German city of Fulda provides tsunami relief

Sine the fateful morning of tsunami two persons in the City of Fulda, near Frankfurt in Germany were thinking how to help the desperate people affected by the tsunami catastrophe, in Sri Lanka. Sumanasiri de Silva of Dodanduwa on the South coast of Sri Lanka has resided their for nearly 22 years living in Fulda since his arrival there in 1982.

Both Sumanasiri and his German born wife Nicole are known to Miss Becker who is the Secretary of the Government Agent of the City of Fulda. Through Becker they could meet the GA of the City to convene a high level discussion on implementing a mechanism of raising funds to provide relief assistance of the tsunami affected people in Sri Lanka.

Miss Becker revealed that there was a German national named Tobias Moretti attached to the Fire Brigade of the City of Fulda. Both Sumanasiri and Tobias were highly surprised to meet each other having equal interests in helping the tsunami affected people in Sri Lanka.

On 28th December 2004 Sumanasiri spoke to Tobias in the Fire Brigade over the phone and on the following day they met each other for further discussions on the issue of tsunami and its impact on the people of Sri Lanka. By then Tobias had already contacted the GA the Provincial Newspaper of Fulda the Red Cross, the Technical Rescue Organisation (THN).

Mayor of the City of Fulda Moeller, after studying the aims and objectives of this humanitarian project envisaged on providing relief assistance or the displaced communities of Sri Lanka agreed to extend his cooperation.

As the Mayor and the Fire Brigade of the City of Fulda had given green light in launching the fund raising during a day a sum of 5810 EURO could be collected. Since 28th December 2004, members of this project called 'Help South Asia', could be seen raising funds along the streets of the City of Fulda.

A German NGO named MALTESER which is also handling several humanitarian projects and relief assistance has been given the management of the funds raised by the members of Help South Asia which had already raised a fund of half a million euros.

MALTESER the German NGO had made arrangements to donate one fifth of the funds raised by Help South Asia for the tsunami affected communities in Thailand.

The balance of 52 million of rupees would be allocated for the relief assistance and out of that 19 million rupees would be utilized in the construction of an Orphanage in the Galle district and affiliated to it several other projects promoting Vocational Education, Languages and Computer Science would be started as continuous programmes specially for the benefit of the children living in tsunami affected areas.

Khalid

Let us join hands to rebuild the Motherland - President

The Sinhala and Tamil people of our country are closely knit by a common cultural heritage. Forgiving wrong and requesting forgiveness for wrong is a noble new year tradition our people have observed for a long time.

Therefore let us eschew all differences and join hands to rebuild our motherland, said President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga in a message issued to mark the Sinhala and Tamil New Year.

"The tsunami disaster is like a silver lining among dark clouds. A situation where all Sinhala, Tamil, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu and Muslim Communities and faiths can work together is now emerging. If we can make the joint mechanism for providing relief to people in the North East a success it will be a fine foundation for finding a lasting solution to the national problem," President Kumaratunga said.

The message: "Today is New Year Day considered as the National New Year by the Tamils and Sinhalese alike. This is the common festival of the entire Sri Lankan people and truly our most delightful cultural festival.

However our people are celebrating New Year this time from a completely different environment than past years. Only three months have lapsed after the tsunami which was a natural disaster unprecedented in our history.

All this time we have been hearing about damage to lives and property caused by earthquakes, high tides and volcanic activity in other countries of the world and thinking how fortunate we have been. But on December 26, 2004 we too had to experience that unfortunate calamity. It caused the untimely death of nearly 40,000 of our brethren and damaged properties worth tens of millions of rupees.

That moment which grabbed away the expectations filled in our hearts and our loved ones has endowed us with a permanent agony. We understand the mental pressure and pain caused in you by it. Programs to relieve that pain have now been launched by places of religious worship, the government and other interested citizens.

Since Sri Lanka has been identified as a country falling within a region prone to natural disasters lately plans are now under way to set up a natural disaster early warning centre in Sri Lanka too. Apart from this elaborate plans to rehabilitate all people affected by the tsunami have been formulated and implemented within the last three months.

In this situation it is pointless for us to wallow in pain feel disgusted anymore. Therefore let us make the New Year which has dawned a year of resolve to rebuild the country and usher in peace and prosperity.

When we consider the New Year Day it is common to both Sinhala and Tamil people. This is neither a Sinhala New Year nor a Tamil New Year but a National New Year.

The Sinhala and Tamil people of our country are closely knit by a common cultural heritage. Forgiving wrong and requesting forgiveness for wrong is a noble new year tradition our people have observed for a long time. Therefore let us eschew all differences and join hands to rebuild our motherland.

The tsunami disaster is like a silver lining among dark clouds. A situation where all Sinhala, Tamil, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu and Muslim Communities and faiths can work together is now emerging. If we can make the joint mechanism for providing relief to people in the North East a success it will be a fine foundation for finding a lasting solution to the national problem.

Furthermore this new year is celebrated on the occasion of the first anniversary of the UPFA Government headed by me. The UPFA government which was elected to office last year giving a new strength and awakening to the dawn of New Year has now laid the foundation for a new socio-economic and cultural order where social justice will rule supreme.

Much more has to be done to take the country forward on that foundation.

I hope that the strength, courage and matured thinking needed for it will dawn on every one on this new year.

Wish you all a happy New Year."

Khalid

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New Year treat on Channel Eye

Power House is producing a special program on Sinhala and Tamil New Year Day. According to Anup Chandrasekharan, Director - Power House, the New Year is a day where apart from conducting religious rituals, the family would sit together and watch a good television program. He said in keeping with this, Power House has produced a special New Year program with popular Tamil actress Sneha answering questions from Sri Lankans. This one hour special program will be aired on Channel Eye on April 14 at 8 p.m. Sneha will share some of her special moments in her life to questions from Sri Lankans.

Take care of injuries from Avurudhu sports

Hospital authorities yesterday warned Avurudhu revellers to guard against injuries they may sustain in sports events connected to the festive season.

They stressed that organisers of traditional and non-traditional sports events should pay adequate attention to the safety of the participants.

Colombo National Hospital's Deputy Director (Accident Service) Dr. Anil Jasinghe said a significant number of victims are reported every year due to injuries related to Avurudhu sports events.

"Organisers should pay attention to the safety component before organising such events," he added suggesting that organisers could even appoint a separate committee for this.

Authorities should also warn people to be extra careful and not to drive under the influence of liquor during the festive season as it could kill or harm them.

Officials warned motorists against driving under the influence of liquor especially since April over the years had recorded the largest number of road fatalities.

A hospital survey earlier revealed that one Sri Lankan dies every 4.5 hours in road accidents. Around 75 per cent injured are aged between 20 - 50.

This is very troubling as most are breadwinners.

It has been revealed that 11 per cent of road accidents are due to drunken driving. Amongst the other factors are lack of body protection and poor experience resulting in defective judgement.

Authorities also caution people to be careful when lighting fire crackers during this season.

Khalid

SC directs CEA to formulate, implement Community Noise Level Standard

The Supreme Court recently directed the Central Environmental Authority to formulate and implement the Community Noise Level Standard as early as possible. The Bench comprised Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva PC and Justices Nimal Gamini Amaratunga and Saleem Marsoof PC.

The court made the direction following the submissions by Deputy Solicitor General Mrs. Bimba Thilakaratne who informed the court that the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) was in the process of formulating a Community Noise Level Standards to impose sound limits in urban and residential areas. The DSG submitted that the matter was of public importance since there were several cases pending before the court. However, she submitted, according to her instructions the formulation of the standards would take time.

The DSG further submitted that the standards had been already laid down in respect of the industrial noise could not be used in respect of community noise. She appeared for the added sixth respondent, the CEA in the fundamental rights application filed by five trustees of Weligama Jumma Mosque against the time limiting imposed by the Weligama Police in the use of loudspeakers in calls for prayers.

Senior State Counsel Indika Demuni de Silva for the second respondent ASP Weligama submitted that the permit had been issued to the petitioners was limited to three minutes each for the different sessions of calls for prayer and such limitations had been made in view of problems between mosques and complaints received by the public.

President's Counsel Ikram Mohamed for the petitioners submitted that if the call of prayer permit was increased from three minutes to five minutes for each session and the Jumma prayer for one hour with the period of call being at the usual level of volume and the continued period of prayer at reduced level of volume, the petitioners would be satisfied.

The Senior State Counsel submitted that she would obtain instructions from the second respondent whether such a scheme could be implemented and intimate the court on May 2 .

The case will be mentioned on May 2.

Khalid

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With the Sinhala and Tamil New Year drawing near, thousands flock to bus terminals in the Capital to travel to their villages for the festival. Here, a view of the Pettah Central Bus Stand.

Child Rehabilitation Centre for tsunami hit children

The Women's Empowerment and Social Welfare Ministry will set up a Child Rehabilitation Centre (CRC) at a cost of Rs. 10.5 million for the welfare of tsunami affected children of the North-East and South with the assistance of a U.K. based business venture, Matalan, a ministry spokesman said.

He said the CRC will be set up in a five acre land at Maduruketiya in the Moneragala district.

The foundation stone for the Centre was laid recently by Women's Empowerment and Social Welfare Minister Sumedha G. Jayasena and Director of Matalan, Jason Hargreaves.

The Centre which provides facilities to about 300 tsunami affected children will consist a fully fledged hostel, indoor sports auditorium, a swimming pool, a library, conference halls and other modern facilities.

Women's Empowerment and Social Welfare Ministry Secretary Sitha Rajapaksa, Uva Provincial Council Minister Dayaratne Bandara, Uva PC member Kumarasiri Ratnayake and several others were present at the foundation stone laying ceremony.

Khalid

More buses, trains for New Year

Thousands of people are flocking to their villages all over the country to celebrate the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, which dawns on April 14.

Transport authorities have bolstered services, anticipating a surge in demand over the holiday period. More buses and trains will be in operation to cater to the additional demand. Police are also planning for higher levels of private vehicular traffic.

Over 600 additional CTB and private buses have been deployed so far for the convenience of passengers during the festive season, transport authorities said.

National Transport Commission (NTC) Director Operations G. Perera told the Daily News that in the last two days alone around 400 additional buses have been sent to different parts of the country from Colombo under the special private bus service launched for the New Year.

"In addition to services commencing from Colombo, provincial transport authorities are deploying buses from areas like Katunayake, Kaduwela, Panadura and Avissawella. This has reduced the usual New Year congestion at the Pettah bus stands," he said.

He said that officials have been deployed in all main bus terminals to deploy buses according to the passenger demand while a special office has also been set up in Pettah to coordinate with commuters.

"Services to transport people back to Colombo after the New Year will start from April 16 from a number of areas including Matara, Tangalle, Gampaha, Kandy and Badulla," he added.

The Central Transport Board (CTB) said it has already deployed 270 buses in addition to the usual fleet to ensure a convenient ride for passengers going home for the New Year.

CTB Manager Operations C. Alahakoon told the Daily News that the highest number of buses has been sent to areas like Badulla, Ampara and Kandy.

"There is a significant drop in the number of passengers travelling South for the New Year this time, probably due to the tsunami disaster.

"This has lessened the usual crowding at Colombo bus terminals," he added.

Meanwhile, commuters travelling to certain areas have complained of over-charging by private bus operators.

NTC Director General M. Jeffrey said they have received eight -10 complaints of overcharging during the New Year service.

"We have summoned the alleged offenders before the Commission. Stern action including the cancellation of route permits will be taken if they are found guilty," he said.

Meanwhile, railway authorities have also boosted services over the New Year period. Railways Manager Operations P. Chandratilleke told the Daily News that under the program, more long distance trains will be deployed to different parts of the country.

Accordingly, special trains are to be deployed to Kandy, Badulla, Hatton, Matara, Galle, Vavuniya, Trincomalee, Anuradhapura, Batticaloa and Matale and back before and after the New Year for the convenience of commuters.

"Special services from Colombo commenced on April 8 from the Fort and Maradana railway stations. They will be available till April 12. The same service will be available for commuters to return to Colombo after the New Year," he said. The Department will also launch a special New Year train service from the Katunayake Free Trade Zone to Galle today.

Khalid

Muslims say TNA trying to force them out of Iqbal Nagar

Muslims in the Iqbal Nagar village in Trincomalee allege that the divisional Secretary of Kuchchaveli, backed by a leading TNA Member of Parliament, is making attempts to force them out and settle Tamils in the area by saying they were affected by Tsunami. They say that the divisional secretary is trying to disturb the ethnic proportions in the area by unlawful acts of this nature. Last week the divisional secretary had informed an NGO to clear the area to settle Tamils in the area However, when the Muslim villagers protested the NGO had backed out from the area.

Muslims in the area say that Tamils have more land available in the area for re-settlement while the Muslims have little over 100 acres in the area and that land is more important to them because most of them are fishermen and they need to live closer to the sea. Muslim villagers also say that Tamils in the area backed by the politicians had planned this encroachment long before the tsunami and they are trying to use tsunami to expedite and achieve their sinister objectives to upset the ethnic proportions in the east. .

Villagers also say that a certain politically motivated Tamil group had demarcated 250 acre area saying that it is for the development of the eastern university while only 50 acres were allocated for the eastern university and its further development. Muslim villagers say it is done with the intention of re-settling Tamils in the predominantly Muslim area. This act has deprived the Muslims the access to the beach, especially to the fisherman. The Divisional Secretary had also informed the Muslims in the area to prove their ownership within two days. Muslim villagers say they lived in the area for generations and they fled the area twice during the ethnic clashes in 1983 and 1990 and they were re-settled in the area when normalcy returned.

On Friday, SLMC leader Rauff Hakim wrote to the government agent, Trincomalee, G. Rodrigo saying that there is attempt to create communal disharmony through forcible settlement of alleged tsunami victims in the Iqbal Nagar Kuchchaveli GS division.

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It is the Avurudhu season and city pavements are the scenes of bustling activity with hawkers in a frenzied competition to sell their wares. Here young garment factory employees from the Katunayake FTZ look for a bargain during a round of last minute shopping before going to their villages for the Avurudhu.

wishes its readers a Happy Sinhala and Tamil New Year.


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Hollywood Artists launch housing project

The Chief Sanga Nayaka of America and President of Dharma Wijaya Buddhist Vihara in Los Angeles, Ven. Dr. Walpola Piyananda Thera launched a massive fund-raising campaign with the participation of Hollywood Artists and the World Trust Foundation in U.S.A., for the construction of permanent houses for the victims of tsunami catastrophe who lived along the coastal villages of Telwatta, Akurala, Godagama, Seenigama and Peraliya in the Divisional Secretariat area of Hikkaduwa.

Recently the ceremonial foundation laying was held at Galagodawatta amidst a large gathering of Hollywood Artists. Camille Cellucci Founder of Holywood Artists Alliance and Art Director of Titanic film addressing the gathering said that "in order to raise funds for the affected people who lost their houses and dear ones in your families numerous programmes were held in U.S.A. On the guidance of Ven. Piyananda Thera Hollywood Artists Alliance was formed", she said.
Referring to the clowns, she said that their role was to bring happiness and love for the affected communities and in the same manner the spiritual leaders such as the Buddhist monks present here tried to convey the universal message of the importance of love and sympathy," she said "Love is greater than suffering" she furthur said.

Fisheries nets Rs. 1.5 billion Chinese aid

The Chinese Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) will be re-constructing six fisheries harbours out of the 10 destroyed by the tsunami, at an estimated cost of approximately Rs. 1.5 billion (US $ 15m), within a period of 18 months.

The tsunami-battered fisheries industry gets a shot in the arm with the inauguration of Fisheries Harbour re-construction project in Panadura, with Chinese assistance.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony at the Panadura Fisheries Harbour yesterday, Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao said that having understood the seriousness of the damage caused by the tsunami to the fisheries industry and infrastructure and its impact on the country's economy as a whole, the Chinese Government despatched a high-level Chinese company for the re-construction of the harbours.

Premier Wen Jiabao observed, "The Chinese people were greatly perturbed by the severe losses caused to Sri Lanka by the tsunami tragedy. Sri Lanka and China have had long and traditional bilateral ties and mutual cooperation between them.
Although China is not a very rich country, it has offered its heart-felt assistance at this great hour of need, to revamp the fisheries industry, worst hit by the tsunami devastation".
He also pledged to assist Sri Lanka in setting-up 'Detection and Early-Warning' systems for disasters such as tsunamis and earthquakes, inclusive of training personnel for same.
"I wish Sri Lanka will progress to prosperity despite temporary shortcomings encountered in the process", Prime Minister Wen Jiabao added.

Fisheries and Ocean Resources Minister Chandrasena Wijesinghe speaking at the ceremony pointed out that the tsunami devastation was the worst ever disaster in Sri Lankan history killing over 40,000 people. The worst impact had been on the fisheries industry, in which over 20,000 boats and ten out of the twelve fisheries harbours around the island were destroyed. It has caused a grave threat to the economy of the country.

"We are confronted with the greatest challenge of reconstruction of the country. China's assistance in the re-construction of the fisheries harbours and the inauguration of this project today in Panadura is a great victory for us", the minister re-iterated.

Khalid

Tension between police and public in Potuvil

A tense situation is prevalent in Protuvil, Trincomalee after police had a confrontation with the public after villagers in Potuvil handed over a memorandum against illegal construction in their fishing areas. The situation intensified after last night's bomb attack by an unknown group. However, our sources confirmed that a Reserve Police Constable had been involved in this incident of a grenade being thrown. An eye witness of this incident is said to have been beaten up by the police later on.

Several Muslim villagers were reported to have been hospitalized after the confrontation between the Police and the public after the incident.
The public complained that certain elements are creating a conflict in the area with several incidents of illegal construction. After the villagers handed over the memorandum, the District Secretary had investigated the matter and he too had decided that this construction was illegal.
Rauf Hakeem , the Leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, said that the Government should hold an independent inquiry on this matter, he also said that he will bring this matter before the police officials in the area. Hakeem further stressed that various interested extremist groups in the area with vested interests are stirring clashes between the Sinhalese and Muslims. He warned that there were some outside elements who would benefit from such activities. SLMC leader urged all communities in the East to act with maximum restraint, in spite of the difficult situation.

Khalid

TODAY'S TOP STORY

President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga greets Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao before their talks at President’s House yesterday.

National Action Plan for tsunami children's welfare

WOMEN'S Empowerment and Social Welfare Minister Sumedha G. Jayasena has decided to prepare a National Action Plan recommended by the Government for the welfare of tsunami victim children. Under this plan funds will be utilised according to the plan, a ministry official said.

He said that the main intention of this plan is to ensure development and protection of the tsunami affected children.

The plan will be formulated after holding a series of discussions with all non-Governmental organisations working in tsunami affected areas.

The first discussion took place at the Galle District Secretariat on April 7 attended by Minister Jayasena. All MPs representing Galle and Hambantota districts, Provincial Council and Pradeshiya Sabha MPs, State officials and representatives of the NGOs were present.

All ongoing projects implemented by the NGOs such as pre-schools, day-care centres, vocational training centres, loan schemes, self-employment schemes, welfare programs related to the disabled will be streamlined according to the National Plan.

The Government's plan will be presented to the participants during the discussion and an investment plan will be formulated.

The program is a joint initiative of the Women's Empowerment and Social Welfare Ministry and the UNICEF. The same discussion will be held early May with the participation of NGOs, State officials and all the other parties in the North and East.

Following this another discussion will be held in Colombo with the participation of all officials in South and North-East Provinces.

Follow-up monitoring will be done during a period of two years with the participation of UNICEF and the ministry. Women's Empowerment and Social Welfare Ministry Additional Secretary W.H.W.Soysa will co-ordinate the program.

People displaced by tsunami moving into safe accommodation - UN Humanitarian Co-ordinator

THE tragically high loss of life, the number of those displaced and the sheer size of the district have presented significant challenges to all the UN agencies and NGOs working in Ampara.

But, now we can see real progress being made; people displaced by the tsunami moving into durable and safe accommodation able to look to a more hopeful future, said UN humanitarian Co-ordinator Miguel Berno.

He was speaking at the handing our 42 temporary houses to tsunami displaced families in Kalmunai and Ampara. UNHCR representative James Lynch also participated.

The whole UN country team in Sri Lanka is proud of what has been achieved during the initial relief phase and examples such as the construction of these temporary homes, augurs well for the next phases to come Bermeo added.

Built by UNHCR through its implementing partner the Rural Development Foundation (RDF), with water and sanitation facilities provided by UNICEF, the pilot project is a precursor to the construction of 2,500 more shelters in Ampara district, to be erected at a rate of 500 per month. A further 1,500 temporary houses have been pledged by UNHCR if required.

Zafira and her family were one of the first to move into their temporary houses on Thursday. Having previously lived only 30 meters from the shore, Zafira lost her seven-year-old son in the tsunami, which claimed a total of 900 lives in Marathamunai, Kalmunai Division. The tsunami took away my son, my home and all my possessions.

'My husband does not want to return to his fishing, instead he hopes to work as a local vendor and earn a living around Marathamunai," she said.

Bridging the gap between emergency shelter and reconstruction, temporary houses are becoming more urgently required with the imminent onset of monsoonal rains in the coming weeks.

The transitional shelters (measuring 12 x 16 feet) consist of two partitioned rooms built within a galvanised iron frame, and are compliant with the internationally-recognised Sphere standards for a family of five persons. The brick foundation provides a firm, impregnable base, with plywood forming the upper walls.

The roofs are made of zince aluminium. More expensive than tin, zinc aluminium has the added benefit of not conducting heat to the same extent as the cheaper option, ensuring greater comfort for those living inside.

The need to keep occupants cool is also recognised through the inclusion of a gap between the top of the outside walls and the zinc aluminium roof. However, at 6 foot in height, the walls will adequately furnish resident with privacy and security.

Lynch, said "the process of building transitional shelters is as important as the outcome. Close consultation with beneficiaries is vital to UNHCR when planning the construction of shelters", he added.

"We aim to keep communities together, and this requires careful attention in the process of identifying land on which to build.'

Designed to be mass-produced, the transitional shelters can still be tailored to suit the particular needs of beneficiaries.

UNHCR continues to work on its transitional shelter projects in Ampara and Jaffna, where the UN Refugee Agency recently completed 210 temporary houses outside Manikadu town. A future transitional shelter project is planned for Trincomalee.

Khalid

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Switzerland funds housing repair and reconstruction programme

Switzerland will assist the Government of Sri Lanka in its efforts to rebuild tsunami destroyed houses with seven million USD. Swiss Ambassador Bernardino Regazzoni today signed a Memorandum of Understanding with P.B. Jayasundera, Secretary, Ministry of Finance. Switzerland will also continue its ongoing reconstruction programme of schools in Matara and Jaffna.

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and other Swiss donors are funding the housing repair and reconstruction programme of the Government of Sri Lanka on a participatory scheme with seven million USD. These funds will cover the reconstruction and repair of approximately 4000 fully or partially damaged houses in the Trincomalee and Matara districts. All Tsunami affected households outside the restricted area (Buffer Zone) will be provided with phased cash grants to repair or rebuild their houses.

The construction process will be managed by the families, while Switzerland will provide expertise through SDC. Three experts each in Trincomalee and Matara will integrate local governmental bodies to implement the programme and exchange knowledge on the participatory reconstruction programmes. Switzerland has already started a school reconstruction programme in Matara, where SDC will reconstruct seven schools.

Khalid

Re-building the nation after Tsunami- Amunugama Says Co-operation is good at all levels

Finance Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama said toay that there is a lot of co-operation between all parties, especially at the project implementation and ground level in re-building the nation after Tsunami. Amunugama paid a special tribute to all Sri Lankans and politicians for working together in affected areas.Responding to a question on , what steps the government had taken to get all parties on board to re-build the nation ; Amunugama said "We have set up structures at local levels, at Kachcheris and at divisional secretary level. Everyone is working well together and we don't have any problems."

Amunugama said at national level they have had consultations and the government has not received major complaints so far. "We may have differences on policy matters. But, the government is always ready to talk and engage others. We are always open for discussions" added Amunugama. Finance Minister also said that the government will stick by the 100 meter buffer zone. The Finance Minister pointed out that people who opposed the 100 meter buffer zone seem to be silent after the threat of a second tsunami recently. He considered it as an acceptance of the government's decision.

Answering a question on government's dealings with the LTTE and LTTE front Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO) in the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts, Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar said "You are compelled to deal with these parties even if you don't like to, considering the monumental disaster our people faced after Tsunami. All our people will be treated equally. But, there will not be a sell out to the LTTE in this aspect. But, we have to be very practical" Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Dr P.B. Jayasundera and Mano Tittawella, Chairman of TAFREN also were associated with the two ministers, at the first media briefing held today to brief on Tsunami Rehabilitation and Reconstruction.

Khalid

This girl need an ungent help from any hospitals society

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Books within reach

Pope John Paul II, accompanied by Archbishop Nicholas Marcus Fernando, speaks to the then Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike, and President Chandrika Kumaratunga during his overnight visit to Sri Lanka on January 20, 1995. (File Photo)

Tsunami waves recorded at Kirinda and Colombo on March 28: NARA

Tide gauges operated by the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) at Kirinda and Colombo have measured tsunami waves resulting from the March 28 Sumatra earthquake.

A maximum wave height of 2.3 m was measured at Kirinda while at Colombo (Mutwal Fishery Boat Harbour) the maximum wave height was 0.5 m, NARA said in a release.

The waves were due to an earthquake measuring 8.7 on the Richter scale at 10.09.36 pm (Sri Lanka time) to the north of the Island of Nias.

The waves were recorded at both locations, approximately three hours after the earthquake. The first tsunami waves arrived at 0105 hours at Kirinda while at Colombo they were recorded 10 minutes later.

Dr. E. M. S. Wijeratne from NARA said the tsunami waves were smaller than those recorded during the December 26 tsunami.

On Boxing day a maximum tsunami wave height of 2.3 m was recorded by the NARA tide gauge in Mutwal harbour. "This time only a 0.5 m wave was recorded," Dr. Wijeratne said. "Compared to the normal tidal range of 0.6m, the observed water levels due to tsunami waves were very significant".

Prof. Charitha Pattiaratchi from the University of Western Australia said this is the third recorded instance within the past 122 years that tsunami waves have been recorded in Sri Lanka - the others being the Krakatoa volcanic eruption in 1883 and the December 26 tsunami. He added: "The effects of the March 28 earthquake on Sri Lanka was much smaller because the tsunami waves were directed away (to the south) from Sri Lanka and also the region affected by the earthquake was much smaller (200 km for the March 28 earthquake vs 1,200 km for the Boxing day earthquake).

Receding water levels were also observed at many coastal regions of Sri Lanka. Commander Y. N. Jayaratne of the Sri Lanka Navy said Naval observers, stationed at coastal regions after the tsunami warning was issued, reported receding of water levels from 0100 hours for about 15-20 minutes and has been significant in places like Tangalle (seven) m and Trincomalee (five) m, but surprisingly no observations in Batticaloa.

The Naval teams also observed notable differences from Pulmudai to Muttur and again from Kirinda to Galle, but all were very minor when compared to the previous devastating tsunami.

Khalid

Switzerland grants Rs.700 m for housing reconstruction

Switzerland has joined the Government's housing reconstruction programme in the tsunami affected areas by providing a grant of US $ 7 million (Rs. 700 million), the Finance Ministry said yesterday.

The grant funds will be used to provide cash grants to reconstruct fully or partly damaged houses located outside the coastal buffer zone.

Under the Government housing reconstruction programme household of a fully damaged house will receive a grant of Rs. 250,000 and household of a partly damaged house a grant of Rs. 100,000.

Matara and Trincomalee Districts have been identified for the cash grants provided by Switzerland. The funds will be channelled to the recipients through the Bank of Ceylon and the People's Bank.

Switzerland is the second donor to participate in the Government cash grant programme for housing reconstruction in the Tsunami affected areas. The World Bank, the first to join the Government housing reconstruction programme, provided US $ 40 million (Rs. 4 billion) under an Agreement signed on April 1, 2005.

The Agreement for the Swiss grant was signed yesterday at the Ministry of Finance and Planning. Bernardino Regazzoni, the Ambassador for Switzerland in Sri Lanka signed the Agreement on behalf of the Government of Switzerland and Dr. P.B. Jayasundera, Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Planning on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka.

Switzerland will also continue its ongoing reconstruction programme of schools in Matara and Jaffna. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and other Swiss donors such as Swiss Solidarity and the Swiss Red Cross are funding the housing repair and reconstruction programme of the Government of Sri Lanka on a participatory scheme.

The funds cover the reconstruction and repair of approximately 4,000 fully or partially damaged houses in the Trincomalee and Matara districts.

All Tsunami affected households outside the restricted area (Buffer Zone) will be provided with phased cash grants to repair or rebuild their houses. The construction process will be managed by the families, while Switzerland will provide expertise through SDC.

Three experts each in Trincomalee and Matara will integrate local governmental bodies to implement the programme and exchange knowledge on the participatory reconstruction programmes.

Additional cash projects as Cash for Host families, Cash for Rent or Cash for Livelihood will be directly implemented by the SDC experts for cash programmes in the same districts with a total budget of US$ two million.

Switzerland has already started a school reconstruction programme in Matara, where SDC will reconstruct seven schools. The post-conflict rehabilitation programme in the North of the island, which Switzerland has been running for two years, is being continued. In the Jaffna Peninsula, SDC has already rebuilt 14 schools and will reconstruct one tsunami affected school.

With its post conflict school rehabilitation programme in Jaffna and the new programmes in Matara and Trincomalee, SDC will be present in three tsunami affected areas of the country.

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President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga participating in a public function in Sevanagala yesterday. Minister Sumedha Jayasena is also in the picture

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Passengers at the Fort Railway Station yesterday morning.

Rail strike ends

A lightning strike by railway controllers from Monday night which inconvenienced thousands of train commuters including schoolchildren and office workers yesterday morning ended late afternoon after Transport Minister Felix Perera intervened.

The operation of trains on all lines was disrupted on account of the strike and the few trains which operated arrived way behind schedule. However, railway services were due to resume yesterday evening.

The strike was launched by train controllers demanding the reinstatement of rail workers interdicted following an accident in Veyangoda last year. They included the engine driver, assistant engine driver, chief controller, deputy chief controller and a station master who worked at Trains Control.

All except the station master had earlier been reinstated.Minister Perera, who considered requests for the station master's reinstatement, discussed the issue with the Public Service Commission and facilitated his reinstatement. The controllers and station masters called off the strike and reported for duty after the letter was delivered.

Commenting on the strike, the Minister said this was the 103rd train strike he faced after assuming duties as the Transport Minister. He had to intervene to solve the strikes. He urged transport unions not to strike as they affect the travelling public.

During the strike yesterday, some trains were held up for several hours near signal posts due to their non-operation. Most office workers who could not attend places of work on time were seen hopping into buses to return home. `From Kelaniya to Dematagoda, six trains were seen halted in a line one after the other for lack of signals. Among them were Vavuniya-Matara and Kandy-Colombo express trains.

Some trains were held up across level crossings causing traffic jams along some highways.

The Railway Controllers Union said the strike was launched to protest the authorities' failure to reinstate the railway controller interdicted in connection with a railway accident at Veyangoda in November last year.

Sumathipala Manawadu, Convenor, Organisation for the Protection of Railway Property said most railway workers have denounced this trade union action launched by controllers saying it demeaned the status of trade unions and their activities.

General Manager of Railways, Priyal de Silva held discussions with representatives of the Railway Controllers Union yesterday noon to seek a solution prior to their meeting with the Minister.

Khalid

LTTE attacks Naval boat off Trinco coast

A Truce Monitor on board a Navy patrol boat in the sea off Trincomalee suffered injuries, as suspected LTTE cadres, in a deliberate ceasefire violation, fired at the boat yesterday morning, Military Spokesman Brigadier Daya Ratnayake told the Daily News yesterday.

The Navy boat on routine patrol came under LTTE fire around 9.52 a.m. in the sea off Upparu, in Trincomalee.

The Truce Monitor on board the Naval boat sustained injuries while running for cover.

"It was a deliberate attempt by the LTTE to provoke the Navy since the SLMM flag was clearly visible and there was every possibility that the LTTE knew about the presence of a SLMM monitor on board," Brigadier Ratnayake added.

The LTTE cadres had fired 75 to 100 rounds at the boat from the land side in Upparu, Brigadier Ratnayake added.

SLMM monitor Alf Stoelam sustained injuries during the incident, when running for cover, the Spokesman added.

The boat, damaged in the incident was later brought to the Sri Lanka Navy camp in Trincomalee.

SLMM spokesperson Helan Olaffsdottir told the Daily News that the SLMM was yet to conclude whether yesterday's attack was a violation of the ceasefire. "We are conducting forensic investigations on the Navy boat to ascertain where the shots were fired from."

She further added that they were in contact with the LTTE ascertain as to why they fired at the Navy boat adding that they have not given any ruling on the incident. She said the presence of the truce monitor on board the Navy boat doesn't make any change towards giving their ruling.

However, she said no one was injured in the incident.

Khalid

65 tsunami victims hospitalized after eating grain in Sri Lanka

Associated Press, Mon April 4, 2005 06:39 EDT . - - COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - (AP) At least 65 tsunami victims, including 25 children, were hospitalized in Sri Lanka - after eating uncooked grain at a refugee camp, officials said Monday.

The tsunami survivors in eastern Muttur, 230 kilometers (140 miles) northeast of the capital, Colombo, complained of dizziness and vomiting, said M. Shukri, director of the Muttur hospital.

``The patients had eaten some type of raw grain that needed to be boiled before consumption,'' he said.

They were hospitalized on Saturday. Some were discharged Sunday, while the rest were released on Monday, Shukri said.

Tens of thousands of people displaced by the Dec. 26 tsunami still remain in overcrowded camps and temporary shelters around the island. They are largely dependent on government aid.

Sri Lankan Rains Flood Tent Camps for Tsunami Survivors in East

April 4 (Bloomberg) -- Rains in Sri Lanka's eastern region caused flooding in tent camps housing thousands of people made homeless by the Dec. 26 tsunami that killed about 39,000 in the South Asian island nation.

``The tent floors are wet or flooded,'' A.K. Thavarajah, a relief official for the Batticaloa/Amparai district, said yesterday, according to a report on the TamilNet Web site. ``Mats and sheets on which refugee children sleep have got soggy with the unexpected rains.''

Hundreds of people are sheltering in buildings in Batticaloa that were used to store rice and are now in a dilapidated state with leaking roofs, TamilNet said.

Sri Lanka was the worst-hit country after Indonesia by the tsunami disaster. About 17,000 people were killed in the mainly Tamil north and eastern region. The rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, which has been fighting for two decades for a separate homeland in the northeast, has accused the government of President Chandrika Kumaratunga of failing to provide enough aid to rebel-held areas of the island of 19.7 million people, a charge the administration denies.

About half a million people were left homeless by the tsunami that devastated coastal towns and villages.

Sri Lanka needs $.1.5 billion in aid to recover from the disaster, the Asian Development Bank, the World bank and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation said last month. About $900 million has been committed to help Sri Lanka, the ADB said last month.

Damage from the tsunami threatens economic expansion that has benefited from a cease-fire in February 2002 that halted the civil war. Sri Lanka needs to rebuild 100,000 houses, as well as ports, hotels and roads.

Peace talks between the Liberation Tigers and the government, under the Norway brokered cease-fire, have been stalled since April 2003. The civil war has killed about 60,000 people.

Khalid

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Happy at school.

Children happy in class at a small village school on the East Coast near Kalmunai

65 tsunami victims hospitalized after eating grain in Sri Lanka

At least 65 tsunami victims, including 25 children, were hospitalized in Sri Lanka - after eating uncooked grain at a refugee camp, officials said Monday.

The tsunami survivors in eastern Muttur, 230 kilometers (140 miles) northeast of the capital, Colombo, complained of dizziness and vomiting, said M. Shukri, director of the Muttur hospital.

``The patients had eaten some type of raw grain that needed to be boiled before consumption,'' he said.

They were hospitalized on Saturday. Some were discharged Sunday, while the rest were released on Monday, Shukri said.

Tens of thousands of people displaced by the Dec. 26 tsunami still remain in overcrowded camps and temporary shelters around the island. They are largely dependent on government aid.


Sri Lankan Rains Flood Tent Camps for Tsunami Survivors in East

April 4 (Bloomberg) -- Rains in Sri Lanka's eastern region caused flooding in tent camps housing thousands of people made homeless by the Dec. 26 tsunami that killed about 39,000 in the South Asian island nation.

``The tent floors are wet or flooded,'' A.K. Thavarajah, a relief official for the Batticaloa/Amparai district, said yesterday, according to a report on the TamilNet Web site. ``Mats and sheets on which refugee children sleep have got soggy with the unexpected rains.''

Hundreds of people are sheltering in buildings in Batticaloa that were used to store rice and are now in a dilapidated state with leaking roofs, TamilNet said.

Sri Lanka was the worst-hit country after Indonesia by the tsunami disaster. About 17,000 people were killed in the mainly Tamil north and eastern region. The rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, which has been fighting for two decades for a separate homeland in the northeast, has accused the government of President Chandrika Kumaratunga of failing to provide enough aid to rebel-held areas of the island of 19.7 million people, a charge the administration denies.

About half a million people were left homeless by the tsunami that devastated coastal towns and villages.

Sri Lanka needs $.1.5 billion in aid to recover from the disaster, the Asian Development Bank, the World bank and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation said last month. About $900 million has been committed to help Sri Lanka, the ADB said last month.

Damage from the tsunami threatens economic expansion that has benefited from a cease-fire in February 2002 that halted the civil war. Sri Lanka needs to rebuild 100,000 houses, as well as ports, hotels and roads.

Peace talks between the Liberation Tigers and the government, under the Norway brokered cease-fire, have been stalled since April 2003. The civil war has killed about 60,000 people.

Khalid

Tsunami affected Indigenous orthopaedic hospital seeks assistance

THE Pallewela Veda Medura abutting the Galle Road at Katukurunda, Moratuwa, an orthopaedic nursing institute of indigenous medicine treating indoor and outdoor patients of all ethnic denominations was hit by the ruthless tsunami on December 26 last year.

Pallewela Veda Medura, Katukurunda, Moratuwa, in addition to treating orthopaedic patients was also the laboratory for the production of local medicine, ointments, and medicinal herbal plasters used in its outlets in Sirimavo Bandaranaike Mawatha, Colombo and at Hospital Road, Kalubowila, Dehiwala.

It also housed the special X'ray equipment to investigate orthopaedic ailments. Not only locals but even foreigners sought treatment at this nursing home under emergency circumstances such as road accidents.

The sudden tsunami invasion of December 26 which submerged over 3 and half feet high within the nursing home premises swept away not only the medical equipment and indigenous medicinal accessaries but even large stocks of herbal logs stored in the laboratory by private traders.

The items swept away included patients' beds, furniture, doors and windows, bed-spreads, television sets, brass cauldrons etc.

The owner of the indigenous nursing home, Dr.R.K.Vaidyaratna, who takes great pains to preserve the ancient medical system lamented that in spite of several representations made to numerous institutions for rehabilitation assistance in respect of this devastated medical institute, nothing positive has emerged so far.

He urges benefactors to come forward to assist him as he is rendering this social service very often free of charge and devoid of any motives to earn profit.

Khalid

Today Top Story

Tens of thousands of tsunami victims
still surviving in tents and other
temporary shelters were thrown into
more agony when heavy rain flooded
their makeshift camps.

Displaced families to receive relief coupons for two more months

Friday, April 1, 2005, 2:20 GMT, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

Apr 01, Colombo: The Office of the Commissioner General of Essential Services says the government has decided to issue relief coupons to tsunami victims for two additional months.

Families already receiving coupons will be eligible to claim further assistance in this form, sources said.

At present, the Office of the Commissioner General has issued relief coupons at the rate of 32 per family for a period of four months. As announced by the government, 954,110 displaced families will now be given relief for six months. The issue of coupons, which began in February, will continue until July.

The cost of the relief, Rs. 3.6 billion per month, is being borne by the government. The total amount to be spent on relief coupons will be around Rs. 22.6 billion, sources said.

This includes a coupon for Rs. 375 per month per person. From this, one is able to get Rs. 200 in cash. The balance comes in the form of food items.

Khalid

Warning : landslides with monsoon!

Peradeniya University Geologists warned a possibility of more landslides in the central hilly areas during the monsoon period due to the shaken plates of earth as a result of the spate of earthquakes erupted in Sumatra in the recent past.

Prof. Kapila Dahanayake of the Peradeniya University told the Sunday Observer that certain parts of the country, specially the central hill have experienced tremors due to earthquakes in Sumatra.

He warns people to be cautious during the monsoon period as more cracks and fractures may have occurred in the central hills. "Therefore these areas are more vulnerable to landslides", he said. When asked how to identify signs of impending landslides, he said that people should immediately evacuate if they witness any unusual muddy and warm water, falling of nuts from coconut or other trees, turning of lamp and telephone posts to one side, and also cracks in the walls of houses.

Prof. Dahanayake also noted that so far there is no equipment in the world to exactly say the date, time and the place where an earthquake will occur. Present technology can only predict an earthquake, he added.

Members of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Natural Disaster together with geologists on Thursday visited an area in Kandy which has earlier experienced an earthquake. Pahatha Hewahata Divisional Secretary Wimala Makuldeniya said that 101 families are living in a vulnerable area for earthquakes. She said that 31 families are living in the most vulnerable area in Waldabala which experienced a landslide in 1996.

When asked why the authorities have not taken steps to evacuate them, she said "earlier these people were given lands in Huruluwewa and Giradurukotte. All of them went there but after sometime many of them returned after selling those lands".

Chairman of the Select Committee Mahinda Samarasinghe MP said that the Select Committee report will propose to establish a National Centre to monitor natural disasters with the coordination of the Meteorological Department, Peradeniya University and Geological Survey and Mines Bureau.

Chairman Samarasinghe also said that new equipment should be acquired with foreign assistance and existing equipment maintained deploying trained personnel. Sighting an example he said that some equipment in the Peradeniya University has been malfunctioning during the last eight months due to the dearth of trained technicians to repair them. He said that the Select Committee report will be completed by the end of May. An Interim report will be released in April for public debate.

Khalid

TODAY'S TOP STORY

Bread rises from Rice

A team of Japanese experts showed how bread could be made with rice flour. They met the Minister of Agriculture Anura Dissnayaka at his ministry on Tuesday. They told the minister the bread baked with white and brown rice was as good as bread baked with wheat flour. Pictured is a member of the Japanese team of experts handing over a loaf of bread to the minister.

Immediate Rs.250,000 grant to owners of destroyed houses

THE Government has taken measures to immediately grant Rs.250,000 to families whose houses have been completely destroyed in the tsunami catastrophe, Finance and Planning Minister Dr.Sarath Amunugama told the media yesterday. Owners of partially damaged houses will receive Rs.100,000 each.

On a directive of President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Minister Amunugama has already instructed the People's Bank and the Bank of Ceylon to immediately provide this housing grant to the tsunami affected families to reconstruct their fully or partially damaged houses.

All the branches of the People's Bank and Bank of Ceylon in the tsunami stricken areas will be open on April 3 for the express purpose of providing funds to reconstruct houses beyond the 100 metre limit which are fully or partially damaged by the tsunami.

He said according to estimates nearly 60,000 houses damaged by the tsunami have to be reconstructed. "Of this 60,000, we presume that 30,000 houses will be accommodated under the project that the Government is launching on April 3," he told a news briefing.

Under this project all those whose houses were fully or partially damaged and located beyond the 100 metre limit will be entitled to a grant.

In a case of total destruction of a house, the owner will get a grant of Rs.250,000 which will be given in instalments with the first instalment being Rs.70,000. For partly damaged houses, it will be Rs.100,000 of which the first instalment is Rs.50,000.

"On April 3, we are inviting all those who fall into this category to the nearest bank where they already have a bank account in respect of the Rs.5,000 payment."

The first category will be those bringing a form which had been made available to them through the Divisional Secretary and the Grama Niladhari which had been issued by the TAFREN.

In the second category, this form is not fully perfected but there are certain parts filled. The third category will be for those who are not in possession of such a form but would receive it in the bank branch office and have it filled with the assistance of the bank manager and his staff.

"However all these three categories will be received by the branch bank manager. Nobody will be turned away. In order to test whether the application is genuine, the Disaster Management Team (DAT) of TAFREN had already inspected the houses and certified which are damaged fully or partially.

In addition, the Department of Census and Statistics have done a total survey and visited all these places and itemised the damage."

The Minister noted that even of all these documents are not fully completed, the victims can come to the branch offices on April 3.

The officers will help them to fill any areas which have not been filled up and they will accept it. They have time from April 3 to 8 to make sure that information is very viable in terms of what is there in the DAT report or the report of the Department of the Census and Statistics.

Finally on April 9, all those who have been now declared to eligible for these grants that is either Rs.250000 or Rs.10000 will be given a certificate which is called a confirmation of deposits. It means that the first instalment has been deposited in their bank account.

"If this program is done properly, from about April 8 or 9, about the half the number of people who need housing will be able to get resources to rebuild their houses and get them back to their normal life," he said.

A special discussion was held in this connection at the Finance Ministry on March 31 under Minister Amunugama's patronage. Ministry Secretary Dr. P. B. Jayasundera and Chairmen of the People's Bank and the Bank of Ceylon also attended the discussion.

Clear instructions will be sent by the General Managers of the two banks regarding the procedure that should be followed in respect of the Rs.250,000 grant. Each bank branch will display a banner calling for housing grant applications on April 3, Dr. Amunugama said.

The Minister noted that 10,000 copies of the requisite forms were despatched yesterday to the General Managers of the two banks - 7,000 copies to the People's Bank and 3,000 copies to the Bank of Ceylon.

From April 3 to 8, the branch managers will process them to expedite disbursements The two banks will launch an information campaign during this period on the payment stages and the categorisation of fully and partially damaged houses which will help them to understand the exact category under which they can receive grants.

Khalid

TODAY'S TOP STORY

A renewed thirst for learning is seen among children. Here a little girl at the feet of her mother brushing up on her studies. The Government is currently having a primary education program in all schools.

Special plan to protect train commuters

The Transport Ministry is formulating a special plan to ensure the safety of railway commuters and property at a time of a tsunami.

Accordingly, trains operating on railway lines close to the sea will be taken to protected places as soon as they are notified of an impending disaster.

Transport Minister Felix Perera who met officials of the Railways Department yesterday directed them to earmark the safest spots on railway lines and keep the Railway Main Control Room informed of such places. The Minister has also directed the General Manager of Railways to appoint a committee to look into other feasible measures to protect commuters at a time of a tsunami or similar disaster.

"We have to ensure that what happened on December 26 does not repeat itself. To achieve that, the Railways Department should lay down a specific procedure to be followed during a tsunami. Co-ordination between responsible officials is essential to make decisions during such situations," the Minister said.

Minister Perera also stressed the need for a special program to protect railway workshops in coastal areas from tsunami waves.

"Following Monday's tsunami warning the authorities took swift measures to suspend train operations on the coastal railway line, take seven trains to safe places and close down railway stations," he said commending the efficiency of Department.

Over 1,500 people were killed on December 26 last year when the tsunami waves hit a Matara-bound train at Peraliya, Telwatta.

Khalid

Masive crowd in the Ismaic Conference in kattankudy held on 18.03.2005

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Proper tsunami warning system could have prevented chaos - Experts

Monday night's stampede and chaos in coastal areas in the wake of the tsunami threat following the massive earthquake off Sumatra islands could have been prevented if there had been an elaborate tsunami warning system for the Indian Ocean.

Peradeniya University Geological Department Head Prof. Kapila Dahanayake said: "If there was a system like in the Pacific ocean where they gauge water levels with hundreds of satellite connected sensors in the deep sea and with floating buoys, an accurate reading of a tsunami could have been issued."

"This is a good wake-up call for Sri Lanka. It shows the urgent need for a proper tsunami warning system," he added.

The tsunami warning issued by the US Geological Survey following the 8.7 magnitude earthquake in Banda Aceh region, at 11.09 pm (Indonesia time) sent hundreds of residents in the coastal stretch fleeing for life. Sri Lanka picked up the warning widely covered in the International media and an evacuation alert was issued in minutes.

However, he said this was a good exercise for Sri Lankans to gauge the response of the administrative structure and the preparedness of people to deal with such a situation in the absence of an effective warning system.

Prof. Dahanayake said there was no system to measure water levels in the Indian Ocean. "Thus, making an accurate warning on whether the earthquake has actually triggered a killer wave is not possible. The tsunami is not visible in the deep sea. This was why a pre-warning had to be issued."

Monday's earthquake which recorded 8.7 points on the Richter scale possessed all attributes that could have triggered a killer wave - the magnitude was more than 7.5 on the richter scale and the depth was 30 kilometres (less than 100 kilometres) below the sea bed.

He said the motions of the quake would have been the reason for the absence of a tsunami. An earthquake must create vertical motions to trigger a tsunami. The December 26 earthquake recorded 9.2 on the Richter scale. It originated from an epicentre 10 kilometres below the seabed.

Discussions are on to set up an early warning system in the Indian Ocean with Sri Lanka and India actively taking part in the negotiations.

France, Japan and several other countries have extended their support to set up this system following the Boxing Day tsunami that killed more than 300,000 in 11 countries in the Indian Ocean rim.

The Met Department and Geological Survey and Mines Bureau officials attended a meeting held in Paris recently in this regard.

Khalid

Relief on migration to Canada for the tsunami affected

With the tidal waves destroying most of the coastal areas in Sri Lanka as well as in many other surrounding countries in the Indian Ocean, the whole world turned their eyes to the region for days following the disaster. I for one was glued to the TV almost all day during the holidays following Christmas, switching between different international news channels, and watching in disbelief, the catastrophe that shook South Asia.

I read with an aching heart an internet article written by a British volunteer medical student of Sri Lankan origin about the situation in the Mullativu hospital, the helpless situation of residents of Galle in down south, and about entire beach resort hotels being washed away along with staff and guests in many places along the coastline of the island.

These are only a few of the horror stories, which emerged following one of the greatest natural disasters the world has ever known.

I know that many Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents personally know people who were affected by this horrific disaster and to them I send my most heartfelt condolences.

On a positive note, it was heartwarming to watch the response of humankind as a whole to the diaster, with so many offering their energy, time, and money, to try to assist those affected.

Aid and donations from governments and private persons alike were flowing to the affected areas from both near and far. One can only hope that this spirit of helping those in need continues unabated as South Asia recovers from the disaster.

In response to the situation, the Canadian government immediately announced changes to its Immigration Program in order to offer relief to tsunami-affected family members of Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents following the diaster. Various relief measures were announced and information about these relief measures have bene posted on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website (www.cic.gc.ca) with foll free numbers set up to contact for assistance.

One of the changes announced by the government is that all Family Class sponsorship applications and applications of Dependants of Refugees who were affected by the disaster will now be fast tracked.

As well, if a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident who has a relative in the Tsunami affected areas that falls within the definition of a member of the Family Class (such as parent, grand-parent, spouse, child, orphaned niece or nephew, etc) and if you wish to sponsor your Family Class relative, such cases too will be processed on a priority basis.

Moreover, in cases where your relative does not fall within the definition of Family Class (for example an adult sister or brother, etc.) they may make an application for permanent residence in Canada on Humanitarian and Compassionate grounds provided that their Canadian relative is willing and able to provide an undertaking of financial support.

Finally, another form of relief granted by Citizenship and Immigration Canada is that tsunami affected applications and sponsorships will be fee exempted.

While anybody can make an application on Humanitarian and Compassionate grounds, the CIC website stresses that applicants must meet certain criteria to merit consideration for special relief. Such criteria require that the applicant be directly, personally and significantly affected by the disaster.

A word of caution however for the interested applicants. I expect that the Canadian High Commission will be carefully scrutinizing the applications of persons who claim to have been personally and significantly affected by the disaster.

I also expect that the High Commission will be taking steps to verify the authenticity of every piece of information provided in support of such claims. As there is a lot of fraud involved in the immigration industry and as there are unscrupulous individuals waiting to capitalize on times such as now, the Canadian High Commission will be extra careful to keep fake claims at bay.

The disaster undoubtedly was unprecedented. Don't you think the response from the world at large was unprecedented too?

For more information, you may surf the Citizenship and Immigration website.

Khalid

TODAY'S TOP STORY

A fearful night is over

A man returns to his humble shack carrying his meagre belongings after spending the night away from the Dehiwela beach following Monday’s earthquake off Sumatra that triggered panic across South East Asia.

Warning to residents of coastal areas

Another massive earthquake with a 8.7 magnitude was recorded off the Sumatra coast in Indonesia at 10.09 p.m. Sri Lankan time, (16.09 G.M.T.). The earthquake had not resulted in any tsunami as at midnight last night. When contacted, IGP Chandra Fernando said that the Police had taken measures to evacuvate all residents on the coastal belt from midnight last night.

The Government also advised the people to seek shelter in safer areas and areas with a higher elevation. President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga last night over the electronic media requested people living on the coastal belt to move two kilometres inland and get to safer places.

An Army spokesman said last night that if Sri Lanka were to be affected by any tsunami, it would have occurred within three hours of the earthquake.

A Meteorological Department spokesman said that this 8.7 magnitude earthquake was powerful enough to cause a tsunami.

Khalid