Holding a protest rally in the East against the perceived efforts by some political parties in Tamil Nadu to stop the military campaign against the Tigers in the North, MP Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan, known as Karuna Amman, yesterday said “there should be no attempt from Tamil Nadu to rescue LTTE”.
“We welcome the support from Tamil Nadu for the Tamil people in Sri Lanka, but the political parties and their leaders should not attempt to rescue the Tigers, who are facing an imminent defeat in the hands of the Security Forces in the North,” Muralitharan who now heads the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP) said at the rally.
Recalling the 1991 assassination of former Indian prime minister Rajiv Gandhi in Tamil Nadu, the former LTTE commander had warned that “any effort by Tamil Nadu to save LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) would boomerang on them”. IANS(News-dailynews)
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Monday, October 27, 2008
LTTE woman identified as suicide cadre
A suspected LTTE woman Sivalingum Thiruweli who was taken into custody two months ago at Kalpitiya has been identified as a suicide cadre who had come to launch an attack on a VIP, it was revealed by police.
The suspected woman had come to Kalpitiya from Batticaloa two years ago. She had frequently visited the work site where the coal plant is scheduled to be establish at Kalpitiya aiming to gather information for her target.
According to Power and Energy Ministry sources, the Minister of Power and Energy visit the work site frequently for inspection tours of the on going work.
The suspected woman is 27 and a mother of two, further investigations are being conducted.(News-Dailynews)
The suspected woman had come to Kalpitiya from Batticaloa two years ago. She had frequently visited the work site where the coal plant is scheduled to be establish at Kalpitiya aiming to gather information for her target.
According to Power and Energy Ministry sources, the Minister of Power and Energy visit the work site frequently for inspection tours of the on going work.
The suspected woman is 27 and a mother of two, further investigations are being conducted.(News-Dailynews)
Deepavali greetings from President
COLOMBO: President Mahinda Rajapaksa extending his Deepavali greetings to all Sri Lankan Hindus on the occasion of Deepavali, said the festival, a significant event in the Hindu religious calendar celebrates prosperity and spreads light of wisdom.
It symbolises the victory of good over evil and knowledge over ignorance, he said. The message added: Being a unifying force, the devotions at Deepavali would seek to encourage great unity, amity and understanding among all people inhabiting our country irrespective of their ethnic, religious, class distinctions.
On this noble day let us reaffirm our commitment to unite the country and build a society where everybody could live in peace, harmony, dignity and freedom. May the spirit of Deepavali, the ‘Festival of Lights’ illuminate our land. I wish a happy Deepavali to all Sri Lankan Hindus.” (News-Dailynews)
It symbolises the victory of good over evil and knowledge over ignorance, he said. The message added: Being a unifying force, the devotions at Deepavali would seek to encourage great unity, amity and understanding among all people inhabiting our country irrespective of their ethnic, religious, class distinctions.
On this noble day let us reaffirm our commitment to unite the country and build a society where everybody could live in peace, harmony, dignity and freedom. May the spirit of Deepavali, the ‘Festival of Lights’ illuminate our land. I wish a happy Deepavali to all Sri Lankan Hindus.” (News-Dailynews)
MP Basil Rajapaksa briefs Indian leaders on range of issues: Sri Lanka assures India on civilian safety, welfare
INDIA: India and Sri Lanka asserted yesterday that terrorism should be countered with resolve, following talks between Indian leaders and Senior Presidential Advisor MP Basil Rajapaksa.
MP Rajapaksa visited India as a Special Envoy of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to brief Indian leaders on the measures being taken by the Government to defeat terrorism and ensure the welfare of civilians in the North. He met External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon.
A joint statement issued at the end of MP Rajapaksa’s visit said he has briefed the Indian authorities of the efforts by the Sri Lanka Government to afford relief and ensure the welfare of the civilian population in the North and assured that the safety and well-being of the Tamil community in Sri Lanka is being taken care of.
India has conveyed its concern at the humanitarian situation in the Northern part of Sri Lanka, especially of the civilians and internally displaced persons caught in the hostilities and emphasised the need for unhindered essential relief supplies.
As a gesture of goodwill, India has decided to send around 800 tonnes of relief material to Sri Lanka for the affected civilians in the North. The Government of Sri Lanka will facilitate the delivery. Both sides agreed to consult and cooperate with each other in addressing these humanitarian issues.
“MP Rajapaksa emphasised that the President and his Government were firmly committed to a political process that would lead to a sustainable solution,” the statement said.
They discussed the need to move towards a peacefully negotiated political settlement in the island including in the North. The Indian side called for implementation of the 13th Amendment and greater devolution of powers to the provinces.
Both sides agreed to further nurture the democratic process in the Eastern Province. MP Rajapaksa briefed the Indian side of the large development effort underway in the Eastern Province.
“Discussions in New Delhi during MP Rajapaksa’s visit were characterized by a spirit of constructive engagement on both sides. Both Governments will remain in close touch,” the statement added.
Indian news reports said during talks with External Affairs Minister Mukherjee in New Delhi, MP Basil Rajapaksa said the Government will keep the interests of Tamil civilians
in mind while carrying on with the offensive against the LTTE. Rajapaksa said that Indian medical teams will be allowed to provide aid to the affected Tamil population in the conflict areas.
“We have given every assurance to look after the civilians’ needs and whichever way we can,” he told reporters after the meeting.
Asked about the medical aid from India, the President’s advisor said “yes, that issue was brought up and we will take a positive look on it.”
“Yes,” he said when asked whether the Sri Lankan Government will allow Indian medical aid to Sri Lanka.Asked whether Mukherjee will visit Colombo on the Sri Lankan Tamils issue, Rajapaksa said “he has not discussed it”.
The Sri Lankan President, during a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh last Saturday, assured him that “all necessary measures” are being taken to ensure safety and well-being of the Tamil community.
The Prime Minister has told the Sri Lankan President to ensure that the rights of civilian Tamils are not compromised and they do not get enmeshed in the conflict.(News-Dailynews)
MP Rajapaksa visited India as a Special Envoy of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to brief Indian leaders on the measures being taken by the Government to defeat terrorism and ensure the welfare of civilians in the North. He met External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon.
A joint statement issued at the end of MP Rajapaksa’s visit said he has briefed the Indian authorities of the efforts by the Sri Lanka Government to afford relief and ensure the welfare of the civilian population in the North and assured that the safety and well-being of the Tamil community in Sri Lanka is being taken care of.
India has conveyed its concern at the humanitarian situation in the Northern part of Sri Lanka, especially of the civilians and internally displaced persons caught in the hostilities and emphasised the need for unhindered essential relief supplies.
As a gesture of goodwill, India has decided to send around 800 tonnes of relief material to Sri Lanka for the affected civilians in the North. The Government of Sri Lanka will facilitate the delivery. Both sides agreed to consult and cooperate with each other in addressing these humanitarian issues.
“MP Rajapaksa emphasised that the President and his Government were firmly committed to a political process that would lead to a sustainable solution,” the statement said.
They discussed the need to move towards a peacefully negotiated political settlement in the island including in the North. The Indian side called for implementation of the 13th Amendment and greater devolution of powers to the provinces.
Both sides agreed to further nurture the democratic process in the Eastern Province. MP Rajapaksa briefed the Indian side of the large development effort underway in the Eastern Province.
“Discussions in New Delhi during MP Rajapaksa’s visit were characterized by a spirit of constructive engagement on both sides. Both Governments will remain in close touch,” the statement added.
Indian news reports said during talks with External Affairs Minister Mukherjee in New Delhi, MP Basil Rajapaksa said the Government will keep the interests of Tamil civilians
in mind while carrying on with the offensive against the LTTE. Rajapaksa said that Indian medical teams will be allowed to provide aid to the affected Tamil population in the conflict areas.
“We have given every assurance to look after the civilians’ needs and whichever way we can,” he told reporters after the meeting.
Asked about the medical aid from India, the President’s advisor said “yes, that issue was brought up and we will take a positive look on it.”
“Yes,” he said when asked whether the Sri Lankan Government will allow Indian medical aid to Sri Lanka.Asked whether Mukherjee will visit Colombo on the Sri Lankan Tamils issue, Rajapaksa said “he has not discussed it”.
The Sri Lankan President, during a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh last Saturday, assured him that “all necessary measures” are being taken to ensure safety and well-being of the Tamil community.
The Prime Minister has told the Sri Lankan President to ensure that the rights of civilian Tamils are not compromised and they do not get enmeshed in the conflict.(News-Dailynews)
Norway funds for pro LTTE elements in Tamil Nadu
According to sources close to the Norwegian Government and its Foreign Ministry, millions of funds are being siphoned to the Tamil Politicians and Film Makers in Tamil Nadu for taking nonstop action against Sri Lanka's ongoing Military operation against Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)."At this moment the Norwegian Government cannot do anything without the Sri Lankan Government's knowledge. But there is an attempt to save the Tigers as millions of Krons are being funded towards Pro LTTE activities in Tamil Nadu," high level source in the Foreign Ministry in Oslo told Sri Lanka Guardian, in a telephone conservation.However, when Sri Lanka Guardian contacted an official with the Central Government of India to comment on the Norwegian involments in Tamil Nadu politics, he said, " The Central Govenment is not aware of these allegations. If there is any truth in this the Government would be seriously concerned, he added. - (News-Sri Lanka Guardian )
As DMK relents, crisis for Centre ends
CHENNAI: Signalling the end of a major crisis that threatened the continuance of the United Progressive Alliance government, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi assured External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee that he would not precipitate any crisis over the issue of a ceasefire in the Sri Lankan ethnic conflict, even as the island nation assured India that the safety of Tamils in that country was being taken care of.
On Sunday evening, Mr. Mukherjee met Mr. Karunanidhi at his residence here and requested him not to press with the resignation of Tamil Nadu Members of Parliament over the issue. (An all-party meeting, chaired by Mr. Karunanidhi last week, had resolved that the MPs might have to resign if the Centre did not ensure a ceasefire in Sri Lanka by October 29.)
“He suggested that we defer the decision [to resign] now. I gave him that assurance,” Mr. Karunanidhi told the media after his meeting with Mr. Mukherjee.
While emphasising the need to ensure that the ceasefire, which existed at the time of Norway’s initiative, is back in place, Mr. Karunanidhi agreed that it had to be further discussed. There was no final decision on whether India should take the initiative for a ceasefire, or whether other countries or agencies should play a role. “There is no impediment now to analyse the modalities to bring about a ceasefire,” said Mr. Karunanidhi.
“This issue has been going on for 40 years, we cannot expect it to be resolved in four days,” said Mr. Karunanidhi.
“We are not party to a ceasefire, we have not broken a ceasefire and we cannot restore a ceasefire on our own,” said Mr. Mukherjee. “We have said there cannot be a military solution … We are asking for a political solution.”
Mr. Mukherjee told the media that he had pressed Sri Lankan special envoy Basil Rajapaksa to implement the devolution of power agreed upon by the high power committee as soon as possible. The envoy assured him that Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa would himself take charge of the political package and push it through politically. A committee would also be established to benchmark what could be done on increased devolution in the Eastern province.
Asked about Indian military assistance to Sri Lanka, Mr. Mukherjee said that while India was not a net exporter of arms, it sometimes gave some non-lethal equipment and platforms. Pointing out the position of the Indian and Sri Lankan coastlines, he said the radar that was given would cover vital installations in Indian areas as well.
“If the decisions finalised today [on Sunday] are implemented in full, I will be fully satisfied,” said Mr. Karunanidhi. On the resignations by Tamil Nadu MPs, he said some of the participants at the all-party meet were now having second thoughts about that decision. “So we too have second thoughts,” he said.
Mr. Mukherjee declined to answer questions on political realignments or the Congress view about them.(News-The Hindu)
On Sunday evening, Mr. Mukherjee met Mr. Karunanidhi at his residence here and requested him not to press with the resignation of Tamil Nadu Members of Parliament over the issue. (An all-party meeting, chaired by Mr. Karunanidhi last week, had resolved that the MPs might have to resign if the Centre did not ensure a ceasefire in Sri Lanka by October 29.)
“He suggested that we defer the decision [to resign] now. I gave him that assurance,” Mr. Karunanidhi told the media after his meeting with Mr. Mukherjee.
While emphasising the need to ensure that the ceasefire, which existed at the time of Norway’s initiative, is back in place, Mr. Karunanidhi agreed that it had to be further discussed. There was no final decision on whether India should take the initiative for a ceasefire, or whether other countries or agencies should play a role. “There is no impediment now to analyse the modalities to bring about a ceasefire,” said Mr. Karunanidhi.
“This issue has been going on for 40 years, we cannot expect it to be resolved in four days,” said Mr. Karunanidhi.
“We are not party to a ceasefire, we have not broken a ceasefire and we cannot restore a ceasefire on our own,” said Mr. Mukherjee. “We have said there cannot be a military solution … We are asking for a political solution.”
Mr. Mukherjee told the media that he had pressed Sri Lankan special envoy Basil Rajapaksa to implement the devolution of power agreed upon by the high power committee as soon as possible. The envoy assured him that Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa would himself take charge of the political package and push it through politically. A committee would also be established to benchmark what could be done on increased devolution in the Eastern province.
Asked about Indian military assistance to Sri Lanka, Mr. Mukherjee said that while India was not a net exporter of arms, it sometimes gave some non-lethal equipment and platforms. Pointing out the position of the Indian and Sri Lankan coastlines, he said the radar that was given would cover vital installations in Indian areas as well.
“If the decisions finalised today [on Sunday] are implemented in full, I will be fully satisfied,” said Mr. Karunanidhi. On the resignations by Tamil Nadu MPs, he said some of the participants at the all-party meet were now having second thoughts about that decision. “So we too have second thoughts,” he said.
Mr. Mukherjee declined to answer questions on political realignments or the Congress view about them.(News-The Hindu)
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