC officials[TamilNet, Thursday, 30 September 2004, 02:47 GMT]Mr.Ruwan Chandrasekara, Jaffna regional co-ordinator of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL), was summoned to Colombo Wednesday amid reports that Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the HRCSL high command are to hold high level discussion regarding the assault on Mr.Chandrasekara and his colleagues at the Jaffna police station Monday by several policemen, sources said. Full story >> U.S Court curbs FBI powers granted in Patriot Act[TamilNet, Thursday, 30 September 2004, 00:12 GMT] Federal judge Victor Marrero, who presides U.S. District Court in New York City, struck down Wednesday a key part of the U.S. Patriot Act, which granted to the FBI surveillance powers to demand company records from businesses without court approval, as unconstitutional, media reports in the U.S said.Full story >> JHU launches signature campaign to oust Norway[TamilNet, Wednesday, 29 September 2004, 10:31 GMT]Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), the party of ultra Sinhala nationalist Buddhist monks, launched a signature campaign Tuesday in Kandy vowing to collect five million signatures against the Norwegian facilitation in the Peace Process. Venerable Omalpe Sobhitha Thera, the Deputy Leader of the JHU, addressing a meeting at the Central Market in Kandy, vowed that he personally would be campaigning for three days in Colombo, Kandy, Gampaha, Galle, Matara and Polannaruwa districts, sources said. Full story >> Youth shot in Kiran, two killed in Ampara[TamilNet, Wednesday, 29 September 2004, 08:17 GMT]Unidentified gunmen shot and wounded a youth in Kiran, 28 kilometres north of Batticaloa, Tuesday night, Police said. In another incident two Singhalese were found shot to death on the Akkaraipattu-Ampara road, 64 kilometres south of Batticaloa, Tuesday night around 10 p.m. Police investigating the murder said murder was over a private feud. Mr.Kanapathipillai Vivekanandarasa, 19, the youth who was shot in Kiran, told Police that he was not affiliated to any party or paramilitary and that he was a salesman. Full story >> Internal rift within EPDP, cause of killings- LTTE[TamilNet, Wednesday, 29 September 2004, 01:53 GMT] Mr.T. Semmanan, LTTE Jaffna district deputy political head, in a press note released Tuesday, dismissed as baseless the allegation of the Eelam Peoples Democratic Party (EPDP) that LTTE is behind the killing of EPDP members in Jaffna district. "There is clear evidence that internal rift in the rank and file of the EPDP has been the cause of the killing of EPDP members," said a statement signed by Mr.Semmanan.
Full story >> U.S funds training of Sri Lanka Police[TamilNet, Tuesday, 28 September 2004, 20:04 GMT]US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Jeffrey.J.Lunstead, and Srilankan Inspector General of police Indra De Silva signed an agreement today at the US Embassy initiating a two year program administered by the U.S Department of Justice where Sri Lanka Police will receive equipment and training worth $250,000, a US embassy press release issued today said. Full story >> "Thennamaravadi IDP's lands being encroached"- Sampanthan[TamilNet, Tuesday, 28 September 2004, 16:29 GMT]Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian Mr.R.Sampanthan complained in a letter to the Sri Lanka Goverment's Peace Secretariat officials that they should take immediate steps to stop the encroachment of paddy lands belonging to displaced Tamil families located in Thennamaravadi village in Trincomalee district, sources said. Full story >> Civilian killed in shelling north of Batticaloa[TamilNet, Tuesday, 28 September 2004, 10:45 GMT]A civilian was killed and another wounded in shelling in Panichchankerni, 60 kilometres north of Batticaloa Tuesday around 11. 30 a.m. The shelling came from the direction of the Cashew Plantation Sri Lanka army camp in Mankerni, residents said. The woman who was injured in the shelling was taken to Valaichenai hospital and was then transferred to the Batticaloa teaching hospital. Panichchankerni is a village in the LTTE controlled region in Batticaloa north. Mankerni is five kilometres south of Panichchankerni. Full story >> "Aid not tied to talks will be detrimental to peace"- Thamilchelvan[TamilNet, Tuesday, 28 September 2004, 10:11 GMT] "We are meeting in Geneva to discuss further matters related to our current political situation and to explore ways to take forward the currently stalled peace process," said S.P.Thamilchelvan, Leader of the Political Wing of Liberation Tigers, speaking to reporters as the LTTE delegation was leaving for Geneva, Switzerland, for a tour of European Countries.
Full story >> Talks should raise Plantation Tamil issues- Chandrasekaran[TamilNet, Tuesday, 28 September 2004, 10:01 GMT] ''During negotiations on rights to self-determination of NorthEast Tamils, problems faced by the plantation sector Tamils too should be raised. Plantation Tamils will lose if it is claimed that there is no link between the NorthEast Tamils and the plantation Tamils and that any connection between the two sectors could trigger tensions in the hill country as asserted by a certain organisations,'' said Periyasamy Chandrasekaran, leader of
Up Country People Front (UPF) speaking at the opening of the Badulla District centre of the UPF, Monday, sources said.Full story >> LTTE delegation to leave for Europe[TamilNet, Tuesday, 28 September 2004, 01:37 GMT]A high level delegation of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) led by its political head S.P.Thamilchelvan is scheduled to leave on a three-week visit to European countries on Wednesday through Katunayake International Airport (KIA). The delegation is expected hold discussions with legal and constitutional expert who formulated the Interim Self Government Authority proposals (ISGA), sources said. The team will also meet Government officials of several European countries during the tour. Full story >> TRO sponsored Children's Week begins in NorthEast[TamilNet, Tuesday, 28 September 2004, 00:17 GMT] The Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) in collaboration with Pre-School Educational Development Council (PSEDC) has declared week beginning Monday, 27 September, as Children's Week in all eight districts of the North-East province, to mark the International Children's' Day that falls on October 1st, sources said.Full story >> Universities open after workers' strike[TamilNet, Monday, 27 September 2004, 18:37 GMT]Sri Lanka universities opened Monday after a month long closure due to the strike by non-academic staff. The non-academic staff struck work from 1st September demanding the University authorities to rectify salary anomalies. The strike was called off Friday following an agreement reached at a discussion between the delegation of the Inter University Trade Union Committee and a ministerial committee, sources said. Full story >> Transport fares increase again[TamilNet, Monday, 27 September 2004, 15:56 GMT]Bus fares will increase by about 6% effective from 1st October, Transport Minister Mr. Felix Perera said Monday. This decision was taken at a discussion held Monday afternoon between the representatives of Private Bus Owners Association and Transport Ministry officials following the increase of price on fuel, sources said. Full story >> Fingerprints to appear on Sri Lanka passports[TamilNet, Monday, 27 September 2004, 13:29 GMT]Applicants will have to provide finger prints when they apply for passports, Department of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka said in a press release issued in Colombo today. Full story >> TRO to assist war affected families in Muttur east[TamilNet, Monday, 27 September 2004, 12:02 GMT]Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) has launched a project on experimental basis to provide livelihood development assistance to families affected by the war in the Muttur east village in the Trincomalee district. The inaugural event was held at Chenaiyoor Central College last weekend and TRO's Trincomalee District Director Mr. Kiruba and LTTE's Trincomalee district political head Mr.C. Elilan participated in the event. Full story >> Police assault Jaffna human rights commission officer[TamilNet, Monday, 27 September 2004, 10:05 GMT]The officer in charge of Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission in Jaffna, Mr.Ruwan Chandrasekera, and two of his colleagues were severely assaulted by Policemen at the main Police station in the northern town Monday. Mr.Chandrasekera said he had gone to the Jaffna Police station Monday afternoon around 1.30 p.m. to investigate an arrest when he was assaulted by the Policemen. Full story >> Paramilitary cadre shot dead in Jaffna[TamilNet, Monday, 27 September 2004, 09:45 GMT]A member of a paramilitary group working with the Sri Lanka army was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Jaffna Monday afternoon, Police said. The man, identified as Valli Sundaram, was riding a motorbike on KKS Road between Maruthanamadam and Inuvil when two gunmen on a motorbike fired on him with a handgun, according to Police. Full story >> Sri Lanka experiences heavy rainfall[TamilNet, Monday, 27 September 2004, 07:29 GMT]Sri Lanka experienced heavy rain Sunday night inundating low-lying areas with flood in several parts of the island. North-eastern coastal areas from Jaffna, Mullaitivu Trincomalee and Batticaloa recorded several millimetres of rainfall ending 24 hours on Monday morning, meteorological department sources said. Full story >> Batticaloa to be declared backward district in education[TamilNet, Sunday, 26 September 2004, 16:13 GMT]Sri Lanka University Grants Commission (UGC) agreed to a request made by the Batticaloa district Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarians to declare the Batticaloa district as a backward area in education. The UGC also decided to submit a report to the Sri Lanka Government to get Cabinet approval for the decision, education sources said. Full story >> Barathipuram on road to recovery[TamilNet, Sunday, 26 September 2004, 13:55 GMT]Barathipuram, a Tamil settlement founded in 1964, about 3 km. off Trincomalee town, with currently about 125 families, is slowly rising with new amenities obtained with financial assistance from Lions Club of Trincomalee. Full story >> "Learn from the past"- Anuradhapura Bishop[TamilNet, Sunday, 26 September 2004, 13:02 GMT] "We should learn from our past mistakes. We should learn to respect and accept diversity. We should rise above all differences, breaking man-made barriers and demolishing walls around us," exhorted Anuradhapura Bishop Rt. Rev.Dr.Norbert Andradi participating as the chief guest at the annual prize day of the 137 years old Trincomalee St.Joseph's College held Saturday in the college auditorium.
Full story >> Northern Muslims support talks based on ISGA[TamilNet, Sunday, 26 September 2004, 11:41 GMT]"Sri Lanka's President Ms Chandrika Kumaratunge should take immediate steps to commence peace talks with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on the basis of the Interim Self Governing Authority (ISGA) proposals submitted by the LTTE," said Moulavi. M.Subiyan, Secretary of the Association to Protect Rights of Northern Muslims, when TamilNet asked him to comment on the current peace stalemate. M.Subiyan is also the President of Killinochchi District Muslims' Secretariat. Full story >> Ex soldier shot in Eravur[TamilNet, Sunday, 26 September 2004, 11:34 GMT]An ex-Sri Lanka army soldier was shot at by unidentified gunmen in Eravur, 14 kilometres north of Batticaloa, Saturday evening, Police said. The man, A. M Mohammed Ansar, 30, was injured in the shoot out when he was on his way to buy fish in Savukkadi, a coastal village on the outskirts of Eravur town. Full story >> Muhamalai checkpoints get 24-hour power supply[TamilNet, Sunday, 26 September 2004, 10:57 GMT]The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has informed the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) that it has provided electricity supply and other related facilities to open the Muhamalai checkpoints for twenty hours without interruption, CEB sources said. Full story >> Thileepan memorial day observed in Jaffna[TamilNet, Sunday, 26 September 2004, 10:06 GMT] The final day of the seventeenth death anniversary of a senior leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Lt. Colonel Thileepan was observed Sunday throughout Jaffna district. The main event was held Sunday morning at Nallur Kandasamy Temple premises where Lt Colonel Thileepan passed away after two weeks fasting unto death putting forward five demands to the Indian Government.
Full story >> Children, Women's Desk opened in Amparai Police HQ[TamilNet, Sunday, 26 September 2004, 02:12 GMT] Mr. Neville Wijesinghe, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Eastern region Saturday declared open UNICEF supported Children and Women's Desk at Amparai Police Headquarters. The effort is intended to encourage reporting of abuses, promote dialogue with the officiers responsible for protection of citizens, and reduce trauma in children and their families, UNICEF officials said.Full story >> Record crowds throng Canada's Pongu Thamil[TamilNet, Saturday, 25 September 2004, 17:31 GMT] Canadian Tamil Radio (CTR) broadcasters estimated a record gathering of close to 75,000 people at the Pongu Thamil (Tamil uprising) event at Queens Park in Toronto Saturday afternoon. Addressing the Pongu Thamil gathering, Mr. Michael Prue, MPP for East York and Beaches said he has been a politician for 18 years, was born and raised in Toronto and that he has never seen a crowd like he saw today in the history of Queens Park lawn.Full story >> Under world killings continue in South[TamilNet, Saturday, 25 September 2004, 16:34 GMT]Two members of a suspected underworld gang were shot dead by Police officers manning the check point in Piwatte near Panadura in Colombo Saturday evening, police sources said. They allegedly hijacked a motorbike in Wadukka, 20km south of Colombo, and had passed through the checkpoint when Police officers gave chase and opened fire. Full story >> TNA MPs meet Swiss Ambassador[TamilNet, Saturday, 25 September 2004, 10:35 GMT] Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Foreign Affairs Committee which met with Swiss Ambassodor to Sri Lanka, Mr. Bernadino Regazzoni, at the Switzerland Embassy in Colombo Friday expressed their concern on the reluctance shown by the ruling United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) government to take steps to restart the peace talks, and urged the ambassador to exert pressure on the Government of Sri Lanka to actively seek ways to resume talks.Full story >> Abrogate CFA if you want war, JVP told[TamilNet, Saturday, 25 September 2004, 10:32 GMT]"You embarked on a loose, infantile armed struggle and butchered thousands if youth, and you have now come here praising virtues of democracy. The Tigers are fighting for the rights of their people. If it is not for the CeaseFire Agreement (CFA) Sri Lanka would have been destroyed by now," said UNP MP for Puttalam District, Mr. Ekanayake, speaking in Parliament Friday on the adjournment motion presented by Trincomalee District JVP MP, Jayantha Wijesekera, parliamentary sources said. The motion condemned the abduction of two Homeguards by the LTTE and demanded their release. Full story >> Youth found stabbed to death in Vadamaradchy[TamilNet, Saturday, 25 September 2004, 10:17 GMT]Mr. Selvarajah Mohan, 22-year-old youth of Rajakiramam west village was found dead with cut injuries on his neck in Malusanthi area in Vadamarachi division in Jaffna district Saturday, Nelliayady Police said. Full story >> Reconstruction of school inside HSZ begins[TamilNet, Saturday, 25 September 2004, 01:46 GMT]Foundation stone was laid for the Swiss Government financed construction of war destroyed class rooms of the Eluthumadduval North Government Tamil school located inside the high security zone in Thenmaradchchi division, Jaffna district Friday. The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) gave permission to the Principal, school teachers and students to attend the ceremony, education sources said. Full story >> UNP holds demonstration in Colombo[TamilNet, Friday, 24 September 2004, 23:27 GMT] United National Party (UNP) parliamentarians, thousands of party cadres and activists joined a mass demonstration to protest against the worsening economic situation under the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) government in front of the Colombo Fort railway station for nearly two hours Friday.Full story >> LTTE militarily strong to face another war- Elilan[TamilNet, Friday, 24 September 2004, 17:20 GMT] "We hate war and we are committed to the current peace process. However, we
are militarily strong to face a war if it is thrusted on us," said
Mr.S.Elilan, head of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam Trincomalee political wing addressing a meeting
which followed a token fast held Friday in Trincomalee Hindu Cultural Hall
to mark the seventeenth death anniversary of LTTE senior leader Lt.Colonel
Thileepan.
Full story >> Gurunagar sea sports meet held after 8 years[TamilNet, Friday, 24 September 2004, 17:06 GMT] Sea sports meet was held in the Jaffna lagoon Friday after an interval of
eight years. Swimming race and boat race were held at all levels with the
permission of the Sri Lanka Army on a request made by Gurunagar United
Progressive Front, sources said.Full story >> USAID inaugurates four projects in Batticaloa[TamilNet, Friday, 24 September 2004, 12:59 GMT]United States donated US$ 138,000 for four projects in the Batticaloa District the Embassy of United States press release said Friday. The US Embassy this week inaugurated the projects “aimed at improving the health and vocational skills of local residents” according to the press release. The projects are funded by US Agency for International Development (USAID). Full story >> LTTE says arms, documents recovered from Reggie[TamilNet, Friday, 24 September 2004, 12:41 GMT]The political division of the Liberation for Batticaloa-Amparai said in a statement issued Friday that Karuna’s brother Reggie and two of his associates were shot dead by the special jungle warfare units of the Jeyanthan Regiment around 5.30 a.m. on Tuesday, 21 September 2004. They were killed in a jungle near the Maduru Oya reservoir, according to the LTTE statement. “Communications equipment, weapons with serial numbers erased and some documents were captured from Raggie and his associates”, the Tigers said. Full story >> TNA criticizes SL President's UN speech[TamilNet, Friday, 24 September 2004, 01:11 GMT] Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunge's speech at the United Nations General Assembly "does not reflect true factual position...We urge the President to refrain from making rhetorical statements and focus on resolute action that would enable the recommencement of talks and meaningful consensus-building that would ensure the success of the negotiations," said parliamentarians from Tamil National Alliance (TNA) in a press statement released Thursday.
Full story >> Ilavalai residents demand return of occupied houses[TamilNet, Thursday, 23 September 2004, 19:36 GMT]Internally Displaced Peoples' (IDP) Welfare unit of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has taken steps to get back about thirteen houses from the occupation of Sri Lanka Police in Ilavalai and to hand over them to the displaced owners who are now staying in welfare centres, sources said. Full story >> SLA-LTTE delegations meet in Jaffna[TamilNet, Thursday, 23 September 2004, 19:32 GMT]Representatives of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and Sri Lanka Army (SLA) Thursday morning met at the Jaffna office of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM), security sources said. Major General Sunil Tennekon met with the Jaffna LTTE leaders for the first time after he assumed duties as the Jaffna area commander. Full story >> Sri Lanka army informant shot dead[TamilNet, Thursday, 23 September 2004, 16:53 GMT]A Sri Lanka army informant was shot dead in Mannampity, 72 kilometres northwest of Batticaloa Wenesday night, Police said. The informant, Mr. Rajathurai Sivagnanam, 24, was gunned down by unidentified men at his home on Colony Road in Mannampity town Wednesday night around 8.30. Full story >> North, South youths meet[TamilNet, Thursday, 23 September 2004, 10:46 GMT]Forty youths from the North and about 20 youths from the South are participating in an event labelled "Time to heal the wounds of division" organized by the National Council of YMCA (Young Men's Christian Association) from 24 September, Friday, to Tuesday, in Jaffna, civil sources from Jaffna said. Full story >> EPDP central committee member gunned down in Colombo[TamilNet, Thursday, 23 September 2004, 09:52 GMT]A central committe member of the EPDP was shot dead in Colombo Thursday afternoon, Police said. The senior EPDP cadre, Mr.Somasunderam Varunakulasingham, 39, was being driven home in his car around 3 p.m. when unidentified gunmen shot him in Vihara Lane, Wellawatte, a predominantly Tamil suburb of Colombo. EPDP is a key ally of President Kumaratunga and is a paramilitary. Full story >> Karuna's brother killed in LTTE operation[TamilNet, Thursday, 23 September 2004, 05:34 GMT] The deputy of renegade Liberation Tigers commander Karuna was killed in an ambush by LTTE forces in the Maduru Oya sector on the Batticaloa-Polannaruwa district border in the early hours of Thursday, according to well informed sources in the eastern district. An LTTE official said there was an operation by their special forces in the interior jungles northwest of Batticaloa against some elements of renegade commander Karuna's paramilitary, which the Tigers say is working with the Sri Lanka army. 'Reggie', the deputy leader of the paramilitary, is the elder brother of Karuna.
Full story >> Nagarkovil students massacre remembered[TamilNet, Wednesday, 22 September 2004, 16:19 GMT]The 9th death anniversary of 40 people, including 26 students, who were killed on 22nd September 1995 in an aerial attack by the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) on the Nagarkovil Maha Vidiyalayam was observed Wednesday afternoon at the Puloly Roman Catholic School in the Vadamaradchi division in Jaffna district, education sources said. Full story >> Vadamaradchchi residents agitate for electricity[TamilNet, Wednesday, 22 September 2004, 15:59 GMT]Association for Preservation of Natural Resources in Vadamaradchchi East Wednesday made an appeal to the Jaffna District Government Agent to take immediate steps to provide electricity supply to villages in the division. Full story >> South Korea assists IT development in Jaffna Technical College[TamilNet, Wednesday, 22 September 2004, 15:30 GMT]South Korea has donated 238 million rupees for the development of information technology in the Jaffna Technical College. South Korean Ambassador Mr.Lin Jae Hong made this announcement when he paid a visit to Jaffna Technical College Wednesday morning, sources said. Full story >> World Bank launches first e-development project in Sri Lanka[TamilNet, Wednesday, 22 September 2004, 13:59 GMT]The World Bank Tuesday approved US$53 million credit for its first integrated e-development project, the e-Sri Lanka project. Full story >> Sri Lankan armed forces, LTTE meet again in Batticaloa[TamilNet, Wednesday, 22 September 2004, 04:51 GMT] Sri Lankan armed forces officers and political officials of the Liberation Tigers met Wednesday in Batticaloa after a long gap to discuss cease fire related issues in the eastern district. The LTTE delegation was led by Mr. E. Kousalyan, head of the Tigers' political division for Batticaloa-Amparai. Sri Lankan armed forces delegation was led by Brig. Vajira Wijegunawardena, General Officer Commanding (GOC), Sri Lanka army's 23 Division. Head of Sri Lanka truce monitoring mission, Maj. Gen. (ret) Trond Furuhovde presided.
Full story >> IOM assists refugees returning from India[TamilNet, Wednesday, 22 September 2004, 01:56 GMT] The International Organization for Migration (IOM) with the financial support of AUSAID of the Australian Government commenced Monday in Trincomalee the distribution of livelihood development assistance to Tamil
refugees returning from India, civil sources in Trincomalee said. Full story >> Fisheries jetty work resumes amid SLA opposition[TamilNet, Tuesday, 21 September 2004, 17:10 GMT]Fisheries co-operative society of Kerudavil village in Vadamaradchchi north coastal area has commenced deepening the fisheries jetty amid opposition by the Sri Lankan Army (SLA), fisheries society sources said. The Jetty had been abandoned due to war for about eight years. Full story >> Kurunagala Sinhala delegation visits Jaffna[TamilNet, Tuesday, 21 September 2004, 16:28 GMT]Forty-nine member delegation of Deva Sarana Centre, a Sinhala organization with its headquarters in Kurunagala district in the northwestern province, visited Jaffna Tuesday and held discussion with the representatives of Jaffna Non-Governmental Organizations' Consortium (JNOC) and Jaffna university students, civil sources in Jaffna said. Full story >> UNP says planning first step to topple Kumaratunge govt[TamilNet, Tuesday, 21 September 2004, 13:08 GMT]The United National Party (UNP) will hold a mass demonstration in Colombo on September 24, Friday, to protest against the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Government. UNP MPs Mr. Gamini Lokuge and Dr. Rajitha Senaratne told a press conference in Colombo Tuesday, that the protest would be the first step to topple the UPFA Government, which has not fulfilled its promises to the people. Full story >> Mass meditation in Colombo for Peace Day[TamilNet, Tuesday, 21 September 2004, 13:03 GMT] Hundreds of Buddhist monks and other religious leaders participated in a peace meditation to mark Universal Peace Day on the Bandarnaike Memorial
International Conference Hall (BMICH) grounds in Colombo Tuesday.
The meditation was organized by Sarvodaya and other civil society groups. Full story >> Road side explosion in Batticaloa north[TamilNet, Tuesday, 21 September 2004, 11:26 GMT]A claymore mine was triggered by an unidentified person in Panichchankerni, 60 kilometres north of Batticaloa, Tuesday. No one was hurt in the explosion. An LTTE official in Batticaloa alleged that an informant working with the Sri Lanka army had set off the explosion. Full story >> Use new understanding to recommence peace talks - NPC[TamilNet, Tuesday, 21 September 2004, 11:19 GMT]Referring to the assurance of support given by the main opposition party UNP, to the Sri Lanka Government if it commences peace talks on the basis of LTTE's ISGA proposals, the National Peace Council in a Press Release issued on Monday, urged the Sri Lanka government to "build upon this implicit understanding with the opposition to take the peace process forward by engaging in peace talks with the LTTE". Full story >> Art competition spotlights suffering of displaced children[TamilNet, Tuesday, 21 September 2004, 08:11 GMT] Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) held an art competition among the displaced children living in welfare centres in the Northeast Province and in Puttalam district to highlight the difficulties war affected children face. The winning drawings will be exhibited in the island level exhibition in Colombo,Full story >> New IGP to assume office[TamilNet, Tuesday, 21 September 2004, 02:10 GMT]Inspector Chandra Fernando will assume duties as the 29th new Inspector General of Police (IGP) before 30 September if his nomination to the IGP post is approved by the Constitutional Council, security sources in Colombo said. Full story >> Provincial Tamil Language Day festival held in Trincomalee[TamilNet, Monday, 20 September 2004, 20:13 GMT]Northeast Tamil Language Day competition at provincial level was held Sunday morning and the winners were awarded with certificates in the evening at the Provincial Tamil Language Day Festival the same day evening at Trincomalee St.Mary's College Theresian auditorium. Full story >> Discussion on IDPs issue held in Jaffna[TamilNet, Monday, 20 September 2004, 20:00 GMT]A one-day discussion organized by the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) on the problems of the internally displaced people was held on Monday in the auditorium of Jaffna district secretariat under the National Protection and Durable Solution for Internally Displaced Persons Project. Full story >> Another Black September massacre remembered in Batticaloa[TamilNet, Monday, 20 September 2004, 15:39 GMT]Special prayers were offered Monday in the Tamil temple and church in the villages of Savukkadi and Thalavaai, 14 kilometres north of Batticaloa, in remembrance of forty two men, women and children who were hacked and shot to death by Sri Lanka army troops on 20 September 1990. The villagers were massacred during an SLA operation along the coast toward Batticaloa. Full story >> EPDP blocks Norway embassy with coffin[TamilNet, Monday, 20 September 2004, 13:29 GMT]A large group of EPDP cadres blocked the main entrance of the Norwegian embassy in Colombo Monday for more than two hours with the coffin of one of their colleagues who was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Puttalam two days ago. The EPDP protested in front of the Norwegian mission from against the killing of its cadres, urging Oslo to take concrete action to stop the assasinations. EPDP cadres burnt the effigies of LTTE leaders, accusing them for the killings. EPDP is a key paramilitary in Sri Lanka. It is also a close ally of President Kumaratunga. Full story >> Canadian Ambassador meets Thamilchelvan[TamilNet, Monday, 20 September 2004, 10:43 GMT] Ambassador of Canada in Colombo, Valerie Raymond met with Head of the LTTE Political Wing, S.P.Thamilchelvan in the LTTE Peace Secretariat building in Kilinochchi Monday, sources from Vanni said. The discussions centered on the peace process and the urgency of both parties, the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE to show flexibility to resume the stalled peace talks. Full story >> Popular radio network says plot to jam news[TamilNet, Monday, 20 September 2004, 05:57 GMT]The management of Asian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), the parent company of five popular radio stations in Sri Lanka Monday expressed concern over reports in local print and electronic media about an alleged request by the Ministry of Internal Security to jam news broadcasts on all the radio channels of the network. President Kumaratunga cancelled ABC's TV license soon after she seized key ministries from the United National Front government in November 2003. In August this year Sri Lanka army seized equipment ABC sent to Jaffna for upgrading its broadcast in the north. Full story >> Canadian Tamils to demonstrate support for peace process[TamilNet, Sunday, 19 September 2004, 21:11 GMT] Canadian Tamils are organizing a "Pongu Thamil" (Tamil upsurge) awareness festival in Toronto on September 25, 2004, to demonstrate their support for the current peace process and to request the Canadian government to take an active role in the peace process in Sri Lanka, Tamil community activists in Canada said Sunday.Full story >> President's intentions not translated into action - LTTE[TamilNet, Sunday, 19 September 2004, 12:45 GMT]LTTE Political Wing in a press release Sunday accused the President Chandrika Kumaratunga of being responsible for the delay in restarting the peace process. The intentions of the President who "expressed her interest in restarting the peace process", were "not translated into action" said the Press Release. The recent statement of the President is "far from the truth and is totally disappointing" said the Press Release. Full story >> $700/day nightly comfort for SL team to UN- paper[TamilNet, Sunday, 19 September 2004, 11:55 GMT] "Sri Lanka delegation to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) sessions is billed to stay at the most famous five-star luxury hotel in the city - the Waldorf Astoria," in New York costing Sri Lankan tax payers room rates ranging from $370 to $700, Sunday Times, a weekly broadsheet in Colombo reported in its Sunday edition.Full story >> Provincial Folk Dance festival held in Trincomalee[TamilNet, Sunday, 19 September 2004, 10:41 GMT] Northeast Provincial Folk Dance Festival was held Saturday evening in Trincomalee St.Mary's College Therese Auditorium under the auspices of Provincial Department of Education. Schools which won the district level competitions participated in the provincial level final competitions held Saturday morning and the winners were awarded prizes and certificates in the Folk Dance Festival held later the same day.Full story >> Cement shortage, inefficiency plague Jaffna construction industry[TamilNet, Sunday, 19 September 2004, 10:36 GMT]Nearly forty percent of funds allocated by the Government of Sri Lanka last year to implement several development projects in Jaffna have not been spent primarily due to lethargic attitude of officials responsible for disbursement of funds causing major delays in several development projects, representatives of contractors' consortium said. Full story >> Rebuilding of Achchuveli Industrial Estate urged[TamilNet, Sunday, 19 September 2004, 02:16 GMT]Jaffna District Co-ordinating Committee (JDCC) Saturday urged the Government of Sri Lanka to reconstruct the war destroyed Industrial Estate located in Achchuveli in Jaffna district. JDCC said that rehabilitation would enable Jaffna residents to regain the lost economic benefits and would increase job prospects for unemployed youths. Full story >> Rising law, order needs necessitate expansion- Nadesan[TamilNet, Sunday, 19 September 2004, 01:21 GMT] "Our people have full confidence in Thamileelam Police and want us to maintain law and order in as many areas of NorthEast as possible. They feel safe when the law enforcement authority is in the hands of our police officers. The objective of Thamileelam Police is not only to maintain law and order but also to work for the general welfare of the Tamil people," said Mr. P.Nadesan, Head of the Thamileelam Police Service, when TamilNet spoke to him Friday.Full story >> TRO supplies tractors to Killinochchi NGOs[TamilNet, Saturday, 18 September 2004, 15:39 GMT] Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) under its Accelerated
Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Development Project Saturday handed over
seven tractors on a loan scheme through Killinochchi Social Economic
Development Bank (KSEDB) to local non-governmental organizations to
strengthen their activities in the region.
Full story >> Sri Lanka Police chief urged to stop drug smuggling in Mannar[TamilNet, Saturday, 18 September 2004, 13:10 GMT]Mannar Bishop Rt. Rev. Rayappu Joseph Saturday urged Sri Lanka's Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Indra Silva, to urgently start a special Police division to curb rampant heroin smuggling in the district. Mr.Indra Silva is the first IGP of Sri Lanka to visit Mannar in 30 years. He paid a courtsey call on the Bishop during an official visit to Mannar Saturday. Mannar has emerged as a major transit point for drug smuggling from India to Sri Lanka after Colombo signed a cease fire agreement with the Liberation Tigers in 2002. Full story >> Senior EPDP cadre shot dead in Puttalam[TamilNet, Saturday, 18 September 2004, 07:08 GMT] A senior member of the EPDP, a close ally of President Kumaratunga, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Puttalam, 125 kilometres north of Colombo, Saturday around 11 a.m. Police said. The EPDP cadre, identified as Mr. Thambithurai Sivakumar, 42, was going home in Thillaiyadi, Puttalam when he was shot by gunmen riding a motorbike, according to Police.
Full story >> Carpentry-training centre opened in Kandawalai[TamilNet, Saturday, 18 September 2004, 05:21 GMT]Killinochchi Technical College with the support of World University Service of Canada (WUSC) recently opened a carpentry-training centre in Kandavwalai, in Vanni region. Project Co-ordinator WUSC Mr.S. Jeyarajasingham, ceremoniously inaugurated the training programme at the newly opened centre. Full story >> Marine Technology teacher shortage in Jaffna[TamilNet, Saturday, 18 September 2004, 03:49 GMT]The Association of Marine Technology Teachers in Jaffna district Friday requested Jaffna district parliamentarians to take immediate steps to appoint more teachers in the North-East schools to teach subjects related to marine technology, Jaffna district secretariat sources said. Full story >> Solheim meets Sri Lanka's Opposition Leader[TamilNet, Saturday, 18 September 2004, 03:10 GMT] Norwegian special peace envoy Mr. Erik Solheim met with the
Opposition Leader and former Prime Minister, Mr.Ranil Wickremesinghe, at the latter's official residence Friday evening, on the eve of his departure after a five day
stay in Sri Lanka, sources said.
Full story >> UNDP officials review Jaffna projects[TamilNet, Friday, 17 September 2004, 16:53 GMT]A team of officials of the UNDP Friday held a review in Jaffna regional office of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) on progress made in implementing several development projects in the Jaffna district, sources said. Full story >> Sinhala journalists visit Jaffna IDP families[TamilNet, Friday, 17 September 2004, 15:27 GMT]A group of Sinhala journalists Friday visited several welfare centres in the Jaffna district where large number of internally displaced families (IDP) are given shelter and inquired from them their difficulties living as refugees, civil group sources said. Full story >> Tigers to meet SLA in Batticaloa Wednesday[TamilNet, Friday, 17 September 2004, 14:18 GMT]The Liberation Tigers in Batticaloa will meet Sri Lankan armed forces on Wednesday, 22 September, informed sources in the eastern district said. The meeting was postponed twice since last month. Tigers indicated the new date following the return of Mr. E. Kousalyan, head of LTTE's political division for Batticaloa-Amparai District on Thursday. Full story >> Solheim discusses peace impasse with editors[TamilNet, Friday, 17 September 2004, 10:59 GMT] Norway's special peace envoy Mr. Eric Solheim Friday had discussions with editors of the Sinhala dailies Lankadeepa and and Lakbima and the Tamil dailies Thinakkural and Sudar Oli about the current peace impasse in Sri Lanka. He said that he was unable to meet the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), President Kumaratunga's main coalition partner that is stridently opposing peace talks with the Liberation Tigers.
Full story >> UK martial art expert to teach in Kilinochchi orphanage[TamilNet, Friday, 17 September 2004, 00:02 GMT] Leigh Smith, a top martial art specialist from Rochdale, Manchester, United Kingdom is visiting Kilinochchi on 26 September on the invitation of Karate Grand master Bonnie Roberts to teach in a Kilinochchi orphanage, Rochdale county paper in UK reported.Full story >> Sri Lanka President welcomes Norway's role[TamilNet, Thursday, 16 September 2004, 17:11 GMT]Sri Lanka's President Chandrika Kumaratunge welcomed Norway's role in the peace process and accused the LTTE of ''indecision over commencement of talks,'' in a press release issued today after discussions with Norwegian Peace Envoy, Eric Solheim at the President's House in Colombo. Full story >> Tamil Language Festival to be held in Trinco[TamilNet, Thursday, 16 September 2004, 15:26 GMT]North East Provincial Tamil Language Festival for Tamil medium schools in the province is to be held on September 18 and 19 in Trincomalee St.Mary's College Theresa Auditorium. Provincial Folkdance Festival will be held on the first day and Tamil Language Festival on the second day, provincial ministry of education officials said. Full story >> Teacher alleges assault by Kodikamam Police[TamilNet, Thursday, 16 September 2004, 14:58 GMT]Miss T.Indranee, a teacher conducting evening classes to drop-out students the under UNICEF project ''Regaining Lost Education'' in Mirusuvil north in Thenmaradchchi in Jaffna district Thursday complained to the Jaffna regional office of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) that she and her students had been severely assaulted by Kodikamam Police Tuesday, education sources said. Full story >> ISGA must form basis for talks- UNP[TamilNet, Thursday, 16 September 2004, 14:44 GMT]Sri Lanka's main opposition United National Party (UNP) Thursday reiterated its stand that the future talks between the United People Freedom Alliance (UPFA) the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) should commence on the basis of the Interim Self Governing Authority (ISGA), said UNP's media spokesman and former minister Professor G.L.Peiris addressing a press briefing in Colombo. Full story >> U.S. Consular officials to visit Jaffna[TamilNet, Thursday, 16 September 2004, 10:53 GMT]Consular officials of the American Embassy in Colombo will be visiting Jaffna on Monday, 20 September to provide opportunity for U.S. citizens residing in Jaffna to meet the officials, a press release from the U.S. Embassy said. Full story >> No constructive message from Colombo - Thamilchelvan[TamilNet, Thursday, 16 September 2004, 09:33 GMT] "The Norwegian facilitators did not bring any constructive message from the Sri Lankan government. It is unfortunate that the Sri Lankan government is not speaking in one voice about the peace process" said Mr. S. P Thamilchelvan, head of the Liberation Tigers' political divison, speaking to the press after discussions with Mr. Eric Solheim, Norway's special peace envoy to Sri Lanka, Thursday in Kilinochchi. Speaking briefly to media after the meeting, Mr. Solheim said all parties connected to the peace process are feeling a sense of frustration now.
Full story >> Sri Lanka to buy second Indian OPV[TamilNet, Thursday, 16 September 2004, 08:51 GMT]Sri Lanka’s navy is to buy a second Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) from India, press reports said Thursday, quoting newly-appointed Sri Lankan Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Vice Admiral Daya Sandagiri. Full story >> Handball team leaves stink behind[TamilNet, Thursday, 16 September 2004, 00:41 GMT]German authorities are puzzled by the disappearance of the entire national handball team from Sri Lanka, the BBC reported Wednesday. But as it emerges all 23 members of the delegation have absconded to France via Italy, German officials vow never to invite any more teams from Sri Lanka. Full story >> LTTE says ISGA proposals not final, open to discussion[TamilNet, Thursday, 16 September 2004, 00:28 GMT] The LTTE said its interim administration proposals were not rigid or final and it was ready to negotiate the issue but it saw the lack of clarity on the part of the government as the main stumbling block, for the resumption of peace talks, the Daily Mirror reported Wednesday, quoting LTTE political wing leader, Mr S. P. Thamilchelvan.
Full story >> Solheim to meet Thamilchelvan Thursday[TamilNet, Wednesday, 15 September 2004, 17:52 GMT]Norwegian special peace envoy Mr. Erik Solheim is scheduled to meet Mr.S.P.Thamilchelvan, Political Head of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Thursday morning at 10 a.m. in the Killinochchi Peace Secretariat, sources said Full story >> Paramilitaries said behind threat to poison supply wells[TamilNet, Wednesday, 15 September 2004, 17:13 GMT]The chief water works engineer for Batticaloa said Wednesday that squatters on land reserved for tapping underground springs were threatening to poison wells from which water is pumped the eastern town to stop authorities from evicting them. The squatters who are threatening to poison supply wells are backed by paramilitaries that illegally sold them the reserved state land during the war between 1990 and 94, officials said. Full story >> Pre-school opened in Nedunkerni[TamilNet, Wednesday, 15 September 2004, 16:08 GMT] A pre-school constructed by the Nedunkerny Development Rehabilitation Organization (NDRO) with the financial assistance provided by the Siththi Vinayagar Kovil Society in Kerning, Denmark and sponsored by the Tamil Rehabilitation Organization and Pre-school Development Organization was declared open Wednesday morning. Full story >> New Defence Chief assumes duties[TamilNet, Wednesday, 15 September 2004, 14:27 GMT]Sri Lanka's Navy Commander Vice Admiral Daya Sandagiri Wednesday assumed duties as the Chief of Defence Staff. He becomes the first Navy officer to the hold the post of Chief of Defence Staff. He will be in charge of the Joint Operations Headquarters (JOH). Full story >> Thileepan death anniversary observance begins in NE[TamilNet, Wednesday, 15 September 2004, 10:34 GMT] The Tamil people in the North-East Wednesday began observing the
seventeenth death anniversary of Lt. Col. Thileepan, a senior leader of the
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam who died after twelve days' fasting unto
death due to the failure of the Indian government in fulfilling five
demands put forward by him to meet the aspirations of the Tamil people soon
after the signing of the Indo-Sri Lankan agreement.
Full story >> Jaffna civil groups brief Norwegian peace envoy[TamilNet, Wednesday, 15 September 2004, 10:21 GMT] Jaffna civil groups and non-governmental organizations Wednesday handed over memoranda to the Norwegian special peace envoy Mr. Eric Solheim detailing the sufferings of Tamil people, especially hundreds of thousands of internally displaced families now staying in welfare centres unable to return to their houses and agricultural lands which are currently occupied by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) in the SLA demarked high security zones, sources said. Full story >> Norway grants drought relief to Anuradhapura, Puttalam and Kurunegala[TamilNet, Wednesday, 15 September 2004, 08:02 GMT]The Norwegian government has decided to grant US $ 145.000 to FAO’s efforts to assist the Sri Lankans affected by the drought in Anuradhapura, Puttalam and Kurunegala, according to a press release from the Royal Embassy of Norway Wednesday. Full story >> Solheim arrives in Jaffna[TamilNet, Wednesday, 15 September 2004, 06:50 GMT]Norwegian special peace envoy Mr. Erik Solheim Wednesday morning arrived in Palaly by a special aircraft. Mr. Solheim met with the Jaffna area commander of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) Major General Sunil Tennekon who briefed him of the ground situation prevailing in the peninsula. Talks between LTTE district political head Mr.C.Ilamparithi, deputy head Mr.Semmanan and district women political head Ms Kalaivilzi and the Norwegian team led by Mr.Solheim began around noon, sources said. Full story >> Buddhist monks meet Jaffna LTTE political leaders[TamilNet, Wednesday, 15 September 2004, 01:28 GMT] A group of forty six Buddhist monks from the South of Sri Lanka Tuesday told the Jaffna political leadership of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) that not all Buddhist priests are against the peace process and only a few leading prelates in the south are espousing racism.
Full story >> Solheim meets Hakim, Devananda[TamilNet, Wednesday, 15 September 2004, 01:13 GMT] Norwegian special envoy Eric Solheim Tuesday evening met with Leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), Rauff Hakim, and Secretary General of the Eelam Peoples Democratic Party (EPDP), Douglas
Devananda,
and discussed in detail about the resumption of peace talks between the
Government of Sri Lanka
(GOSL) and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suspended from April last year, political sources in Colombo said.Full story >> TNA MPs meet with Japanese Ambassador[TamilNet, Tuesday, 14 September 2004, 19:12 GMT] Members of Tamil Nationall Alliance's (TNA's) Foreign Affairs Committee, Parliamentarians Joseph Pararajasingham and Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, met with Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Mr. Akio Suda and Second Secretary Mr. Kenji Miyata at 4pm Tuesday, sources said.
Full story >> Solheim meets Government Peace Secretariat Head[TamilNet, Tuesday, 14 September 2004, 16:18 GMT]Norwegian special peace envoy Mr. Eric Solheim Tuesday held wide range of discussion with Dr.Jayantha Dhanapala, Secretary General of the Peace Secretariat of the Government of Sri Lanka regarding the prospects of resuming peace talks between the GOSL and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Full story >> Muslims object to pantheistic sect in Kattankudy[TamilNet, Tuesday, 14 September 2004, 15:49 GMT]Shops and government offices were closed in the large Muslim town of Kattankudy, 5 kilometres south of Batticaloa, Tuesday as a protest by orthodox Muslims against an Islamic sect that preaches pantheism. A large group of orthordox Muslims marched through the town chanting slogans against Rauf Mowlavi, the head of the pantheistic sect, and his followers. Followers of Rauf Mowlavi and the orthordox Muslims have clashed in the town on several occasions for more than thirty years. Full story >> Tamil Students condemn foreign military assistance[TamilNet, Tuesday, 14 September 2004, 15:26 GMT]The International Students' Association of Thamileelam (ISAT), in a press release issued Tuesday, said that the military and financial assistance of United States to the Government of Sri Lanka and the visit of Indian Navy Commander to Sri Lanka would not help in finding a peaceful solution to the conflict but would lead to renewed hostilities. Full story >> Illegal settlements to be dismantled in Vavuniya[TamilNet, Tuesday, 14 September 2004, 14:13 GMT] Sri Lankan government officials Tuesday began surveying state lands in the environs of Vavuniya town on which 296 families have encroached illegally. Some encroachments on the catchment areas of local reservoirs were backed by paramilitaries during the war, officials said.
Full story >> Southern Journalists meet with Thamilchelvan[TamilNet, Tuesday, 14 September 2004, 13:08 GMT] Director of National Peace Council, Dr. Jehan Perera, and a group of about forty journalists from South met with Head of LTTE Political Wing, S.P.Thamilchelvan, at LTTE Planning and Development Secretariat in Kilinochchi Tuesday, sources from Vanni said. The objective of the meeting was to explore ways to strengthen and promote cordial relationship between the North and the South, the delegation members said. Liberation Tigers arranged for the group to tour war affected areas and, to witness progress of humanitarian projects in Vanni. The group left for Jaffna in the afternoon, sources said. Full story >> SLA Lieutenant arrested for attempted arms robbery[TamilNet, Tuesday, 14 September 2004, 05:43 GMT]2nd. Lieutenant Mr.Sameera Mangalaratne attached to Soorankal Sri Lanka Army (SLA) detachment was identified as the person who was killed in the fire-fight with home guards in Mullipottan in the Kantalai police division on Monday, Police said. Another army lieutenant has been arrested and three other soldiers are evading arrest, the police added. Full story >> Norwegian peace envoy arrives in Colombo[TamilNet, Tuesday, 14 September 2004, 04:45 GMT]Norwegian special peace envoy Mr. Eric Solheim arrived in Colombo Monday evening on a five-day visit to hold talks with the leaders of Government of Sri Lanka and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) with the aim to a make a headway in the resumption of stalled peace talks, political sources said. Full story >> Kumaratunga confidante promises better deal in Jaffna[TamilNet, Monday, 13 September 2004, 17:09 GMT] President Chandrika Kumaratunga's spokesman and advisor on rehabilitation and reconstruction, Mr. Harim Pieris told jounalists in Jaffna Monday that her government does not discriminate between areas held by the Liberation Tigers and Sri Lankan armed forces in providing aid unlike the previous regime in Colombo. He pointed out that President Chandrika's government had repaired bridges on the A9 road first in the LTTE held parts of the north.
Full story >> English Language College opened in Kilinochchi[TamilNet, Monday, 13 September 2004, 12:03 GMT] The opening ceremony of an English Language College run by Tamils Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO) was held on the new College premises at Jeyanthynagar, Kilinochchi, Monday. Twenty five students who currently are working for TRO projects have completed the English courses. Twenty student teachers will commence training at the College on Monday 20 September and a new term of classes at Beginner, Elementary and Intermediate level will commence in October, according to TRO officials in Kilinochchi. Full story >> Underworld gang member shot dead in Mullipottana[TamilNet, Monday, 13 September 2004, 10:36 GMT]A member of underworld gang was shot dead by home guards Monday early morning around 1.30 a.m at Mullipottana home guard sentry point which is located on Trincomalee-Kandy highway, about 34 km off Trincomalee town, police said. Full story >> U.S. urged to adopt balanced approach to peace[TamilNet, Monday, 13 September 2004, 10:17 GMT] Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentary group leader and the Trincomalee district parliamentarian Mr.R.Sampanthan in a press release issued Monday in Trincomalee said that a meeting Ambassador J.Cofer Black, had with a group of Sri Lankan media representatives in Colombo, has "caused much concern to wide sections of the Tamil people," and cautioned that "failure to adopt an even handed approach could cause immense harm to the peace process." Ambassador Black is U.S. State Department's Co-ordinator for Counter Terrorism.
Full story >> Chief Justice opens Trincomalee court complex[TamilNet, Monday, 13 September 2004, 00:19 GMT] Sri Lanka's Chief Justice Mr.Sarath N.Silva Sunday declared open the Trincomalee modern court complex constructed at a cost of about 79 million rupees under the World Bank funded Legal and Judicial Reforms Project of the Ministry of Justice. Trincomalee Bar Association President Mr.O.L.M.Ismail presided the opening ceremony. Full story >> Sri Lanka's Court of Appeal to be decentralized[TamilNet, Sunday, 12 September 2004, 19:47 GMT]Sri Lanka's constitution is to be amended to open regional level circuit session of the Court of Appeal to hear appeals from outstations. Sri Lanka Cabinet has given its approval to the proposed amendment to the constitution submitted by the Justice Minister, said Sri Lanka's Chief Justice Mr.Sarath N.Silva Sunday in Trincomalee. Full story >> Bodies of two believed killed in Pullumalai attack found[TamilNet, Sunday, 12 September 2004, 16:41 GMT]The bodies of two men believed to be those of paramilitary cadres who were killed during an attack on an LTTE border post in Pullumalai, 65 kilometres northwest of Batticaloa, last Tuesday were found in the jungle, Police said. Villagers found the bodies half buried in Tempitiya, 9 kilometres from Pullumalai, last evening, the Officer in Charge (OIC) of the Maha Oya Police station said. Tigers charge that the attack on their border post in Pullumalai was led by Sri Lanka army commandos. Sri Lankan armed forces have a camp in Tempitiya. Full story >> LTTE's Batticaloa commander returns[TamilNet, Sunday, 12 September 2004, 15:18 GMT] Special Commander of the Liberation Tigers' forces in the Batticaloa-Amparai, Col. Thambirajah Ramesh returned to the eastern district Sunday, LTTE officials said. He was accompanied by Col. Bhanu, commander of LTTE's Mortar Regiment and 'Jehaaththan', commander of Jeyanthan Regiment, an elite infantry formation of the Tigers' armed forces.
Full story >> "Weakening LTTE, main aim of SL Govt"- Balakumaran[TamilNet, Sunday, 12 September 2004, 13:57 GMT] "Absolutely nothing fundamental has changed on the ground. There can be absence of war, there can be prospects of peace talks, or involvement of the International community, or there can be press releases issued by Chandrika Kumaratunge. But, precious little has changed in the feelings or nationalistic thinking of our people. War has not ended yet," said K.V.Balakumaran, a Senior Leader of the Liberation Tigers, in an interview with the Sydney Tamil Radio Thamil Muzhakkam's "Mannin Mainthargal" program during his recent visit to European countries.Full story >> Estate workers stage protest in Kandy[TamilNet, Sunday, 12 September 2004, 12:28 GMT]Hundreds of upcountry workers staged a protest campaign at George R.De Silva park in Kandy Saturday, demanding increase in salary and opposing privatization of tea estates. The protest was organized by the Union of Upcountry workers and Human Rights Development society. The New Left Front and several other unions also participated, sources in Kandy said. Full story >> Martial arts competition to be held in Kilinochchi[TamilNet, Sunday, 12 September 2004, 03:14 GMT]The third Thamileelam National Karate Competition is to be held during the latter part of September to mark the third death anniversary of Major Eelapriyan. A training workshop for representatives of Karate sports bodies and Karate sportsmen will be held on September 18 and 19 at the Thamileelam Sports Secretariat in Kilinochchi, sources in the Vanni said. Full story >> 'Chauvinists see LTTE's development offices as camps' -TNA MP[TamilNet, Sunday, 12 September 2004, 02:39 GMT]Chauvinist forces in the ruling United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Government of Sri Lanka are saying that the offices the Liberation Tigers have constructed for rehabilitation and development efforts in Trincomalee are military camps in proximity to the government security installations, said Mr.Thurairatnesingham, the Tamil National Alliance parliamentarian from Trincomalee, addressing a meeting following the opening of the Trincomalee district office of The Economic Consultancy House (TECH) Friday. Full story >> Trincomalee new court complex to be opened Sunday[TamilNet, Saturday, 11 September 2004, 15:42 GMT] World Bank funded three-storied court complex in Trincomalee town built at a cost of about 79 million rupees is to be opened Sunday morning by the Chief Justice Mr.Sarath Nanda Silva. Justice Minister Mr.John Seneviratne and Attorney General Mr.K.C.Kamalasabeyson are also scheduled to participate in the event, Justice Ministry sources said.Full story >> EPDP cadre gunned down in Kayts[TamilNet, Saturday, 11 September 2004, 14:45 GMT]A member of the EPDP, a paramilitary working with the Sri Lanka army, was gunned down by unidentified men in Kayts Saturday night around 7 p.m. Police in Jaffna said. The EPDP cadre was identified as Mr. P. Aruldas. Two persons who were injured in the Kayts shootout have been admitted to Jaffna Teaching Hospital, according to Police. Full story >> SLA trooper commits suicide in Vavuniya[TamilNet, Saturday, 11 September 2004, 10:45 GMT]A Sri Lanka army soldier committed suicide by shooting himself in his bunker in Pampaimadu, 5 kilometres west of Vavuniya Saturday, Police in the northern border town said. Full story >> Refugees abandoned on Kachchathivu arrive in Jaffna[TamilNet, Saturday, 11 September 2004, 09:37 GMT]Twenty eight Sri Lankan Tamil refugees from South India who had been abandoned in the island Kachchaithivu were brought to Jaffna Saturday. Government officials at the Jaffna District Secretariat gave the refugees money to help them return to their villages in Mannar,Mullaithivu and other parts of the Vanni. The refugees related their harrowing experience to local experience to local journalists. Full story >> TECH district office opened in Trinco[TamilNet, Saturday, 11 September 2004, 02:06 GMT] The Trincomalee district office of The Economic Consultancy House (TECH), a Non-Governmental Non-Profit Sharing Organization registered with the Government of Sri Lanka, and a computer training center was opened Friday morning at No 16, Green Road, Trincomalee. TECH has its headquarters in A9 Road, Iranaimadu Junction in Killinochchi.
Full story >> Dutch asked to delay funding KKS harbour development[TamilNet, Saturday, 11 September 2004, 01:25 GMT]Jaffna Government Agent, S.Pathmanathan, told an official of the Dutch Government visiting Jaffna Thursday, to delay funding development of the Kankesanthurai harbour until permanent peace prevails in the district, local daily Uthayan reported. The Government of Netherland has earlier allocated funds towards renovation of the harbor and the visit of the official was to collect additional information related to harbour development. Full story >> Jaffna IDPs oppose move to reduce relief[TamilNet, Friday, 10 September 2004, 17:11 GMT]Internally displaced people (IDPs) living on relief assistance provided by the Sri Lankan government are planning to launch a protest campaign if the authorities failed to suspend their decision to cut down the number of recipients by half, warned Valikaamam Fisheries Societies Federation in the northern Jaffna peninsula in a memorandum handed over to Point Pedro Divisional Secretary, Friday. Full story >> Kachchaithivu stranded refugees rescued[TamilNet, Friday, 10 September 2004, 16:40 GMT]25 Sri Lankan Tamil refugees stranded in Kachchathivu, an islet in Indian Ocean, were rescued and transported to Nedunthivu, one of the islets in Jaffna peninsula by a co-operative passenger boat Friday evening, Jaffna district secretariat sources said. Full story >> SLA involvement in Pullumalai attack aimed at provocating LTTE - Thamilchelvan[TamilNet, Friday, 10 September 2004, 11:58 GMT]Noting that the "evidence of MAG personnel, proximity of the Tampaddi SLA camp vis-à-vis the LTTE point and the fact that the attackers alighted from the MAG vehicle and carried the dead into the SLA camp are clear indicators of SLA complicity in the attack", the LTTE Political Head, Mr. S. P. Thamilchelvan, accused Friday that the "SLA is engaged in ceasefire violations with a view to provocate the LTTE and thereby leading to disruption of the entire peace process" in a letter to the SLMM Head. Full story >> TNA MPs meet Canadian Ambassador[TamilNet, Friday, 10 September 2004, 10:44 GMT] Members of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), Senior parliamentarian Joseph Pararajasingham, Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, Kajendran, Ms.Pathmini Sithamparanathan and Selvam Adaikalanathan met with Candian Ambassador Valerie Raymond at the Canadian High Commission in Colombo Friday morning to discuss matters related to Interim Administration Authority Proposals (ISGA), diplomatic sources in Colombo said.Full story >> Solheim to visit Sri Lanka next week[TamilNet, Friday, 10 September 2004, 09:37 GMT] The Norwegian Special Envoy, Mr. Erik Solheim, will on Monday 13 September arrive in Sri Lanka on a routine visit and have meetings with President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, members of the Government of Sri Lanka, representatives for the opposition as well as with civil society. Mr. Solheim and the Norwegian ambassador Mr. Hans Brattskar will on Thursday 16 September have consultations in Kilinochchi with the LTTE Political Head Mr. S.P. Thamilchelvan, according to a press release from the Royal Norwegian Embassy Friday.Full story >> Farmer shot dead outside HSZ bund in Jaffna[TamilNet, Friday, 10 September 2004, 02:14 GMT]Mr. Arunasalam Muthiah, 75-year-old farmer and father of five children was shot dead Thursday evening when he was working in his agricultural plot by two unidentified men who came in a motorbike with helmets. The incident took place outside the high security zone bund at Punnaliakattiuwan north in Jaffna district, Police sources said. About four shots were fired at him, according to the Police. Full story >> Public sector employees to receive pay hike[TamilNet, Friday, 10 September 2004, 00:05 GMT]Public sector employees will be given a substantial salary increase in the maiden budget of the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) scheduled to be presented on November 12 this year, said UPFA media spokesman and Media Minister Mr. Mangala Samaraweera addressing post -Cabinet press briefing Thursday. Full story >> UNICEF funded maternity ward opened in Trinco hospital[TamilNet, Friday, 10 September 2004, 00:01 GMT] Dr.Ashok Nigam, UNICEF Regional Planning Officer, Regional Office, Nepal Thursday afternoon declared open the reconstructed maternity ward in the Trincomalee General Hospital built with the financial support of the UNICEF. Full story >> Inquiry into HC applications begins[TamilNet, Thursday, 09 September 2004, 20:02 GMT]Chavakachcheri Magistrate Mr.P.Subramaniam commenced recording the evidence of petitioners in three Habeas Corpus applications, which came up for inquiry Thursday. The petitioners have sought the court to order the first respondent who is an army official and other respondents to produce the youths who were reported disappeared after their arrest during the period 1996-1997, legal sources said. Full story >> Presidential advisor to visit Jaffna Monday[TamilNet, Thursday, 09 September 2004, 19:58 GMT]Mr.Harim Peiris, Presidential media spokesman and an advisor to Ministry of Refugees Resettlement and Rehabilitation is to pay a second visit to Jaffna district on Monday September 13 to assess the progress in the resettlement and rehabilitation process, district secretariat sources said. Full story >> UNP urges UPFA government to commence peace talks[TamilNet, Thursday, 09 September 2004, 19:52 GMT]The main opposition United National Party (UNP) Thursday appealed to the ruling United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) government to commence peace talks with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as it has gained majority in the parliament. Full story >> SLA soldiers arrest Vanni youths at Muhamalai checkpoint[TamilNet, Thursday, 09 September 2004, 18:17 GMT]Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers Thursday arrested two Tamil youths entering Jaffna district from Vanni through Muhamalai SLA checkpoint, sources said. Full story >> President meets with the Leader of Opposition[TamilNet, Thursday, 09 September 2004, 13:24 GMT]President Ms. Chandrika Kumaratunga briefed the Leader of Opposition Thursday on the Government's proposal for initiating a National Advisory Council for Peace & Reconciliation with the objective of establishing a consultative process with all political parties as well as with religious dignitaries and civil society groups, informed the Presidential Secretariat in a news release. Full story >> Sinhala nationalists burn Norway's national flag[TamilNet, Thursday, 09 September 2004, 12:03 GMT] Hundreds of Buddhist monks and Sinhala nationalist activists burnt Norway's national flag in front of the Norwegian embassy in Colombo Thursday, demanding that the scandinavian country should stop facilitating talks between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers. Sinhala nationalist protestors carrying placards and shouting slogans against Norway and the LTTE marched from the Viharamahadevi Park in central Colombo to the Norwegian embassy. "This country belongs to Sinhala Buddhists", "Kill LTTE leader Prabhaharan", the protestors shouted. Full story >> Peace key to assisting children affected by war- UNICEF[TamilNet, Thursday, 09 September 2004, 11:23 GMT]Under the Action Plan, the only signed human rights agreement between the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE, "close to 7,000 children enrolled back to school and more than 43,000 children received catch-up-education classes in the first half of the 2004 alone. 241 school buildings damaged or destroyed in the war were repaired or reconstructed, and 580 child soldiers and their families received social work assessments," the UNICEF said in a press release issued in Colombo today. Full story >> "UPFA will form a peace consultative committee"- Minister[TamilNet, Thursday, 09 September 2004, 10:59 GMT]"When peace talks between the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) and the Liberation Tigers resume, the GoSL will form a consultative committee which will include representatives from all political parties. Sri Lanka's President will assume full responsibility for all political decisions regarding the peace process," said Leader of the House and General Secretary of Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), Minister Maithiripala Sirisena, in the parliament today. Full story >> JVP bent on inflaming the South against ISGA- paper[TamilNet, Thursday, 09 September 2004, 10:41 GMT]"Even though Sri Lanka's President Ms. Kumaratunge has cautioned the UPFA Ministers and parliamentarians not to air any views on the question of Interim Administration in public, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), a minority partner in the UPFA government, is openly defying the request. JVP MP and General Secretary, Wimal Weerawansa, stated the very next day that the JVP would continue to oppose any discussions with the LTTE based on the latter's ISGA proposals," said Thinakural, a popular Tamil daily, in its editorial Wednesday. Full story >> Two Indian fishing boats burnt in Mannar[TamilNet, Thursday, 09 September 2004, 10:02 GMT]Two Indian fishing boats were set on fire by unidentified persons on the Pesalai coast in Mannar in the early hours of Thursday morning, Police said. The fate of the fishermen in the boats is not known, according to them. The registration numbers of the boats are RMS 2076 and RMS 1528. Full story >> TNA meets new Indian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka[TamilNet, Thursday, 09 September 2004, 06:49 GMT] A Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentary delegation Thursday morning
met with the new Indian High Commissioner for Sri Lanka Ms Nirupama Rao at
the Indian High Commission office. The discussion centred on the current
situation of the peace process since the signing of the ceasefire agreement
by the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
(LTTE), TNA parliamentary group leader Mr.R.Sampanthan told TamilNet.
Full story >> Computer training classes opened in Trinco villages[TamilNet, Thursday, 09 September 2004, 00:19 GMT] London-based T.R.Tec in collaboration with Trincomalee IT Tech Wednesday inaugurated two computer-training centres in Nilaveli and Tampalakamam villages in the Trincomalee district. "These training centres are opened in the northeast under a computer literacy awareness programme,"said Mr.S.Thilak, currently the Director of Economic Development addressing meetings at Nilaveli and Tampalakamam, which followed the opening of the centres and classes.Full story >> TNA awareness campaign in Trinco district put off[TamilNet, Wednesday, 08 September 2004, 18:35 GMT]Three-day awareness campaign of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) , which was scheduled to be held in the Trincomalee district on September 11,12 and 13, has been put off for a later date, TNA sources said Wednesday night. Full story >> Major General Sunil Tennekoon meets Jaffna Bishop[TamilNet, Wednesday, 08 September 2004, 15:31 GMT]Major General Sunil Tennekoon, Jaffna area commander of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) met with the Jaffna Bishop Most Rev. Thomas Soundaranayagam at the Bishop's House Wednesday evening around 4.30 p.m. and discussed in detail on allowing prayers in churches which are located in the high security zones in the Jaffna district, sources said. Full story >> 25% of NE Provincial Council vacancies not filled[TamilNet, Wednesday, 08 September 2004, 10:43 GMT]More than one-fourth, about 18,666 vacancies are not filled in the the North East Provincial Council (NEPC), which administers eight districts of the province, Jaffna Killinochchi, Mullaitivu, Mannar, Vavuniya, Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Ampara. Out of 60,034 officially approved positions in 2000 only 41,368 have been filled, sources said. Full story >> Sri Lanka army behind attack on border post- LTTE[TamilNet, Wednesday, 08 September 2004, 04:50 GMT]An attack by a group of heavily armed men suspected to be Sri Lanka army commandos on the Liberation Tigers' border post in Pullumalai, 65 kilometres from Batticaloa, Tuesday night around 10.15 p.m. was repulsed, a senior LTTE official in Batticaloa said. "Two men in the group were killed in our counter fire according to mine clearing workers in the area who were forced by the attackers to carry their wounded across the border last night", he said after visiting the scene of attack Wedenesday morning. Full story >> Time bomb on busy road in Batticaloa defused[TamilNet, Wednesday, 08 September 2004, 03:21 GMT]A time bomb was discovered by a busy road in Batticaloa town Wednesday, Police said. Heavy morning traffic on Trinco Road was blocked for two hours while Sri Lanka army's bomb disposal unit disabled the timing device concealed in a box and exploded the bomb behind sandbags around 8.45 a.m. Full story >> LTTE arrests Sri Lanka Policeman in Pullumalai[TamilNet, Tuesday, 07 September 2004, 17:29 GMT]The Liberation Tigers Tuesday arrested a Sri Lanka Policeman who had attempted to travel through an area held by them. He was taken into custody at the LTTE's border post at Pullumalai, northwest of Batticaloa near the Amparai district border. A Police officer in Batticaloa said the LTTE had released him to the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission in Amparai later in the day. Full story >> Jaffna DCC to meet next week[TamilNet, Tuesday, 07 September 2004, 14:55 GMT]Jaffna District Co-ordinating Committee (DDC) will meet on September 17 and 18 to assess the progress of ongoing development projects and the implementation of proposed development projects in the Jaffna electoral district, district secretariat sources said. Full story >> Tamil villages in Trinco district ignored in electrification -TNA MP[TamilNet, Tuesday, 07 September 2004, 14:53 GMT]Several Tamil villages in Muttur and Seruvila electorates in Trincomalee district are not supplied with electricity although transformers are located in the vicinity of these villages and electric cables go overhead. This is a deplorable situation," said Trincomalee district parliamentarian Mr.K.Thurairetnasingham in a letter to the Minister of Power and Energy. Full story >> Vavuniya Sinhala homeguards sentenced for aiding rape of minor[TamilNet, Tuesday, 07 September 2004, 12:14 GMT]Two homeguards from a Sinhala village six kilometres east of Vavuniya were each sentenced to three years of rigourous imprisonment Tuesday for aiding and abetting the rape of a thirteen year old girl. The homeguards, husband and wife, had abducted the child from her home in the village of Kachchakodi where the couple were employed as auxillaries to Sri Lankan security forces during the war in 1999. Full story >> Catholic youths hold peace rally in Vavuniya[TamilNet, Tuesday, 07 September 2004, 10:41 GMT] "We are perturbed by the absence of any signs or efforts for strengthening peace. Instead we only see increasing violence in all parts of Sri Lanka. We have assembled here to pray for peace," said Rev.Rayappu Joseph, Bishop of Mannar, addressing the youth, at the conclusion of a youth conference in Vavuniya Saturday, sources said.Full story >> LTTE, SLA meeting in Batticaloa postponed indefinitely[TamilNet, Tuesday, 07 September 2004, 09:47 GMT]The meeting between Liberation Tigers and Sri Lankan armed forces in Battiicaloa will not take place as scheduled today, a spokesperson for the Nordic truce monitors said. The meeting was first fixed for 3 September following a meeting between Col. Ramesh, special commander of LTTE forces in the Batticaloa-Amparai District and Maj. Gen. (ret) Trond Furuhovde, head of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission last week. It was postponed for Tuesday after Col. Ramesh and other senior LTTE officials had to leave for the Vanni. Full story >> TNA urges President to commence talks with LTTE[TamilNet, Tuesday, 07 September 2004, 08:00 GMT]“The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) would strongly urge the Government to commence talks with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) without delay, on the basis of the Interim Self-Governing Authority proposals of the LTTE. and thereby implement the position enunciated by the President on 10 June, when she met the TNA delegation”, said Mr.R.Sampanthan, TNA parliamentary group leader in a statement made in the parliament Tuesday morning. Full story >> Missing person found murdered in Jaffna[TamilNet, Tuesday, 07 September 2004, 04:14 GMT]The body of a man reported missing since Monday was found in a deserted spot in Nayanmaarkaddu on the eastern outskirts of Jaffna town Tuesday morning, Police said. The man, identified as Mr. Navaratnarajah Premkumar, 25, of Kattapirai in Kalviankaadu near Jaffna town, was hacked to death, according to Police. Premkumar was arrested and detained for many months by the Sri Lanka army in 1996, relatives said. One of his brothers is a member of the Liberation Tigers, according to them. Full story >> Inquiry ordered into Vallai human skeleton discovery[TamilNet, Tuesday, 07 September 2004, 00:22 GMT] The Nelliady Police Monday commenced investigation into the discovery of a
skeleton suspected to be of a young woman in the Vallaiveli area in
Vadamaradchchi division on the orders of the Point Pedro Magistrate Mr.K.
Ariyanayakam, legal sources said. The human skeleton was found Sunday morning in a shrub in a
Catholic cemetery along Mandan Road, which branches off Point Pedro-Jaffna
road, sources said.
Full story >> Jaffna Subramaniam Park under renovation[TamilNet, Monday, 06 September 2004, 16:52 GMT] Subramaniam Park located in Jaffna town close to
Jaffna Fort, is to be renovated and opened shortly for public after about
fourteen years. UNICEF provided 2 million rupees as initial expenses
for the renovation of the park, Jaffna Municipal Council sources said.Full story >> Vavuniya said facing big stink[TamilNet, Monday, 06 September 2004, 15:41 GMT] Vavuniya is on the verge of a big stink as its Urban Council (UC) struggles to find a place to dispose the northern border town's garbage and waste. ''We have had to completely stop collecting garbage for the last three days. There are more than fifteen tons of garbage from the town to be disposed daily'', said a UC official Monday. The council stopped dumping garbage outside the town after villages in the area protested last month.Full story >> Tamil Students Federation HQ opened in Jaffna[TamilNet, Monday, 06 September 2004, 14:46 GMT]The headquarters of the Tamil Students Federation (TSF) was opened in Jaffna Monday morning. The headquarters is located along Kovil Road in Nallur."The headquarters will bring to the notice of the international community the violations of fundamental and human rights of Tamil students in the northeast," said Mr. P.Nilakshan, President of the TSF presiding over the event. Full story >> Tigers to repay public debt[TamilNet, Monday, 06 September 2004, 12:33 GMT]The Finance Division of the Liberation Tigers announced Monday it would start repaying another part of the war loan it raised from the people of Jaffna, Mannar, Mullaithivu and Vavuniya next week from 17 September. Tigers' Finance Division has been paying back its huge public debt in Jaffna in stages since Colombo signed a truce with Kilinochchi in February 2002. LTTE Finance Division issued certified bonds to individuals from whom it borrowed money for the 'Fund to Liberate the Soil'. Full story >> Refugee arrested by Vavuniya Police said missing[TamilNet, Monday, 06 September 2004, 11:10 GMT]A refugee man arrested by Sri Lanka Police in early August this year is missing, his wife told Mannar Citizens' Committe Monday. Police had told the missing refugee's wife that they had arrested him on suspicion in Vavuniya town on 4 August but had released him the same day. Full story >> Human skeleton found in Vallaiveli[TamilNet, Sunday, 05 September 2004, 16:15 GMT]A human skeleton suspected to be of a young woman was discovered Sunday morning in a shrub jungle near the Catholic cemetery located in Vallaiveli area in Vadamaradchchi division in Jaffna district, Police said. Full story >> VVT fishermen complain of harassment by Navy[TamilNet, Sunday, 05 September 2004, 15:19 GMT]Two fishermen of Valvettithurai in Jaffna district Sunday lodged complaints with the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) in Jaffna and Sea Tigers that they are continuously harassed by the Sri Lanka Navy personnel in midsea while fishing, fisheries society sources said. Full story >> Batticaloa shuts down for Black September massacres[TamilNet, Sunday, 05 September 2004, 09:48 GMT]A general shut down (Hartal) was observed in Batticaloa Sunday to mark the massacre of hundreds of civilians, including pregnant women, infants and children, by Sri Lanka army and paramilitaries working with it on 5 September, 1990. Roads were mostly deserted and shops closed in response to a call by leading civil society groups and MPs of the Tamil National Alliance to observe 5 September as a Black Day. Full story >> Japan funds training for Trinco mechanics[TamilNet, Sunday, 05 September 2004, 01:34 GMT] Twenty-two mechanics of Trincomalee district Saturday completed a five-day training course on maintenance of outboard motors organized by the Association of Overseas Technical Scholarship (AOTS), Japan and implemented by Yamaha Motor Co.Ltd, Japan in co-operation with Associated Motorways Ltd, Sri Lanka.Full story >> "Civil society, key to advancing a Federal solution"- Rupesinghe[TamilNet, Sunday, 05 September 2004, 00:46 GMT] "The people in North and East want to control and plan their own future and develop their part of the country. This is the primary impulse behind the ISGA. An interim administration should be seen as a win-win solution to both sides... ISGA proposal has been developed and is the result of 25 years of civil war. The LTTE has presented its proposals for the first time. This has to be respected and acknowledged," said Dr. Kumar Rupesinghe, Civil Socieity Forum Chairman, talking to TamilNet this week.Full story >> LTTE rescues Tamil children exploited by Kuchchaveli fishermen[TamilNet, Saturday, 04 September 2004, 17:15 GMT]Trincomalee district political secretariat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) recently handed over six Tamil boys who are below 18 years of age to the representatives of the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) to be handed over to their Batticaloa homes of their parents. LTTE cadres rescued these boys when they fled from fish wadiyas run by Sinhalese businessmen in Kalliravu in Kuchchaveli division in Trincomalee district due to harassment, sources said. Full story >> Sri Lanka President says will discuss peace with all[TamilNet, Saturday, 04 September 2004, 16:19 GMT] Sri Lanka’s President Chandrika Kumaratunga said Saturday that she would invite all parties and organisations concerned in the peace process for discussions on how to take forward negotiations with the Liberation Tigers in two weeks. She was addressing a rally in Galle, a large provincial town on the island’s southern coast, to mark the 53rd anniversary of her Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), which was founded by her father, Mr. Solomon Ridgeway Dias Bandaranaike. Speaking in Singhalese, President Kumaratunga vowed to do her best to bring the Liberation Tigers back to the negotiating table.Full story >> Swedish assistance to reopen school in Thenmaradchchi HSZ[TamilNet, Saturday, 04 September 2004, 16:06 GMT] Swedish Government has come forward to provide necessary funds to renovate
and reopen the abandoned Eluthumadduval Government Tamil Mixed School
building which is located in the high security zone close to the forward
defense line of the Sri Lanka Army in Thenmaradchchi division in Jaffna
district, education sources said.Full story >> Tamils must safeguard against cultural degeneration- Don[TamilNet, Saturday, 04 September 2004, 15:43 GMT]Mr.V.Kumaravel, a leading academician and a senior lecturer in the External Studies Unit of the Jaffna College addressing a seminar on "A review of contemporary politics" held Saturday in Sandilipay alleged that hidden hands are behind the increase of cultural degeneration in Jaffna district after the capture of the peninsula by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA). Full story >> Kantalai Sivan Temple "Kumbabishekam" held[TamilNet, Saturday, 04 September 2004, 14:06 GMT] The consecration (Kumbabishekam) ceremony of the historic Kantalai Sivan Temple in Trincomalee district, which was built by the Chola King Rajendra Cholan around A.D.1010 was held Friday with Bramasiri S.Ravichandrakurukal, Chief Priest of the historic Trincomalee Paththirakali Amman Temple, conducting the ceremony officiating as the chief of a group of Hindu priests.
Full story >> Trinco rail, bus services in deplorable condition- MP[TamilNet, Saturday, 04 September 2004, 13:38 GMT]Trincomalee district Tamil National Alliance parliamentarian Mr.K.Thurairatnasingham brought to the notice of the Transport Minister, Mr. Felix Perera, of the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) government the deplorable state of train and bus services in Trincomalee. Bus services to resettled villages in the Trincomalee district have been drastically curtailed due to acute shortage of buses thus causing severe transport difficulties to resettled families, the TNA MP complained. Full story >> Pay rent or vacate, house owners tell SLA[TamilNet, Saturday, 04 September 2004, 13:00 GMT]Attempts made by the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) through its Jaffna regional office have failed to obtain support of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) to pay rent to the owners of the civilian houses now occupied by SLA outside the high security zones (HSZs) in Jaffna district. The owners have now issued ultimatum to launch a campaign demanding the return of their houses in failing to pay rent, sources said. Full story >> Phased withdrawal from HSZ, Govt's moral responsibility- paper[TamilNet, Saturday, 04 September 2004, 12:22 GMT]"Two and a half years have elapsed since the MoU was signed. The Sri Lanka Government is morally bound to show its concern over the question of Internally Displaced Peoples (IDPs). It should have been possible to withdraw from several areas especially from the areas where several schools and places of worship are trapped but with prevailing racist politics in Sri Lanka it is naive to expect the Sri Lanka Government of the Security Forces to do this," said Thinakural, a Tamil daily, in its Saturday editorial. Full story >> Jaffna MPs allocate funds for dependents of missing persons[TamilNet, Saturday, 04 September 2004, 11:42 GMT]Jaffna district Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarians have allocated funds under the Decentralized Budget for the welfare of the dependents who have lost their breadwinners following the disappearance of persons after the arrest by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) during the period 1996-1997, sources said. Full story >> Workshop on "Sexual Abuse" held in Jaffna[TamilNet, Saturday, 04 September 2004, 11:35 GMT]Mr. Chandra Fernando, Deputy Inspector General of Police Saturday addressing a two-day workshop on "Legal process regarding sexual abuse," organized by the Centre for Law and Society in Jaffna Navalar Cultural Hall said members of police force deployed in the northeast should discharge their duties above racial and other differences and stressed cultural sensitivity to be displayed in handling complaints of sexual abuse. Full story >> SLN, govt departments to use confiscated Indian trawlers[TamilNet, Friday, 03 September 2004, 17:36 GMT]Indian fishing trawlers confiscated by the Jaffna High Court for poaching in the northern sea have been handed over to Sri Lanka Navy and other government agencies for their use. 47 Indian trawlers taken into custody have been kept in the Kankesanthurai harbour under the supervision of the Sri Lanka Navy on a confiscation order by court, sources said. Full story >> Tigers resolve Gurunagar dispute[TamilNet, Friday, 03 September 2004, 16:37 GMT]The Liberation Tigers Thursday resolved a violent dispute between fishermen from Gurunagar, a coastal suburb of Jaffna town, and from villages on the western coast of Kilinochchi. A fisherman from Gurunagar was injured and several assaulted last week over a long simmering dispute over the fishing grounds in the seas off Pallikudah, Naachchikudah and Valaipaadu. Gurunagar fishermen who were angered by the incidents attacked an LTTE office in their suburb on Tuesday. Full story >> CWC will support Kumaratunga's government - Thondaman[TamilNet, Friday, 03 September 2004, 08:39 GMT] The Ceylon Workers' Congress (CWC) said Friday it would support President Chandrika Kumaratunga's United People's Freedom Front (UPFA), ending months of uncertainty over the future of her minority government. Mr. Arumugan Thondaman, leader of the CWC, said that his party's eight MPs will support the UPFA on issues from the ranks of the opposition. He said CWC will support the UPFA government without any conditions, to help it take forward the peace process. UPFA has 106 members in the 225 seat Sri Lankan Parliament, 7 short of the simple majority to run a stable government. Full story >> LTTE's Batti-Amparai commander leaves for Kilinochchi[TamilNet, Friday, 03 September 2004, 08:04 GMT]Col. Ramesh, special commander of Liberation Tigers' forces in the Batticaloa-Amparai District, left for Kilinochchi Friday morning from Kokkaddicholai, 154 kilometres southwest of Batticaloa town. He was accompanied by Mr. E. Kousalyan, head of the LTTE's political division for the Batticaloa-Amparai District and LTTE commanders 'Ram' and 'Janarthan'. They boarded a Sri Lankan Air Force helicopter at the Kokkaddicholai general grounds, an LTTE spokesman in Batticaloa said. Col. Ramesh was earlier scheduled to meet Sri Lankan armed forces officers on Friday. Full story >> Picketers call for release of homeguards[TamilNet, Friday, 03 September 2004, 01:20 GMT]A picketing campaign held by a small group of Sinhalese persons in the main conference hall of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) in Trincomalee town Thursday from about 11 a.m. demanding the release of two Sinhala home guards arrested with grenades and weapons by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in their controlled areas in Trincomalee district recently, was called off around 8 p.m. when the Police warned them that they would use force, sources said. Full story >> Training for unemployed graduates[TamilNet, Thursday, 02 September 2004, 19:45 GMT]One hundred fifty two graduates selected from the Trincomalee district in the first phase of the graduate employment scheme of the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) began their three months training with the inaugural event held in Trincomalee Town Hall Thursday. Full story >> Trinco Inner Wheel Club honours students excelled in A/L exam[TamilNet, Thursday, 02 September 2004, 19:17 GMT]The Inner Wheel Club of Trincomalee at its second anniversary held at the Trincomalee Rotary House honoured fifteen students from Trincomalee town schools who have passed the G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination with three A's. Full story >> Bill criticized as disenfranchising many Tamils[TamilNet, Thursday, 02 September 2004, 14:28 GMT]''The passage of 'Elections Special Provisions' Bill in Sri Lanka's parliament compelling citizens of Sri Lanka to produce National Identity Cards (NIC) to exercise his or her vote would tantamount to disenfranchising a large number of Tamil people, and would cause them irreparable political harm,'' said Mr.R.Sampanthan, parliamentary group leader of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) in a letter faxed to Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Mr.Mahinda Rajapakse through the Secretary General of the Parliament Thursday. Full story >> Training for unemployed graduates begins in Vavuniya[TamilNet, Thursday, 02 September 2004, 13:16 GMT]A three month training program for hundred and sixty eight unemployed graduates in the Vavuniya district was inaugurated Thursday. The program is part of a controversial scheme by President Chandrika Kumaratunga's government to provide state jobs for more forty one thousand unemployed graduates. The scheme was introduced after mass protests and hunger strikes backed by the Marxist Sinhala nationalist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, President Kumaratunga's mail coalition ally. Critics say it will cause a huge strain on the cash strapped Sri Lankan treasury. Full story >> New SLA commander visits Jaffna[TamilNet, Thursday, 02 September 2004, 12:59 GMT]Sri Lanka's army commander, Lieutenant General Shantha Kottegoda began a two day visit to Jaffna Thursday. He vistited Sri Lankan armed forces positions in Kankesanthurai, Palaly and in some parts of the islands off Jaffna, Sri Lankan military sources in the northern peninsula said. The SLA commander was also scheduled to visit the main entry point to the LTTE held areas in Jaffna and Vanni at Muhamalai after it closed to public traffic in the evening. This is Lt. Gen. Shantha Kottegoda's first visit to Jaffna after he assumed duties as SLA commander. Full story >> French diplomats meet TNA foreign affairs committee[TamilNet, Thursday, 02 September 2004, 09:36 GMT] “We told France if indeed talks on the ISGA commence, there is a good chance that an agreement could be reached in this matter. We said that this is exactly what the Singhalese are afraid of, as it would mean that they would no longer have a monopoly on power, and their hegemony over the Tamil nation will cease for once and for all time. We also said that it is for this reason that we suspect that the Sri Lankan government t is trying to provoke the LTTE to another war by destabilizing the east and supporting Tamil armed groups," said Mr. Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam TNA MP Thursday. Full story >> Youths are cornerstone of our struggle- Ilamparithy[TamilNet, Thursday, 02 September 2004, 00:32 GMT] "Younger generation is the cornerstone of our struggle. We are fully aware of the efforts by our adversaries to spread social ills among our people. We accept that some level of distraction among the teen-agers is unavoidable. But this helps us in building strong social resistance against negative influences in the long term," said Ilamparithy, LTTE's head of political wing in Jaffna district.
Full story >> Talks prospects bleak, until SL military backed violence ends- Balasingham[TamilNet, Wednesday, 01 September 2004, 22:53 GMT] "Unless the [Sri Lanka] government takes effective measures to end this series of violence perpetrated on the LTTE, it is hard to imagine how one can seriously talk about recommencing peace talks," Balasingham, theoretician and advisor to the Liberation Tigers, told Norwegian Special envoy Erik Solheim when they held discussions Tuesday in London, LTTE peace secretariat website said.Full story >> Murder accomplice says paramilitary cadre forced him[TamilNet, Wednesday, 01 September 2004, 17:37 GMT] One of the suspects who were arrested on 24 August in connection with the murder of a girl in Sithamparapuram, 14 kilometres southeast of Vavuniya, told Vavuniya judge Mr. Manickavasagar Ilancheliyan Wednesday that the main suspect in the case, Mr. Mendis Thilakrajah, had forced him to help remove the body of the victim by threatening to harm his wife and children. “Thilakrajah threatened me saying that he was a member of the Varathar Ani and hence could hurt my family”, Mr. Malaiyandi Antonyraj, told the magistrate who recorded his confession. Full story >> Few Tamils to receive graduate training[TamilNet, Wednesday, 01 September 2004, 16:56 GMT]Of the first batch of 17,018 unemployed graduates who are to begin their three-month training programme Thursday at 215 centres in 23 districts excluding Killinochchi and Mullaitivu districts only 2,140 (11.4%) are Tamil medium graduates and the rest 14,883 are Sinhalese. These graduates will be given employment after the training programme, education sources said. Full story >> JVP backed anti-NE merger campaign begins in Kalmunai[TamilNet, Wednesday, 01 September 2004, 16:55 GMT]A new campaign ''Awakening East'' organized by a Sinhala nationalist group and backed by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), a constituent of the ruling minority United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) government, demanding the de-merger of the northeast province was held Wednesday in Kalmunai Town Hall in Amparai district in the eastern province. The meeting was attended by mainly Sinhalese and by a few muslims, media sources said. Full story >> Workshop on IDPs' human rights held in Jaffna[TamilNet, Wednesday, 01 September 2004, 15:02 GMT]Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) Wednesday held a one-day workshop under the Human Rights for Displaced People Project in Jaffna."UNICEF has focused its attention on children who have been deprived of their education due to war," said Ms Judith Bruno, UNICEF Jaffna Office Head addressing the workshop held at Jaffna Y.M.C.A Auditorium. Full story >> AI lauds UN Human Rights Committee ruling on missing Tamil[TamilNet, Wednesday, 01 September 2004, 14:27 GMT]Amnesty International welcomed the recent ruling by the UN Human Rights Committee in the first case from Sri Lanka submitted under the First Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) concerning the “disappearance” of Thevarajah Sarma in favour of the relatives of the victim. The UN Human Rights Committee has ruled that the Government of Sri Lanka is responsible for the “disappearance” and is under an obligation to provide Thevarajah Sarma’s family with an effective remedy. Full story >> Big protest against Bata in Colombo[TamilNet, Wednesday, 01 September 2004, 10:16 GMT] More than a thousand Bata workers and rights activists demonstrated in downtown Colombo Wednesday, demanding the giant footwear manufacturer to take back the six hundred employees it sacked two months ago. The demonstrators also urged President Kumaratunga's government to repeal the Termination of Workmen's Services Act, which removes legal safeguards against indiscriminate lay offs by employers, according to organisers of the protest. Traffic was blocked by the protestors in the heart of Colombo's busy business hub. Full story >> TNA's Southern campaign critical to peace- paper[TamilNet, Wednesday, 01 September 2004, 09:29 GMT]"The failure of the Tamil leadership during the last half a century to join forces with the progressive forces in the South has been one of the reasons why earlier attempts at a solution were not successful," said an editorial in Thinakkural, welcoming the formation of awareness and advocacy committees by the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) to conduct a campaign in the South of Sri Lanka on the importance of ISGA, and the aspirations of Tamils. Full story >> Wickremanayake rhetoric harmful- NLF[TamilNet, Wednesday, 01 September 2004, 06:40 GMT] ''Acting Defence Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake's
warning to the Liberation Tigers not to push the Government to war and
accusing the LTTE of continuing with killings and attacks on anti-LTTE
elements in the East and in Colombo in violation
of the Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) in place, is not conducive to
promoting a climate of peace,'' Mr Thirunavukkarasu, politburo
member of the New Left Front (NLF),
told TamilNet Tuesday
Full story >> Gambling youth killed by suspected Islamic militants[TamilNet, Wednesday, 01 September 2004, 06:23 GMT]A Muslim youth was killed and three wounded when gunmen suspected to be militants of an Islamic fundamentalist group lobbed a grenade and opened fire on the four who were gambling in Saddam Hussein Village, a suburb of Eravur town, 14 kilometres north of Batticaloa, Tuesday night around 11.30, Police said. An armed Islamic militant group has been active in Muslim towns and villages north of Batticaloa since early this year, warning Muslims against gambling, drinking, prostitution and un Islamic religious practices in local Mosques. Full story >>
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