News

With the UPFA's maiden budget around the corner, trade unions have once again raised the claim for a Rs. 5,000 salary increase. Unionists  from different sectors last week held public demonstrations in Colombo demanding that the budget include the wage increase. The picture shows a passerby at Lipton Circus attentively reading a poster displayed by protestors at one such rally

Photo by Padmasiri Gamage

Memorial for IPKF in Colombo

The government is to erect a memorial in Colombo for the Indian Peace Keeping Forces (IPKF) personnel killed in battle in the north east in the.....

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> Millions splashed on Prados for new Ministers

> Financial irregularities come to light JVP's tank project under fire

> Security in city beefed up

> Collective responsibility

> PNB to implement new project to curb drugs

> Arafat in reversible coma

> Veddah Chief at Buddha pooja

> PBO up in arms against govt. 

> Tourist arrivals likely to create new record

> 'No army informants in Colombo'- police 

> Legal action against illegal gem mining

> Rare eagle spotted in Lankan skies

> Lions' Roar 2004

> FTA talks back on track after US poll

> Forty grand a day for 'positive future' lecturer

> Rains to continue till next year

> TNA delegation to visit India

> J'pura males trying to kick girls out of hostel

> No chicken imports if prices kept stable - Minister

> Illegal Indian fishing a threat to marine life

> Second attack on Mathugama church

> Demining dilemma

> Water cut for Cinnamon Gardens Police

Memorial for IPKF in Colombo

The government is to erect a memorial in Colombo for the Indian Peace Keeping Forces (IPKF) personnel killed in battle in the north east in the late 1980s.

The IPKF was inducted to Sri Lanka in July 1987 following the signing of the Indo-Lanka Peace Accord between former President J. R. Jayewardene and late Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Over 1,700 IPKF soldiers were killed in the north east in clashes with the LTTE between 1987 and 1990.

The decision to erect a memorial was first mooted by former Army Commander Lt. Gen Lionel Balagalle during a visit to India while army commander.

The Indian military it is learnt has accepted the offer and the government is now looking for a suitable location for the memorial within the Colombo municipal limits. The original idea was to construct the memorial in close proximity to the Viharamahadevi Park. However, due to space constraints, authorities are now considering an alternate location near the parliament in Kotte.

The memorial for Sri Lankan soldiers killed in battle is in Kandy. The LTTE memorial for cadres killed in battle is in the north-east. There are no recorded memorials for foreign troops killed in battle with citizens of the host nation in any other country.

The JVP in the late 1980's waged a bloody insurrection calling for the eviction of the IPKF from Sri Lanka. The JVP also punished with death any person using Indian goods or identifying food items with Indian names like Bombay onions and Mysore dhal.

It is learnt that the government wants to finalise the erection of the memorial to coincide with the signing of the defence pact between India and Sri Lanka.

Millions splashed on Prados for new Ministers

The government is to purchase three new Prados at a cost of Rs. 25.5 million (Rs. 8.5 million each) for the new non-cabinet ministers sworn in last week.

The three SLMC dissident ministers who were in the centre of the blackmail controversy involving SLMC Leader Rauf Hakeem were Trincomalee District Rehabilitation and Development Minister Najeeb Majeed, Wanni Rehabilitation and Development Minister Rishard Badiudin and Amparai Rehabilitation and Development Minister Ameer Ali.

The Sunday Leader learns that the three ministers were offered vehicles from the government pool, but they had insisted on the new Prado vehicles.

The three ministers had said that since Hakeem used a Prado, they too wanted the same vehicle to stand up to him. They have also requested two back up vehicles each for their STF security.

The JVP has already criticised the President for swearing in the three ministers in violation of the MoU signed between the SLFP and the JVP while trade unions have demanded a minimum wage hike of Rs. 5,000 claiming the government was incurring additional expenditure by appointing new ministers.

During the UNF regime all vehicle purchases were made from India under the Indian line of credit.

 Financial irregularities come to light JVP's tank project under fire

By Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema 

Questions have been raised on excess expenditure running over Rs. 100,000 incurred by the JVP in the rehabilitation of a tank under the Thalangama tank project.

The Pottawala canal and the irrigation systems surrounding it being rehabilitated under the JVP's 1,000 tank project has led to the controversy following estimates forwarded by a JVP Pradeshiya Sabha member to the council during a debate on the issue. The estimate showed discrepancies in the utilisation of funds allocated for backhoes.

The cost incurred for the utilisation of backhoes for the rehabilitation progra- mme has todate cost Rs. 265,500.90 for 104 working hours, out of the total amount of Rs. 499,917.00 spent so far on the project. According to the figures, an amount of approximately Rs. 2,600 had been spent for each working hour. The total amount allocated for the project is Rs. 500,000.

Backhoes have been used for 145 working hours during the whole project and the total cost incurred for the purpose was Rs. 371,070.90.

Questions have arisen as to the reason the project has spent such a large amount for backhoes as the normal fee for a privately hired backhoe would be approximately Rs. 1,500 per working hour while the amount is much lower if the hiring was done from the state.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader, Vice Chairman, Kaduwela Pradeshiya Sabha Sarnapala Perera said that the matter was raised following a motion forwarded by fellow Pradeshiya Sabha member Anil Nihal Perera. The issue was raised after President Chandrika Kuma- ratunga in a cabinet paper questioned the violation of financial guidelines and the lack of transparency in the implementation of the JVP's tank project.

The two JVP members when questioned in the council as to the reason for spending an excess of over Rs. 100,000 for backhoes, had not responded.

The Kaduwela Pradeshiya Sabha has decided to call upon the Western Provincial Council to investigate the misuse of funds on the canal, Perera observed.

Security in city beefed up

Security in Colombo was beefed up last week following the continuing killing spree of army informants.

Two army informants, Pathmakumar Marweil and Velayudan Dayalan were killed in separate shooting incidents in Negombo and Colombo. The Defence Spoke- sperson's office said last Friday that Dayalan was the 82nd Tamil killed by the LTTE in Colombo.

Following the murders, police had decided to induct 1,000 officers for security duty in and around the city. Police said that search operations would be carried out at 87 strategic junctions and that they would also be launching cordon and search operations.

Collective responsibility

Senior cabinet ministers have collectively decided to inform the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) to honour the agreement signed between both the JVP and the SLFP, a government spokesman said.

The spokesman said the JVP's attacks against the SLFP in public was discussed unofficially prior to last week's cabinet and it was decided to inform them officially that they should maintain a sense of collective responsibility.

PNB to implement new project to curb drugs

By Jamila Najmuddin 

In order to prevent drugs being smuggled into the country, the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) is considering implementing a Frequent Travellers Monitoring Desk (FTMD) at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).

Large amounts of drugs smuggled into the country have posed a serious threat with the Narcotics Bureau having to implement various methods to curb this menace.

According to police officials from the PNB, there has been an increase in the quantity of drugs smuggled into the island this year when compared to previous years with a total of 42 kilos of drugs being smuggled within the last nine months.

"Last year 56 kilos of drugs had been smuggled from January to December and this year, within the first nine months, 42 kilos have already been deteceted," officials said.

Officials added that the main entry points through which drugs were being smuggled was the BIA, Colombo Fort and Mannar with 47% of drugs being detected through the BIA each year while 53% is detected through other sources.

"The drug market in the island is very good with more than 12,000 heroin addicts arrested annually. The people who are mainly arrested in regard to drugs are street level criminals," police officials said.

Officials further added that today heroin was the most popular drug in Sri Lanka with the first detection of the drug being in 1983 with 600 grams detected in Beruwala.

"Currently, more than 50 kilos of heroin is imported to the country annually and the largest detection this year was seven kilos. However, the largest detection in history has been 38 kilos," officials said.

According to officials, many of the drug users in the island are below 25 years of age with more than 55% criminalising in this field.

They also added that currently drugs were being imported from countries such as Pakistan, India and Afghanistan.

Arafat in reversible coma

Palestinian Leader, Yasser Arafat was reported to be in a reversible coma Thursday night in a hospital outside Paris.

Palestinian officials transferred some powers to Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia as he and other leaders in the West Bank scrambled to prevent potential discord among Palestinian factions over the succession of authority should Arafat succumb to a still-unidentified illness.

U.S. policymakers, meanwhile, were quietly assessing the prospect that Arafat's death could help breathe new life into the long-stalled Middle East peace process.

While U.S. officials declined to discuss publicly the impact Arafat's demise could have on peace-making efforts, aides behind the scenes were weighing opportunities and challenges of a post-Arafat Middle East.

Analysts said new Palestinian leadership and President Bush's fresh agenda in his second term, offer the potential for new diplomacy to break the Israeli-Palestinian cycle of violence and resume talks.

"If the President wants to make peace in the Middle East his legacy, then everybody else will fall into place,'' said Martin Indyk, a former U.S. ambassador to Israel.

Two years ago, Bush laid out a goal of an independent Palestinian state in 2005, along with an Israel free from the threat of suicide bombings and other attacks from Arab militants.

First, though, according to the so-called 'road map' to peace that Bush outlined, Arafat would have to be replaced by Palestinian leaders willing to jail militants and uproot the network that financed them and supplied them with weapons.

Media reports circulated Thursday said that Arafat, 75, had died. They gained credence when Luxembourg Prime Minister, Jean-Claude Juncker said in Belgium that it was true.

Juncker later retracted the statement and a government spokesman said it had been a "misunderstanding."

Meanwhile, conflicting media reports quoted various Palestinian sources offering various assessments of Arafat's clearly worsening condition. Israeli TV's Channel Two said Arafat was "brain dead" and on life support.

Veddah Chief at Buddha pooja

Veddah Chief, Uruwarige Wannila Aththo and his son will be the chief guests at the annual Dambadiva Savathnuwara Sri Lankaramaya Buddha pooja.

Apart from the historical and religious Dambadiva, the Veddha Chief and his son will also visit Lumbini, Buddagaya, Baranesa, Kushinara, Sankassa and Vishala Nuwara as part of their visit.   

The Buddha pooja will be held on November 16 and 17 at the Sri Lankaramaya.

PBO up in arms against govt.

By Risidra Mendis 

Private Bus Operators (PBO) have charged that the government is resorting to issuing route permits bypassing normal procedure.

The issuing of route permits by Western Province officials to their election supporters has resulted in the PBO having to voice their protest to the Western Province transport minister.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader, Chairman, Private Bus Owners Association (PBOA),  Gemunu Wijeratne said the transport system in the country is in a mess due to the lack of a proper system within the Transport Ministry and the National Transport Commission (NTC). "The transport minister doesn't agree with what the NTC chairman and the transport secretary have to say. The NTC chairman and the transport secretary are the President's appointees and therefore cannot be removed. The President is the only authority who can prevent the illegal issuing of permits. However, nobody takes the President seriously. This is the present situation in the Transport Ministry," Wijeratne charged.

Tourist arrivals likely to create new record

By Shezna Shums 

TOURIST arrivals to Sri Lanka during the forthcoming Christmas season is expected to be higher than the previous year, Additional Secretary, Tourism Ministry, George Michael said.

Expressing optimism Michael pointed out that tourist arrivals this year will increase by an additional 60,000 tourists.

Last year the tourism industry recorded half a million-tourist arrivals which was the highest ever recorded in Sri Lanka's history.

According to Michael, the highest number of tourists that are expected to arrive in Sri Lanka are from the United Kingdom while the second highest number of tourists are expected to come from India.

Earlier a gloomy picture was painted and it was speculated that due to the current situation there would be a drop in tourist arrivals in the island. However, contrary to this notion Michael says there would be an increase in the arrivals.

Michael also maintained that most of the rooms in leading hotels in Colombo have already been booked. "Most of the hotels in the coastal belts have also been booked," he said.

'No army informants in Colombo'- police

The police yesterday denied reports that army informants were housed in some of the leading hotels in Colombo.

Earlier there were reports that the LTTE was hunting for informants who were hidden in some hotels in Colombo.

However, both the police and the army denied these reports. Two informants were killed on Thursday night by suspected LTTE gunmen and following this, it was rumoured that more army informants were hiding in Colombo. However, the police denied this.

Following the killings on Thursday, the police increased their visibility in vulnerable areas in the Colombo city.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader, IGP Chandra Fernando said that a survey was carried out and the areas that have been identified have received increased police visibility, these last few days.

However, the military has not taken the same stand, Military Spokesperson, Brigadier Daya Ratnayake said. "We have not tightened security in Colombo," the Brigadier said.

Legal action against illegal gem mining

By Risidra Mendis

The ongoing illegal gem mining close to the Castlereigh reservoir has resulted in the Central Environment Authority (CEA) instructing the Attorney General's Department to take legal action.

At present the Keselgamuwa Oya which is one of the main feeders to the Castlereigh reservoir faces the threat of being polluted, due to legal and illegal gem mining in the area.  

According to sources attached to the Society of Environment Education (SEE), due to the frequent gem mining in the area the flow of water from the Keselgamuwa Oya has changed its course.

The constant usage of backhoe machines for gem mining is the cause for the water to flow off the Keselgamuwa Oya changing its course. The regular digging at the bank of the Keselgamuwa Oya has resulted in the flow of water taking another route," explained SEE members.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader, Chairman, National Gem and Jewellery Authority (NGJA), Asoka Jayawardena confirmed reports of environment damage due to legal and illegal gem mining in the area.

"Gem miners prefer to use backhoe machines instead of traditional gem mining methods when mining. The backhoe machines are the main cause of environment damage in the area," Jayawardena said.

But according to Jayawardena, it was the former NGJA Chairman who issued licences and authorised the use of backhoe machines. "I took office only five months ago. But since my appointment I have not authorised the use of backhoe machines for gem mining," explained Jayawardena.

According to Jayawardena, he has sent a team of officials to check on the Keselgamuwa Oya changing its course. The water flow of the canal at present is under control," Jayawardena said.

Jayawardena went on to say that in 2003, 49 licences were given by the NGJA. In March this year, a similar number was issued. "For the past 20 years licensces have been issued by the NGJA," he said.

"There are hundreds of illegal gem miners in this area. But it is difficult for the police or my officials to catch all of them. However, my officials have succeeded in confiscating a number of backhoe machines from illegal gem miners. The police are also doing their best," Jayawardena said.

Rare eagle spotted in Lankan skies

By Jamila Najmuddin 

A rare species of eagle was spotted for the first time in the skies of Beruwala last week.

The eagle, which was supposed to be twice the size of a normal eagle with eight foot long wings was spotted on the Ambalappola sea coast on Tuesday (2) at 9.30 a.m.

According to officials from the Beruwala police station, this is the first time that such a species of bird has been spotted in the island. "There were rumours that a large and rare bird had been spotted in the Beruwala area. However, since there were no eyewitnesses the story was considered a myth," police officials said.

The eagle was spotted last week when it snatched a child on Tuesday morning on the Ambalapolla sea coast while the child was on the beach with his mother.

The eagle which was flying overhead had suddenly swooped and carried the child with its claws. The mother, chasing after the bird had hit the bird with a stick with all her might. Fortunately the eagle had dropped the child in a culvert close to the sea coast. The child had received minor injuries caused by the bird's sharp claws and was admitted to the Beruwala hospital for treatment.

"The child continues to receive treatment in the Beruwala hospital as he has received injuries on the face and back," police officials said.

The mother of the child, witnessing the rare bird said that she had never seen such a bird.

According to her, the bird's wing span was about eight feet and was white in colour with brown marks with spots.

Lions' Roar 2004

The annual dinner dance organised by the Colombo Branch of the Trinity College, Kandy, Old Boys' Association titled 'Lions' Roar 2004,' will be held at the Colombo Hilton on November 13.

Entertainment is to be provided by  bands such as Ultimate and Mirage, while return air tickets, weekend packages and many more prizes are on offer.

 Discussions to resume early next year claims Jeyaraj

FTA talks back on track after US poll

By Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema 

US President George W. Bush securing a second term in office, has put a free trade agreement (FTA) between the government of Sri Lanka and the US back on track.

Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle speaking to The Sunday Leader about his recent visit to the US said that the administration did not wish to discuss an FTA as the country was to face a presidential election but the situation has changed with the outcome of the poll.

However, during his visit, further discussions on the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) were held and matters related to intellectual property and IT were discussed at length.

As for the phasing out of the Multi Fiber Agreement (MFA), Fernandopulle noted that he held several discussions with US officials on the matter.

He said that although China would be the main threat to Sri Lanka from 2005, certain garments manufactured locally are favoured in the US market. However, as Fernandopulle pointed out the problem is that some of the factories manufacturing these garments are not up to standard and is a matter that needs attention.

He further said that the government of Sri Lanka has proposed to the US government to impose certain terms and conditions on Chinese goods in a bid to maintain a market share in the US.

Fernandopulle observed that the US government while acknowledging that the proposal is a fair one had said they would consider the matter after the elections.

Speaking of the FTA, Fernandopulle said that he had trade talks with the US Trade Representative Robert Zoleick, his deputy and former US Ambassador in Sri Lanka Ashley Wills.

Fernandopulle also pointed out that US officials have denied the statements made by former ministers of the UNF government saying that if they were re-elected in April, the FTA would have been finalised within one month.

"They denied any such thing and the former UNP ministers' statements have been false all along," Fernandopulle claimed.

Further talks on the FTA with the US will now resume early next year.

Forty grand a day for 'positive future' lecturer

Education Ministry officials are up in arms against a decision by Ministry Secretary Dr. Tara De Mel, to pay an individual a sum of Rs. 40,000 a day to lecture a programme entitled 'Positive Future'.

According to informed sources, the order to the Secondary Education Modernisation Project (SEMP), an Asian Development Bank (ADB) funded project, has come from Dr. De Mel.

Project officials say never in the past has such a huge sum been paid to any lecturer.

The Sunday Leader learns ministries seek assistance for these type of programmes from the Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration (SLIDA) but sources added this decision by Dr. De Mel was shocking.

The project officials confirmed that the individual was paid Rs. 4,000 per hour which amounts to Rs. 40,000 a day, and added the project was only carrying out orders from the Ministry.

The lecturer who is alleged to be a close confidant of Dr. De Mel has started lecturing at the National Institute of Education. He has also been asked by the Ministry to lecture at the Examinations Department, leading schools islandwide and the faculty of education, focusing on the subject of a 'positive future'.

For the 15 days the individual has lectured, the project has already paid an estimated sum of Rs. 495,000, The Sunday Leader learns.

Rains to continue till next year

More thundershowers are expected islandwide till the end of January next year with the northeast monsoon still on, Deputy Director, Meteorology Department, S.H. Kariyawasam said.

He said the north, east, parts of Uva and some parts of the Central Province can expect rains along with thunder.

Kariyawasam said that this monsoon started in October and will continue till January. However it is also possible that the entire country can experience some amount of rain during this period.

The intensity of the rains and thunder will depend on the turbulence and disturbances that may arise in the Bay of Bengal.

Meanwhile, Geologist, National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) R.M.S.Bandara warned that people living especially in Badulla and Nuwara Eliya should be extra careful of land movements, which could result in landslides as these are landslide prone areas.

However the NBRO has not yet received any reports of landslides from around the country.

The NBRO however has received reports of mountain slopes being cut. Such reports have emerged from areas such as Akuressa and Ratnapura. Cuttings are made when houses are being built and the slope is cut for that purpose. But such cuttings are done without any additional support resulting in the slopes fragmenting causing damage to house and property.

TNA delegation to visit India

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) plans to visit India to raise objection to the proposed Indo-Lanka defence agreement, a spokesman for the TNA said.

Expressing displeasure over the defence agreement, the spokesman said the TNA would take a decision shortly to visit India to convince the government of India to cancel the agreement.

According to the spokesman, the Indo-Lanka defence agreement is adverse to the current peace process.

Government sources said both countries had finalised a draft agreement to increase military cooperation. The draft was completed after talks on stepping up training for Sri Lanka's troops, the sharing of intelligence, and equipping Sri Lankan forces with Indian military hardware.

President Kumaratunga who is currently on a visit to India with Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar also discussed defence cooperation and the start of a ferry service with India.

"Kumaratunga held detailed discussions with Indian Foreign Minister Natwar Singh on fisheries, defence, development projects, a ferry service between India and Sri Lanka and a free trade agreement," a ministry spokesman said.

President Kumaratunga arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday.

 Kumaratunga also met Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday and briefed him about developments in Sri Lanka, including the stalled peace talks with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

India banned military sales to Sri Lanka during the height of fighting between government troops and the LTTE, but lifted the embargo after the ceasefire agreement was signed in 2002.

J'pura males trying to kick girls out of hostel

By Shezna Shums 

Male students at the Sri Jayawardenapura University are pressurising university authorities to make the varsity hostels exclusively for males and get rid of all the female students resident there.

Vice Chancellor, Sri Jayawardenapura University,  Professor Chandima Wijeyabandara explained to The Sunday Leader that the boys have been provided private houses to live in but added they complained of a lack of security and demanded that the vice chancellor moved the girls to these private houses and give the boys the hostel within the campus which is presently occupied by the girls.

However the VC stressed that the girls would be even more vulnerable if they were to be shifted to the private houses.

Last Thursday about 400 Sri Jayawardenpura University students were at the university premises canvassing support for this move.

The VC also noted that the university had always faced problems with regard to student accommodation. "Only about 17 percent of the student population have accommodation. But the government has promised to provide a hostel next year, although no exact date has been given," Professor Wijeybandara said.

"A private developer has also promised that by next year a hostel for about 600 students will be available," said the VC. "This will be given to the male students once ready, however they say that they cannot wait that long and insist that the girls are sent out of the hostel noted the VC.

"This is a totally unsound proposition because we cannot just send the girls out of their hostel and we are in the middle of the academic year," the VC said.

"I have clearly stated that if the they resorted to force, I will not cooperate and will step down as VC," he pointed out.

He said that he had agreed to undertake the responsibility of being the vice chancellor only for 12 days until the government found somebody.

Meanwhile, the Inter Students Federation Union has appealed to the Vice Chancellor not to step down adding that they would try their best to sort out the problem as soon as possible.

This was following a demonstration last Wednesday, when around 600 students broke a gate and entered the university to meet the VC and later held a protest on the road.

But Professor Wijeybandara says that breaking the gate was totally unnecessary, as there were other gates open from where the students could have entered to meet him.

No chicken imports if prices kept stable - Minister

By Shezna Shums 

An estimated 75,000 poultry farmers are up in arms against Consumer Affairs Minister Jeyaraj Fernadopulle's decision to import chicken in order to contain the escalating prices.

 Fernandopulle proposed to import chicken from the USA. Following the Minister's proposal talks between the Minister and the All Island Poultry Association took place last Thursday, where a decision was made to maintain the price of chicken at Rs. 180 per kilogram for November and December.

The Minister informed the association that if the prices did not increase, especially during the Christmas season, chicken will not be imported.

When the association questioned the Minister on the stability of the cost of fuel, feed and electricity, the Minister informed the association that he would guarantee that such costs are kept stable.

Chairman, All Island Poultry Association, Dr D.D.Wanasinghe held a meeting with the major chicken processing companies last Friday to inform them to keep their poultry prices stable so that importation of chicken will not be necessary.

Wanasinghe explained to The Sunday Leader that there are 75,000 farming families in the country and of this figure about 70 percent are small-scale farmers who depend on what they earn on a daily basis.

"If chicken is to be imported from the USA this would kill the entire local poultry industry," stressed Wanasinghe.

"Owing to the large scale and at times over production of chicken in the USA, their chicken prices are very low as they benefit from subsidies and economies of scale, and as a result they would be willing to dump their excess chicken in Sri Lanka," stated Wanasinghe.

He also pointed out that in the USA chicken breast is most popular while the rest of the chicken is not used.

"Chicken breast is most popular there as it has less cholesterol and is soft. The producers would then be more than willing to send them to Sri Lanka," added Wanasinghe. He also noted that such producers look for dumping grounds in Asia and Sri Lanka is to now import such chicken parts.

"What is most important," he further stressed was the number of people who would lose their jobs and livelihood if cheaper foreign chicken was to be imported.

'This may jeopardise the entire poultry farming community. If that is the case, the government must provide alternative jobs," he said.

He also noted that the government has invested Rs.18 million in this industry and annually earns Rs. 142 million from taxes on chicken and added if chicken is imported, then this investment will be a total waste and the government will not be able to increase its revenue.

He urged the government to remove the VAT on chicken so that the price can be reduced.

Illegal Indian fishing a threat to marine life

By Risidra Mendis 

Illegal fishing in Sri Lankan territorial waters by Indian fishermen has posed a severe threat to the local marine life in the northern seas.

The Indian fishermen who have for many years fished in Sri Lankan waters continue to do so despite the many arrests made by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN).

Expressingconcern over the constant encroachment of Indian fishermen into Sri Lankan territorial waters for the past 50 to 60 years, environmentalists say this is a serious matter that needs the immediate attention of the Sri Lankan government.

According to environmentalists if the encroachment of Indian fishermen to Sri Lankan waters continues Sri Lankan fishermen could lose their livelihood and destroy fishing resources in north.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader Navy Spokesperson, Commodore Jayantha Perera confirmed that four to five Indian boats were taken into the navy's custody recently. 

According to Commodore Perera, within the past three to four years, the navy had arrested some 113 Indian boats.

"Out of the 113 boats, 65 were confiscated by the navy while 29 Indian fishermen are in Sri Lankan custody pending legal action. President Chandrika Kumaratunga has voiced her concern over this ongoing problem" Commodore Perera said.

Areas such as the Delft Islands, Kachchithudai and Thalaimannar have become popular among the Indian fishermen as the fishing resources there are richer than in other areas.

"At present the SLN and the Indian Navy are working towards solving this ongoing problem" Commodore Perera said.

Second attack on Mathugama church

By Marianne David and Shezna Shums In Mathugama 

ANTI-Christian sentiment has risen once again in the Mathugama area, with another attack carried out on a branch of the Margaya Fellowship Church located in Korakandamulla by a group of armed men, in the early hours of November 1.

This is the second attack on the church this year, which was attacked once before in January. The attacks, which began after eight years of peaceful co-existence in the area are due to the rising of anti-Christian sentiment around the island, claimed Pastor Selvaraj Douglas, who heads the church.

The men, wearing masks, had broken down the doors of the church and entered the living area of Pastor Douglas and his family, and started destroying the place, while one of them wielding a sword entered the room where Pastor Douglas' wife, Mallika was asleep with their two children.

The man had hit Mallika and cut off her hair with the sword while the two children were screaming in fear, after which the attackers set fire to the worship hall and the family's dining room.

The doors of the church and those of the living area were hacked, while the television, radio, showcase, children's toys and clothes were doused with petrol and set on fire.

Describing the event, Pastor Douglas said, "At about 3:15 in the morning I heard some people hammering at the door and I sensed there was some problem. I immediately went near the phone but they had already broken down the front door and entered the house. I managed to run out through the back door. When I heard the children scream, I went towards the house but there were more men around it. Soon I heard a van leave and I went towards the house. They had set fire to the hall and dining room and left."

Pastor Douglas had then phoned the police who arrived within 10 minutes and placed two guards at the church.

"The children screamed as they cut my hair and hit me. They were terrified and say they don't want to stay here. The elder child started stammering after the attack," said Mallika. Two days after the attack, the two children, aged eight and three, still seemed dumbstruck with fear.

People in the area were not willing to get involved or lend a helping hand in the aftermath of the attack either, perhaps out of fear.

"Only one family came to help us. Maybe the others were scared to get involved or maybe they resent what we are doing, although we have not had a problem here for the last eight years. It is only in the past one year that the churches have been attacked in this area. After eight years of peace now we have been attacked twice," said Mallika.

This is not the first time Pastor Douglas and his family have been threatened. In January a group of men had threatened them and thrown crackers at the church but they had managed to escape before they were attacked.

According to Pastor Douglas, more churches in the area had been attacked during the last one year and despite those in the attacked churches identifying and naming the chief perpetrator of the attacks to the police, no action has been taken against this individual to date.

However, Pastor Douglas is hopeful that this time around, the police would take necessary action against those responsible for the attack.

"People should have the freedom to follow what they believe in. Regardless of the threats we cannot leave this area because of believers," he said.

According to a resident from the village, the man who is allegedly behind these attacks is regarded as a 'thug' in the area and is often seen in the town.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader, a police officer from the Mathugama Police said the investigation into this attack is still continuing. He denied that any other churches in the area have been attacked on previous occasions.

With regard to the ongoing investigation into the attack, he said, "There is no direct evidence and no suspects have been identified as yet."

He further said an inquiry into a previous incident where crackers were hurled at this church is also being conducted, adding it was a "minor offence."

Demining dilemma

By Jamila Najmuddin 

The delay in the non signing of the Anti Personnel Mine Ban Treaty by the government and the Geneva Call Deed of Commitment by the LTTE, is seriously jeopardising funds coming into the island from donor countries for the land mine clearance activities in the north-east.

With countries such as Switzerland and Netherlands 'seriously' considering the discontinuation of funds, countries such as Canada have already stopped funding due to the non signing of the treaty by both parties. The mine ban treaty which is in effect in many countries suffering from land mines allows a complete ban on the use and stock piling of land mines.

"A discussion was held with many foreign ambassadors in July and they prefer to shift their funds to other countries who have already signed the mine ban treaty if the government and LTTE do not sign the documents soon," officials from the Consortium of Humanitarian Agencies (CHA) said.

With the country currently receiving an estimated US$ 15 million annually by donor countries for mine clearance activities in the uncleared areas, the discontinuation of funds will also cause a delay in the  government's target of clearing lands in the north-east by the year 2006.

"Although millions of acres of land have already been cleared, a lot of land continues to remain uncleared and is a severe threat for the people  living  in those areas," Public Information Specialist, United Nations Demining Programme (UNDP), Rukshan Ratnam told The Sunday Leader.

However, when The Sunday Leader contacted the Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconciliation Ministry, officials there were of the view that funds would continue as before even if the government and the LTTE did not sign the agreement. "The mine clearance activity is a government controlled  programme which is funded by donor countries and just because the  government and the LTTE have not yet signed the treaty, donors will not  discontinue funding for the programme," a high ranking official from the Ministry said.

The official was also of the view that with 'certain parties' publicly claiming that donor countries would discontinue funds if the government failed to sign the treaty, this would 'poison' the minds of the donors. "What people have to understand is that it has only been 18 months since mine clearance activities commenced in the north-east. If people start 'announcing' that donors will discontinue funding then this might 'poison' the mind of the donors and it is only then that funds would be  discontinued," he said.

The official added that the government was trying to maintain its target of clearing lands in the north-east by the year 2006 and is in the process of implementing a new programme which would help them meet this target. "We want to clear lands as soon as possible so that people could be resettled and activities in those areas could continue as before," the official said.

It is estimated that a total of between one and 1.5 million mines contaminate vast tracts of land in the north and east of Sri Lanka. This includes the districts of Jaffna, Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya, Mannar, Batticaloa and Trincomalee.

Since 1985, a total 1,071 people have lost their lives in mine explosions out of whom 161 were females, 868 were males and 42 whose sex is unknown. A total of 91 civilians lost their lives last year. At present, nine clearance agencies, including the Sri Lanka Army are deployed on humanitarian de mining tasks in the north and east.

Meanwhile, according to Ratnam, the Landmine Ban Advocacy Forum (LBAF), Sri Lanka Campaign to Ban Landmines, the Inter-Religious Peace Foundation and Landmine Action (UK) and Geneva Call are currently involved in advocacy against the use of anti-personnel landmines. They continue to urge both parties, the government and the LTTE to sign and adhere to the provisions of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty and the Geneva Call Deed of Commitment. The LBAF comprises representatives of UNDP, UNICEF, humanitarian agencies, mine clearance operators, media, and NGOs.

"The mine action programme in Sri Lanka has achieved a great deal in the short period it has been in operation. Several million square metres of land, schools, hospitals, roads, and access to waterways have been released from the effects of mines, unexploded ordnance (UXO) and improvised explosive devices (IED)," Ratnam said.

Water cut for Cinnamon Gardens Police

By Dharisha Bastians 

Water has become a precious commodity in one of Colombo's more elite police stations, with the Water Supply and Drainage Board having cut off supply because of the nonpayment of a bill.

The Cinnamon Gardens Police Station has had to make do with two bowzers of water per day supplied by Police Headquarters after Water Board officials on Monday disconnected the station's water line. According to police officers at the station, the bill amounts to Rs. 237,000 and has been outstanding for about four years.

DIG Administration, Police Headquarters Colombo, S. G. Randeni, speaking to The Sunday Leader said that the problem had arisen from the fact that private water bills in the Cinnamon Gardens Police Quarters had not been paid for several years. "At first the water board cut off the supply to the quarters but then they were able to connect to the main station line and get their water supply. But then last week, the Water Board cut off the main line as well. So now the entire police station has no water," Randeni said.

According to the DIG, the Cinnamon Gardens Police should ensure the individual officers pay their bills in order to get the supply reconnected, since it was against regulations for the Police Headquarters to use government funds to pay that bill. DIG Randeni said that his hands were tied regarding this matter and added that Police Headquarters could not take responsibility for the utility bills of individual officers in the barracks.