News vom 27.09.2005

[srilanka1998]

Sri Lanka officials misappropriate tsunami aid - auditor
[ Reuters ] [ 01:08 GMT, Sep. 27, 2005 ]

Sri Lankan government officials misspent or misappropriated hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of tsunami aid after failing to follow instructions, the island's auditor general said on Monday. Officials gave millions of rupees in tsunami assistance to thousands of families who were not directly affected by the Indian Ocean island's worst natural disaster in memory. There were others displaced by the tsunami who did not get the rations they were entitled to. Auditor General S.C. Mayadunne put the misappropriation down to confusion stemming from multiple instructions issued by different government departments.


"LTTE no longer welcome in EU member states"
[ TamilNet ] [ 02:55 GMT, Sep. 27, 2005 ]

"The European Union on Monday condemned continuing violence by Sri Lanka's Tamil Tigers, and said representatives of the group were no longer welcome in Europe's capitals," Associated Press report said Monday. "In a statement released by the British government, the EU [European Union] said it was considering adding the Tamil Tigers to its list of terrorist organizations. Britain currently holds the rotating presidency of the 25-nation union. "In the meantime, it said, delegations from the group "will no longer be received in any of the EU member states until further notice,"" AP report further said.

 

[srilanka1998]

Thileepan's Day commemoration in Tamil Eelam
[ LTTE Peace Secretariat ] [ 10:43 GMT, Sep. 27, 2005 ]

Tamil National Leader Mr. V. Prabaharan participated in the special ceremony to commemorate the 18th year of martyrdom of Thileepan who protested against Indian military's atrocities in the Tamil homeland and fasted unto death. Thileepan's fast for the twelve days till his demise did not move the Indian polity to accede to the just demands of Thileepan on behalf of Tamil people. The Tamil people in the NorthEast and all over the world commemorate Thileepan's sacrifice for 12 days commencing 15th September. The date of Thileepan's martyrdom, 26th September incidentally is also the day of commemoration of the anniversary of Martyr Col. Shankar.


Sri Lanka Opposition Candidate Vows To Up Public Spending
[ Dow Jones ] [ 10:45 GMT, Sep. 27, 2005 ]

Sri Lanka's opposition presidential candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe promised Tuesday to fight poverty and support farmers if he wins the presidential election on Nov. 17. The leader of the United National Party, who is favored by investors, made the promises in an apparent bid to woo those who voted against his party in the last general election in 2004. "The main issue in this election is the economy. Peace is important but the people have to think of their stomachs," he said. Political analysts expect a tight race between Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse, who is also expected to announce populist measures to woo voters.


Sri Lanka's Tamil rebels deny they are terrorists following EU rebuff
[ AP ] [ 10:48 GMT, Sep. 27, 2005 ]

A representative of Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels on Tuesday defended the organization against charges of terrorism, a day after the European Union said the group was no longer welcome in Europe's capitals. In a statement released by the British government on Monday, the EU said the rebels "will no longer be received in any of the EU member states until further notice" as the body considers whether to add the Tamil Tigers to its list of terrorist organizations. Britain currently holds the rotating presidency of the 25-nation union. The EU statement said the Tigers' "continuing use of violence and terrorism" threatened the country's fragile peace process.