Basil Rajapaksa to leave for India

President's seiner consultant Basil Rajapaksa to leave for India

Basil Rajapaksa is expected to leave for India later today (Oct. 24th) as a special emissary of the Sri Lankan government to brief New Delhi on the prevailing situation in the island.

The senior presidential advisor will remain in the country for two-days, and will meet with Indian external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee on the final day of his stay.

Foreign Affairs Minister Rohitha Bogollagama announced Mr. Rajapaksa's Indian tour at a media briefing at Parliamentary Complex yesterday.

The FM has said Colombo has assured New Delhi of all steps for the protection and welfare of displaced in Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi.

An assurance has also been given the Sri Lanka Navy will not harass Indian fishermen who stray into the island's territorial waters, said Mr. Bogollagama.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, in his recent telephone conversation with Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, has stressed his government's commitment for a political solution while eliminating terrorism, he added.

Vaiko remanded till Nov. 6

Vaiko remanded till Nov. 6

South Indian politician Vaiko, arrested on charges of sedition, has been remanded till November 06th.

He is lodged in Puzhal Central Prison, reported 'The Hindu.'

Officials of ‘Q’ Branch CID of Tamil Nadu police yesterday (Oct. 23rd) arrested the MDMK party general secretary and its presidium chairman M. Kannappan on same charges.

Vaiko, who was arrested at his Chennai home, was produced in a city court and remanded to judicial custody.

The charges against them are based on their speeches at a party meeting on the Sri Lankan issue.

Vaiko warned that India extending help to protect Sri Lanka’s integrity would jeopardise India’s own unity and integrity.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu opposition AIADMK staged a walkout from Rajya Sabha today demanding arrest of Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi over his alleged support to the LTTE.

Pakistan High Commission in Colombo donated 15 latest computers to the Central Cultural Fund, Government of Sri Lanka.

Pakistan High Commission in Colombo donated 15 latest computers to the Central Cultural Fund, Government of Sri Lanka.

The High Commissioner for Pakistan H.E. Shahzad A Chaudhry, as continuation of the same efforts donated 15 latest computers to the Central Cultural Fund, Government of Sri Lanka.

A small ceremony was held in the High Commission for handing over the computers, (on 9 October 2008)which were received by Prof. Sudharshan Seneviratnae, Chairman of the Fund. Highlighting the importance of closer cultural ties between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the High Commissioner underlined the need to make better use of the wealth of Buddhist Gandhara heritage so beautifully preserved in Pakistan. Prof. Sudharshan, endorsing the importance of the Gandhara heritage in Pakistan, expressed a strong desire on behalf of the Central Cultural Fund to work more closely with the Pakistan High Commission in this particular area.

The High Commissioner also donated six computers and 4 stitching machines to Mrs. Nawazia Farook, President of the Muslim Ladies Study Circle. Also present on this occasion were other office bearers of the Circle, which is doing useful work in vocational training in and around Colombo.

Pakistan High Commission in Colombo, for the last three years, has been consistently assisting various social sector organizations and the Government agencies in projects related to education, health, vocational training and cultural promotion. As part of this effort, the High Commission for Pakistan has so far established or helped to establish over 30 big and small computer centers throughout the Island. Similarly six full fledged stitching centers have been funded by the Government of Pakistan in various parts of Sri Lanka, to benefit needy women.

Political solution needed - India

Political solution needed - India

The Indian government says a political solution is what is needed for Sri Lanka’s national question.
In a statement issued on 16 October, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said the solution should be based within the framework of united Sri Lanka.

“India will do all in its power to achieve this goal, to ameliorate the humanitarian conditions in Sri Lanka and has been making representations to the Government of Sri Lanka at several levels,” the statement added.

India has also raised serious concern over the civilians caught in the conflict.

Same views

“It is essential that their rights be respected, that they be immune from attacks, and that food and other essential supplies be allowed to reach them,” Mr. Mukherjee’s statement said.

Sri Lanka 'looks after all citizens' -President Mahinda

Sri Lanka 'looks after all citizens--President Mahinda rajapaksha

President Rajapaksa at Temple Trees (Library photo by Chandana Perera)
President says Tamil Nadu is misinformed of Sri Lankan situation
Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa says his government looks after all citizens including the displaced in the north.

"I carry out this responsibility to the fullest especially with regard to the people who are temporarily displaced in the North, due to the ongoing military operations to defeat terrorism. There is a wrong impression created in Tamil Nadu that this not been done. This is furthest from the correct position," Mr. Rajapaksa told heads and editors of Sri Lanka media.

The number of Internally Displaced People (IDPs) is "inflated", he said, and accused some Tamil newspapers of not portraying a correct picture of the situation in the rebel-held Vanni.

"At present there are food supplies for two months in the affected areas where the IDPs are not more than 150,000," a statement issued by the Presidential Secretariat quoting the president said.

Sri Lanka rebels hit back with suicide ship attacks

Sri Lanka rebels hit back with suicide ship attacks

Tamil Tiger rebels launched suicide attacks against merchant ships
©AFP/File - Lakruwan Wanniarachchi

COLOMBO (AFP) - Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels struck back against a major government offensive Wednesday with suicide attacks on merchant ships off the island's northern coast, defence officials said.

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rammed explosives-laden boats against the MV Ruhuna and MV Nimalawa which were supplying the besieged Jaffna peninsula, officials said.

The ethnic guerrillas also fought a sea battle with naval units defending the port of Kankesanthurai on the peninsula. At least six members of the elite Black Sea Tiger suicide squad may have perished in the attack, officials said.

"One of the merchant vessels -- MV Nimalawa -- was crippled and the other was damaged," said a defence official who declined to be named. He said a salvage operation was underway.

He said crew were rescued by the navy and there were no reports of casualties among the merchant sailors, who were escorted by heavily armed navy troops.

The guerrillas had used three suicide boats and one of them capsized and the navy managed to capture it without its occupants, who were believed to have been killed in the naval firing, the official said. Source AFP

Govt. hides people's problems under war – opposition leader Ranil Wicramasinghe

Govt. hides people's problems under war – opposition leader Ranil Wicramasinghe

Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe is advising the government to handover the responsibility of waging war to the military and focus its attention on resolving people's problems.
The government should take the lead given by late presidents J.R. Jayewardene and R. Premadasa on how to carry on with both, without hiding public issues with war, he said.Mr. Wickremesinghe was speaking at a seminar for UNP councilors and organizers of Western, Southern, Uva and Eastern provinces yesterday (Oct. 20th).He accused the present regime of denying the people of relief that can be granted, and instead keeping on asking them 'to tighten their belts.'

Tamil film industry protests killings in Sri Lanka

Tamil film industry protests killings in Sri Lanka

RAMESWARAM: Even as a few leading Tamil actors stayed away from the protest rally, a large number of artistes and directors of the Tamil film industry staged a protest here on Sunday against the killing of innocent Tamils in Sri Lanka.

Picture( EXPRESSING SOLIDARITY: Vadivelu, Vijaya T. Rajender, Bharatiraaja, Rama Narayanan and S.A. Chandrasekaran at a protest by film personalities in Rameswaram on Sunday, against the killing of innocent Tamils in Sri Lanka. - PHOTO: S. JAMES)

Led by director Bharatiraaja and producer Rama Narayanan, they took out a rally from the Agnitheertha Kadarkarai to Kilakadu ground near the bus stand. Members of about 25 associations of the industry took part in the rally that went along the important roads of the island town amid tight security.

Agony of Tamils

Wearing black shirts, black badges, the protesters shouted slogans against the Sri Lankan government for waging a war against the Tamils. Many carried placards and banners highlighting the suffering and agony of Tamils in the island nation. A few placards urged Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to respect “human rights” and international conventions to be followed to protect citizens.

A group burnt the effigy of the Sri Lankan President at Thittakudi junction.

Later, they held a meeting at the Kilakadu ground in which most of the speakers urged the Central government to use its good offices to persuade Sri Lanka to stop the war immediately and put an end to the suffering of Tamils, majority of whom are of Indian origin.

India state elections announced

India state elections announced
Assembly elections will begin in five Indian states next month.Voting will be held in Rajasthan, Delhi, Mizoram, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswamy said.
Polling will take place from 14 November to 4 December. No decision has been made about Kashmir elections.

Parliamentary elections are due in the first half of next year and analysts say the state polls will give a sense of how the electorate may vote then.

Elections in Indian-administered Kashmir are not planned for now, the Election Commission said.

"No decision has been taken with regard to the elections in Jammu and Kashmir. We are still assessing the situation," Mr Gopalaswamy said.

The polling dates elsewhere are 14 November, 20 November, 25 November, 29 November and 4 December.

Voting will be held in the central state of Chhattisgarh in two phases on 14 November and 20 November.

The capital, Delhi, and the north-eastern state of Mizoram will vote on 29 November.

Madhya Pradesh in central India will go to the polls on 25 November, while the western state of Rajasthan will vote on 4 December.

The counting of votes will take place on 8 December for all states with electronic machines.

Analysts say the assembly elections will test the political temperature before the general election which is due in early 2009.

India's governing Congress Party will be looking to return to power for the next five years while the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will be fighting to defeat the Congress.

Welfare of the Tamil community should not get enmeshed in the on-going hostilities against the LTTE –Indian PM

Welfare of the Tamil community should not get enmeshed in the on-going hostilities against the LTTE –Indian PM
Welfare of the Tamil community should not get enmeshed in the on-going hostilities against the LTTE -Said Indian Prime Minister to the Sri Lankan President during the yesterday telephone conversation. Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa telephoned Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh yesterday (18) to discuss the recent developments in Sri Lanka.

During the telephone conversation, the Prime Minister expressed his deep concern on the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the North of Sri Lanka, especially on the plight of the civilians caught in the hostilities. He emphasised that the safety and the security of these civilians must be safeguarded at all costs. The Prime Minister also said that, in order to address the humanitarian situation, continued and uninterrupted relief supplies be ensured for the Internally Displaced Persons. President Rajapaksha assured the Prime Minister that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the Tamil community in Sri Lanka.

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh further mentioned that the rights and the welfare of the Tamil community of Sri Lanka should not get enmeshed in the on-going hostilities against the LTTE. He reiterated that there was no military solution to the conflict and urged the President to start a political process for a peacefully negotiated political settlement within the framework of a united Sri Lanka. He also emphasised the need to nurture the democratic process in the Eastern Province.

The Prime Minister asked President Rajapaksa to instruct the Sri Lankan Navy to desist from firing on Indian fishermen and reiterated that killing of fishermen is unacceptable. They agreed to work on practical arrangements to prevent such incidents.

President discusses situation in the North with Indian Prime Minister

President discusses situation in the North with Indian Prime Minister
President Mahinda Rajapaksa had a telephone discussion (18 October 2008) with Indian Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, during which he briefed the Indian leader on the current situation in the North, where the security forces are engaged in an operation to disarm the LTTE and restore democracy, peace and stability to the region.

President Rajapaksa reiterated that the security forces are under strict instructions to avoid causing any civilian casualties, during this operation. He also informed Dr. Singh that Sri Lanka is mindful and appreciative of the concerns of India regarding the situation in the North, and aware of the context in which these matters have been raised.


Both leaders agreed to maintain a dialogue at a high political level, in keeping with the longstanding and excellent bilateral relations between India and Sri Lank

'The Hindu' Editor urge stern action against pro-LTTE fringe group

'The Hindu' Editor urge stern action against pro-LTTE fringe group

Unruly and illegal acts were an expression of intolerance of the newspaper's criticism of pro-LTTE and pro-Eelam chauvinism in the Tamil Nadu political arena"

N. Ram, Editor-in-Chief of Hindu The, has strongly condemned "the illegal acts of mischief and violence" by activists of the pro-LTTE fringe group, the Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam (PDK), along with a handful of anti-social elements, targeting the newspaper in three recent incidents at Coimbatore and Erode.

"These unruly and illegal acts were an expression of intolerance of the newspaper's criticism of pro-LTTE and pro-Eelam chauvinism in the Tamil Nadu political arena," he said in a statement, adding: "In our considered editorial assessment, these chauvinistic, pro-separatist tendencies are deeply inimical to the interests of the Indian people. Hearteningly, the overwhelming majority of the people of Tamil Nadu, who do not want a replay of the propaganda campaigns and violent activities of the terrorist Tamil Tigers in one of India's most peaceful States, firmly oppose these chauvinistic tendencies."

In his statement, Mr. Ram expressed satisfaction over the prompt response of the police in Coimbatore and Erode to these criminal acts, which constituted "a threat to the physical safety of our journalists, non-journalistic staff, and others working for us, and to freedom of expression, guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution."

Stronger action urged

He wanted the police and the Tamil Nadu Government to take stronger action under the law of the land against the extremist fringe outfits and the individuals, including lawyers, behind these illegal acts. "We expect the police and the State government," Mr. Ram said, "to monitor and pursue seriously the prosecution of these cases, so that exemplary punishment under the law of the land is meted out to those who menace freedom of expression in the cause of a banned terrorist organisation."

Courtesy: The Hindu

Fight not against Tamils, but against LTTE terrorism -Defence Secretary

Fight not against Tamils, but against LTTE terrorism -Defence Secretary
While concerns about the plight of Wanni civilians escalated with more MPs from the Tamil Nadu Government resigning in protest and demanding the intervention of the Indian Central Government, the Sri Lankan Government reiterated its commitment to end LTTE terrorism. While the issue has reached boiling point in Tamil Nadu which is going for its elections soon, Sri Lanka's no nonsense Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said that it was very unfair for Tamil Nadu to demand of the Indian Government, which has a longstanding relationship with Sri Lanka, to pressurise the Sri Lankan Government to halt military offensives against the LTTE. Rajapaksa, who fought many battles against the LTTE when he was in the Army, told the Sunday Observer that the fight is not against Tamils, but to combat LTTE terrorism.

"More than for us, terrorism is a serious problem to India. Therefore, India should assist us more to defeat

LTTE terrorism", he said.

Excerpts of the interview:www.defence.lk

Urge LTTE to free Tamil civilians - TULF leader tells TN

Urge LTTE to free Tamil civilians - TULF leader tells TN

The Tamil United Liberation Front has appealed to governing officials in the Tamil Nadu (TN) to exert pressure on the LTTE to set free those Tamil civilians trapped in Kilinochchi so that they may go anywhere they want to.

The moment the LTTE opens its iron gate the displaced persons will move out in no time and get back to their respective homes, the president of TULF V.Anandasangaree has said in a letter addressed to Tamil Nadu, titled Appeal to the leaders of Political Parties and the People of Tamil Nadu.

The TULF President has said that if Tamil Nadu has any sympathy for the Tamil people who are suffering under the subjugation of the LTTE, it has a moral obligation to win them (the Tamil public) the fundamental right of being able to choose the place they wish to live.

In this war situation people who are living with fear and tension in Killinochchi should be rescued by Tamil Nadu by pressurizing the LTTE, compelling them to set the Tamil public trapped in their areas free , the letter said. .

The time has come for the leaders in Tamil Nadu to forget their differences and come together to help liberate the Tamils who have lost their rights, properties and self respect. The immediate task should be to save the innocent people who have been trapped in Killinochchi with no freedom to move out, the letter said.

It read: For more than quarter of a century the LTTE had taken Tamil people for a ride. The Tamils need liberation only from the LTTE. The government had already liberated large areas from the LTTE , the East in full and in the North well over 75 percent. Now only a small area is left.

It is here all the displaced persons from Mannar Mullaitivu, Killinochchi and Vavuniya are driven into. The LTTE had brought them here under compulsion for their own protection. They are now using them as a human shield.

Sangaree has said in his letter that he was shocked at the terminology used to describe the situation in Sri Lanka. The charge of the LTTE that the Government of Sri Lanka is engaged in genocide is a big farce, the letter said.

More than 50 percent of the Tamil people now live among the Sinhalese and Muslims. Most of them had fled from LTTE controlled areas. LTTE's repeated attempts to provoke a backlash in the Sinhalese areas had failed.

All their claymore mine attacks in the Sinhalese areas, targeting service personnel and civilians are done to spark off communal riots. Hardly one such incident takes place without taking a few civilian lives. There has not been any attempt as such to exterminate anyone deliberately or otherwise. A few deaths had taken place in the war zone but this cannot in anyway be classified as Genocide.

LTTE fires gas on troops

LTTE fires gas on troops
Troops moving from the east of the Akkarayankulam tank had to slowdown their advance at the initial stages yesterday as the LTTE had launched poisonous gas attacks at them, the Defence Ministry said today. However it said troops withstood the chemical attack.

Batticaloa Hartal

Batticaloa Hartal
Batticaloa town shops, schools and transport have come to a standstill due to a hartal in protest of forced disappearances and abductions that have increased recently in the area. Police spokesperson SSP Ranjith Gunasekara said that the situation was calm and no cases of violence reported.

seven ministers resignation in Thamilnadu

seven ministers handover resignation in Thamilnadu

DMK continues to pressure Delhi with more resignations

The latest from Chennai says 04 more Rajya Sabha Members from the DMK has handed over their post dated resignation letters this morning (Oct 17) to party Chief M. Karunanidhi over the SL Tamil issue, the TN politicians say are facing genocide under the Rajapaksa government.
The day before Kanimozhi, daughter of Karunanidhi made the first token resignation from the Rajya Sabha.
Meanwhile reports from Chennai also confirm that 15 DMK MPs that includes 07 Ministers have also handed over their post dated letters of resignation to party Chief Karunanidhi, to be tendered on the right day, if the Manmohan Singh government keeps side stepping in checking the SL government that to date say the war would continue.
A senior Tamil Nadu minister has said that the seven ministers - cabinet ministers T R Baalu and A Raja, and ministers of state - S S Palanimanickam, Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan, S Regupathy, K Venkatapathy and Radhika Selvi - would hand over post-dated letters addressed to Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee to Karunanidhi for quitting their parliamentary seats.
Delhi sources say Prime Minister Sing has agreed to meet Karunanidhi tonight at 08.00 pm in Delhi to discuss the issue of the SL Tamil people in the Wanni.
Simultaneously, Karunanidhi yesterday announced a human chain protest in Chennai on October 21 to ask the Centre to act on an 'all-party' meeting's call that India take steps to halt the war in the island and dispatch humanitarian assistance to Tamil civilians affected by the conflict.

India says it will ensure goal is achieved

India says it will ensure goal is achieved

The Indian External Affairs Ministry said in a statement the Government of India will do all in its power to ensure s peacefully negotiated political settlement in Sri Lanka which allows each community to realize its own potential within the framework of a united Sri Lanka.

Statement by Indian External Aaffairs Ministry on situation in Sri Lanka:

The situation in Sri Lanka remains a matter of grave concern to us in India. We are particularly worried about the humanitarian effect of the continuing conflict on civilians who have been caught up in circumstances not of their making. It is essential that their rights be respected, that they be immune from attacks, and that food and other essential supplies be allowed to reach them. We have consistently made it clear that a return to normalcy cannot be brought about by military means or battle field victories. What is required in Sri Lanka is a peacefully negotiated political settlement which allows each community to realize its own potential within the framework of a united Sri Lanka.
2. Government of India will do all in its power to achieve this goal, to ameliorate the humanitarian conditions in Sri Lanka and has been making representations to the Government of Sri Lanka at several levels.
3. The other issue which is engaging Government’s effort is the harassment and killing of Indian fishermen in neighbouring areas which must cease forthwith. Government will be taking steps to ensure this.

Thamilnadu lawyers to boycott on Lanka Tamil's issue

Advocates in Tamil Nadu, South India will boycott court proceedings for two days from October 16th, to express their support to Sri Lankan Tamils.The General Body of the Madras High Court Advocate’s Association (MHAA) passed a resolution to this effect today (Oct. 16th).

In a statement, MHAA President R. Paul Kanagaraj said members of the Association would stage a demonstration at High Court Campus tomorrow to show their solidarity with the Sri Lankan Tamils.

They also urged the Centre to intervene in the matter and stop war between the army and the LTTE in Sri Lanka.

Australia concidering Tiger ban

Australia concidering Tiger ban
The Australian federal Government is considering listing the LTTE as a terror organisation, Foreign Minister Stephen Smith told reporters after meeting Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama today.