Govt. agrees for parliamentary debate on Oslo peace talks

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

LTTE opens first Thamileelam court in Trincomalee district

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

Third round of peace talks open in Oslo

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

TNA mourns death of veteran Trinco Tamil activist

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

Devanesan Nesiah appointed to inquire Jaffna disappearances

[TamilNet, Saturday, 30 November 2002, 15:20 GMT]
The Human Rights Commission (HRC) of Sri Lanka Saturday appointed a one-man committee, Mr.Devanesan Nesiah, a retired civil servant and the government agent of Jaffna, to probe into complaints of disappearances of persons arrested by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) during 1996-1997 military operations in Jaffna district. A leading human rights activist Mr.M.C.M.Iqbal will function as the Committee's secretary, sources said.
Full story >>

Children in Armed Conflict and the United Nations

[TamilNet, Saturday, 30 November 2002, 03:21 GMT]
It is estimated that 300,000 children are currently participating in fighting in more than 35 countries. 25 million are uprooted from their homes, while millions more have their lives severely affected by the deprivations of war. Dealing with 'impact of war on children' is high on United Nation's agenda, with an annual Security Council debate, several resolutions addressing the problem and an office of the Secretary General devoted to the topic. Sri Lanka does not figure prominently in the deliberations of the UN, but the outcome of UN decisions has been felt in Sri Lanka.
Full story >>

PTA accused freed after seven years in prison

[TamilNet, Friday, 29 November 2002, 19:18 GMT]
The Colombo High Court Friday discharged an accused in a Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) case when the State Counsel withdrew the indictment on the instruction of the Attorney General. The accused had been in prison since his arrest seven years ago in the hill town of Nuwaraeliya.
Full story >>

Karuna Oslo bound

[TamilNet, Thursday, 28 November 2002, 12:14 GMT]
Colonel Karuna, Senior Commander of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) took off from Batticaloa in an Sri Lanka Airforce helicopter to Colombo at 9.30 am today on his way to the next round of peace talks between LTTE and Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) to be held in Oslo, Norway 2 December, sources said.
Full story >>

LTTE leader calls for autonomy and self-government for Tamil homeland

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 27 November 2002, 12:17 GMT]
In a radical move to clarify the policy orientation of his organisation, Mr Velupillai Pirapaharan, the leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) declared that he would favourably consider a political framework that offers substantial regional autonomy and self-government to the Tamil people on the basis of their right to internal self-determination. The text of Mr. Pirapaharan’s annual Heroes’ Day address was released to the media in an official statement.
Full story >>

Sri Lanka's parliament suspended due to uproar

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 26 November 2002, 12:13 GMT]
Pandemonium reigned in Sri Lanka's parliament Tuesday morning when opposition members created a commotion in the well of the House forcing the Chair to suspend its sittings indefinitely following the refusal by the government to put the budgetary allocation of the Ministry of Justice, Judiciary and National Integration to vote at the conclusion of the committee stage debate.
Full story >>

EU promises substantial contribution, says will engage Tamil Diaspora

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 26 November 2002, 04:35 GMT]
Petter Hansen from Denmark addressing the Oslo peace support conference on behalf of the European Union (EU) said that "EU stands ready to support the peace process and is committed to delivering a substantial contribution to the post-conflict rehabilitation of Sri Lanka." He added that "the EU will strengthen its engagement in the peace process" and introduced a new perspective to the support effort by asserting EU "will also engage the Tamil Diaspora to support the process."
Full story >>

Heroes memorial opened in Batticaloa

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 26 November 2002, 01:57 GMT]
The Heroes memorial constructed at Mahajana College hall displaying 4535 photos of LTTE members killed in the war was declared open at 9am Monday by Batticaloa-Ampara LTTE special commander Ramesh allowing the public to pay their respect, said sources in Batticaloa.
Full story >>

US calls to renounce violence, says ready to play its part

[TamilNet, Monday, 25 November 2002, 21:06 GMT]
Richard Armitage, Deputy Secretary of State, US, the highest ranking American official to visit Sri Lanka since the start of the conflict, said that his country will continue to support programs that promote peace and good governance in his address at the Oslo donor conference, 25 November. He called on the LTTE to renounce violence and secession. The presence of Secretary Armitage during Anton Balasingham's address later in the day sent a strong message of recognition of LTTE's growing legitimacy, analysts said.
Full story >>

'We are sincerely and firmly committed to peace' - Balasingham

[TamilNet, Monday, 25 November 2002, 18:26 GMT]
"We urge the international governments to offer substantial financial assistance for the resettlement and rehabilitation of the war affected people in the northeast..On our part, we can assure the international community that our organisation is sincerely and firmly committed to peace and negotiated political settlement..we will not resort to war or violence. We fervently hope that the Sri Lankan armed forces will also abide by that commitment," said Mr. Anton Balasingham, the advisor and theoretician to Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in his address to the Oslo aid conference 25 November.
Full story >>

'Donor community must respond to LTTE, GOSL's pragmatism' - Jan Peterson

[TamilNet, Monday, 25 November 2002, 14:17 GMT]
While announcing increased funding support to assist Sri Lanka's peace process, Norwegian Foreign Minister Mr. Jan Petersen, said "The parties are showing a high degree of pragmatism and innovation in the peace negotiations. They are showing courage and political leadership in taking a gradual approach. It is incumbent upon donor governments to respond likewise," urging the international community to financially support NorthEast development in his Opening speech at Oslo 25 November 2002.
Full story >>

Britain announces funding support at Oslo meeting

[TamilNet, Monday, 25 November 2002, 13:49 GMT]
The international donor conference organized by the Government of Norway in support of the peace process in Sri Lanka was ceremonially opened by Norwegian Foreign Minister Jan Petersen at Holmenkollen Park Hotel Rica in Oslo at 10:00 AM. Over 100 representatives from 19 nations are participating in the Conference. Claire short, Secretary of state for international development of UK in her address expressed full support for the peace process in Sri Lanka congratulating the Liberation Tigers (LTTE), Government of Sri Lanka and the Government of Norway.
Full story >>

'Country cannot afford to miss this opportunity for peace'- Sampanthan

[TamilNet, Monday, 25 November 2002, 12:54 GMT]
"We must not lose the present opportunity to achieve permanent peace with a just, fair and lasting political solution to the ethnic conflict," said Mr.Sampanthan, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentary group leader addressing the Annual Parents' Day and Oli Vizha of the Trincomalee St.Mary's College Sunday evening. Hundreds of parents attended the function held at College Thresian Auditorium.
Full story >>

'International support vital to sustain peace' - Ranil

[TamilNet, Monday, 25 November 2002, 12:42 GMT]
Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe, speaking at the opening session of the Oslo support meeting 25 November appealed to the International community to help Sri Lanka rebuild the economy devastated by war. "Without continuing international support and help with resources to build the peace dividend, the momentum for peace could be retarded. With the re-creation of opportunities for growth politicians and negotiators alike will be driven to stabilize and advance the peace," said Mr. Wickremesinghe.
Full story >>

Heroes Day celebrations commenced in Trincomalee

[TamilNet, Monday, 25 November 2002, 12:40 GMT]
The ‘Maaveerar Naal’ (Heroes Day)celebrations commenced in Trincomalee district Monday. At Sampoor, LTTE district military commander Colonel Pathuman inaugurated the Maaveerar Day celebrations by hoisting the Tamil Eelam national flag while District Political Head Mr.Tilak lighting the flame of sacrifice.
Full story >>

Martyrs' parents honoured in Mullaitivu

[TamilNet, Monday, 25 November 2002, 02:43 GMT]
Parents of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) fighters who sacrificed their lives in the two decades old war were felicitated in a meeting at Mullaitivu Maha Vidyalayam presided by Mariathas, Head of Mullaitivu Rehabilitation Committee, Sunday, sources said.
Full story >>