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Sri Lanka bans night fishing
By Norman Palihawadane
The Island
Publication Date : 2006-01-09
The Sri Lankan Navy yesterday (Jan 8) temporarily banned night fishing in Eastern seas, while its team continue its search for the bodies of 15 crewmen killed when their gunboat was destroyed in a suicide bombing by the Tamil Tigers sea rebels.
Fishing just outside the Trincomalee Port from Koneshwaram to Navy Camp, was limited to daytime, officials announced this to the local fishing communities after Saturday's (Jan 7) attack, carried out by an explosives-laden boat within a fishing flotilla.
Navy officials quoted two sailors, who jumped into the sea just before their Dvora gunboat was blown up, as saying that a small craft that mingled with a flotilla of fishing boats had carried out the attack.
"The craft was about 30 metres away when the sailors noticed it making a dash for the gunboat," a navy source quoted a sailor as saying. "There was not enough time to move away or open fire."
The two sailors were rescued by fishermen but the other 15 crewmen are missing, presumed dead.
Naval craft were also looking for the wreckage of the Israeli-built gunboat that was sunk. This was the biggest loss to the military since the cease-fire agreement signed in 2002.
"A search is underway but we have not been able to locate any wreckage," a Defence Ministry source said.
"We had some reports that a few bodies (of sailors) had been found by fishermen, but the navy could not confirm it."
High ranking security sources said that the attack was launched by Sea Tigers of the Saampur Camp.
Dateline Colombo: Probe into military deals
Web posted at: 1/9/2006 3:27:47
Source ::: The Peninsula
President Mahinda Rajapakse is to appoint a Presidential Commission of Inquiry to probe allegedly shady military deals by former Commander of the Navy and now Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Daya Sandagiri, The Sunday Times reported. This came after the paper last week reported that Sandagiri entered into with an Israeli firm to procure 20-year-old guns for the Navy's Fast Attack Craft (FAC) fleet on the grounds that they were 'brand new'. He made an advance payment running into millions for weapons that were not in production. If the deal went through the Sri Lanka Navy would have been fighting with weapons of outdated technology against the LTTE.
Threat to kill TV baron flayed
Sri Lanka's independent media has expressed concern over an alleged assassination threat on Killi Rajamahendran, chairman of the Maharaja Organisation, which owns the country's biggest private television and radio networks (MTV and Sirasa) and urged the government to launch a speedy investigation. The Free Media Movement (FMM), Sri Lanka's biggest media freedom group, said if an attempt is made on the TV baron it is definitely a serious threat to the freedom of expression in Sri Lanka. 'Threats and intimidations directed at owners, editors or journalists of any media institution based on their editorial policy are a threat not only to media freedom but also to basic democratic rights as well,' it said. Police were informed last week of the threat and a complaint made by the Maharaja Group has accused the authorities of little action on the complaint. Police chief Chandra Fernando said top Police official Lionel Gunathilake has been ordered to lead the investigation.
UNP wants Ranil to quit
Dissidents from the main opposition UNP, seeking to oust party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and replace him with his deputy Karu Jayasuriya, said last week Wickremesinghe had agreed to step down and hand over power. 'If that does not happen this week, we will requisition a parliamentary group meeting and call for a secret ballot on this issue,' one dissident was quoted as saying in The Sunday Times. 'The letter requisitioning the meeting is already signed.' Asked why a secret ballot, he said that some MPs may not like to vote against the leader in his presence although some of them would have no problems on that score. Two of the dissidents discussed the issue with Wickremesinghe in Bangkok last week where they were on separate holidays.
One hurt in Sri Lankan Navy firing
Staff Reporter
Jayalalithaa asks Centre to lodge strong protest with the island nation's government
Rameswaram: One person was injured when the Sri Lankan Navy on Sunday opened fire at Tamil Nadu fishermen in the Palk Bay around Kachatheevu Island.
Antroosh (22) of Ramakrishnapuram in Rameswaram is undergoing treatment in the Government hospital at Rameswaram.
Antroosh said he along with Thomas, Innasi and Sagayaraj ventured into the sea in their mechanised boat. "The Sri Lankan Navy officials asked us to stop the boat near Kachatheevu at 4.30 a.m. when we were returning after completing the fishing operation. When we were about to stop, the Sri Lankan Navy personnel fired indiscriminately at our boat. The bullets pierced through my left hand. However, other crew of the boat managed to move the boat speedily. After reaching the shore they admitted me to hospital."
Assistant Director, Fisheries, M. Sethuraman told The Hindu that based on information given by Antroosh, and other crew members, a detailed report was sent to the Government.
He said a token was issued to the crew on the condition that they would not cross the International Maritime Boundary Line. The Fisheries Department, along with other departments, conducted many meetings to advise fishermen to stick to the Indian waters. Warnings were given through the public address system.
Letter to Prime Minister
Condemning the attack, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to register India's strong protest with the Sri Lankan Government.
In a letter to Mr. Singh, she said: "Such indiscriminate and murderous attacks on poor fishermen who venture into the seas in search of their livelihood is against all canons of natural justice and violates human rights."
The Centre, she said, must find a "final and lasting solution" to the problem since it involved the question of the traditional rights of Tamil Nadu fishermen. "I have repeatedly stressed that a long-term and permanent solution to this problem will be to take Kachatheevu on Lease in Perpetuity. With the increasing frequency of such incidents, it is time the Government of India addresses this issue without further delay."
The fishermen of Tamil Nadu essentially depend on fishing in the waters around Kachaatheevu for their livelihood, she said, calling for "suitable working arrangements" that would allow them to carry on their occupation in these waters.
Ms. Jayalalithaa said she had been repeatedly drawing the attention of the Centre to the incidents of violence against Indian fishermen in the Palk Bay around Kachatheevu island.
SLMM: Tigers have no control over Lankan waters
BY ANANTH Palakidnar
THE Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) yesterday reiterated that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has no control over the territorial waters in any part of the island.
SLMM Chief Hagrup Haukland told the Daily News that following the Navy complaint on the attack on their Israel-built fast attack Dvora vessel on Saturday, the SLMM was investigating the incident.
"The Navy has complained that the attack has been carried out by the LTTE. SLMM monitors had met the LTTE 's representative Elilan in Sampur, Trincomalee on Saturday and inquired about the attack in Trincomalee.
However the LTTE representative denied their involvement. The SLMM has even contacted Killinochchi and urged their explanation over the incident.
"Unlike in the land areas in the North and East, the LTTE has no control at all over the territorial waters around the island. The LTTE has its militant wing called Sea Tigers and claim that they have control over the North-Eastern waters.
But that claim is against international law and nothing is mentioned about the LTTE having control over the North and East waters in the Ceasefire Agreement," Haukland said.
The Navy yesterday launched a search for the missing 13 crewmen. The Navy top brass were in Trincomalee yesterday overseeing search operations. Air Force aircraft were making reconnaissance flights in the area where the vessel went down.
Meanwhile, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) had a lengthy meeting with President Mahinda Rajapakse on the current situation in the North and East Saturday.
The TNA delegation requested President Rajapakse to do his best to resume the talks with the LTTE to create a trouble-free North and East.
The President expressing concern over recent incidents in the North and East said he would take steps to bring the situation under control.
The TNA delegation led by TNA Parliamentarian R.Sampanthan comprised other TNA Members of Parliament Suresh Premachandran, N. Raviraj and Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam.
Suspected S.Lanka rebels kill 1 soldier, wound 3
Mon Jan 9, 2006 3:42 AM GMT
COLOMBO (Reuters) - Suspected Tamil Tiger rebels ambushed two army patrols in north-eastern Sri Lanka, killing one soldier, the army said on Monday as a search continued at sea for 13 sailors missing after an apparent suicide attack.
One Tiger militant was killed when troops returned fire, the army added.
Attacks on troops have increased markedly since the beginning of December, raising fears the island risks sliding back into a two-decade-old civil war that has already killed over 64,000.
"Near a village, troops on foot saw a vehicle parked by the side of the road and went to investigate," an army spokesman said. "Some Tamil Tigers hiding in a bush fired on them. One soldier was killed. Our soldiers retaliated and one Tamil Tiger was killed."
In a second overnight incident, three soldiers were wounded after rebels fired at an army truck with small arms, he said. Both attacks took place near the north-eastern port of Trincomalee, which is almost encircled by rebel positions.
Tensions near the port have been rising after the deaths of five youths on Monday. The military had originally said the young men were rebels who accidentally detonated grenades they were carrying, but truce monitors found they had been shot in the head and the government has launched a probe.
In November, the Tigers said they would "intensify their struggle" in 2006 unless there were concessions from the government, which has ruled out their demands for independence.
Diplomats say a 2002 truce is on the brink of collapse, with the two sides unable to even agree on a venue for talks.
The rebels deny involvement in the attacks on troops, which have worsened relations between the army and civilians, but now say rising military atrocities might force them into war. Analysts say the attacks have been aimed at provoking the army.
The navy says one of its Israeli-built Dvora fast attack boats exploded early on Saturday off Trincomalee. Two survivors said the vessel had been rammed by a Tiger suicide boat, and an ongoing search has failed to find traces of the 13 missing crew.
Sri Lanka's stock market has fallen with every attack over fears of the return of a war that has previously seen suicide attacks on business districts in the capital Colombo, while aid workers fear post-tsunami relief programmes might be hurt.
Aid workers say there are as yet no signs of massive refugee movements from the northern Jaffna peninsula -- an army-held enclave hemmed in by rebel lines and seen as the main Tiger objective if war comes -- but worry it would happen if violence worsens.
Report: Sri Lanka president wants to talk peace with Tamil rebels despite recent violence
AP
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) - Recent deadly attacks on Sri Lankan government forces allegedly carried out by Tamil Tiger rebels will not deter the president from trying to resume peace talks with the guerrillas, state-run media reported.
The administration of President Mahinda Rajapakse has said it is ready to meet with the rebels to ensure that the country's 2002 Norwegian-brokered cease-fire holds and that grievances of the ethnic minority Tamils are met.
"It is a great mistake if anyone believes that our decisions can be altered by means of terror," Rajapakse was quoted as saying by the state-run Daily News.
"Even today I would like to tell the people that we are still ready and committed to solve this problem in a peaceful manner by demonstrating our patience," he said.
On Saturday, a suspected Tamil Tiger rebel rammed an explosive-laden fishing boat into a navy vessel off northeastern Sri Lanka, killing 13 sailors in a suicide attack and raising fears that the country could slide back into civil war.
The latest attack brought the death toll in a recent wave of attacks on security forces to 58 since Dec. 4.
Authorities have blamed the attacks on the Tigers, saying the planning and execution of many the attacks clearly point to the troup, officially known as Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. However, the rebels have denied responsibility.
"The LTTE should realize that we are not deaf and blind," Rajapakse was quoted as saying. "If someone takes my patience that I have inculcated through Buddhist values as my weakness, they would be mistaken."
The Tigers began fighting in 1983 for a homeland for Sri Lanka's 3.2 million ethnic minority Tamils, claiming discrimination by the majority Sinhalese, who number about 14 million. The war has left 65,000 dead and 1.6 million displaced.
Rajapakse, who won office in a Nov. 17 election, has approached Norway for further help in mediating Sri Lanka's national reconciliation, and Norwegian envoy Eric Solheim was expected in Sri Lanka on Jan. 23 to see if the peace talks can be salvaged.
By Norman Palihawadane
The Island
Publication Date : 2006-01-09
The Sri Lankan Navy yesterday (Jan 8) temporarily banned night fishing in Eastern seas, while its team continue its search for the bodies of 15 crewmen killed when their gunboat was destroyed in a suicide bombing by the Tamil Tigers sea rebels.
Fishing just outside the Trincomalee Port from Koneshwaram to Navy Camp, was limited to daytime, officials announced this to the local fishing communities after Saturday's (Jan 7) attack, carried out by an explosives-laden boat within a fishing flotilla.
Navy officials quoted two sailors, who jumped into the sea just before their Dvora gunboat was blown up, as saying that a small craft that mingled with a flotilla of fishing boats had carried out the attack.
"The craft was about 30 metres away when the sailors noticed it making a dash for the gunboat," a navy source quoted a sailor as saying. "There was not enough time to move away or open fire."
The two sailors were rescued by fishermen but the other 15 crewmen are missing, presumed dead.
Naval craft were also looking for the wreckage of the Israeli-built gunboat that was sunk. This was the biggest loss to the military since the cease-fire agreement signed in 2002.
"A search is underway but we have not been able to locate any wreckage," a Defence Ministry source said.
"We had some reports that a few bodies (of sailors) had been found by fishermen, but the navy could not confirm it."
High ranking security sources said that the attack was launched by Sea Tigers of the Saampur Camp.
Dateline Colombo: Probe into military deals
Web posted at: 1/9/2006 3:27:47
Source ::: The Peninsula
President Mahinda Rajapakse is to appoint a Presidential Commission of Inquiry to probe allegedly shady military deals by former Commander of the Navy and now Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Daya Sandagiri, The Sunday Times reported. This came after the paper last week reported that Sandagiri entered into with an Israeli firm to procure 20-year-old guns for the Navy's Fast Attack Craft (FAC) fleet on the grounds that they were 'brand new'. He made an advance payment running into millions for weapons that were not in production. If the deal went through the Sri Lanka Navy would have been fighting with weapons of outdated technology against the LTTE.
Threat to kill TV baron flayed
Sri Lanka's independent media has expressed concern over an alleged assassination threat on Killi Rajamahendran, chairman of the Maharaja Organisation, which owns the country's biggest private television and radio networks (MTV and Sirasa) and urged the government to launch a speedy investigation. The Free Media Movement (FMM), Sri Lanka's biggest media freedom group, said if an attempt is made on the TV baron it is definitely a serious threat to the freedom of expression in Sri Lanka. 'Threats and intimidations directed at owners, editors or journalists of any media institution based on their editorial policy are a threat not only to media freedom but also to basic democratic rights as well,' it said. Police were informed last week of the threat and a complaint made by the Maharaja Group has accused the authorities of little action on the complaint. Police chief Chandra Fernando said top Police official Lionel Gunathilake has been ordered to lead the investigation.
UNP wants Ranil to quit
Dissidents from the main opposition UNP, seeking to oust party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and replace him with his deputy Karu Jayasuriya, said last week Wickremesinghe had agreed to step down and hand over power. 'If that does not happen this week, we will requisition a parliamentary group meeting and call for a secret ballot on this issue,' one dissident was quoted as saying in The Sunday Times. 'The letter requisitioning the meeting is already signed.' Asked why a secret ballot, he said that some MPs may not like to vote against the leader in his presence although some of them would have no problems on that score. Two of the dissidents discussed the issue with Wickremesinghe in Bangkok last week where they were on separate holidays.
One hurt in Sri Lankan Navy firing
Staff Reporter
Jayalalithaa asks Centre to lodge strong protest with the island nation's government
Rameswaram: One person was injured when the Sri Lankan Navy on Sunday opened fire at Tamil Nadu fishermen in the Palk Bay around Kachatheevu Island.
Antroosh (22) of Ramakrishnapuram in Rameswaram is undergoing treatment in the Government hospital at Rameswaram.
Antroosh said he along with Thomas, Innasi and Sagayaraj ventured into the sea in their mechanised boat. "The Sri Lankan Navy officials asked us to stop the boat near Kachatheevu at 4.30 a.m. when we were returning after completing the fishing operation. When we were about to stop, the Sri Lankan Navy personnel fired indiscriminately at our boat. The bullets pierced through my left hand. However, other crew of the boat managed to move the boat speedily. After reaching the shore they admitted me to hospital."
Assistant Director, Fisheries, M. Sethuraman told The Hindu that based on information given by Antroosh, and other crew members, a detailed report was sent to the Government.
He said a token was issued to the crew on the condition that they would not cross the International Maritime Boundary Line. The Fisheries Department, along with other departments, conducted many meetings to advise fishermen to stick to the Indian waters. Warnings were given through the public address system.
Letter to Prime Minister
Condemning the attack, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to register India's strong protest with the Sri Lankan Government.
In a letter to Mr. Singh, she said: "Such indiscriminate and murderous attacks on poor fishermen who venture into the seas in search of their livelihood is against all canons of natural justice and violates human rights."
The Centre, she said, must find a "final and lasting solution" to the problem since it involved the question of the traditional rights of Tamil Nadu fishermen. "I have repeatedly stressed that a long-term and permanent solution to this problem will be to take Kachatheevu on Lease in Perpetuity. With the increasing frequency of such incidents, it is time the Government of India addresses this issue without further delay."
The fishermen of Tamil Nadu essentially depend on fishing in the waters around Kachaatheevu for their livelihood, she said, calling for "suitable working arrangements" that would allow them to carry on their occupation in these waters.
Ms. Jayalalithaa said she had been repeatedly drawing the attention of the Centre to the incidents of violence against Indian fishermen in the Palk Bay around Kachatheevu island.
SLMM: Tigers have no control over Lankan waters
BY ANANTH Palakidnar
THE Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) yesterday reiterated that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has no control over the territorial waters in any part of the island.
SLMM Chief Hagrup Haukland told the Daily News that following the Navy complaint on the attack on their Israel-built fast attack Dvora vessel on Saturday, the SLMM was investigating the incident.
"The Navy has complained that the attack has been carried out by the LTTE. SLMM monitors had met the LTTE 's representative Elilan in Sampur, Trincomalee on Saturday and inquired about the attack in Trincomalee.
However the LTTE representative denied their involvement. The SLMM has even contacted Killinochchi and urged their explanation over the incident.
"Unlike in the land areas in the North and East, the LTTE has no control at all over the territorial waters around the island. The LTTE has its militant wing called Sea Tigers and claim that they have control over the North-Eastern waters.
But that claim is against international law and nothing is mentioned about the LTTE having control over the North and East waters in the Ceasefire Agreement," Haukland said.
The Navy yesterday launched a search for the missing 13 crewmen. The Navy top brass were in Trincomalee yesterday overseeing search operations. Air Force aircraft were making reconnaissance flights in the area where the vessel went down.
Meanwhile, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) had a lengthy meeting with President Mahinda Rajapakse on the current situation in the North and East Saturday.
The TNA delegation requested President Rajapakse to do his best to resume the talks with the LTTE to create a trouble-free North and East.
The President expressing concern over recent incidents in the North and East said he would take steps to bring the situation under control.
The TNA delegation led by TNA Parliamentarian R.Sampanthan comprised other TNA Members of Parliament Suresh Premachandran, N. Raviraj and Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam.
Suspected S.Lanka rebels kill 1 soldier, wound 3
Mon Jan 9, 2006 3:42 AM GMT
COLOMBO (Reuters) - Suspected Tamil Tiger rebels ambushed two army patrols in north-eastern Sri Lanka, killing one soldier, the army said on Monday as a search continued at sea for 13 sailors missing after an apparent suicide attack.
One Tiger militant was killed when troops returned fire, the army added.
Attacks on troops have increased markedly since the beginning of December, raising fears the island risks sliding back into a two-decade-old civil war that has already killed over 64,000.
"Near a village, troops on foot saw a vehicle parked by the side of the road and went to investigate," an army spokesman said. "Some Tamil Tigers hiding in a bush fired on them. One soldier was killed. Our soldiers retaliated and one Tamil Tiger was killed."
In a second overnight incident, three soldiers were wounded after rebels fired at an army truck with small arms, he said. Both attacks took place near the north-eastern port of Trincomalee, which is almost encircled by rebel positions.
Tensions near the port have been rising after the deaths of five youths on Monday. The military had originally said the young men were rebels who accidentally detonated grenades they were carrying, but truce monitors found they had been shot in the head and the government has launched a probe.
In November, the Tigers said they would "intensify their struggle" in 2006 unless there were concessions from the government, which has ruled out their demands for independence.
Diplomats say a 2002 truce is on the brink of collapse, with the two sides unable to even agree on a venue for talks.
The rebels deny involvement in the attacks on troops, which have worsened relations between the army and civilians, but now say rising military atrocities might force them into war. Analysts say the attacks have been aimed at provoking the army.
The navy says one of its Israeli-built Dvora fast attack boats exploded early on Saturday off Trincomalee. Two survivors said the vessel had been rammed by a Tiger suicide boat, and an ongoing search has failed to find traces of the 13 missing crew.
Sri Lanka's stock market has fallen with every attack over fears of the return of a war that has previously seen suicide attacks on business districts in the capital Colombo, while aid workers fear post-tsunami relief programmes might be hurt.
Aid workers say there are as yet no signs of massive refugee movements from the northern Jaffna peninsula -- an army-held enclave hemmed in by rebel lines and seen as the main Tiger objective if war comes -- but worry it would happen if violence worsens.
Report: Sri Lanka president wants to talk peace with Tamil rebels despite recent violence
AP
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) - Recent deadly attacks on Sri Lankan government forces allegedly carried out by Tamil Tiger rebels will not deter the president from trying to resume peace talks with the guerrillas, state-run media reported.
The administration of President Mahinda Rajapakse has said it is ready to meet with the rebels to ensure that the country's 2002 Norwegian-brokered cease-fire holds and that grievances of the ethnic minority Tamils are met.
"It is a great mistake if anyone believes that our decisions can be altered by means of terror," Rajapakse was quoted as saying by the state-run Daily News.
"Even today I would like to tell the people that we are still ready and committed to solve this problem in a peaceful manner by demonstrating our patience," he said.
On Saturday, a suspected Tamil Tiger rebel rammed an explosive-laden fishing boat into a navy vessel off northeastern Sri Lanka, killing 13 sailors in a suicide attack and raising fears that the country could slide back into civil war.
The latest attack brought the death toll in a recent wave of attacks on security forces to 58 since Dec. 4.
Authorities have blamed the attacks on the Tigers, saying the planning and execution of many the attacks clearly point to the troup, officially known as Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. However, the rebels have denied responsibility.
"The LTTE should realize that we are not deaf and blind," Rajapakse was quoted as saying. "If someone takes my patience that I have inculcated through Buddhist values as my weakness, they would be mistaken."
The Tigers began fighting in 1983 for a homeland for Sri Lanka's 3.2 million ethnic minority Tamils, claiming discrimination by the majority Sinhalese, who number about 14 million. The war has left 65,000 dead and 1.6 million displaced.
Rajapakse, who won office in a Nov. 17 election, has approached Norway for further help in mediating Sri Lanka's national reconciliation, and Norwegian envoy Eric Solheim was expected in Sri Lanka on Jan. 23 to see if the peace talks can be salvaged.