He had instead spoken with Dr. P. B. Jayasundera, the outgoing treasury secretary, who he says gave him the greenlight to act on Kumaratunga's illegal order.

Section 168 of the Penal Code -- Volume 11 states that whoever pretends to hold any particular office as a public servant, knowing that he does not hold such office or falsely impersonates any other person holding such office shall be punished with imprisonment of upto two years.

Gunaratne also told The Sunday Leader that the new Finance Minister K. N. Choksy had issued a similar order soon after taking office and ordered the release of some tractors.

Our story last week thus quoted Gunaratne. "Valiant attempts to contact Choksy at the time failed."

Finance Minister, K. N. Choksy, has since refuted the allegation made by the Director General Customs, Jagath Gunaratne, that he ordered the mitigation of a fine on the importation of some tractors. Choksy stated that since assuming duties as minister, he has not made any order directing the release of any goods under forfeiture including tractors.

Choksy explained that there are in fact appeals pending in the ministry by importers seeking the release of goods under forfeiture. On Choksy's instructions the finance ministry has sought clarification from the attorney general on certain legal issues arising under the customs ordinance, he said.

The Director General of Customs, Jagath Gunaratne meanwhile has admitted that he "mistakenly" told The Sunday Leader last week that the new finance minister had issued such an order upon assuming office in December last year.

Gunaratne has clarified that such a release was not ordered by the present minister but that the former finance minister, namely, President Chandrika Kumaratnga, had in this instance too, ordered the release of the tractors in question which had been seized by Customs. This release, Gunaratne says, was made a few days before the elections.

A 'leg show' at the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) is the new Management's latest ploy to up, viewer ratings of the English News Broadcast.

Insiders at the SLRC complain that they have been instructed by the new Chairman Prof. G. Dissanayake to unravel their sarees and wear skirts above the knee and jackets in order to lend a revolutionary new change to the State TV Corporation.

Eight English newsreaders will require a minimum of three new outfits each, estimated to cost a total of Rs. 20,000/- per reader.

The new Chairman's brainwave is for the girls to sit in mini skirts - show their legs, shielded only by a glass partition and articulate the day's news. The change is being made in a bid to outsmart the private TV stations, which sport attractive young females dressed in Western attire.

SLRC however will go one step further and 'bare all' as it were, as the viewing competition is stiff. The English News broadcast at SLRC will doubtless compete heavily with similar news broadcasts in the East Bloc countries where topless newsreaders articulate the day's news with deadpan expressions.

The Roman Catholic Bishop of Mannar-Vavuniya Diocese Rt. Rev. Joseph Rayappu has met LTTE political wing chief SP Thamilchelvan personally at Madhu and protested strongly against alleged conscription of children under 17 years by the Tigers in the Eastern Province.

It is learnt that Thamil-chelvan denied knowledge of such conscription in the East and promised Bishop Rayappu that he would inform LTTE leader Velupillai Prabakharan of the situation for appropriate action.

Catholic church sources told The Sunday Leader that Bishop Rayappu's action in this regard came in the wake of numerous complaints reaching him that LTTE cadres were forcibly recruiting youngsters living in government controlled areas of the Eastern Province, particularly Batticaloa district.

By D. B. S. Jeyaraj

The LTTE is becoming increasingly concerned over the continuance in power of President Chandrika Kumaratunga and the perceived inactivity of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in taking meaningful steps to remove her from office.

Although not elaborated specifically, there are trends indicative of the LTTE's mindset on this matter, political analysts say.

Given the unfortunate experience of the recent past the Tigers seem to feel that Kumaratunga poses a perpetual threat to any peace process conducted by the United National Front government and that Premier Wickremesinghe does not seem to recognise or appreciate this fact.

This in turn is eroding LTTE confidence in the on-going peace process and may jeopardise the situation in the future if unchecked now, say analysts.

The Tamil Guardian, widely regarded as reflecting the LTTE viewpoint has referred directly to this issue in its editorial of January 23 under the headline 'Emergent threat - Kumaratunga will torpedo Oslo's project again.'

Pinpointing the fragility of the peace process and possible threats to it, the Guardian says, "the greatest disrupting influence comes as ever from President Chandrika Kumaratunga."

Quoting her recent announcement that it is "exclusively the president's right to take all action regarding war and peace" the newspaper warns that Kumaratunga has the "underlying potential to upset the Norwegian applecart as she did last year."

The Tamil Guardian also charges that "apart from her publicly aired warning shots across Wickremesinghe's bow, Kumaratunga has also been quietly undermining the UNF government's efforts to de-escalate the conflict and establish conditions of normalcy in the Tamil areas." It goes on to say that "Army chief Lionel Balagalle, a sycophantic Kumaratunga loyalist, has been initiating actions that both threaten the on-going cessations of hostilities and raise ethnic tensions."

Continuing further the newspaper warns, "The UNF's ascent to power poses a challenge to Kumaratunga's political future. This year is crucial to her and Mr. Wickremesinghe's government. That Sri Lanka's political system isn't big enough for both is clear to all. If the UNF does not impeach Kumaratunga this year the president will undoubtedly dissolve parliament after December as the Constitution enables her to. If there are to be fresh elections after that Kumaratunga will beforehand seek to deny Wickremesinghe the stable economy in the pursuit of which is driving the UNF's efforts in ethnic reconciliation. In other words, she will endeavour to comprehensively sabotage even scuttle the Norwegian initiative."

The Guardian concludes its leader by noting, "Whilst the irredeemable optimists may argue that Kumaratunga will this year be swept along with a tide of peace, seasoned observers of the Sri Lankan conflict know that she will not. Which is why positive gestures and backslapping notwithstanding, the Norwegian initiative faces a renewed threat from an old enemy."

Political analysts are also worried about former Foreign Affairs Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar's continuing role in his new capacity as adviser on foreign affairs to the president.

Posing off as an apostle of peace and an expert on the peace process Kadirgamar too is viewed as a covert saboteur intent on wrecking the peace process.

His latest parliamentary speech in response to Wickremesinghe's address is cited as a definite example of this sinister design. Kadirgamar warned Wickremesinghe in parliament that "on the question of de-proscribing the LTTE any precipitate action should be avoided and the government should bear in mind international practice in the face of impending talks with banned organisations".

In a related development LTTE political adviser and chief negotiator Anton Balasingham reacted strongly to Kadirgamar in a statement made to the Tamilnet website. Balasingham observed that the Oslo facilitated peace process collapsed last year after Kadirgamar "out of personal dislike for the then special envoy now special adviser to the Norwegian foreign ministry Erik Solheim successfully insisted on his removal."

By D.B.S. Jeyaraj

Political circles are buzzing optimistically that a permanent ceasefire between the Sri Lankan government and LTTE could come into force before February 24.

The efforts by Norway to evolve a memorandum of understanding (MOU) governing a ceasefire has progressed significantly and is hoped that the Oslo drafted MOU governing the ceasefire would be signed by both the Sri Lankan government and LTTE before Feb 24.

Both sides are currently adhering to parallel cessations of hostilities declared unilaterally and maintained separately. The ceasefires extended on a monthly basis will lapse on Feb 24.

The Norwegians are currently focussing on harmonising the present situation and getting both parties to agree to a joint ceasefire that would be 'structured and stable.'

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told the Catholic Archbishop of Colombo, Rt. Rev Nicholas Marcus Fernando that he was hopeful of a ceasefire before the end of February.

Likewise LTTE political adviser Anton Balasingham told a Tamil website that he was optimistic of a permanent ceasefire before Feb 24.

Informed sources revealed that significant progress had been achieved by the facilitating intermediary Norway in laying the groundwork for establishing a permanent ceasefire between both parties in the Sri Lankan conflict following a crucial three hour meeting held in London on Monday, January 28.

A Norwegian delegation consisting of Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesen, Ambassador to Sri Lanka Jon Westborg, special foreign ministry adviser, Erik Solheim and foreign ministry official Krjiste Tromsdal met the LTTE's chief negotiator Anton Balasingham and ironed out details concerning the draft MOU for a ceasefire.

Westborg returned to Colombo on January 30. He briefed Wickremesinghe of developments on January 31.

Although not finalised yet, it is learned that Oslo is not mooting a time-bound ceasefire of one year as envisaged earlier. The LTTE is of the view that the motivation for peace should not be restricted by unwarranted conditions and has urged a permanent ceasefire without any time limits.

It is also learnt that the draft MOU would incorporate provisions relating to a permanent ceasefire such as a control framework , codes of conduct for both sides, mechanisms to monitor the ceasefire and an outline regarding the modalities for preliminary negotiations.

During discussions concrete proposals like segregated areas of control for both sides in a post-ceasefire scenario, the setting up of "neutral" zones separating both sides physically, clear rules of passage to govern movement of personnel by either side to the other, and rules of conduct for both sides to follow during ceasefire have been evolved.

A vital mechanism to monitor the ceasefire will be the appointment of an overseeing committee comprising foreign and local representatives. Given the geopolitical sensitivity of this aspect, India will be consulted by Norway before the monitoring committee is set up.

The government has directed the state electronic and print media to give equal coverage to any person or organisation referred to in the president's statement relating to the charges of a criminal nature made against the President's Security Division (PSD) and President Chandrika Kumaratunga.

The president in a statement through Secretary K. Balapatabendi on Friday dismissed allegations of a criminal nature against her and the PSD, charging there was a conspiracy by sections of the private media to paint her as a murderer and undermine her security .

The private media organisations which have highlighted the role of the president and the PSD in several acts of criminality, it is learned, will this week request time from the state media in terms of the undertaking given by the government, to refute charges of a conspiracy and justify allegations that have been made.

The decision of the government to allow a response to the president's statement was taken to avoid any action for defamation against state media institutions by affected persons, or organisations, since it is these institutions that would be called upon to pay damages in the event of litigation. The president enjoys immunity from suit.

Ports and Shipping minister and leader of Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), Rauf Hakeem, yesterday questioned the credibility of the Sri Lanka Police and queried as to why the government had failed to take action against the murderers of 10 youth at Udathalawinna, on general election day, last year.

Addressing a large gathering at the public library auditorium, Colombo, Hakeem inquired about the fate of the investigations initiated by the government following the killing of these innocent Muslims who supported him at the election.

He made these observations at the Colombo district SLMC convention that was organised by the SLMC Colombo district organiser, A.J.M.Muzamil. Power and Energy minister, Karu Jayasuriya, and Colombo mayor Omar Kameel were also invited as guest of honour and special guest respectively.

Hakeem lashed out at the police and questioned its credibility. He said that when the police took no action to apprehend the perpetrators, despite well established evidence that those involved in the killing were from the Peoples' Alliance, the credibility of the police was at stake. He remarked that though the police could not bring the culprits to book, the people of Kandy and the country had already given the verdict.

Paying a glowing tribute to those who were assassinated by thugs at Udathalawinna, Hakeem said those Muslims made a human sacrifice on behalf of the Muslim community. "They with their youthful life and youthful wives have made a huge human sacrifice," the minister pointed out.

He also said the delay in the investigations, had humiliated immensely the entire Muslim community. "I say this with a heavy heart. People ask me as why I cannot do something about it since I am a cabinet minister. But I tell them that the SLMC has no intention to bring undue pressure on police or interfere with the police.

"I have also told them that we should let the law take its course. This is the belief we have and the government must step forward to do something," Hakeem said.

He also said the police usually took into custody either the farther or the mother when the child committed an offence. But added in the case of Udathalawinna massacre nothing of this sort had happened. He however said he did not approve of the father or the mother being taken into custody for the sins of children.

By Ranee Mohamed

No attempt has been made to investigate complaints against the De Soysa Maternity Hospital, Colombo, despite number of complaints having been made on the deficiencies in the services offered by the institution.

Malfunctioning lights, specially the lamp in the operating theatre, non-availability of antibiotics during the period December 22 - 29, 2001 and the absence of permanent radiographers, a radiologist, paediatricians and pathologists are but a few reported shortfalls at the hospital, hospital sources claimed.

The new operating theatre has not opened yet and deaths of babies have been reported due to lack of adequate theatre facilities, these sources said.

Hundreds of poor women seek treatment and visit the antenatal clinic of this hospital. "But where is the kola kenda and the triposha?" asked a hospital nurse who is horrified at the conditions of the hospital.

It is learned that the treasury has allocated funds towards providing kola kenda to the pregnant women, some who reportedly stay overnight and others come as early as 4 a.m to receive treatment.

"Six newspaper reports have so far appeared about the conditions of the hospital, but there has not been a single inquiry," said a hospital source.

Investigations made by administrative officers in the hospital revealed that a written complaint has been made by a doctor on December 29, 2001, where the doctor brought to light the dangers that are posed to mothers due to the non-availability of the antibiotic Metranidazole and a hormone called Norepsysterone.

"Women who do not have these drugs can develop serious infections, which can prove fatal," said the hospital source.

It is also reliably learned that the complaint book tends to disappear the moment a serious complaint is made against the senior administration.

It is also learned that the new interns who reported to work on January 22 this year as residential doctors at the hospital, could not find residential facilities in the hospitals, "as rooms were closed up," said an intern. "Now we are living elsewhere and have to make our way to the hospital."

Doctors working in the hospital claimed the new terrazzo floors of the hospital harboured, "Germs in the chipped areas, which can spread infection. This is not very suitable for this hospital."