Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe shortly after addressing the Asia Society in New York. UN Ambassador Charlie Mahendran is at left

PM warns against divisions

By Lasantha Wickremetunge in New York

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in a hard hitting speech yesterday warned both military and civil administrators not to have divided loyalties but to back the government’s peace mandate given by the people.

Making his observations at a dinner reception hosted by SriLankaFirst at the Hotel Waldorf Astoria in New York, the prime minister said if any person in the military or civil administration had divided loyalties, the only option for them would be to resign or face expulsion.

“I will not tolerate divided loyalties at a time the government has seized this last chance for peace. If anyone is in disagreement with the government’s policy, they have the option of leaving the public and military service” Wickremesinghe said.

The prime minister who received a standing ovation at the end of his brief statement by an emotionally charged audience went on to say that in the past under the cover of national security millions were made as commissions and under the same cover a retired lieutenant colonel had employed 18th century military tactics to wage war in the 21st century at a great cost to the nation and her people.

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe’s references were seen as a direct attack on the handling of the war effort under the previous regime and a warning to both military and civil administrators not to covertly support the JVP and a section of the PA’s efforts to derail the peace process.

“There will be pitfalls in the peace process but we know we will achieve the final objective of peace. I have got a mandate for peace and I will fulfil it,” a determined prime minister said.

Speaking at the same ceremony, Constitutional Affairs Minister G.L Peiris, who flew into New York directly from Sattahip, Thailand said unexpected progress was made in the first round of talks in the presence of the Norwegians ,with the LTTE agreeing it was no longer pursuing the goal of a separate state but was prepared to settle for ample devolution.

The minister said in another significant development, the LTTE also declared that an interim administration was not an end in itself to use as a launching pad for other things but a pivot to hold fast to the achievement of a final negotiated settlement.

“In yet another important development, for the first time Dr. Anton Balasingham made reference to the Sinhalese in the east recognising their place in the province,” he said.

Equally buoyant, Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgessen who also participated in the reception said it is now for the government and the LTTE to build on the relative peace and that it would be correct to say, peace is already happening in Sri Lanka.

“A courageous prime minister and the courageous leader of the LTTE with the support of the people are making peace happen” Helgessen observed. Helgessen also warned that “some people” will try to make minor differences appear bigger than they are to derail the process and that it was important for the key players and the people to keep focusing on the horizon of peace, especially in such situations. He said there will be breakdowns, hiccups and even walk-outs but it is all part of the process and not an end. “The end will be a lasting peace,” he said.

The introduction at the reception was made by Neela Marikkar, a member of SriLankaFirst. SriLankaFirst is a non political, non religious, non ethnic association that was formed by leading business organisations in the country who had come to New York in large numbers to show solidarity with the prime minister’s drive for “Peace with development.”

The association was launched under the aegis of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce with the committee comprising of business leaders from diverse fields.

President, ‘Sri Lanka First,’ Jagath Fernando speaking on the occasion said there was a need for all right thinking people to support the peace process and that the role of his association was to educate civil society and create public support for all steps taken to achieve peace.

“We have today a political leadership genuinely committed to a negotiated settlement and we must also laud the LTTE for unilaterally declaring a ceasefire and engaging in peace talks. We must also hail Norway for facilitating the entire process,” he added. The concluding remarks were made by K. R. Ravindran, also a member of Sri Lanka First.

ASPI reacts positively

By  Hemamala Wickramage

With the Colombo stock market reacting positively to the peace negotiations – the All Share Price Index breaching the 800 mark barrier, the business community said the positive outcome of the first round of peace talks is extremely good for them as they are interested in the prosperity of the country.

Managing Director, Merchant Bank of Sri Lanka, Sunil Wijesinghe told The Sunday Leader that there will be a rise in investment and an increase in business activities adding this will have a trickle down effect for the rest of the population.

However he said the business community does not hold immediate plans for any rapid investment projects in the north and east of the country.

He said it is yet a little early to launch any major investment projects at this juncture. “The area has been undergoing so much of turmoil and the transition should be carefully managed,”  he added.

According to Wijesinghe the rising cost of living is not likely to come down. However, the solution lies not in blaming it but by increasing the  earning capacity would help the community bear the ever rising cost of living, he said.  “Increased economic activity means more money would come in to circulation.

The household income would go up which is the most effective way to handle the cost of livingî explained Wijesinghe.

Senior Vice Chairman, Industrial Association, Armyne Wirasinha said, ìfor the first time the business community is getting a strong signal that the peace expectations are realistic concerning foreign investment he said, ìAlready there is a lot of expectation from the international community. Most companies are expecting good results from the peace situation. When it comes to investment in the north there is a vacuum that needs to be filled. A lot of land and resources available in the area holds great potential for investmentî said Wirasinha.

According to him this boost in investment will not be just for the north and east but for the rest of the country as well.

Asked as to why the countryís economy is still in poor shape he said that it is due to the global economic recession. ìWell, one can not expect the economy to pick up at a rapid speed. When looking at the global economic situation there is still very much a recessionî he explained.

Secretary General and CEO, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, Renton de Alwis said ìthe outcome of the first round of talks lays a very good back drop for a positive process to begin. Our role is to ensure a healthy economy with good business and investment activity.î

According to him there will be a shift in both local and foreign investment to the north and east in the near future. ìWith the rehabilitation and reconstruction in NE taking place the investors would be interested in starting up projects. It will be a participating process in a conducive environmentî he said.

Expressing his views on countryís current economic situation, de Alwis said ìMost of the countries were going through the global economic depression but right now some are getting out of it. Especially countries like the UK and the US.î

According to him the events on July 24 and September 11 and also the contraction in global travel has contributed to the troubled economic situation. ìAfter almost 18 years of conflict we are in a ënot so badí state,î said de Alwis.

ìRight now it is up to us to make use of the peace environment and to build on itî he added.

Richard ready to tackle president

By Amantha Perera 

Former Education minister and leader of the House Richard Pathirana last week said that he could tackle President Chandrika Kumaratunga.

“I have dealt with Ranasinghe Premadasa, I can handle Chandrika Kumaratunga,” he told reporters in parliament.

Pathirana however, had silently sat through an SLFP Central Committee meeting the day before the decision was taken to oppose the 19th Amendment.

The MP from the South told reporters that he would support the amendment regardless of the party decision.

At the meeting, President Kumaratunga queried whether there were any views in support of the amendment and no one spoke. Pathirana said that he did not air his views since the President already knew his stance.

The former minister also said that he had consulted his lawyers who had advised him that any disciplinary action could be challenged in court. Pathirana argued that the PA’s manifesto said that the executive presidency would be abolished totally while the 19th amendment was only going half way.

“How can they penailse me for supporting something that the PA wanted to go even further,” he queried.

However, support for the MP within the party looked to be waning last week. Former cabinet colleague A H M Fowzie stepped back from supporting the amendment totally. “No comment,” was his reply when asked for his views on the 19th amendment tabled in Parliament last week.

Fowzie was initially identified as being among the PA members likely to support the amendment.

Meanwhile opposition leader Mahindha Rajapakse observed last week that the 19th amendment could be defeated if the PA is united. Rajapakse was referring to internal factions and rivalries that have plagued the main opposition party thwarting any progress against the government.

JVP group leader Wimal Weeravansha was more simplistic in his strategy arguing that the opposition just had to make sure that one of the 20 supporting votes from the opposition is stopped.

The UNP however, was confident that the 19th Amendment would be passed and that opposition support would be far above the required number. “There will be 27 votes supporting the amendment from the opposition,” Lands Minister Dr.Rajitha Senarathana confidently predicted last week.

Prisoner swap this week?

By Frederica Jansz

Eleven LTTE suspects in government custody are expected to be released on Wednesday, September 25, in exchange for seven Sinhalese prisoners of war held by the Tigers.

Out of 23 Tiger suspects in state prisons, which the LTTE wanted in exchange for six soldiers and one navy officer, the Attorney Generals' Department has pruned the list down to 11.

Attorney General K. C. Kamalasabayson refused to release four out of the 23 on the list sent by LTTE Leader Prabhakaran, while another five had already been released by the courts.

Out of the remaining 14, three suspects have said they do not want to be released in Omanthai in LTTE held territory but have said they wish to be released in Colombo - if this is not possible they have indicated they would prefer to remain in prison.

A key suspect named 'Kennedy' may be released a source at the AG's Department said.  The Attorney General's Department and the LTTE haggled briefly over this suspect who is a key member of the Tiger ranks.

The LTTE meanwhile has informed the government they do not want a 14 year old LTTE suspect in remand - neither do they want a woman Sea Tiger also being held by the state. The 14-year-old LTTE suspect had already been released by courts.

The LTTE however suddenly said they do not want this child back in their ranks.  It is believed the Tigers had second thoughts as taking a child back into their ranks may reflect adversely on their claim that they do not force children to join their ranks.

Excluding all these people the final count is down to 11 LTTErs for seven government security forces personnel. The attorney general is to take steps to file a motion in courts to release these 11 LTTE cadres. The government was awaiting confirmation last Thursday, September 19, from S.P. Thamilchelvam on whether the LTTE is satisfied with this final list.

The International Committee of the Red Cross has according to regular humanitarian procedure already interviewed the selected 11 and will facilitate the release of both the LTTE cadres and the Sinahalese prisoners of war in Omanthai. 

Meanwhile, President, Association of Families of Servicemen Missing in Action, E. V. Nanayakkara is agitating to meet LTTE Political Wing Head, S.P. Tamilchelvam this week. Nanayakkara said that a request had already been made for a meeting as he is convinced the LTTE holds more than seven prisoners.

Nanayakkara asserted that he is certain the Tigers still hold a few hundred Sinhalese security forces personnel. Following the fall of the Mullaitivu and Elephant Pass army camps, "there is no way the LTTE can claim they have only seven Sinhalese security forces personnel as prisoners," he said.

Dispute over third phase of Kalu Ganga water supply project

The third phase of the Kalu Ganga Water Supply Project (KG-3) has run into controversy in the tender process.

The Sunday Leader understands that the lowest tenderer, China Geo Engineering Corporation (CGEC) has been accused of performing very badly in the second stage of the project known as KG-2.

Although the nine-month contract period for KG-2 lapsed on June 7, last year, the firm has been given an extension of one year, which is questionable. Three months of the extension period have also lapsed to date.

Informed sources say KG-2 should have been undertaken on schedule so that the pending road construction project funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) could be undertaken.

They added that during the nine month contract period all pipes, fittings and other material should have been supplied, pipe laying and other civil work should have been carried out, and testing should have been done and handed over to the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB).

However, the company has so far completed only 70% of the supply ( of pipes, fittings and other materials) and just about 12% of the construction / civil work.  In fact, out of 20 km of laying, only 2.4 km has been undertaken. 

It is reported that the contractor is laying only five to six pipes a day (35-45 meters daily), and if they continue at this rate they will need more than two years from now. In case they are assigned the KG-3 undertaking, they are unlikely to perform.

It is also pertinent to mention that the government has suffered a loss because of the cost overruns and price escalation due to the extension of time given on the KG-2 project.  The Road Development Authority will also be unable to complete its work as scheduled. Concern has been expressed that neither water supply nor roads will be ready for public use as scheduled.

In fact, The Sunday leader is in possession of a letter by the National Water Supply and Drainage Board strongly criticising CGEC for it's poor performance.

Informed sources also stated that the iron pipes manufactured by Yang Gang and supplied by CGEC for KG-2 does not comply with the required tender specifications in respect of its diameter.

The internal pipe diameter as required by the tender is 800 mm. However, the pipes supplied and presently utilised by the contractor is of an internal diameter of 765 mm.  CGEC has mentioned only Yang Gang pipes for the KG-3 project.

CGEC's total tender price for the KG-3 projects is Rs 1.11 billion.  Followed  by Hovael Construction at Rs. 1.24 billion. The other firms which submitted bids include Keangnam Enterprise (Rs. 1.43 billion), Ondeo Degremont (Rs. 1.52 billion) and China Beijing Municipal Engineering Corporation (Rs. 1.67 billion).

 Labour commissioner warns PIA for laying-off staff

By Risidra Mendis

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has been warned by Labour Commissioner Mahinda Madihahewa not to lay off its Sri Lankan staff but to continue employing them.

The commissioner has further refused to grant approval for a further lay off, following a request made by PIA, based in Colombo.

Despite the commissioner's directives to the PIA, The Sunday Leader learns the management has not bothered to even pay the staff members.

The Sri Lankan employees were laid off by the management after the government of Pakistan withdrew all flights to Sri Lanka following the outbreak of hostilities between India and Pakistan.

The commissioner's letter dated September 10, says a further lay off time of three months has been rejected due to evidence that there is a potential of earning revenue through off line business as resorted to by other airlines in similar situations.

According to the labour commissioner, the country manager in his evidence has acknowledged that these employees were well experienced and their termination of services would not be in the best interest of the company.

"As such, once the crisis period is over, employment of these 13 workers may not be a burden on the company. PIA has the capacity to generate revenue to sustain them. The attempt to appoint a general sales agent also adds up to the fact that PIA could continue to have their business in Sri Lanka," the commissioner's letter stated.

In January 2002, due to the Indo Pakistan conflict, Indian air space was not allowed for Pakistani flights. According to the employees of PIA, the management used this problem as a tool to lay off the Sri Lankan employees from their service.

The employees then sought the help of the Department of Labour that resulted in the labour commissioner's refusal.

Though PIA laid off the services of the Sri Lankan employees on January 15, they were taken back on January 16. Having worked till the end of February, the Sri Lankan employees were once again laid off with 50% of their salary for three months.

Subsequently, the PIA management by letter requested the Labour Department for permission to lay them off for a further period of three months. However the Labour Department had once again refused.

But The Sunday Leader learns the staff members of PIA have yet not been granted their positions back nor been paid.

The Sunday Leader learns that some employees have been in service for the past 20 to 27 years, but yet they are being treated this way.

Soldiers will not be left 'high and dry' - defence secretary

While the peace process took a different turn last week with LTTE theoretician Anton Balasingham declaring that the Tigers are not demanding a separate state, the government last week gave an assurance that no soldier would be left 'high and dry.'

Defence Secretary Austin Fernando told The Sunday Leader that every attempt is being made to ensure soldiers who will not have much to contribute in the defence sector, are assured employment. "Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has already given this assurance to the soldiers," he said.

According to him the government is at present holding discussions with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) finding out ways and means to launch various employment training programmes, especially for the soldiers, so that  once they are free from the war,  they could be  gainfully employed in the private as well as public sectors.

Fernando also said that the soldiers are highly trained and in addition disciplined and that they could be easily trained to be fit for employment outside the defence circle. "So it will not be a problem for us to put all the soldiers on a training course," he said.

Making specific reference to the airforce officers, the defence secretary said that they could find overseas jobs without any problems. He said the airforce officers were in demand in other  countries and that they could take up jobs if they faced problems here.

"In fact, it is we who are holding them back. I am sure they must be cursing us for this. Otherwise, by this time they would have taken off to other countries to take up employment. They are definitely in demand in foreign countries," he explained.

LTTE requests for army escort

 The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has requested the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) to grant permission for a land route to be used by them.

The LTTE made this request after the sea route was cancelled. The LTTE had also indicated that if permission is granted to use a  land route, then they would need an army escort as well, for the Tigers  would be journeying through  a  number of Sinhalese villages.

The Sunday Leader learns that the army had agreed to offer their support to escort LTTE personnel.

However, military spokesman Brigadier Sanath Karunaratne said that so far  the defence headquarters had not been notified of this development.

According to information available  the LTTE had made this request with regard to travelling from Batticaloa  to other areas to visit their family members in the north.

Tender procedure violation by SLPA

Discarded items at the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) are being sold at  previously tendered prices, without calling for fresh tenders, The Sunday Leader learns.

Ports Authority sources informed The Sunday Leader that items such as used tyres,  burnt oil, steal and a number of other  items  are being sold by the SLPA at a very low price, ignoring proper tender procedure.

According to  normal procedure the SLPA should advertise in the national newspapers  such sales and give the items to the highest bidder. "But they are acting contrary to this," irate Ports  Authority sources informed.

The Sunday Leader is in possession of a document sent by Dollaars Industries (Private) Limited requesting for 100 barrels of burnt oil stored at the SLPA.

In the same document the Vice Chairman, SLPA,  M. H. M. Salman and the Managing Director,  Mahinda Colonne have indicated to the relevant officials  to "dispose of 100 barrels of oil at the previous tendered prices."

While the vice-chairman says, " make arrangements for the disposal at the last tendered price," the managing director says, "please issue 100 barrels at the previous tendered price and report (as a special case)."

Consultant to a dying company

The Ceylon Shipping Corporation Limited (CSCL) has employed a consultant to its subsidiary company, Ceylon Ports Services, which is virtually on the brink of collapse.

Questions are being raised as to whether a consultant is needed for a company that is on the verge of closure.

The Sunday Leader reliably learns that the company has made a loss to the tune of Rs. 6 million last year.

CSCL has also agreed to provide this newly appointed consultant a house belonging to  CSCL, which company sources say is an unacceptable practice.

The chairman, CSCL, in a letter to Farook Majeed, the new consultant, has said that the management of  CSCL has decided to allow him to occupy a unit in the corporation's quarters.

"In terms of this decision you have been allocated for occupation the SCS quarters No. 11, 18th lane (off Aluthmawatha Road),  Colombo 15," the letter says.

Majeed was provided this facility on February 14, 2002, and has been extended to him for a period of one year.

"Your remuneration as a consultant shall be set off against the rental for the premises. The said unit shall be occupied only by you/your wife/children and dependent persons if any. If you need to accommodate any others, you should obtain our prior written approval for same," the letter stated.

The letter also gives Majeed the freedom to utilise kitchen, dinning room facilities. In addition Majeed has also been informed that the water and electricity bills would be settled by the CSCL.

Appeal to ban export of wild plants

The Wanaspathi Nature Team (Endangered Species Protection Unit of Sri Lanka) has called upon President Kumaratunga to ban the export of plants collected from the wild.

In a letter to the president the nature team has suggested that strict discipline must be enforced against politicians who interfere with the official duties of relevant officers.

"The government also should prohibit the export of rhizomes, bulbs etc. Instead, exporting only the whole plant for a minimum fixed price should be allowed. In addition, personnel at the Department of Wildlife Conservation and Forest Department should be given proper training on the identification of these plants," the letter has said.

The letter said that a gazette extraordinary was released on December 5, 2000 bearing NO. 1161/6, under the Forest Ordinance, declaring a law that 'no forest produce can be exported without the granting of a permit by the forest conservator."

"Yet, at the request of  exporters, on August 8, 2001, a circular was released in which 59 species of plants were exempted from the above law and eight species were permitted for export, on the certification that they were cultivated.

"Despite this legislative protection, vast quantities are collected illegally from the wild and exported. The above issue is one such example. Investigations revealed that a minimum of one million bulbs have been extracted. It can be appraised that at least 100-150 acres of the natural wilderness has been destroyed by this rapacious exporter," the letter said.

The letter says that in an economic sense the losses are high since the income that the exporters obtain is extremely low.

"In the above case if the plants had been cultivated and sold for 0.50 US cents, Sri Lanka would have received a sum of Rs. 47.5 million of foreign exchange.

"According to statistics received by us, the number of persons involved in exporting local plants is less than 10. Inclusive of the marine fish exporters, the total number of exporters does not exceed more than 25.

"Therefore it is clear that our invaluable resources restricted in their distribution in Sri Lanka, are exported by a handful of people who are exploiting them in an unprecedented manner," the letter stated.

Rabies still a threat in Sri Lanka

Despite 100,000 stray dogs being killed annually by the local  authorities, rabies currently claims the lives of almost 150 people in Sri Lanka.

The issue regarding rabies was discussed at an international conference on 'Humane Stray Dog' Control that took place early this year in Sri Lanka.

According to Health Minister P. Dayaratne, an estimated sum of more than Rs. 150 million is spent annually to control rabies. He pointed out at the international conference that though the Health Ministry has the infrastructure to handle this problem the people too should exercise responsibility by vaccinating their dogs at the correct time.

According to a statement from  the Kandy  Association for Community Protection through Animal Welfare (KACPAW), there are an estimated half a  billion dogs  in the world and uncontrolled breeding and human neglect have led to a population explosion of stray dogs with over 80 % of the world's dogs thought to be strays.

In just six years one pair of dog and its offspring can produce 67,000 puppies, the statement added.

Marine pollution a cause for concern - environmentalists

 By Shezna Shums

 serious damage has been caused to the  coastal areas  around the island by marine pollution such as oil spills, waste from houses and hotels as well as polythene bags and other waste, environmentalists  say.

  Th is  environmental hazard is most prevalent in Colombo, near the port and also along the southern coastal areas where there are a number of tourist hotels. Regional officer,  Marine Pollution Prevention Authority (MPPA), Shantilal Ratnayake says that they do not have sufficient funds and equipment to deal with a lot of the marine problems prevalent in the country.

According to Ratnayake  the many tankers  that arrive in the port from foreign countries and travel along Hambantota have at times created oil spills that are causing immense damage to the coast  along the island.

"Another major environmental problem the MPPA faces is  dumping of household waste in to the sea and on the beaches by  hotels and houses along the coastal belt" he said.

"This  authority has  its  own experts and does  all  it can but it still doesn't have enough funds to carry out their work.'  Ratnayake added.

Many of the beaches along the island that are popular among foreign tourists as well as locals are daily being polluted with paper, polythene, plastic bottles and other waste.  This causes a threat to  marine life and  destroys Sri Lanka's beaches.

The small fishing boats are also damaging the coastal areas around Hambantota, as they spill unburnt kerosene oil which pollutes the sea water,  he added.

NTC to monitor private bus operation

The National Transport Commission (NTC) will take meassures to rectify the anomalies of bus companies on an annual basis, NTC Chairman, A. D. Thalagane said.

Thalagane says that this decision has been taken after paying serious consideration to the improperly calculated bus fares that are causing hardship to the commuters.

Citing an example the chairman says that a passenger pays a lower price for his journey to Polonnaruwa where as he pays a higher price to go to Anuradhapura even though the travel distance is shorter than travelling to Polonnaruwa.

"There are also cases where the fares are calculated on whether the buses travel on a hilly area or on flat roads. In this instance the distance is  not taken into account but the sector  is.

"In addition the bus fares will also be adjusted according to the world crude oil prices, but the fare anomaly of the bus companies that operate within provinces will be studied and changed accordingly every year," Thalagane said.

French govt. commends talks

The French government welcomes the official negotiations which were concluded in Thailand between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

In a press release the French Embassy in Colombo states "France considers this as  significant progress towards  a peaceful and negotiated solution of the conflict."

While hailing efforts made by Norway in its role as facilitator of the dialogue, the French government encourages the parties to engage in future negotiations in good faith and to seek in compliance with human rights and democratic pluralism a just and lasting peace which takes in to account the aspirations of all communities without infringing the territorial integrity and unity of Sri Lanka,  the press release further states.

Not to reason why, but to do and die

By Risidra Mendis

Peace was the last thing on their minds, when as young men mostly in the age group of 18 to 25 they joined the Sri Lankan Army, answering the call to arms.

They were trained to fight, and did that, till the day each one of them fell down in the battlefield, injured and maimed for life.

But little did they know that after many years of fighting the guns were to stop firing and the LTTE once known as their enemies would walk among them on the same soil. The soil, over which they had murdered each other.

While the rest of the country enjoy peace and breathe  in relief, 4000 injured soldiers look towards a very bleak future. For some of the wounded soldiers receiving treatment at the Ranaviru Sevana Rehabilitation Center in Ragama, peace it seems is still far away.

Ironically however this rehabilitation center that houses and treats 4166 wounded soldiers, and has even succeeded in helping them to lead a normal life in society,  has  never been of interest to the politicians in the country.

According to an official at the rehabilitation center, Dinesh Gunewardena  was the only politician to visit Ranaviru Sevana and walk round the whole building to see what kind of activities take place. "He was interested in finding out the progress of the wounded soldiers and what our plans for further development were" the official said.

According to this official a few politicians had visited the rehabilitation center  with the purpose of declaring open an area within the center. Having completed their role they left immediately, while showing no interest in the welfare of the soldiers. The former deputy defence minister Anuruddha Ratwatte had never been to the center during his tenure.

However now with the ongoing peace talks the rehabilitation center seems to be facing another problem. "Since there is no war the aid received by the center has decreased by at least 95%. The war maybe over but the disabled soldiers will continue to need assistance until they are cured" the official said.

When The Sunday Leader spoke to soldiers receiving treatment at Ranaviru Sevana about the peace process, most of them said they were happy about the peace talks if something positive was to come out of it. However there were others who felt the LTTE could not be trusted and the war should go on.

Sergent B. K. L. Fernando is one of the few soldiers who has been at Ranaviru Sevana from its inception. Fernando joined the army in 1984 and lost his left leg in 1987 at 22 years during a mortar attack at Elephant Pass.

"There were seven of us when the attack took place and I saw two of my colleagues die. I appeal to the nation not to forget the injured soldiers even if there is no war in the country," Fernando said.

Having  gained the knowledge from his superiors, Fernando now assembles limbs for his injured colleagues. Fernando goes home when time permits to see his wife Leena Bernadette and his children Shehan Sampath (12) and Dilini Shanika (9) in Negombo.

K. M. Kahandawela too works at Ranaviru Sevana. He joined the army in 1990 and got injured in an LTTE attack at Elephant Pass when he was just 21 years. Kahandawela is another soldier who witnessed the deaths of many of his colleagues in the operation. "I'm the eldest in my family and felt I should fight a war for my country" he said.

D. A. Thilakaratne from Galgamuwa was an engineer in the anti bomb squad. He underwent training at the Diyatalawa army camp in 1981 and was posted at Panagoda in February 1982 and then to Mullaitivu  in May 1982. "While I was trying to detonate a batta in Jaffna in 2000 it exploded and I lost both my hands" Thilakaratne said.

Thilakaratne today has two artificial limbs and comes to Ranaviru Sevana for treatment. "I'm gradually learning to get used to my new life. My wife    has been very supportive and does everything for me" Thilakaratne said.

Thilakaratne is the father of Madushi Thilanka (16), Piyumi Issanka (14) and Kasun Madusanka (12).

Athula Kumara from Matale joined the army when he was 18 years old. "At that time I never thought there would be a ceasefire and peace talks would begin" he said. In 1996 due to  financial difficulties at home and to serve his country Kumara joined the army.

In 1998 Kumara lost his leg in the Jaya Sikuru operation. "We got caught to a mortar attack and three of my colleagues died" he said. Kumara who was an all round athlete today comes to the center for volleyball practices as he will be taking part in a volleyball competition to be held in Korea in October 2002.

Kumara is the eldest in his family. "We need donations for our tickets but so far haven't received any. I hope some kind donor will give us the cash to attend this game" he said.

Ranaviru Sevana was established in 1990 with the intention of rehabilitating permanently disabled soldiers.

After receiving treatment at the army   hospital they are then sent to the rehabilitation center where those who can be cured are eventually sent home. The rest are treated by the experienced staff at the center.