News vom 18.09.2005

srilanka1998

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Face the reality of child abuse
[ The Hindu ] [ 11:33 GMT, Sep. 18, 2005 ]

As honorary chairman of the force, he recommended the setting-up of a National Child Protection Authority, with the participation of medical, social and legal services to combat child abuse and exploitation. The NCPA was established in 1999, with Dr. De Silva as its president, and recommendations to amend and tighten various laws were carried out. Dr. De Silva says co-ordination between all sectors is the key to tackling child abuse and enforcing children's rights. The NCPA's efforts to raise awareness and put prevention and healing mechanisms in place have started paying off as a 2001 study showed - in households in the southern province, child labour was down to 0.5 per cent compared to their 1996 study which showed eight per cent prevalence.


Armed robbers kill 2 policemen in Sri Lanka
[ Xinhuanet ] [ 11:35 GMT, Sep. 18, 2005 ]

A clash with an armed robber group has led to the death of two policemen in southeastern Sri Lanka, police said Sunday. A sub inspector and a constable were killed when they were trying to arrest an armed gang who were plundering a house at Nivithigala, 80 km from the capital Colombo around 8:30 p.m. (14:30 GMT) Saturday. The gang had attacked the house occupants with clubs before oneof the occupants escaped to telephone the police. The two policemen who were riding a motor cycle were shot dead as they approached the house, police said. The robbers then fled with 1.4 million rupees (about 14,000 US dollars ) worth of gems and jewellery from the house.


Sri Lanka's Tamil rebels call for immediate truce talks
[ AFP ] [ 13:47 GMT, Sep. 18, 2005 ]

The political leader of the Tamil Tiger rebels has called for immediate talks with Sri Lanka's government to save a shaky ceasefire. Tamil Tiger political chief S.P. Thamilselvan said the rebel group was ready "even in the next minute" to begin talks with the government. "We are anxious to start the talks immediately... even in the next minute," Thamilselvan said in an interview at his political headquarters, 330 kilometres (204 miles) north of the capital Colombo, on Friday night. Peacebroker Norway has sought talks between the two sides in the wake of the assassination of foreign minister Lakshman Kadirgamar, which has stoke fears of a return to civil war in the Indian Ocean island nation. Thamilselvan denied that the Tigers carried out the August 12 murder of Kadirgamar, an ethnic Tamil who was a fierce critic of the rebels, saying they had "nothing to gain by killing anyone."


"An embodiment of antinomy," - Thamilchelvan on Kumaratunga's speeches in New York
[ TamilNet ] [ 13:48 GMT, Sep. 18, 2005 ]

"The LTTE is still ready for immediate talks on the implementation of the CFA, outside the island," reiterated Mr. S. P. Thamilchelvan, Political Head of the LTTE, in an exclusive interview to the TamilNet on Friday. "We see a lot of contradictions in the speeches of Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga, made abroad and in the south. The fact is the Tamil people have lost faith in Kumaratunga's statements, speeches and promises. It is high time the international community takes this into consideration," said LTTE's political head.


Sri Lanka to extend emergency laws for another month
[ AFP ] [ 13:50 GMT, Sep. 18, 2005 ]

Sri Lanka announced that a state of emergency enforced after the assassination of the foreign minister would be extended for another month, despite opposition from Tamil Tiger rebels. Government spokesman Nimal Siripala de Silva told reporters on Friday that an extension resolution would go before parliament next week. "It (the resolution) will be presented on the 21st (Wednesday) and will be approved for another month," de Silva said. He did not explain the reason for prolonging the sweeping powers granted to police and security forces to arrest and detain suspects without warrants. The emergency was first imposed for 10 days shortly after the August 12 assassination of foreign minister Lakshman Kadirgamar. The government accused Tiger rebels of the killing, a charge rejected by the guerrillas.
 
Agreed to continue with peace

President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and the Norwegian Prime minister have agreed to continue with the peace efforts.
President Kumaratunga thanked the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minster for Norwegian Government's efforts at moving the LTTE away from open armed conflict by facilitating discussions.

President Chandrika Kumaratunga met with the Prime Minister of Norway Kjell Magne Bondevik and Foreign Minister Jan Peterson at the UN Head Quarters

Recently Jayantha Dhanapala ,Sri Lankas chief negotiator said that there is a need to bring in other international facilitators in addition to Norway to strengthen the peace process.

The numbers of ceasefire violations are on the increase and the government has called for a review .Although the government and the Tamil tigers are in agreement of a review still both parties have not been able to agree on a venue.

A number of senior government ministers have also voiced disappointment on the Norwegian facilitation.

Norwegian elections were held recently and outgoing Prime Minister Bondevik assured the President the incoming Oslo government will continue Norway's facilitation in Sri Lanka's peace efforts.


According to a media release of the presidential sectariat the President and Prime Minister Bondevik discussed the need to improve the practical implementation of the Ceasefire Agreement and expressed concern about the LTTE's reluctance to engage in direct discussions about this.
 
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