The LTTE today prevented two Muslim Businessmen entering un-cleared areas at Poonagar, army sources said. Though the LTTE prevents Muslims from entering LTTE controlled areas, businessmen from LTTE areas are allowed to enter Muslim villages for trade and other visits.
Meanwhile, two LTTE cadres assaulted and injured a Muslim fisherman last week while the victim was on his way to Gennai beach area in Muttur. The victim, K Lareef was on his way for fishing with three others when he was obstructed by LTTE cadres who demanded them to vacate the area.
Meanwhile, two LTTE cadres assaulted and injured a Muslim fisherman last week while the victim was on his way to Gennai beach area in Muttur. The victim, K Lareef was on his way for fishing with three others when he was obstructed by LTTE cadres who demanded them to vacate the area.
The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna stated today that they will never agree to the proposed joint mechanism between the LTTE and the government. The JVP is reported to have submitted proposals to President Kumaratunga on how to provide assistance to everyone affected by the Tsunami, covering 659 Grama Sevaka divisions. According to the JVP there is room for all democratic representatives in their proposals. JVP also stated that "The challenge before us is not to use the tsunami to give power to separatist terrorists and give them recognition but, for all democratic forces to unite, How could we let a group of separatists rebuild the north when they are already using tsunami aid to strengthen their defence capabilities." The JVP further more urged the government to withdraw the proposal immediately.
Four die in van-container collision
Four persons were killed on the spot when the van they were travelling in collided with a container lorry in Periyamulla, Negombo in the early hours of yesterday. Five others in critical condition were admitted to Negombo Hospital. A 7-year-old boy who was among the injured was transferred to the ICU of the Colombo National Hospital.
Negombo ASP Mahanama Karunaratne told the Daily News yesterday that the accident occurred around 3.30am along the Colombo-Chilaw highway when a passenger van travelling at high speed collided head on with the container moving towards Chilaw. The van had turned turtle following the accident, the ASP said.
Preliminary Police investigations had revealed that the victims in the van were returning from a funeral in Rajanganaya.
The lorry driver was taken into custody and was produced before the Negombo Magistrate. Negombo Police Traffic Branch is conducting further investigations.
Int'l community has endorsed Govt's tsunami reconstruction program - President
President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga yesterday reiterated that she was ready to take forward the process regarding the Joint Aid Distribution Mechanism 'carefully' without making any 'mistake' if the people's blessings are for the process.
The President said there was no time to hear the voice of the 'extremists' against the move as it represents only five per cent of the population.
Addressing a public rally at Polonnaruwa Royal Central College Ground of the concluding ceremony of 'Pulathisi Daruwo' Educational Exhibition, the President said that the strongest ever foundation to take the country towards a bright future has been laid through this move.
"We have already constructed the first storey of the building of a developed country. We need to construct 10 more storeys of the building, no one should obstruct this path by dragging their feet, the President added.
President Kumaratunga pointed out that the People's Alliance Government laid the first and permanent foundation towards solving the North East problem with a clear vision.
"We have taken this process forward step by step to develop the trust between the Sinhalese and Tamils", she pointed out adding it may take a long time for this to happen.
She said the international community and world leaders have already endorsed the Government's programme for tsunami reconstruction at the Kandy Development Forum.
President Kumaratunga pointed out that her Government has laid a strong foundation to develop the country, first through developing the infrastructure and education in the country.
She said it was useless to have all these development programmes if a country has no permanent peace.
She said the Tamil people too have the right to fight for their rights in the same manner that the doctors and nurses demand for their rights.
"This situation has been created as the J.R. Jayewardene regime tried to respond to the Tamil people's demands through killings and violence", she added.
The President admitted that the Tamil people were deprived of their rights for the past five decades.
"No major development programmes have been implemented in the North and East," she added.
The President said more than ninety per cent of population are against dragging the country back to war though some extremists are making a huge hue and cry against the move based on their ideologies.
"They should take decisions practically without basing them on their ideologies," the President pointed out.
"We have no time to hear the extremists voice against the move as country has got its best chance to progress towards a bright future," the President added.
The President said her Government has given topmost priority to education.
River Basin Development and Rajarata Development Minister Maitripala Sirisena, Health and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva and North Central Province Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake also spoke.
