News from 10.04.2006

[Hänschen]

Claymore attacks: Sri Lanka says LTTE is breaking promises

Apr 10, Colombo: The Sri Lanka government today accused the LTTE of not keeping its promises despite its numerous assurances and commitments towards responsible behaviour.

While condemning the claymore attacks in Jaffna, the government said in a statement, “This unprovoked attack came within minutes of the Co-chair Ambassadors meeting with the LTTE in Kilinochchi. The LTTE has on numerous occasions assured the international community of commitments towards responsible behaviour. However, despite many such assurances, the LTTE has shown scant regard to such undertakings. This is another example of the LTTE demonstrating contempt to the genuine efforts of the international community to facilitate peace in Sri Lanka.

“This morning the government met with the SLMM to discuss modalities for the LTTE leaders to meet in Kilinochchi as a confidence building measure, in the lead up to the talks in Geneva,” the government said. “The LTTE has continued to blatantly violate the ceasefire and the commitments made in Geneva by conducting planned operations against the security forces, in many instances in total disregard for civilians in the vicinity.

“The government strongly condemns this attack and expresses its deepest sympathies to the families of the soldiers and civilians killed in this attack.”

LTTE cadres detonated a claymore mine on the A-9 highway between Kodikaamam and Muhamalai at a location close to Mirusavil. The explosion damaged an Army vehicle and killed five Army personnel. It also damaged a vehicle of the Caritas Organisation, killing two civilians and injuring one other person.

Karuna's office in Batticaloa

(Lakbima) : Karuna's party has decided to open a new office in Batticaloa today. The party came to the decision because many people are suffering due to LTTE activities in the eastern areas of Sri Lanka. The aim of the new Karuna office is to take care of the lives of innocent people.

The doors of the SLFP are open to everyone to become a leader - President Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa

(Lankadeepa) : The President Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa has suggested that the doors of the SLFP are open for everyone in Sri Lanka without any discrimination. Anyone can become a leader in Sri Lanka through the open doors of the SLFP.

http://www.colombopage.com/archive/April10135207CH.html

 

[srilanka1998]

Sri Lanka's donors head north to meet rebels before peace talks
[ Reuters ] [ 10:22 GMT, Apr. 10, 2006 ]

Ambassadors from Sri Lanka's key donor countries headed north to Monday to meet senior Tamil Tiger rebels amid a spurt in violence ahead of peace talks next week. The island had been relatively quiet since January, when the two sides agreed to their first direct talks since 2003, but international truce monitors warn a recent spike in killings could hurt not just the talks but a fragile 2002 ceasefire. Mediator Norway says neither side has made good on pledges made at the first round of talks with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) continuing military action and the government failing to rein in armed groups operating from army-held territory. The rebels have yet to say categorically whether they will attend the talks due to be held in Geneva between April 19-21. But most diplomats say they will probably go if only to complain about the government. "It is very worrying," said a diplomat. "It looks as if we are returning to the level of violence we saw in December and January. I don't think we'll get a commitment from the LTTE to go to the talks until they are actually getting on the plane."


Co-Chair representatives meet with LTTE
[ LTTE Peace Secretariat ] [ 10:27 GMT, Apr. 10, 2006 ]

Co-Chair representatives in Sri Lanka arrived in Kilinochchi today 10 April 2006 and had a meeting with Mr.S.P.Tamilselvan, Head of the LTTE Political Wing at the Peace Secretariat. Norwegian Ambassador Mr.Hans Bratskar, Japanese Ambassador Mr.Akio Suda, EU Commissioner Mr. Julian Wilson and Netherland’s Ambassador Mr. Reynout Van Dijk currently heading the EU in Sri Lanka briefed Mr.Tamilselvan on the outcome of their meetings with the government and encouraged LTTE to attend Geneva talks scheduled for 19 April 2006. Mr.Tamilselvan, while reiterating LTTE’s commitment to the process, said that much remains to be demonstrated by the government to make Geneva II meaningful. The political head traced the sequence of events immediately following Geneva I, very much contrary to what was pledged by the government delegation on 23 February 2006.


Sri Lankan troops killed in blast
[ BBC ] [ 10:42 GMT, Apr. 10, 2006 ]

At least four Sri Lankan soldiers have been killed and two others wounded in a mine explosion in northern Jaffna peninsula, the army says. The troops were travelling in a van when the mine exploded, army spokesman Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe said. Tamil Tiger rebels are suspected to be behind the attack, he said. The rebels have not yet commented on the incident. The government and the rebels are due to meet in Geneva later this month for a second round of peace talks.


Portugese ruined Jaffna: Historian
[ Hindustan Times ] [ 11:14 GMT, Apr. 10, 2006 ]

Today, the Tamil-speaking Jaffna peninsula in north Sri Lanka is a bastion of orthodox of Saivite (believers of lord Shiva) Hinduism. But historians say that during Portuguese rule in the 17th century, it was entirely Catholic. The fascinating story of how and why Jaffna became Catholic en masse, and why it reverted to Hinduism with equal alacrity when the Dutch replaced the Portuguese in 1658, is told by Prof Tikiri Abeyasinghe in his book Jaffna under the Portuguese, which was first published in 1986.


Chouhan seeks Kalam's intervention into Sethu Samudram project
[ Kerala News ] [ 12:52 GMT, Apr. 10, 2006 ]

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today sought President A P J Abdul Kalam's intervention in directing Union government to reconsider the Sethu Samudram canal project, saying it would damage the ancient site and hurt religious sentiments of people."The dredging of shallow ocean floor near Dhanushkoti end of Sri Rama's bridge is likely to damage the invaluable heritage", Chouhan said in a letter to Kalam.Chouhan said the dredging under the project is likely to damage the Rama Setu and hurt the deep rooted religious feelin gs involving the issue of faith. The ancient site of great archaeological, cultural and religious importance should be saved from the onslaught, he said adding he was not opposed to the Sethu Samudram project but alternative route for shipping should be identified so that the setu is not damaged.


Canada’s new government lists the LTTE as a terrorist organization
[ Government of Canada ] [ 15:18 GMT, Apr. 10, 2006 ]

Canada’s new government has listed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as a terrorist group, effective April 8, 2006, pursuant to the Criminal Code.“The decision to list the LTTE is long overdue and something the previous government did not take seriously enough to act upon,” said Minister Day. The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs, supporting this decision, reiterated the Government of Canada’s resolve to help achieve a negotiated settlement to the situation in Sri Lanka. “The Sri Lankan government must also fulfill its pledge to bring a negotiated resolution to the conflict. Canada will continue to work with international supporters of the peace process to help the parties reach a resolution.


Open Letter to the American Red Cross
[ Illangai Thamizh Sangam ] [ 19:23 GMT, Apr. 10, 2006 ]

It is two months since, on behalf of the American Red Cross, you confirmed that your organization Quote "do not work in either the north or the east because of US government laws prohibiting us from working in any LTTE controlled areas or partnering with any other aid agencies working in LTTE controlled areas. (Your letter dated 2/10/2006). The governing legislation is called OFA and Michael will fill you in on the details of OFAC and the implications for ARC in Sri Lanka." Unquote. Since that date the American Red Cross in Washington or Colombo and the American Government authorities have decided to stonewall all my inquires for further information or dialogue on this subject. The Tamils are still in shock and have not recovered from your surprising revelation and have not decided what needs to be done, as this is a violation and breach of trust of the US public, who collected money for the benefit of all the Tsunami survivors, including the Tamils.