Last updated 30/05/2007 20:08:45 +0100    

ஒரு மூடன் கதை  சொன்னான்;

எங்களுக்கு வெளிநாட்டு உதவிகள் கிடைக்கின்றன. பிரித்தானியாகவாக இருக்கட்டும் அல்லது வேறு நாடாக இருக்கட்டும் எமக்கு உதவிகளை வழங்கவில்லை என்றால் நாம் என்ன செய்ய முடியும். நாங்கள் எம்மிடம் இருப்பதைக் கொண்டு சமாளிக்க வேண்டும். வெளிநாட்டு உதவிகள் கிடைக்காவிட்டாலும், எமது நாட்டை நாம் அபிவிருத்தி செய்வோம். இதற்காக அபிவிருத்திப் பணிகளை விட்டுவிடப்போவதில்லை.
இதனைவிட்டுவிட்டு வெளிநாடுகளுக்குச் சென்று உதவி கிடைக்கவில்லை என்று சிலர் கூறுவது பொருத்தமான ஒன்றல்ல என நான் நினைக்கின்றேன். ராஜபக்ஷ.

காட்டுச் சட்டங்களை எல்லாம் நாட்டில் அமுல் செய்யமுடியாது ஜனாதிபதி மஹிந்த ராஜபக்ஷ ஆவேசம்

""காட்டுச்சட்டங்களை எல்லாம் நாட்டில் அமுல் செய்யமுடி யாது. கொழும்பில் குண்டுகள் வெடித்தாலும், வடக்கில் சண்டை நடந்தாலும் நாட்டின் அபிவிருத்தி நடவடிக்கை ஒருபோதும் ஸ்தம்பிதம் அடையாது.''
இவ்வாறு ஆவேசமாகக் கூறினார் ஜனாதிபதி மஹிந்த ராஜபக்ஷ.
நேற்று அலரிமாளிகையில் ஊடகவியலாளர்களைச் சந்தித்த போதே அவர் மேற்கண்டவாறு தெரிவித்தார். அவர் தொடர்ந்து கருத்துத் தெரிவிக்கையில் கூறியதாவது:
இந்த நாட்டில் ஜனாதிபதியாகப் பதவி வகித்தவர்களில் நான் மாத்திரமே ஊடகத் தணிக்கையை இதுவரை அமுல் செய்யவில்லை. இந்நிலையில் ஊடகங்கள் நாட்டின் முக்கியமான விடயங்களையெல்லாம் அக்குவேறு ஆணிவேறாக வெளிச்சம் போட்டுக் காட்டு கின்றன.
நான் சில கோரிக்கைகளை விடுத்தும் சில பத்திரிகைகள் அவற்றைப் பொருட்படுத்தவில்லை. நாட்டின் பாதுகாப்புடன் தொடர்பான விடயங்களை பத்திரிகையில் வெளியிட வேண் டாம் என்று பலதடவைகள் நான் வலியுறுத்திச் சொல்லியும் அவை அதனை நடைமுறைப்படுத்தவில்லை.
பாதுகாப்புத் தொடர்பான விடயங்களைப் பிரபலப்படுத்து வது நாட்டுக்குச் செய்யும் பெரும் துரோகமாகும். இந்நிலையில் நீங்கள் ஏன் தேசத் துரோகியாகின்றீர்கள் என்பது எனக்குப் புரியவில்லை. எங்களுக்கு வெளிநாட்டு உதவிகள் கிடைக்கின்றன. பிரித்தானியாகவாக இருக்கட்டும் அல்லது வேறு நாடாக இருக்கட்டும் எமக்கு உதவிகளை வழங்கவில்லை என்றால் நாம் என்ன செய்ய முடியும். நாங்கள் எம்மிடம் இருப்பதைக் கொண்டு சமாளிக்க வேண்டும். வெளிநாட்டு உதவிகள் கிடைக்காவிட்டாலும், எமது நாட்டை நாம் அபிவிருத்தி செய்வோம். இதற்காக அபிவிருத்திப் பணிகளை விட்டுவிடப்போவதில்லை.
இதனைவிட்டுவிட்டு வெளிநாடுகளுக்குச் சென்று உதவி கிடைக்கவில்லை என்று சிலர் கூறுவது பொருத்தமான ஒன்றல்ல என நான் நினைக்கின்றேன்.
"மஹிந்த ராஜபக்ஷ சர்வதேச கருத்துக்களைப் பொருட்படுத்துவதில்லை' என்றும் "அவர் சர்வாதிகாரியாக நடக்கிறார்' என்றும் சிலர் கூறுகின்றார்கள்
இப்போது மனித உரிமை மீறல்கள் பற்றிப்பேசப்படுகின்றது. அது குறித்துப் பொய்யான பிரசாரங்கள் மேற்கொள்ளப்படுகின்றன. இருப்பினும் மனித உரிமைகள் குறித்து நாம் விசேட கவனம் செலுத்துகின்றோம்.
தினமும் காணாமல் போனோர் பட்டியல் நீண்டுகொண்டே போகின்றது. இது தொடர்பான பல முறைப்பாடுகள் எமக்குக் கிடைத்துள்ளன. ஆனால், சிலர் காணாமல் போய்விட்டனர் என முறைப்பாடு செய்துவிட்டு வெளிநாட்டுக்குச் சென்றுவிடுகின்றனர். ஒரே பெயரில் ஐந்து பேர் வெளிநாடுகளுக்குச் சென்ற சம்பவங்களும் உள்ளன. நாங்கள் இது குறித்துப் பரிசீலணை செய்து கொண்டிருக்கின்றோம்.
பாதாள உலகக் குழு, விடுதலைப் புலிகள் போன்ற குழுக்களாலும் பலர் கடத்தப்பட்டு கப்பம் பெற்ற சம்பவங்களும் உள்ளன. இச்சம்பவங்களை நான் ஒருபோதும் இல்லை என மறுக்கவில்லை. இது குறித்து அரசு உரிய நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கும் என்றார்.
  

Confronting the international community is not in Sri Lanka’s interest
By Jehan Perera

It was not so long ago that visits by visiting foreign dignitaries, especially those from the countries that had taken a special interest in the Sri Lankan peace process, evoked a sense of great expectations in a positive sense. But it was not so this time. The changed perception about the international community was brought to the fore with the recent visit to the country of US Assistant Secretary for State, Richard Boucher. His main effort appears to have been to express US concern about the deteriorating human rights situation, the threats to media freedom and the absence of progress in the formulation of a government proposal for a political solution to the ethnic conflict.


Mr Boucher’s visit to the northern capital of Jaffna was a clear indication of his effort to show solidarity with the civilian victims of the ongoing military confrontation that has pitted the Sri Lankan government against its long term nemesis, the LTTE. Unlike past visits by US dignitaries, which were eagerly awaited by governments hoping to obtain reassurances of continuing and strengthening of support from the US this one was viewed with more circumspection. The government clearly felt itself on the defensive with the visiting US dignitary, even persuading him to restrict his movements in Jaffna on the grounds of security.


Providing context to the visit was the expression of concern by several US senators and congressmen about the deteriorating human rights situation in the country and the shift in power away from the hawkish Bush administration to the more moderate Democrats. International human rights organisations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have been openly critical of the government. However, in keeping with the better traditions of diplomacy, Mr Boucher is reported to have struck a balance with his introductory comments reiterating the US government’s commitment to help Sri Lanka face the threat of terrorism, and his later comments expressing US concerns.


The rapid decline in international support to the Sri Lankan government is one of the most serious problems that the country faces today. Only some countries such as Japan have set themselves against this trend, and continue to believe in the value of constructive engagement. Government spokespersons and nationalist allies have begun to take the fight back to the international community, which could turn into a rout. Western diplomats in Colombo have begun to voice their concern that they are being denied access to government leaders who no longer seem interested in engaging with them, or listening to the concerns they have. Unfortunately this has set off a negative reaction within the government that is dangerous to the country.


Democratic pressures


Last week, government allies held protest demonstrations in front of the British High Commission. This was to register their anger against the interference by a group of Parliamentarians from Britain who have formed an all party group to support the Tamils of Sri Lanka. So far the British government has not distanced itself from this endeavour, even though the British parliamentary group has proposed to invite the LTTE’s political wing leader to have discussions with them in London. The British decision to partially suspend its aid programme on account of the deteriorating human rights situation may be the beginning of more bad tidings to come.


Spokespersons for the government who believe that they can argue their point of view with the representatives of foreign governments are dealing with only one part of the problem. A few weeks ago government spokespersons began dropping hints that the government intended to take some drastic measures against foreign diplomats who have been interfering in domestic affairs of Sri Lanka. Some western diplomats have been publicly critical of government policies in respect of human rights and the rule of law. But this may be less a sign of personal arrogance than a sign of the democratic pressures from within their own societies that these diplomats are responding to.


Those in Sri Lanka who feel that the international community is being unduly critical of the Sri Lankan government need to understand the imperatives of politics that influence the decisions of democratically elected governments. Most foreign governments that are playing an important role in Sri Lanka are subject to democratic pressures from their constituents. They have a problem when they are seen as giving public funds to governments that are violating human rights. The Tamil expatriate community living in those countries have been generally effective in getting their viewpoint across at the expense of the government’s viewpoint.


Most Tamils living abroad feel that they have been compelled to leave their land of birth due to intolerable persecution and threats to personal security that they faced. This has given them more passion and commitment in their efforts to shape international public opinion. Also, the sentiment of most people is to side with the underdog, even without much study of the problem. The Tamil case of being an ethnic minority that is suffering at the hands of an ethnic majority has a natural appeal. Added to this is the streamlined and disciplined fundraising and propaganda machine that the LTTE has been able to develop over the years, both within Sri Lanka and abroad.


Growing antagonism


What Sri Lanka appears to be experiencing at the present time is a clash of cultures. The present Sri Lankan government, and in particular the President, have demonstrated a creative ability to communicate to the masses of Sri Lankan people. This accounts for the patience with which the people are tolerating the many setbacks that they cannot fail to be seeing the country as experiencing, both in terms of the sharply rising cost of living, as well as absence of progress in quelling the power of the LTTE especially after the LTTE air raids. However, this same government appears to be unable to communicate its point of view to the international community, or more specifically its western component.


Therefore what is happening is that there is a growing sense of estrangement and antagonism between the western countries and the government, which is leading to a breakdown in communication. It is reported that many western diplomats are unable to obtan appointments to meet with senior government authorities, who seem to have written them off as being hopelessly biased. The lack of engagement and communication, in turn adds to the sense of estrangement. This is not in the interests of either side, particularly the Sri Lankan people who yearn for peace, a just solution to the ethnic conflict and the hope of prosperity at least for their children.


Sri Lanka’s garment industry, for instance, is heavily dependent on the goodwill of the western countries and a responsible government will know that it cannot afford to lose that market. Currently the European Union provides Sri Lankan garment exports the benefit of duty free status. This same concession has not been provided to China. The 12.5 percent duty waiver that Sri Lankan exports receive, help it to have a cost advantage against Chinese exports. If this concession were to be withdrawn due to the breakdown in relations between the EU and Sri Lanka, it is likely that the Sri Lankan garment industry will be devastated, with adverse consequences on the country’s foreign exchange earnings and the livelihoods of tens of thousands of families.


As a small and relatively under developed country Sri Lanka needs the international community for its welfare, and what it offers, more than the other way round. Although the nationalist allies of the government, who have power without responsibility, appear to be itching for confrontation with the international community, it appears that the government is having second thoughts. Sharp retaliation can be satisfying in the long term, but the long term viability of such an approach is doubtful if the country’s best interests are to be foremost. Mutual engagement that includes moves to satisfy each other’s concerns may be the more statesmanlike path that a responsible government needs to follow in dealing with its western critics.

LTTE link helpful: Lunstead

Direct US-LTTE links in 2003 would have helped in convincing the LTTE to move away from terrorism and depending on the progress made even delisting it as a foreign terrorist organisation, a former US envoy to Sri Lanka said.


Former US Ambassador Jeffrey Lunstead in a report titled ‘ The United States’ Role in Sri Lanka’s Peace Process,’ said the US supported LTTE participation in the June 2003 Tokyo Conference but unfortunately it was not invited to attend.


“If the LTTE had attended the conference, the US presumably would have continued with at least a limited type of communication,” Mr. Lunstead said


In 2003, the United States together with the European Union, Japan, and Norway were designated as Co-Chairs to the Sri Lankan Peace Process, to provide incentives to the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE to stay committed to the peace process.


Ambassador Lunstead's study provides an inside account on how the US applied diplomatic, economic, and other resources to support Sri Lanka's increasingly precarious peace.


The report -- a study analysing the US’s involvement in Sri Lanka's peace process from 2002-2006 -- was launched on behalf of the Asia Foundation, which has a network of 17 offices throughout Asia, an office in Washington, D.C., and its headquarters in San Francisco.


"Over the past eighteen months, Sri Lanka's long conflict has steadily escalated, but we have seen similar cycles of relative peace followed by war before. Previous phases of the conflict have lasted about five years before another period of no-war. The goal of these supplementary studies to the Strategic Conflict Assessment is to analyze and draw lessons from the last ceasefire so that when the next window for peace opens, international and domestic actors can make better choices and engage more constructively," Asia Foundation's Sri Lankan representative Nilan Fernando said.


Mr. Lunstead meanwhile also said, US security assistance to Sri Lanka was not large in absolute terms, but was intended to send a message to the LTTE that a return to war would not yield benefits. At the same time, the US tried to make clear to the government that US support, including military support, was not an encouragement to seek a military solution.


“Quite the opposite, as the US stated clearly that it believes there is no military solution to the conflict and that the government needs to develop a political strategy which includes a substantial devolution of power,” the report said.


He further noted that in the long term, the challenge would be to sustain US interest and commitment of resources to a peace process which seemed to be going backwards. US interest will be heightened to the extent the issue was seen as related to global terrorism. US interest will diminish if it appears that the process is deteriorating largely due to the inability of Sri Lankans to subordinate their personal and group interests to a larger goal.


“If the Government of Sri Lanka appears to do nothing to prevent human rights abuses -- or worse condones them -- US support for the government will face increasing legal and political obstacles,” Mr. Lunstead said. (ER)

 

Rajapaksa delegates civil police powers to military
[ TamilNet, Monday, 23 April 2007, 11:23 GMT]

BY virtue of the powers vested in me by Section 12 of the Public Security Ordinance (Chapter 40), I, Mahinda Rajapaksa, do by this Order call out all the members of the Armed Forces specified in the First Schedule hereto, for the maintenance of the public order in the areas specified in the Second Schedule hereto.

SLFP proposals for lasting solution to ethnic issue
COLOMBO: DN

The proposals of the SLFP to the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) was released yesterday at the PA May Day Rally at the CMC Grounds by Party Secretary-General Minister Maithripala Sirisena.

The proposals are as follows:
The SLFP is not unmindful that it placed the Mahinda Chintanaya before the people at the last Presidential Election along with other parties that supported its candidate. The Mahinda Chintanaya states "it is my intention to critically examine the merits and demerits of the steps taken so far to deal with this complex problem and consider a fresh approach.
In doing so, the fundamental platform that I would base my initiative would be an undivided country, national consensus and an honourable peace. Where there appears to be disagreement, I shall endeavour to develop a national consensus.

In developing such a consensus, the sovereignty of Sri Lanka, the territorial integrity, the unitary structure of the State, the identities of the different communities, the need to ensure peaceful coexistence amongst such communities, would be preserved." It is in this spirit that these proposals are submitted to the APRC.

In keeping with the aspirations of our people, the SLFP as a responsible political party in Sri Lanka, wishes to place before the All Party Conference these set of proposals, through which a lasting and a honourable solution to the ethnic issue is to be realised.

These proposals are for public scrutiny and discussion. We sincerely hope that these proposals along with the proposals submitted by other political parties would pave the way for a lasting solution to this unfortunate conflict in this country.

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party firmly stands for a negotiated settlement based on a scheme of devolution of power.

State, sovereignty, people

Sri Lanka is a State, which is sovereign and independent. The State shall be obliged to safeguard the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic and to preserve and advance a Sri Lankan identity, recognising the multilingual, religious and cultural character of Sri Lankan society.

Buddhism The Republic of Sri Lanka shall give to Buddhism the foremost place and accordingly it shall be the duty of the State to protect and foster the Buddha Sasana, while assuring to all religions the right granted by Articles 10 and 14(1)(e) of the present Constitution.
 

Form of Government

The SLFP believes in the restoration of the Parliamentary model of Government. In the absence of the Executive Presidency, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party proposes a Cabinet System of Government led by a Prime Minister having given thought to the experiences and traditions of the past.

It would be an indigenous model of Government based on this principle. The SLFP would also seek a national consensus for the abolition of the Executive Presidency. In the absence of such a consensus, the Executive Presidential system would continue with appropriate Amendments.
Units of devolution The units of devolutions shall be as follows: The Sri Lanka Freedom Party wishes to put forward a new set of proposals, based on an indigenous model, to establish a new unit of devolution with extensive devolution of power.

The Unit of devolution would be the district. Two districts could amalgamate and form one unit; however, the amalgamating units should be in the same geographical division and also be contiguous. Amalgamation will be implemented in consultation with the people of the relevant districts. In forming and amalgamating the district, due consideration would be given to minorities concentrated in those districts. The structure of the district unit will be as follows:
1.1: There would be a Chief Minister for each district and he would be the Chief Executive for the said district and in the amalgamated district. Each District Council would have three Executive Committees in-charge of the affairs of the district.

The Chief Minister shall head the Finance Committee. The District Chief Minister would be appointed by the President with the concurrence of the District Council; The Chief Minister shall be a member of the District Council.

Having assessed the experiences of the past, the SLFP is of the view that devolution of power becomes meaningful only if people are adequately empowered. In addition, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party is of the opinion that this scheme of devolution would ensure good governance and more power to the people. Pradeshiya Sabha/Municipal Council/Urban Council, Grama Sabhas.
The present process for Parliamentary and Presidential Elections to be preserved in the same form or in an amended form as determined by the Select Committee of Parliament on Electoral Reform. The Sri Lanka Freedom Party advocates the introduction of a mixed system of representation, combining the First Page, the Post-system and the system of Proportional Representation.

The demarcation of the Grama Sabha areas should be a matter for a Delimitation Commission and should be effected with due attention to the geographical and demographical data of the areas.

In devolving power to the aforesaid units, power should be devolved to the people. In that effort power should be granted to the People at grass roots levels, especially Grama Sabhas, to enable them to manage their own affairs, within their realm of capability and competence.
Among others, subjects such as Defence, National Security, Foreign Affairs and Citizenship, Immigration, Communication, National Transport, International Commerce and Trade, Maritime Zones, Harbours and Airports, Shipping, Navigation, Land, National Planing and all such aspects which ensure the safeguard of the concept of Sovereignty, Territorial Integrity, Economic Unity and National Unity of Sri Lanka shall be reserved exclusively for Parliament.
In devolving power in this manner, the administration in respect of all Airports and Harbours shall be a matter for the Central Government. In devolving power, all of the aforesaid Units shall be given additional power on the guidelines set out above, with substantial power devolved to the Grama Sabhas.

However, in devolving power, the supremacy of Parliament, the Executive Powers and the powers of the Judiciary should be safeguarded. The Sri Lanka Freedom party strongly believes in the independence of the Judiciary.
At present, though there are 25 districts recognized by the present Constitution, the number of districts could be increased to 30 by a Delimitation Commities on the basis of geographical and demographical factors.

The President, may if he is satisfied that there is a failure in the administration of the District, assume control over the functioning of the administration of the District and Parliament may confer on the President the power to make statutes for the District until normally is restored.
There must be a parallel exercise of de-commissioning of arms in the hands of any group in the District other than the State Forces along with the implementation of a programme for demobilisation and re-integration of such armed persons into society.

The President's powers and powers relating of Public Security should remain.

Distribution of Power

Power should be divided into three lists, namely reserved, district and local. In addition, there will be powers conferred by statute to the Municipal Councils and the Urban Councils by necessary Amendments to those Acts.

The intention is to confer substantial devolution to the People and not necessarily the political authority so that the People at grassroots level can exercise power and have control over their own affairs.

Safeguard against secession

There should be built in mechanisms to discourage secessionist tendencies and to preserve the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the State.

Municipal Councils and Urban Councils The elections to Municipal Councils and Urban Councils shall be on the Ward system, subject to recommendations of the present Select Committee on Electoral Reforms.

It is advisable to consider giving Municipal and Urban Council status in the Eastern Province to areas where there are Muslim and Sinhala majorities, so that minority interest will be safeguarded.

Pradeshiya Sabhas

The Pradeshiya Sabhas to be maintained as at present. However, instead of holding Pradeshiya Sabha elections, the Pradeshiya Sabha will consist of members who are the Chairmen of Grama Sabhas.
Grama Sabhas Grama Sabhas should be recognised by the Constitution as a tier of Government and given powers in the Constitution as set out in the local list. The Grama Sabhas will constitute an amalgamation of several Grama Seva Wasam on a geographical and demographic basis. Grama Sabhas would not have legislative powers but hold executive powers. They would however, have power to make by-laws.
Such an arrangement would help in the empowerment of the people in their own localities. Further, this would also enable localised ethnic communities to be in better control of their living and working environment, and its improvement.
It will also give an opportunity to the special interest groups or minority community groups living in an area where a majority community or a minority community constitutes a majority living in that area, enabling them to administer their own affairs.
This would permit Muslims and Sinhalese in the Eastern Province or Plantation workers living in majority Sinhala areas to have control over Grama Sabhas where they are a majority.

Grama Sabhas shall have members selected by process of election and the elected members will select a Chairman and a Vice Chairman. The Chairman by virtue of his office will be a member of the Pradeshiya Sabhas. From ancient times, our people have been used to self-governing village units and it is on this tradition that a concept of Grama Rajaya is proposed. Such a concept, we believe, would adequately empower the people at the grassroots level.

Fundamental rights

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party is firmly committed to the preservation and protection of Fundamental Rights. In the pursuit of the strengthening of Fundamental Rights, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party stands for its expansion. Any infringement of fundamental rights and violation of human rights could be filed in the Supreme Courts.

Human rights

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party firmly stands for the preservation and protection of Human Rights. It is committed to preserve and give effect to all international Covenant, Protocols and Conventions pertaining to Human Rights.
The existing Human Rights Commission will be strengthened with a view to introducing more and better safeguards for the protection of human rights. In addition, new constitutional and administrative safeguards would be recommended.

Second chamber The Senate would be the second chamber.

The SLFP advocates the introduction of a bi-cameral legislature with a Second Chamber. This would facilitate sharing of power at the center and it would also afford adequate representation to minorities and minority parties.
In constituting the Cabinet of Ministers, two Ministers should be appointed from the Senate. The suggestion is that there shall be a Senate consisting of 75 members, and 25 members would be appointed after a General Election by political parties on a scheme devised according to the aggregate polled by each party at the election with a possible cut-off point.
This would enable even parties with a low poll to appoint a member to the Senate. All District Chief Ministers would be ex-officio members of the Senate. The balance of the membership would be appointed by the President. Adequate representation would be accorded to women in the Senate.
Every Bill passed by Parliament should be submitted to the Senate for scrutiny and consideration prior to becoming law.
The Senate will have the power to delay legislation by a period of three months (except money bills and matters affecting national security and emergency powers) or re-submit it to the Parliament for re-consideration with or without suitable suggestions.
The aforesaid powers be restricted to one or two occasions. The Senate will also be entitled to formulate and pass Bills and submit it to the Parliament for approval or disapproval.

Defence service and police
Security concerns

The armed forces and the police must have a more multi-ethnic composition. The police stations must have multi-ethnic character especially where there is a multi-ethnic local population. There must be officers who are bi-lingual in such places, which must be strictly enforced by the Police Commission.

Concerns of the minorities
Language

Provisions of Chapter IV of the present Constitution provides for the use of Sinhala and Tamil as the national languages of Sri Lanka and these provisions should be strictly complied with and properly and effectively implemented.
The Sinhala and Tamil languages should be the direct link between the two communities and the two languages should be taught in schools from the most appropriate point. The inadequacy of teaching staff would be a hindrance and will require rectification.
The State will encourage students to study English.

Land

No community should be discriminated in matters pertaining to land and provision should be made for the setting-up of a permanent Independent Land Commission which is vested with far-reaching powers over all aspects of policy relating to land - conservation and development of land and related resources, regulating ownership and tenurial relation and land utilisation.

Employment

Selections would be on merit to all State institutions.
The relationship between the Central Government and the District's A council of District Chief Ministers chaired by the President would be an effective coordinating mechanism. Such a Council should meet quarterly or more frequently if the need arises. The Cabinet Secretariat should service this Council.

Land and water commission

The establishment of two permanent Commissions for Land and Water must be included in the Constitution with appointments of permanent members thereto made by the Central Government with district members to be attached where aspects of land and water touches a district/s. There should be permanent members and district nominees in the two Commissions with the district members nominated by the district Council Chief Minister to enable members to act independently and be not subjected to political pressures.
Guarantees similar to those offered to Supreme Court Judges should be written into the Constitution for these Members. No nominees to these two Commissions could be from members of Parliament, District Councils or any elected political body. The preference could be given to retired Supreme Court or Appeal or High Court Judges.
The sittings for the two Commissions must also be held in the Districts to enable local representations to be made.

Land Commission

As conservation ecology, environment are becoming major concerns globally, the subject of forests to be placed under the purview of the Land Commission.
In constituting the Land Commission, due weightage should be given to the appointment of members from the minority communities.
Land should be alienated after formulating a land policy by the Commission with due consideration to the alleged disadvantages caused to any ethnic group with recommendations for rectifying the grievances, if any.
The distribution of State land can be undertaken by land Kacheheris under the supervision of the Central Government.
The grievances, if any and any remedies for such grievances, should be determined having the national interest and national policy rather than considering purely parochial interests. The Commissioner of Land should be ex-officio member of the Land Commission.

Water Commission

Most rivers commence in the District (Nuwara Eliya and Badulla) and flows through many districts before entering the sea and therefore water must be a subject under the Central Government as it could be a controversial issue in the future with resources becoming scarce.
Water would be considered a national resource. The sharing of water resources should not cause friction and disputes among districts. The Commission shall decide any dispute considering the national interest. The decision of the Commission shall be final and conclusive. If the Commission so desires, it could obtain expert advice on the sharing of this resource.
Therefore the Commission requires experience and expertise together with adequate independence to formulate policies years ahead and should not be left totally in the hands of the District.

District Ethnic Ombudsman

An Ethnic Ombudsman to be appointed for each district by the Minister of Justice in consultation with the President.
In the event of any dispute or grievance based on or in respect of the ethnicity of a citizen, a complain would be made to the Ethnic Ombudsman who must be vested with powers to inquire and make recommendations for its settlement to the relevant authority.
This exercise is to enable effective and early settlement of issues that can otherwise reach dangerous proportions.

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party believes that people should adopt new measures and provisions to make a fresh start in the system of governance by considering the experiences of the past. New measures are a break from the past but they should echo sentiments that would reflect a new beginning in the life of our people.
In pursuance of this concept, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party recommends an indigenous model based on the idea of Grama Rajaya.

SLFP proposals aim peace, democracy in North-East Tamil civilians partners of power structure, says President:

COLOMBO: The Sri Lanka Freedom Party's political proposals unveiled yesterday will bring democracy to the people who have been held hostage by terrorist elements in some areas of the North-East, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday.

Addressing the SLFP May Day Rally at Town Hall grounds via a special link, President Rajapaksa said: "The Government is mindful of the workers' unstinted support to it to face the challenge of ruthless terrorism.
"It is our firm belief that the ordinary Tamil masses must be made partners in the political power structure while striving to defeat terrorism."

"I salute your unstinted cooperation in the quest to defeat terrorism and separatism, the fulfilment of aspirations of the working masses and the creation of a new Sri Lanka," the President said.
The Government has taken special measures to grant relief to Government and private sector workers in the face of the rising cost of living, he noted.

"We are already seeing the results of our determination to create a sustainable market for agricultural products, control the prices of essential items and strengthen the public transport service.
We are also confident of the success of the massive development projects launched by us to re-awaken the economy.

We will not waver from our stance of non-privatisation of State resources and properties."
The President said May Day was also an occasion for all to be firmly resolved to banish the political differences that exist among the working class.
"It is our fervent wish to establish a country that stands united sans any political differences. Such prudence and discipline are essential ingredients for victory."
"I have an intimate knowledge of the challenges facing the working class.
"We are committed to achieve a better future for the next generation," he added.

USA: Country Reports on Terrorism

Report Home PageReleased by the Office of the Coordinator for Counter terrorism
April 30, 2007

Chapter 2 -- Country Reports: South and Central Asia Overview

Sri Lanka
The 2002 cease-fire between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, continued to erode amidst numerous violations and escalating military engagement between the LTTE and government security forces. The Sri Lankan Army remained deployed across the country to fight the insurgency. The paramilitary Special Task Force (STF) police were deployed both in the east and in strategic locations in the west.

The LTTE conducted a campaign of targeted assassinations against political and military opponents. This included the April assassination attempt of Sri Lanka Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka and the assassination of the Army Third-in-Command; the August 12 assassination of the Government of Sri Lanka's Secretariat for the Coordination of the Peace Process, Deputy Director Keteshwaran Loganathan; and the December 1 suicide bomber's attempt on the life of Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa, the President's brother. The Karuna faction, a dissident faction of the LTTE, conducted its own assassination campaign against the LTTE and pro-LTTE civilians in the east.

Following the assassination of Foreign Minister Kadirgamar in August 2005, the government enacted emergency regulations giving arrest power to members of the armed forces, who were required to turn suspects over to the police within 24 hours. Individuals arrested under the emergency regulations may be detained for up to one year. Under these regulations, 148 persons were arrested; most have already been released. A revised Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), enacted in December, strengthened these powers.

The LTTE financed itself with contributions from the Tamil Diaspora in North America, Europe, and Australia, and by imposing local "taxes" on businesses operating in the areas of Sri Lanka under its control. Using this money, LTTE weapons were purchased on the international black market or captured from the Sri Lankan Army. Many LTTE innovations, such as explosive belts, vests, and bras, using female suicide bombers, and waterborne suicide attacks against ships, have been copied by other terrorist groups.

In general, the LTTE did not target U.S. citizens or assets, limiting attacks to Sri Lankan security forces, political figures, civilians, and businesses. However, two suicide bomb attacks on VIP motorcades in Colombo occurred within half a mile of the U.S. embassy on roads frequently traveled by Embassy employees.

Sri Lankan cooperation with the FBI has resulted in arrests of persons charged with material support to terrorist groups. The Sri Lankan government cooperated with U.S. efforts to track terrorist financing, although no assets were identified. The United States also provided training for relevant Sri Lankan government agencies and the banking sector. The government cooperated with the United States to implement both the Container Security Initiative and the Megaports program at the port of Colombo.

Britain raps Govt., LTTE

British MP to visit India to discuss peace moves
LTTE fundraising in Britain to be completely blocked
Govt. urged to break links with Karuna
By Easwaran Rutnam


Britain yesterday expressed concern over the volatile situation in Sri Lanka and the failure of both the government and the LTTE to fulfil their peace commitments despite assurances given at the Geneva talks in February last year.

In a debate on Sri Lanka at the British House of Commons on Wednesday, the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister Dr. Kim Howells said a British envoy was due to hold discussions with India shortly in an effort to get the peace talks back on track.

Meanwhile a British High Commission spokesman said the Deputy British High Commissioner in Colombo would meet the LTTE soon as part of efforts by the British government to urge both the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE to cease violence and restart talks.

“Sri Lanka had pledged that no armed group or person other than Government security forces will carry arms or conduct operations. For its part, the LTTE had pledged to ensure there would be no acts of violence against the security forces and the police. Sadly, those commitments remain unfulfilled. We have over the past year seen worsening violence. Extra-judicial killings, disappearances, intimidation and violence by paramilitary groups are all too common. The violence has fuelled an atmosphere of extreme mistrust and polarisation, which has fuelled further antagonism and violence.

Innocent civilians have borne the brunt. There are now more than 100,000 displaced people in Batticaloa and hundreds more arrive each day. There are more than 700 cases of missing persons in the Jaffna peninsular and nearly 500 are still unresolved,” Dr. Howells said when opening the debate which saw several MPs asking questions in relation to the Sri Lankan issue.

Dr. Howells assured the House the debate was initiated as a result of the concern expressed by British parliamentarians and was not, as some propagandists and partisan elements had claimed -- a debate generated by any faction of Sri Lankan politics or by any lobbying organisations claiming to represent any part of the large Sri Lankan Diaspora residing in Britain, pro or anti-LTTE.

“We have repeatedly urged the LTTE to move away from the path of violence. In the absence of a full renunciation of terrorism in deed and word, there can be no question of reconsidering its proscribed status. LTTE involvement in killings, torture, detention of civilians and denial of freedom of speech is a reality. LTTE fundraising activity in Britain encourages war, not peace. It will not be tolerated, and I have recently met our security authorities to discuss how we can counter the bullying, threats and acts of fraud that are used regularly to extract money from the Tamil population and others in the country,” the British MP said in response to a question.

He also put Karuna Amman on notice saying civilians in government-controlled areas regularly fall victim to brutal attacks by paramilitary groups, often acting with apparent immunity and expressed concerns of government's links with the faction.

“We believe Karuna and his faction to be responsible for extra-judicial killings, abductions, intimidation of displaced persons and child recruitment. Karuna's record is appalling, and we will be watching very closely whether he acts on his commitment to the United Nations to address the child recruitment issue. We will want to see clear evidence that he has delivered on his welcome promises. Karuna needs to go further and cease all acts of violence and intimidation against civilians. There must be no question of the Sri Lankan government allowing Karuna to perpetrate those crimes. If they are serious in their desire to find paths to an inclusive, peaceful Sri Lanka that embraces all its peoples and cultures, they must disassociate themselves completely from all acts of abuse, terrorism, intimidation or torture, no matter who commits them or what agency encourages them.”

Also speaking at the debate Britain’s External Development Minister Gareth Thomas noted that the situation in Jaffna was particularly grim and called for the "immediate, permanent and unconditional opening of the sea and road routes" -- the A9 has been referred to -- "for humanitarian convoys of essential supplies."

Mr. Thomas emphasized that to achieve peace the parties to the conflict must accept that a military victory was neither possible nor a basis for a lasting solution and that there had to be a credible framework for a negotiated settlement and that there must be respect for the human rights of all Sri Lankans and an end to the culture of impunity.
Britain withholds debt relief to Sri Lanka

Britain has decided to withhold half of the debt relief promised to Sri Lanka for 2006, until the conclusion of ongoing discussions with the government regarding certain commitments based on which the money was offered.

In December 2005, the British and Sri Lankan governments signed an agreement for the provision of £41 million of debt relief. The debt relief was to be used for post-tsunami recovery and poverty reduction work and was to be paid in yearly instalments of about £4 million between 2005 and 2015. The two governments agreed to a number of conditions on which these yearly instalments were to be made. These conditions relate to human rights, hostilities, defence spending and accountability systems.

As part of the process leading to the release of the next instalment of debt relief, the British Secretary of State for International Development wrote last week to the Sri Lankan government to seek clarification that these conditions were still being met, the British High Commission in Colombo said.

"We believe that that sent a clear message to the Sri Lankan Government about our concerns. The outstanding payment will be made only when consultations have concluded with the Sri Lankan Government. Those consultations will, in particular, involve discussions about the human rights situation in Sri Lanka." British MP Gareth Thomas told the House of Commons.

Recent press reporting has suggested that debt relief is linked to possible de-proscription of the LTTE. As British Minister Kim Howells, made clear during his visit to Sri Lanka recently, the British government is not considering de-proscribing the LTTE. The issues of debt relief and de-proscription were not in any way linked, the British High Commission emphasized. (ER)



UK's 7 million Pounds Arms sales to Sri Lanka match tsunami aid
UK arms sales to Sri Lanka match tsunami aid

[TamilNet, Thursday, 03 May 2007, 16:45 GMT]
Britain licensed Ј7 million worth of weapons and military equipment for export to Sri Lanka this year alone, it was revealed during a debate in Parliament Wednesday. The sum matches the amount of British aid provided in the wake of December 2004 tsunami. On Thursday the UK government said it was holding back half its Ј3 million annual aid allocation for this year citing British concerns over human rights in Sri Lanka.
“Inquiries that I have made reveal that Ј7 million-worth of [UK] arms were licensed for delivery to Sri Lanka in the last quarter for which figures are available,” Joan Ruddock, a ruling Labour party MP, told the House Wednesday during a landmark debate on Sri Lanka.

“Licenses were for armoured all-wheel drive vehicles, components for heavy machine guns, components for military distress signalling equipment, and many other types of equipment, including military aircraft ground equipment and communications equipment, and small arms ammunition,” she said.

“All of that is military equipment that could conceivably be used in the conflict,” she said.

“I know that our Government have obeyed the rules—the EU and the national criteria by which we agree export licences. There is no question of wrongdoing. However, … I ask the Minister to consider whether those export licences and similar licences should continue when a live conflict is clearly under way in the country.”

However, government ministers did not respond to Ms. Ruddock’s question.

Earlier in the debate, junior foreign minister Kim Howells said British Foreign Minister Margaret Beckett had met with Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister and “reiterated Britain’s commitment to peace and our willingness to get involved in that whole process.”

“She spoke of the terrible humanitarian impact of the conflict on the civilian population and the need for both sides to do more to protect that population. She repeated the message that there can be no military solution to conflict,” Dr. Howells said.

Later in the debate, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development Gareth Thomas said in the wake of the December 2004 tsunami, Britain “committed aid of about Ј7 million immediately after [it] struck.”

Of this sum, about Ј500,000 is outstanding, Mr. Thomas said. It had been allocated to “to develop the capacity of the North-East Provincial Council to lead the recovery process,” he added.

The council has since been disbanded when the North-East Province itself was demerged by the Sri Lankan government last year.

Meanwhile the British government said Thursday it will withhold Ј1.5 million of aid this year.

Britain agreed in 2005 to provide Sri Lanka Ј41 m ($81.6 million) in debt relief until 2015, in yearly instalments of 3-6 million pounds, as long as Colombo met a series conditions, Reuters reported.

Britain was due to make a payment of 3 million pounds this year, or around $6 million, and has paid just half.

"What we have said for this year is we are making half of the agreed payment because there is an ongoing consultation process about progress towards meeting the conditions agreed between the two governments," the spokesman for the British High Commission in Colombo said.

During Wednesday’s debate British ministers told Parliament the government had a coordinated approach to Sri Lanka’s conflict.

“We complement our high-level engagement with more practical assistance through a joint Department for International Development, Ministry of Defence and Foreign and Commonwealth Office peace-building strategy for Sri Lanka,” Dr. Howells said.

“[These departments] combine our operations in the country, and we are using funds from [our] global conflict prevention pool to support a series of programmes that will help to bring the sides together, slowly to try to create the conditions for a sustainable peace,” Mr. Thomas said.

“We want a peaceful solution to the conflict. … We will continue to be engaged in the search for peace in Sri Lanka.”
 

Flying Tigers hold Sri Lanka to ransom by Amal Jayasinghe
Tue May 1, 7:33 AM ET 

COLOMBO (AFP) - The new capability of the Tamil Tigers to carry out airborne attacks has not only made them a rarity among the world's guerrilla outfits but has also badly shaken an entire country.

Sri Lanka's defence ministry has acknowledged that the Tigers may be operating at least five light aircraft, used in three headline-grabbing raids against military and civilian targets over the past month.

The Tigers already possess an effective naval unit known as the Sea Tigers.

The Tiger air force may be minuscule compared with Sri Lanka's fleet -- which comprises supersonic jets, spy planes and helicopter gunships -- but so far government forces have failed miserably in countering the flying Tigers.

"You can understand that the Tigers will use a light aircraft once, but there is something wrong when the air force is not able to take it out after three attacks," said retired brigadier general Vipul Boteju.

The authorities switched off power to the capital of one million people when the Tigers carried out their third bombing raid here on Sunday, targeting two oil depots. The city was thrown into a state of panic.

In the wake of the attack, several international airlines announced they were cancelling or altering their flights to the island's only international airport, whose runway is also used by Sri Lankan air force jets -- a prime target for the rebels.

The Sri Lankan military, however, is insisting that the Tiger air threat is a "joke."

"These light planes can't do much damage," said army chief Sarath Fonseka, who appeared on national television shortly after the guerrillas bombed the main military complex in the north of the island last week.

"It is a joke. You can drop a bomb from any flying thing. Even tossing a grenade while riding a swing is an 'air attack,'" Fonseka said.

"The maximum damage that the Tiger planes can do is equivalent to two mortar bombs hitting a bunker," Fonseka added, asserting that the armed forces were capable of taking care of the guerrilla's new air wing.

Pictures released by the Tigers indicate they operate Czech-built Zlin Z-143 single engine, four-seater light aircraft modified to carry four bombs mounted on the undercarriage.

According to Morovan Aeroplanes, which manufactures the Zlin, the Z-143 is a versatile airplane designed "for the pilots who want more than straight flying from point A to point B."

"Night and IFR (instrument flight rules) training and flying and great flight characteristics and additional instruments make the ZLIN easy to fly at night or (in) low visibility conditions," according to Morovan.

It is not clear whether the Tigers have extensively modified the aircraft, which military sources believe may have been bought from a source in South Africa, but the standard version has a wing span of just over 10 metres (33 feet) and an endurance of up to five hours and 10 minutes.

It has a maximum level cruising speed of 260 kilometres (162 miles) an hour and cannot be intercepted by the supersonic jets of the Sri Lankan air force, which are too fast and do not have air-to-air attack capability.

The two passenger seats can be removed to give room for extra fuel and a bigger payload. It can take off and land from unprepared surfaces, needing only 640 metres to take off and 765 metres to land.

Shortly after the first Tiger attack on its main airbase, which shares a runway with the international airport, the air force said it failed to bring down the Tiger aircraft because it did not have night flying capability.

A week later the government announced it was carrying out night time air raids against suspected Tamil Tiger positions to demonstrate it was by then able to fly at night. But the Tigers have flown two more night sorties unchallenged.

The only time a Mi-24 helicopter gunship was scrambled to intercept the flying Tigers, the chopper developed engine trouble and crash landed.

Sri Lanka's military was aware of an air strip built by the Tigers for several years and in 2005 the government lodged a formal complaint with Nordic truce monitors who are observing a now moribund ceasefire.

It is not clear if the Tigers use the clearing in Iranamadu, which can be clearly seen on satellite images, as the base for their Zlin aircraft. The clearing has been bombed by the air force several times.

Military sources believe that the Tigers smuggled in the aircraft in knocked-down form two years ago and assembled them in territory held by them.

The lax supervision soon after the December 2004 tsunami may have helped the Tigers, according to defence sources.

Speaking to Colombo-based diplomats, a top military officer on Monday admitted that security forces were "still learning" how to deal with the new threat from the Tigers, who are better known for their suicide bombings.
 

Italy assures strong measures to curb terrorism against Lanka

  End violence, Respect HR, restart talks - Pope

The visit by President Rajapaksa is the first by a Sri Lankan leader to Rome in 24 years, the last being former President J.R. Jayewardene.

The discussions between the two leaders were friendly and cordial, a media release from the Presidential Secretariat stated adding that President Rajapaksa expressed his deep appreciation and gratitude for the assistance rendered by the Italian Government during the Tsunami catastrophe.

While agreements have already been signed in the areas of education, culture, science and technical co-operation between the two countries by the Foreign Ministry, the two leaders discussed the possibility of extending this to cover other fields too in the future.

The Italian President stressed that his Government would not condone any terrorist activity directed against Sri Lanka and that steps would be taken to investigate those who are lending such assistance on Italian soil.

President Rajapaksa gave a lengthy briefing on the present situation in Sri Lanka to his Italian counterpart while eliciting a positive response from his host to his request for Italy’s support in the quest for permanent peace in Sri Lanka.

President Rajapaksa also had lengthy discussions pertaining to expat Lankan workers in Italy with the attention of Italian leader being drawn to finding more employment for Lankans in Italy.

The talks helped to strengthen existing friendship and bi-lateral relations between the two countries, the release added.

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, Highways Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga and Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Italy Rodney Perera were also present.
-------

Respect HR, restart talks - Pope


Pope Benedict has urged President Rajapaksa to respect human rights
The Vatican says it has urged the Sri Lankan authorities to resume negotiations with the separatist Tamil Tiger rebels.
During a meeting with the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse, Pope Benedict stressed the need to respect human rights and called the escalating conflict in Sri Lanka "dramatic".

"The need was reiterated to respect human rights and resume the path of dialogue and negotiation as the only way to put an end to the violence that is bloodying the island," Vatican statement said.

President Rajapakse is on a three day official visit to Italy.

Madhu pilgrims

The Sri Lankan President's attention was drawn by the Vatican to the Madhu chuch and requested to provide facilities to pilgrims.

President's Media Director, Chandrapala Liyanage, told BBC Sinhala that the President Rajapakse recalled that he provided facilities to Madhu pilgrims while he was the Prime Minister as well.


The need was reiterated to respect human rights and resume the path of dialogue and negotiation as the only way to put an end to the violence that is bloodying the island

Vatican statement

Rajapakse explained that pilgrims are facing difficulties due to LTTE activities, Liyanage added.

The Pope has been urged by aid agencies to raise concerns about the escalating conflict between the Sri Lankan forces and the Tamil Tigers.

The Catholic charity Caritas, which works in north-eastern Sri Lanka, says more than 40,000 people have been displaced in the last month alone.

The Pope said in his Easter address that "only a negotiated solution" could end the country's civil war.

Pope initiative may lead to UN peacekeeping in Sri Lanka
Fri, 2007-04-20 19:29
By Joseph Thavaraja

Colombo, 20 April, (Asiantribune.com): A successful audience with Pope Benedict XVI by President Mahinda Rajapakse may lead to the possible arrival (later) of United Nations (UN) peacekeepers in the country, hinted 'Caritas Australia' today. If all goes well, the UN peacekeepers would possibly take on from where Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission left, it is further learnt.
To this end, the Australians are "keenly watching the outcome of President Rajapakse's audience with His Holiness the Pope", it is reported.

Caritas Australia belongs to one of the largest international aid and development networks in the world called Caritas International. It consists of a network of 162 Catholic relief, development and social service organizations in over 200 countries and territories.

"The Australian Government needs to be vigilant as to the outcomes of this papal initiative. A revitalized peace process would be of great benefit. Australia is independent and well regarded and can play a pivotal role in encouraging the Sri Lankan Government to accept a UN auspiced human rights monitoring mission" hinted Jack de Groot, Chief Executive Officer of Caritas Australia on April 20.

De Groot said that UN Monitors on the ground in Sri Lanka will affect the behaviour of all parties to the conflict, thereby protecting lives. "A number of states already promote the monitoring mission and Australia's active involvement would encourage the USA, India and other key states to support the initiative" he added.

"Where talk of peace in Sri Lanka is seen as grounds for treason amongst some protagonists in the conflict, we see the initiative of the Catholic Church to invite President Rajapakse to meet with the Pope as highly significant", Mr de Groot of Caritas Australia emphasized in a release.

- Asian Tribune -

AP Exclusive:

The Associated PressPublished: April 12, 2007

COLOMBO Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka's cease-fire has "no meaning," the country's top defense official said Thursday, suggesting it was only being left in place to satisfy the international community.

In a wide-ranging interview with The Associated Press, Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse said the military must build on the victories it has scored against the separatist Tamil Tiger rebels in eastern Sri Lanka over recent months, and press on toward rebel strongholds in the north.

"There is no cease-fire agreement. There is no meaning in that," said Rajapakse, who is the brother and a close-confidant of President Mahinda Rajapakse.

The 2002 cease-fire brought a measure of relief to Sri Lanka, a nation beset for nearly a quarter century by a bloody ethnic rebellion by the Tamil Tiger rebels, who have used everything from air raids to suicide bombs in their fight for a homeland for the country's Tamil minority.

But over the last the 18 months, the cease-fire has almost entirely unraveled as tit-for-tat attacks have grown into all-out war, with at least 4,000 people killed since December 2005.

"Officially we have not said there is no cease-fire agreement, probably to keep the international community happy," Rajapakse said.

As expected, Rajapakse squarely blamed the Tigers for the unofficial collapse of the cease-fire.

The Tigers were "breaking it from the very beginning," he said, "starting ambushes and (land mines) and all those things so then the military has to react."

Violence has further intensified in recent weeks with the military stepping up its push to clear the insurgents from their bases in eastern Sri Lanka.

The rebels have responded with their first air raid, using a small single-propeller plane to drop homemade bombs on a military air base adjacent to Sri Lanka's international airport. Three people were killed in the raid, although the military's fighter jets — the presumed target — were not damaged.

The Tamil rebels have been fighting since 1983 for a separate homeland for Sri Lanka's 3.1 million Tamils, a largely Hindu ethnic group concentrated in eastern and northern Sri Lanka. The Tamils have faced decades of discrimination from the predominantly Buddhist Sinhalese, who make up a majority of the Indian Ocean nation's 19 million people.

At least 65,000 people were killed before the 2002 cease-fire.





By Easwaran Rutnam

Responding to reports the LTTE was ready to resume peace talks with the government, Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama yesterday welcomed the news but asserted that the LTTE would continue to be considered a terrorist outfit and dealt with accordingly.

Meanwhile government peace secretariat head Palitha Kohona, when contacted by the Daily Mirror, said there was no official communication from the LTTE of its willingness to resume negotiations and as such he did not wish to comment on yesterday’s Daily Mirror report.

“If the LTTE is ready to come we are willing to take it and we want it to come. We want to make the LTTE a part of the negotiations and part of a negotiated settlement. It should become stakeholders in that right. At the same time it is important for us to say who the Tigers are as much as they say who we are. We are a sovereign nation and owe a responsibility to the country and to its people. They should take this opportunity to shed terrorism and be part of the negotiated process,” Minister Bogollagama said.

The LTTE, as reported in the Daily Mirror yesterday, had at a meeting with the SLMM expressed willingness to resume peace talks with the government but at the same time placed a pre-condition for such negotiations saying the now defunct ceasefire agreement (CFA) should be first fully implemented and future talks should be based on the agreement signed in 2002.

When asked if the government would agree to any precondition for talks, Minister Bogollagam said “That is up to the LTTE. We have not placed any conditions.

”Minister Bogollagama meanwhile recalled that at the just concluded SAARC summit Sri Lanka had emphasized there could be no social and economic progress without peace and security and proposed that terrorism should be condemned in all its forms and manifestations.

The leaders of SAARC reaffirmed their commitment to implement all international conventions relating to combating terrorism, to which SAARC member countries were respectively parties at the SAARC Regional Convention on suppression of terrorism and the additional protocol to the SAARC regional convention dealing with the prevention and suppression of financing of terrorism,” he said.

The Foreign Minister said SAARC leaders had agreed to implement the proposals to suppress the financing of terrorism, acquisition and collection of funds for such acts even through front organizations, to counter illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and trafficking in persons and illicit arms.

Sri Lanka agreed to host a legal experts’ meeting to examine to examine the idea of a SAARC convention on mutual assistance in criminal matters.

The SLMM had expressed alarm at the increase in civilian casualties following a string of attacks and conveyed the message to the LTTE at a meeting on Friday while the same message was conveyed to the government Secretariat for Co-ordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP) last week.

Daily Mirror lk 10 /04/07

Wants CFA as basis for negotiations

By Easwaran Rutnam
Just days after displaying its air capabilities the LTTE has expressed willingness to resume peace talks with the government but has at the same time placed a pre-condition for such negotiations saying the now defunct Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) should be first fully implemented and future talks should be based on that agreement signed in 2002.

According to well informed sources the LTTE had conveyed this message to a Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) delegation at a meeting in Kilinochchi on Friday, the first meeting between the ceasefire monitors and the rebels since the LTTE air raid on the Katunayake air force base two weeks ago.

Acting SLMM head Jon Oskar Solnes led the SLMM delegation at the talks in Kilinochchi while the LTTE team was represented by the LTTE peace secretariat head S. Pulidevan. The meeting itself had no major significance as the SLMM had frequent meetings with the rebels and the government peace secretariat.

The government has yet to officially respond to the LTTE offer to resume talks but it comes even as the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) prepares to make the final draft for a lasting solution to the conflict with the SLFP announcing its proposals will be out on May 1.

However the LTTE had, at the meeting with the SLMM, warned of serious repercussions if military action by the government were to continue with almost weekly Air Force raids on rebel locations.

The SLMM has expressed alarm at the increase in civilian casualties and conveyed the message to the LTTE at Friday’s meeting while the same message was conveyed to the government Secretariat for Co-ordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP) last week, the Daily Mirror learns.

The SLMM has meanwhile deployed a rapid response team (RRT) to Vavuniya where a claymore blast targeting a passenger bus resulted in civilian casualties.

The SLMM however has yet to be granted access to the Katunayake air force base to probe the LTTE air raid.The government has persistently said it would continue to take appropriate action to deal with any LTTE act seen as a threat to national security even if such government action was recorded as a violation of the CFA. The LTTE has said such government action had resulted in civilian casualties in rebel-controlled areas, a charge the government vehemently denies.
Daily Mirror lk 09/04/07

Indo-Lanka ties on a firm foundation

WHETHER it be at a multilateral level in the SAARC context or at a bilateral level, India’s support for Sri Lanka is a prominent feature of the Indo-Lanka equation.

We had added confirmation of this when Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee told the media at the end of the recent SAARC Summit that India was extending her fullest cooperation to Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the LTTE terror attack on the Katunayake air base.

These policy positions amount to a restatement of India’s traditional cordiality towards Sri Lanka. They are also the guarantee that India would in no way launch herself on a course which would undermine the time-tested Indo-Sri Lanka friendship link.

Thus we are assured that the LTTE’s or any other anti-Lanka force’s machinations would not succeed in unravelling Indo-Lanka camaraderie and cooperation.

We hope this restatement of India’s commitment to work cooperatively with Sri Lanka would translate into more and more concrete programmes aimed at quelling LTTE terror because, as we have continually argued, the Tigers bode ill for the entirety of South Asia.

For instance, bilateral cooperation could be intensified in the areas of naval patrolling of the seas dividing India and Sri Lanka and in aerial surveillance of the relevant geographical areas.

What is vital about India’s policy on the Lankan conflict is that she has not budged from her anti-LTTE stance.

Developments since 1991 have only proved the correctness of this position. Far from softening its blood lust, the LTTE has relentlessly intensified it and has today acquired the means which enables it to pose a threat to even Lanka’s neighbours.

Therefore, it will be in the interests of the whole of the SAARC region, if the states of this region could close ranks more firmly against Tiger terror and work against political terror collectively. This policy position on terror was fervently endorsed by the SAARC Eight at the recent Summit and we hope collaborative action would come sooner rather than later.

It is also heartening to note India’s backing for Sri Lanka’s political initiative aimed at finding a solution to our conflict. It is fully supportive of the APC-APRC process and on this score too India has been absolutely consistent.

While emphasizing the need for a peaceful solution India has continuously pointed out that such a solution should meet the legitimate aspirations of all our communities, while ensuring Lanka’s territorial integrity.

No doubt, this is a most appropriate policy position to take because of its inherent justness. If the conflict is to end, a solution which is fair by all our communities needs to be found. This is the endeavour of the Lankan State and we are glad that India has taken cognizance of it.

This accord in perception and policy between India and Sri Lanka has set the stage for the most cordial of bilateral relations.

No doubt, the Lankan State’s policy of taking India into its confidence has further nourished these links. We call for a continuation of this proactive diplomacy on Lanka’s part.

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After 60 years of so-called  Independence the state of Sri Lanka ,according to Richard Voles, Country Director for the Asian Development Bank (ADB)

However, the constraints are numerous and pose serious challenges to development. Vokes said that frequent changes in trade and tariff policies are a hindrance in addition to insufficient labour market regulation, low productivity, lack of skilled labour and an infrastructure which needs much improvement. He cited road development and rural electrification as two areas in need of greater progress, particularly rural electrification which 'opens up opportunities.' Sri Lanka is also weak on research and marketing and as a result, has posted high harvest losses. There is a lack of competition, a lack of market information and a lack of proper storage facilities.

ENB

Sri Lanka on course to reducing poverty by half

Sri Lanka is on course to meeting its Millenium Development Goals, in halving poverty
Sri Lanka is on course to meeting its Millenium Development Goals with the exception of halving its poverty levels, according to Richard Vokes, Country Director for the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The Development Forum in Galle earlier this year was abound with discussions on the resilient nature of the country's economy which saw 7% growth in 2006 but Vokes emphasized that the reduction of poverty was still a major challenge.

Vokes, addressing the Key Person's Forum this week jointly organized by the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Sri Lanka (FCCISL) and Small & Medium Enterprise Developers (SMED), spoke on rural development and the role of the public and pivate sector.

He attributed the ongoing problem of poverty to lagging rural sector growth, limited productivity growth and low or declining productivity. He said most agricultural growth is limited to the western and central provinces, despite the fact that agriculture contributes 17% of the overall GDP and employs a third of the labour force, approximately 2.3 million Sri Lankans. More private and public sector involvement is needed for rural development as well as more effective and efficient policies. The public sector has a substantial role to play in marketing, extensions, credit programs, fertilizer subsidies and in trade and tariffs.

Agriculture is divided into three main sectors, those being paddy, plantations and agro-industry. Vokes said the paddy sector is 'critical to rural transformation' because what happens there has a direct effect on determining poverty levels. There is also a lot of potential for value added in tea, coconut and rubber but Sri Lanka must work harder on realizing the full potential of value added products.

The agro-industry includes fruit, spices, cashew nuts, herbs, tea and vegetables amongst other commodities and makes up around 50 – 60% of the agricultural GDP and 15% of exports. "There is potential for increased commercialization," Vokes said, adding that recently, the performance in this sector was weak. The prospects for growth and export potential are strong, given that Sri Lanka has the ideal climate and fertile soil. "The agro-industry is important to maintain industrial sector growth," he said. The government has also stated that this is a priority growth area and key to foreign exchange growth.

However, the constraints are numerous and pose serious challenges to development. Vokes said that frequent changes in trade and tariff policies are a hindrance in addition to insufficient labour market regulation, low productivity, lack of skilled labour and an infrastructure which needs much improvement. He cited road development and rural electrification as two areas in need of greater progress, particularly rural electrification which 'opens up opportunities.' Sri Lanka is also weak on research and marketing and as a result, has posted high harvest losses. There is a lack of competition, a lack of market information and a lack of proper storage facilities.

Thailand, which employed contract farming in the 1970's has since taken off, particularly with fruits, vegetables and poultry. In contract farming, an agreement for a fixed price is agreed upon between a company and the farmer and puts in place measures of quality and quantity. The company is responsible for providing the supplies and the farmer is responsible for supplying the land and the labor. The contract farming model is already in place in Sri Lanka but there is potential for it to grow further. Similarly, the supply chain or value added model, an extension of contract farming seeks to raise value added on the entire supply chain.

"The public sector needs to understand the constraints of the private sector and encourage a level playing field," Vokes said. There should be consistent trade policies, effective quality control and certification and the public sector should also encourage PPP's or Public Private Partnerships. Adequate investment must be made in infrastructure, particularly in transport infrastructure and improve packaging in transport.

Sri Lanka is 'world class in many areas' and the private sector has a key role to play. Sri Lanka must work with the World Trade Organization (WTO) to gain access into the first world market and expand its options for commercialization. Vokes said the ADB is providing support for non-traditional crops as well as commercialization, export growth and employment potential.

The Sunday Times lk 08/04/07