Dr. Ilias from Greece treating a Tsunami affected people 

Another Army soldier killed in an ambush

An Army soldier was killed and six others including two officers were injured when unknown gunmen ambushed an Army vehicle along Kachchai-Kilali road in Thenmaradchy late afternoon, today. Military spokesman Brig. Nalin Witharanage said the soldiers were on patrol in the northern town of Jaffna late afternoon today when they were ambushed from inside a Hindu temple.One soldier who was wounded in the attack died while been taken to a hospital, he added. The injured were immediately taken to the nearby Thambuthottam Army camp and airlifted by SLAF helicopter to the Palaly military hospital, sources said.

Since Dec. 4, a total of 19 soldiers have died in attacks by suspected rebels, putting the 2002 Norway-brokered cease-fire agreement between the government and the rebels under heavy strain.

Solheim calls for urgent talks

With the international community's rising concern over the escalation of violence in the Jaffna peninsula Norwegian special envoy Erick Solheim urged the Government and the LTTE to urgently commence talks to de-escalate the present hostile situation. Solheim said this when he met the LTTE's Chief Negotiator and theoretician, Anton Balasingham at his London residence on Tuesday.

Explaining in detail about the deliberations of the crucial meeting of Co-Chairs of the donor community (US, EU, Japan and Norway) in Brussels Monday, Solheim said the international community favoured immediate talks between the parties in conflict in the implementation of the truce, without prolonging dispute over the venue.

Mr. Solheim denounced claims in the local media that Norway had insisted Oslo as the venue for peace talks. He added that as facilitators Norway is ready to accept any venue collectively agreed upon by the government and the LTTE and reiterated that the venue was not an issue for his government.
The world community, Mr. Solheim pointed out, is alarmed at the sudden escalation in violence in Jaffna, which has the potential to break into a conflict if it is not arrested in time.

20,000 houses for tsunami homeless

Caritas Sri Lanka-SEDEC will complete the construction of 20,000 new houses to be given to those who lost their houses a year ago due to tsunami.

Executive Director Caritas Sri Lanka-SEDEC, Rev. Fr. Damian Fernando told a media conference at the BMICH that SEDEC the Social Arm of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Sri Lanka has undertaken the responsibility of building 20,000 new houses in the country to be given to those who lost their houses, but could complete only 700 houses so far due to reasons beyond their control.

The media conference was held to announce the program organised by the Caritas Sri Lanka-SEDEC to mark the First Year of Tsunami Disaster of December 26, 2004. He told the media that Sri Lanka has received Rs.16 billion to provide shelter, to look after the health and supply food for the needy. These monies come from the Caritas Internationalis,COR UNUM and other Church based charity organisations and other international agencies.

According to statistics available over 90,000 families have been directly affected by the disaster and around 79,000 houses either destroyed completely or partly damaged.

Fr. Damian said the delay in completion of the building of houses was mainly due to the unavailability of suitable land to construct houses in the respective districts and said that issue had now been resolved with the government providing land necessary.

The SEDEC Director said that they were honoured and awarded by the former President for building 6,530 transitionary houses for the tsunami affected families on record time as an immediate measure and they have provided assistance to 17,000 school children in the disaster-hit areas to continue with their schooling.

His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Kingsly Swamipillai, the Bishop of Batticoloa-Trincomalee said that his people were living disaster-prone areas close to the sea and pointed out the need to construct houses that could withstand any disaster. He commended the decision of the government to relax the 200 meter buffer zone which was partly responsible in delaying the construction of houses. "The fishermen wish to live close to the seas and that is a justifiable demand as they are fishermen and they cannot go away from the sea despite danger to their lives", the Bishop said.

Rt. Rev. Dr. Harold Antony Perera, the Bishop of Galle said the tsunami was a disaster the country experienced, it was an occasion for all to come together to help those who were affected by the calamity. "It was a moment of truth. It was an occasion we shared our common brotherhood putting aside all man made differences. We are accused of trying to convert by helping those affected.

Despite this unfounded allegation levelled against the Catholics of this country, we helped the Buddhists, they were the majority affected by the disaster as we share the common brotherhood san all ethnic or religious differences. What we do is show our love, charity and affection to all affected ".

Nation to observe two minutes silence at 9.30 am on Dec.26

A special commemorative programme in remembrance of those who lost their lives in the tsunami catastrophe will be held in Peraliya on the 26th of December attended by President Mahinda Rajapakse which will also coincide with the launch of the "Jayalanka" programme to accelerate the rehabilitation of the displaced victims.

This day will also be marked by religious observances islandwide conducted by Buddhist, Hindu, Christian and Islamic faiths.

The Ministry of Public Adminstration has already issued circulars to all State Departments with regard to the programme,a Government Media release stated. A special feature on this day will be a two minute silence to be observed islandwide at 9.30 a.m.

During this period all citizens are requested to stop whatever activity they are engaged in and remember those who lost their lives in the catastrophe and commit their dedication towards rebuilding the nation. The Government requests all citizens to join hands for this national duty.