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Loss of a son: A homeless Sri Lankan woman Sukhriti cries as she mourns the loss of her eight-month-old son who was washed away by the giant tsunami waves which devastated two-thirds of the country's shoreline (AFP/Indranil Mukherjee)

LTTE opts out of CBK's task force

By Frederica Jansz

The LTTE Friday (31) rejected an offer by President Chandrika Kumaratunga to participate in an all party Special Task Force for Disaster Management. Chief, LTTE Peace Secretariat.......

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> President sidelines Prime Minister

> Relief op not moving

> Tears for some: Ecstasy for others

> JVP accused of hijacking relief

> Powell pledges support

> Government rejects chamber offer to rebuild nation

> Britain issues travel advisory to Sri Lanka and Thailand

> Eardley Perera PC expires

> Danger to children

> Helping hand from Leader, Irudina

> No mine threat, says Ministry

> Boat rebuilding hampered

> Galle harbour severely affected

> Bar Association sets up tsunami relief fund

> BIA forms special team to deal with relief supplies

> GSMB sends out teams to map and assess damage

> SriLankan Airlines launches relief operation

> Government will not import fish

> Domestic air operations unaffected

> Super markets scramble to meet demand

> Powell to visit Sri Lanka

> Dearth of lorries hamper relief work

> AAT exam postponed

> Flights uninterrupted

> PAFFREL calls for volunteers

> Narrow shave Peace monitors escape death

> LTTE cremates soldier

> 1000 doctors hard at work

> ACHC commends CBK's prompt action

> False alarm kills six in Trincomalee

> Well water unsuitable for consumption

> Appeal for clean water

> Lanka saved India - TN residents

> Anglican bishop hopes for light out of darkness

> Day's pay from estate workers

> Schools to reopen one week later

> Collection centre set up in Colpetty

> Govt. to clean up soon

 LTTE opts out of CBK's task force

By Frederica Jansz

The LTTE Friday (31) rejected an offer by President Chandrika Kumaratunga to participate in an all party Special Task Force for Disaster Management.

Chief, LTTE Peace Secretariat, S. Pulidevan told The Sunday Leader "The LTTE will not participate in this joint task force."

Elaborating, he said the Tigers had initiated a task force of their own where a government representative from each district in the north and east was represented. A task force he claimed which is already fully operational under the supervision and monitoring of the LTTE.

The Tiger task force was initiated last Monday 27, when Political Wing Leader, S. P. Tamilselvan convened a special meeting, which was attended by the district secretaries of the affected areas, International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs), Local Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and the Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO).

The Tigers Friday refused to accept an olive branch extended by the President when she unexpectedly instructed her Secretary W. J. S. Karunaratne to write to Tamilselvan on Thursday 30, requesting the LTTE to join forces with the government and other party leaders in coordinating disaster management.

Kumaratunga's gesture apparently came too late as by then the Tigers had bitterly accused the government of "ignoring" the massive destruction caused in the north and rebel held areas in the east by last Sunday's terrifying tsunami. It is believed that sections in the north and east were the worst hit.

Rallying their forces together, the LTTE initiated its own task force 24 hours after the tragedy. Last Monday, Tamilselvan appointed a steering committee and the special task forces, an inclusive exercise that brought in all the District Secretaries (Government Agents) of the districts of Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaithivu and Vavuniya, INGOs, TRO and local NGOs and many civilian based organisations. A similar mechanism has been already put in place for the districts of Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Amparai.

At a confab three days later on the 30th, where international donors were also present, Tamilselvan explained to the participants the steps taken by the LTTE to deal with the gigantic humanitarian crisis. He said the LTTE had mobilised all the units of the Tigers to involve themselves with rescue operations within hours of the tidal wave striking. He claims that as a result thousands of injured were saved from death, as they were dispatched quickly to hospitals and nearest medical facilities of the LTTE.

At Thursday's meeting, Tamilselvan reiterated that the international community has a moral responsibility to ensure that the resources pumped in are equitably distributed to the north and east, utilising the effective and pragmatic mechanism set in place now by the LTTE in coordination with the Government Agents of the affected districts.

He solicited the support of the international community and the donor agencies in particular to join hands in this humanitarian endeavour and be partners in the mission of providing the wherewithal to the unfortunate lot, many of them bereaving over the loss not only of their dwellings but also of their loved ones.

The participants were unanimous in assuring their fullest cooperation to the efforts undertaken by the LTTE and suggested modalities to improve on the working of the delivery system.

Country Heads of UN Agencies and INGOs, donor community and representatives from the North-East Provincial Council, academics from the university community and the Tamil diaspora participated in the confab.

The LTTE maintain that so far 14,000 were killed in Tiger territory when the giant waves hit the north and east last Sunday leaving another half a million destitute.

President sidelines Prime Minister

There was tension in the government Friday after President Chandrika Kumaratunga decided to sideline Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse from involvement in the national relief and rehabilitation effort.

The President had taken over the entire relief operation and requested Rajapakse to oversee the effort in his home Hambantota District. Kumaratunga had told Rajapakse there was enough work to be done in the district and should confine himself to Hambantota without touring the country.

Kumaratunga had also reprimanded Rajapakse for visiting Jaffna without consulting her. She has been unable to visit the north since resumption of hostilities in 1995. On Tuesday, President Kumaratunga was critical of the Premier when she addressed the business community alleging nothing had been done till her return Monday evening in relation to relief operations

Rajapakse visited Jaffna on December 30 along with Ministers Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, Susil Premajayanth, Anura Dissanayake, Deputy Minister Dilan Perera and JVP MP Wimal Weerawansa. Protests erupted in Jaffna during the visit against JVP MPs visiting Jaffna with placard waving and stick wielding protestors calling for the JVP members' eviction from the north-east.

On Friday, Rajapakse was not given a speech at the prayer meeting held at the Henry Pedris Grounds. Kumaratunga had instructed that speeches be allocated only to her and Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Confidants advised the Prime Minister to boycott the meeting, but Rajapakse decided to attend stating it was held in memory of the thousands who died and that he would not indulge in politicising the event.

Relief op not moving

The government's initial relief effort appeared woefully inadequate in the face of the mounting death toll and destruction left in the aftermath of the devastating tsunami last weekend.

Stunned refugees hitched rides in whatever they could to get to relief centers most of which were coordinated by private citizens. "You are the first outsiders to speak to us," S. M. Roshan, a displaced person from Kuchchiveli in Trincomalee said while travelling to Horowapathana with a group of refugees a day after the tragedy.

Along the road to Trincomalee from Kantale onwards schools, temples and mosques were turned into refugee centers with the intervention of private citizens.

"I can take care of their daily needs, but I am not a doctor and no one has come here to asses the health needs," said S. H. Rafique overseeing the well being of 300 Tamil refugees in Vakaneri in the Batticaloa District.

For two days he had looked after the refugees with the help of private donations, but no state official had visited the camps. Refugees were seen cooking on open fires at the centers.

One of the biggest concerns was that waterborne epidemics might break out if proper precautions are not put in place.

"They are only interested in getting the city center clean, while five minutes from town it's a massive sewage with rotting bodies," said Z. H. Fahim, a volunteer helper in Galle, three days after the tsunami hit the island. A three-day-old corpse was rotting a few feet away from him while he spoke.

Minister Susil Premajayanth agreed the spreading of epidemics was a concern. "Besides the aid flow, we need experts to help curb diseases and resettle masses." However, the government did not make any immediate appeal for trained disaster management professionals. The only appeal was for aid and funds.

Meanwhile, private aid efforts were getting into the devastated areas, but the impact was diminished by the absence of a proper mechanism to distribute aid.

In Galle, the destitute had gathered on the sides of the road and were stopping aid convoys and grabbing whatever they could on Wednesday afternoon. Police officers and aid workers feared rioting if supplies did not reach the affected area fast enough.

Social Services Minister, Sumedha Jayasena told The Sunday Leader Rs. 135.5 million had been allocated for immediate disaster relief. "After the mass burials are over the reconstruction efforts will commence," she said.

Meanwhile, northern and eastern-based Tamil politicians have complained the government's relief programme has not reached the devastated areas in the north and east.

They said while the government and international relief agencies were focusing attention in the south, the north and east were being neglected.

They said the government's failure to expedite relief work in these areas would result in the loss of more lives in the coming days.

Batticaloa District MP, Joseph Pararajasingham said to date, Batticaloa District has not received any relief from the government, adding the assistance from the private sector and well-wishers was overwhelming.

He said the government must expedite its relief work to the north and east.

MP Mano Ganeshan also visited Mullaithivu and reported the people in the LTTE controlled areas were in need of essential food items and equipment to recover bodies and bury the dead.

TNA Parliamentarian, S. Sivajilingam also accused the government of not showing any keen interest to assist the Tamils in the north and east.

He said the Tamil people have now lost confidence in the government.

However, the SLMM that is coordinating aid flows into LTTE held areas said aid and relief were getting into Tiger territory. "I know for a fact the LTTE is in direct contact with international organisations and are receiving aid," SLMM Spokesperson, Helen Olastofir said.

Tears for some: Ecstasy for others

Parties were postponed and weddings became mere 'signing in' ceremonies as the tsunami receded after wreaking havoc and heartache.

But for some the party went on come what may. And this is what happened at the Hilton Hotel in Colombo when the daughter of a leading socialite in the country 'got married.' And there was nothing serene about the tamasha - the champagne flowed, keeping pace with the tears and the food sizzled with the hearts and minds of those suffering with death, disbelief and disaster.

And there were no strands of mourning in the music either. The hips were gyrating to the loud bhaila as the sounds got louder - the bodies got closer and the minds dimmer to what was happening outside. It was an ideal way of drowning the cries of mothers who have lost their babies and of fathers, brothers and sisters all over the country, who have lost their families and their abodes.

"It was unbelievable," said an onlooker. "It looked as if these people were from another planet, making merry while over million people were crying in agony and anguish in Sri Lanka."

Understandably, weddings cannot be cancelled, for the arrangements have been made for months, but at a time when several people were canceling ceremonies and tamashas and sending the proceeds for those in hunger, this wedding took a different light last week - as being the only wedding made on earth, at a time when the sounds of the tsunami was at its loudest, with heartbreak and tears.

Preethi Fernando when contacted by The Sunday Leader, said she does not want any publicity for the wedding and said her daughter is already in the United Kingdom.

JVP accused of hijacking relief

By Easwaran Rutnam 

There are complaints that relief supplies sent to welfare camps are being collected and re-sent as supplies from the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP).

According to these complaints individuals who attempted to gift supplies to 10 welfare camps in Moratuwa were redirected to a Buddhist temple saying the supplies are being stored there. However, businessmen from Moratuwa told The Sunday Leader that the supplies are re-sent to the camps with a JVP label saying it's a donation from the JVP.

The businessmen are angered by the attempt by the JVP to gain political mileage at a time of national crisis.

Powell pledges support

The United States of America has assured its solidarity and further pledged to "do everything" to assist Sri Lanka during this time of tragedy.

Secretary of State Colin Powell made this observation after paying his respects and signing the condolence book at the Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington, D.C. on December 30.

Powell expressed the sympathy of the US and extended his deepest condolences on behalf of President Bush, his wife and the American people to all Sri Lankans.

Powell remarked, "We let the government of Sri Lanka and all Sri Lankans know we will stand with them in solidarity and do everything we can to assist in this time of tragedy, in this time of need."

"This has been a very serious blow to Sri Lanka and the need is great, and we will be working with the international community to respond to that need.  We have disaster relief teams on the scenes," he further said.

"Supplies are being flown in from around the world including the United States. We have rescue teams on the way. We have made an initial allocation of funds but as the need becomes better known and established, you can expect the US to add more to the funds that we have already provided," Powell said.

"It's important that we do this right, deal with the initial humanitarian tragedy and help people who are in desperate need now, but don't lose sight of the need for rehabilitation, reconstruction of homes and businesses and the economy later on," he stated.

"We will be standing along with our Sri Lankan friends for the long haul in order to deal with this tragedy. It is a rather unprecedented catastrophe. I've been through many similar situations in my career but none as serious as this one," the Secretary further said.

Government rejects chamber offer to rebuild nation

By Jamila Najmuddin

The government last week rejected an offer by the Chamber of Construction Industry in Sri Lanka to provide assistance to rebuild the nation after the tsunami tragedy.

The chamber, which is an apex body of the construction industry, comprises chartered architects, consulting engineers, town building material manufacturers and suppliers.

According to President, Chamber of Construction Industry, Surath Wickramasinghe a meeting was held with the Urban Development and Water Resources Ministry on Thursday (30) where discussions were held in providing equipment and assistance to the tsunami affected areas.

However, since the government did not accept the chamber's services, Wickramasinghe claimed the chamber would wait for the government to approve their services as soon as possible.

"Our industry consists of consultants, architects and engineers and we are prepared to send multi disciplinary teams, including contractors to all parts of the country. At a time when the nation has been hit by a natural disaster, it is our duty to rebuild the nation as soon as possible," he added.

Wickramasinghe said the government should accept its offer as people were currently living under traumatic conditions. "The government has to get the private sector involved as we have to work in unity to rebuild the nation," Wickramasinghe said.

Meanwhile, when The Sunday Leader contacted the Urban Development Ministry, an official from the ministry said that although a discussion had been held, the ministry would consider the chamber's offer.

Britain issues travel advisory to Sri Lanka and Thailand

Britain warned its nationals against all but essential travel to tsunami-stricken areas of Thailand and Sri Lanka, which the Foreign Office said were at risk from disease.

Advice on the foreign office website warned against visiting areas along Thailand's west coast, in particular Phuket, Krabi and Khao Lak, and areas on Sri Lanka's eastern, southern and south western coasts.

"In Thailand there has been considerable damage to the underlying health care in affected areas," a Foreign Office statement said.

"Flooding, stagnant water, disruption of sewer lines, and poor quality sanitation conditions are conductive for development of disease. In Sri Lanka there is extensive damage to buildings and other infrastructure in the areas concerned and the emergency services are fully stretched," it went on to say.

Eardley Perera PC expires 

Eardley Perera PC expired Thursday night after a brief illness.

Born on October 20, 1925, he commenced his school career at St. Bridget's Convent and thereafter attended St. Sebastian's College, Moratuwa.

Before entering Law College in 1944 he also attended St. Joseph's College Colombo and there passed his London Intermediate in Arts examination.

Eardley is the third son of late C.S.A Perera of Uyana, Moratuwa. Late C.S.A. Perera was a proctor of the Supreme Court.

Eardley was a devout Catholic and a well known social worker.

Danger to children

The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) has sought the immediate attention of President Chandrika Kumaratunga to evacuate parentless children from refugee camps in order to save them from paedophiles.

Thousands of children have been orphaned after the devastating tsunami hit most parts of the island's coastal belt on Sunday.

Secretary, GMOA, Dr. Anuruddha Padeniya told The Sunday Leader that parentless children needed to be evacuated immediately from the camps and shifted to separate institutions and kept under the close supervision of the National Child Protection and Probation Authority.

Dr. Padeniya said the GMOA will volunteer to provide specialist child care services to these children. "If the need arises, the GMOA has volunteered to accommodate these children in pediatric wards of the district hospitals. The environment in these camps is unsafe for these children," Dr. Padeniya said.

Helping hand from Leader, Irudina

The Sunday Leader newspaper along with its sister paper, Irudina have undertaken a mission to invite 25 medical experts from Singapore to treat tsunami victims whose health condition is fast deteriorating.

The doctors are expected to arrive this morning.

According to a spokesman of the newspapers, the doctors will hold several medical camps in most of the affected areas in the coastal belts. During their stay they would also provide medical advice.

They would stay for 12 days in the island attending to civilians in need of medical assistance.

No mine threat, says Ministry

The Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Ministry focusing on reports stating that several landmines have been shifted by the massive waves on Sunday has obtained an assessment of the situation.

Based on the assessment of experts on the field, the ministry says not more than five to 10 mines have been shifted from the original mine fields. The ministry says the army has maps of all the mines placed in the north and east and added the mines that shifted were located and destroyed.

The Rehabilitation Ministry says tsunami survivors in the north and east are not in any danger of being caught up by mines, adding any threat that existed was before the tsunami struck.

However, the ministry added precautions have been taken to prevent any accidents. The British Mine Action Group and the Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation are in the process of carrying out awareness campaigns to ensure the tsunami survivors know the effects of shifting mines.

The ministry noted the National Steering Committee on Mine Action located in the ministry coordinates the entire programme, adding the mine accident rate has now reduced from 15 to 20 in 2003 to 5 to 7 in 2004.

Boat rebuilding hampered

By Shehan Moses 

The destruction of fiberglass plants due to last Sunday's tsunami is seriously hampering the rebuilding process of the already damaged fishing boats, according to Fisheries Ministry sources.

An official from the ministry told The Sunday Leader that nearly 80 percent of all boat manufacturing plants has been destroyed due to the tsunami disaster.

"Most of these manufacturing plants are located near the coastal areas. Therefore, they too were destroyed along with the boats," the official said. According to the official, the ministry is presently facing a problem of repairing damaged boats or constructing new boats to be given to fishermen who survived the disaster.

The official said different associations engaged in the fishing industry have promised the ministry they would provide free boats or boats under concessionary rates. One association has already promised to donate 100 boats, which cost around Rs. 1 million per boat.

However, the ministry is facing yet another problem: the lack of trained fishermen to use these boats.

"Before such boats are handed over to the fishermen, the ministry would take an initiative with the Fisheries Corporation to train the unskilled fishermen to use these boats," he said.

According to the Fisheries Ministry, there are some boats drifting in the deep sea because of the lack of anchors.

"As most of the harbours are destroyed, there are no places to anchor the boats. Therefore, a few boats are yet stranded in the sea," he said. He further said the ministry had taken measures to build temporary piers to enable boats to anchor.

The official also said there is a great need for cool rooms to store the fish and as the cool rooms have been destroyed as well, fishermen would face a problem in storing their fish even if they commenced fishing once again.

Galle harbour severely affected

Three harbours in the south were affected by the tsunami that wreaked havoc in the country last week. The Galle harbour was worst affected by the disaster, with all activities at a complete standstill.

Authorities say it will take a considerable period of time before the Galle harbour is back on track. The KKS harbour was also damaged and is unable to resume operations any time soon.

The Trincomalee harbour, which was also affected by the tsunami, has now resumed operations. Although there was minor damage at the Colombo harbour, operations were not affected.

Bar Association sets up tsunami relief fund

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka has setup a relief fund to assist those affected by the tsunami disaster, especially members of the association.

Based on information received so far, four members of the Bar Association including President's Counsel, J.E.P. Deraniyagala were killed in the tragedy.

A further six members lost their houses, properties and other belongings. Several others are reported missing.

The Bar Association says it has a responsibility to establish the relief fund to assist all those affected by the tragedy including its members and that it hopes to provide financial assistance to help those affected to re-establish themselves.

The association has a membership of over 8,000 and hopes to receive a contribution of a minimum of Rs. 1,000 each.

The association hopes to give financial support to re-establish the victims and also to construct houses for the general public in every affected district.

The lawyers killed last Sunday are PC J.E.P. Deraniyagala (his wife, son-in-law and two grand children also died), Tennyson Edirisuriya, Ajantha Wadugodapitiya, Sujeewa Gunaratne (his wife Manoji Premachandra and baby daughter also died).

The houses / properties and other belongings of Chandima Muthukumarana (Matara Bar), W.R.C. de Silva (Balapitiya Bar) and D.D.K. Piayasiri (Colombo Bar) have also been lost.

BIA forms special team to deal with relief supplies

The Katunayake International Airport has formed a special team to deal with the increasing number of planes arriving at the airport with relief supplies.

A source at the airport said on average the airport deals with 25 flights a day. However, during last week, the airport saw 25 more flights daily, apart from the average number of 25 flights coming in.

"Initially there were delays in unloading the relief aid because of the limited resources we have such as staff and equipment, but on Monday special arrangements were made to deal with the extra work," said the source. There was a delay of about an hour and a half in getting supplies out.

Secretary, Ports and Aviation Ministry, Ariyaratne Hewage heads this special task force, while several other officials from various ministries, departments and organisations are also working at the airport.

GSMB sends out teams to map and assess damage

The Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) has sent out four teams of experts to map out and assess the extent to which Sri Lanka has lost its coastal territory after it was hit by the tsunami.

Chairman, GSMB, Professor P.G. Dharmaratne said satellite pictures have already been taken of the affected areas in order to calculate the extent of the damage.

He said there is a possibility of the coastal belt reducing in size because of the savage waves last week.

Surveyor General, GSMB, B.J.P. Mendis told The Sunday Leader the department is preparing a report on the tsunami's impact to the country.

He said with global positioning, they are able to observe movements of the country with a limit of three meters.

"Last week's tsunami may have shifted the country slightly, but less than three meters, and the department is awaiting information from France as to the exact distance Sri Lanka has moved," he said.

He stated there is a probability of a slight reduction in the coastal belt, but to the naked eye the beach would look the same.

SriLankan Airlines launches relief operation

SriLankan Airlines has launched its own internal relief operation by calling upon the resources of its country managers and general sales agents worldwide to mobilise relief aid in their respective territories.

Assistance is already flowing in, by way of dry rations, milk powder, water and medical supplies. Cash donations, including a day's wages from all of its over 4,000 staff, is already flowing into the fund. Much of the money collected will be used for rehabilitation work.

SriLankan Airlines' massive relief effort has been building up over the last week, and its staff is working round the clock assisting the authorities to repatriate overseas visitors home, fly emergency aid workers and supplies into Colombo from all over the world and launch rehabilitation programmes for the victims of last Sunday's devastation.

The airline is working with embassies and international aid agencies in mobilising relief and emergency supplies and with the Tourist Board to facilitate the departure of tourists wishing to leave the country.

Large backlogs of cargo await shipment at airports in Bangkok, Singapore, Dubai and London and the airline is making every effort to bring this to Colombo as soon as possible.

SriLankan Airlines has waived off all handling charges for relief cargo at the Bandaranaike International Airport as well as providing free carriage on its services.

SriLankan air taxis have been supporting the efforts of local authorities in transferring people to remote parts of the country. The airline's cargo division is also working with government departments in transportation urgently needed supplies in its AN-12 freighters to domestic airports around the country from Colombo, a press release from the airline stated.

Government will not import fish

The government has no intention of importing fish despite a massive quantity being destroyed due to last Sunday's disaster.

Secretary, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Ministry, S. Wirithamulla said the ministry has not decided to import fish with a view to protecting the local fishing industry.

He said fishermen who are affected should be able to bounce back soon and engage in their business. "If we try to import now, this would only affect the fishermen's livelihood further," he said.

He said the present price in the market, which is exorbitant to the average citizen, is likely to prevail only temporarily until the situation returns to normal.

Meanwhile, former Consumer Affairs Minister, Ravi Karunanayake told The Sunday Leader the decision taken by the government not to import fish was wrong, adding this would only burden the consumers as they would be forced to buy fish at a very high price.

Domestic air operations unaffected

Domestic air operations were not affected by the tsunami that hit the coast last Sunday. The main player in the domestic air industry, Lion Air, is operating as usual says Lion Air Chairman, Chandran Ratnam.

"Our operations are going on as usual as the Palaly air strip was not affected by the devastating waves," he said.

He says there is a minor drop in the passenger traffic but added it has nothing to do with the tsunami devastation. He said normally there is a drop in passenger traffic during the season as most people stay at home and do not travel to Jaffna.

Super markets scramble to meet demand

By Easwaran Rutnam 

Retail supermarkets are being forced to restock their racks with supplies as purchasing has dramatically increased following the tsunami tragedy.

Executive Director, Cargills Food City, Sidath Kodikara told The Sunday Leader that supermarkets in Colombo are faced with a crisis as they need to transport food products to the outlets several times a day.

"This is after people have been rushing to outlets in the city to purchase products to send as relief to those affected by the tsunami. We are running retail stores and one cannot expect us to have large stocks at our outlets" Kodikara said.

He said NGOs and several other groups providing aid to the affected families buy stocks in large volumes running the shelves dry. He noted that items like milk powder, dhal, rice and sugar have been disappearing from shelves.

However he said there is no shortage of supplies at their storage facilities and as such customers need not panic. 

Powell to visit Sri Lanka

The US government has decided to send former Secretary of State Colin Powell to the tsunami devastated regions in Asia to personally assess the damage.

The US State Department said that Powell is scheduled to begin his tour to Asia today in which Sri Lanka has been included.    

Florida governor Geoff Bush is among those expected to accompany Powell. Geoff Bush is the brother of US President George W. Bush. 

Dearth of lorries hamper relief work

By Shezna Shums

A shortage of lorries is severely hampering the relief work initiated by the private sector and well wishers.

Some of the vehicles that have already been dispatched to the affected areas are yet to return in order for them to make another trip with more relief aid to the affected areas.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader, Military Spokesman, Brigadier Daya Ratnayake said the military is also facing a problem with regard to transportation due to the lack of vehicles.

Immediately after the announcement regarding the relief, residents and private companies poured in their share of relief to the collection centres. Several lorries have already been used to pack the goods and send them to the affected areas.

According to sources at present there is a dearth of lorries to send the remaining goods to the coastal areas.

AAT exam postponed

The Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) examinations scheduled for January 1, 2 , 8 and 9 has been postponed for next month.

The examinations were to be held at centers in Colombo, Kandy and Bandarawela as well in the affected districts of Matara, Ampara, Batticaloa and Jaffna.

The exams have been rescheduled for February 5, 6, 12 and 13.

AAT has requested candidates to contact them on telephone number 0112559669 for further details.

Flights uninterrupted

SriLankan Airlines has announced that there are no disruptions to its flights from India to Colombo and that all flights will operate as scheduled.

The airline says all connecting point service hotels in India have resumed normal services and were ready to accommodate transit passengers.

SriLankan airlines has called on passengers in India who have lost their tickets in the tsunami disaster to contact their agents who will issue new tickets once their reservations and identification has been confirmed.

PAFFREL calls for volunteers 

Peoples Alliance for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) has made an appeal to all volunteers interested in serving the tsunami victims to register with the organisation immediately.

Executive Director, PAFFREL Kingsly Rodrigo says the organisation has commenced a huge relief operation in the areas affected by the tsunami. He said along with the 20,000 workforce PAFFREL has, he needed more volunteers to engage in this mission.

According to him, PAFFREL will be engaged in two camps namely 'health camp' and 'work camp' aimed at meeting the direct needs of those affected in the coastal areas.

He also said this operation is targeted to meet the needs of the victims for one whole year.

"The victims would not be able to stand on their own feet for the next six months to one year. Therefore organisations that are helping the victims right now, must also continue their operation until the victims are able to stand on their own," he said.

 Narrow shave Peace monitors escape death

Three Scandinavian monitors narrowly escaped death when the tsunami hit the eastern coast last Sunday.

SLMM Spokesperson, Helen Olatfsdoptir told The Sunday Leader that three monitors who were at a bungalow in Trincomalee were pulled in by the waves when the tsunami hit but managed to save themselves and get out of danger.

The three monitors and four vehicles damaged by the waves were brought down to Colombo. None of the other monitors based in Batticaloa or any of the other areas hit by the tsunami were affected.  

Olatfsdoptir said that the monitoring activities were never hampered or suspended following the devastation. A team from Colombo was sent to Trincomalee to replace the three affected SLMM monitors while new vehicles were also dispatched.

The spokesperson also noted that there is good co-operation between the army and the LTTE in the affected areas of the north-east.

The SLMM is also functioning in the role of facilitator to pass messages between the LTTE and the government on relief supplies and other requirements.

LTTE cremates soldier

LTTE members buried a badly decomposed body of a Sri Lanka Army soldier after the corpse was recovered by the Tigers at Kudathanai in Vadamarachchi East on Friday .

Though the body was decomposed, the identification was based on the camouflage T-shirt he was wearing with the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) badge printed on it.

Sources in the north said since the body was decomposed it was not possible for the LTTE to return the body to the army. Therefore the LTTE had cremated the body with military honours.

LTTE sources said more bodies were washed ashore on a daily basis but they were unable to identify them due to their badly decomposed state. They said if they do not identify the bodies as belonging to the army, they bury them without military honours.

1000 doctors hard at work

The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) has sent more than 1000 doctors to the tsunami affected areas, of this figure there are a number of them who have lost contact with Colombo.

General Secretary, GMOA, Dr.A.Padeniya said that doctors serving in various parts of the country had been asked to go to certain tsunami affected areas, "We have not heard from some of them, specially the ones who have gone to the eastern provinces and where communication is bad."

By midday on the day of the disaster five batches of doctors where sent to various parts of the country, while more doctors were dispatched throughout last week.

ACHC commends CBK's prompt action

The All Ceylon Hindu Congress (ACHC) while thanking President Kumaratunga and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse for taking prompt action to send sufficient relief to the northeast, has appealed to them to ensure fair distribution.

Earlier the ACHC condemned President Kumaratunga for ignoring the people of north and east who were suffering as much as the people of south.

In a letter addressed to the President on December 29, the ACHC appealed to the President to coordinate the relief work with the local politicians, LTTE and other relief agencies.

However, General Secretary, ACHC,  Kandiah Neelakandan Friday thanked the President and the Prime Minister for acting upon his earlier request to help the Tamils in the northeast.

In his letter addressed to the President, Neelakandan has also appealed to the President to pay substantial compensation to all the people affected by the tsunami.

He has said this change of heart of the government being willing to invite the LTTE also into the Task Force that is created to directly help the tsunami victims would lead to both parties sitting down to talk peace.

"We hope this would lead to genuine efforts and result in immediate peace talks in the new calendar year. We also hope this would pave the way to a political solution to satisfy the aspirations of the Tamil speaking people with the dawn of the new year," he has said.

False alarm kills six in Trincomalee

Six people, including three children were killed instantly during a stampede when panic stricken people tried to run away from the coastal areas after it was announced that Trincomalee was going to be hit by another tsunami on Thursday.

The announcement which was made via electronic media last Thursday sent shockwaves throughout the country and forced people to panic.

The announcement came shortly after the Indian government also warned the people of Andaman and Malabar coasts to be cautious of another tsunami. This announcement also led to a panic situation in the southern part of India.

Civilians from Muttur, Trincomalee and Batticaloa condemned the electronic media for being irresponsible.

"The media should act with a sense of responsibility. Otherwise it would lead to destruction and more deaths," they warned.

Well water unsuitable for consumption

Wells on the coastal belts that were hit by the tsunami have been contaminated and unsuitable for immediate use.

Military Spokesman, Brigadier Daya Ratnayake says if the affected wells had to be used again, the water had to be drawn out at least thrice before being put into any use.

He said the people at present lacked clean drinking water.

"In the 900 kilometers stretch of land, almost all of the wells have been contaminated," explained Brig. Ratnayake.

"These wells will have to be cleaned, at least three times, before its water is good enough for human consumption," he said.

The Brigadier added that many people from the north east  have notified him about this problem, and have requested for clean drinking water. "But instead of sending water from here, we must find a way to clean all the wells there soon. So that they would not only have water to drink but even to bathe and wash clothes," he said.

Appeal for clean water

Batticaloa District MP Joseph Pararajasingham has appealed to the government for clean water.

He has said the need of the hour is water pumps and chlorine to clean all the contaminated wells.

He also appealed for plastic containers to collect good drinking water. He said 45,000 families were living in 93 welfare centres while 15,000 families were living with their friends and relations.

  "What is urgently needed is water pumping machines to clean these wells, which can either be given to us or to organisations that are carrying out relief work."

However what would be better he said, was if people actually carry out the task of cleaning the wells as part of their relief work.

Lanka saved India - TN residents

Residents in Tamil Nadu, India believe Sri Lanka has saved their nation from the powerful tsunami.

Scientists and geologists have opined that Sri Lanka has served as a 'break water' to reduce the impact of the tsunami thereby saving the southern part of India.

Former Parliamentary Affairs Minister A. H. M. Azwer who was in India during the time when the tsunami devastated the Sri Lankan coast told The Sunday Leader that many scientists and geologists have expressed the opinion that it was Sri Lanka that saved part of India.

The former Minister was in Madras during the Christmas holidays on a personal visit. He said the Indians had even begun to thank their Gods, saying that it was Sri Lanka that saved their nation.

Azwer who visited the areas affected by tsunami in Andaman and Malaba coasts said the Indian government's disaster management was efficient and the people though they suffered losses were immediately provided with relief.

"I was shocked to see the way the relief agencies and other related organisations worked hand in hand with the central government to meet the immediate needs of the victims. It is sad that we in Sri Lanka have still not decided what to do with the victims," he said.

Anglican bishop hopes for light out of darkness

The Anglican Church has called on Sri Lankans to dedicate 2005 towards the long and arduous journey of building a just and content society for all.

In a New Year message the Anglican Bishop of Colombo, Rt. Revd. Duleep de Chickera says he has no doubt that this common experience of suffering and solidarity will strengthen our resolve and journey towards unity, justice, peace and reconciliation for all.

The Bishop in his New Year message says:

"As we begin a new calendar year, I offer greetings to all the people of our country as we as a nation mourn the unprecedented loss of lives, the inestimable ravage to property and the trauma and shock caused by the tsunami disaster.

"I wish to take this opportunity to offer my personal condolences and that of our Church to all those affected by this tragedy. It is our prayer that God will bring light out of our darkness and hope out of our despair.

"I have already visited the east and the south and intend visiting the north within the next few days to offer my solidarity with the affected people and to see and hear for myself the impact of the disaster on the people.

"Even horrific calamities such as this provide opportunities for growth and new life. There has been overwhelming humanitarian response from all quarters. Our people and the international community have responded magnanimously.

"Barriers that divided have been crossed admirably. There have been, as must be expected, shortcomings in the coordination and distribution of relief. But these have been the exception. The lessons learnt will equip us to handle better the work of rehabilitation that must follow soon.

"I therefore urge all our people to re-discover our different and shared spiritualities and to work relentlessly together to overcome the tragic repercussions of this disaster. This experience has the potential to teach us new lessons about ourselves and others and our mistakes of the past," he said.

Day's pay from estate workers

Plantation workers have unanimously decided to sacrifice a day's wage to be sent to the tsunami victims around the country.

The Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC), the largest plantation sector trade union is working round the clock collecting money from the workers.

According to Administration Secretary, CWC, V. Puthrasigamany though the congress initially took a decision that relief in the form of cash should be given to the tsunami victims, it was the workers who had agreed that they would donate a day's wage.

According to Puthrasigamany, already lorry loads of dry rations and clothes have been collected from the plantation workers and dispatched to the east.

The response to a call by the CWC to  hand over dry rations, according to Puthrasigamany, is overwhelming.

"People are still bringing food stuff. Now we are also planning to send these items to the south where  there are people suffering," he said.

An estimated 500,000 workers are currently employed by the Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs) and according to the CWC almost all of them have volunteered to sacrifice a day's wage.

In addition to this, workers have also hoisted white flags and banners as a mark of respect to those whose lives have been lost due to the tsunami wave.

Schools to reopen one week later

All government schools that were scheduled to reopen tomorrow will now reopen on January 10.

The Education Ministry says the postponement follows the devastation caused to many state schools in the south and north-east following the tsunami.

Meanwhile, the ministry says the marking of the G. C. E. Ordinary level examination answer scripts will begin tomorrow, except in the areas badly affected by the tsunami.

The paper marking is expected to be completed on the February 7, while the results are expected to be released in March.

Of the 793 refugee centres that have been set up by the government to immediately provide temporary shelter to the tsunami victims, 50 per cent are schools.

Sources from the Ministry said therefore schools would not reopen until the government finds alternative shelters for the refugees first.

The sources added that since most of the schools were damaged by last Sunday's tsunami, until the damaged schools are rebuilt students too would not be in a position to enter these buildings.

"The government now must find alternative places for the students whose schools are damaged. This is going to be a huge task for the government," the sources said.

Collection centre set up in Colpetty

A collection centre has been opened at Scott Hall, 252, Galle Road Colombo 3.

Urgent needs include mats, drinking water, clothes, milk foods and ladies and gents underwear, the Kollupitiya Methodist Church said.

Govt. to clean up soon

By Shehan Moses 

The government is expected to carry out a massive cleaning operation of the remaining rubble on the coastline soon.

This decision was taken at a meeting held last Thursday evening chaired by Environment Minister A. H. M. Fowzie, Secretary, Ministry of Public Security, Thilak Ranaviraja and local authorities.

Ranaviraja told The Sunday Leader that a decision was taken to primarily use the local cleaning authorities for this major task.

"We want to commence the cleaning operation soon as possible. If we keep this debris for more days, then there is a possibility of an outbreak of epidemics," Ranaviraja said.

However, he added that these operations would take a considerable amount of time, which he believed was inevitable.

"There are many areas to be cleaned. We cannot immediately clean it all. But we are trying to clean it as soon as possible," he said.

Ranaviraja emphasised that the general public should volunteer for the cleaning operations because the local authorities would not be able to clean these large areas by themselves. The government will not use the private sector for these cleaning operations. However, Ranaviraja welcomed any private sector involvement free of charge.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader, Military Spokesman, Brig. Daya Ratnayake said that the army is presently involved in the cleaning operations and it would continue to do so in the future if the need arises. "The army is mainly focused on rescue operations. Presently while doing the rescue operations the army is also involved in some cleaning operations," he said adding that the future cleaning operations would be undertaken by the local cleaning authorities and the army would only assist when a need arises.