The LTTE’s Eastern Province military wing leader Karuna who participated in the second round of talks in Thailand for the first time, greets Economic Reforms Minister Milinda Moragoda while LTTE theoretician Dr. Anton Balasingham looks on

Govt.’s stability questioned

By Lasantha Wickrematunge In Nakorn Pathom

The LTTE delegation charged during the second round of talks that President Chandrika Kumaratunga and a group of MPs loyal to her were out to sabotage the peace process and questioned the stability of the government to meet the challenge.

Citing the Supreme Court ruling on the 19th Amendment to the constitution, Head of the LTTE delegation, Dr. Anton Balasingham asked the government delegation how it intends implementing decisions reached in the talks which require a two third majority in parliament in view of the failure to introduce the 19th Amendment.

The head of the LTTE delegation said the most prudent option was available to the government to seek a fresh mandate from the people to advance the peace process.

Balasingham said the government would in the alternative have to restrain the President’s powers to restore stability in the peace process. Balasingham told The Sunday Leader that unless the government wisens upto this situation, the President would undermine the entire process which he said is progressing very well at the moment.

It is learnt that Minister G. L. Peiris responding to Balasingham had said there were no doubts about the stability of the government and that it would be established at the forthcoming budget.

The Minister had also said if the President was an obstacle to the peace process, there were other options available to the government.

The Sunday Leader learns that the LTTE will re-agitate this issue and seek a commitment from the government at the closing session of the talks scheduled for Sunday.

Meanwhile, the LTTE also lodged a strong protest with the government on the High Court sentence against the LTTE leader and said the timing was perceived as an obstacle to the peace process.

Balasingham said while it is acknowledged that the government cannot interfere with the independence of the judiciary, the timing left much to be desired.

However, he said it will not in anyway affect the LTTE’s commitment to the peace process.

Compromise formula agreed upon on JTF

Significant progress on the implementation of the Joint Task Force (JTF) was made in Thailand on Friday (1) after the government, LTTE and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Leader Rauf Hakeem agreed on a compromise formula.

The JTF was threatening the previous night to lead a collision coupe between the LTTE and the SLMC leader, but back room diplomacy by the Norwegian facilitators led to a compromise formula being evolved where the composition of the JTF will now be expanded to four representatives each from the government and the LTTE with enhanced participation for the Muslim representatives.

The earlier agreement was for the JTF to comprise three members each, but Hakeem pressed for a four member team from each side with an enhanced role for Muslim participation.

Thursday (31) night, a worried Hakeem said Friday could be a decisive day for the peace process if no accommodation can be found for Muslim concerns with regard to the JTF, but a beaming Hakeem on Friday afternoon after the morning session on the second day said a compromise formula that satisfies not only Muslim aspirations, but those of the government as well as the LTTE was reached at the negotiating table.

Indications are that the JTF itself will now comprise members of the negotiating team. “I had an off the table discussion with LTTE’s Eastern Province military leader Karuna and arrived at a working arrangement and the test now is to see it implemented in practice,” he said.

Hakeem also said additional credence can be attached to the assurances given by the LTTE as they were made in the presence of the Norwegian facili- tators.

That significant pro- gress made on Friday’s talks was also confirmed by Constitutional Affairs Minister G. L. Peiris soon after the morning session. Minister Peiris said they are all looking forward to the donor conferences in Norway and Japan to push ahead with the agreements reached during the talks.

 Peiris also said the High Court sentence on LTTE leader Velupillai Prabha- karan was not a factor at the talks and that on the contrary, the LTTE reiterated its commitment to the peace process.

A detailed joint statement outlining the agreements reached during the talks is expected to be released on Sunday.

(LW)

SLMM to be reconstituted

The government and LTTE initiated the second session of peace talks in Thailand with an evaluation of the implementation of the Ceasefire Agreement (CA) over the past eight months.

In their determination to consolidate the CA and advance the peace process, the parties agreed to a set of measures to improve the security situation, inter-ethnic cooperation and respect for human rights in the north and eastern provinces, a statement from the Norwegian government stated.

The statement said that in this context, the parties emphasised in particular their commitment to accommodate the needs and aspirations of all three communities in the east — Tamils, Muslims and Sinhalese. The parties set out specific measures to improve relations between the Muslim and Tamil communities.

The parties agreed to continuously monitor the implementation of each of the agreed measures and to report on progress at future sessions of the peace talks, the statement stated.

It said that in the light of the principal challenges in implementing the CA at this stage, the parties agreed to reconstitute the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) established in accordance with paragraph 3.7 of the CA. To this end, the parties agreed to replace a number of their appointees to the committees with senior representatives from both sides, it said.

Following is the full text of the statement.

“The parties are pleased to note that the SLMM has established Points of Contact (PoCs) in the north and east as sub-offices of the SLMM district offices, in order to improve access to SLMM by local communities. The parties agreed to request the SLMM to consider establishing additional sub-offices, particularly in Batticaloa and in Ampara districts.

“The parties agreed to establish direct communications between the commanders of the LTTE and the GOSL, Special Task Force in the east, in order to improve the security situation. The parties agreed to establish a process of regular consultations between LTTE leaders and Muslim political leaders.

“Hakeem and Karuna agreed to work together in the east to meet with local communities and address their specific concerns and aspirations, including matters relating to the occupation and cultivation of land. They will work in accordance with the MoU reached between he leader of the LTTE and the leader of the SLMC on April 13. The parties further agreed to remove any impediments to the pursuit of traditional economic activities of the Tamil and Muslim communities such as fishing, farming and trading.

“The parties took special note of the need to address fully and cater for the interests and concerns of the Sinhala community in the eastern province in the context of the ongoing peace negotiations.

“The parties agreed to establish peace committees at community level in order to facilitate the resolution of local problems, contribute to inter-ethnic communication and reconciliation and promote respect for human rights. The committees may include local community leaders such as religious, political, business and civil society leaders. The committees will include local LTTE and GOSL leaders.”

Fate of four tropical forests awaits decision on US swap plan

By Dilrukshi Handunnetti

Sri Lanka will decide the fate of four tropical forests this month when authorities take a final decision on a strange debt swap plan proposed by the US government, according to authoritative sources.

The relatively new concept, introduced by the US government for third world countries that are knee-deep in public debt, was also proposed to Sri Lanka in 2001 through the US Tropical Forest Conservation Act (TFCA).

According to the legislation proposed, the US will waive off debt owed by the island nation to the US in exchange for control of four selected peak wilderness areas which are of immense ecological significance to Sri Lanka.

Sources said that, upon returning from the Climate Convention Conference that concluded on Friday November 1, Environment Minister Rukman Senanayake will engage in a series of discussions to take a final decision on the fate of the four selected pristine wet, mountainous forest areas.

The US tropical forest management plan seeks to write off US $ 400 million if the US designed forestry conservation plan is accepted by the Sri Lankan government. In the debt swap, the US will take over management and conservation of the ‘nominated forests.’

The four forest areas are the single world heritage rain forest in Sri Lanka, the Sinharaja, Knuckles Range, Namunukula Range and the Horton Plains - all forests coming under the preview of the Department of Forestry.

Sinharaja has additional protection as UNESCO declared it a world heritage. All four forests enjoy unique bio-diversity and some areas are home to endemic flora and fauna.

According to the US Embassy, this plan though new has worked well in Costa Rica and Bangladesh, a move that has been dubbed as ‘blatant plundering’ by environmentalists the world over.

Already, Sri Lanka had committed itself to an Asian Development Bank funded seven- year forestry plan. Under the US tropical forests conservation plan, the four forests would be at least 70 % managed by the US.

Finance Ministry sources told The Sunday Leader that the country’s negative growth rate last year added to the debt burden of a country that financed an expensive war for nearly 20 years and has no option to consider the proposal.

“There is only a lull in the war due to the truce, and war could break out which would mean that the government will have to fork out money for the war, once more” the senior official said.

The country’s public debt stands at a staggering US $ 4 billion, and the government is keen to find a way out of it, he added.

According to the plan, a fund would be set up for administration and the Sri Lankan government, the US and several NGOs would represent the board of management.

The US Embassy official, defending the debt swap insisted that such debt relief measures for developing countries was new, but served the countries that would otherwise fail to protect their otherwise vanishing forest cover.”

According to Sarath Fernando, the conservator of forests, there is no need to buy the US proposal. “ It could actually be to our detriment, but then, the ministry should decide finally,” he said.

Environmentalist and environmental lawyer Jagath Gunawardane told The Sunday Leader that such benevolence could not stem from a state that seeks to thrust debt recovery legislation upon the third world. These are attempts to dodge their commitments to the world in areas of emission control and reduction of pollution, he argued.

“They need our genetic resources. They are also interested in carbon trading and pharmaceuticals. This would be the worst sell off undertaken by any government, if the plan materialises. These interests should be pursued by Sri Lanka in furtherance of its own interests and not allow the US or any other country to come in and exploit our natural resources” he said.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Green Party Leader Piyal Parakrama criticising the US agreement with Costa Rica said that it was unfair to a nation that boasted of 5 % of the world’s bio-diversity.

Citing the Supreme Court determination on the Eppawela phosphate mines, he said it was upheld that a government could not on its own decide how o deal with the disputed natural resource as it was not the sole property of a government to deal with as it pleased, for all natural resources belonged to the country and its people.

“If that is the case, no government could decide on its own, at least without proper consultation with its people whether our forests could be handed over on a platter to the US for an unholy debt recovery mechanism,” he said.

No need to bring new buses - PBOA

Private Bus Owners Association (PBOA) President Gemunu Wijeratne says that at present there are around 23,000 private buses in the country and there is no room on the roads for more buses.

At present the private bus drivers are doing their best to give the public a good service, he said.

PBOA General Secretary Rohan de Silva told to The Sunday Leader that their association is concerned about the recent buying of 39% of shares of cluster bus companies by a foreign investor.

He further said a recent survey conducted revealed that there are enough buses to run on the roads and that there is no need to bring new buses.

However, what the entire transport industry needs is proper management to make full use of the present buses, as multinational companies are only profit-oriented and interested in making money, he said.

The PBOA is at present holding discussions with the Transport Authority not to allow companies to increase the number of buses on the roads.

Secretary, Ministry of State Transport, M.Susiriwardene says that he is aware of the private bus owners’ grievances but admits that there is definitely a problem with the country’s transport system too.

CEB ignoring complaints, says resident

A resident of Galawi-lawatte, Homagama in a letter dated 25.2 2002 has complained to the Human Rights Commission accusing the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) of ignoring complaints made by him on a number of occasions.

According to the resident, an electric wire was pulled across his premises without his permission. However, when he complained to the CEB, the Deputy General Manager (CEB) in a letter dated 10.4 2000 said the resident has to pay for the removal of the wire.

“Due to the delay in the removal of the wire I got delayed in building my house and lost the loan I had applied for from the bank” the resident said.

A request made to the Homagama CEB for the removal of a public lamp post situated in the middle of the road was also delayed with various excuses given. “The lamp post has prevented us from even bringing a vehicle down the road” the resident said.

“The CEB without my permission forcibly encroached on my land and cut some valuable trees in order to pull a wire across my land. Up to date I haven’t received any compensation for my loss,” the resident said.

Will the Dehiwela zoo be shifted?

By Risidra Mendis

The location of the Dehiwela Zoo has come under the microscope with indications that it might be shifted.

During an adjournment debate two weeks back, Environment Minister Rukman Senanayake said that there was a suggestion to shift the zoo to an outstation location and relocate it in a 200-acre plot.

However, authorities at the Dehiwela Zoo are adamant that the zoo will remain where it is and are charging that businessmen are eyeing the land in this prime location.

“The zoo has always been included in tour packages for children and adults alike. But if the zoo is shifted to Pinnawela, people from the north and east will find it difficult to travel and won’t be able to afford the cost either. Once the zoo at Pinnawela is completed we will take some of the excess animals there and the National Zoological Gardens will become the city zoo” Director, National Zoological Gardens said Brigadier H.A.N.T. Perera.

Twenty two acres of land are occupied by the animals and the balance by trees and shrubs at the zoo and according to nature lovers it consists of many trees and plants, hundreds of years old. This area, situated in the highest point of the Colombo District once served for the production of kabok and  was given over to the Sri Lankan government in 1936.

However According to Minister Senanayake, the plan is to construct a zoo where animals can roam free in specific areas. He did not say whether the Dehiwela Zoo would be shifted.

LRC wants minister to pay for land

By Frederica Jansz

The Land Reform Commission (LRC) has written to Rehabilitation Minister Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena requesting him to pay for over 40 perches of prime land in Nuwara Eliya, which he had secured free of charge in 1984.

The land taken by Dr. Jayawardena is situated at Westward Ho Estate, Nuwara Eliya and demarcated into two 20 perch blocks.  The entire estate is valued at Rs. 1 billion. 

Marked as block number 90 and 91, the LRC on September 23 this year, requested Dr. Jayawardena to pay Rs. 1.79 million for lot no. 90 and Rs. 1.85 million for lot no. 91, which had been given to him  free of charge.  Block number 90 consists of 0.0708 hectares while block no. 91 consists of 0.0719 hectares.  The LRC is requesting payment based on a government valuation done on the land in 1998.

Lands Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, however, said that he plans to request all those who had been handed out this land to pay charges on a fresh government valuation of the land in question.

The estate had been divided in 1984 and handed out free of charge to 91 public servants and politicians by the then Government Agent for Nuwara Eliya, Kumar Abeysinghe.

Besides Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena the present MP for Nuwara Eliya, S. Muthusivalingam had also secured a 20 perch block of land free of charge at this estate.

Dr. Jayawardena, meanwhile, said that the land was given to him in 1984 at the time he served as a public servant.  “Not only me but many others including the then SSP of the area were all given blocks of land at this estate,” he said, adding that he will appeal against making payment.

Chairman, LRC, Lakshman Ranasinghe said the government agent for Nuwara Eliya had no right to hand out the land in this manner since the entire estate belongs to the LRC

Dr. Senaratne asserted that the Lands Ministry will now have a huge problem on its hands to recover Rs. 1000 million (one billion) from these 91 people as some of them have re-sold the land to another party. This means that even title deeds would have been forged in order to enact a re-sale.

Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena meanwhile said he originally took the land because his wife’s hometown is Nuwara Eliya.

Peace only through negotiations

By Marianne David

While over one third of people in Jaffna stated that they believe peace will be achieved soon, a majority believed that it could only be achieved through negotiations stated Social Indicator October 2002.

That peace talks are the path to achieving peace was the opinion of  91% of the people. 2.2% believed that the LTTE could defeat the government while 0.6% believed otherwise.

A majority (58.8%) said what war meant to them was death and destruction, 36.8% believed it meant fighting for rights and 10.8% said it was disharmony among races.

However, the belief that all ethnic communities can live together has decreased by 12.7% since last June, when it was at 71.2% and is now at 58.5%. In spite of that, 32.8% of the people believe that the ceasefire agreement will last.

That the SLMM is impartial, however, is an opinion that has decreased though a majority (45.8%) still continues to believe so. A third party was essential  to solve the north east conflict is stated by 73% of the people. An overwhelming majority (82.4%) approved of the decisions taken at the talks, like the setting up of the Joint Task Force (JTF) and 74% approved of Norway assisting in the peace process.

While 61% of the people claim they are highly satisfied with the outcome of the first round of talks, unemployment emerged as the issue of most concern. 26.6% of the people who took part in the survey stated that unemployment was the biggest problem, while the ethnic conflict rated second at 33.8%.

The other issues that emerged were the cost of living (12.4%), education (5%), terrorism (3.1%), security (4.6%), corruption (1.2%), environmental pollution (2.2%), law and order (2.8%), democracy (0.9%), human rights (5.3%), resettlement (4.3%) and fishing rights (0.9%). An overall level of dissatisfaction with the available facilities and services was noted.

Though a large number (49.8%) remained unable to give a time frame for when peace would be established in Sri Lanka, 35% believed it will be achieved soon.

Meanwhile 31.3% of the people were unaware that peace talks were held between the government and the LTTE in Thailand and out of the 68.1% who were aware of the peace talks, 50.9% were unaware of the decision to set up a Joint Task Force.

Anton Balasingham’s statement that Eelam  does not connote a separate, independent state and that the LTTE would settle for regional autonomy was considered a credible one by 47.3% of the people. 55.9% of the people were aware of the President’s request for her representative to take part in the talks and a majority (54%) disagreed with her request.

Moves to impeach CBK

By Dilrukshi Handunneti

A group of government legislators led by several ministers are canvassing opposition support to successfully move an impeachment motion against President Chandrika Kumaratunga  in parliament,  authoritative government sources said.

In the aftermath of the failed 19th Amendment where an outright effort to clip the wings of the president -  the government attempts to extend  an olive branch to work out a cohabitation strategy with the President - too has proved to be of no avail.

As part of the peace deal, Lands Minister Rajitha Senaratne, an arch critic of President Kumaratunga met her last Monday after 11 long years to see whether they could bury the hatchet, sources said.

Similarly, other ministers who have been vociferous critics of her and her administration have been told to go gentle with the President to avoid yet another general election.

A senior minister told The Sunday Leader that after the failure of  the 19th Amendment, there were only three courses of action available to the government. “ To work out a cohabitation policy with the President, impeach her, or slash her vote at the forthcoming budget, effectively crippling her functions.”

The UNF government, currently attempting a peace deal with the  President  is also seeking support from the opposition ranks to effectively clip the presidential wings, if cohabitation theories fail to yield any results.

“ Both the President and the UNF do agree that the situation is such that all need to co-operate if the country is to be properly administered. Both sides are too tired  of attempting to browbeat the other,” a senior minister who is brokering peace between the country’s two political leaders said.

Meanwhile, government sources claimed that mustering the two third majority in parliament is not a problem. “ The PA was aware that there was two thirds  support to pass the 19th Amendment which prompted them to seek judicial intervention. By then, they lost their political clout within parliament to prevent a number of its members from supporting that piece of legislation,” an authoritative UNP source said.

If cohabitation attempts do not work out this time, it would certainly compel the government to move twin impeachment motions - against the President and the Chief Justice.

 “As an opposition, we pledged to impeach the chief justice on many counts. It does not augur well for any government when it fails to deliver on its main pledges,” a source said.

He said that the UNF will shortly decide if both impeachment motions should be moved in parliament, or the motion against the President should be further delayed to facilitate a better understanding between the two main political parties.

Discrepancy at police hospital

Medical staff at the Narahenpita Police Hospital are outraged at the promotion of a female medical officer who they claim is unfit for the position she holds.

According to police hospital sources the female officer in question has violated the basic rules and regulations pertaining to government service and had resigned from her post internship without completing the probationary period of nine months that is compulsory for all medical officers.

“This female doctor’s post internship appointment was in late 1987 and she served in Polonnaruwa Base Hospital. She had been absent from work since late 1988 and been abroad for sometime. Upon returning to the country she had joined the Police Department in 1999 as a reserve woman assistant superintendent of police (R/WASP),” police hospital sources told The Sunday Leader.

It is alleged her appointment had been without any interview or notification and thus, police hospital sources claim it falls outside the proper guidelines of recruiting staff for government service.

The Sunday Leader also learns that this doctor had been seconded to work in the Ampara Hospital in November 2001 after she was absorbed in to  the Health Department. However, she had continued to serve in the Narahenpita Police Hospital for a further two months and had taken up her position in Ampara in February 2002. She had worked at Amapara Hospital for a period of only 17 days and had returned to her service at the Narahenpita Police Hospital.

Police Hospital sources also claim that she had been enjoying official benefits - namely an official vehicle, fuel and driver facilities from both government departments during this period - from  November 2001 to February 2002.

Later  the  doctor had completed the Diploma in Family Medicine (DFM) and since then had been promoted to the post of reserve woman superintendent of police (R/WSP). While police hospital sources acknowledge that she passed the exam for the diploma and gained the qualification through her own merit, in sitting for the exam they claim she had again violated certain regulations concerning examinations.

DFM can only be followed by medical officers with a service exceeding eight years, therefore she had sat for the exam as a private candidate. “Eventhough this exam is open for a few private medical doctors, medical officers currently serving at the police hospital were not allowed to follow the course as they had not completed the eight year service period,” they said.

Amongst other discrepancies this  doctor who is still serving as a  preliminary grade medical officer is currently serving in a position where she oversees the work of medical officers who are serving in the first and second grades. Furthermore, the female medical officer is also accused of using political influence for her advantage in work related to her career and service at the police department.

Plantation children suffer in silence

By Shezna Shums

An independant survey carried out by Rev. Fr. S. Guy de Fontgalland of the Leo Marga Ashram says that according to reports from  the year 2000, there are a total of 339,408 plantation children.

Nearly 80,000 of them are under five years of age and 180,000 are schooling.  Around 15,000 of the plantation children suffer from disabilities leaving a balance of 64,408 children at home.

Another problem about these children is the health issues of the very young children who are in  age groups  between three to 36 months

Studies by UNICEF show that there are more than 24,000 infants under the age of one, 96,000 between the ages of one and four and 24,000 between the ages of five to 14.

According to UNICEF Project

Officer-Child Development Abhiyan Rana, studies have shown that in 2000 the percentage of children who are stunt was 31.9%.

The percentages of children who are underweight are 43.2% in the plantation sector and 10% in other rural areas.

As seen by these preliminary figures the situation is getting better but it needs more improvement, according to a UNICEF report.

When it comes to access to clean drinking water, 67% of the families in the estate areas get their water from rivers and streams. Regarding immunisation in the year 2000, 86.1% of plantation children received immunisation when compared to 94.4% of children from other rural areas.

For the year 2001 there are now approximately 339,408 children under the age of 18 living in estates.

It is also reported that there are 26,037 children engaged in economic activity and out of this total 52% are below the age of 15.

They are engaged in economic activity while attending school or not attending an education  institute.

Of the 234,618 children engaged in  economic activity and not attending any education institute, 11% are under the age of 15.

69,064 children are reportedly engaged in economic activity and of this 30,533 children are living away from home and 9% of the children are reported to be idling and also living away from the family.

Beggars prefer the streets

By Marianne David

While the government launched a programme to rehabilitate beggars, the beggars on the streets of Colombo say they cannot abide by this  since  conditions  in the Ridigama rehabilitation camp, make it impossible to live there.

Interior Minister John Amaratunga directed officials to round up beggars in Colombo city describing the presence of beggars in the city as a ‘nuisance’ and ‘ugly sight’ for tourists.

The Sunday Leader learns that beggars are unwilling to cooperate with the  authorities because they feel the living conditions in the Ridigama camp are unbearable and that living there would be worse than living on the streets.

“If Minister Amaratunga does this according to President Premadasa’s vision, then it will be fine. But otherwise, it is not good. The people who have been there say that it is a terrible place and that people die there all the time. We too will just die there under those conditions. If they allow us to work and guide us to a better path, it will be good. At present they are not rehabilitating but destroying us. There are so many like us. We are used to work but due to misfortune we are begging now. I do small jobs but I live on the street,” said Somadasa.

“I don’t want to go there. The ministers will only talk. I would rather stay here because this way we have our freedom. All the people who have been there say that Ridigama is a terrible place,” said Charlie, another beggar.

“We stay on the road because we have no place to go to but we don’t like to go to Ridigama. My husband works in the municipal council and my daughter does not go to school yet but we will somehow find the money and rent a house soon,” said Shanthi.

Meanwhile speaking to The Sunday Leader, Minister Amaratunga said that it was an exercise to rehabilitate beggars and after taking them into the camp, their needs would be seen to and that they would be well fed and looked after.

However, if they are unwilling to go there, they will not be allowed to be on the streets  either he added. “We are trying to help them - they can’t have a five star hotel. At Ridigama we will give them vocational training and will see that their medical and other needs are met.”

Aircraft unfit for travel

FLIGHT International in its latest issue has said Russia has begun a major safety regulatory shake-up by permanently grounding certain types of transport aircraft and announcing tighter rules. The Ilyushin II-18 aircraft have been roundly condemned for its poor performance record.

Following an investigation into an explosion and subsequent crash of an IRS Avia Ilyushin Il-18 in November 2001, the State Service of Civil Aviation (GSGA) has revoked the airline’s operating license and grounded all 17 Il-18s on the Russian register, the magazine stated.

It is further stated that the Il-18s had faults that were unrectifiable.

The Sunday Leader learns  Expo Aviation operates this aircraft  from Colombo to Jaffna. It operates two flights a day. The Sunday Leader also learns despite the article appearing in  Flight International, condemning the Il-18s, the local authorities here in Sri Lanka continue to ignore safety measures and allow flights between Colombo and Jaffna.

Ministry gets tough on foreign work visas

The government now has second thoughts about extending visas to foreign workers at management level, Interior Minister John Amaratunga revealed.

According to the Minister the government is to shortly review this issue on a case by case basis to find out whether such extensions are necessary.

The Minister says such extensions are depriving local workers from participating in jobs that are connected to management. “We should be able to make maximum  use of our manpower. But this is not happening. Since foreigners are holding managerial posts, our workers who have the skills and the abilities are going abroad,” he said.

He said the visa office would not grant visas blindly to foreigners without proper scrutiny in the future.

Appeal to assist fallen heroes

The Ceylon War Veterans Association of World War II has appealed to the public to increase their contributions to the present day soldiers who have scarified their lives for the sake of their motherland. The Remembrance Day falls on November 10.

The association has requested the public to show more sympathy towards the soldiers who have lost their limbs and specially the ones who have gone missing in the war.

There are more than 22,000 solders who have died or are missing in action following the Eelam  war that broke out between the government and the LTTE.

This association helps the soldiers and their families with funds, education for their children and medicine.

“The soldier should not be forgotten at this juncture. It is because of their sacrifice we are able to live in peace today,” the association has said in a statement.