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15 NOVEMBER 2002
"I do not agree with a word of what you say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it.”
-Voltaire
Tani
ISSN 0266 - 44 88 Vol. XXI No. 11 15 NOVEMBER 2002
Published by: TAMIL TIMES LTD PO Box 121, Sutton, Surrey SM13TD United Kingdom Phone: 020 - 8644 0972 Fax: 020 – 8241 4557
Email: prajanG)gn.apc.org editor(a)tamilitimes.org adminG)tamiltimes.org
Website: http://www.tamiltimes.org
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Returning to normal life 03 Progress in second round 04 Bishop's plea 06 Violence in University 07 What is going on ? 08 Tigers to join mainstream 09 19th Amendment & peace 12 National Self-examination 14 Budget and the peace process 16 Sinhalese divisiveness 20 News Track 23 Joint Task Force 36 War, peace and human rights 37 Classified 38
Ret
There is no dout Bangkok between the in the ongoing peace ons including the se and Rehabilitation N agreement was also Hakeem and the LT nity inhabiting the ea ence attended by pr held on 25 Novembe and rehabilitation aC Already senior g ranking military men to humanitarian, deSubstantial char ticularly after the sig ing has stopped. Ap their home areas. P. arrests and detentio stantial majority of th General has withdra LTTE has opened a ranking LTTE perso and its delegates to port using passports freely articulated in ing to the Tamil Natic travelling to the War
While all this is ing the war-torn area normal. People hav unceasing battles. northeast became S Besides the horrors basic rights became the people had turne nted society. The ex to the most basic fri suppressed in the na The once sworn about each other's promised to join the promise depends or democratic rights ar tors, nurses, traders activists and others cratic rights and free interference. Anythi Normalisation o pre-requisite for furt also must have the expect substantial C freed from the Cons fied process of den process of "civilianis become an essentia The Call to Cour of Mannar is quite ti the guarantee of, a Access to informati tention, Freedom fr. process and system
the entirety of the c
 
 
 

TAMILTES 3
urning to Normalife
t that the second round of peace talks lasting four days held in government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE produced further progress process. The discussions resulted in reaching certain key decisitting up of three Sub-Committees on immediate Humanitarian eeds, De-escalation and Normalisation and Political Matters. An reached between the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress leader Rauf E on the sensitive security and interests of the Muslim commustern province. It was also decided that a political-level conferbspective donor Countries would be convened by Norway to be r in Oslo with aim of mobilising financial support for humanitarian civities. overnment officials and LTTE representatives, including highfrom both sides, have met to discuss and take measures relating escalation and normalisation activities. ges have taken place since the peace process began and parning of the Ceasefire Agreement in February this year. The fightroximately 150,000 internally displaced people have returned to Bople are moving between the north and south freely. Arbitrary n under the Prevention of Terrorism Act have ceased. The sublose detained under the PTA have been released. The Attorney wn hundreds of pending cases instituted under the PTA. The large number of political offices all over the north-east. Highnel are visiting Colombo to take medical treatment in hospitals, peace talks in Thailand have been flying from the Colombo airissued by the Government. LTTE's political positions are being Colombo-based newspapers and in Parliament by MPs belong}nalist Alliance. Colombo-based and visiting diplomats have been ini to meet the senior leadership of the LTTE. happening, what is important is that the people primarily inhabitis of the northeast must also feel that life is gradually returning to e suffered immensely through the years of war and the many ormal civilian life turned into a nightmare as the areas of the :ubjected to a high degree of militarisation and regimentation. of war, arbitrary interference in their lives and deprivation of their the norm. The exigencies of war and the demands made upon d them into just compliant members of a militarised and regimestence of a civil society was simply dismissed. The people's right eedoms were considerably curtailed or in many spheres totally ame of a higher calling-liberation from oppression by the enemy. enemies are now parleying exchanging generous compliments abiding commitment to the peace process. The LTTE has also democratic political mainstream. The true test of the LTTE's the extent to which the people are let free to exercise their basic d freedoms. Children, students, parents, women, teachers, doc, peasants, workers, social workers, political and human rights ections of society must be able to enjoy and exercise their demodoms in their individual capacity and collectively without arbitrary ng less would not be a return to normal life. the life of the people has been spotlighted and emphasised as a her progress in the peace process. The people of the north-east opportunity to enjoy the fruits of such normalisation. They would hanges on the ground to enable them also to lead a normal life raints that have been arbitrarily imposed upon them. An intensiilitarisation and de-regimentation of society accompanied by a ation' of the political, social and economic life of the people has
precondition if life is to return truly normal. try's Prime Minister and the LTTE leader by the Catholic Bishop mely. His call is that the peace process must be underpinned by s a minimum, the following: Freedom of speech and assembly, }n without any hindrance, Freedom from arbitrary arrest and demany form of physical abuse and torture, Right to a fair judicial , Freedom from any form of duress, Freedom of movement within Juntry, Right to security, and Right to ownership of property.

Page 4
4 TAMILTIMES
PEACE TALKS
he key decisions made at the second round of talks held in Bangkok between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam with Norwegian facilitation are:
(a) setting up of a Sub-Committee on Immediate Humanitarian and Rehabilitation Needs in the North and East; (b) convening a political-level meeting of key governments to take place in Oslo, Norway on 25 November 2002 aimed at mobilizing financial support for immediate humanitarian and rehabilitation action;
(c) formation of a Sub-Committee on De-Escalation and Normalization as a mechanism for a structured dialogue between the parties;
(d) Setting up of a Sub-Committee on Political Matters to address a series of complex political questions in order to reach a negotiated solution to the ethnic conflict, including constitutional, legal, political and administrative issues: and
(e) an agreement to improve the security situation in eastern Sri Lanka.
The following is the text of the press release headed "Significant Steps to Restore Normalcy, Improve Security and Address Political Matters' issued by the Norwegian Government after the second round of talks:
“The Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) conducted the second session of the Sri Lanka Peace Talks at the Rose Garden in Thailand from 31 October to 3 November 2002.
The parties demonstrated a positive, pragmatic and conciliatory approach in discussing a wide range of issues, including present challenges as well as matters relating to long-term solutions. The parties thereby continued the dual approach of moving step by step towards a lasting political settlement, while remaining fully focused on the ground situation. The parties reconfir
Progress in Second
med their strong ( Ceasefire Agreeme for the Sri Lanka M
Against the bac sions among the eth the east, the parties ate measures to in situation, inter-ethr respect for human and east. Acknow belongs to all peop! parties are committ the needs and aspi communities in the lims, and Sinhalese ures are outlined in issued by the Roy ernment on 1 Nove
In their determ peace process forw erated that the pro and demanding or process, the partie monitor the ground bling necessary act stages to ensure fu
In the quest for broad range of issue with considerable For this purpose, til
establishing, whe
committees to act under the auspices teams. The sub-con tinually active and of the talks, in c progress and give issues.
Following the a session of talks to force, the parties ag in the form of a Immediate Human tation Needs in the role of the Sub-Co Identify humal tation needs;
Prioritize impl ties to meet these
Decide on the nancial resources
 
 

15 NOVEMBER 2002
ommitment to the at and their support Ionitoring Mission. kdrop ofrecent tennic communities in agreed on immediprove the security ic co-operation and rights in the north ledging that peace es of Sri Lanka, the ed to accommodate rations of all three east: Tamils, Mus:. The agreed measa separate statement al Norwegian Gov:mber 2002. ination to move the ard, the parties reitcess will be a long le. Throughout the s will continuously situation, thus enaion to be taken at all rther progress. a final settlement, a es must be addressed attention to detail. he parties agreed on never needed, subon specific matters of the negotiation hmittees Will be conreport at the sessions rder to accelerate n-depth attention to
greement at the first set up a joint task reed to establish this Sub-Committee on tarian and RehabiliNorth and East. The mmittee will be to: itarian and rehabili
mentation ofactivineeds; allocation of the fior such activities;
Determine implementing agencies for each of the activities.
The Sub-Committee will ensure the involvement of all ethnic communities so that their needs and aspirations are considered, and it will give priority to the mobilization of local labor and local institutions in the implementation of activities. The activities initiated by the Sub-Committee will be financed by a fund, which will be set up in accordance with arrangements to be agreed upon with donor governments.
The Sub-Committee will consist of four members selected by the LTTE and four by the GOSL. Two members of the respective negotiating teams, Mr. Tamilselvan of the LTTE and Mr. Bernard Goonetilleke of the GOSL, will be leading members of the SubCommittee. Other GOSL representatives will include Mr. M.D.D. Peiris, Mr. M.I.M. Rafeek, and an additional member of the Muslim community. Other LTTE representatives will include Mr. Jay Maheswaran. The SubCommittee will be assisted by a secretariat to be located in the Government Agent';s Office in Killinochchi. Meetings of the Sub-Committee will be held in Killinochchi, Colombo, Battocaloa, and Kalmunai at the discretion of the committee.
As its first task the Sub-Committee. will assist the Royal Norwegian Government in preparing for a politicallevel meeting of key governments to take place in Oslo, Norway on 25 November 2002. As the first ever of its kind, the meeting will demonstrate the unprecedented level of international support to Sri Lanka and to the parties in their present peace efforts. The meeting will aim atmobilizing financial Support for immediate humanitarian and rehabilitation action in three priority areas agreed by the parties:
Resettling and rehabilitating Internally Displaced Persons;
Rehabilitating war-affected women and children;
Providing livelihoods for war-affected people in the North and East.
The international community will further be encouraged to increase investment in Sri Lanka and respond positively to new challenges in the south resulting from the peace process. In line with the overall objective of facilitating the resettlement of inter

Page 5
15 NOVEMBER 2002
nally displaced persons, the parties acted on the decision made at the first session of peace talks to address matters relating to high security zones and other areas made inaccessible to the public. To this end, a Sub-Committee on De-Escalation and Normalization was set up as a mechanism for a structured dialogue between the parties. While accommodating the security concerns of each party, the Sub-Committee will examine ways and means to ensure resettlement, the return of private property and the resumption of economic activities in these areas. This Sub-Committee will include high-level civilian and military personnel on both sides, including Mr. Austin Fernando of the Ministry of Defense and Mr. Karuna of the LTTE.
As another issue relating to the restoration of normalcy, the status of Tamil prisoners held under the Prevention of Terrorism Act was discussed.
The parties remain committed to building peace on the ground through practical steps to improve security and opportunity in people's daily lives. At the same time, the parties acknowledged that the peace talks must address a series of complex political questions in order to reach a negotiated solution to the ethnic conflict, including constitutional, legal, political and administrative issues. Following discussions, the parties agreed to establish a Sub-Committee to commence work in connection with relevant political matters. The parties agreed that access to expertise on political matters will be important in order for them to enter into negotiations on issues central to the peace process. The parties will jointly and separately address in depth, at the current stage of the peace process, relevant subjects such as other peace processes, political solutions to ethnic conflicts, models and systems of government, issues of post-conflict transition, co-ordination of international assistance, and reconciliation processes. To this end, the parties will interact with relevant experts and practitioners in these fields, as a basis for the formulation of approaches to the critical political issues for consideration in the future sessions of the peace talks.
The Sub-Committee on Political Matters will be chaired by the heads of delegations to the peace talks, Mr.
Anton Balasingh Peiris. Other gove tives will include leader of the Sri L
greSS.
The third sessic place on 2 - 5 Dece Norway. The follow held on 6 - 9 Januar ary 2003, and 18 -
Improving Securi in Eastern Sri La
Improving the s the East was a key in the second round tween the Liberati and the Government began on the 31 O "Mr. Hakeem and to work togetherint local communities specific concerns a cluding matters rela tion and cultivation from the Norwegia land said.
The full text of "Agreed Measures curity Situation in t "The Governn (GOSL) and the L Tamil Eelam (LTT ond session of the ] land with an evalu mentation of the C over the past eight termination to cons and advance the pe ties agreed to a set prove the security nic cooperation an rights in the North inces.
In this context, sized in particulart accommodate then of all three comm Tamils, Muslims parties set out spec prove relations betw Tamil communitie The parties agi monitor the impler the agreed measur progress at futures talks. O In lightofthe pri implementing the ( at this stage, the

TAMILIMES 5
m and Mr. G.L. niment representaMr. Rauf Hakeem, nka Muslim Con
n of talks will take mber 2002 in Oslo, ing sessions will be y 2003, - 10 Febru21 March 2003.'
y ka
ecurity situation in topic of discussion of peace talks beon Tigers (LTTE) of Sri Lanka which tober in Thailand. Mr. Karuna agreed he east to meet with
and address their und aspirations, innting to the occupaof land,' a release n Embassy in Thai
the release headed to Improve the Sehe East' is follows: nent of Sri Lanka iberation Tigers of E) initiated the secpeace talks in Thaiation of the impleeasefire Agreement months. In their deolidate the ceasefire ace process, the parof measures to imsituation, inter-ethi respect for human
and Eastern Prov
the parties emphaheir commitment to eeds and aspirations unities in the east - and Sinhalese. The ific measures to imveen the Muslim and
S.
eed to continuously nentation of each of es and to report on essions of the peace
ncipal challenges in easefire Agreement arties agreed to re
constitute the SLMM Local Monitoring Committees, established in accordance with paragraph 3.7 of the Ceasefire Agreement. To this end, the parties agreed to replace a number of their appointees to the Committees with senior representatives from both sides. O The parties are pleased to note that the SLMM has established Points of Contact (POCs) in the north and east as sub-offices of the SLMM district offices, in order to improve access to SLMM for local communities. The parties agreed to request the SLMM to consider establishing additional suboffices, particularly in Batticaloa and Ampara districts. OThe parties agreed to establish direct communications between the commanders of the LTTE and the GOSL Special Task Force in the east, in order to improve the security situation. OThe parties agreed to establish a process of regular consultations between LTTE leaders and Muslim political leaders. O Mr. Hakeem and Mr. Karuna agreed to work together in the east to meet with local communities and address their specific concerns and aspirations, including matters relating to the occupation and cultivation of land. They will work in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding reached between the leader of the LTTE, Mr. Velupillai Pirapaharan, and the leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, Mr. Rauf Hakeem, on 13 April 2002. The parties further agreed to remove any impediments to the pursuit of traditional economic activities of the Tamil and Muslim communities, such as fishing, farming and trading. O The parties took special note of the need to address fully and cater for the interests and concerns of the Sinhala community in the Eastern Province, in the context of the ongoing peace negotiations. OThe parties agreed to establish peace committees at the community level in order to facilitate the resolution of local problems, contribute to inter-ethnic communication and reconciliation, and promote respect for human rights. The committees may include local community leaders, such as religious, political, business and civil society leaders. The committees will include local LTTE and GOSL leaders.'

Page 6
6 TAM TIMES
Bishop's Plea to PM and LTTE Leader on Human Rights
Pointing out that the critical issue of "human' rights was totally ignored in discussions during the first round of peace talks between the government and the LTTE, and stressing that the human rights issue cannot await the final outcome of talks, the Catholic Bishop of Mannar Rt. Rev. Dr. Rayappu had, in a letter sent by the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and LTTE leader Velupillai Pirapaharan prior to the commencement of the second round of peace talks in Bangkok on 31 October, submitted certain proposals as the "essential pre-requisites”.
The following is the full text of the Bishop's letter: "Please permit me to air my deepest sentiments in a matter that is so crucial to our country. I am sending this same message also to the Leader of the Liberation Tigers Mr. Velupillai Prabaharan with copies to Mr. S.P. Thamilsevan. I, with my people wish to state that we are so greatly encouraged by the initiative of both the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to resolve the protracted ethnic conflict through a negotiated settlement. Our active support and cooperation as always are available in this pursuit. Our people, particularly those from the conflict areas and the country as a whole have suffered immensely for far too long as a result of this conflict. Although, there is a positive outcome from the first round of talks at Sattahip in Thailand, together with me the people in general, are nevertheless on the basis of available reports, disappointed that the most critical issue of "human rights' was virtually ignored in the deliberations in the first round of talks. After all, the quality of life of the people must be the central objective of this endeavor. This cannot await a final solution which may take a long period. Towards this end, the following are essential minimum prerequisites: Essential Needs
1) Availability of at least a reasonable standard of food, clothing and shelter
2) Access at least to an acceptable standard of education, health, water, sanitation and other essential services
3) An environment conducive to the pursuit of an honest living through gainful employment
Although, much publicity is being already given to improvements in this respect, it is noted that in reality, it is still far from being adequate. We are encouraged that the proposed Joint Task Force and Joint Committee agreed to at Sattahip, will address these issues as well as matters pertaining to security and the return of internally displaced persons to their original places of residence. We are hopeful that this exercise will be carried out with transparency and accountability. Priority of “Human rights'
The availability of at least the minimum essential needs, although ensuring sustenance, will mean very little in the absence of "human rights'. This will include the following in conformity with at least the minimum international standards: 1) Freedom of speech and assembly 2) Access to information without any hindrance

15 NOVEMBER 202
3) Freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention 4) Freedom from any form of physical abuse and torture 5) Right to a fair judicial process and system 6) Freedom from any form of duress 7) Freedom of movement within the entirety of the country 8) Right to security 9) Right to ownership of property
It must be emphasized, that the final solution should also be underpinned by a foundation based on tolerance, equity, pluralistic political participation, democracy, good governance and justice to all. Proposals 1) To specifically address and take immediate decisions in respect of all aspects of "human rights' as indicated above, at the forthcoming second round of peace talks in Thailand. The objective is to give immediate tangible relief to the people. 2) Both the "essential needs and issues of “human rights' to be addressed and implemented in tandem. Yours faithfully, Bishop of Mannar. Copy to a) Professor G.L.Peiris, Leader Sri Lanka Delegation b) Dr.Anton Balasingham. Leader LTTE Delegation. c) His Excellency the Ambassador of Norway in Colombo.
On the Peace Process & General Anesty
November 10 - The National Peace Council of Sri Lanka has stressed the danger of blanket amnesties which provide immunity from prosecution and accountability as these amnesties tend to leave the culture of violence within institutions, such as the military or the guerilla army, untouched and unquestioned.
The Peace Council stated that these amnesties could violate the right of victims to seek redress for the wrongs done to them, subvert the rule of law and promote public cynicism. These were issues that Sri Lankan society, in particular the opposition and civil society, needed to grapple with even as the government tried to consolidate the peace process with the LTTE. The NPC made this reference to the recent High Court judgment on the LTTE leader Prabhakaran over the Central Bank bombing. and the culpability of the LTTE leadership in it. "There are calls for both punishment on the one hand, and for amnesty on the other hand. During the course of the civil war, crimes, were committed by both sides. Any attempt to grant a sweeping or blanket amnesty for war crimes on the grounds that they were committed during a time of war is likely to have a negative impact on the peace building process. Both parties need to accept and acknowledge their responsibilities in committing war crimes and abuse of human rights before any agreement is reached on the grant of amnesty,” a NPC release said.
Among the other areas of concern outlined by the NPC were that there was near unanimity, both locally and internationally, that the government - LTTE talks that have been taking place in Thailand have been going better than anticipated. "At the second meeting between the two sides in Thailand they prioritised issues and engaged in joint problem solving as partners rather than as enemies. Among the decisions taken by the government and LTTE at the second meeting, the setting up of three joint committees to deal with

Page 7
15 NOVEMBER 2002
economic, security and political issues would be of great importance In particular, the appointment of a committee to work out the issues pertaining to a political solution was an unexpected breakthrough much ahead of schedule."
The news release said all these developments could be considered as indications that both parties were committed and trust each other in their search for a political solution.
"Despite these successes there are some areas of concern that need to be addressed. The ethnic conflict arose because a section of the people of Sri Lanka felt that they were deliberately excluded from the processes of decision making. While it is important that the government and LTTE should retain their ability to move forward in the peace process, the National Peace Council believes it is also important that the peace process accommodates other actors and stakeholders to transform it into a more inclusive one. Indeed the longer term sustainability of the peace process will critically hinge on the ability of the government and LTTE to mobilise and enlist the support of other
Violence & Death
in University
The Sri Jayawardenepura University was plunged into deeper crisis with the death of a student who had been brutally attacked in a row over ragging. Vice Chancellor E. Epitawatte said they had shut down the university because they did not want to leave room for the training of killers or for torture. Tertiary Education minister Kabeer Hasheem charged that weapons were being smuggled into Universities and some parties were trying to turn universities into political hotbeds. He said he believed the incidents were not spontaneous but were politically motivated and instigated by interested parties.
Samantha Vithanage, a third year student of the University's Management Faculty, died on 9 November after he was severely assaulted in a lecturer's room allegedly by a pro-ragging group who broke in while the lecturer was trying to settle a dispute over a ragging incident.
University Vice Chancellor Professor D. S. Epitawatte, who closed the campus to prevent further clashes, angrily said that, in the context of violence and crude ragging, he felt as if the university had become "a place of butchery'. The Vice Chancellor describing the situation as "extremely critical said it had gone out of control and he had no option but to call in the police to restore order.” He said that lecturers and students had seen student leaders leading the mob which attacked other students. "This is a well planned killing. Those who are identifying themselves as "Student Leaders' of the university are totally responsible for this killing,” he said.
Many have blamed members of the JVP-controlled Inter University Students Federation (IUSF) to be responsible for the violence that has gripped this University. “What kind of political party is it whose so-called 'student leaders' are very inhumane, no justice and no rationality in their politics. They have proved it by this killing', the Vice Chancellor said
According to the National Hospital sources, another student of the same batch, Indika Aththanayake (23), who was
 

AMIL TIMES 7
actors and stakeholders by accommodating them in the peace process in an appropriate manner.
"A second area of concern to the National Peace Council is the growing feeling of being left out that is being experienced by large sections of the people. It was the strong desire of the general population for peace that made it possible for the major political parties to campaign electorally on peace platforms. While this vast majority is satisfied with the cease-fire and would not wish to see its end, they are being left out of the process and relegated to being mere observers.
"There is a need for the government and LTTE to formulate their strategies in a manner that recognises the right of the people to participate in the peace process, ln particular, economic peace dividends need to become more evident to the people in order to mobilise their sustained support for the peace process. The government and international donors need to keep this need of the people in mind to ensure the sustainability of the peace process,” the release added.
also badly beaten on the head is now treating at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for his head injuries.
The student clashes flared up on after a group of students protested the ragging of freshers by another group of students. The director of Student Welfare had tried to negotiate a settlement between the two parties. But the anti-ragging students had allegedly been attacked by recently elected Student Council members when they came out from the room. It is also reported that the dead student Samantha had badly been beaten on the head with a computer monitor. His attackers had prevented him being taken to hospital for nearly an hour. Assistant Judicial Medical Officer Dr. H. P. Wijewardana, who conducted the autopsy on the orders of the Colombo Chief Magistrate put down the cause of death to sever skull and brain damage resulting from an attack with blunt weapons.
Fourteen undergraduates were arrested in connection with the death of Samantha. The arrests came amidst growing evidence pointing to a JVP hand in the incident where a group of students attempting to halt the ragging of freshers were set upon by a rival student group. Fourteen students were injured in the clash-two of them in a critical condition who are receiving treatment at the ICU of the National Hospital.
The grieving mother of Ovitigala Vithanage Samantha described her son as a person who would rush to the aid of the helpless even at the risk to his life. "He had no connection with any political party. He did not belong to any student union in the university. Samantha only wanted to ensure that the freshers were not ragged.” She was hurt that certain newspapers had distorted facts claiming Samantha died as a result of clash between two rival Student groups. “This was absolutely false. There wasn't a fight at all. It was my son and some other innocent boys who were set upon by an unruly mob. I have lost my precious son and I alone have to bear the pain,” she said, tears streaming down her face.
Suranga Handapangoda, also a third year student of the Management Faculty blamed the JVP backed student union for the inhumane student slaughter. The JVP has tried to create the impression that there was outside involvement in the brutal assault, he said. "But I take the total responsibility about what I am saying - there were no outsiders involved. It was done by the brutes of the Inter University Student Federation or the student wing of the JVP.”

Page 8
8 TAMILTIMES
Describing incident he said: "From the sequence of events it was very obvious that the whole incident was well planned and pre-arranged. The attackers locked and guarded all entrances to the university preventing outsiders from entering the campus. We were in middle of our lectures when we learnt that JVP activists were brutally assaulting a group of students who opposed ragging. The girlspanicked and some of us had to escort them out of the university. After seeing them safely out of the premises we went to the scene of the
Westborg on What's going on?
November 13 - Norwegian Ambassador, Jon Westborg said that the ceasefire between the government and the LTTE was holding and the two sides were talking seriously despite uncertainties and two torpedoes during the second session of peace talks in Thailand.
The Norwegian Ambassador addressing a Colombo Club luncheon on the topic "What's going on ?” on 12 November.said the High Court judgment delivered sentencing the LTTE leader to 200 years imprisonment on the day the second session of the talks began was the first torpedo.
"There were two torpedoes at the last meeting and the High Court decision was not necessarily easy to be handled by the LTTE," Mr. Westborg said while noting that the very next day six LTTE cadres were taken into custody by the Sri Lankan government authorities in possession of claymore mines.
He said another grave danger to the peace process was the establishment of LTTE police stations in the northeast "It can easily de-rail the situation,” the ambassador said adding that it also poses a situation which is "extremely difficult for the government.” This was likely to be a key topic of discussions between the government and the LTTE to reduce tensions in the East. "If the government wanted, it could have decided to walk out,” Mr. Westborg said adding that instead the government decided to talk about it and deal with it.
"It is worthwhile remembering that we are in a ceasefire and not a peace treaty. The important fact is that the ceasefire is holding and it's actually working and the parties are keeping their guns down,” the ambassador said.
Refuting charges that the facilitators were instrumental
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15 NOVEMBER 2002
incident. About 75 of them were aggressively attacking a student or students. It was not clear who was being attacked as there was a swarm of attackers. We heard shouting and pleading as the attackers beat them severely with bed poles, computer monitors and blunt weapons. We were utterly helpless as there were not even 10 of us against a mob of about 75. Later on with the help of the academic staff and other staffers of the University we managed to get away from the mob.'
in putting forward proposals for the two parties, the ambassador who is playing a key role in the talks said, the government and LTTE were themselves formulating the issues.
"Sri Lankans can solve this problem,” he said adding that Norway's role was in facilitating the process. Although many say that Norway has set down its own clauses, Norway is only assisting the process. “We are sticking to the mandate,” he said. Discussing the problem and finding a solution has been left to Sri Lankans and this is how the process is progressing, he added.
He said that the committees being set up by the two parties have given an opportunity to both parties to sit together and formulate solutions. He added that the parties have agreed to set up a committee to look into issues of governance which will include law enforcement. "The problem can only be solved by Sri Lankans. There have been ample examples in the past that show that someone else cannot solve their problem.”
He said that the Prime Minister was "most certainly' involved in the discussion on the peace process. “We did not lead without his direct role,' he added.
He said that the fact that "the cease-fire is holding” was positive. "The parties are keeping their guns down, people are not being killed, there is no attack on the Sri Lankan airport.” Mr. Westborg added that as a result of the ceasefire the number of tourists to Sri Lanka had increased and the Norwegian embassy is receiving inquiries about investment possibilities here.
"The two sides are talking and not glossing over issues,” he said pointing out that the setting up of three sub-committees for political, economic and military matters showed of intensive and extensive the talks were.
While paying a tribute to Sri Lanka's business community for the role it was playing in Sustaining the peace process the ambassador said that the most important role must be played by the people of Sri Lanka.
"This problem can only be solved by Sri Lankans. We will assist to the extent it is required,” the ambassador said.
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Page 9
15 NOVEMBER 2002
Tigers to Join DemOCratiC Mainstr.
- Anton E
he key decisions taken and the
Tigers are to join the democratic political mainstream, and the LTTE is to transform itself into a political organization have been described as major developments in the ongoing peace process in Sri Lanka. So much so Erik Solheim, Oslo’s special envoy in Noway's facilitatory role in the peace process said, "The Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam achieved a major breakthrough in the second round of their negotiations in Thailand.'
After four days of talks between the government and the LTTE, the parties arrived at three important decisions relating to the basic structure to start deescalation of the conflict, an agreement to look at the political models available and a joint effort to seek international assistance to rebuild the north-east. Observers felt that the three key decisions, which, if implemented as earnestly as they were agreed upon, could change the course of Sri Lanka's history.
The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) leader, Rauf Hakeem, reaching an agreement with the LTTE on the sensitive question of the security and interests of the Muslims in the eastern
of the talks.
On the last day of the talks the LTTE's chief negotiator Anton Balasingham told the media that the Tamil Tigers desired to join the democratic process. “It is the ultimate aim of the Tigers to join the democratic mainstream. No one should have any doubt about it.” he told a press conference, which he addressed along with the head of the Sri Lankan government delegation, GL Peiris.
"If we are committed to entering the democratic mainstream, we will have to accept and assimilate other groups. We will definitely allow other political groups and parties to participate in the democratic process in the north and east,” Balasingham continued.
Balasingham said that the Tigers were not operating on the concept of a separate state and spelt out "substantial regional autonomy and self-govern
ance” as the politic. tion. Balasingham's endorsed immediat Said: “The LTTE ta dia briefing like this any words would d gaged in a transforn cal organisation. T grips with the poli complexities. The b is what is happening While what was ing said at Bangkok den setting, with th nesting on the edge provided the right a making, back home situation was far frc Colombo, clashes and Muslims, whicl parts of the city bro fractious nature of the island. A day la and sentence of a imposed on the LT pillai Pirabaharan, High Court for his bomb attack on th Bank complex kiilli injuring over 1300 C publicity. And a d. ended, news came c Lankan Navy six TI boat-load of weap shores of Sri Lanka
Reacting to the posed on the LTTE chel van in-charge C of the LTTE said court to impose a se imprisonment on P when peace efforts satisfactorily has ca ment and shock an that the peace effo ized. He also raise( tion to the court ve tion of the Sri Lank ing part in the nego He added that if th siders offences co period of war thent be forced to act ir The LTTE would gal action in its ho during the war. Ifs

TAMIL MES 9
E21
alasingham
l basis for a solucommitment was ly by Peiris, who king part in a mendicates more than ) that they are enlation into a politihey are coming to tical realities and est example of that in this very room.” happening and be, and the plush garhe negotiating hall of an artificial lake mbience for peacein Sri Lanka, the om encouraging. In petween Sinhalese led to a curfew in ught into focus the ethnic relations in ter, the conviction 200-year jail term. TE leader, Velluby the Colombo part in the suicide e island's Central ng 76 persons and thers received wide ay before the talks f seizure by the Sri 'amil Tigers with a ons off the eastern
Court sentence imleader, S. P. Tamilif the political wing the decision of the ntence of200 years rabaharan at a time
are being pursued Jsed sorrow, resentexpressed the fear ts may be jeopardhis strong opposirdict to the delegaan Government takiations at Thailand. e Government conmmitted during the he LTTE would also
the same manner. e forced to take leneland for offences uch a thing happens
the LTTE's courts would be compelled to impose imprisonment not for 200 years, but for 2000 years for some past leaders of the Sri Lankan Government. G. L. Peiris, Head of the Sri Lankan delegation replying to the objections of the LTTE explained that the verdict was of the court and not the verdict of the Government. He emphasised that there is no connection between the verdict of the court and the Government. However, Anton Balasingam, refused to accept the explanation by G. L. Peiris. He even queried as to how they could sit at the same table and carry on negotiations for peace when their leader is being declared a convicted criminal.
LTTE's chief negotiator at the peace talks Anton Balasingham reacted sharply to the judgment saying that it was "absurd and ridiculous'. Balasingham said that when the matter was raised with the government delegation taking part in the talks he was told that the government had nothing to do about the matter as it was a court decision. "However, the court is a part of the government and they could have avoided this situation. The Sri Lankan government has also committed a number of crimes in the past,” he said.
"I think it is a ridiculous judgment when both parties are engaged in a peace process. The passing of a 200year sentence itself is an utter absurdity. "As far as we are concerned there have been incidents in the past which we consider as acts of war in the totality of the armed struggle against the state. Similarly the Sri Lankan government has also committed acts of violence and that can also be characterised as war crimes,” Balasingham added. “We are hurt deeply, disappointed about the judgment at this juncture, which might undermine the spirit of the peace process,” he said, quickly adding that it would not affect the peace process, "though the spirit of the process would be affected'.
Remarkably these adverse developments appeared to result in little impact on the progress made in the second round of talks.
The talks were symbolically concluded with a tree-planting ceremonythe heads of the two delegations, Peiris and Balasingham, planted a cannonball tree outside the Glass House, the hall where the negotiations were held for four days. The tree, called sal in Lanka, is of great religious significance as it is linked to the birth of the Buddha.

Page 10
10 TAM TIMES
The government delegation comprised ministers Professor G.L.Peiris, Milinda Moragoda and Rauff Hakeem. The LTTE delegation consisted of Mr. Anton Balasingham, Mrs. Adele Balasingham, Mr. S. P. Thamilchelvan, Col. Karuna, Mr. V. Rudrakumar and J. Maheswaran. አ
The seriousness with which the LTTE approached the talks was reflected in the composition ofits delegation. During the first round in last October, its delegation was composed of entirely "outsiders' meaning Tamils who lived abroad. This time around, the presence of its political wing leader, S.P. Tamilchelvam, and its eastern military commander, Karuna, made a visible statement. These two leaders replaced Jay Maheswaran and V. Rudrakumaran who were in the team to discuss development and rehabilitation issues. That apart, the Tigers had faced Some criticism that both Maheswaran and Rudrakumaran were from the overseas Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora and not from the Wanni, a point conceded by Balasingham when he told journalists, “There was criticism that they were outsiders'.
The LTTE which had insisted, before and during the first round that talks should first centre around the setting of an "Interim Council’ to administer the war-torn northeast would appear to have become more flexible on the issue. The government was confronted with considerable opposition at home to the setting up of such a Council which its detractors said would aid the LTTE in institutionalsing its grip on the northeast. The other difficulty faced by the government was that the country's Constitution would not permit such a body to be set up. And any attempt by the government to concede the LTTE demand by forming an Interim Council extra-constitutionally would have provoked legal challenges in the Courts. Recognising this problem, the LTTE would appear to have dropped its demand this time round.
The outcomes from the second round can be described as quite significant. A joint statement at the end of the talks said that the two sides had taken “significant steps” that touched upon the three limbs of the conflict - civilian rehabilitation, military concerns and political matters. Three committees are to be formed after the current round of talks.
The first committee was a follow
up on the first rou up a Joint Task Fol issues of the rehab struction of the no ment of internally ( those areas. Differe tween the governn on details such as force would be acco out. The committ name of a Sub-Cor ate Humanitarian Needs in the Nort will be to identify rehabilitation need mentation of activ needs, decide on t financial resources and determine imp for each of such ac This eight-men would have four r the LTTE and Tamilchelvanandt of the Government Bernard Goonetille ing members of th report to the negoti a long process of d sides agreed to set tee as a mechanis) dialogue'. This will civilian and militar sides, including Austin Fernando an LTTE.
That the gover mence without dela the LTTE on the “c of the conflict in S stant refrain withir main person who a of view publicly o was President Cha On this point too, LTTE delegations a "Sub-Committe ters”. To be chai Balasingham, this and separately add current stage of the evant subjects such esses, political sol flicts, models and ment, issues of pos co-ordination of i ance and reconci This committee, W leader of the Sri I gress, RauffHakee relevant experts an mulate approaches cal issues for con

15 NOVEMBER 2002
nd's decision to set ce (JTF) to address ilitation and reconrtheast and resettlelisplaced persons in nces of opinion benent and the Tigers to whom this task puntable were sorted ee would take the mmittee on Immediand Rehabilitation h and East. Its role f humanitarian and ls, prioritise implerities to meet these he allocation of the for such activities lementing agencies tivities. hber sub-committee members each from the government. he secretary-general 's Peace Secretariat, ke, will be the leadis panel, which will ators. Commencing 2-escalation, the two up the sub-commitm for “a structured include high-level y personnel on both Defence Secretary |d Col. Karuna of the
nment should comay negotiations with ‘ore political issues' ri Lanka Was a conthe island, and the rticulated this point in several occasions idrika Kumratunga. the government and agreed on setting up e on Political Matired by Peiris and
body will “jointly ress in depth, at the e peace process, relas other peace procutions to ethnic consystems of governt-conflict transition, nternational assistliation processes'. hich will include the anka Muslim Conm, will interact with i practitioners to forto the critical politisideration in future
sessions of the peace talks. The leader of the Govt. delegation, Minister G. L. Peiris, has described this Committee "as a mechanism to address the political matters on the basis of which a negotiated settlement will be arrived at." When asked about the political model they had in view Anton Balasingham had said that "they would be looking at models of government based on internal self-determination, particularly federal and confederal models.”
The Tigers and the Government also agreed upon a 19-member panel, comprising top military commanders from both sides and a Norwegian representative, to discuss the sensitive isSue of relocating high security Zones (HSZ) in the northeast. The first meeting of this committee is to be held on November 10, inno-man's land, Omanthai, 265 km north of Colombo.
"It is the ultimate aim of the Tigers to join the democratic mainstream. No one should have any doubt about it,” Mr. Balasingham told a press conference after the conclusion of the 4-day talks, which he addressed along with the head of Colombo's delegation, G.L. Peiris, and the Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister, Vidar Helgessen.
“If we are committed to enter the democratic mainstream, we will have to accept and assimilate with other groups. We will definitely allow other political groups and parties to participate in the democratic process in the North and the East,' Mr. Balasingham said to a question on whether the Tigers would permit other Tamil parties to participate in elections. On the organisation's move towards entering the political mainstream, he said, "a process of political democratisation' was on in the North-East. "The LTTE cadres go into Army-controlled areas and have set up offices and are carrying outpolitical work in the North-East,' he said. Prof. Peiris welcomed the announcement by Mr. Balasingham and said “the LTTE taking part in a media briefing like this indicates more than any words would do that they are engaged in a transformation into a political organisation. They are getting to grips with the political realities, complexities. The best example of that is what is happening in this very room.”
Balasingham also said he was looking forward to meeting Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe at the November 25 donor conference in Oslo were he (Balasingham) would be highlight

Page 11
15 NOVEMBER 2002
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ing humanitarian issues in the North.
Asked whether the LTTE had dropped its demand for the setting up of an interim administration, Balasingham said, "We may or may not go for an interim administration. What is important is a Solution that would immediately address the humanitarian issues in the North.'
Mr. Helgessen expressed happiness that the peace process was progressing “remarkably well'. There was a “determination by both parties to overcome difficulties,” he said, adding that the talks were held in a "constructive' manner and its outcome had "exceeded expectations”. “What we have agreed is here on paper. It has to be implemented vigorously on the ground."
The third round of talks between Colombo and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) will be held in the Norwegian capital, Oslo, between December 2 and 5. After the December round, the two sides would meet again between January 6 and 9, 2003. Meetings between February 7 and 10 and March 18 and 21 would follow this. Human Rights Resource Person
The government and the LTTE
would appear to h sponded to the pres tionally and within S parties to address th mension in the ong Calls for human I greater prominence look set to receive a ticipation of a seni man rights official. porters” questions, t of both sides anno Martin, who has c ence of human righ East Timor, Bosni jointhe talks in fut Asked about ca experts to be invol Anton Balasingham the Liberation Tig gards allowing a hul person in the politi have decided to allc as early as possib next session of ta an expert, one Mr nesty Internationa help us. And defin we are going to ag human rights norm
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

TAMILTIMES 11
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ave positively resure both internari Lanka urging the e human rights dibing peace process. ights to be given in the deliberations fillip with the paror international huResponding to rehe chief negotiators unced that Mr. Ian insiderable experiis work in Rwanda, and Eritrea would
lre. ls for human rights ed in the talks, Mr. , chief negotiator of rs said: “With reman rights resource al negotiations, we w an expert to join ..” “May be in the is we might invite Ian Martin of AmHe has decided to ely any framework ee will incorporate "Mr. Balasingham
said.
The Sri Lankan government's chief negotiator, Prof. G. L. Peiris added: “The government of Sri Lanka has been very happy about the participation of Amnesty International. They wrote to us, we readily agreed to their request and the involvement of Mr. Ian Martin is a matter that we no problems with at all; in fact we are very enthusiastic and very happy about it.' "Both the government and the LTTE have both subscribed to the principle with regards the application of human rights standards. So that is not an issue,' Mr. Peiris said further. “We both believe there is no conflict between the conflict resolution and human rights dimensions. If you have to solve a problem like this and the solution is to stand the test of time, obviously the solution has to be predicated on respect for and enforcement of human rights,” he concluded.
Mr. Ian Martin is presently Vice President of the International Centre for Transnational Justice. He has some 30 years of experience in the field of human rights, both with nongovernmental organizations and as a representative of
(continued on next page)

Page 12
12 TAMILTIMES
19th Amendmen Peace PrOCeSS and ECOnomic Ref
Amrit Muttukumaru
he nadir ofthe l0-month old UNF government was reached recently when it richly earned the ignominy of having its much vaunted 19th Amendment thrown out by the country's highest court. The coup de grace is the reported supreme court pronouncement that one of its clauses was unenactable since it was tantamount to the suspension of the Constitution.
The 18th Amendment too was rejected in its entirety. The 19th Amendment clumsily drafted by so-called legal experts holding key ministerial of fice including the minister of constitutional affairs, is a brazen attempt of political expediency to curb the President's power to dissolve parliament. This contentionis supported by the conscience vote most reprehensibly applying only to this Amendment. In other words, the conscience of our honourable members of parliament (assuming they have one) will not be applicable in all other cases. If this is not naked opportunism, what is? The 18th Amendment which at the request of the Constitutional council (CC) attempts to
(Continued from page ll)
the United Nations.
He served as the Secretary General of Amnesty International from 1986 to 1992 and went on to play a central role in several international missions: Human Rights Director of the UN/OAS Mission to Haiti in 1993 and 1995, and served as Chief to the Human Rights Field Operation in Rwanda from 1995 to 1996;
Deputy High Representative for Human Rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1998 to 1999; Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Mission in East Timor in 1999; and from 2000 to 2001 Deputy Special Representative to the Secretary-General for the UN Mission to Ethiopia and Eritrea.
give immunity to rightly been reject( clearly obnoxious basic principle of go countability and cal bona fides of the CC The country ha enough due to the the Executive Presid 19th Amendment, was sincere in its pu conscience vote not all cases? Another ur is why the governm sively pursued the ported willingness tc tive presidency in it the UNP is smack thought of assumin itself? Is it not a fact ernance process and government itself h; bilitated due to its c arrogance and unpl This state of affairs addressed will also on the peace proces economic reforms.
In the meanwhi so called leaders ol spective of their po mainly of the busine communities, the II well as financial NGOs, are virtually country is on the mainly as a result o particularly the abse ity. The only mitig due to fortuitous cir connected with the ple, we have been o time now without a the abyss. It is onl before this takes p have we a collectiv on the brink? Stay anarchy exerts a te of the continuing de

15 NOVEMBER 2002
Dr.
he CC, has very 'd. Such a step is since it violates a od governance acs into question the
members. s already suffered mmunity given to ent. In regard to the if the government pose, why was the made applicable in answered question ent has not aggrespresident's purabolish the execusentirety? Is it that ing its lips at the g this position for that the entire govthe stability of the as been greatly dewn incompetence, incipled conduct? unless effectively impact negatively is and the required
le, very sadly, our civil society irrever base consisting ss and professional eligious clergy as ly well endowed fiddling while the brink of anarchy fpoor governancence ofaccountabiliting feature is that cumstances largely toicism of our peothis brink for some ctually falling into y a matter of time ace. In any event, death wish to stay ng on the brink of rible price in terms cay of the country's
social fabric and economy. The only temporary lifeline we have is the support of the international community for the peace process. Nevertheless, we have to recognise the limitations of this support and realise that in the absence of civil society being decisively activated through forceful action for the real benefit of the country, no progress is possible in any sphere be it the peace process, the economy or good governance in both the public and private sectors. The single major reason for the plight of this country is the absence of accountability be it in the government, public or private sectors. A fundamental question to be answered is why our leaders of civil society inclusive of supposedly independent and influential financially well endowed NGOs some of them even led by people with international clout have never convincingly demanded such accountability?
Peace Process
The much needed peace initiative which has to be collectively nurtured and shepherded to its logical conclusion is in imminent danger due to the fallout from the above malaise leading to political instability. Very clearly, this very complex and sensitive issue cannot be left exclusively in the hands of our largely unprincipled and incompetent political leaders.
Our leaders of civil society be they from the business, professional, religious or NGO sector, scrupulously avoid controversy and do not take a strong, specific public stand on any national issue other than exceptionally at best selectively in most general terms possibly not to upset political leaders either from the government or the government-in-waiting. While this is not surprising in the context of our largely servile private sector with its poor state of corporate governance and its running with the hare and hunting with the hound syndrome in pursuit of state patronage, it is inexplicable in respect of our financially well-heeled ostensibly independent large NGOs who are beneficiaries of substantial foreign funding and manned also by people of much potential influence.
In as much as the PA pursued its dubious war for peace with the apparent central objective of clinging on to political power, there is sufficient cause

Page 13
15 NOVEMBER 2002
for suspicion that the core objective of the UNP in pursuing the peace initiative is also primarily hinged on capturing and maintaining political power after correctly reading the mood of a people suffering from war fatigue. The added bonus for the government is the opportunity to tide over economic difficulties through the peace dividend to be derived from the expected foreign aid and investments. The changed ball game in the aftermath of 9/l l is a bonanza in this direction. It would seem that the peace process itself is being primarily driven thanks to the international community. These positive features are being squandered due to: O Mismanagement by the government of the vital southern consensus mainly as a result of its own incompetence, arrogance and unprincipled conduct. This includes the Muslim dimension in the east of the country. This has the potential to undermine the massive goodwill it had immediately after assuming office. It is felt that this process has already commenced in earnest. O Failure to dispassionately and honestly educate the people on hard realities- causes, implications and possible solutions of the crisis. This should be explained in terms of its impact both on the everyday life and the future of the people
The only education carried out both by the State and civil society organisations- mainly NGOs is largely for the general notion of peace. Of course everyone is for peace. No one has ever been against peace. The question is, are the people ready for what it will take to usher in real peace
which will include O Nature of the vanced federalism eration O Unit of devoluti
eaSt O Self-governance
Substantial auton and devolution
Let alone the p certain as to wheth sus on this even w the government its ership of the busi and religious comi articulated this. Al tions of the NGOs ered some of the merely been in a restricted position the confines of the that too often thro parties. The mass 1 been assiduously a in respect of specif See any concrete st assure the people i the country that the also be underpinne based on toleranc tic political partici and good governal Economic Refor
When the gove demonstrated its l incompetence to examples of whic 19th Amendment botched even wh vised by its much perts which includ minister of constitu can any confidenc
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TAMILTIMES 13
State: highly ador even a confed
)n: a united north
omy
eople, we are not der there is consen'ithin the ranks of elf. Even the leadness, professional munity have never though, some secector have considse issues, it has limited manner in papers and within seminar circuit and ugh foreign third market has always voided particularly ics. We also do not eps being taken to n the north east of final solution will :d by a foundation 2, equity, pluralispation, democracy
CC.
rnment has clearly Itter duplicity and frame legislation, h are the l8th and Bills, which it has en closely supervaunted legal exes its much hyped utional affairs, how e be placed on the eported hastily irafted bills such is the 36 Bills on he deregulation of he economy in fafour of the private ector?
The entire de'egulation and prisatisation process which will fundamentally affect the uality of life and indeed the future of he country's pres2nt and future gen
erations is being executed through hastily prepared legislation devoid of virtually any tangible public exposure and debate.
When the very survival of our people will be affected by some of these measures which include irreversible implications to the physical environment of the country, why has there been no white paper on any of these measures to give the people an opportunity to discuss them and their implications with a view to making their own proposals? The stipulated parliamentary procedure for enacting legislation which includes the three readings of a proposed Bill is also subverted similar to everything else in this country.
One suspects that the gathering opposition to deregulation and privatisation is essentially politically motivated since the record of the PA government was possibly even worse in this respect. Nevertheless, the largely mediocre privatisation advertising campaign being executed mostly by alleged UNP henchmen and the surreptitious nature of its introduction to parliament has played into the hands of the opposition. Here too, while the silence of our largely servile private sector who are the beneficiaries of this is understandable, the silence of some of the financially well-heeled NGOs ostensibly independent also carrying out programmes purportedly on good governance, together with some leading chambers of commerce as well as of some much hyped individuals in the same game is deafen
ling.
Conclusion
The vigilance and assertiveness of civil society is the lubricant that oils the wheels of a vibrant democracy. This is also a critical ingredient for sustainable development and progress. It is in the absence of this, that irresponsible governance and inequity thrives. This has so far been the tragedy of Sri Lanka.
Unless our so-called leaders of civil society get rid of their running with the hare and hunting with the hound syndrome, we see little hope for this bleeding nation. Surely, this country deserves better. Does it not?

Page 14
14 TAMILTIMES
Ceasefire: sp for Nationa Self Examinat
Nalin Swaris
“War will only end after a great labour has been performed i moral ideals directing them to the good of all mankind ana separate nations into which men happen to be born'
ontrary to the consciously spread
delusion, this country is still in a
state of war. What the two negotiating parties seek to achieve is full or partial realisation of the political objective for which they went to war. The distinction between a political and military solution to the conflict between the GOSL and the LTTE is semantic. War too is a political solution, for "War", as Calusewitz defined it, "is an act of violence intended to compel our opponent to fulfil our will... War therefore is not merely a political act, but also a real political instrument ...War is the means, and the means must always include the object in our conception of war'. If the objectives of either side can be achieved without a return to war, the resumption of hostilities would be ‘uneconomical', for however horrendous the tactics, strategically looked at, war
9
is a rational instrument of policy'.
Political and Social Peace
The ceasefire has meant that killings have ceased and that the people who inhabit this Island, from South to North and from East are able to engage in social and commercial intercourse with each other. Step by step, the political contour of the final solution' is being drawn and put in place. A peace understood as merely the absence or the end of war is a negative peace. A political settlement of a politically created war, is a political peace, not a social peace. Michel Foucault has pointed out that the reverse logic of Clausewitz' assertion that war is continuation of politics by violent means implies, in the first place, that the relations of power that function in a given Society rests upon a definite relationship of forces (conflict resolutionists apparently have no difficulty with this - NS) that it is established at a determinate, histori
cally specifiable mor War”. The NGO “ci lobbyists cannot
Foucault's second cc true that political po war, that it installs,
the reign of peace in by no means implie the effects of war or 1 equilibrium revealec tle”. (Truth and Pow
Pax Brittanica
After the British lon we had peace th And it is the disequil. in war and through that peace is in gre cause of this war. W signing of the Kanc K.M. de Silva in The (Vol 3. p. 26), obser took no part in this ( deed the townspeo slightest interest in This 'Memorandum was intended to ensu Western aggressor an social elites of the til finally fell into Britis to factional strife bi elites, political and centuries had been ex people. The Conven guaranteeing their su petuation oftheir ins leges. The British Pe a new colonial class dal elites, were equa the realities of the women of all ethnic land. It is to these cised gentleman and ish handed over cont mocracy. What we h political system wh in form and utterly fi
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

15 NOVEMBER 2002
n altering men 's not only of the
Bertrand Russel
ment in war and by vil society” peace be unaware of ontention: "If its is wer puts an end to or tries to install, civil society, this s that it suspends neutralises the disin the final bater )
Conquest of Ceyne Pax Brittanica. brium established war. The effect of at measure is the Vith regard to the lyan Convention, History of Ceylon ves: “The people 2eremony, and inple took not the the proceedings'. of Understanding re the rights of the d the religious and me. If this country hhands, it was due etween the feudal religious, who for ploiting their own tion was aimed at rvival and the peritutions and priviace also produced ’who like the feully divorced from prdinary men and groups of this ishoroughly Angliadies that the Britrol of political deave is an imposed ch, is democratic cudal in content. If
our country lost its independence due to factional strife between our feudal elites, our post independence society has been brought to the edge of self destruction due to factional strife between our political elites. It goes on even in the face of self annihilation.
The Pax Brittanica also produced an intellectual class alienated from the ordinary vernacular speaking people, and who, apart from a few notable exceptions, were and continue to be, as Marx put it, "the thinkers of this class (its active conceptive ideologists), who make the perfecting of the illusions of the (dominant) class about itself, their chief source of livelihood...'
The social classes and intellectuals who perceive themselves as the losers and the excluded from this arena of privilege and have reacted to the dominant condition and ethos, have in general, been driven by what Nietzsche called resentment. Their criticism gets bogged down in negativity and fails to produce anything creative or liberating. Their creative energies are expended in resentment of the “other”. Their unrestrained and threatening rhetoric, when it breaks out into actual violence becomes savage. Centuries of repressed resentment find catharsis in orgies of blood revenge.
This war is as much an outcome of institutionalised socio-economic oppression as the unleashing of psychic forces repressed by the reproduction from generation to generation of casteclass domination and division. If I may adapt the last sentence of Izeth Hussain's perceptive article on Sinhalese Divisiveness (Island 11th November): On the Sinhala side, the challenge is how to liberate themselves from Sinhala politicians. On the Tamil side, the Vellalah Tamil political elites who started off by trying carve out an exclusive political burough for themselves, have ended up as the retainers of the 'boys' (and girls) they thought they could deploy for their elititarian ends. They have, in a final admission of their historical obsolescence nominated the LTTE as the “sole representative” of the Tamil people speaking people.
The ceasefire provides a space an opportunity, for moral stocktaking for concerned citizens especially, the enlightened intelligensia and particularly the religious leaders, to begin a broad national discussion about what went wrong with this nation, and how we,

Page 15
15 NOVEMBER 2002
like lemmings, slowly, almost imperceptibly were led into the abyss of war and self-destruction? To all but the blind it is clear that all our Social and state institutions including our religious institutions are in a state of collapse. Our national culture has become a decadence culture in the Nietzschean sense, in that our social institutions have lost the capacity for self renewal. When a culture deadens the senses, even the need for liberation from its tyranny is not felt.
the high life in Colombo reminds him of what he had read about the decadence which had engulfed Berlin in the early thirties. Life had become unbearable for the socially weak due to mass unemployment, runaway inflation, spiralling cost of living. The middle classes continued to live their cosy lives as best they could within their limited life-horizons, the churches carried on as usual, oblivious of the impending crisis and when the fascists took over, the churches were mostly on the wrong side. Meanwhile the super rich, many of them, new rich, with wealth acquired from racketeering, gave themselves up to endless rounds of pleasure in Ber
lin's nightclubs w most bizarre taste Vulgarity had be There were signs o rywhere. The deca less.
During the yea world wars, the fle mocracy, (an imp neither the maturi to respond adequ socio-political cris demoralisation an lessness among th The time was ripe fill the moral and p he did. The eminen Bouwman recalls man shared the gli peers and yielded perhaps a strong d a necessary evil t less situation. " events', he write ruled states, soon illusions, among th see and ears to he much flag waving hysteria the way fiercely amoral p( (From Renaissanc
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nich catered to the s of the carousers. ome high culture. social collapse evelents could not care
rs between the two igeling German deorted system), had y nor the resilience ately to the grave is. As it worsened, the sense of hopea masses deepened. for a strongman to olitical vacuum. And :Dutch historian P.J. how he as a young )om of many of his to the thought that ictatorship might be ) remedy this hopeThe actual turn of s, "in dictatorially put an end to such lose who had eyes to ar. Accompanied by g, fanfare and mass was opened for a plitics of violence'. e to World War 11 Four Centuries Cultural and Social History of Europe - Dutch edition).
Life is a Cabaret, my friend
The ceasefire far from being treated as an interval for critical moral self examination, for sobriety and reflection is being promoted as a chance for dissipation on a grand scale, with the State as well as private commercial organisations vying with each other to provide nightly entertainments, pop and rock concerts on a nightly basis, live and on TV. Cameras zoom in on little boys and girls kids as young as nine
and ten, twisting and rocking till past midnight. Same music. Same artistes.
Same boring excitement
Long before a ceasefire became operational, Sasanka Perera pondered on the phenomenon of merry makers who rush from Colombo to Trincomalee for the weekends to "hang out' and have fun". Nowadays the done thing is "to do Jaffna'. If you haven't been there you are not “with it'. These merry "internal tourists' hardly see the devastated towns, the homes turned into mounds of rubble, the pain and anguish ravaged faces of war victims, the displaced on the way and back, the baffled faces of children who have never seen the luxury, open market toys of the rich boys - their state of the art vehicles. “Machang did Jaffna. Last weekend. Had a Pukka time, man. Drank palmyrah, enjoyed 'kool', put a sea bath and came. Saw a few Tigers also, man". The point is that the peacemakers or our religious leaders have not even begun to initiate discussion among and by the people about the human cost of war and to protest the unseemliness of the endless carousing that goes on and which is being offered as a peace dividend. I sometimes think that these revellings are encouraged as a deliberate stratagem on the part of the authorities, religious and political, to prevent any real reflection taking place about the ravages of war and the processes of real peace making. The misery of war has become raw material to be processed and packaged for a price. The milk of human kindness as a value added retail commodity.
Sansanka Perera argued that the revellers in Colombo and from Colombo and the people in the war zone, inhabit two zones of reality in simultaneous time (The World According to Me (1999:29-38). The revellers obviously have no time to ponder about the reality of violence 'over there', because the habituees of Colombo's hot spots are turning them into glamorous battlefields.
The only protest against such vulgar and violent outbursts was issued because it is bad for tourism. Few found it perturbing that these decadents with their gun toting bodyguards belong to the so-called cream of society and are hailed as standard bearers of our growth economy This is decadence in its most degenerate form - not to recognize it when you see it.

Page 16
16 TAM TIMES
BUDGET 2003 AND THE PEACE PRO
Dr. S. Narapalastingam
he realisation of various aims anT nounced by the Finance Minister K.N. Choksy in his second Budget speech delivered on 6th November, depends on the progress seen in the ongoing peace process over the coming months. This is clear from his statement: "Our effort is to reform the economy in parallel with the peace process." Even the projected growth rate of about 5.5 per cent for 2003 is tied to the developments on the peace front. The report of the Central Bank released before the Budget stated that "the economic projections for 2003 are based on the assumption of progress in the ongoing peace process'. It pointed out that "an early political solution to the north and east issue will increase growth prospects significantly, while any reversal in the peace process will have huge economic, political and social costs.'
As in the case of the peace process, people have to wait for some time to see whether or not the proposed economic adjustments and reforms will deliver the expected results. These too require determined efforts over a period and more importantly on the ways the proposed measures are implemented. The Land Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne compared the government's approach with that taken to build a house. He said: "In the first budget we laid the foundation, in this budget we are building the walls. But water can still creep in. In the next budget, we will fix the roof, in the one after that we will install the windows and doors and in the final Budget of the UNF government we will plaster the House.” The problem here is that the people may be willing to wait some time for a final political settlement to the ethnic conflict but in the case of day-to-day living conditions they expect improvements sooner than later. The high cost of living and low incomes endured by many during the past years as a result of the costly war and other wasteful spending by the authorities have com
pelled even the em expect some relief the many who are ul of the lack of opp from low investmen tor and under utilisa pacities in various i The tourism industr. by the war. When it needs of the people, provementsin the f to mollify them. T depend simply on th measures indicat speech. The kind of ists in the case of the vails with regard to proposed reforms to These and there include:
Establishing an Debt Management report directly to th nce. For this purpos Public Debt Manag enacted.
Further progres forms outlined in tl speech.
Simplification ( procedures.
Establishing a R from levies on veh by a Roads Board, sentatives of the pub tors set up under a
Establishing a S. ture and Corporate managed jointly by private sector to pro ment in infrastructa structure distressed Development of scale industries inclu dustry for which Rs allocated to the Rur citation Fund. Five in addition to the Meegoda and Emb tablished.
In order to finar tion activities by th
 

15 NOVEMBER 2002
ployed persons to arly. The plight of hemployed because ortunities resulting it in the private section of existing caindustries is worse. y has been hit badly comes to the basic the prospect ofimuture is not enough The latter does not he proposed reform ed in the Budget uncertainty that expeace process prethe outcome of the
OO.
lated arrangements
independent Public Office, which will e Minister of Finae, a comprehensive ement Law is to be
sion of the tax rehe previous budget
)f the Income Tax
oad Fund financed icles and managed comprising reprelic and private secRoad Fund Act. ri Lanka InfrastrucRestructuring Fund the State and the mote greater investure and to help recompanies. small and mediumlding the fishing in200 million will be al Economy Resuseconomic centres Ewo established in lipitiya will be es
ce tourism promoe Tourism Devel
opment Council - a public-private partnership, the embarkation tax for international travel is increased from US Dollars 10 to 15 per passenger.
Creating a new Tea Sector Association with representatives from the Government and all stakeholders in the sector. This Association will take over the regulatory and market development functions hitherto managed by Government.
Creating a Agro-Enterprise Development Fund to provide assistance to Smalland medium-scale farmerstoimprove their agricultural practices, introduce new crops and maintain village tanks. The Fund will also assist to establish a hybrid seed industry and develop improved varieties of commercial crops through tissue culture.
Creating a Forum of the Sri Lanka Apparel Association as a private-public partnership to oversee the 2005 transition. A plan has been prepared to advance the industry and overcome the challenges posed by the phase-out of the Multi Fibre Association quotas.
Establishing a Gem and Jewellery Trade Promotion Council as an apex body to assist in the repositioning of the industry. The Council is expected to encourage existing banks to establish a gem-trading branch for specialised industry financing.
Reforming corporate governance to develop further the corporate bondmarket in Sri Lanka. An accredited rating agency will make credit rating of all deposit taking institutions and all varieties of debt instruments other than those issued by the Government. This will enable the public to assess the risks involved in their investments.
No one can expect these changes to alleviate the financial and economic hardships of the masses in the short term. The mere establishment of new councils or committees will not solve difficult problems. Many committees set up in the past have not helped to address the problems that hindered progress not because they have not
worked hard but due to the reluctance
of political leaders to act on their recommendations. The fate ofTissa Deveindra Salaries Commission Report illustrates this point. The Finance Minister himself has referred to it in his Budget speech. Referring to the recommendation that a thirty percent reduction in

Page 17
15 NOVEMBER 2002
the cadre of public officers, particularly in the middle and lower levels be made over a five year period, the Minister said: "the practicality of the recommendation is doubtful.” This is because of the high unemployment that will result from such a drastic lay-off.
The Finance Minister quite rightly said that the present debt crisis is the result of extravagant spending by governments without regard to the consequences. The borrowed funds were not used to increase growth and create employment opportunities in the productive sectors of the economy. Public funds were used to expand the government needlessly. This was done for the personal benefit of the elected members of the government and not to improve the administration. The national debt in 2001 amounted to Rs. 1450 billion. It is now equal to 105 percent of Sri Lanka's Gross Domestic Product. This also meant that "every man, woman and child in Sri Lanka carried in his or her shoulder a liability of Rs. 77,500, being the pro-rata share of the country’s debt burden". The interest payments alone in the current year amount to Rs. 11.8 billion. The repayments of capital in the same year amount to Rs. 168 billion, of which Rs. 38 billion is in respect of foreign debt and Rs 130 billion due on domestic debt. The severity of the debt problem can be seen from the fact that while the total debt Service payments is Rs. 286 billion, the total government revenue is only Rs. 262 billion. Despite the high borrowings by the State, the living conditions of millions of citizens either deteriorated or at best remained unchanged in recent years. The national debt statistics do not bother the ordinary citizens. Their immediate concern is the high cost of living.
The Finance Minister has proposed action on two fronts to overcome the debt crisis. First is to reduce the budget deficit that is estimated to be around 9 per cent of the GDP this year. The proposed reduction is expected to bring the ratio down to 7,5 per cent in 2003. In the recent past, the actual deficit has been considerably higher than the target set in the budget. If this year's budget deficit turns out to be higher than the 9 percent estimate, this will be
consistent with the high deficit is in p: est payments and th expenditures in m and pension paym sizeable part of th penditures cannot the cease-fire agree no significant redu tions to the defen the Government
more persons to th to reach a perman( N-E conflict soon apparent from the i the budget deficit, ure proposed is tc state-owned comm tisation is consider improve efficiency ing money to redu The revenue expe tion as given in the Rs. 13.5 billion.
sale of important a of creating new pri pinge on the well Already the gap b the poor has wider various policies th expenditures witho satory measures to
Privatisation is economic and soci income countries, of the population a within their meagr not mean that priva jected completely. dled with care. E countries that priva and some essentia. ised that the consur and in many insta services declined, put up the fares/p) urge to maximise proper maintenanc safety was compri tives received fats Privatisation of the ain is a good exam eller in Britain will ices they get sincep fornia the privatisc ran into serious di higher prices chai nies. In the end, thi help the companie.

AMEL TIMES 17
2 usual pattern. The art due to high interhe inability to reduce ajor items. Salaries hents that make up e total recurrent exbe reduced. Despite ment, there has been uction in the allocace ministry. In fact, is trying to recruit e military. The need ent settlement to the er than later is also imperative to reduce The second meassell under-utilised ercial assets. Priva'ed not as a means to o but as a way of raisuce the public debt. cted from privatisabudget estimates is The indiscriminate ssets entails the risk oblems that will imbeing of the masses. etween the rich and led as a result of the at curtailed welfare ut effective compenalleviate poverty.
not a panacea for the al problems in lowwhere the majority ire struggling to live incomes. This does tisation has to be reIt needs to be hanEven the developed tised public utilities I services have realmers have not gained inces quality of the while the companies ices. Driven by the profits, there was no e offixed assets and omised. The execualaries and bonuses. 2 rail system in Britple. Any train travtell the kind of servorivatisation. In Cali2d electricity system fficulties despite the ged by the compae government had to s to stay in business.
The sale of gas, electricity, water and ambulance service in the state of Victoria in Australia failed to provide satisfactory services at reasonable prices. In Sri Lanka even with some state control, ownership change will not necessarily be beneficial to the society, particularly when the same weaknesses in the government that led to corruption and cronyism remain and which in turn contributed to inefficiency and financial losses in the state enterprises. There are allegations that even in the sale of state assets by Sri Lankan governments, vested interests have influenced the decisions. The state did not get the full value of the assets. The urgent need for funds should not compel the government to ignore its social obligations and the future welfare of the people and the country. What is needed in Sri Lanka is a massive culture change and not tinkering on the surface that will not remove the root causes of the country's political, economic and social ills.
The Finance Minister has lamented in his speech that the trading sector has not passed the benefits of the tax reductions made last year by the Government to the consumer. The government had to forgo some revenue as a result of the changes. He was referring to the abolishment of the National Security Levy (NSL) and the loss recovery charge on fuel as well as the replacement of the Good and Services Tax (GST) by the Value Added Tax (VAT). No one will accept that the VAT was preferred to the GST in order to reduce the indirect taxes paid by consumers. Private businesses operate all over the world with the objective of maximising their profits. If their costs are rising, then they will find every single opportunity available to offset the increase. Private businesses do not operate for the common good; their objective is to make money. The Minister said with the aim of containing the cost of living, “we reduced the customs duty surcharge from 40 percent to 20 percent; stamp duty on commercial documents was abolished; interestrates reduced; the income tax surcharge of 20 percent was removed; and corporate taxation was reduced to 20 percent for companies with a taxable income of less than Rs. 5 million.' But the masses have not benefited from these measures

Page 18
18 TAMILTIMES
too. The beneficiaries were the big businesses, moneyed persons and their families. The economic growth in 2001 was negative 1. 4 percent and for the current year positive 3 percent growth is the latest estimate. But this change has had no impact on the cost of living for ordinary citizens or on the incomes of the vast majority of the population. These macro-economic statistics do not reveal the actual living conditions of different sections of the population.
The rate of inflation is expected to decline in 2003 to 8.7 percent from this year's estimate of 9.6 percent. The cost of living has already risen because of price increases announced before the budget. The VAT base has been widened and from 1st January 2003 Banks and other financial sector institutions will be subject to VAT at 10 percent. The whole sale and retail sectors will be subject to VAT from 1st July 2003. Items currently exempt from import duties will be subject to duties varying from 2% to 10%. Only a few items including wheat and crude oil will remain exempted. The existing customs duty
surcharge will rem These costs will def the consumers and
how any reduction can come, unless thé goods decline in After the cease-fire : ple in the North ar rate taxes, one levi ment and the other value of the Sri Lar clined sharply in rec ing to the forecast
US Dollar in 2003 99.38 as compared year. The Rupee va increase and this wi on the retail prices unless their prices i
The desperate enue to finance Gov rent expenditure is posed changes in C emptions under the listed in Annex 2. here to the 15% tax eign exchange remi als sent to a bank in
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ain at 20 percent. Initely be passed on it is difficult to see n the cost of living prices of imported he world market. agreement, the peopaying two sepaed by the Governby the LTTE. The kan Rupee has deent years. Accordin the Budget, the will be worth Rs. with Rs. 95.38 this lue of imports will ll have some effect of imported goods n dollars decline.
move to raise revernment's high curseen from the prooncessions and Exinland Revenue Act Attention is drawn to be levied on fortances by individuSri Lanka. In view
of the clarification provided by the Minister in response to widespread opposition to this proposal, the relevant item in Annex 2 is reproduced here. It states: "Any foreign exchange remittances by an individual which represents net earnings abroad to be taxed at 15% if remitted to a bank in Sri Lanka.' Given that there are many unauthorised persons and organisations engaged in transferring money to and from abroad, the proposal encourages individuals to avoid the banks and patronise the unauthorised dealers. Another budget proposal that is likely to hinder the legitimate banking services is the change to the debit tax, which will be applicable to all accounts with effect from 1st January 2003. The rate remains at 0.1%, which is applicable to withdrawals over Rs. 20,000/- per month. Businesses will definitely pass on this tax to the customers. The net gain to revenue from this change is estimated to be Rs. 1.6 billion. There is the risk that this tax will discourage customers to deposit large sums of money in banks.
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15 NOVEMBER 2002
families in Sri Lanka survive on for
eign remittances of migrant workers,
the majority of them work as housemaids in the Middle East. They have been able to withstand the high cost of living because of incomes remitted by family members employed abroad. These are not included in the gross domestic product (GDP) because the incomes accrue from activities performed abroad for the benefit of the host countries. But the remittances help to finance imports and to meet other foreign exchange payment obligations. If the foreign money does not flow through the banking system, it will not be available to the government to the full extent as in the past several years. This has been a major source of foreign exchange earnings for the past several years. Many Tamil families in Sri Lanka too depend on foreign money for meeting their day to day expenses. There are no estimates of the amounts remitted through the banks in Sri Lanka.
Although, the government claims that the budget for 2003 will spur economic growth, the funds allocated for development do not tie up with this claim. The total expenditure for 2003 is estimated to be Rs. 438 billion of which recurrent expenditure is Rs. 343 billion or 19.3 percent of GDP The capital expenditure amounting to Rs. 95 billion is only 5.3 percent of GDP. Since this includes funds for restructuring (Rs. 5 billion) and debt repayments (foreign loans repayment alone is Rs. 35.3 billion) only small amount will be available for public investment. The Minister 's Statement reproduced below tells the importance of the ongoing peace process to the mobilisation of foreign assistance needed to finance development programmes and projects. The presence of LTTE's chief negotiator at the Oslo meeting scheduled for November 25 is intended to affirm LTTE's commitment to peace and development. It will also indicate to the aid donors that the planned rehabilitation work in the North-East is a joint effort of the Government and the LTTE. Even those countries that have proscribed the LTTE as a terroristorganisation appear to recognise its importance at the present time.
The Ministers we hope to receiv opment partners i will enable us t number of new p create productive { tunities in many a The main purpose ing is to obtain ac 2003 for our pea form of emergenc tlement and infra ment in the Nor funds are not inci as the precise amc termined. Once fir provided through timate. The main sequent meeting cuss medium-tern core countrywide lined in this Budg cing Job Creation
If rapid econo the overall objecti cuss the “core is move faster towa tlement is clear. significant progress in the ongoing peace talks the donor community will not be convinced that an early political settlement is imminent. If they are not satisfied with the progress, the funds for development will not be forthcoming. The success of the Tokyo meeting too hinges on significant progress being made in the ongoing peace talks during the interim period. Japan's special envoy to Sri Lanka, Yushi Akashi (former UN Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Af. fairs) said on November 8 at a pre

TAMILTIMES 19
aid: “The support 'e from our develn Oslo and Tokyo ) embark upon a rojects which will mployment opporreas of the country. of the Oslo meetditional support in ce dividend in the y relief for re-setstructure developh and East. These uded in the Budget sunt is yet to be dealised, they will be supplementary espurpose of the subin Tokyo is to disn assistance for the : programmes outet.” – Ref. Enhan, Budget speech.
mic development is ve, the need to disssues’ in order to rds a political setMoreover, without
ss briefing in Colombo, "rehabilitation and reconstruction cannot be separated from the political process of peace and I do not think donor countries will be prepared to commit large sums of money if there is some lapse in the peace process.” lt is relevant to mention here that the decision to set up a sub-committee on political matters to consider the "core issues' was taken at the second session of peace talks held during November 1–3 at the Rose Garden Resort in Nakom Pathomprovince in Thailand. This committee will be chaired jointly by the two heads of the negotiating teams. It was also decided to set up two other committees, one to examine rehabilitation needs in war-hit areas in the North-East and the other to shove military de-escalation. Aptly, the veteran journalist Ajith Samaranayake has described Budget 2003 as "at best an interim budget intended to tide over the present situation.” The outcome of the Tokyo meeting will determine whether or not the budget will lay the foundation for national development and economic growth.
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20 TAMILTIMES
Sinhalese divisiven
and the ethnic prob
Izeth Hussain
"People always clutch at straws, nobody wants to part with h it is very difficult to look life in the face. To see things, as they
superhuman effort."
e have evidently reached a deW cisive stage in the evolution of our ethnic problem. It can lead to a final solution of the problem, or it can lead to the final break-up of Sri Lanka. Whether the outcome will be a solution or a break-up depends on whether or not certain conditions can be met, and that depends on whether or not a certain pre-condition can be established.
The pre-condition in question is Sinhalese unity. By that is meant not a total unity, to which no human group which has advanced to the stage of having a division of labour can ever aspire, but only a relative degree of unity.
It is the contention of this writer that the basic determinant of our ethnic problem has been Sinhalese divisiveness. Certainly it can be argued with some degree of cogency that there have been other contributory causes as well, such as for instance the fact that the Tamils have conceived of themselves as not just another minority but a national minority with a claim to a traditional homeland. Such causes have to be regarded as proximate ones, whereas Sinhalese divisiveness has to be seen as the basic determinant of our ethnic problem.
The argument in this article implies a shift of focus in approaching the ethnic problem from the Tamil minority and ethnic relations to the majority ethnic group, the Sinhalese. The focus is not on the national aspirations of the Tamils, on their allegedly being a minority with a majority complex, on LTTE terrorism, on supposed Indian interference in the past, on the failure of the international community to curb terrorism, all of which are familiarly invoked as causes of the ethnic problem. The focus is on a characteristic of
- Nadezh
the Sinhalese, their
The shift propos leled in Western stu eral decades ago. Th posed to have come Myrdal’s path-break an American Dilem the race problem in time, Myrdal found reach any conclusio) entifically valid by American blacks b focussing on the pre iour of the American lowed at the end of War the famous stud and other scholars c personality” as prov planation for Nazi and around the sar peared Jean-Paul S. on the Jewish Questi focussed on the prej iour of the dominan the Jews, to expla Since then Wester problem have focu part. On the racist ac victims of racism of In Sri Lanka pt Western influence, t ”fifties and for som was on “Sinhala Buc as providing the ex ethnic problem. It w of an enormously How inadequate it i: model is suggestec poor electoral pel Sihala Urumaya, pa ral areas which ar strongholds of Sinh vinism. In any case elsewhere and after ingly fixated on the nic problem is the
 

15 NOVEMBER 2002
is illusions, and are demands a
da Mandelstam.
divisiveness. ed here was paraldies of racism seve shift there is supabout with Gunnar ing book of 1944, ma. After studying the US for Some that he could not as that seemed scifocussing on the ut could do so by judices and behavwhites. There follthe Second World y by T. W. Adorno of the "athoritarian riding the best exanti-Semitimism, me time there apartre's Reflections on which similarly iudices and behavtrace, and not, on in anti-semitism. in studies of race ssed, for the most tors and not on the on race relations. erhaps because of he focus during the he time afterwards ddhist chauvinism” kplanation for our as a simplification complex problem. S as an explanatory | by the appalling rformance of the rticularly in the ru'e supposedly the ala Buddhist chau, the focus shifted 1977 got increasnotion that our ethe consequence of
LTTE terrorism, and nothing else. The focus therefore is not on the majority ethnic group, but on the Tamil minority.
The focus on LTTE terrorism, which became an almost exclusive one after 1983, has very probably led to a weakened grasp of reality, like all indulgence in nonsense, and has contributed in no small measure to our colossal failures in handling the ethnic problem. This argues the need for an adequate explanatory model to enable us to understand our ethnic problem. The principle involved here is that to solve a problem we must first understand it. It seems to this writer that the best possible model to explain Sri Lanka's ethnic problem, as well as all the other ethnic problems in the world including those in the West which are called "race problems', has to be in terms of what is called "modernity'. In the typical premodern order of society, inter-ethnic rivalry and conflict had nothing like the salience they have now. Certainly there were group prejudices towards the other, but for the most part ethnic groups lived amicably enough with other ethnic groups on the basis of an ethnic division of labour, with ethnic groups specialising in one or more fields of economic activity, and accepting a segmented or hierarchical ordering of society.
The most important feature of modernity in relation to ethnicity is the idea of the nation state, according to which the majority ethnic group are the bhumiputras with a special relationship to the soil. It is an idea which automatically privileges the majority at the expense of the minorities, understandably setting off a drive towards unequal treatment which can range all the way from mild discrimination to genocide. Alternatively there can of course be fair and equal treatment of minorities, of which there are many examples in the contemporary world.
The idea of the nation state, rubbish though it is, would not have been half as pernicious as it has proved to be is not for much else that goes with modernity. One is mass education which is seen as necessary, among other things, for the ideological binding together of the nation; another is the priority given to economic development; and yet another is the right to upward

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socio-economic mobility for all individuals irrespective of their ethnic and other group affiliations. Apart from those features of modernity, there is an ideology which gives a central importance to equality. It should not be difficult to see how in a world of scarce economic resources this mix of modernity can easily lead to rivalry and conflict between ethnic groups, and attempts by majorities to grab as much as possible at the expense of minorities.
The above are no more than just a few jottings about a model which to be made fully convincing has to be elaborated at much greater length. It is a model in which the focus is on the majority ethnic group, and those few jottings should suffice to suggest strongly that it could be seriously misleading to focus on what is done by a minority, in this case LTTE terrorism, while ignoring what is done and not done by the majority.
In any case, it is time to shift the focus on to Sinhalese divisiveness as the basic determinant of our ethnic problem. But a clarification is required before we proceed further. As this article is being written by a minority member, a Muslim, it might be thought that in shifting the focus away from the Tamils and on to the Sinhalese he is really engaging in what has come to be called "Sinhala bashing'.
That cannot be, because the main inspiration for this article has come from a statement made by a Sinhalese who was regarded as the exemplary Sinhala Buddhist chauvinist of his time, and his statement was made to what was regarded as the exemplary Sinhala Buddhist chauvinist institution of that time, namely the Sinhala Maha Sabha. S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike made the following statement in February 1945: “We felt that the true and wise course to adopt was this: first to try and unite the Sinhalese, and then to try and win the confidence of other Ceylonese communities, and, with the co-operation of all progressive parties in the country, to put up a united front against reactionaries at home and imperialism and exploitation on the part of the non-Ceylonese.” Bandaranaike clarified that what he meant by Sinhalese unity was the coming together across the divisions of caste, religion, and Kandyan and low
country Sinhalese, refer to those who ha that “no Particular Sinhalese was neces Unfortunately he that statement, or an as this writer is awal meant when he said sary "first to try Sinhalese”. He evid mind than just a pr very probably mea unity was the prec which inter-ethnic h be possible. Today, after he made that st that some measure is the precondition conditions that are preservation of the u It may be that the aranaike had, at leat more profound und ethnic problem than vinists put together. In the rest of th examine the problem nity in relation to th serving the unity of moment of writing, October, there is mu Government, in the and elsewhere over first round of talks deep misgivings am section of the public the LTTE setting up a quasi-sovereign S East. The euphoria but so are the deep r the final outcome re We will firstly in make the euphoriau ter the Elephant Pas 2000, and the prolo. tion that followed l ernment, it became was no prospect of The other fateful d time was the impo which meant that f economic costs oftl achs of the Sinhales was followed by th cle, compelling arc The conjunction of economic debac Sinhalese people m ever before to a pea on a very conside

TAMILTIMES 21
nd he went on to d mistakenly held ffort to unite the sary.”
did not clarify in ywhere else as far e, what exactly he that it was necesand unite the 2ntly had more in ority in time. He nt that Sinhalese ondition without armony would not almost sixty years atement, it is clear pf Sinhalese unity for the meeting of necessary for the nity of this island. chauvinist Bandst in some ways, a erstanding of our all the non-chau
is article we will of Sinhalese disue problem of preSri Lanka. At the which is in early Ich euphoria in the peace movement, the success of the in Thailand, and onga considerable ', particularly over the institutions of tate in the Northis understandable, misgivings because 'mains uncertain. ote the factors that nderstandable. Afis debacle of April nged military inacinder the PA Govobvious that there a military solution. 2velopment at that sition of the GST, r the first time the Le war hitthe Stome in the South. That le economic. debacourse to the IMF. a military and an e has made the ore favourable than ‘eful solution based rable measure of
devolution.
The Tamil side has had to take into account the very terrible human costs of the war, and the unrelenting international opposition to the break-up of Sri Lanka which was so spectacularly displayed by the way some powerful countries rushed to help the Government at the time of the Elephant Pass debacle. India alone will make Eelam unrealisable for the foreseeable future.
A further factor is that after last September 11 the US and others are much more determined to put a stop to terrorism. For such reasons, it makes sense for the LTTE and the Tamil side to adopt a step-by step approach to Eelam, or settle for something less.
A very positive development is the commitment of the international community, in the shape of several important countries, the UN and international agencies, towards demining of the North East, resettlement, rehabilitation, and restoration of socio-economic normalcy in those areas as quickly as possible. This is of crucial importance in a step-by-step peace process. The Prime Minister, and Ministers Peiris and Moragoda seem to have performed very creditably in getting that commitment. The Government has to be commended also on its step-by-step peace process. Any attempt to deal with the core issues at the initial stage would certainly have resulted in a break-down of the talks at the initial stage. The Government need not be apologetic about its approach because it amounts really to an organic approach, according to which peace has to grow as it cannot be realised through the implementation of a blue-print. Our ethnic problem is so vexed that even the most perfect constitutional arrangements, with unanimity on all sides, may not result in peace. It all depends on how the arrangements are put into practice, and much else, for inter-ethnic trust to grow, providing the only sure foundation for peace.
There certainly seem to be good reasons for the euphoria. Unfortunately, there are also good reasons for the deep misgivings. They arise partly out of the fact emphasized in the proceeding paragraph that peace and a final Solution of the ethnic problem have to result from a process of growth. The present government may succeed in establishing an

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Interim Administration Council, push through constitutional changes broadly acceptable to both the Sinhalese and the Tamils. Thereafter Sri Lanka can still proceed towards a final break-up or a final solution of the ethnic problem.
It is crucially important to take into account two negative features in the present situation. One is that the LTTE seems to be insisting on what amounts to a confederal arrangement, though the term “confederacy” is not being used. The other is that the LTTE insists on retaining its weapons.
The quarrel on the first point is not about nomenclature but about Substance. In name there may be a Joint Task Force in which power is shared preparatory to the setting up of an Interim Administration Council. The reality on the ground is likely to be a unit covering the North and part of the East in which the LTTE calls the shots exclusively, allowing the Government to function only to the extent that it pleases the LTTE. The writ of the Government in Colombo will beimplemented in that North-East unit only if it gets the concurrence of the LTTE. In other words, the defining characteristic of a confederacy will prevail in that unit. A confederal arrangement will not amount to a break-up of Sri Lanka because power will be exercised in a part of Sri Lanka by Tamils, that is to say by Sri Lankans. It can be regarded as a break-up only if it is held that the Tamils are not Sri Lankans, or that they are second-class citizens who are not entitled to exercise any power on Sri Lankan soil. Such arguments will amount to conceding that the Tamils have a case for separation.
It is time to recognise that no mount of devolution can by itself lead to a breakup. By definition devolution can take place only within a single political unit. Sri Lanka can break-up only if the Sinhalese does not have the military means to prevent it, a situation that can come about if it proves impossible to defeat an armed Tamil rebellion and an economic collapse ensues making it impossible to buy the weapons to continue fighting.
However, a confederal arrangement can mean that a part of the island starts drifting away, and that certainly has dangerous implications when taken in conjunction with the fact that the other side retains control of its weapons, the sec
ond of the two negat we referred above. E after the first round that the weapons v until there is a final problem. In this wi tremely unlikely tha be given up even af lution in the formals ary arrangements ac are in place, backe provisions. The Tar those weapons only dent enough to do S In any case, one LTTE retention of w ognised. The LTTE has in its hands the gitimate means of cordingto the Webe state is the requisite sequently, it can be any so-called “sol more than a provisi ing it the option ofs again.
The fundament ing us is how to pre Lanka, though with no longer unitary, that very extensive out to be a necessar condition for cont dealing with that useful to point out conditions are favou vourable, for the Lankan unity. Thc been negated for fau sive idiocy of our p We must first of leading Swiss exar cially encouraging ( cantons got so clo: now Switzerland is in name, the actuali eration. But that is that the Swiss Con manifestation of a drive starting as far century. The conf that presently seem the North East of contrary, a manife like a powerful cen The most impo dition working for geographical. It has out mountain barri or any other geogra

15 NOVEMBER 2002
ive features to which salasingham declared of talks in Thailand vill not be given up solution to the ethnic iter’s view, it is exit those weapons will er there is a final solense that devolutionceptable to the Tamil 'd by Constitutional nil' side will dive up when it feels confi
O.
consequence of the eapons has to be recE will believe that it monopoly of the leviolence, which actrian definition of the for sovereignty. Conexpected to regard ution' as having no onal character, leavtriking out for Eelam
al problem confrontserve the unity of Sri a constitution that is given the probability devolution will turn y but not a sufficient inued unity. Before problem, it could be that the underlying Irable, indeed very fapreservation of Sri pse conditions have toolongby the diviolitics. fall set aside the mismple. It is a Superfione because the Swiss se to each other that a confederacy only ty being that of a fedthe result of the fact federacy is really the powerful centripetal back as the thirteenth dderal arrangements
to be taking shape in
Sri Lanka are, on the tation of what looks trifugal drive. rtant underlying conSri Lanka's unity is a natural unity withers like Switzerland, phical barriers that are
difficult to pass. That is why it was known from ancient times under single names such as Taprobane, Serendib, Lanka, and Ceylon. For that matter the term "Eelam" is said to designate the whole island, not a supposedly Tamil Part of it. There were of course several kingdoms in this single island, including a Tamil are for a relatively brief period, but the primordial and unalterable fact of geographical unity is there. It seems worth emphasising this geographical unity because the idea of geography determining history seems alien to Anglo-Saxon traditions ofthought, by which we Sri Lankans are mainly influenced, whereas it seems to be a commonplace in France partly because of the influence of its great historian Fernand Braudel.
Other factors favouring unity are well-known, such as the economic complementary between North and South, and the demographic factor which makes a sizeable proportion of Tamils seek economic opportunities in the South. Finally, contrary to what might be suggested by the mythofa racial divide between Aryan Sinhalese and Dravidian Tamils, and tendentious readings of past conflicts as racial when they were really dynastic wars, there is the fact of long periods of amity and co-operation between Sinhalese and Tamils, and even a significant degree of symbiosis between them.
It is not really surprising, to this writer that the English anthropologist Jonathan Spencer, who did field-work in Sri Lanka between 1982 and 1984, should have written, "In casual conversations all over the island, during my stay, I uncovered a great deal more anti-Muslim than anti-Tamil feeling, but this feeling was largely contained by the absence of public challenge to Buddhist power from Muslim political leaders.”
It is the underlying ground conditions outlined above that could explain something of the greatest significance which has got nothing like the recognition it deserves. It is that our Tamils belong to the category of what has been called "reluctant separatists”. The TULF first adopted its Eelam resolution at Vaddukodai as late as 1976, that is twenty eight years after Independence, and the militant struggle for Eelam really got going after 1983, that is thirty five years after Independence. (The Island, 8 Nov. 2002) O

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15 NOVEMBER 2002
British MPs tour north
October 16 - Progress in peace talks will largely determine if Britain will lift the ban on the LTTE or not, said Mr. Gareth Thomas, British Member of Parliament, after visiting Jaffna and Vanni areas accompanied by Mr.Robert Evans, Member of European Parliament.
Mr. Robert Evans and Mr. Gareth Thomas met Mr. S.P.Thamilchelvan of the LTTE and had discussions for about one and a half hours, according to the LTTE sources.
The British MPs arrived in Jaffna and visited Vadamarachchy, Kaithadi andChavakachcheri. They met the Principal of Harley College, Mr. SriPathy in Point Pedro and had discussions with the representatives of the Students Union of Jaffna University. They also had discussions with Major General Anton Wijendra at the Palaly army base.
Meeting local press in Vavuniya enroute to Colombo, Mr. Evans said, "I was in Jaffna two years ago. The town has made significant process toward normality. But we are very conscious of the need to move forward. There seems to be a lot of evidence of re-building and it is heartening to see the people not only are going about with their own lives but looking forward with optimism towards the future.
“We are very enthusiastic about the peace process and the prospects for the country settling down and moving forward. No one thinks it is going to be easy. Negotiations towards reaching a settlement will be difficult and will take time. But the mere fact that within a matter of months talks are taking place and more talks are planned is very encouraging to all people of Sri Lanka.”
When asked about the meetings with the officials of the security forces and with the political head of the LTTE Mr. Evans said, "We discussed with both sides on issues related to landmines, recruitment policies of child soldiers, resettlement, and their commitment to the peace process. Although there are differences between the sides in some aspects, over all we are satisfied with the positive nature of responses."
Mr.Robert Evans said that they were impressed on the changes which has taken place in Colombo and Jaffna after the peace process started to move forward.
"I have noticed a markded decrease of the military presence and roadblocks in Colombo. Situation is similar in Jaffna. We didn't feel in any way insecure or on the edge in Jaffna. We went out in the evening and it was fine. Equally in the Vanni, there was no show of military strength by the LTTE.”
Mr.Gareth Thomas said he joined this visit to see for him. self the ground situation in the country in general and particularly in Vanni, the area controlled by the LTTE.
"I wanted to see how the peace process is working and I am very much encouraged by the way things are going on here now. We hope the peace process will continue and the sense o peace and the sense of goodwill will deepen.
"One of the issues they have raised with me is the ban ol the LTTE. The truth is the ban on the LTTE is not likely to b lifted until we see how the peace process unfolds. The reason have come to Sri Lanka is because I have a large number o Tamil contituents, in some areas 10% of residents are SI Lankans,” he said. Media Research Centre opened
October 16 - The High Commissioner of Demark for Indi who is also accredited to Sri Lanka, declared open the Medi
 

AML TIMES 23
Research and Training Centre in the Jaffna University. "Eleven member countries in the European Union (EU) are wholeheartedly supporting the peace process now being taken forward with the sole intention of finding a lasting political solution to the conflict in Sri Lanka," said Mr. Michael Steraberg, High Commissioner of Denmark when addressing a gathering following the opening of the centre.
The Centre is established with the financial assistance of Denmark. Denmark has allocated eighteen million rupees to this centre, which would provide diploma courses for medical personnel
Mr.Steraberg further said, "the EU earnestly looking forward the success of peace talks between the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE.'
A delegation of the EU headed by Mr. Peter Lysholt Hansen, Under Secretary of State also participated at the event.
Later the EU delegation met the local journalists. Answering question the leader of the EU delegation Mr. Hansen said that they met the LTTE political advisor Dr.Anton Balasingham and political head Mr.S.P..Thamilselvan at Killinochchi on their way to Jaffna by A9 highway. Mr. Hansen further said that EU delegation discussed the question of de-mining the northeast and regarding the resettlement of internally displaced in their areas with LTTE leaders at Killinochchi. EU member countries are prepared to assist both parties concerned in this regard.
The delegation head said he noted considerable progress in the peace talks now being held. The delegation had met the President and the Prime Minister and held discussion with them regard to the peace process. He wanted the media in the island to play a constructive role in taking forward the peace process in a constructive note.
Landmark SC judgment in PTA case
October 16, 2002 - The Supreme Court today set aside the conviction by a High Court and acquitted the accused in a Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) case. The three-member bench of the SC, which heard the appeal of the accused, held that “it is contrary to law to punish a person only on his confession without any corroborative evidence against him.” The SC bench comprised Justices C.V.Vigneswaran, Mark Fernando and Ameer Ismail.
The Anti-Subversive Unit of the Police arrested the accused, Nagamany Theivendran, in Colombo in 1996 under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) for obtaining arms training from the LTTE and aiding and abetting it. The Attorney General indicted the accused in the High Court in 1997. The HC Judge after trial sentenced the accused to seven years rigorous imprisonment, accepting the confession purported to have been made by the accused voluntarily.
The accused appealed to the Court of Appeal (CA) stating that he could not be punished only on his confession without any corroborating evidence against him. However the Court of Appeal also confirmed the order by the High Court Judge in the case. The accused then appealed to the Supreme Court against the HC conviction and sentence imposed on him which were confirmed by the CA.
The three-member bench of the Supreme Court took the appeal Wednesday after hearing the appeal set aside the conviction and sentence imposed on the accused only on his con

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fession without any corroborating evidence against him.
Diplomatic delegation meets Balasingham
October 16- An eight-member diplomatic delegation from Denmark, Greece and Italy held discussions with the Mr.Anton Balasingham, LTTE's chief negotiator, in Killinochchi, today. The diplomats expressed their fullest support to the current peace process and assured their readiness to provide funds for Northeast development and de-mining in the province, LTTE sources in Vanni said.
Mrs. Adele Balasingham and Mr.S.P..Thamilchelvan, the Head of the LTTE's Political Wing accompanied Mr.Balasingham in the discussions.
The diplomats later visited the Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO) office in Kilinochchi and held discussions with Dr. J.Maheswaran, an expert in Development and Rehabilitation and a member of the LTTE delegation that participated in the first round of talks at Sattahip, Thailand. Dr. Maheswaran explained to the diplomats the details of projects carried out by the TRO,
The diplomatic mission comprised: Michael Sternberg (Ambassador of Denmark, New Delhi), Salvatore Zotta (Ambassador of Italy, Colombo), Stathis Lozos (Ambassador of Greece, New Delhi), Peter Lysholt Hansen (Under - Secretary of State, Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Charlotte Laursen (Head of section, Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Ana Ramirez Fueyo (External relations/Asia desk Principal Administrator - Council of the European Union), Anastassios Vikas (Deputy Director general, adjoint DG E-PESC-Affairs regionales) and, Markus Cornaro (Head of Unit from the commission).
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15 NOVEMBER 2002
Five soldiers charged
October 18- The Attorney General Friday filed indictments in the Colombo High Court against five Sri Lanka Army soldiers for murdering eight Tamil civilians, including a five year old child, in Mirusuvil in Jaffna district two years ago.
The civilians who were displaced from Mirusuvil and were living in Pt. Pedro in northern Sri Lanka. They were arrested by the soldiers when they went to Mirusuvil area in 19 December to collect their personnel belongings from their houses. The names of the accused SLA personnel are: Lance corporal Sunil Ratnayake, Lieutenant Senaka Munasinghe, Corporal M.Jayaratna, Corporal Gamini Munasinghe and Saman Pushpakumara.
The accused army officials have been charged on nineteen counts including the murder of the eight Tamil civilians and disposing their bodies in a toilet pit at Mirusuvil, south of Jaffna district
The Chief Justice Mr.Sarath N.Silva has named a threemember bench of the High Court to hear the case without jury. The HC bench comprises Judges Mr.I.M.Imam, Mr.Sarath Ambepitya and Mr. Kumar Ekaratne.
SC on constitutional amendments
October 22 - The Speaker of the Sri Lanka's parliament announced on 22 October the decision of the Supreme Court on the eighteenth and nineteenth constitutional amendments tabled by the United National Front government.
The 27 page-decision of the Supreme Court in regarding the nineteenth amendment stated that it should be approved by two third majority in parliament and subjected to a referendum if it is to be passed in its original form except Clause 6. The Clause 6 on voting according to conscience should be removed as it amounted to a suspension of the Constitution. Hence this clause cannot be rectified even by a referendum.
Clause 6 of the nineteenth amendment stated that the parliamentary seats of the members who voted in favour of it would not be lost. The SC states in its decision that, " Clause 6 is against the law and the present constitution. This Clause should be removed from the amendment.'
The SC further states in its decision that the power conferred on the President to dissolve parliament after one year of its existence should be amended. "Accordingly the one year period given to the President to dissolve parliament should be extended to three years. Two third majority is adequate to extend the period from one year to three years,” the SC said.
The Supreme Court held that the eighteenth amendment, in its entirety, needs a two third majority and a referendum. The eighteenth amendment dealt with the immunity for members of the constitutional council.
Protests against privatization
October 24 - Thousands of workers belonging to state and private sector establishments today held a large demonstration for about an hour in front of the Fort Railway station in the heart of Colombo protesting against the United National Front government's (UNF's) privatization policy. They shouted slogans and carried placards condemning the wholesale sell out of the country's remaining resources to the transnational companies.
Demonstrators laterparticipated in a protest march at around 12.30 in the afternoon from Fort railway station to Hyde Park where a rally was held. Members of more than twenty-five independent trade unions and Peoples' Action Groups partici

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pated in the demonstration.
Representatives of the Alliance of the Protection of National Resources, Ceylon Electricity Board joint trade unions, Ceylon Bank Employees Union, Ceylon Mercantile Union, Sri Lanka Insurance Workers' Union, United Federation of Labour, Independent General Service Union, Free Trade Zone Workers Unions and Railway trade unions participated in the demonstration and the rally held at Hyde Park.
75 PTA Detainees to be released
October 25 - Detainees arrested under the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) languishing in jails, some for several years, are to be released gradually said Attorney General (AG), K.C. Kanagasabeyson. The Government will soon drop the charges on seventy five of the detainees and release them, the Attorney General added.
The only charge against majority of the detainees held in Kalutura, Welikada and Batticaloa jails is their self-confessions, generally forced under threat of torture, sources said.
Earlier this month, as part of prisoner exchange between the Government of Sri Lanka and Liberation Tigers, thirteen members of the LTTE were released.
Following this, the detainees held a fast to death campaign in the different jails forcing Tamil parliamentarians and ministers from the government to visit the prisoners and to promise remedial actions. During Minister Milinda Moragoda's visit on behalf of Prime Minister Wickremesinghe, he had assured the prisoners that he would take up the matter with the AG.
300,000 children immunized
October 27 - "Sri Lanka is in the verge of being certified a polio free nation by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2003 depending on the successful implementation of the immunization campaign held in the northeast province this year,' said Dr Mrs. S. Weeraman, member of the National Polio Eradication Committee of the Ministry of Health participating in the immunization programme event held at the office of the Medical Officer of Health, Trincomalee. The immunization campaign against polio was concluded 26 October in the Northeast province.
Nearly three hundred thousand children under five in the eight districts of the northeast were given second dose Saturday. The first round of the polio campaign was carried out on September 28. The Epidemiological Unit of the Health Ministry and the UNICEF organized the immunization programme. Alhough no cases of polio have been reported since 1993, the northeast province has been identified as a high-risk area due to the recent inflow of displaced people from India and other areas raising the possible outbreak of the disease, health ministry sources said.
Except Northeast, other provinces have been reported free of polio by the health authorities. Since 1996 every year immunization programme against polio has been conducted in the northeast, sources said. But only this year a fully comprehensive immuniza
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TAMILTIMES 25
tion programme was held in the northeast, sources said.
Dr Genitiz Dedo, Team Leader of the Integrated Food Security Programme (IFSP) of the German Technical Co-operation said "We give more importance to the health of the children in villages where IFSP programmes are implemented.”
Protesters demand removal of camps
October 31 - Hundreds of displaced Tamil civilians Thursday launched a sit-in-protest in front of the Chavakacheri Divisional Secretary (DS) office, demanding the immediate removal of the Sri Lanka Army camp located between Puttur junction and Kanaganpuliyadi junction in Thenmaradchi area in Jaffna district.
Protestors locked the main gate of the office and the Divisional Secretary and turned away other officials attempting to enter the premises, sources said.
A spokesman Consortium of Welfare Organisation of the Thenmaradchi, which organised the protest, said more than fifty houses of displaced have been occupied by the 51 Brigade of the SLA in the area.
Around fifty police personnel without arms were at the scene to maintain law and order. SLA soldiers were also seen about two hundred meters away from the DS office, protestors said. An official of the consortium said that the sit-in-protest would continue till the SLA camp is removed from the area leaving the houses for the displaced to occupy.
Curfew re-imposed in Colombo
October 31 - Colombo north and central areas were again placed under curfew to quell further violence between the Sinhalese and Muslims, which has left one killed and at least a dozen wounded, police sources said. Muslims who took part in the funeral of the Muslim person who was killed during clashes on 31 October, attacked a Buddhist monk on the following day. Another Muslim man was wounded when the Police opened fire to disperse the crowd.
The injured has been warded in Colombo general hospital in a critical condition, medical sources said.
The police said the curfew which has been imposed in nine police divisions, Maradana, Maligawatte, Grandpass, Dematagoda, Keselwatte, Kotahena and Modera in the city of Colombo would be lifted the following day.
Meanwhile, at a top level security conference presided over by the Prime Minister Mr. Ranil Wickremasinghe, at Temple Trees, it was decided to close all schools in the Colombo central, Colombo north and Borella areas to avert further clashes. Tension built up for several days between the two communities over the construction of a building by Muslims at Bodhirajarama Mawatte, Maradana. The Sinhalese claim that Muslims are constructing a mosque close to the Buddhist shrine in the area. The Muslims, however, said that they were expanding an existing Arabic school with the permission of the law CourtS.
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ries, nine motor bicycles, six bicycles, eight shops and two houses were completely burnt. In addition, several other business establishments were also damaged. Muslim religious leaders and Buddhist priests have made appeals to their respective communities to show restraint and to help the law enforcement authorities to maintain law and order in bring the tense situation under control.
Navy seizes LTTE boat with arms
November 1 - A Sri Lanka Navy patrol today intercepted a LTTE boat in the seas between Trincomalee and Sampoor off the east coast of Trincomalee with communications equipment and an outboard motor but a subsequent search by the Harbour Police revealed it contained a load of claymore mines.
The search came after the Sri Lanka Navy handed over the boat and the six Tiger cadres who were on board to the Harbour Police. The six were later produced before the Trincomalee Magistrate who remanded them in custody.
The detection and the movement of the Tiger boat has been regarded as a violation of the Ceasefire Agreement.
Four Navy patrol craft operating in the seas some five miles off Foul Point in Trincomalee had detected the Tiger boat some five kilometres off the shore. The Navy patrols had only detected a 40 horsepower engine, 12 man packs, an amplifier and an antenna mast. The Navy seized the boat and seven Tigers on board. They were handed over to the Harbour Police who had conducted a thorough search of the LTTE vessel. They found 35 claymore mines carefully concealed in the boat. The Tiger guerrilla boat is said to have brought the grenades from a Sea Tiger base in Vakarai. They were to be delivered at a location in Trincomalee, according to Navy sources.
SLMM cautions LTTE
Raising concerns over the arrest of six LTTE cadres with explosives, the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) yesterday called on the LTTE to "strictly abide” by the Ceasefire Agreement. "What happened on Friday (1 November) was a serious breach of the Ceasefire Agreement and the SLMM has called on the LTTE leadership in Kilinochchi to strictly abide by the Ceasefire Agreement,” SLMM Deputy Head Hagruph Haukland told the press. S.
Haukland said the SLMM had advised the LTTE to “keep their horses chained'. "We don't want to see a recurrence of events like Sep 25,” Haukland said, referring to the detention of seven soldiers in Trincomalee by the LTTE following the arrest of two LTTE cadres by the police.
Tiger leader sentenced to 200 years
November 1 - LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran was sentenced to 200 years jail on 31 October for his role in the January 1996 attack on the Central Bank complex in the heart of Colombo in which a suicide squad of the Tamil Tigers rammed an explosives-laden truck into the building killing and wounding hundreds of people.
Three other LTTE members were also given the same sentence while two were given life imprisonment by the Colombo High Court which tried Mr. Prabhakaran in absentia. The court also released four others including LTTE intelligence chief Pottu Amman due to lack of evidence.
High Court judge Sarath Ambepitiya issued an open warrant through the CID to arrest Mr. Prabhakaran and three others who were absconding. He said the LTTE leader was guilty on 51 counts and each count carried 20 years in jail making a

15 NOVEMBER 20
total of 1020 years. But for practical purposes the Judge said his was imposing the sentence only on the first ten counts makins a total of 200 years in jail.
The Judge said evidence of Mr. Prabhakaran's involvemer. was found in a plaque he had given to the fourth suspect at 3 dinner a few days before the explosion. This was revealed in a confession by the suspect who said the LTTE leader encouraged him to commit the crime. The finger prints on the plaque were the same as Mr. Prabhakaran's finger prints taken in the 1980s while he was under arrest in India.
In this case ten accused including the LTTE leader and Pottu Amman were indicted on 712 counts including conspiracy, aiding and abetting, intention to cause death and committing murder, destruction of state property by attacking the Central Bank and provoking violence on or around January 31, 1996.
Out of ten accused only two - W. Parthivan and K. T. Shivakumar - were arrested and were present in court during the trial.
The High Court judge convicted the six accused on 51 counts and stated that 51 murders were proved while 76 people were killed in the attack. In the 126-page judgment the Judge said people who were responsible for killing of so many and caused damage to the tune of about Rs. 550 million should be removed from society. Under Section 4 of the Prevention of Terrorism Act the court ordered that the property of the accused be confiscated
De-Mining Operations Completed
November 1 - The US-sponsored Quick Reaction De-mining Force (QRDF) completed its work in the Northeast Sri Lanka on October 25. In a statement, the US Embassy in Colombo, hailed the QRDF saying it has removed landmines from nearly 123,000 square meters of land, located in the Sarasaalai area in northern Sri Lanka.
It said, "This land has been cleared in compliance with exacting international humanitarian de-mining standards and cleared of 980 anti-personnel mines and 42 pieces of unexploded ordnance. Additionally, the team collected and destroyed numerous other pieces of unexploded ordnance from elsewhere in the region, which had been brought to its attention by local residents.'
Mr. Ashley Wills, US Ambassador for Sri Lanka, said American Embassy is proud to assist the people and Government of Sri Lanka in this important step of rehabilitation and reconstruction, which, in turn, will reinforce the peace process. He said de-mining, as well as the removal of unexploded ordnance, is for the benefit of all Sri Lankans.
Mr. Murphy McCoy, Jr., the US State Department's Senior De-mining Advisor, described the QRDF project as slow, timeconsuming work. Now that it has been completed, however, people can have confidence that the areas in which we have worked have been de-mined to international standards. He said the US remains fully committed to supporting humanitarian mine clearance in Sri Lanka. In early 2003 - following the conclusion of the Northeast monsoon - the US will support the next step in the de-mining effort - establishing a humanitarian mine clearance training program for Sri Lankan civilian and military personnel so that Sri Lankans can continue the work in the island.
EPDP councillor attacked
November 3 - Opposition Leader of the Chavakachcheri Town Council , Soosaimuttu Alexander (EPDP) sustained seri

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ous injuries in an attack by unidentified persons. He was later admitted to the base Hospital, Manthikai, Point Pedro, yesterday. The EPDP has accused the LTTE of the attack.
Chavakachcheri Town Council is controlled by the People’s Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE). Soosaimuttu Alexander,38, was at his fiancee's residence when the attack took place. Two persons with clubs and swords entered the house and attacked Soosaimuttu while he tried to defend himself with a stick.
The EPDP Parliamentarian K.Thavaraja told the press that this was the latest of a series of attacks on EPDP cadres in the Peninsula of late which has been brought to the notice of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission.
Buddhist prelates briefed on Thailand talks.
November 05 - The Constitutional Affairs Minister Monday briefed the Mahanayake Theras of Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters the outcome of the second round of peace talks held between the United National Frontgovernment and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in Thailand last week.
Professor Peiris who led the government peace delegation at Thailand talks called on the Mahanayake Thera of the Asgiriya Chapter Venerable Buddharakita and told him that the LTTE is now prepared to accept a political solution within the framework of the united country. The Minister told the prelate that the peace talk facilitated by the Norwegian government between the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE is now being taken forward in the correct path.
The donor countries have expressed confidence that both parties to the conflict, the Liberation Tigers and the Government of Sri Lanka are sincere in their attempt to find a permanent peace, Minister Peiristold the prelates who went to Kandy, central capital of the country on Minister's return to Colombo Sunday from Thailand.
The Mahanayake Thera of Asgiriya Chapter expressed his appreciation for the flexibility shown by the delegations of the government and the LTTE at the Thailand peace talks arriving at decisions on important matters such as the proposal for formation of Joint Task Force and other committees to diffuse tension and finding a political solution to the conflict, sources said.
Bribery officials quiz JVP leader
November 05 - The parliamentary group leader of the Sinhala nationalist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), Mr.Wimal Weerawanse, today appeared before the Bribery and Corruption Commission on notice. He was quizzed by a team of bribery officials about a complaint lodged by a person from Piliyandala that he was maintaining a bank account with another person in the name of JVP.
The Bribery and Corruption Commission last month noticed Mr. Weerawanse to appear for an investigation into the complaint lodged by one Lal Perera.
Mr. Weerawanse went to the commission office with his Attorney-at-Law. Commission officials had interrogated him for several hours, sources said. The JVP is the third largest political party in the present parliament with sixteen members.
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TAMILTIMES 27
US, Britain pledge support and aid
November 5 - The United States and Britain, which have banned the LTTE, today praised the progress of Sri Lanka's peace talks and said they would participate in an aid conference to rebuild areas damaged by two decades of war.
"We praise the commitment of both sides to sustain the ceasefire and move forward with the peace progress,' the U.S. Embassy said in a statement. "The U.S. looks forward to participating in the November 25 (aid) conference in Oslo, which will focus on improving the humanitarian and developmental situation," it said.
Britain also issued a statement commending the government and the LTTE for their flexibility and expressing optimism on the talks. Britain's Foreign Office Minister Mike O'Brien said the second session of talks in Thailand had been "positive and constructive". "We now look forward to the Oslo Conference on November 25. We believe it will provide a good opportunity to add further impetus to the process of humanitarian and relief action in the north and east," he said. Clare Short, Secretary of State for International Development, will attend the Oslo conference on 25 November.
Budget presented to Parliament
November 06 - The Sri Lanka's Finance Minister Wednesday presented the second budget of the ruling United National Front government in parliament that emphasized on generating employment and developing the rural sector. "With the support expected from development partners in Oslo and Tokyo the UNF government will launch a number of new projects next year for the creating a number of productive employment opportunities,” said Finance Minister Mr.K.N.Choksy when delivering his budget speech.
"The UNF government has an agenda of reforms to implement over the next twelve months. The Economic Management Law would be introduced in parliament to ensure full implementation of the economic reforms. Under the said law the government has to report to parliament twice a year the progress made by each ministry in implementing economic reforms," said Mr.K.N.Choksy.
Budget deficit should be reduced and under utilized State owned commercial assets would be sold to overcome the debt crisis. The UNF government has succeeded in increasing the growth rate of last year negative figure to an estimated positive 3% of the GDP in 2002. The rate of inflation has been reduced from 14.2% to 9%,” said Mr.Choksy.
Tigers confiscate goods
November 6 - The LTTE has confiscated two more consignments of north-bound goods at Uyilankulam entry/exit point, claiming the goods were deliberately under-valued to escape taxation. An army spokesman said a complaint made by A. W. M. Hilmy from Gampola at Vavuniya Police Station on November 3 stated that his van with a consignment of tea leaves to be sold in Jaffna, was held back by LTTE on October 28 at the above entry/exit point, saying that the given value of his stocks were relatively low, compared to the stocks sent there earlier.
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He was later produced before an LTTE leader in the area, who in turn released the van on November 3 without the tea leaves. In a similar incident, another businessman A. A. Nazar from Ulapane in a complaint to the Vavuniya Police station has mentioned that his consignment of textiles, wrist watches and some other valuable items were not allowed beyond Uyilankulam entry/exit point on October 28 claiming that prices of those goods were also relatively low, compared to previous loads that were despatched to Jaffna. He was also later produced before an LTTE leader and his van was released sans his consignment of goods.
Similarly on September 27, another consignment of goods were not allowed into Jaffna by LTTErs at Omanthai entry/exit point attributing the same reasons.
LTTE to supervise NGOs work
November 06 - The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam stressed better co-ordination between the local non-governmental organisations in implementing rehabilitation and reconstruction projects in the Trincomalee district. "From January next year we will supervise all projects carried out by local NGOs in the district with a view to rectify shortcomings, duplication of works and other discrepancies. However, we will not directly interfere with the administration of the NGOs,” said Mr.S.Tilak, LTTE district political head at a discussion held on 6 October at Trincomalee Valluvar Kottam.
Representatives of all local NGOs in the Trincomalee district participated in the discussion. Mr. Rajesh, LTTE Trincomalee town political head also attended.
Mr.Tilak pointed out several shortcomings in the activities
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of the local NGO in the district. "These shortcomings could be rectified and urgent needs of the affected villages and the people could be fulfilled only through coordinated activities of the local NGOs, which are depended on the financial assistance provided by international NGOs,” said Mr.Tilak.
He criticised that NGOs undertake rehabilitation projects in a single village at the same time another village which needed much assistance is completely ignored by these institutions. "£And also we could notice several NGOs implement same type of projects in one village. All these could be avoided if local NGOs co-ordinate their activities and formulate a common programme for the year, 2003," stressed Mr.Tilak.
Mr.Tilak requested the representatives of local NGOs to submit their proposals for the year 2003 before December 1, 2002 to assess them and to avoid duplication. He advised that the Consortium of NGOs in Trincomalee district should appoint a committee for this purpose.
More Tamil Eelam police stations
November 07 - LTTE opened its first Tamil Eelam Police station in Trincomalee district at Sampoor today, according LTTE sources. The Sampoor station is the 19th of the Tamil Eelam police stations opened in recent months. The Liberation Tigers on 5 November opened a new police station in Palugamam at a ceremony attended by local government officials and community and religious leaders.
The opening of the new police station in the LTTE controlled area of Palugamam, in the Vellavely Divisional Secretariat, Batticaloa, was presided by the movement's Batticaloa-Ampara military commander, Kangai Alagan.
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The LTTE's Special Commander for Batticaloa-Ampara, Ramesh, raised the Tamil Eelam flag. Mrs. Arul, mother of fallen LTTE soldier, Senthooran, lit the flame.
The head of the LTTE's Batticaloa-Ampara Political Wing, Mr. Kausalyan, the Batticaloa Additional Government Agent, V Shanmugam, unveiled the nameboard. Jeyapura District Judge Thillaicut the ribbon to open the reception. LTTE Special Commander Ramesh cut the ribbon to open the station.
Rev. Fr Thiruselvam and Kattankudy Muslim Peace Committee President S Muhaideen participated.
The head of the women's section of the LTTE's BatticaloaAmpara Political Wing, Ms. Bhanuka and the local head of intelligence, Mr. Ramanan addressed the event. Sub-Inspector Rajakopal gave vote of thanks.
LTTE to return gold
November 8 - In a different form of a golden hand shake with the people, the LTTE has decided to return the gold it had collected from about 40,000 families for the war effort six years ago.
The LTTE today announced in Jaffna that the first batch will receive the gold from November 21 and thereafter it would take place in stages with each family getting back two sovereigns.
The LTTE's financial division chief V.Thamilendhi said the first batch of 2500 families to receive the gold had been selected by way of a draw. The LTTE had demanded two gold sovereigns each from every family living in the Jaffna peninsula when it was inh control of the Jaffna peninsula. It was compulsory for the families to make the contribution. The Financial division head said that they were now in a position to return the gold as the money was no longer required for the war effort.
STF action justified
November 9 - The action taken by the Special Task Force (STF) to repel the mob which attacked the Kanchirankudah Camp in eastern Sri Lanka was justified as there was an imminent danger to the camp being overrun by the attackers, the Committee that investigated the incident has said in its report. The STF had not exceeded the rights of self defence. But the STF had used 28 bullets which was too much, observed former Air Vice Marshal Harry Gunatilleke at the media conference held at the Interior Ministry on 8 November.
The former Air Force chief, who was the Chairman of the three member committee that probed the attack on the STF Kanchirankudah Camp on October 9, 2002, handed over the report to Interior Minister John Amaratunga.
The other members of the committee were former High Court Judge Oliver Weerasena and Samiththambi Vivekanandan, who represented the people in the area.
Vivekanandan handed over a dissenting report to the Minister and said he would not fully agree with the report submitted by the Committee Chairman.
The Chairman told the media that he had viewed a video film in which he saw how the mob entered the camp and damaged the buildings.
Following the attack seven persons died and over 15 persons were injured. The incident first occurred when LTTE cadres travelling in a tractor had failed to obey the stop order made by STF personnel manning the camp entrance, the Committee chairman said.
The former Air Force chief observed that the LTTE leader

TAM TIMES 29
ship had not been given the correct picture of the incident by its cadres. Minister Amaratunga directed Vivekanandan, one of the committee members, to inform the LTTE leader about the correct position of the incident and not to have repetition of such incident.
The Interior Minister said he would study both reports submitted to him before making any suggestions and also observed that he would not blame any party involved in the incident. Interior Ministry Secretary M.N. Junaid, Ministry Advisor M. Somasunderam and former DIG Lal Ratnayake also participated.
Bridge to Rameshwaram a reality soon
November 8 - The bridge linking Sri Lanka and India will soon become a reality, Power and Energy Minister Karu Jayasuriya said. Addressing parliament, the minister said the 29-kilometre bridge between Mannar and Rameshwaram in South India would not only link Sri Lanka with India but also 24 Asian countries covering more than 90,000 kilometres. The Minister said that satellite photos taken by US space agency NASA had shown that there was evidence of a man made bridge linking the two sides dating back to several thousand years. He said the creation of the bridge would bc a great boost to the country with an increase in trade and tourism between the two neighbours. He said that essential items such as electricity and gas could be purchased from each other when the need arose and trade with other countries would also increase through the land link. He said that when the bridge was first proposed, it seemed like an impossible dream but today it was on the verge of becoming a reality. The bridge would be built without taxing the people and the proposals for this had already been forwarded to the government.
The minister also spoke on the historical links between the two countries stating that the bridge between the two countries mentioned in the Ramanaya and the one that King Gajaba travelled to India by parting water were believed to be between Mannar and Rameshwaram.
Protest against 200-year sentence
November 9 - A three mile long procession to demonstrate the people's sympathy against the sentence of 200 year imprisonment on LTTE leader V. Prabhakaran started from the Jaffna University Parameshwara temple courtyard and wended its way through Palaly road, Stanley road, Kasthuriar road, Hospital road, and reached the Jaffna Secretariat this afternoon.
Thousands of students, teachers, representatives of NGOs, members of fishermen's society, priests and members of the public participated in the procession. A memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Minister of Justice and the Foreign diplomats in Sri Lanka was handed over to T. Vythilingam, Additional Government Agent, Jaffna to be faxed to them.
First Tigers-GOSL defence officials meet
November 10 - The government and the LTTE met today for the first time in a series of meetings in the Sub-committee on De-escalation and Normalisation in the north and east areas, the Norwegian embassy said.
The embassy in a statement said the delegations headed by Defence Secretary Austin Fernando on behalf of the government and LTTE Batticaloa Commander Karuna from the Tigers met at Omanthai where procedural and matters relating to fishing in the coast of Jaffna were discussed. It said the fivehour meeting which included lunch took place in a cordial and

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constructive atmosphere. The parties agreed on dates for district level meetings and their participants, the statement said. It was also agreed that eight entry points in Karainagar, Kayts, Mathagal and Punngudutivu would be kept open on a day and night basis for the convenience of fishermen. The location of these entry points is to be announced by Wednesday, it said. The next committee meeting is scheduled to be held on December 14 in Omanthai.
"The meeting was successful for the simple reason that it was cordial. We started talking to each other quite openly and I think it should be considered as a successful one. We came to some decisions about the meetings to be held in the future. Then we worked on issues such as fishing, the return of IDPs. All that was discussed and we have decided to hold district level meetings in Jaffna, Vavuniya, Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Ampara. As we go on, I think we will get better results out of the issues we have looked at (today),' said Mr. Austin Fernando, Secretary to Sri Lanka's Ministry of Defence, speaking to presspersons after the meeting.
The Government agreed to further relax restrictions in fishing in the Northern seas. The LTTE's team led by senior commander Col. Karuna comprised the commander of its northern front forces, Col. Theepan, the commander of its western front forces, Col. Jeyam, the commander of LTTE forces in Trincomalee, Col. Pathuman, Lt. Col. Seliyan, the head of LTTE's political division in Trincomalee, Mr. Thilak, head of political division in Batticaloa, Mr. Kousalyan, head of political division in Vavuniya, Mr. Elilan, head of political division in Jaffna, Mr. Ilamparithi and Mr. Pulithevan.
The Sri Lanka team led by Mr. Austin Fernando comprised Major. Gen. Shantha Kottegoda, Maj. Gen S. R Balasuriya, Rear Admiral S. P. Weerasekera, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of the STF Mr. Nimal Lewke, Kalmaunai, Kalmunai SSP M. A Majeed, Group Captain Kolitha Gunatilake of the Sri Lanka Air Force and Brig. (ret) Devinda Kalupahana. Mr. Pulithevan came for meeting with the Norwegian Ambassador Jon Westborg and other officials of the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Colombo. Head of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission Trond Furhovde was also present.
Northern Muslim body writes to PM
November 1 1 - The Northern Muslims' Right Organization in a letter to Prim Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe says that nearly 100,000 Muslims were displaced from North due to the situation prevailed for nearly two decades. They were compelled to live in refugee camps and welfare centres and our organisation has been involved in various activities for their welfare.
“There is a separate Ministry under the Minister Rauff Hakeem for rehabilitation and development work for Eastern Muslims. A number of projects and programmes are being carried out for the development of Eastern Muslims by this Ministry. There is another Ministry under Minister Noordeen Mashoor for the development of Muslims living in Vanni District. This Ministry too plans and implements development programmes for Muslims living in Vanni District,' the letter stated.
It added: "The issues of Jaffna Muslims have not been considered seriously and rationally up to now by the Ministries mentioned above. We cannot forget the valuable services rendered by Prof. Jayalath Jaywardena through his Ministry to Muslims of Jaffna. Our organisation had the privilege to work with him to resolve some main issues faced by our people. The money allocated to the Ministry of Rehabilitating, Resettlement and Refugees is not sufficient to cope with the work pertaining

15 NOVEMBER 7.
to rehabilitation and resettlement. As such our organisation requests you to allocate sufficient funds to this Ministry.
“The Ministry of Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Refugees is identified as a Non Cabinet Ministry whereas some Regional Development Ministries are of cabinet status. The Ministry of Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Refugees has an important role to play in the development of North, which is a priority under peace process. Our organisation humbly requests you to elevate the status of the Ministry to Cabinet Ministry.
"This will pave the way for proper and speedy implementation of rehabilitation and resettlement programmes in the North."
JVP blamed for violence
November 11 - The government today accused the JVP of being behind the killing of the Sri Jayawardhanapura university student and other violence including the slaying of the Walallawita Pradeshiya Sabha chairman and earlier shoot-out between police and tea factory demonstrators at Walasmulla.
Interior Minister John Amaratunga making a special statement in Parliament said JVP suspects had been arrested in connection with these incidents but a JVP spokesman denied the government's charge and challenged it to produce proof.
The minister said up to 800 demonstrators had been involved in the shoot-out with the police at Walasmulla after a dispute over the alleged non-payment of salaries to workers. He said police had moved in after the estate management had expressed fear over the loss of life or property. He said the crowd had first pelted stones at the police and then some persons in the crowd had opened fire injuring five constables. He charged that the mob had then set fire to a police bus and jeep while others had tried to set fire to the factory.
Walasmulla police Inspector N A G Chandrasena told reporters that at least six people including five policemen were injured and a police bus and jeep were set ablaze after a clash erupted between the Walasmulla police and a group of tea factory employees.
He said the dispute arose when police tried to disperse a group of factory employees who were staging a protest over the non-payment of salaries. The angry employees who claimed they had not been paid their salaries for three months had gate crashed into the factory premises and some had got on top of the roof. Police had gone to the scene after allegations that some factory property had been damaged and the situation had apparently calmed down.
Police said however the situation worsened by late evening when the protesters attempted to set fire to the factory building. When the police arrived at the scene, angry protesters had hurled stones at them forcing police to open fire. Hundreds of protestors had then set fire to the police bus and jeep. Police however said the situation was brought under control while five people had been arrested.
SLA provides escort to LTTE cadres
November 11 - A contingent of 185 members of the Liberation Tigers (LTTE) arrived in Batticaloa from the northern Vanni region today with special commander for BatticaloaAmpara, Mr.Robert and commander of women-wing Nilavini, leading the LTTE members who made the journey to Batticaloa to take part in the annual Heroes' Day celebration which falls on 27 November, Sources said.
Seventy male and 115 female soldiers travelled in seven busses from Vanni starting at 7.20am.
The LTTE group was escorted by Sri Lanka Army (SLA)

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soldiers from Omanthai to Karuththapaalam (Black Bridge) in Chenkaladi from where the group travelled to their destination inside the LTTE controlled area.
Sources said that this is the same group that travelled from Batticaloa to Vanni in September of this year.
Held for telecom racket
Kolkata, 1 1 Nov - : Ferdinand Srikant Krishnamurthy, 32, a Sri Lankan with valid visa and passport, has been arrested by the Gariahat police for allegedly setting up a clandestine communications network. He has been remanded in police custody till November 16. His associate, also from Sri Lanka, is absconding.
About two weeks ago, Ferdinand, an IT professional from Colombo, rented a second-floor flat of a three-storeyed house on 2/2 Ballygunge Place (East) for a monthly rent of Rs 15,000, said T K Basu, OC, Gariahat Police Stattion.
They had set up a dish antenna to provide ISD facilities to their customers. They used it to receive and transmit ISD calls bypassing VSNL.
As a result, the government incurred loss of revenue, said B Bhattacharya, assistant commissioner, (south). Ferdinand was arrested on the basis of a VSNL complaint. Police are also probing whether they were engaged in espionage or had links with terrorists. Sources said two Israelis associated with the duo had left the city a few days ago. (Times of India News Service)
Committee to safeguard Muslim rights
November 11 - As part of the agreement between the Prime Minister and dissident SLMC MPs the Interior Ministry on 11 November appointed a top level committee to recommend ways of ensuring the security and right of Muslims in the North East. The high-level committee will report within a month proposing an effective mechanism to safeguard the identity and vital interest of the Muslim Community.
The Committee headed by Ministry Secretary M.N.Junaid will include Police chief T.E.Anandarajah and STF chief Nimal Gunatileke, with DIG Indra de Silva as Secretary.
The terms of reference of the Committee are: * to look into the Security Measures in the Muslim areas in the North and the East and to suggest law enforcement, * to bring about a rapport with the other communities in the area, to establish and bring about a dialogue with the Police, the STF, the Armed Forces and the Tamil Community in the area,
* to establish the identity and safeguard vital interests of the Muslim Community in the area,
* to recommendmeasures to the Government to avoid lapses that occurred in the previous negotiations with other communi. ties and institutions where Muslims had to undergo hardship: and suffering.
The Committee will essentially look into the area linked to the demands and grievances by the nine dissident SLMC MP who boycotted Parliament for a month until Premier Rani Wickremesinghe gave them firm assurances.
SU opposes de-mining treaty
November 12 - Sihala Urumaya yesterday strongly objecte to the government's move to sign the Ottawa Convention ol de-mining. In a media release, the party's Deputy Secretar Udaya Gammanpila charged that it is suicidal for Sri Lanka ti sign the treaty.
"Prof. G. L. Peiris has recently revealed that the Ottaw treaty on de-mining is to take centre stage at the Oslo talks This is sheer intellectual dishonesty. It is in reality a conver tion on prohibition of the use, stockpiling, production and trans fer of anti-personnel mines and their distribution,” the releas

TAMILTIMES31
said.
SU said that if Sri Lanka becomes a signatory to this convention, the country will never be able to secure its Army, Navy, Air Force and STF camps in the North and East.
"As long as the LTTE, a terrorist organisation headed by a convicted mass murderer evading arrest, is not going to be bound by any convention or treaty, it should never be allowed to materialize. All such discussions detrimental to the security and defence of Sri Lanka should be prevented by the people at any cost," the release further said.
Hakeem protest over LTTE Police” & “Courts'
November 11 - The setting up of LTTE police stations' and 'courts of law' in the Eastern sector has perturbed the Muslims in the East forcing SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem to write to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on l l November.
The LTTE over the past few days have opened “Tamil Eelam Police Stations' in Palugamam, Batticaloa and Ampara districts and at Sampen in the Trincomalee district.
Minister Rauff Hakeem yesterday expressing shock at the developments urged Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to address the issue urgently.
A news release headed "Hakeem expresses concern over LTTE Police, judiciary set-up in the East' issued by he SLMC stated: "Following LTTE's activities of setting up police stations and expanding their judicial administration in the Eastern Province, Leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress and Minister of Port Development, Shipping, Eastern Development and Muslim Religious Affairs Rauff Hakeem has called for urgent and intense need for discussion on these issues at the peace talks, in a letter to the Prime Minister today.
"In his letter, he has expressed deep concern over handling law and order and protecting judicial rights of the Muslims, in the East, given the present emerging scenario in the province. The minister has also communicated the matter over the telephone and also followed up with a letter to the Ambassador of Norway Jon Westborg.
Minister Hakeem will also write to LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran on the issue.”
NUA seeks MoU seal on Muslim rights
November 13 - The National Unity Alliance appealed to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe that the written assurances he gave to the dissident SLMC MPs be included as an annexure to the ceasefire agreement between the government and the LTTE.
"The written undertaking by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to the boycotting SLMC MPs has no significance or validity in the current context unless it is incorporated in the MOU as an annexture or a supplementary to it,” National Unity Alliance Spokesman Abul Kalaam said. “Then only will it be binding to the parties to the MOU namely, the government and the LTTE. Otherwise it will be just another piece of paper like the joint statement signed by Rauff Hakeem and LTTE leader Prabhakaran some months back.'
Mr. Kalaam, the former national organiser and director of legal and constitutional affairs of the SLMC while welcoming the Prime Minister's promise to safeguard the Muslim interests, said this was the usual practice by any Prime Minister when some of his MPs boycott parliament on some issues concerning them. To satisfy these MPs and to ensure their presence in Parliament during the budget session the Premier has given this promise in writing on the MPs request. "This letter has no legal binding force or effect in the implementation process of the MOU or the peace talks arising from the MOU unless and until the MPs demands and the Premier's reply to the de

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mands are incorporated in the MOU as an annexture or supplementary.
"If the boycotting MPs are serious in their demands they must insist that the Premier, who signed the MOU totally disregarding the Muslim factor to incorporate these two documents in the MOU and if the Premier is genuine in his promise he has to accede to this request and ensure that it is done in the best interest of North East Muslims and Sinhalese. The SLMC leader who participated in the peace talks also has to make sure of this,' Mr. Kalaam added.
More Lankan soldiers learning Tamil
November 12 - Hundred Sri Lanka Army men were awarded certificates on l l November after having completed the Tamil Language course conducted by the Sri Lanka Army. It was the 14th Tamil Language course conducted by the Army as part of its training progmmes on linguistic capabilities. A release from the Army stated that over two thousand (2000) Army officers and other rankers have been given training in Tamil language up to now. The statement added that Minister of Justice W.J.M Lokubandara who was the chief guest at the presentation hailed the move by the Sri Lankan Army to teach Tamil to its Officers and Other Ranks.
US briefed on Govt. and LTTE peace talks
November 12 - After Minister Milinda Moragoda briefed the US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage on the Sri Lankan peace process, he said the United States Government was pleased with the progress that had been made at the recently concluded round of talks between the Sri Lanka Government and the LTTE. He had reiterated strong US support for it. This assurance was given by Mr. Armitage to Minister for Economic Reform, Science and Technology Milinda Moragoda at the State Department.
Mr. Moragoda was in Washington as part of the ongoing process to keep the US Government briefed on developments concerning the peace process. They discussed the outcome of the second session of the talks which concluded in Bangkok on November 3rd and particularly focused on the meeting to be held in Oslo on November 25th, aimed at mobilizing financial support for immediate humanitarian and rehabilitation action in the North and East.
Mr. Armitage had said he would be personally leading the US delegation to this meeting and that the US was committed to continue support for these vital objectives through projects that would yield an immediate impact. He had expressed the hope that the negotiating process would lead to a permanent end to the Sri Lankan conflict based on the principles of democracy and respect for human rights, while maintaining the country's territorial integrity.
The discussion also focused on the role of the US in providing development assistance for the rest of Sri Lanka. The comprehensive donor conference for this purpose is scheduled to be held in Tokyo early next year. The possible role that the US can play with regard to the Youth Corp and the E-Lanka initiative was also discussed. Assistant Secretary of State Christina Rocca and James Andrew Bever of USAID were associated at this meeting.
Indian govt. refuses to attend Oslo talks
12 November - Norwegian Foreign Minister Petersen visited New Delhi on 12 November following information that the Indian government will not participate in the forthcoming talks at Oslo among donor countries to discuss development assistance in respect of the reconstruction of the war-torn northeast of Sri Lanka. The Indian government had declined to attend the

15 NOVEMBER 2002
alks despite persuasions made by the Norwegian Foreign Minster. This informed sources said would be a severe setback to he peace process. Earlier Indian reports said that the visit was n connection with the Kashmir issue but later it was revealed hat it was in connection with the Indian government's refusal o participate in the Oslo talks. The possible presence of LTTE epresentatives at the talks might have been the reason for New Oelhi's refusal to participate at the Oslo talks, commentators speculated.
Fresh water erisis looms large over Jaffna
November 12 - Jaffna is running out of drinking water because its underground fresh water sources are getting polluted apidly, said a German expert in the northern town. Mr. H. Karft, he German expert, was speaking at the regional office of the GTZ, a German NGO, about the drinking water crisis that Jaffna will have to face if adequate measures are not taken to arrest pollution of the underground water sources of the peninsula
The Commissioner of the Jaffna Municipal Council and the Medical Officer of Health for the northern district were among hose who were present for the discussion with Mr. Karft.
The German expert said that seepage from the significantly arge amount of exploded and unexploded ordnance, ammuniion, land mines, explosives etc., that have accumulated in the saffna soil over the years is polluting underground water sources in the peninsula. Indiscriminate burial or decay of bodies near water sources has also contributed their share to the contamination, according to him. -
In some areas a thin film of oil is found on fresh drinking water in wells due to careless disposal of waste oil and fuel. Fresh water sources near the Jaffna town are being rapidly polluted due to indiscriminate garbage dumping practices of the Jaffna Hospital and Municipal Council, he said.
Garbage and refuse from the thousandbed Jaffna Teaching Hospital is dumped near the old CeyNor building in Gurunagar, coastal suburb of the northern town. The Jaffna Municipal council too dumps garbage here, leading to severe pollution of resh water sources below the surface in the environs of this lensely populated suburb, Mr. Karft said. He said he had oberved a significant rise in the ammonium and nitrogen content n the soil in recent times in the Tinnevely area largely due to lumping and decay of agricultural wastes. Both are potent poluters of underground fresh water sources. A fresh water stream n the island of Delft is turning saline because it is flowing into he sea without proper diversion to collect and utilise its water, e observed.
The problem of Jaffna's dwindling fresh water sources hould be addressed within 10-12 years before rapid commerialisation starts to impede the effort in order to avert the crisis, ccording to him.
VP offices smashed up-set on fire
November 13 - Two JVP offices in Maharagama and annipitiya, a few miles from Colombo, was smashed up by a et unidentified gang on 12 November in the course of which vo party members injured. The JVP accused the government f trying to violently suppress it and sabotage today's convenon to commemorate its past dead leaders.
JVP parliamentarian Sunil Handunnetti told the press that ey believed the attacks were carried out by UNP-sponsored ugs. The MP said they had found the motorcycles apparently sed by the attackers and handed it over to the Maharagama olice but he believed political influence was being used to get emotorcycle released and cover up the probe. Mr. Handunnetti id cut-outs and other material for today's convention had also 'en smashed in other parts of Maharagama and Pannipitiya.

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15 NOVEMBER 2002
After smashing up two JVP offices at Maharagama and Pannipitiya, the gang had gained entry into the JVP printing press and office at Talangama and set fire to the building on the same night.
OIC Talangama police Amit Guneratne said that at about 2.30 a.m. over 60 persons had come in ten double cabs and a lorry to attack the JVP office and printing press and subsequently set it on fire. Nearly 20 people who were working at the time had fled to save their lives.
At a news conference Propaganda Secretary Wimal Weerawansa and others charged that the government was trying to sabotage the convention and suppress the JVP because it stood strong against what it saw as a treacherous attempt to sell part of the country to the LTTE.
SLMC rebels end boycott
November 13 - SLMC rebel group leader Minister A. L. M. Athaulla ending its parliament boycott said that it was legitimate to demand a separate unit for Muslims in the East if the North and the East is merged by any solution to the North-East problem.
Minister Noordeen Mashoor, Depute Minister Abdul Cader, Rishard Badiudeen and M. B. A. Azeez attended parliament this morning to the applause from government benches. Minister Athaulla said that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had accepted the five points raised by the group's and hoped that he would keep his word. He said that the group was not against the peace process but that it should clearly know what the fate of the Eastern Muslims would be at the final settle
ment,
Delving into history he said that the Eastern Muslim factor had been completely ignored in the Indo-Lanka agreement and a repetition of that should be prevented. He also appreciated all political parties including the PA and the JVP for recognising the problems of the Eastern province Muslims.
The rebel group met Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on 11 November where a final decision was reached on ending it's parliament boycott.
JVP commemorates its dead
November 13 - The Janata Vimukthi Peramuna, the third largest party in Sri Lanka's Parliament, today commemorated in Colombo its founder leader Mr. Rohana Wijeweera and party cadres who were killed by the Sri Lankan armed forces during two unsuccessful but bloody insurrections in 1971 and 198889 to capture state power.
The convention and commemoration was held at the large Sugathadasa indoor stadium in Colombo. More than a thousand full time party cadres took part in the event.
Rohana Wijeweera and other leaders of the JVP were captured by the Sri Lanka army and Summarily executed on the night of 13 November 1989. The party also held its fourth national convention on the occasion amidst charges and fears that it is preparing for another insurrection.
The JVP controls a growing number of key trade unions in Sri Lanka's export sector. It also dominates students' unions in all the universities in the Sinhala majority districts of the island, brooking no competitors.
The Sri Lanka Police and University authorities blame the JVP student front, the Inter University Students' Federation for rising violence in the seats of higher learning.
The terror tactics used by the JVP to keep its hold on Universities in the Sinhala majority regions of Sri Lanka were brought into focus recently when a young student opposed to ragging was brutally beaten to death recently in the University of Sri Jayawardenapura allegedly by undergraduates belonging

| AML TIMES 33
to the JVP backed Inter-University Student Federation. Several colleagues of the murdered undergraduate were also injured in the attack. The University remains closed under special Police guard following the murder.
Dangerous scenario emerging - JVP
November 13 - The JVP has condemned the government's continuing dealings with the LTTE, even in the face of a 200 year prison sentence imposed on its leader Velupillai Prabhakaran by the Colombo High Court.
JVP parliamentary group leader Wimal Weerawansa said on 12 November that LTTE theoretician Anton Balasingham had criticised the court ruling even with the government Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris beside him. “This is a very serious situation. We must also remember that our friendly neighbour India has imposed a death sentence on him for the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi. Also India has said that its demand for Prabhakaran's extradition stands, despite what happens in Sri Lanka,' he said.
"The government is dismantling high security zones at the behest of the LTTE and removing camps. It also turns a blind eye to the LTTE's setting up of illegal Eelam police in Trincomalee and Batticaloa. Three such stations were set up in the last fortnight,” he said.
He warned of government moves to grant legitimacy to the LTTE with the opportunity to be an equal partner in the process to raise foreign aid. "It has been announced that Sri Lanka will be represented at the Oslo donor conference by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and LTTE theoretician Anton Balasingham. Is the government trying to show the world that a separate LTTE rule has been officially set up? And also that the PM and Balasingham should attend the donor forum to raise funds for the separate LTTE unit and Sri Lanka'?' he said. Speaking of the implication of this action on the law of the country, he asked whether peace was to grant all demands of the LTTE disregarding the law and constitution of the country.
He described the emerging scenario as a very dangerous one, where the law and constitution of the country would be negated, with the certainty that a Tamil Eelam state would be set up in one third of the country. "Come together to defeat this danger,' he urged MPs, ministers and the public.
"Tiger leader to appeal against sentence’ - MP
November 13 - The LTTE will appeal against the Colombo High Court judgment sentencing its leader Velupillai Prabhakaran to 200 years jail, a TNA MP told Parliament yesterday amidst scenes of pandemonium and the unprecedented expulsion of a minister.
Jaffna district parliamentarian N. Raviraj made the announcement after the JVP brought up the matter causing a one hour rumpus and a 20 minute suspension of sittings, with Speaker Joseph Michael Perera ordering Minister T. Maheswaran and parliamentarian Olitha Premathiratne out of the Chamber for continually disrupting sittings.
Mr. Raviraj said the JVP had violated standing orders by bringing up a matter that was before a court of law.
"I say with responsibility that there is going to be an appeal within the specified 30 days. Thus the case is still open,” he said. The MP said the process of consulting lawyers and obtaining documents for the appeal was going on.
At this point Opposition parliamentarian Jeyaraj Fernandopulle said a matter raised in parliament during the period between the judgment and an appeal could not be considered subjudice. He said that was the interpretation of parliament’s Acting Secretary General Priyani Wijesekera.
But Chief Government Whip Mahinda Samarasinghe hit

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back saying the UNF was not interested in some official's interpretation of the Standing Orders. He said his view was that if an appeal was coming a debate should not have been allowed. When Mr. Fernandopulle raised a query on the validity of Mr. Raviraj's statement the Speaker said if the statement was not true the opposition could move a motion against the MP. At this point Justice Minister W.J.M. Lokubandara said that as a citizen of the country Velupillai Prabhakaran had the right to appeal against such a sentence. Till the appeal is heard any ruling is not necessarily final, he said. “What is wrong if an armed group now comes to the democratic process?” the minister asked. He told the Speaker that the JVP should not be allowed to use Parliament to disrupt the peace process.
JVP parliamentary group leader Wimal Weerawansa charged that the LTTE was using the peace process to remove the army camps in the high security zones of the North and the East. He claimed the LTTE was also setting up Eelam police stations in the government-controlled areas like Batticaloa and Trincomalee. He accused the government of giving legitimacy to a terrorist group to go before the international community and ask for funds.
"Is the Prime Ministergoing to hold the hands of the spokesman of the LTTE leader who is under an open arrest warrant by this country's judiciary? What happens to the country's law and order in this state?"Does peace mean bowing to every demand of the LTTE irrespective of even a court ruling?” he asked.
Commissions' composition queried
November 14 - Minister Arumugam Thondaman in a letter to Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe has complained that according to newspaper reports the composition of Independent Commissions appointed relating to the Police, Judiciary, Election and Public Services do not conform to the intent and the spirit of the 17th Amendment.
He had pointed out that while the 17th Amendment envisages the Independent Commissions to reflect the ethnic composition of the country, it appears that this criteria has not been fulfilled. w
The Minister who is also the CWC leader in his letter had requested the Prime Minister to recall the lists of nominees recommended and ensure a fair representation in keeping with the Constitutional provisions.
In his letter Mr. Thondaman stated: “you are aware of the representations made by us during the debate on the 17th amendment to the constitution for fair representation of all ethnic groups in the constitutional council which was accepted by all parties in Parliament by agreeing to the amendment moved by us to include three members of the minority communities namely Sri Lanka Tamil, Muslims and persons of Indian origin and laying down procedures for members of Parliament from these three communities to select the three representatives to represent the three communities. This deviation from the intent and spirit of the 17th Amendment, we feel is unfortunate and negates the motive of the 17th Amendment which seeks to make the highest bodies in the country not only fair but also seem
s
SO.
Germany help for displaced persons
November 14 - The German government which welcomes the encouraging commencement of the high level peace talks between the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE by providing funds amounting to Euro 415,000 (Rs. 39 million) to assist the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) will enhance the funding further with Euro 240,000 (Rs. 22.5 million). This is in order to continue the support towards the IDP-Programme as a result of which 2357 families returning to their villages in

15 NOVEMBER 22
Vavuniya, Mannar and Kilinochchi in the Vanni District will be the beneficiaries. -
The emphasis of this programme will lie on the resumption and intensification of agricultural production in these areas bringing relief to the returning families and consolidating their living standards. The programme will be implemented by the German NGO Welthungerhilfe (German Agro Action) in collaboration with the “Seva Lanka Foundation”. (German Embassy Press Release)
No opposition participation in peace talks
November 14 - The government responding to President Chandrika Kumaratunga's proposal to set up a National Committee for Ethnic Reconciliation and Sustainable Peace that the opposition would not have a participatory or decision making role in the peace talks with the LTTE but will be briefed about the discussions on a regular basis.
Cabinet spokesman and Constitutional Affairs Minister G.L.Peiris told press briefing on 14 November that the Liam Fox agreement to which both the UNP and PA were signatories did not provide for direct opposition participation in talks with the LTTE but requires the ruling party to brief the opposition on the outcome of talks.
However he emphasised that this did not mean the opposition was being shut out because any decision reached at peace talks with the LTTE would eventually have to be put before parliament and the people for their approval.
Asked if the President has the legal authority to appoint a National Committee for Ethnic Reconciliation and other Committees which she announced on Tuesday in her speech to the nation marking her eight years in office, Peiris said he prefers not to comment on such matters.
However he did point out that a decision making role was not provided to the then Opposition when the last People's Alliance government engaged the LTTE in talks. "If the peace talks between the present Government and LTTE had commenced during the rule of the former Peoples Alliance government it would have been restricted to those two parties just like it is now. This is exactly what the Liam Fox agreement signifies. As such I cannot see the relation between the Presidents proposal and the Thailand peace talks,' Peiris said.
In an obvious reference to the President's opposition to the LTTE being granted an Interim Administration before core issues are addressed and decommissioning of arms takes place, Peiris said that the LTTE dropped its interim administration demand during the second round of peace talks in Thailand earlier this month.
LTTE call to join Eelam Police
November 14 - Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) hav requested men and women who satisfy requirements published by the LTTE Police Personnel department to apply to fill vacant positions in its Police Force. This request follows the opening of several Tamil Eelam Police stations in the northeast of the island in recent times.
For the position of deputy Police inspector, applicants must have passed General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Level (AL), equivalent to Grade-12 examinations, aged 18-30 and height at least 5'6". The expected remuneration is Rs.5000 per month, the LTTE communiqué said.
For the position of Police officer, the applicant must have passed GCE Ordinary Level (OL), equivalent to Grade-10 examinations, aged 18-30, and a height of at least 5'6". For the successful candidates accommodation, transport and training will be provided, the communiqué further said.
The Personnel branch of the LTTE Police department re

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quested potential applicants to contact the nearest political of fice or the LTTE police stations.
Lord Naseby on the peace process
November 14 - The LTTE seem to be sincere so far and they have accepted that achieving Eelam is not viable. However it would help if the LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran made a statement to that effect, said Member of House of Lords and Conservative Party member the Rt. Hon. Lord Naseby PC, speaking to a Colombo newspaper on 14 November.
Lord Naseby said, "The donor money is dependent on the progress of the peace process. The LTTE should give up on terrorism, which means giving up arms. They should not be having a separate army and a navy. They must be integrated to the Sri Lankan army and the navy, stop recruiting child soldiers. That is crucial.'
He said that UK should support to restore either the schools or hospitals in the North, which is already devastated, and that he would put pressure on Britain's the Minister of Overseas Development Claire Short to increase aid to Sri Lanka.
Speaking of the de-proscription of the LTTE, Lord Naseby said that the LTTE would not be de-proscribed in the UK until they see clear evidence in full and proper peace is achieved in Sri Lanka.
Naseby who met Premier Wickremesinghe described him as very sincere and hopeful and a leader who is committed to achieving peace in Sri Lanka. He said that ordinary people believed in the Premier. Describing his meeting with the President Kumaratunga Lord Naseby said, "The President has some concerns about the real strength of LTTE's commitment and if they have given up terrorism. They are legitimate worries.” He added that former Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar was more skeptical than the President. Naseby said, "It is my feeling. He is concerned about the pressure LTTE is trying to bring towards foreign governments such as UK and Australia to deproscribe them. Kadirgamar had lot to do with several countries proscribing the LTTE and stopping funds coming to them. So those concerns are valid.'
However, the British parliamentarian noted that there was a clear difference between the PA and the UNP. "The opposition wants to see some progress in the core issues even though the President and the PM see progress in the process. But, at the end of the day both Ranil and Prabhakaran should sit together and discuss the matters.”
He also met with the leader of opposition, service commanders and other senior politicians. He also spent a day in Jaffna to get first hand information on the situation there. He also met ministers G. L. Pieris and Milinda Moragoda.
Lord Naseby considered as a friend of Sri Lanka is the founder of the British/Sri Lanka Parliament group in 1974.
UNF second budget passed
November 15 - The second budget of the United National Front government was passed today in parliament by a majority of thirty-six votes. One hundred twenty nine parliamentarians voted for the budget and ninety three voted against. Parliamentarians of the main opposition People's Alliance (PA), Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and the National Unity Alliance (NUA), the breakaway group of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, voted against the budget.
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and the Eelam Peoples Democratic Party (EPDP) and Peoples Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE) voted with the government.
"The voting has proved beyond doubt the stability of the government now it enjoys,' claimed Minister of Constitutional Affairs Professor G.L.Peiris following the adoption of the budget

TAMILTIMES 35
in the second reading.
He said some mischievous elements created an impression in the country that the present government has no majority in parliament. This canard had been spread to weaken the peace process now being taken forward vigorously. The adoption of the budget with a majority 36 votes has put an end to all speculation about the stability of the government and the country. The stability of the country has been strengthened with the dawn of peace following the signing of a ceasefire agreement between the UNF government and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.
Ratwatte released on bail - - - - - -
November 15 - The Colombo High Court today allowed all the fifteen accused in the Udathalawinne murder case in a sum of five hundred thousand rupees personal bail and fixed the trial for January 20 next year. The accused included the former Deputy Defence Minister General Anurudha Ratwatte and his two sons Lohan and Chanuka.
The case was taken up for inquiry before a three-member bench of the Colombo High Court specially appointed to conduct the trial. The bench comprises Mr. Eric Basanayake (Chairman), Mr.Sunil Rajapakse and Mr. Deepal Wijesundera.
The Attorney General has indicted the accused for committing the murder often Muslims youths on the last general election day - December 5, 2001 - at Udathalawinne in the Kandy district. The accused have been charged on seventy-two counts.
Children suffer in silence
An independant survey carried out by Rev. Fr. S. Guy de Fontgalland of the Leo Marga Ashram says that according to reports from the year 2000, there are a total of 339,408 plantation children. Nearly 80,000 of them are under five years of age and 180,000 are schooling.
Around 15,000 of the plantation children suffer from disabilities leaving a balance of 64,408 children at home. Another problem about these children is the health issues of the very young children who are in age groups between three to 36 months Studies by UNICEF show that there are more than 24,000 infants under the age of one, 96,000 between the ages of one and four and 24,000 between the ages of five to 14. According to UNICEF Project Officer-Child Development Abhiyan Rana, studies have shown that in 2000 the percentage of children who are stunt was 31.9%.
The percentages of children who are underweight are 43.2% in the plantation sector and 10% in other rural areas. As seen by these preliminary figures the situation is getting better but it needs more improvement, according to a UNICEF report. When it comes to access to clean drinking water, 67% of the families in the estate areas get their water from rivers and streams. Regarding immunisation in the year 2000, 86.1% of plantation children received immunisation when compared to 94.4% of children from other rural areas. For the year 2001 there are now approximately 339,408 children under the age of 18 living in estates. It is also reported that there are 26,037 children engaged in economic activity and out of this total 52% are below the age of 15. They are engaged in economic activity while attending school or not attending an education institute. Of the 234,618 children engaged in economic activity and not attending any education institute, 11% are under the age of 15. 69,064 children are reportedly engaged in economic activity and of this 30,533 children are living away from home and 9% of the children are reported to be idling and also living away from the family.

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Joint Task Force:
to an Interim Cou
P
Oswald B. Firth OMI, Director, Centre for Society and Relig
"In the name of peace, I cannot blindly agree to everyth
- President Chau
bly say the same thing of the proposed Joint Task Force (JTF), the latest peace concept currently in vogue. The Joint Task Force (JTF), which is today the talk of the town, did figure prominently on the second round of peace talks recently concluded in Thailand between the government and the LTTE. What has caught the public eye are the Terms of Reference of the draft JTF, a set of guidelines in small print, which turns out to be a clearly confused oxymOOl.
One is at a loss to know whether the JTF is a legal entity flummoxed between the Ceasefire Agreement and the muchvaunted Interim Administrative Council, a functional arrangement that has been temporarily shelved in some bureaucratic pigeon hole or other due, perhaps, to intimidating political pressure from certain quarters that bear the dubious sobriquet: “The Peace Spoilers'.
P retentions apart, one could possi
Or, is the JTF a subterfuge, an interim
to the Interim Administrative Council, which carries with it loaded prevarications that hang between the obtuse and the obscure as to its legitimacy.
The communication gap between the government's Peace Secretariat and civil society, or whatever is left of it, on this subject needs to be bridged, more sooner than later, lest any delay could undermine the legitimacy and relevance of this innovative administrative mechanism.
Notwithstanding the concurrence of the LTTE to the Terms of Reference of
the JTF, there are certain commendable
elements in the draft text that deserve to be highlighted. While the primary objective of the JTF may appear to be political, equating the LTTE with the government, the agreement binds both the government and the LTTE in a joint effort to address the sad consequences of the war.
It can also serve as a devise to thwart any attempt to transform the peace process into a protracted rhetorical exercise.
Awkward partne A synergy of p nomic adversities 1 result eventually ceasefire that has days. The Ceasefi been a panacea fo flects on the uncor smouldering fric flames of violence
Nevertheless, ment paved the wa both sides in the t ate a modicum oft protagonists of the tant dialogue of 1 struction and reco
While both the LTTE are adepts in two humanitarian tion is an area whe spiritual leaders co nounced contribut more incisive imp: The JTF is col ship between the and the Liberation (LTTE)”. No "par ful uniless the contr each other as be Whether the Mus part to play in this point, even though 30 per cent of the
The text mai should strive to be able mechanism fo standards of the pc ern and Eastern P try”. A rather myt nished with a tou one considers the s out to the Muslii Valachchenai, for
Muslim factor
Such incident
the quality of life
only succeeded ir
 

15 NOVEMBER 2002
ing” ndrika Kumaratunge.
rship olitical forces and ecomay have combined to in a mutually agreed stood the test of 250 re Agreement has not r all ills when one retrollable tensions and tions that burst into
in the East. the Ceasefire Agreey to halt hostilities on neatre of war and crerust to engage the two war in an all-imporrehabilitation, reconnciliation. 2 government and the delivering on the first concerns, reconciliare the NGO sector and puld make a more proion that could leave a
act.
ceived as a "partnergovernment (GOSL) Tigers of Tamil Eelam tnership” is meaningacting parties consider ing of equal status. lims would have any partnership” is a moot they constitute around population in the East. ntains that “the JTF : a flexible and adaptr improving the living pulation in the Northrovinces of the counhical expectation garh of hyperbole when habby treatment meted ns in recent times at example.
, far from enhancing of the Muslims, have sowing the seeds of
discontent, frustration and violence. These sentiments are now being exploited by bankrupt political parties to disseminate hatred among the Sinhalese and Muslims in certain enclaves of Colombo that were hitherto peaceful. The situation becomes even more compounded by the fact that the LTTE considers both the North and the East as the Traditional Homeland of the Tamils.
Under such a dispensation, would the Sinhalese, Muslims and even the Tamils in the East consider the LTTE as their sole representatives responsible for improving the living conditions of these communities? Perhaps, answers to these concerns may have been available if the Interim Administrative Council had been set up and its parameters determined to accommodate the political aspirations and the legitimate grievances of all communities.
Leaving everything entirely in the hands of 'goodwill alone will not do. One cannot concede the rights of people to be blatantly violated under the guise of demonstrating gestures of 'goodwill towards one's opponent. This is precisely why it is vital that “fundamental rights issues” become an integral part of the dialogue in the process of negotiations.
Prodigious by-pass
The proposed Interim Administration or the JTF for that matter has neither the approval of the President nor the assent of Parliament.
"Co-habitation' has become a parody of errors, and there appears to be an endemic rivalry between the President and Prime Minister. Under these circumstances, there is little hope that the President would approve of a JTF that recognizes the LTTE with equal status to "establish and administer a fund” (4.3.8).
One could only infer from her past behaviour that she would make every effort to disrupt the peace process and sabotage the peace initiative, where it would be doomed to fail.
Politics may be the art of the possible, but it is equally the struggle for power where there are no permanent enemies or permanent friends.
If the peace process ever succeeds, the future of the Opposition would be sealed for many years to come. Given this scenario, it stands to reason to have the JTF function under the purview of the Prime Minister's office where it would gain credibility, but more because it could contain any opposition from that vantage
(continued on page 4l

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War, peac & human rig
Dr. Radhika Coomaraswamy has been selected by the Constitutio Independent Commission on Human Rights. The appointment has to be along with those of other nominees to the independent commissions to bes the 17th amendment to the constitution. Dr. Coomaraswamy is Director of the Ethnic Studies in Colombo, and holds the UN post of Special Rapporteuron V Edited excerpts from from an interview with Lasanda Kurukulasuriyaof the D
What has been gained by this truce? The positive aspects?
Firstly, the fact that nobody's getting killed. That's important. Also it has set in motion a people-to-people process, making space for a genuine reconciliation. It has also made possible a process of resolving conflict between the government and the LTTE, with Norwegian facilitation. This process has withstood quite a few jolts - giving a sense that it might be long lasting. I have problems with it - serious issues I would like to raise - but have hope that it will go on. What are the issues?
The human rights violations in the East by the LTTE- forced conscription of children, abductions, extortion ... And in Jaffna some misbehaviour of the armed forces. There's no rule of law in those areas, and that's a serious issue. Is the Agreement flawed, for leaving room for these abuses?
Most ceasefire agreements around the world are just that - ceasefire agreements. In that sense it's not that different. What you have in places like El Salvador, East Timor. They also have a human rights agreement with international monitoring. That we don't have. Many human rights groups are pushing for this. Neither side has taken that option. Both Ranil Wickremesinghe and G.L. Peiris have said that at the level of the Interim Administration they will ensure there are safeguards for human rights with some form of international monitoring. Shouldn’t there be provision for a surrender of weapons by the LTTE?
Ideally, that's good. But if you look at how conflicts actually evolve in many parts of the world, the surrender is only after the final peace. Otherwise, the argument is that if the Agreement doesn't take place, they are at a military disadvantage. Is there enough discussion going on?
No, that I don't think is enough. I hope that when substantive negotiations begin - when they finally decide to set up a constitution ... that they follow the South African experience and have a re
ally open consulta volve civil society 1 ent it’s just goverr It's very important and everybody fee hope that will happ Have the worst as security forces/p under control wit emergency regul amendments to th rorism Act (PTA) I think since th have been very few ... There have bec the South. A terrib in the South that ca not heard of any ra lating to the Nort peace process. The detainees. ... The against whom ther Is there a cont ess itself - on the this is a scheme of Constitution, unde cils Act, but on thi is a total capitulati one armed militan no sign of moving processes. We see eradicate all oppos dismantling its "pa. In the ideal sit Sri Lankan gover those areas. And p man rights can be truth of the matter There's nothing th that de facto reality what we have to el Administration is three cardinal prin must be representa nority groups and p North and the Eas nority ethnic group cratic principle m' elections held as so ldn't be something but something to

TAM TIMES 37
K
Ge
htS
na Counci to Chair the made by the President, et up under the terms of international Centre for iolence Against Women. aily Mirror (9.11.2002):
tion process, and infar more. At the momment and the LTTE. that it be broadened ls ownership ... and I
SOO. pects of violations by olice been brought h the withdrawal of ations and the 1994 e Prevention of Ter
e peace process there cases under the PTA. n cases of torture in le case of torture/rape me to light. But I have pe or torture cases reh and East after the issue however is PTA release of detainees e are no charges. radiction in the procone hand we are told devolution within the r the Provincial Counground what we see on to the demands of t group ... that shows g towards democratic : the LTTE trying to ition. With no sign of rallel administration.” uation the writ of the nment would run in eople who violate huput in jail etc. But the is that it doesn't run. at can be done about , in the short term. But insure is, if an Interim set up, that there are ciples: ... First that it tive, and have all miolitical opinions of the t in it. Especially miS. Secondly the demoust be respected, and on as possible. It shoug in lieu of elections, set the stage for elec
tions. Thirdly that there is a regime that protects human rights, with international monitoring. If these principles are set in place, we can say any de facto or interim administration is in the best interests of the people of the region. If they are not, there is the danger that you mention.
Looking at the long-term picture, beyo
nd the Thailand peace talks, does this peace initiative hold out hope that Tamil aspirations will be met?
Yeah... the Tamils - at least the political leaders, I don't know about "all Tamils' - see themselves as a nation with a right to self-determination. The Sinhalese see the Tamils as a minority who at most can ask for some form of rights. These are two basically different world views that are meeting in Thailand. But ... in both the notion of self determination which is the Tamil framework, and the notion of the right of minorities which is the Sri Lankan government framework - both of them are talking of internal self determination, the right to autonomy ... so there's the sense that some form of autonomous regime within nation states can meet the aspirations of ethnic groups. That's more and more the accepted thinking. Within that at Thailand if they can come up with some sort of autonomy regime, it should meet the best aspirations that Tamils have been fighting for since 1958. What has happened to moderate Tamil opinion? Is it a thing of the past, or is it suppressed through fear?
I think moderate Tamil opinion has been killed off, mainly by the LTTE. People who articulated it. But also I think the Tamil community is very confused ... as a result of this. And I think, one part of it sees the LTTE as protecting its interests, and another part of it resists LTTE's anti-human rights and dominating ways. So I think there is in the Tamil community this tension. Which is saying, yes, they protect our interests and they speak for us, but they are very authoritarian ... and resenting their oppressive ways. As a result they are silent, they don't know what to say. I think a lot of Tamil people are in this bind. Have the Tigers lost the claim they make to being a people's organization
They were never a people's organization. I think the LTTE is a military organization. The success of the peace process is whether you can transform them from a military organization to a political organization, which is people-centric. What's the moderate Tamil position? A moderate Tamil position would be for Federalism. For human rights, and a strong democratic process in the North and East. That I think is the voice that is lost- a democratic, pluralistic voice.

Page 38
38 TAMILTIMES
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15 NOVEMBER 22
IN MEMORAMS
i
Third Death Anniversary
In Ever Loving Memory of Viranjani Rajika Malalgoda on the Third Anniversary of her passing away under tragic circumstances on 7 November 1999.
A Dear Daughter
Lonely is the home without you, Life to us is not the same; All the world would be like Heaven, If we could have you back again.
A light from our household is gone, A voice we loved is still; A place is vacant in our home, That never can be filled.
May the God of Love and Mercy, Care for our lo ved one who has gone; And bless with consolation, Those left to carry on.
The happy hours we once enjoyed, How sweet their memory still; But death has left a vacant place, This world can never fill.
How dearly we loved you, And prayed for your long and happy life, But Sai just beckoned, And we had to give.
Sai gave us the strength to hear it, And courage to fight the blow, What it has meant to lose you, Sai alone vill ever knov.
May you rest in peace at the Lotus Feet of our dear Sai, Miss you and love you for ever.
Mum and Dad
To a dear sister
We want to say so many things, We don't know where to start; We only know that we miss you Chooty, From the bottom of our hearts.
We treasure every memory, With pride we speak your name, We will always love and miss you, In a world that's not the same.
Love you alwayS,
Aiya and Saloni

Page 39
15 NOVEMBER 2002
Fourth Anniversary Remembrance Miss Daisy Selvaranee Rasiah
In ever loving memory of Miss Daisy Selvaranee Rasiah, Retired teacher of Veemankamam, Tellippalai on the fourth anniversary Of her passing away On the 10 Of November 1998.
Nothing loved is ever lost, Memories last for ever.
Affectionately remembered by her sister
64 Jessup Close, London SE18.
Thevaranee and all loved ones.
Mrs Chandra Ragupathy
in ever loving memory of my wife Chandra On the Seventh anniversary of her passing away On 26th November 1995.
Sadly missed and fondly remembered as always by
her loving husband Ragupathy. - 262 WrincklenmarSh Road, London SE38DW.
Forthcoming Events
Dec 2 Pirathosam, Third Karthigai Somavaaram Dec 3 Amavasai; Feast of St. Francis Xavier Dec 6 Feast of St. Nicholas Dec 7 Sathurthi: 7 p.m. Standing Committee of Tamil Speaking People (SCOT) Christmas Dinner-Dance at Ealing Town Hall. Tel: O208904 6472/8759 7986, South London Tamil Welfare Group (SLTWG) Children's Christmas Celebrations Tel 02085423285 Dec 8 Feast of The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Dec 9 Shashti; Sri Vinayagar Virathan ends, Fourth Karthigai Somavaaram Dec 11 Thiruvenbavai starts Dec 14 SLT WG ChristmaS Celebrations. Tel 02085423285 Feast of St. John of the Cross Dec 15 Vaikunda EekathaSi; 11 a.m. Srilanka Railway PastEmployees Welfare Association (UK) Christmas Celebrations at Air Force Training Hall,
192 Merton Road, Wimbledon, London SW19 (Nearest Tube South Wimbledon). Tel: 020 8804 9647 (Hony. Treasurer, Mr. P. Chellathurai) Dec 17 Karthigai Pirathosam Dec 19 Fullmoon Dec 20 Aaruthra DhariShanam Dec 21 SLTWG Drop in Tel: 020 8542 3285 Dec 23 Sankadakara Sathurthi Dec 25 Christmas Day Dec 26 Boxing Day Dec 28 Feast of the Holy InnoCents Dec 29 Krishna Eekathasi; Feast of the Holy Family Dec 31 Feast of St. Sylvester.
At the Bhavan Centre, 4A Castletown Road, London MV149HG. Te:02073813086/ 4608. Website: www.bhavan.net, E-mail: infoQbhavan.net. Dec 1 6p.m. The Bhavan & Srishti poresent Vaachikam — Bharata Natyam set in the Ghazal Way by Nina Rajarani
 
 
 

TAMILTIMES 39
The First Year Remembrance In Loving Memory of Gratian Nirmalanandan
08.10.52 - 30.09.01 The pain of parting is the price we pay for love for the best and the most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen nor touched but felt in the heart and soul.
Sadly Missed and Fondly Remembered by His Loving Wife Chandra Beloved Mamma, the Family and Friends.
In Ever Loving Memory of Our Dearest Appa
Richard Jeyarajasingam Born: 20.11.1928 Called to Glory: 27.11.1990
Though your parting twelve long years ago Crushed our dreams and passions, We rejoice that you returned with songs of joy To the one that planned your mission. We thank Him, our Lord for the gift of you A father, that one could ever wish for.
Fondly remembered by Ranee and children
The Sri Lanka
Railway Past Employees Welfare Association - UK will hold its Annual Christmas
Dec 7 3-4 p.m Talk by Prof. R. Ananta Murty on “On being an Indian Writer". All Welcome.
Dec 8 6 p.m. Akshara - The Divine Couple, An Indo-European Contemporary ballet Dec 19 6.30 p.m. Christmas Celebrations - Carol Singing, cultural programme and festive Snacks. All cordially invited.
Celebrations on Sunday, 15" December 2002 at 11 a.m. at No 18F Sqadron Air Training Hall, 192 Merton Road, Wimbledon (near South Wimbledon Tube Station).
Hony Secretary

Page 40
40 TAMILTIMES
‘Wedding
Parosha, daughter of Drs. Raj and Qudsia Chandran married Clive, Son of Stan and Barbara Daykin at Kelham Hall, NottinghamShire. Dr. Chandran is a former Commissioner for Racial Equality for UK and Mr. Daykin is a retired Superintendent of Police, Nottinghamshire Constabulary.
Over 500 guests were present and the couple left by helicopter to Heathrow to fly to Sri Lanka for their honeymoon. Parosha is a Human Rights Barristerand
Clive is a Chartered Accountant and they both practise in London.
My Sorrowing Motherland
Many a generation sought domain, In my heart to stay, And now I'm stateless, in the spot remain; But they've gone far away.
I shared in lives, sorrows and happiness In my heart to stay, And recall in my loneliness, Although they are far away.
I've borne their burdens and possession, In my heart to stay,
An now in ruins, through oppression, They know not, being far away.
I am robbed of my landmarks and boundary An open heart I stay, No doors, no windows, for security, They'll dream not being far away.
Spiritless fossils and cada vers, Studded in my heart to stay, Iyearn to see then alive and steer, To take me lively and gay.
I am wartorn, lost my life and glamour, Empty, my heart, doth stay, Ipine to regain my look, Oh Redeemert Bring Peace bring back them, gone far away.
Сотposed by Pathma Selvanayagam
 
 
 

15 NOVEMBER 202
Sunthar's
Sunthar Sivapathasundaram, a budding young musiCian in London, who has already had a successful flute arangetram in 2000, had a brilliant violin arangetram on the 25 of August at the Winston Churchill Hall.
Groomed by Guru Dr. Lakshmi Jayan, Sunthar held the appreciative audience Spellbound from the Start to finish. Starting with Sri Lalgudi Jaya
raman’s varnam in Kannada ra
gam, Sunthar gave a brief introduction of Hamsadhwani and played the Ganesa kriti "Pahi Pahi" finishing it with an exhilarating swaraprastaram. Then came Thyagaraja's famous kriti “Na Jeevadhara" in Bilahari, followed by Papanasam Sivan's "Karpagamanohara” in Malayamarutham with excellent raga alapana and kalpana swaram. “EnthaniviInna" in Urmika and "Sarmikku Sari Evare” in Kedaragowli came next. Sunthar was in all his elements in the ragamtanam-pallavi in Dharmavati ragam set to Kanda thriputa talam. Ragams taken for the swararagamalika were Kanada, Parvati and Revati. Parvati is a rare ragam derived from the 72oo Melakarta. The entire ragam-tanam-palavi, especialy the thrikalam WaSexecuted Superbly by Sunthar.
The second part of the concert comprising lighter pieces was very relaxed and enjoyable. A rare Oothukkadu kriti, "Neelamalar" in VaSanta was very joyful. The ragamalika of 14 different Ranjani ragams was masterly. Annamacharya's "Bhavayami"in Yamuna Kalyani was followed by a very liting javali - "Cheline netlu" which was a treat to the audience. Lalgudi's thillana in Mandragam, which is a difficult one was handled brilliantly by Sunthar, thus proving his Lalgudi lineage. The mangalam was Dikshitar's Kamalamba Navavanan in Sree Ragam.
On the whole Sunthar's concept of layam was excel
lent, the raga alapanas were rich in traditional prayogams (phrases), and the kritis were full of pristine sangathis and ragabhavam maintaining the speciality of "Lalgudi Style" in which the Violin imitates the words of the lyric (sahityam) like a voice.
The mridangam and ghatam support were given by the "Bangalore Brothers" Prakash and Prathap. They affectionately guided Sunthar throughOut the Concert with their excellent Support. Prakash proved that his mastery on mridangam is equally meritorious as on the ghatam with which he usually thrills the London audience. The Tani Avartamam Was beautifully rendered by the brothers and the audience enjoyed it very much.
The Chief Guest, Dr. P. V. Nath MBE from Newcastle fully appreciated Sunthar's achievement and the Guru's contribution, and gave Sunthar valuable advice for the future. The Guest of Honour, Sri Sami Dandapani of London Sivan Temple. gave an excellent speech in Tamil commenting on Sunthar's performance.
The parents, Chandra and Siva, dese-rve hearty congratulationsforbringingoutand nurturing the talents in their son. Sun-thar, no doubt, has inborr talent for music and it has been properly groomed in the right channel by his parents and Guru. Well done Sunthard May God Bless You.
Kala Rasika

Page 41
15 NOVEMBER 2002
SHVA SHANKAR’S
Bharatha Natya Arange
Shiva Shankari daughter of Dr. and Mrs Shanmuganathan staged her graduation performance (Arangetram) in Bharatha Natyam at the Logan Hall, University of London on 5th October 2002. She is a disciple of Guru Smt. Gunavathy Shakespeare and was trained at the Shakespeare School of Oriental Dancing in the authentic Kalashetra Style.
Shiva Shankari opened her performance in the traditional manner With the Ganesha Vandanam , went on to an Alarippu & Jathiswaram and presented a Shabtham on God Murugan in ragamalikai (Tala misrachapu) The Varnam chosen was "Roopamu Joochi "(ThodiAadhi). Shiva Shankari performed to an original choreography of the Grand old Lady of Adayar Kalashetra none other than Snt Rukmani Amma herself. Such handing over of rare and specialised knowledge from a Doydon of Bharatha Natyam to Shiva Shankari was possible only because the Guru Smit Gunawati Shakespeare was privileged to be trained by "Amma" herself.
Shiva Shankari also presented a Patham in which she paid homage to Goddess Sarvamangaleswari of her Maternal Family Temple in Mayilani, Chunnakam, Sri Lanka.
The Keerthanam "Yean Palli Kondeer lyah?" an evergreen favourite of dance teachers and viewers alike was performed very well by the young student and sung extremely well by the Vocalist. The main Vocalist Was Vidwan Gaanabhooshanam
V.A.Aravindakshan a graduate of the
Trivandrum Music College and tutored by
great Maestros like Smit M.S.. Vidwan Bhawan was on Mirl accompanists were Shri Pitchaiappah Gr and Kumari Abirami Veena.
Shiva Shankari's Smit BallaSundhari F Chief Guest. The Aud were Sri Lankan pro in Colombo in the Six Citement as BalaSu Bharatha Natyam leg Sixties appeared on Sri. A. T. Moorthy (Fc Sioner for Sri Lanka tnam Nith thiyananc Tamil Centre were al Guests and presente
Shiva Shankari, cal Undergrad, also ing Piano, Veena, Sp eral hundreds and youngsters attend Classes in our Europ only a few hundred getrams and if these tinue their links with after their arangetra not only bring them t tion but would als strength and everlas. tion.
Wim
(Continued from page 36) point. This would en has nationwide pol though it may not Would the governm Sinhalese and Muslii ern Province to the w goes, by agreeing to JTF Will the JTF be Interim Administrati are they capriciously Besides, one enc tion to a merger of th there then a hidden : a JTF, which will e phose into an Intel Council with the L predominating positi to question without Will this then be a p. state'?
Or, will it confor
 
 

TAM TIMES 41
Semmankudiyar and Balachandar of the thangam. The other Shri Ganesh - Violin, anavarathan - Flute Gnanasambandan -
parents had chosen rathalingam as the ence - most of whom essionals who lived ties gasped with exndhari - Colombo's end in the Nineteen this London Stage. primer High Commisin London) & Dr. Ralan of the London so invited as Special ld their comments.
currentya Bio Medidevotes time to playeech & Drama. Sevhundreds of Tamil Bharatha Natyam pean cities. Of these is have their Aranyoung dancers con| Bharatha Natyam m, this divine art will "espect and recognio give them inner fing spiritual satisfac
al Sockanathan
for Sangarapillai
Mr. E. Sangarapillai, who hails from Atchuvely, Sri Lanka has been honoured with the Queen's Golden Jubilee Commemoration Medal by the Governor General of Canada in recognition of his services as a writer and community worker.
He is a prolific writer in English and Tamil and carrying the pen name "Godson" has won the Editor's Choice A Ward at a North American National Library of Poetry and has also been awarded the title international Poet of Merit by the International Society of Poetry with his name appearing with those of others in the Poetry Hall of Fame.
He represents the St. George's Manor Community at the Toronto Community Housing Council, organises Community Festivals and assists the sick and needy. Students of Universities and High Schools benefit from his assistance in the study of English and literature studies. He is a voluntary worker for Libraries, Hospitals and Children's Aid Societies.
sure that the project itical support even enjoy legal status. ent be throwing the ms living in the Eastvolves, as the saying ) the setting up of a * the harbinger ofan ion at a later date, or 7 one and the same? ounters stiff opposihe North and East. Is agenda in setting up ventually metamorim Administrative TTE in a distinctly on none could afford incurring its wrath? relude to a 'separate
m to the basic norms
of democratic governance that would
genuinely reflect the hopes and aspirations of all the three major communities in the North/East, for which the electoral process will have to be the only modus operandi that would ensure its representative character?
How could it then be an integral part of the overall politico-administrative structure that will eventually take shape in relation to the third Republican Constitution that will have to be promulgated hopefully in the near future?
These are some of the loaded questions, pregnant with far-reaching significance, that demand credible answers.
(The writer is also the Editor of Social Justice, the monthly journal published by the Centre for Society and Religion.)

Page 42
42 TAML TIMES
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TWICE LUS A FREE TRIP CE WEEKLY ONE OF THE FOLLOWINGDESTINATIONS:
i, THRYCHI, TRYINDERLINE&POERFERE. B.A. 'GK, OK, KLALA LUPLR.ART higkig
Fಳ್ಲGARE | SEREgy |
Wia Colombo O COLOMEO
from E490 tax SUMMERSHIPPING DATES:
ECT TOURINT O2 November - ETA 23 November
16 No Wobr - ETA O 7 DECIber
Qatar Airways "YOUR FREIGHT WILL
GOTO OljR ULTRA MODERN up to 30th Now
We are also selling agents for GulfAir, Emirates, Catar & other major airlines
BONDED WAREHOUSE: LAKSIRISEWA (PWT) LTD
GEG NEW MILJIGE ROAD
Now
hay I TOT 355 ay PELI'YA GÖDA ||
TEL: 555E Ht DOOR TODD ORT INSURANCE FREMILIM. AWALABLE
SAPPL
APPLE AR
MAN AGENT for COLOMBO
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“Slip RovAL JORDANIAN ze-3,1} &ssy
AND FARES ON ALL E. LIWE
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sir KUWAT E370 TAX ITA
HOTELS GULF £380 TAKE
Ego ISRILANIKAN 10, 8460 stay I radius: E23 of
Per | JORDAMNIAN TAX
Airport
TEL: 020-85630364
FAX: O2O-8748 4912
E-mail: appleair gappleair.btinternet.com Web Site:http:/www.bt internet.com/-appleair-appleair
338A KING STREET LONDONW6 ORR
Tavel Insurance plus Hotel Reservations