The police have finally made a breakthrough into the assassination of The Sunday Leader Editor-in-Chief Lasantha Wickrematunge, Police Spokesperson SSP Ranjith Gunasekera said.

The Mt. Lavinia Police last week took into custody a suspect believed to have had a link to Wickrematunge’s assassination along with the late Editor’s mobile phone, which went missing from the Colombo South Teaching Hospital.

Witnesses who rushed Wickrematunge to hospital had told The Sunday Leader earlier that his mobile phone was handed over to a lady at the Colombo South Teaching Hospital.

"The four police investigating teams were finally able to make a breakthrough to the killing and the police believe that more information could be obtained from the suspect in the days to come. Although it took time for a breakthrough we were able to carry the investigations surreptitiously as we did not reveal the details of the investigation process. Had we publicised the details of the investigation, the suspect would have fled the country before being taken into custody," Gunasekera said.

According to Gunasekera, the plastic casing of Wickrematunge’s mobile phone was also found with the suspect.

"This arrest could certainly lead us in a certain direction where we could receive more details into the assassination.

The investigating teams are looking out for another suspect who was a murderer, but he has been taken into custody for a heroin case a few days before but hope to get more information on Wickrematunge’s killing," the SSP said.

Meanwhile, Gunasekera further said that the suspect who was taken into custody for the assassination had a list of names of VVIPs with their telephone numbers and added that investigations would also be carried out as to why he possessed the list of names and the telephone numbers of the VVIPs.

However, Executive Director, Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA), P. Saravanamuttu told The Sunday Leader that the failure of the police to apprehend the ‘real murderers’ effectively shows the lack of credibility in the Police Department.

"This is a clear indication as to how the credibility of the Police Department has lessened and also the government’s. If the government was genuine and had a responsibility by the people they would have ordered an accurate and impartial investigation into the killing of Wickrematunge. That alone shows that both the government and the Police Department lack credibility," Saravanamuttu said.

Meanwhile, media activist Sita Ranjani told The Sunday Leader that a breakthrough into the murder could not be expected as none of the culprits connected to the killing and abduction of media personnel in general have been brought to book.

The government is yet to decide on the course of action to be taken with regard to the oil hedging deal following the Supreme Court’s decision last week to terminate all interim orders issued on the fuel hedging case due to the failure of the government to comply with the earlier court directives.

The government on Friday said that payments due to the foreign and local banks in the hedging deal have not been made since December last year and that a decision on the payments would be taken once the Central Bank investigation concludes.

Petroleum Resources Minister A.H.M. Fowzie told The Sunday Leader that he was yet to receive the written order by the Supreme Court, adding that the Central Bank investigation into the hedging deal was also still in progress.

Fowzie said that the government would arrive at a decision on the hedging deal after studying further the court order and the progress of the Central Bank investigation.

Meanwhile, Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Bandula Gunawardena told The Sunday Leader that even before the Supreme Court issued an interim order halting payments to the banks on the hedging deal, the government had already stopped the payments based on an order by the Central Bank.

"Although there was much controversy regarding payments being made on the hedging deal, it has not happened since last December. The Central Bank ordered that no payments be made to the banks for the hedging deal, even before the Supreme Court issued the interim order," he said.

According to Gunawardena, the Central Bank, which is an independent body, is conducting an investigation into the hedging deal and the government would have to wait till it concludes.

He also said that since the deal is a legal agreement, the government would have to look at how best to act accordingly.

Economist Dr. Harsha de Silva meanwhile said that the government could either make the payment to the banks now or not pay it citing the Central Bank investigation or re-negotiate the terms with the relevant banks.

However, Dr. de Silva said that the best course of action the government could take is to look at how best to re-negotiate the terms in the agreement without letting any one take advantage of the situation.

"The government can’t afford to not make the payment as the government would need to continue to borrow in the foreign market and need to maintain the confidence levels ," he said.

The Supreme Court on November 28 issued a stay order suspending the oil hedging deal and also suspended CPC Chairman Asantha De Mel and CPC Deputy General Manager, Finance Lalith Karunaratne.

The court on December 17 ordered the government to immediately stop further payments to the banks. The second interim order was with regard to the reduction of petrol prices to Rs. 100.

Legal sources last week said that the hedging agreement had been made valid due to the termination of the cases.

Complaints on the misuse of public property by members of the governing party in the North Western and Central Provincial Council election campaigns have been made to the Elections Commissioner.

Employees attached to a state institution have in writing informed the Elections Commissioner of the misuse of public property by a government minister for election work in his brother’s campaign in the Central Province.

The Sunday Leader is in possession of a copy of the letter sent by several employees attached to the Milco Company that is under the purview of the Livestock Development Ministry, where they have alleged that Minister C.B. Ratnayake was using the services of Milco employees including high-ranking officials for the government’s election campaign in the North Western and Central Provinces. They have also alleged that orders have been issued for the company to release several vehicles that are currently being used for campaign work.

Milco workers have alleged that Minister Ratnayake was using the services of company employees for his brother, S.B. Ratnayake’s campaign for the Central Provincial Council.

According to the workers, some of the Milco employees have been granted leave from January 20 till February 12 under the guise of conducting a survey on a proposed UHT milk manufacturing factory.

Meanwhile, employees attached to the state owned Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation have also complained of institutional facilities being used for government election campaign work.

The Sunday Leader has received a copy of a letter issued by the Coordinator, Alliance Polls Campaigning Centre, Karu Paranavithana faxed allegedly on a fax machine belonging to the Rupavahini DS Office.

UNP Puttalam District Parliamentarian Palitha Ranga Bandara has complained of the use of vehicles without number plates for election campaign work by the governing party in the North Western Province.

Range Bandara has alleged that the vehicles belonging to the Fisheries Ministry are being used for campaign work of several UPFA candidates in the Puttalam District.

The National Polls Observation Center states that there have so far been 41 cases of violation of election laws from the two provinces.

More than 175 civilians fled LTTE areas in Mullaithivu yesterday and Friday, defence officials said.

President Mahinda Rajapakse on Friday promised safe passage to civilians and called upon the LTTE to allow them to move out of the areas under their control, within 48 hours.

Military Spokesperson Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara told The Sunday Leader yesterday that 181 civilians from Mullaithivu had crossed over to government controlled areas following President Rajapakse’s call.

"Sixty five civilians crossed over on Friday and 116 crossed over on Saturday. They arrived in Pulmoddai and Visvamadu areas. They will be brought to Vavuniya subsequently," Nanayakkara said.

Meanwhile, more than 3150 civilians have crossed over to government controlled areas during January, defence officials said.

Nanayakkara told The Sunday Leader that nearly 5,000 have fled the LTTE controlled areas since November last year. Civilians began to move out of LTTE areas in the Wanni due to intense fighting following the capture of several LTTE strongholds including Kilinochchi and the Mullaithivu town this year. "So far 3,150 civilians have crossed over to government controlled areas since January 1. There are many coming out."

According to Nanayakkara, the civilians are kept in four camps in Vavuniya and one each in Mannar and Jaffna. "They are kept in six camps altogether. Four in Vavuniya and one each in Mannar and Jaffna. All steps to provide them with basic needs are being taken," Nanayakkara said. A total of 226 patients were brought to Vavuniya from Puthukudiyiruppu last Thursday.

The Defence Ministry said that the patients were brought with 139 relatives and others, by UN and ICRC officials. "There are at least 40 children in the group of civilians," the Ministry said.

Troops discover Tiger hideout

Troops on Friday located a high profile LTTE hideout including an underground bunker during operations in Visvamadu jungle.

The Defence Ministry said that the hideout was well fortified and concealed from air detection.

"According to available information the site was frequented by the LTTE chief Prabakaran and senior cadres."

The Ministry said that the underground bunker was air conditioned and constructed beneath a luxury compartment with bullet proof doors. "A soundproof generator was used for electric power supply for the compartment and the underground bunker." Troops had also located an elevator used between the bunker and the overhead construction.

Meanwhile the navy on Friday destroyed a LTTE suicide boat in the Mullaithivu seas. The Ministry said the navy had attacked the LTTE boat at around 3 a.m.

"According to navy sources, navy boats deployed in the sea blockade along the northeastern coast have intercepted the explosive laden boat launched from Mullaithivu coast and destroyed it by directing heavy gunfire at the incoming terrorist boat," the Ministry said.

The Ministry also added that troops of the 58 Division are continuing to make rapid progresses attacking the LTTE hideouts from the south of Kilaly lagoon to the A-35 Paranthan- Mullaithivu road.

"Battlefield reports indicate that intense fighting had been taken place in Visuamadu and Piliyampokkanal areas yesterday (Jan 29)."

"Troops had daylong confrontations in the Visuamadu area and found 4 bodies of LTTE cadres and one T-56 riffle during search operations. Both ground sources and radio monitoring reports indicated heavy damages to the terrorist," the Ministry said.

The closure of 13 government schools for the Deyata Kirula exhibition has come under severe criticism by parents and officials in the education sector, The Sunday Leader learns.

The Deyata Kirula exhibition is to be held from February 4 - 10.

"Thirteen schools in and around Colombo have been closed for the Deyata Kirula exhibition. Parents and teachers have complained that the closure of these schools would hinder schoolwork, President, Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) Joseph Stalin told The Sunday Leader.

"The Education Ministry in a recent circular stated that all government schools should function at least 210 days for the year 2009. However concern has been raised over the inability to complete the number of days as stated in the circular due to the number of public holidays falling on weekdays.

According to the Education Ministry circular there are only 202 school days during this year, and the teachers have been requested to cover the school syllabus at the earliest, enabling the students to prepare themselves for the term tests.

If the Education Ministry was so concerned about the inability to hold school sessions for 210 days, how is it that Education Ministry officials didn’t realise that the school closure for the Deyata Kirula exhibition would further impact on school work?" asked Stalin.

According to Stalin the provincial council elections will further hinder work in government schools. He also said that it would be a tough task for teachers to cover the syllabus with the schools not functioning for so many days.

"With the provincial council elections to be held, government schools need to close for a few more days and this will hinder the school work further. Now the Education Ministry claims that they have instructed the school authorities to hold extra sessions on Saturdays. This is impractical. If the government needs to hold exhibitions then they should hold them at places where there are no schools in the vicinity," Stalin said.

Meanwhile Additional Secretary Education Ministry, W. Dharmadasa told The Sunday Leader that closure of schools for the Deyata Kirula exhibition would not affect school work as the Ministry has instructed the heads of all 13 schools to hold extra sessions on Saturdays. "Since the schools are prepared to hold extra.

US concerned over SL ground situation

The US has expressed great concern over the ground situation in Sri Lanka.

Acting Spokesperson of the US State Department, Robert Wood made this comment reacting to a question during the daily press briefing held last Friday has said that the situation in the country was very sad, especially the recent attacks on media persons and organisations..

"It's a very, very sad situation, especially some of the attacks against the media," Wood had said during the press briefing.

He said that the US was working through organisations like the UN in providing assistance to the affected civilians.

"You know, of course, we are very concerned about the situation on the ground in Sri Lanka, and we're working through UN organizations to try to provide whatever help that we can."

"We've been very concerned about that. And it's a longstanding conflict, you know, going on over 25 years," he said.

He added that he hoped that the war would come to an end in the country for the people to think about a better life.

"You know, we'd like to see just a better outcome. And hopefully, at some point, you know, this war will come to an end and, you know, the Sri Lankan people can, you know, begin to think about a better life for themselves and their children."

Meanwhile, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon called upon the LTTE, to allow civilians in the conflict zone to move to secure places.

Ina statement, the Secretary General had welcomed President Rajapaksa's announcement of safe passage for civilians trapped in the area of intense fighting.

"However, he (Moon) continues to be concerned by the threat to the estimated 250,000 civilians caught in the area, who are in close proximity to the fighting," the statement said. "He urges the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to do all in their power to make this safe passage a reality, and to ensure the protection of civilians in accordance with international humanitarian law."

Moon also called upon the Government to ensure that the civilians arriving from the conflict areas are treated "in accordance with international standards."

"Such standards include guaranteeing their freedom of movement, providing basic services and allowing full access by humanitarian agencies. For its part, the United Nations stands ready to provide the necessary humanitarian assistance."

Police file 'charges' against journalist Jayanetti

Activists have expressed concern over the 'charges' made by police on the New Left Front Coordinating Secretary and journalist Chamil Jayanetti, following his participation at the protest against the killing of The Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge on January 9.

Jayanetti has been charged by police for 'obstructing duty and breeching national security laws' during the protest.

Five media organisations said the charges levelled by the police against Jayanetti were against the law.

The statement said that the protest saw the participation of many media organisations and activists, but only Jayanetti had been charged.

Jayanetti told The Sunday Leader that he got to know of the charges only when he received summons from court. He said that no statements had been recorded by the police with regard to the protest. "No complaint was filed against me by the police and my statement was not recorded. I got summons 20 days after the protest," Jayanetti said.

The New Left Front said the killers of Wickrematunge were still at large nearly one month after the incident.

LTTE forms Department of International Relations

BoC office in Chennai stoned

The Bank of Ceylon (BoC) office in Chennai came under attack by a group of lawyers last Thursday evening.

The lawyers of the Madras High Court had staged a protest opposite the bank on the Poonamallee High Road in Chennai against the killing of Sri Lankan Tamils.

According to reports, the police said that a group of lawyers had gathered in front of the bank and pelted stones during their protest.

The Chennai police had increased security at the bank premises and the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commission office at Alwarpet following the attack.