press releases

Sri Lanka Army Situtation Report As at UTC 0630 (1200) 17 June 2006

LTTE Suicide Mission Averted

NEGAMBO: CIVILIANS HAVE OBSERVED TWO SUSPECTED persons in the PAMUNUGAMA beach area around 5.30 a.m. on 17 June 2006 had followed them along the beach.
On detection of the presence of the civilians one suspected person has swallowed cyanide and had collapsed on the beach while an explosion had taken place in the sea.
The civilians have informed this to the Police immediately while the second person also had swallowed cyanide.
Meanwhile another explosion had also taken place about 50 m north of the initial explosion where the civilians had observed a person suddenly fleeing the scene and Police with the assistance of the civilians arrested the suspect.
Inquiries into the incident reveals that the LTTE terrorists had been trying to carry out a suicide mission but failed due to the vigilance of civilians in the area.
It is believed that seven (7) diving equipments have been used for this futile mission where three such had been recovered and the Army Bomb Disposal Team also arrived at the location.
The two terrorists who had swallowed cyanide had been admitted to the hospital.
The Security Forces and Police are conducting search operations in the area with the assistance of the civilians.

LTTE Attack On Police Post And Navy Successfully Retaliated

MANNAR: THE POLICE POST at PESALAI and TALAIMANNAR Navy detachment came under LTTE attack from land and sea around 6.55 a.m. on 17 June 2006.
LTTE had launched twelve (12) boats to carry out this attack and the Navy had been able to destroy eight (8) boats while damaging another three (3) which resulted in killing at least thirty (30) LTTE sea tigers.
Six Navy personnel have been killed and another three suffered injuries during the confrontation while two Navy boats too were damaged.
The LTTE terrorists continued their practice of targeting innocent civilians when they fire and injured civilians who took shelter at the PESALAI Church.
The Army artillery fire and MI-24 Gun ships of the Air Force assisted in countering the failed LTTE attack.
Situation has been totally brought controlled by the Security Forces.

PRESS RELEASE

President Mahinda Rajapaksa visits the families of claymore victims of Kebbetigollewa

His Excellency, President Mahinda Rajapaksa visited the scene of the claymore explosion and also visited the Kebbetigollewa Hospital to share in the grief with the relatives of the victims. He expressed his condolences to the families of the victims. The President instructed relevant officials to provide necessary relief and assistance to alleviate their suffering.

The President also visited the injured at the Anuradhapura Hospital. He instructed the hospital staff to provide necessary medical assistance for their speedy recovery. Immediate arrangements were made on the instructions of the President to provide blood, medicines etc. to the Anuradhapura hospital.

The President also instructed officials to assist the families in the funeral rites of the victims.

The President said that all necessary precautions would be taken to protect the people while the Government still continues with the Peace Process.

Department of Government Information

15 June 2006

PRESS RELEASE

The Prime Minister of Norway Jens Stoltenberg assured Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera of Norway’s eagerness to further enhance bi-lateral cooperation for economic development while facilitating the peace process, when the Minister called on him today during the current official visit to Norway. Foreign Minister Samaraweera discussed with Prime Minister Stoltenberg a range of issues of bilateral interest including ways and means of further strengthening links between the two countries.

Foreign Minister Samaraweera also called on the President(Speaker) of the Norwegian Parliament and addressed the Standing Committee for Foreign Affairs of the Norwegian Parliament.

While acknowledging all the endeavours of the Royal Norwegian Government in finding a lasting solution to the conflict in Sri Lanka, Minister Samaraweera conveyed to the Standing Committee that there are no short cuts to peace and a mutually acceptable result could be found only at the negotiating table, through a meaningful dialogue.

However, due to the intransigence of the LTTE the peace process has now been stalled. Minister Samaraweera urged the international community to apply pressure on the LTTE to persuade them to return to the negotiating table. The Minister stated that the LTTE being listed by the EU as a terrorist organization was a step in the right direction.

He further stated that democracy and pluralism should be the only way to a successful and durable peace in Sri Lanka and rejected the LTTE’s claim of being the sole representative of the Tamil people. The right to dissent is the driving force of a successful democracy and by preventing any other Tamil political party from participating in the political activities in the North & East, the LTTE is repressing the rights of the Tamil people.

The Government of Sri Lanka is steadfastly committed to the peace process and a negotiated settlement. However the LTTE has only shown its disinterest in reaching any settlement by walking out of peace talks. The Minister cited the most recent example of the LTTE representatives refusing to meet the Sri Lankan delegation in Oslo last week as yet another instance of the LTTE’ intransigence.

Minister Ferial Ashraff addressing the Standing Committee highlighted the LTTE’s campaign of ethnic cleansing which had taken place in the North, consequent to which the displaced persons of Muslim origin were still in refugee camps, unable to return to their homes even after sixteen years. There were also recent threats by the LTTE of ethnic cleansing of Muslims in the eastern province where the Muslim community has a substantial presence. All these grave abuses of human rights by the LTTE were taking place while they were complaining of human rights violations of the Government agencies.

Foreign Minister Samaraweera had an audience with His Majesty King Harald of Norway and extended greetings from President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

He also met with Norwegian Minister of Transport and Communications Liv Signe Navarsete and discussed matters of mutual interest in the ports and aviation sectors.

Minister Samaraweera was accompanied by Mrs. Ferial Ashraff, Minister of Housing and Construction, Mr. Risath Bathiyutheen, Minister of Resettlement, Mr. Ahmed Jawad, Sri Lankan Ambassador to Norway and senior officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Ports & Aviation.

Embassy of Sri Lanka

Oslo

13 June 2006

ARMY COUNTERS FALSE PROPAGANDA BY TIGER TERRORISTS

The pro-LTTE media on 14.06.06 carried a highly dubious news story titled “Claymore attack averted in Vanni, 3 dead in gunfire”.
The report alleges that “Tamil Auxiliaries” on a road clearing patrol recovered a body of a male purported to be a Sri Lankan Army (SLA) soldier killed during an exchange of fire between Nainamadu and Puliyankulam on the Nedunkerni road on Tuesday (13 June).
It also reports “The Auxiliaries seized boots and ammunitions” allegedly used by the Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) of the Sri Lanka Army.
Also found by the Auxiliaries was ONE bag with ‘SLA’ markings.
The news report carried two photographs of the equipment and one of the body.
It is an open secret that the Tamil Tigers (LTTE) are in possession of equipment and other military hardware including communication equipment captured from SLA during past operations against Security Forces.
Apparently the Tamil Tigers (LTTE) have used a few of these very same items for their advantage to justify their case.
This is one of the innumerable instances the Tamil Tigers (LTTE) have attempted to tarnish the image of the Sri Lanka Security Forces in the eyes of the international community.
On June 12th an Officer was reported missing from the Forward Defence Line (FDL) Omanthai. On June 05th another Officer was reported missing from Vavuniya.
The possibility of the body as one of the missing cannot be ruled out. The Tamil Tigers (LTTE) has a long history of resorting to the abduction of both military and civilians.
The above incident reported on 14.06.06 by the pro-LTTE media could be linked to another instance of LTTE fabrication and false propaganda.

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Hon. Mangala Samaraweera commenced an official visit to Norway by meeting his counterpart Mr. Jonas Gahr Store this morning in Oslo.

The Ministers discussed a wide range of issues centered on further strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries. It was pointed out that since the commencement of Norwegian facilitation in 1999, matters relating to the peace process have taken precedence in the relationship. At this meeting the Ministers reaffirmed the need to consolidate the bilateral relations specifically in the field of economic and development cooperation.

Minister Samaraweera reiterated President Mahinda Rajapaksa's commitment to a negotiated settlement and pointed out that it was the intransigence of the LTTE that is an impediment to the progress of the peace process as demonstrated by their actions in Oslo last week. Minister Samaraweera pointed out that the international community must take a firm stand on calling upon the LTTE to renounce violence and acts of terrorism and return to the negotiating table. The listing of the LTTE by the European Union was seen as a positive measure in support of the peace process. The LTTE must be told in no uncertain terms by the international community that violence doesn't pay and terrorism in all its aspects must be condemned unreservedly. Minister Samaraweera also said the Government has always ensured the safety and security of the SLMM and will continue this policy.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has appointed a committee to serve in an advisory capacity to the committee of representatives, from all parties to be appointed to work out the formalities for a lasting solution to the ethnic conflict.

This Advisory Committee comprises 12 members selected from various fields of discipline.

These appointments have been done in pursuance of a decision taken at the 5^thAll Party Conference held on June 02. The members of the advisory committee are as follows:

12. Mrs.Malkanthi Wickremasinghe, Secretary/ Ministry of Constitutional Affairs (Convener)

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera will visit Norway and Finland for bilateral visits next week.

In Norway, the Minister will meet his counterpart,- the Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store. Meetings are also likely to be held with other Ministers of the Norwegian government where issues of varying bilateral interest to the two countries will be discussed.

Minister Samaraweera will also receive an audience with the King of Norway. His Majesty King Harald V, at the Royal Palace, and call on Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg.

A business/investment promotion seminar is scheduled at Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (NHO).

The Foreign Minister will thereafter visit Finland, where he will meet with the Foreign Minister Erkki Tumioja of Finland, and hold bilateral discussions on matters of mutual interest to the two countries. The visit to Finland becomes important in the context of Finland assuming presidency of the EU from the 1^st of July this year.

Minister Samaraweera is also expected to interact with sections of the Sri Lankan Diaspora in both Norway and Finland.

These are the first visits by a Foreign Minister under President Mahinda Rajapaksa's government to the Nordic countries. It is expected that these visits will give new impetus to Sri Lanka's bilateral relations with Norway and Finland.

In between the two visits, Minister Samaraweera will be in London to participate in a series of promotional events titled "refreshingly Sri Lanka", commencing on 17th June. These promotional events are part of the cultural diplomacy initiative of the government to showcase Sri Lanka overseas, in all its aspects.

Senior officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Ports and Aviation and the Board of Investment will accompany the Foreign Minister.

RADA MEDIA RELEASE

President Rajapakse has instructed government officials to ensure that daily activities of the civilians in the North and East are not to be hampered and the essential items to North & East must move without restrictions.

The Secretary to the President Mr. Lalith Weeratunga made this clear at a high-powered meeting held on 7th of June at the Reconstruction & Development Agency [ RADA ] convened by Mr. Saliya Wickramasuriya, its Chief Operating Officer (COO).

The meeting was held to discuss issues with key development partners and representatives of UN, World Bank, ADB & IMF on security arrangements which could lead to disruption of reconstruction and development activities of the North & East.

Speaking at this meeting, Mr Miguel Bermeo Country Director UN expressed the need to have a clear & consistent procedure and a mechanism for solving problems pertaining to delivery of goods such as cement which are used as material for the construction of houses for tsunami affected people in the North & East.

The Secretary to the President reiterated the government's position that these moves were introduced only as a temporary measure and stated that movements of cement & steel will not be restricted provided that the amounts needed to be transported are indicated in advance to the Government.

Although precautionary measures are necessary to ensure that construction material sent to North & East is not used for non reconstrction activities, Mr Weeratunga said that work pertaining to reconstruction and development must go on and it is the further responsibility of the Government Agents to ensure that all tsunami housing programs are completed by the year end.

Restriction of movements of material needed for construction purposes are not necessary per se; but it is important that a rational breakdown of requirements instead of an ad hock dispatching of construction material is needed to streamline the application process and to maintain accountability and transparency by all sides, Mr Weeratunga said.

Mr. Sunil Sirisena Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Defence who attended the meeting informed the gathering that it may be a security risk to provide blanket approval for large consignments; therefore it is necessary that project wise details are given in order to permit such movements.

Mr. Sirisena further said that the Security personnel manning the checkpoints will not have the same awareness about the large-scale projects that are implemented by donor agencies and INGOs. Therefore he expressed the need for a breakdown of the requirements of these projects so that personnel at the security check points will feel comfortable in releasing them.

Mr. Jeevan Thyagaraja, Executive Director of Consortium of Humanitarian Agencies stressed the importance of bridging the communication gulf so that it could avoid unnecessary confrontations. ( ends )

PRESS RELEASE

08 June 2006 - Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Oslo

Norway profoundly concerned with grave situation in Sri Lanka

The grave situation in Sri Lanka, with escalating violence in breach of the Ceasefire Agreement (CFA), is intolerable for the civilian population and a cause of great concern to the international community. As expressed in no uncertain terms by the Tokyo Co-Chairs in their statement of 30 May, the full responsibility for halting violence and giving the peace process a new start, rests with the parties.

The Royal Norwegian Government regrets that it was not possible to hold the foreseen and much needed meeting between the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to assess the difficult situation in Sri Lanka and to address the safety and security of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM).
After having accepted the Norwegian invitation, and after having arrived in Norway, the LTTE raised objections to the previously communicated intentions and modalities for the meeting. This was the reason for the meeting not being held.

By this a critical opportunity has been lost for the peoples of Sri Lanka who so desperately need their leaders on both sides to renew their obligation to uphold the CFA and other CFA-related commitments and to improve security.

The Royal Norwegian Government has been informed that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam is not ready to accept SLMM monitors originating from states which separately or by membership in international organisations have included the LTTE on lists for the application of specific measures to combat terrorism. At present, 37 out of 57 monitors originate from these countries.

By not being able to address this urgent issue in the presence of both parties, the Royal Norwegian Government and the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission have been seriously hampered in their efforts to find a future solution for the SLMM and thereby encourage respect for the CFA and its effective monitoring.

The Royal Norwegian Government is profoundly concerned with the gravity of the situation on the ground, the objection by the LTTE to collaborate with the SLMM with its present composition, the lack of dialogue between the parties, and the doubts voiced by many about the continued full commitment of the parties to the Ceasefire Agreement.
On this background the Royal Norwegian Government have deemed it necessary to take the unprecedented step of requesting both parties, through letters to President Mahinda Rajapakse and the LTTE leader Mr Vellupilai Prabhakaran, to provide responses in writing to five critical questions.

The LTTE has refused to meet with the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) delegation after arriving at the conference venue in Norway.

The GOSL delegation came to Oslo at the invitation of the Royal Norwegian Government to discuss the operational modalities and functional attributes of the SLMM. A similar invitation was made to the LTTE.

Since the safety and security of the SLMM monitors were of prime concern, the GOSL delegation was looking forward to these talks which would have been of a technical nature to provide SLMM with the required assurances. Extensive preparations have been made in advance by the GOSL delegation for these talks.

The Royal Norwegian Government invited both the GOSL and the LTTE to attend the meeting in Oslo. The GOSL acceptance of the invitation was communicated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs on 01 June 2006. The GOSL also issued a press statement indicating the acceptance of the invitation for Oslo talks and naming the head of the delegation. The LTTE left Sri Lanka bound for Oslo having full knowledge of this position on the 04th of June 2006.

The talks were scheduled for the 08-09 June 2006 at the Thorbjornrud Hotel A.S. in Jevnaker near Oslo.

On the 08 June 2006 at 09:00 a.m. the Sri Lankan Delegation was informed by the Norwegians that the LTTE had declined to meet the GOSL delegation. The Norwegian government representatives themselves expressed complete surprise at the stance taken by the LTTE despite all the background preparations made by the Norwegian facilitators.

The GOSL delegation was also informed that the LTTE had indicated that the presence of Nationals from Sweden, Denmark and Finland as members of the SLMM was objectionable as these are nationals of EU member countries.

The GOSL delegation informed the Norwegian representatives that in terms of the Status of Mission Agreement (SOMA) had requested the Royal Norwegian Government to organise and establish the SLMM and "the members of the mission be recruited from among the citizens of the Nordic countries" and expressed the view that Nationals from Sweden. Denmark and Finland, although from EU Member States shall be recruited as members of the SLMM in their individual capacities.

employees in the Public Service should be from 8.30 a.m. to 4.15 p.m. with effect from 19.06.2006 (including lunch break of 30 minutes) . Facilities should be made to carry out financial transactions up to 3 p.m. on every working day in all government offices.

02. As indicated in Public Administration Circular No: 162, the office hours of minor employees should be, 8.00 a.m. to 4.45 p.m. including lunch break of 30 minutes .

03. Further it should be noted that concessions granted by Public Administration

Circular No: 3/92 and 6/94 to the officers attending the office late should be readjusted to conform to the new office hours.

04. Government has also decided that with effect from 19.06.2006, the School time should also be from 7.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. Further instructions in this respect will be issued by the Secretary, Ministry of Education in due course.

05. Accordingly, Secretary, Ministry of Railway and Transport will adjust the railway and bus time tables conforming to the changes made in office times and school times.

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union concerning listing of the LTTE as a terrorist organisation

1. The Council of the European Union (EU) decided on 29 May 2006 to include the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) on the EU list for the application of specific measures to combat terrorism. This list contains the names of persons, groups and entities against whom, for reasons of their involvement in terrorist acts, specific restrictive measures have to be taken, including:

– the freezing of funds and other financial assets or economic resources of the persons and entities specified,

– a ban on the provision of funds, financial assets and economic resources, and a ban on the provision of financial or other related services, directly or indirectly, for the benefit of these persons, groups and entities,

2. The decision of the EU to list the LTTE should come as a surprise to nobody. Several warnings have already been provided to the LTTE, which the LTTE has systematically ignored. In its statement of 27 September 2005 (12669/1/05) the EU stated that “it was actively considering the formal listing of LTTE as a terrorist organisation”. The EU then called upon all parties to show commitment and responsibility towards the peace process and to refrain from actions that could endanger a peaceful resolution and political settlement of the conflict. Unfortunately, this appeal has gone unheeded. The decision of the EU to list the LTTE is based on the actions of that organisation. The EU still sees a need for the LTTE to amend its violent course and return to peace talks, and will maintain its dialogue with the LTTE where such contacts, in the pursuit of the peace process, may help to bring about a return to negotiations and an end to violence. Listing the LTTE will not diminish the EU’s determination to play its role as one of the Tokyo co-chairs. The EU stresses that its decision is directed at the LTTE, and not at the Tamil people.

3. At the same time, the EU calls upon the Sri Lankan authorities to curb violence in Government controlled areas. In this regard, the EU stands by all of the findings in the reports of the SLMM (Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission). The EU urges the Government of Sri Lanka to act effectively on the commitment of President Rajapakse to put a stop to the culture of impunity and to clamp down on all acts of violence in areas controlled by the Government. The EU further urges the Government to ensure law and order for all citizens of Sri Lanka, and to investigate and prosecute all cases of violence that have so far not resulted in arrests or convictions.

4. The upsurge in violence is not caused by the LTTE alone. The EU strongly urges the Sri Lankan authorities to curb violence in Government controlled areas. The EU notes with concern the growing number of reports of extrajudicial killings. The EU views the activities of the Karuna Group in the gravest possible light. These are clearly contributing to increased instability in Sri Lanka, and further endanger the peace process. The EU intends to keep the activities of the Karuna Group under close review, with a view to considering possible further steps.

5. The EU will keep the situation in Sri Lanka under active review, taking account of the activities of all parties to the conflict. It will remain ready to adopt further measures as and when they may be warranted by changing circumstances.

6. The European Union firmly believes that only a peacefully negotiated settlement can ensure a lasting solution acceptable to all. In this connection, the EU recalls the agreement reached in Oslo by all the parties involved to explore a specific institutional solution for Sri Lanka. It is the responsibility of all those concerned to act in the interests of all the people of Sri Lanka. The EU remains fully committed to the peace process in Sri Lanka. The EU sincerely urges all parties to put an end to violence and to return to the negotiation table, so as to relieve the Sri Lankan people from the ordeal of twenty years of persistent conflict.

7. The EU remains firmly committed to assisting the Norwegian facilitator in his work and to helping the two parties to the Ceasefire Agreement in Sri Lanka to resolve their conflicts and find a long term peaceful settlement for Sri Lanka. This, however, requires real commitment to the peace process from both the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE. The EU clearly expects all parties to respect the role and physical safety of the SLMM monitors.

Sri Lanka ruled out a military crackdown against Tamil Tiger rebels following their proscription as a terrorist organisation by the European Union

The office of President Mahinda Rajapakse said the Sri Lankan government was ready to resume peace talks with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) despite the ban slapped by the 25-member EU

It said the EU proscription should encourage the Tigers to “think afresh” and resume talks with the government on ending decades of ethnic bloodshed that has claimed over 60,000 lives since 1972. “The government hopes that this clear and firm message would provide a fresh impetus and encouragement to the LTTE to think afresh and resume talks with the assistance of the Norwegian facilitators,” bloc on the guerrillas the statement said. It said the government hoped the Tigers would scale down violence.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s Tamil Tiger rebels warned that a European Union ban that diplomats say will freeze their assets would shake the islands teetering peace process, but said they remained committed to a truce.

The 25-nation bloc listed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as a banned terrorist organisation on 29.05.2006. The Tigers had earlier said proscription would deter them from returning to talks aimed at permanently halting a two-decade civil war and would “exacerbate the conditions of war”.

But they now want the EU to sanction the government, which they accuse of helping a band of former comrades to attack them.

“This ban is not going to help to promote the peace process,” S Puleedevan, head of the Tigers peace secretariat, told reporters from the northern rebel stronghold of Kilinochchi. “This is really going to disturb the parity of status of the parties, which is very fundamental for the peace process,” he added. “This is really going to shake the fundamentals.” The ban is a diplomatic slap in the face for the rebels, who have sought to project an image abroad as viable leaders of a de facto state.

Analysts say EU freeze on assets would hurt the war chest of the Tigers, who have used past trips to Europe during peace talks to raise funds from expatriate Tamils.

The Indian Government on May 14 extended the existing ban on the LTTE for a further two years.

The ban which was extended by the Indian Government was confirmed by the Tamil Nadu State Government on May 20.

The Home Ministry of India in a statement with regard to the ban on the LTTE reiterated that permitting or supporting LTTE activities on the Indian soil would be considered against the law of the country.

Meanwhile the ban which was brought against the LTTE in 1994 following the assassination of former Indian Premier Rajiv Gandhi is being extended by whatever Government that comes to power in India.

Nordic truce monitors will exert international and diplomatic pressure on the LTTE for jeopardising the safety of Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) members.

The Navy successfully retaliated the attack with the help of Sri Lanka Air Force. Olafsdottir stated: "The LTTE has gravely endangered the lives of SLMM monitors with this attack. This is a serious violation of the Ceasefire Agreement."

"The LTTE has no right to carry out any military offensives against the Sri Lankan Security Forces under the Ceasefire Agreement. In short they have no businesses at sea."

"Whenever the LTTE wants to have a sea movement they have asked us to arrange that for the Government to facilitate it through the monitors," she said.

In a deliberate act of terrorism directed against the civilian population, it is reported that LTTE cadres on the evening of 29 May 2006 brutally murdered 12 civilians, at Omidiyamadu, near Welikanda in the Pollonnaruwa District. The twelve civilians were male workers involved in the reconstruction of an irrigation tank, which is expected to directly benefit the people in this area. This massacre is similar to the massacre of farmers, while attending their paddy fields on 24 April 2006 in Gomarankaduwela in the Trincomalee district and is likely to be another attempt by the LTTE to instigate a communal backlash in the area. The government has appealed to the people to remain calm in the face of this terror attack intended to disrupt and cripple the peace process.

The government strongly condemns this act of terrorism and has taken all necessary efforts to ensure that law and order is maintained. The government expresses its sympathy with the families of those killed.

The offices of three International NGOs engaged in humanitarian assistance and reconciliation, the Non-Violent Peace Force (NVPF), a Dutch agency ZOA and an Italian relief organization Intersos, came under grenade attacks in Muttur, Trincomalee on Sunday, 21st May 2006, In these attacks, one Serbian national and two locals were injured.

The role of international and national humanitarian organizations in general have been essential in ensuring a supportive role to the State in providing basic amenities, welfare measures and relief and rehabilitation to the people in the affected areas.

The Government unreservedly condemns this attack and has ordered an investigation. The Government provided emergency sea and air transport to the injured persons for medical treatment in Colombo.

An organization calling itself Makkal Eela Viduthalai Munnawar (Eelam people’s Liberation Alliance) has put up posters in Muttur threatening the entire Muslim population to leave. MEVM, which is believed to be a front organization of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has warned that all the Muslims should leave Muttur within 72 hours or face death. The posters stated that the Muslims should leave their houses and stay in refugee camps so they would understand the grievances of the Tamils who live in refugee camps.

Sri Lankan expatriates in Briton staged a protest campaign against the British Broadcasting Corporation for distorting the country's security news aiding and abetting the Tiger terrorists indirectly. Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) London organiser Rani Bulathwala said that the protest demonstration was organised by the SLFP London Branch and some other Sinhala organisations.

A large number of Sri Lankans protested in front of Bush House, Headquarters of the World Service, accusing BBC of being "Sympathetic to the Tiger Terrorists," during the recent upsurge of violence in the North and the East.

Meanwhile, a petition blaming the BBC for hampering Sri Lanka's attempts to "Eradicate terrorism" has been handed over to the BBC officials.

An organisation called Sri Lankans Against Terrorism (SLAT) is calling for an "Unbiased" coverage on the long running conflict in the island nation.

LTTE using anti-personnel mines again

An Anti-Personnel Mine has been used by the LTTE in Trincomalee for the first time since the CFA was signed in 2002.

A soldier on road duty in Trincomalee was seriously injured when the Anti-Personnel Mine exploded.

The renewed use of Anti-Personnel Mines by the LTTE is particularly disturbing given the extensive funding that international organisations have provided the Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO) for de-mining in the North-East.

The Government has been concerned over the escalation of violence by the LTTE and the consequent increase in displacement in Trincomalee district with some even crossing the shores of Sri Lanka via Mannar.

As directed by HE the President, it was agreed at a meeting that all efforts must be made to restore normalcy enabling the people to return to their original places of residence. It was noted that the numbers of this displacement is not significantly large. It was decided that the general assurance of security and safety was required to dispel concerns of these affected people.

In this regard it was decided to establish temporary Open Relief Centres (ORC) with a primary focus in Trincomalee and also using the existing ORC facility in Mannar. These Centres will be administered by the Government Agent of the respective district working in close coordination with the Governor of the Northern and Eastern Provinces and the provincial administration. Each Centre will have a UNHCR presence in order to assist in building confidence and ensure an early return of these people to their homes.

It was agreed at the meeting that UNHCR will be the focal agency in this regard and continue to support the Government in the ORC initiative.

The Temporary Open Relief Centres (ORC) will commence operations within the next few days to accommodate the immediate needs of the displaced people, while plans for an early return will be formulated in consultation with the district administration and other agencies.

Source: Dept: of Government Information

Secretary General of SCOPP will lead the Government delegation for talks in Oslo

The Norwegian delegation led by the Minister for International Development Cooperation Mr. Eric Solheim during a discussion with the President suggested the need to have a meeting to assess the situation and address the safety and security of the SLMM. This was pursuant to the abortive attack by the LTTE on the troop transport vessel Pear Cruise II which endangered the lives of SLMM monitors.

Mr. Solheim stated that it was important to ensure that the SLMM can function effectively in the current situation. The meeting is expected to address matters relating to the operational modalities and functional attributes of the SLMM. The Norwegian delegation proposed that both the GOSL and the LTTE together with the Nordic countries that are contributing personnel to the SLMM meet in Oslo on 8-9 June 2006.

The government would like to respond positively to the request made by the Norwegian facilitators. The President and the GOSL greatly appreciates the commitment and services of the SLMM and will unreservedly provide support that the SLMM requests to ensure the safety of its members.

The government delegation to this meeting would be headed by Dr. Palitha Kohona, the Secretary General of the Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP).
The government also wishes to encourage the LTTE to respond positively to the invitation to the second round of talks in Geneva.

Source : Dept. of Government Information

Permanent Standing Committee on Human Rights decides on the establishment of the Inter Ministerial Committee.

The Permanent Standing Committee on Human Rights, co-chaired by Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera and Minister of Human Rights Mahinda Samarasinghe, met for a Meeting on 25th May.

The Standing Committee decided on the establishment of the Inter Ministerial Committee on Human Rights chaired by Minister of Human Rights Mahinda Samarasinghe, and comprising senior officials of the Ministries of Human Rights, Foreign Affairs, Defence, Justice, Constitutional Affairs, the Attorney General's Department, the Armed Forces, the Police Department and the SCOPP. This Committee is expected to meet on a regular basis, especially with regard to implementing the decisions relating to human rights and have a continuing monitoring and overseeing function on human rights matters. The first meeting of the Inter Ministerial Committee is scheduled to be held on 7th June 2006.

The Minister stated that Sri Lanka was one of the few countries in the Asian region that has become a party to all seven-core international human rights instruments. Given the above international commitments we have undertaken as an active member of the international community it became necessary for the Government to establish an effective mechanism to translate Sri Lanka's international commitments into domestic policies and legislation and to ensure that all human rights violations are properly investigated and perpetrators brought to justice. As a result, under the direction of late Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar the Permanent Standing Committee on Human Rights was formed in 2000.

The decisions taken by the Permanent Standing Committee will serve as the roadmap for the future work of the Government in addressing human rights issues. Other decisions adopted by the Standing Committee included;

- appointing a Working Group to study and make recommendations with regard to the implementation of the recommendations made by UN Human Rights Treaty bodies;

- appointing a committee to draft a Human Rights Charter as enunciated by President Mahinda Rajapakse in his policy statement on foreign affairs;

- expediting the submissions of all pending reports to the UN Human Rights Treaty bodies;

- further enhancing the ongoing human rights education programmes conducted by the Security Forces and Police. It was noted that Sri Lanka's commitment to the promotion of international humanitarian law has been recognized by the ICRC as a model for other countries in the region;

The Minister of Human Rights will lead the Sri Lanka delegation to the inaugural session of the UN Human Rights Council, which will commence in Geneva on 19th June. Sri Lanka was elected to the HR Council at the election held on 9th May in New York.

Source : Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Ministry of Human Rights

Disaster Management and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe has appointed an Advisory Committee to prevent human rights violations due to the conflict.

This committee consists of 10 Government officers covering the Security Forces and 10 active civil officers representing various organisations. The committee will advise the Minister on current human rights issues.

A new 24-hour Media Centre will be established shortly by the Ministry of Defence for dissemination of all defence and National Security related news and information to local and foreign media. The new Media Centre, a concept introduced by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, will issue all press releases, statements and literature pertaining to the developments in the national security sphere, states a Government Information Department press release.

The Media Centre, coordinated by Minister of Policy Development and Implementation and Spokesman for Defence Matters, Keheliya Rambukwella will provide all available statistics, data, information and other details related to defence and security issues to the media at any time of the day through this Centre.

Foreign Minister wants Gulf Arab States to ban LTTE

Sri Lanka said it wants Gulf Arab states to ban the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and starve them of funds by cracking down on members who force Tamil expatriates in the region to chip in for its activities.

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, in Doha to attend a conference on cooperation among Asian nations, also called on the international community to press the group back to the negotiations table. "In Qatar there are quite a lot of Tamil people who have reported that they have been intimidated by a few members of the LTTE," said the Minister.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Mangala Samaraweera, who was on a bilateral visit to Japan from May 17 to 21, met with the Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Taro Aso in Tokyo on Friday May 19. During bilateral discussions, the two Ministers pledged to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the political, economic and cultural spheres. Minister Samaraweera briefed Foreign Minister Aso on the current status of the peace process and extended the sincere appreciation of the Sri Lanka Government to the Government of Japan for the support extended as a co-chair of Sri Lanka's peace process. The Minister reiterated the Sri Lanka Government's commitment to achieving a sustainable peace through the constructive engagement of all parties. He informed that the Rajapaksa Government has forged a consensus among the southern polity as part of a roadmap formulated by the Government to seek a negotiated solution to the ethnic conflict.

The two Foreign Ministers also discussed further economic cooperation between the two countries, including Japanese investment in Sri Lanka, within the framework of the Japan-Sri Lanka dialogue. Minister Samaraweera briefed Minister Aso in detail on Sri Lanka's economic development and the utilization of Japan's official development assistance (ODA) in infrastructure development including in the north and east.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera is currently on a visit to Qatar to participate in the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) 5th Ministerial Meeting, which is being held on the 24th of May in Doha.

During his visit, the Foreign Minister is scheduled to meet Qatar leaders and discuss issues of bilateral interest to the two countries.

A courtesy call is also scheduled on Heir Apparent His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani.

On the sidelines of the ACD meeting, the Minister is scheduled to meet with a number of his counterparts from the member countries of the ACD, for bilateral discussions.

The ACD brings together sub regional groupings spanning South, East, South East and North East Asia and West Asia and has a membership of 28 countries.

Sri Lanka joined the grouping in June 2003 at the second Ministerial Meeting held in Thailand.

Source : Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Peace and facilitating contact between Britain and Sri Lanka top priorities.

The new British High Commissioner, Dominick Chilcott, spoke to High Commission staff and the media following his first meeting with His Excellency the President of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapakse, on 15 May 2006.

He said “ Britain's engagement with Sri Lanka is long standing. I plan to build on that historical foundation to nurture a thoroughly modern relationship between our two independent countries, based on mutual respect and cooperation in a shared endeavour towards common goals.

First, it is about working together to bring peace to this island. This task is essentially for the Sri Lankan people themselves to do; outsiders cannot make peace for them. But outsiders can help to create the conditions in which peace becomes more likely. So we will continue to give our wholehearted support to peace-making activities; for example we shall back the Norwegian facilitators and the Sri Lankan Monitoring Mission, whose presence in this country was requested by the government and the LTTE. We will condemn wanton acts of violence and terrorism, like the suicide bombing of the army commander or the attack on the newspaper office in Jaffna. We will spend significant sums of money on projects aimed at peace-building. In fact, our entire aid budget in Sri Lanka, apart from the $80m earmarked for debt relief, will be focussed on peace-building.

Violence cannot be the answer to Sri Lanka's problems. Those who advocate a military solution would turn the clock back to the 1980s and 1990s. I cannot believe that the vast majority of Sri Lankans want that.

Second, a modern relationship is about facilitating contact between our peoples. The main burden for this falls on our visa section, which processed 30,000 visa applications last year for travel to Britain. We are delighted that so many Sri Lankans wish to go to Britain, as tourists, to stay with family and friends, on business or as students. But it means that the visa section is a very busy operation. We aim to deal with all visa applications within 24 hours of their receipt in the High Commission. And generally we succeed, which tells you a great deal about the standards we expect from the public sector these days. At the same time, we work closely with the Sri Lankan authorities to stop people getting into Britain illegally or under false pretences or for nefarious purposes.

Third, I should mention business. It was trade that first brought Europeans to this island. And we should not forget that Sri Lanka passed from the Dutch to the British East India Company before it became a British colony. Happily, modern methods of developing trade do not involve seizing sovereignty. But there is still a job for governments to do to support the efforts of companies involved, as investors or as traders, in business between the UK and Sri Lanka. In the 17th century, spices, especially cinnamon dominated our bilateral trade. In the 19th century it was commodities such as coffee, then tea and rubber. Now it is textiles from Sri Lanka and consultancies and services, amongst other things, from the UK. In 20 years time, who knows what we will be trading between us?

Fourth, the British armed forces have had a strong reputation in this part of the world for a long time. I am glad to say that our military influence in Sri Lanka these days is entirely benign. Britain’s armed forces play a leading role in global defence diplomacy, in other words how the military can contribute to resolving and preventing conflicts, including through peace-keeping operations. Both our countries share an ambition to be peace-keepers of the highest order. And our armed forces experts from both countries are working closely together to reach the highest professional standards in this role. It is good to see such close cooperation between brothers (and sisters) in arms.

Fifth, we work with the Sri Lankan authorities to look after British nationals in Sri Lanka, particularly those that get into trouble. Before the Tsunami, the number of British tourists to Sri Lanka had been rising steadily; the figures for recent months show the British are coming back. Although it generates more work for our consular staff, this influx of holiday-makers from Britain is to Sri Lanka’s and our mutual advantage. British people can come here and enjoy the holiday of a life-time while their spending on local goods and services creates jobs and enables the Sri Lankan economy to grow. It is a win-win situation.

By the way, perhaps I can take advantage of the presence of the representatives of the media to emphasise that our official travel advice does not tell Britons to stay away from Sri Lanka. Please look it up on our website. We have a well established position of advising against all non-essential travel to the north and east of the country only; but we are delighted to see Britons exploring all the other regions of Sri Lanka and want them to come here”.

Source : British High Commission, Sri Lanka

General Manager and Global Co-Head Commercial Banking for the HSBC Group Margaret Leung at the HSBC Corporate Leaders' Conference said that Sri Lanka has the potential to be the gateway to the Indian market for foreign investors.

The FTA between both countries has resulted in increased trade among the two countries. Sri Lanka also provides attractive incentives for investors. This will be an ideal opportunity for investors to enter the Indian market through Sri Lanka,' she said.

Despite the tsunami Sri Lanka was able to gain 6.2% economic growth this year. In Sri Lanka the inflation rate has declined and there was a huge boom in the stock market activities. For market expansion or diversifying business we need to focus on large markets. Local companies need to concentrate on markets such as India and Pakistan.

She said there is a huge potential for garments, IT and tourism sectors in Sri Lanka.

A number of Board of Investment (BOI) agreements have been signed in the last four months, which will result in more employment opportunities and investment. Many of them fall under the 'Mahinda Chinthana' programme's '300 factory programme', which means that they will bring development to outlying areas of the island.

A senior BOI official said that it has signed 25 new agreements during the period of four months, which amounts to Rs. 8,236 mn of which FDI totalled Rs. 2,029 mn and Rs. 6,027 mn worth of local investment was achieved. The total projected employment is 10,834.

A US Embassy press release states that nearly 20,000 people will benefit from a new US-supported programme to upgrade 4,000 transitional shelters in need of care and maintenance and help improve conditions in shelter communities built after the tsunami.

A $ 1 million grant from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) will help pay for a comprehensive care and maintenance programme to assure these temporary homes continue to meet the basic shelter standards established after the tsunami.

USAID funded the construction of nearly 10,000 transitional shelters, mostly in the Matara and Ampara districts.

The European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO) and several international NGOs that initially constructed shelters are also contributing to the care and maintenance effort.

Rubber production 6 percent increase in 2005

The Rubber Research Board of Sri Lanka has said the total rubber production in 2005 was 104,500 MT, which is a 6% increase as against production in the previous year.

The total production in 2005 was 104,500 MT, which is nearly a 6% increase over the production in the previous year.

Labour

SLBFE to secure foreign employment to Lankans

The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) is to secure 400,000 foreign employment opportunities to Sri Lankan workers before December this year. This is in addition to the 51,000 jobs, already secured by the Bureau during the first quarter of this year.

REFRESHINGLY SRI LANKA

Open Air Festival

A four-hour visual and musical extravaganza, starting at 1pm and featuring dancers, drummers, fire-eaters, handicraft demonstrations, photographic and art exhibitions, Ayurvedic massage, Sri Lankan food, a traditional tea pavilion and – for the first time in living memory in Trafalgar Square – a live elephant! For more details, go to www.refreshinglysrilanka.lk

Some 70 Sri Lankan businesses showcase a range of products including apparel, gems and jewellery, rubber-based products, IT and electronics, tea, spices, processed food and beverages, cut flowers and foliage, and lifestyle products. For further information, go to www.serendib06.com

This will be an invitation-only investment forum for leading UK businesses, organised by the Commonwealth Business Council in conjunction with the National Outsourcing Association.

Chef’s from Sri Lanka’s world-class Mount Lavinia Hotel take over the Royal Garden’s stylish Park Terrace restaurant to offer a feast of flavours. Buffet-style dinner, with welcome drink and selection of Sri Lankan teas, costs £25.00 per person. For further information, and reservations, call 0207 937 8000.

Fortnum & Mason has joined forces with producers of the finest Ceylon teas, to offer a tantalising Sri Lankan tea-tasting experience. For further information on the tasting, call 0207 973 4091.

Sri Lanka Film Festival

When: Tuesday 20^th June - Electric Cinema, 191 Portobello Road, London W11 2ED

Thursday 22^nd June - Saturday 24^th June - Nehru Centre, 8 South Audley Street, London W1K 1HF

For the first time ever in London, a film festival dedicated to the diversity of Sri Lanka and its people. The four-day programme starts at the Electric Cinema with the UK premiere of The Garden, and then moves to the Nehru Centre for a quartet of films by Sri Lanka’s top directors. For further information and reservations, call 0207 491 3567.

A two-week celebration of Sri Lankan literature opens with the first-ever SriLit Book Festival, with guests including Booker prize nominee Romesh Gunasekara, Sir Christopher Ondaatje, and Shiromi Pinto. For further information call 0207 437 5660.

Source: Sri Lanka High Commission

Sri Lanka was elected to the newly-established United Nations Peace Building Commission at the resumed Organizational Session of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) on 12 May 2006.

The Peace Building Commission is a new UN body that emerged from the ongoing reforms exercise in the UN and was established by the General Assembly and the Security Council, following a decision made by World Leaders at the UN High-Level Summit in September 2005. It is composed of 31 Member States that constitute the Organizational Committee, while the larger Commission would include representatives of the UN Secretary General, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and other institutional donors who will participate in the Commission meetings.

The Commission, unique in its character and composition, provides an institutional link between peace keeping and development functions of the United Nations, in facilitating the transition of countries in post-conflict situations. The Peace Building Commission fulfills a long-felt need within the UN system to optimize utilization of resources for reconstruction activities, and to bring together all relevant actors to work towards achieving sustainable peace and development.

Other members from the Asian Region in the Commission include China, Japan India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Fiji.

Election to the Organizational Committee is generally considered an acknowledgement by the international community of the member states' positive contribution in the field of peace building activities.

Source : Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Government has taken a decision to change school and office timetables with the re-adjustment of the clock by 30 minutes from April 14. Accordingly, schools will operate from 7.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. and offices from 8.30 a.m. to 4.15 p.m.