BIRD FLU

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS

This document will be updated on a monthly basis (or more often if necessary)

This document was updated and approved by the Director’s Committee of September 23, 2005

1 Inoculation against the flu before departure or on the field

2 On-site briefing by the coordinator

3 When to give the alert

4 What to do in case of Fever over 38°C with cough

5 Material and drugs available to the teams in Asia and Eastern Europe

1 Inoculation against the flu before departure or on the field for MDM staff (national and expatriated)

This will not prevent an infection by the virus of the bird flu but contributes to limit the emergence of a new human virus by reducing the opportunity of an infection to humans simultaneously to the bird virus and human virus.

The vaccine has to be made before departures to or on the field in Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, China, Indonesia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Russia, Belarus, Georgia, Moldavia (countries where bird flu affecting animals have been inventoried or neighboring countries or countries where we do not have information but that we think are affected).

2 Briefing about the bird flu

To be given to MDM members already on the ground (expatriated and national) or due to leave for the countries mentioned, even for a simple transit.

The briefing has to be ideally done by the coordinator present on the ground. If not possible by the Desk responsible for that mission.

The briefing has to include data on the bird flu, how to protect oneself and when to alert or notify.

2.1 What is bird flu?

The bird flu or flu of the chicken is an infection of birds due to a virus, a virus Influenza type A. This disease of birds, known for more than a 100 years, is spread all over the world. At present there are, in various countries, homes of épizooties (a sort of epidemic amongst animals) of bird flu; such homes were tracked down in Cambodia, in Vietnam, in Thailand, in China, in Malaysia and in Indonesia. Such épizooties have already happened in the past (in the USA 1983-1984, Hong-Kong 1997, Italy 1999-2001) killing millions of poultry.

There exists several sub types of virus Influenza A affecting birds, but so far those which created very murderous épizooties are H5 and H7. The current one is a H5N1.

Ducks are the natural reservoirs of these viruses. They carry the virus and pass it on but they are rarely sick from it. Domestic poultry, on the other hand, are very sensitive to it (especially chicken and turkey) and, it is amongst them, that we see the most mortal epidemics.

The virus is passed on from bird to bird but also from bird to other animals such as pigs and humans. Cases of this type are well documented in Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. In humans the disease appears in the form of fever, cough, muscular pains and very often diarrhea at the beginning. The contagion is made by air traffic (essentially) or by direct contact. Man to man transmission although rare is possible. The incubation (time delay between being infected and feeling sick) is from 1 to 3 days after the contaminating contact. It can go up to 7 days. The person is contagious since the day before the appearance of the first clinical signs.

2.2 How to protect oneself?

Ø Avoid contacts with poultry of all types including ducks, and avoid generally contacts with birds. Avoid also contacts with feathers, excrements of birds.

Ø Do not take a bird or a poultry as a pet

Ø Do not sleep near breeding of poultry

Ø Do not transport alive or dead poultry

Ø Do not prepare yourself poultry for food (cutting throat for example) from a zone of infestation.

Ø Take all the measures to make sure that the poultry or products stemming from poultry are correctly prepared and can be eaten without danger. The chickens must be cooked well (no pink juice, no pinkish meat). Well- cooked eggs (hard-boiled eggs) are not infectants. On the other hand, fresh eggs and its shells are potentially contaminating.

If you were nevertheless in touch with poultry in a zone of infestation (including have walked on ground soiled by excrements of poultry)

Ø Wash your hands with water and soap.

Ø Remove your shoes outside of your house, and wash them carefully and then wash your hands.

Ø Verify your temperature once a day during at least 7 days after contact. If the fever goes over 37.5°C consult a doctor.

3 When to give the alert to the local authorities

Ø When we learn that many poultry died in a breeding area

Ø When, in the medical services where you work, somebody is hospitalized for flu syndrome.

4 What to do in case a member of the MDM team has fever and cough

Medical consultation which will determine the need of testing or not, will establish a diagnosis (always think of malaria in countries where it is endemic!) and will decide on a hospitalization or not according to the severity (hospitalization if respiratory difficulties). The consulted doctor will notify the authorities in case of flu-like syndrome.

Notify the Desk in charge of the mission during office hours or the desk designated to do the outside-office-hours shift by calling 00 33 6 03 12 84 83

In case of flu-like syndrome and of non severe contact with treatment at home:

Ø Look for the other persons who could have been exposed at the same time and the persons in contact before the person became sick (the contaminated person is contagious before being sick)

- For all these persons, check the temperature until the 7th day after the last contact or exposure.

- For those exposed at the same time and apparently healthy (or actually healthy), if the exposure is of less than 48 hours, use an antiviral, Oseltamivir (Tamifluâ) 75mg 2 times a day during meals during 5 days. In other words the incubation period has to be short (less than 48 hours) to be able to treat the co infected. After 48 hours it is useless to treat the co infected.

Ø For the patient

- Specific anti viral treatment Oseltamivir 75mg by oral way, twice a day, during 5 days (during the meals)

- Surveillance: temperature twice a day until cured, consult again if the temperature increases; respiration, consult again if respiratory difficulty; appearance of other signs which did not exist at the beginning, consult again; state of spits, consult again if they become yellow or green

- The patient should wear a surgical mask when somebody enters his room or when he goes out of his room

- Limit the visits

Ø For the persons who take care of the patient (to bring the meals for example or for medical surveillance) or who visit him(her):

- Individual respiratory protection type FFP2 or if not possible FFP1

- Systematic hand-washing when going out of the room

- Temperature check-ups until the 7th day after the last contact

Visit limitation, hand-washing for the persons in contact and the wearing the mask must be maintained 7 days after the disappearance of the patient’s fever.

List of material which you should have at all times:

It includes enough drugs and material in case all MDM staff, national and expatriated, (including the families of the expatriates) is sick or co exposed

Clinical thermometer: 5 times the number of people

Surgical Mask: 5 times the number of people

Mask for respiratory protection FFP2 or FFP1: 15 times the number of people

Tamiflu ® 75 mg ( Oseltamivir): 10 tablets times the number of people

For reminder (but refer to the chapter “In case of non severe bird flu-like syndrome with treatment at home” for details)

The thermometers are for the sick, the co exposed and the people in contact

The surgical masks are for the sick patients

The masks for respiratory protection are for the people who take care of the sick and for those people visiting the sick

The Tamiflu ® tablets are for the sick patients (10 tablets for one treatment) and for the co exposed if the date of exposure is less than 48 hours.

MULF Condemns Rathana Thero’s comments

In a television programme named ‘News Line' on October 13, Bhikku Parliamentarian Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera had said that the 1983 black July violence unleashed against the Tamil community was an act by the thugs and Muslims, a media release, condemning the thera's statement by the Secretary General of the Muslim United Liberation Front (MULF) says.

The Ven. Rathana thera had also said that he had protected and provided security the innocent Tamils in his temple, whereas thugs and Muslims were responsible for inciting ethnic clashes, the statement says.

The Secretary General of the MULF, Mujibur Rahman had said that when it was a known fact to the entire world that it was the racialist extremist forces who unleashed such violence against Tamil. The Muslim community amidst all risks provided maximum security to innocent Tamils. A large number of Muslims were also killed during the clashes for the reason they did not talk Sinhala.

"Ven. Rathana thera's this statement had caused a serious insult to the Muslim community" it stated.

The MULF while requesting all Muslim leaders to condemn such injurious statements against the Muslim community had urged all progressive Sri Lankan people to join them in denouncing these racialist statements. (A.B)

Sri Lankan policeman killed, one wounded in Sri Lanka 's volatile east

Suspected Tamil Tiger gunmen shot dead a policeman and wounded another in Sri Lanka's volatile east Tuesday, the military said.

The shooting came hours after an ethnic Tamil civilian was shot and wounded in what authorities said was an attack linked to fighting between rival rebel factions.

The two policemen were fired upon while standing outside a government office in Kaludawalai village in Batticaloa district, 220 kilometers (135 miles) east of Colombo, military spokesman Brig. Nalin Witharanage said.

Earlier, two unidentified gunmen shot Kadirgamar Thambivelupillai, 49, while he was riding his motorbike to work in Batticaloa. He was hospitalized but his condition was not critical, Witharanage said.

An initial investigation found that Thambivelupillai's two sons have links to the mainstream Tamil Tiger rebel group, he said.

A split in the Tamil Tigers in March 2004 sparked internecine clashes that have killed scores, mainly in Sri Lanka's east.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka's parliament voted 80-19 to extend emergency rule on the island for another month. The measure was enacted after suspected rebels assassinated Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar on Aug. 12.

The Opposition Leader and UNP Candidate addressing the public rally organized by SLMC at Muslim dominated Sammanthurai(Ampara District) in the Estern Province
 

We will protect the Eastern Muslims – Ranil

The Opposition Leader and UNP Presidential candidate assured the Muslims in the East that once he is elected President, he would protect their rights and prevent them being harassed by the LTTE, he said this when he was addressing a public rally held in support of his campaign by the SLMC in Sammanthurai. SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem, parliamentarians Dr. Rajitha Senarathne, Faizal Cassim, Hassan Ali, Deputy Mayor of Colombo Azad Sally, former Deputy Minister M.L.A.M. Hisbullah and several others also addressed the gathering.
"Some are saying that if Ranil becomes the president the LTTE will freely come to these areas, I would like query people like Anver Ismail and Athaullah that who is going to protect Muslims here if the Army is dissolved as suggested by one their colleagues in Mahinda Rajapakse camp?. The Saudi government sent five plane loads of relief to tsunami victims, nothing was distributed among victims here, I would ask those who are ministers of the present government as to why they did not question such discrimination" he added.
"From a war situation we are now in a no war, no peace situation. The CFA brought and end to hostilities. But there were lapses, we have gone through a series of problems, especially the Muslim community in the East had to face a variety of such problems. I promise that I will consider the problems of Muslims as that of mine and find speedy and acceptable solutions to those" he said."After November 18, we will also improve the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission's strength in the east. Like in India we will have a Rapid Deployment Police Force to prevent ethnic related clashes. They will be deployed in the east too", he said.
He also assured justice to the land rights of Muslims and their security. The Tsunami devastated people in the north and east and other areas will be treated equally and rehabilitated.
Ranil Wickremesinghe promised in Samanthurai that the Muslim community will take part in the peace process as a separate delegation and when powers were devolved to the North and the East, he would ensure that Muslim aspirations too were met. He also said that all decision would be taken upon discussing with the Tamil, Muslim leaders who had joined him.
I will develop the South Eastern University, Kalmunai town will be converted to a modern city, the stalled Oluvil port work will be re-commenced and we will modernize the Sammanthurai hospital. We will also establish a guaranteed price of Rs. 17/= per kilo gram of paddy and 50 kilo gram fertilizer bags will be provided to farmers at the rate Rs. 550/=. We will take all possible steps to arrest the cost of living' he assured.
The UNP leader said he was aware that Muslim traders were being taxed by the LTTE and their lands taken over. He assured that he would take action to ensure that their lands were returned and taxation stopped. He also promised to strengthen the STF to protect the Muslims. He also addressed propaganda rallies at Addalachchenai and Ampara town.

Hisbullah invites Anver Ismail for an open debate

‘Deputy Minister Anver Ismail, who continuously abused the SLMC and its leadership, is now criticising the agreement that had been signed between the UNP and the SLMC' said former deputy Minister Hisbullah who re-joined the SLMC this week. He challenged Anver Ismail to come for an open debate on the issues, instead of spreading misleading information among the masses.

Hisbullah posed this challenge when he was addressing an election rally held in support of UNP presidential candidate Ranil Wickremasinghe by the SLMC in Sammanhurai on Saturday (140/10).

He said that it was to protect the rights of the Muslims he had re-joined the party and it was for the same reason the SLMC decided to ally with the UNP during the presidential election.

"The SLMC leader had entered into a very clear agreement with Mr. Ranil Wickremasinghe. If we are to win our rights and aspirations as a community we must ensure the victory of Mr. Wickremasinghe who accepted the political rights of Muslims" he said.

Ranil addresses rallies in Trinco, Kinniya

Ranil Wickremasinghe, presidential candidate of the UNP addressed two election rallies organized by the LSMC in support of his presidential bid yesterday, one in Trincomalee town and the other in Kinniya. SLMC leader Rauff Hakim also addressed these meetings along with Mr. Wickremasinghe.
Wickremasinghe arrived in Trincomalee by an Air Force helicopter around 12 noon and was driven to the venue by a motorcade to Trincomalee private bus stand where the meeting was held.
He said that if he was elected to power he would invite the Sri Lanka Freedom Party to participate in the peace talks with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). He would take steps to involve all parties concerned in the national problem. ‘A lasting political solution to the ethnic question should be found under a federal concept within a united Sri Lanka', he added.
SLMC leader Rauff Hakim, said the SLMC has come to an understanding with the UNP on several important issues with regard to the political aspirations of the Muslim community. One of the SLMC demands is to confer autonomous powers to Muslim areas in the North-East similar to granting such powers and political status to Tamil majority areas. UNP has agreed to this and also to include a separate delegation of Muslim representatives in the future peace talks with the LTTE, he said.
Prime Minister and presidential candidate Mahinda Rajapakse has joined with the JVP and the JHU, two Sinhala nationalist forces that are opposing to any devolution of power as a solution to the ethnic crisis. The SLMC decided not to support Mr.Mahinda Rajapakse because he had alienated the minority communities in Sri Lanka, Hakim said.

Sri Lanka newspaper office attacked by armed gang

A gang armed with swords and guns attacked the manager of a newspaper known for its critical stance against the government, police and employees said Monday.
The gang broke into the offices of The Sunday Leader in Ratmalana, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) south of the capital Colombo, late Sunday and set bundles of newspapers on fire, said Lasantha Wickremetunga, the paper's chief editor.
Gang members hit the publication's manager S.A. Dias on the neck and demanded that printing of the newspaper be stopped, Wickremetunga said.
The armed men made off with Dias' mobile phone and some cash after setting about 40 bundles of newspaper ablaze, he said.
Wickremetunga vowed that the newspaper would not be ``intimidated into silence.''
In May, the editor wrote to the country's police chief claiming his life was under threat after a pro-government lawmaker accused him publicly of supporting Tamil Tiger rebels. The complaint came a week after another journalist facing a similar accusation was abducted and shot dead. Wickremetunga, a critic of President Chandrika Kumaratunga's government, was attacked once and his house shot at in 1998.
``This is yet another attempt to stop our publications,'' Wickremetunga said. ``It's a step toward media suppression for those who don't toe the line.''
A senior police officer, R. Asaratnam, visited the printing plant. ``We have already launched an investigation into the attack,'' he said. No arrests have been made so far but police were questioning several people, he said.
Several Sri Lankan journalists have been killed in recent years, but no one has been charged in connection with the attacks.

Lalith Seneviratne, a 38-year-old father of three, is confined to a wheelchair. But that has not deterred him from living independently, selling camphor balls and other items. With his three sons Tharindu, Ishara and Hirusha lending a helping hand, Seneviratne goes around the city to earn his livelihood.  

U.S. Immigrant Visa Lottery now open

THE 2007 Diversity Immigrant Visa Lottery was formally declared open in Washington, DC on October 5, 2005. This program allows randomly selected applicants to immigrate to the United States on an expedited basis, provided they meet all the criteria.Individuals wishing to participate in the visa lottery are strongly urged to apply early to avoid any possible delays. 50,000 individuals will be selected for the lottery worldwide, states a US Embassy press release. The lottery registration period will run until December 4, 2005. For the third year in a row, the lottery will be conducted entirely by electronic means. Paper entries will no longer be accepted. The State Department has established a website for the submission of entries, which can be accessed at: www.dvlottery.state.gov Successfully registered entries will result in the display of a conformation screen containing the applicant's name, date of birth, country of chargeability (the country the applicant enters the lottery from), and a date and time stamp. This confirmation screen can be printed as proof of registration in the lottery. People selected for an interview to obtain an immigrant visa will be notified in April/May, 2006. If they qualify, they will then have a one-year window in which they may emigrate to the United States. Under the 2006 Diversity Visa program, 605 Sri Lankans qualified for immigrant visa interviews.

Does Mr. Rajapakse has a solution acceptable to the LTTE? Will the JVP agree to it? – Ranil

"Without the international assistance can Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse bring peace with Somanwansa Amarasinghe" asked, opposition leader and UNP's presidential candidate Ranil Wickremasinghe when he was addressing massive gathering in Vavuniya, yesterday. Mr. Wickremasinghe said that when he is elected as the president, he would unite with the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and talk to the LTTE for a lasting solution to the ethnic crisis on the basis of devolution of power within a united Sri Lanka. "Without working together, we can not have peace. I am only for a united Sri Lanka and not for any division" he said. The campaign meeting organized by the SLMC's Vanni district organizer Noordeen Mashoor was held at the municipal grounds in Vavuniya yesterday. SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem, Dr. Jayalath Jayawardene, Uva Provincial councilor Welayutham also spoke and several other dignitaries took part in the rally. "We have a society divided as Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims ethnically, as Buddhists, Hindus, Christians and Islam religions, again the Sinhalese are divided regionally as up-country and low-country" he noted. ‘The same JVPers who protested against the provincial councils system are representing seven provincial councils as a party, if the provincial system divides the country, why do they become members in it? In the past we saw thousands of youth falling victims during the JVP's liberation drama. Could the Prime Minister who has no international support bring in peace with the support of this Somawanse Amarasinghe?' he queried. He also said that Premier Rajapakse should let the people know what solution he has for peace. ‘Premier Rajapakse has fallen into to the JVP's trap, it is Mahinda Rajapakse's short sightedness made him to be tapped. When they were struggling without a political direction he panicked and it is his panic that trapped him, had he maintained some patience he could have trapped them, instead' he said. ‘At the forthcoming presidential election you must elect a person who has the ability think long-term, and work with a clear vision. Vanni is an area which is very badly affected by the war and tsunami; I will create a separate ministry to rehabilitate this area. We did not have any link between the government controlled areas and areas not under the control of the forces, it is to change this situation that we singed the CFA. ‘President Kumaratunga, I and the Prime Minister were of the clear view that only a federal solution based on the Oslo declaration could bring about a lasting solution to the ethnic issue. But today the situation is different only myself and the President are un-changed on this. Can Mahinda Rajapakse put forward a solution which is acceptable to the LTTE? Will the JVP agree to it? He asked.

Muslims mourn quake victims at emotional Friday prayers

Muslims across South Asia on Friday held emotional prayers for the victims of the massive earthquake, both the tens of thousands killed and those survivors now suffering from cold and hunger.

Clerics honored the dead in crowded mosques across Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, urging the faithful — even those in the quake disaster zone — not to abandon their Muslim rituals, like fasting for Ramadan.

Across Pakistan, the country hardest hit by Saturday's massive 7.6-magnitude quake, the faithful heeded President Pervez Musharraf's call for special Friday prayers, with some spilling out of mosques to pray in streets and parks.

In the devastated city of Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, dozens attended prayers at the three mosques that remain more or less intact following the quake.

Across the border in Indian-controlled Kashmir, where more than 1,300 people were killed in the quake, thousands attended a "solidarity prayer" service at the 17th-century Jamia Masjid in Srinagar, the region's summer capital.

Separatists launched a fund-raising drive and urged New Delhi and Islamabad to grant free passage across the Line of Control (LoC) that divides Kashmir in two.

Todays Cartoon 

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse speaks to a child during a campaign rally. 

Turbulent weather continues

The turbulent weather experienced in most parts of the island will continue in the next 24 hours, the Meteorological Department said. Meteorologist Meryl Mendis told the Daily News that since the atmospheric disturbance in southern parts of the Bay of Bengal has not receded, heavy showers could be expected in a number of areas today. He also warned of gusty winds especially in the Western and Southern coastal areas which might result in sea waves coming into the country. "However, there is no possibility of these winds causing a typhoon condition or causing serious damage," he said. Seven coastal houses in Katuneriya, Wennappuwa area were damaged yesterday owing to sea waves that came into the country as a result of strong winds. According to the Irrigation Department, water levels of most rivers including the Kalu Ganga had recorded a sharp increase following heavy showers in the last few days. "If rainy weather continues we might have to face floods," a Department spokesman said. Yesterday's highest rainfall of 67.6 mm was reported from Boralesgamuwa while ColomboGalle also recorded heavy rainfalls of 54.4 mm and 57.7 mm respectively.

This is a battle between the SLMC and its Traitors in the NE – Rauff Hakeem

"Ranil-Hakeem agreements have replaced the then Ranil Wickremsinghe with a new Ranil Wickeremasinghe, the victory that we will get for Ranil Wickremasinghe will be a victory which will straighten the back bone of the Muslim community" said SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem when he was addressing an election campaign rally held in Ninthavur on Wednesday night (12/10).

Hakeem also said that the forthcoming presidential election was not a simple election nor it was an election between Mahinda Rajapakse and Ranil Wickremasinghe, but it is a battle between the North-East SLMCers and their traitors, ‘the Muslim congress activists and the well-wishers must bear this in their minds' he insisted.

"It is by strengthening this organization the SLMC, that we would be able to win our right and aspirations. If we are to reap fruitful harvest through the agreement that was entered into with Ranil Wickremasinghe, we should mobiles our fullest strength to get the highest number of votes for him, a number even greater than that would be polled by people in the LTTE controlled areas" he said.

"We have done and agreement with the UNP leader to ensure that the security and prosperity of Muslims remain in the hand of Muslims with self autonomy. We must not weaken ourselves and we should not be a barrier to the Tamil community in achieving their rights and aspirations for which they have been struggling for a long period of time, that we should win our rights". Hakeem said. While the Secretary General of the SLMC M.T. Hassan Ali read the salient points of the MOU between the SLMC and UNP presidential candidate Ranil Wickremesainghe for the massive crowd, former Parliamentarian M.L.A.M. Hisbullah, party Chairman Basheer Shegudawood also addressed the gathering.

Tamil Tiger rebels defer commitment to joint human rights declaration in Sri Lanka

The Tamil Tiger rebels have delayed a decision on whether to commit to a joint human rights declaration with the Sri Lankan government amid continuing violence that threatens to derail a fragile cease-fire, a rights expert advising both sides said.

The government has pledged its commitment to a joint human rights proclamation, as well as training for rebel cadres, government and prison officials and the police.

But the insurgents' political leader S.P. Thamilselvan ``indicated that a joint declaration might indeed be possible but should follow from political discussions'' on salvaging the cease-fire, former Amnesty International head Ian Martin told reporters after their meeting in the rebel-held north.

The two sides agreed to talks on how to bolster the truce after the government blamed the insurgents for an increasing number of attacks, including the Aug. 12 assassination of Sri Lanka's foreign minister. However, the negotiations have been held up by a disagreement over the venue. Efforts by Norwegian peace brokers to break the deadlock have so far failed.

The Tamil Tigers ``feel it should await the cease-fire agreement review,'' Martin said.

He said there was no indication when the parties would be able to commit to a joint declaration.

Sri Lanka's 2002 cease-fire has been increasingly threatened by sporadic violence in the Tamil-majority northeast. Scores have been killed in almost daily attacks that the government and the rebels blame on each other.

``The political killings are one the most serious human rights issues,'' Martin said, adding that ``human rights violations are a serious threat to the peace process.''

He said he suggested that both sides accept international human rights monitors.

Human rights groups have blamed the government and the rebels for the deaths and disappearances of hundreds of civilians during their ethnic conflict, while the Tigers have been criticized for recruiting children as combatants.

While he welcomed the rebels discharge of 24 child soldiers to their parents on Thursday, Martin said ``the most important thing is that the LTTE should fulfill its commitment to stop recruitment.''

The rebels took up arms in 1983, saying the island's minority Tamils faced discrimination by the Sinhalese majority. The fighting killed nearly 65,000 people before the cease-fire.

Subsequent peace talks broke down in 2003 over rebel demands for greater autonomy.

Anti SLMC protest in Ninthavur – State Media

The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress has strongly condemned false reports by all state media both electronic and print. State media reported that the meeting SLMC held in support of presidential candidate Ranil Wickremasinghe in Ninthavur did not take place due to heavy opposition by the people of the area.

"It is evident that UNP presidential candidate is gaining grounds in the run-up to the presidency with the increasing support of Muslims across the island after the SLMC's announcement to support him, those who can not absorb these happenings are taking all possible measures to try and prevent Mr. Wickremasinghe's victory with our support" a party source said.

SLMC sources said that they will make an official complaint with the Commissioner of Elections with regard to misuse of the state information machinery and also will complain to the Commission against Bribery & Corruption against the misuse of state property.

"We witnessed state property been heavily used to try and thwart our rally. The operation the SLTB busses were curtailed and many other state owned vehicles and resources were used by certain people, which leads to violation of election laws and misuse of public property, therefore, we will take stern action against these" the source said.

According to SLMC sources the meeting in which the SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem and several others addressed had been a massive success and people in thousands had attended the rally that continued until 11 p.m. last night.

Jaffna Students Rise Against Assassinations

Normalcy in Jaffna Centre and its suburbs was disrupted Thursday morning after groups of grief-stricken students, teachers, university students and civilians walked out on to the streets in protest against the gruesome assassination of the Jaffna Central College Principal allegedly by the LTTE.

In it's latest attempt to eliminate rising intellectual opposition from Jaffna against LTTE activities, Jaffna Central College Principal, Rajadurai(53) was brutally gunned down Wednesday (12) afternoon at about 3.45 p.m by Tamil Tiger pistol men.

Grief stricken and furious students at Jaffna Central College boycotted school sessions in protest against LTTE's brutal slaying of their principal in broad daylight, according to sources from Jaffna.

Rajadurai was also criticized by the LTTE for his involvement with the EPDP to develop Jaffna schools. He was also known as a hardcore opponent of LTTE child recruitment in the Northern areas of Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, in a move to justify the killings, the LTTE website tamilnet claimed that he was a "strong supporter of EPDP" in its report on the slaying of the Principal.

Jaffna residents claim that the slaying of the Principal sent a shock wave through their community. They also urge the government and the international community to take strong action to prevent such killings in future. Military sources claim that the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission has been provided with all accounts related to the killings.

Jaffna Central College Principal shot dead by LTTE

K.S. Rajkumar reporting from Jaffna, September 12. Gunmen alleged to be from the LTTE shot and killed Mr. Rajadurai, principal of Jaffna Central College, a leading college in Jaffna. Mr. Rajathurai was shot in front of his students, when he was attending a religious function at the Weerasingham hall in Jaffna. The assassins fired several shots at Mr. Rajadurai and fled the scene. Eyewitnesses said there were at least four gunmen at the scene, but only one fired the shots.

Mr. Rajadurai had received death threats from LTTE in the past. Recently a letter was sent to him by Ellalan force the clandestine group that is well known to be a LTTE front , and was published by Nitharsanam.com, an LTTE web-site operated from Norway. In May this year, Nitharsanam.com published a warning to Mr. Rajadurai that he would be face dire consequences , without any further warnings, if he continued to ignore th edicts of the LTTE. Mr. Rajadurai's transgression is believed to have been that he allowed the broadcast of an educational radio programme from the Jaffna Central College, and LTTE was not happy about it. The particular educational programme airs on radio associated with the EPDP. Jaffna Central College also received funds from Mr. Douglas Devananda, who was a student at Jaffna Central. With the funds received from Mr. Devananda, Mr. Rajadurai built several class rooms and library facilities at the College. LTTE operatives in Jaffna had previously warned Mr. Rajadurai that no development work should be carried out at the school using funds from Mr. Devananda. However, Mr. Rajadurai, being the principal of the college, ignored those warnings and went ahead with the development of the college.

Earlier, on Tuesday night, alleged LTTE assassins also shot and killed another school principal in Kopay. Mr. Nadaraja Sivakdacham, the principal of Kopay Christian College, was shot and killed in front of his family in Kopay. It is reported that the assassins came in a motor cycle to his residence, called him by his name, before shooting him on the spot.

LTTE has intensified its assassinations recently. In the last two weeks alone, LTTE gunmen had killed at least 17 Tamils in Jaffna district alone, most of them killed in their houses or offices, in front of family members.

LMC Leader Rauff Hakeem addresses the press conference held at Hizbullah Islamic Cultural Centre at Kattankudi in the Estern Province this morning.Former Deputy Minister for Telecommunication and Media M.L.A.M Hisbullah on also addressed the press.SLMC officials and large number of supporters are present. 

Hisbullah, Harees back home

M.L.A.M. Hisbullah, former deputy Minister, Chairman of the Airport and Aviation Authority and deputy leader of National Unity Alliance has formally announced his re-joining the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress this morning at a ceremony being held at the Hisbullah Cultural Hall in Kattankudi in the presence of SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem.

Hisbullah is scheduled to address a SLMC rally in Nintavur in support of UNP presidential candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe later today. He will have the company of another SLMC dissident, former Parliamentarian H.M.M. Harees who will re-join the SLMC during this week.

SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem who is busy campaigning in support of Ranil Wickremasinghe's bid for presidency will now have the oratory powers of the former PA strongman Hisbullah in his campaign.

Hakeem in Ampara

‘Ranil Wickremasinghe is a leader who treats Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities equally and one who does not ally with Sinhalese extremist groups' said Rauff Hakeem when he was addressing an election campaign meeting at Damana, a predominantly Sinhala village in Ampara.

SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem had commenced a series of meetings in the Sinhalese areas of the Ampara district, as part of the campaign in support of opposition leader Ranil Wickremasighe for presidency, yesterday (9/10/05).

Meetings were held at Sinhalese villages Damana, Keselwatte, Japan Malwatte, Nawagampura, Hingurana, Muwanhala and Polwatte in Ampara. The SLMC is enjoying a new waive of support among the Sinhala masses in these areas. Large crowds have attended the meetings.

He said that Ranil Wickremasinghe's priorities were to introduce a realistic action plan to brining in permanent peace, develop the rural economy and uplift the quality of life of the farmers, fishermen and the entrepreneurs, make them to give added contribution to the national economy.

"Muslims of the coastal areas in the east are frustrated with the UPFA government, it is the same situation with the Sinhalese people here' he said.

Hakeem also said that "this is not a battle between Ranil and Mahinda, but we see this election as a test of strength between the JVP and the SLMC".

People carry the dead body of a quake victim in Balakot, 90 kilometers (56 miles) from Islamabad, Pakistan, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2005. The death toll from Saturday's earthquake that struck Pakistan, India and Afghanistan rose above 18,000 on Sunday, the Pakistani army spokesman said, as rescuers struggled to dig victims from destroyed apartment buildings, schools and mud-brick homes 

An injured Kashmiri girl is carried as she arrives at a military base after she was transferred from an earthquake-affected area of Pakistan, in Rawalpindi October 12, 2005. REUTERS/Mian Khursheed 

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse acknowledges greetings of the crowd at a Presidential Election rally in Anuradhapura on Sunday 

Sri Lanka to donate US$ 100,000 to earthquake victims

The Government of Sri Lanka has pledged a sum of US$ 100,000 in assistance for the earthquake victims of Pakistan. The donation would assist the ongoing relief effort in the aftermath of the October 8th earthquake.President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse and Foreign Minister Anura Bandaranaike in messages of condolence to their counterparts in Pakistan and India have expressed their shock and deep distress at the unprecedented loss of life and destruction, states a Foreign Ministry press release. President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, expressing her condolence to General Pervez Musharraf, President of Pakistan, stated that the people and the Government of Sri Lanka express their solidarity with Pakistan at this moment of national anguish.

While extending her heartfelt sympathies to the President of India, Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, the President in her message of condolence said that Sri Lanka remembers with deep gratitude the immediate and overwhelmingly abundant assistance rendered by India to Sri Lanka during the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster. In his message of condolence to the Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse stated that Sri Lanka stands in solidarity with the Government and people of Pakistan during this national tragedy. He expressed his condolences to the Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh and expressed his sincere wishes that the efforts of the Government of India to bring relief and solace to those affected by this tragedy would meet with all success. Minister of Foreign Affairs Anura Bandaranaike telephoned his Pakistani counterpart Khurshid M. Kasuri and expressed his sympathies to the Government and the people of Pakistan. "I was deeply saddened to learn of the loss of lives and property caused by the earthquake in the Northern parts of India," stated the Minister in his message of condolence to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of India, K. Natwar Singh.

Kumari Cooray suicide : Police probe security lapse

The Colombo Crime Division (CCD) and the Kollupitiya Police investigating the suicide of Kumari Cooray who set herself ablaze on Thursday morning is probing, why the three Ministerial Security Division (MSD) officers on duty failed to prevent the woman from entering the premises where SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem was residing and then allowing her to commit suicide. According to Colombo Crime Division's Director SSP Sarath Lugoda, the deceased Kumari Cooray first attempted to enter the house of SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem on Thursday around 12.00 midnight but was prevented by the MSD Security officers. However she returned there again in a three wheeler taxi around 1.30 a.m and managed to enter the premises by scaling over the wall. Thereafter she requested the three wheel driver to hand over her bag which he did. When she confronted the three MSD officers inside the premises she had told them that she wished to meet Hakeem. While the security officers had just looked on she poured petrol on her body and set herself ablaze. She had run for about 50 meters and had fallen down when the security officers were able to put out the fire. According OIC Kollupitiya Chief Inspector Palitha Siriwardena, the deceased Kumari Cooray had lodged a complaint at the Kollupitiya Police station last August against Hakeem.However the three wheeler taxi driver was not arrested as he was not involved in any way. Meanwhile the city Coroner who held the inquest had returned a verdict of suicide.

Huge quake kills thousands in Kashmir

A powerful earthquake measuring at least 7.6 on the Richter scale killed over 1000 people across India's Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan on Saturday, the state's top civil servant told AFP. "The devastating earthquake has left 157 people (civilians) dead all across Jammu and Kashmir," State Government Chief Secretary Vijay Bakya told AFP, adding that 18 soldiers had also perished. Police and army officials reported at least 300 people wounded in the quake, which had its epicentre across the de facto border in Pakistan where more than 1,000 were feared dead.

"Fifteen of the soldiers died along the Line of Control (LoC)," army spokesman P. Sehgal told AFP, referring to the dividing line Kashmir between India and Pakistan. He said some of the army's forward posts caved in, while others were hit by falling trees and landslides. "There can be more casualties," he added. Doctors at Srinagar's main hospital said more than 200 people were admitted with injuries and shock after the quake.

The army spokesman said more than 100 people were being treated at an army hospital in northern Uri town alone. Police reported more than 100 houses and buildings were damaged in the initial jolt, and roads to northern border areas were blocked by landslides triggered by the tremors. People in multi-storey buildings were evacuated as a series of aftershocks hit the capital city and other parts of the state.

A policeman carries a gas stove from a police station that was damaged in an earthquake in Uri, about 100 kilometers (63 miles) north of Srinagar, India, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2005. The powerful earthquake jolted South Asia on Saturday killing at least 220 people in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir, a senior official said. 

Kumari: Verdict of suicide

COLOMBO City Coroner Edward Ahangama, who held the post mortem into Thursday's death of Kumari Cooray, daughter of former MP Mervyn J. Cooray, returned a verdict of suicide due to burn injuries sustained as a result of setting herself on fire. The City Coroner based his conclusion on the Medical Report filed by Dr. Handun P. Wijewardena, AJMO, Colombo, who conducted the post mortem examination and on the evidence of other witnesses who belonged to SLMC leader Rauf Hakeem's security staff.

The body was identified by M. M. Vijith Kumar Dayapriya Cooray, 30, as that of his sister Manamarakkarage Marian Lanka Kumari Cooray of Royal Cottage, Pediris Place, Slave Island. She was 40 years and a mother of two. She was a divorcee, he said.

Pattani Mahendran ,50, a security guard at Carnival Ice Cream, Kollupitiya in evidence said Cooray came to the gate around 1.35 a.m. on October 6 and wanted him to open the gate for her to meet Hakeem but he refused to accede to her request.

"Thereafter she left and came back around 2.40 a.m. in a three wheeler and demanded that the gate be opened. When he refused she went back to the three wheeler and having collected a cellular phone and a white handbag came back and scaled the parapet wall and got on to the roof of the building.

"Then she poured petrol on herself from a bottle and lit a match and threatened to set herself ablaze if he was not called in. She then did so. We rushed down to fetch water. She fell near the lavatory as she ran with flames all over her.

Sergeant Upali poured water on her and doused the flames. With the assistance of police, we despatched her to hospital in an Ambulance," Mahendran said.

Three wheeler driver H.K. Sarath Siri Kumara , 50, and the MP's Security Guard Nihal Samaraweera - 33, also gave evidence.

Nalinda Indratissa, Attorney-at-Law, looked after Cooray's interests.

Cooray created a sensation nearly 18 months ago when she became the focus of drama bordering on political intrigue involving several key players chief of them Hakeem.

UPFA candidate Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse and UNP candidate Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe greet each other after handing over nominations. 

Suicide drama in Hakeem’s compound

Doctors were yesterday battling to save the life of Kumari Cooray, who attempted to self-immolate herself in the compound of SLMC Leader Rauf Hakeem's private residence at Kollupitiya junction around 3 a.m., hospital sources said.

A spokesman for the SLMC leader said that Hakeem had been shocked and saddened by the whole incident.

Colombo National Hospital's Accident Service Director Dr. Anil Jasinghe told The Island that Ms. Cooray had been brought to hospital with severe burns and doctors were doing all they could as she was in a critical condition.

Chief Inspector Palitha Siriwardene, OIC of the Kollupitiya police said police were in the process of questioning several persons in this connection.

Ms. Cooray (40), a mother of two, had earlier caused a stir and much intrigue in political circles, at the time of the 2001 parliamentary elections, by linking herself with SLMC leader Rauf Hakeem and later denying the whole affair claiming that it had been instigated by those politically opposed to SLMC leader Hakeem.

She had gone to Hakeem's Kollupitiya residence at around 11 p.m. on Wednesday. But, the security guards and three Ministerial Security Division (MSD) personnel, on official duty, had prevented Ms. Cooray from entering the residence, police said adding that she had then shouted out that she would teach the inmates and the SLMC leader a good lesson and left to return later.

At around 3 a.m. Ms. Cooray had returned in a three wheeler to tussle with the security personnel before jumping over the parapet wall and asking the three wheel driver to hand over a can of petrol. She had then set herself ablaze.

Kollupitiya police on receiving information from the residence of the SLMC leader had rushed to the scene and doused the fire before removing the critically burnt Mrs. Cooray to the Colombo National Hospital.

CI Palitha Siriwardena, OIC of Collpetty police, said they were on the look out for the three wheel driver and had recorded the statements of three MSD and security personnel in this connection.

He added that initial investigations had revealed that Mrs. Kumari Cooray had lived at the ‘Royal Court' apartments down Pedris Road , Kollupitiya and had a teenage son and daughter of around 16 years of age.

Sri Lankan cease-fire monitors demand rebels release policemen

European cease-fire monitors on Friday demanded that Tamil Tiger rebels release three Sri Lankan policemen who entered the insurgents' territory while pursuing a suspected British pedophile nearly a month ago. ``They should be released immediately,'' said Helen Olafsdottir, a spokeswoman for the team monitoring the three-year cease-fire agreement between government forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. ``The LTTE insists on putting the case through their own court but we have been quite clear on this issue from the start, they should have never been apprehended,'' she said. The Sri Lankan government has also lodged a protest over the detention of the policemen, who were seized Sept. 9.

The government asked Norwegian Ambassador Hans Brattskar to raise the issue at a meeting with the rebels on Thursday, but the guerrillas remained intransigent, a government official said on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak publicly. Brattskar informed the government on Friday about the rebels' position during talks with Jayantha Dhanapala, the top official handling the peace process. Colombo has accused the rebels of blocking the government's efforts to protect children. Two female and three male police officers, two Catholic priests and a child-rights investigator were detained by the rebels when they entered an area near Mannar, about 220 kilometers (135 miles) north of Colombo in pursuit of a suspected British pedophile. All except for the three male police officers were released. Although the government controls Mannar, the rebels control nearby areas, where they run their own administration, including a justice system. The policemen's case is scheduled to be taken up in a Tiger court on Oct. 11. The 51-year-old suspected pedophile later surrendered to police in the capital, Colombo. ``Criminals cannot be allowed to slip out of areas and get away from law and order so it calls inevitably for cooperation between the parties on criminal issues,'' Olafsdottir said, ``Both sides have to be practical regarding such issues.'' The monitors have accused the rebels of violating an already fragile truce by detaining the policemen.

13 candidates file papers to run for Sri Lanka presidency

Thirteen candidates, all representing officially recognized political parties, handed in nomination papers Friday to run at Sri Lanka's Nov. 17 presidential election, Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake said Friday.

''All nomination papers received today are in order,'' Dissanayake said. ''I appeal to everybody to conduct the election peacefully.''

Diplomats and analysts view only two of the candidates as serious contenders -- Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse, running under the ticket of the ruling United People's Freedom Alliance, and former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, the candidate of the rightwing United National Party.

Outgoing President Chandrika Kumaratunga, leader of the Sri Lankan Freedom Party, which dominates the UPFA coalition that defeated Wickremesinghe's UNP at last year's parliamentary elections, will not be able to stand again as the Constitution only allows two terms in office.

There were no Tamil or Muslim candidates representing the country's main ethnic and religious minorities. All runners are from the majority Sinhalese community.

But Wickremesinghe has sewn up support from Tamil and Muslim political parties who believe he would be better able than his rival to advance the ongoing peace process aimed at ending three decades of war between the Sinhalese-dominated government and rebels of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

Rajapakse banks on agreements he has signed with the Marxist People's Liberation Front, or JVP, and a Buddhist monk's party, the JHU, to power him to victory.

But these arrangements with groups regarded as extremist Sinhalese will cost him minority votes, analysts say. They were made in the teeth of opposition by Kumaratunga after she endorsed him as the SLFP's presidential candidate.

''As of now, it looks close,'' an Asian diplomat said on condition of anonymity. ''But things can change in the course of the campaign.''

Rajapakse has good relations with the JVP, which earlier this year withdrew from the UPFA government in opposition to Kumaratunga's tsunami aid sharing deal, which it said legitimized the ''terrorist LTTE'' and gave it control of rehabilitation work in rebel-held areas in the country's north and northeast. ''Their problems were with President Chandrika Kumaratunga and not Rajapakse,'' the diplomat said. ''Obviously, the president is very unhappy with the deals he has made with groups regarded as extremist and whether she will wholeheartedly support her prime minister's election campaign remains to be seen.''

Kumaratunga has been publicly critical of Rajapakse's electoral arrangements and continues to rap the JVP in speeches. Newspapers regularly publish stories of differences between the president and prime minister.

Another contingent of 102 Army, 50 Navy and 48 Air Force personnel left to Haiti as part of the UN peace keeping force. This departing scene was captured at Bandaranaike International Airport, a short while before take off on Friday. 

News Headline

Postal workers back

Postal workers yesterday morning called off the five-day old 'work to rule' campaign after 10 hours of lengthy discussions with authorities winning 19 demands.
They were on 'work to rule' since September 26 and started negotiations with the authorities at 6.00 pm on Friday and concluded discussions on a satisfactory note at 4.30 pm yesterday morning. About a million letters including presidential election related letters were in postal bags unsorted and left idling in post offices, mail exchanges and central mail exchanges.
However, union members agreed to clear all the delayed mail in two days. Authorities agreed to grant a special overtime payment for them to clear the backlog.
Nine unions took to the 'work to rule' campaign refusing to work overtime which resulted in the collection of loads of postal sacks in mail exchanges and post offices islandwide.
Postal workers were pushed to work to rule as a result of the Postal Department and the Ministry failing to attend to their routine administrative work.
Post and Telecommunication Ministry Secretary Piyatissa Ranasinghe agreed to heed to the 19 demands before mid October, Union of Post and Telecommunication Officers' General Secretary K. S. Weerasekara told the Sunday Observer.
Accordingly, the Ministry will fill 49 vacant Chief Postmaster posts, 333 Grade 1 Postmaster posts, 7 Deputy Postmaster General Posts, 28 Divisional Superintendent posts, 28 Regional Administrative Officers posts, gazette competitive exams for internal promotions, grant salary anomalies for class I and II postmasters, minor staff salary increments, reinstate interdicted officers, etc.
Authorities also agreed to provide 10,000 bicycles for postmen without deducting the cost from their salaries. After five years, postmen will own these bicycles, Weerasekara said.
In addition, the authorities also agreed to fill about 5,000 vacancies in the department with Graduate trainees.

EU ban : No impact on peace facilitation
The European Union travel ban on the LTTE will not impact on the role of the Norwegian peace facilitators, a Norwegian Embassy spokeswoman said.
"We are not party to the declaration...The ban will not have any impact on us," Norwegian Embassy spokeswoman Kjersti Tromsdal told the Sunday Observer.
Norway is not a member state of the European Union.
"Our role remains unchanged," she said adding Norwegians would resume peace diplomacy once Oslo finalises its coalition government.
Former Head of the Mission of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission Trond Furuhovde will visit the island, as scheduled, in the middle of this month to consult the government and the LTTE on reviewing the Ceasefire Agreement. The 25 nation European Union last Tuesday announced a travel ban on the LTTE delegations visiting the member states, while threatening a complete ban on the Tigers.
"The EU is actually considering the formal listing of the LTTE as a terrorist organisation. In the meantime, the EU has agreed that with immediate effect, the delegations from the LTTE will no longer be received in any EU member states until further notice".
The EU declaration further stated that the member states would take national measures to curb illegal activities, including fund-raising and propaganda by LTTE front organisations and individual supporters.
Meanwhile, thousands of people thronged into Jaffna University grounds on Friday, in an LTTE organised Pongu Tamil (Tamil Resurgence) festival, declaring the right to self-determination as non-negotiable and denouncing the EU ban as one sided punitive action.

The government on Friday said the EU ban would help break the deadlock in the negotiations and would facilitate and not complicate the peace process
"We do not think the EU ban will in anyway be a hindrance to the peace process, Cabinet Spokesman Nimal Siripala de Silva told the weekly Cabinet briefing.

7 Muslims detained by the LTTE in Batticaloa

LTTE captured seven Muslims persons who had gone to Akkurana forest in the LTTE control area to cut tree. They are still detained by the LTTE. They are as follows-

1. Pakiri Muthu Basheer

2. Ali Ismail

3. Adhambava Vellaithamby

4. Asanar Muhamadu Nasar

5. Muhamadu Ismail Eliyas

6. Scapillai Ismail

7. Rasoor Maharoop

Their 7 carts and 14 bulls have also been detained at Illupaiyadichenai by the LTTE. The picture of these bullock carts has been published in LTTE Newspaper "Eelanatham" from Batticaloa.

Issue Stamp in memory of late Naleem Hajiar – IA-YMMA

At a special committee meeting chaired by Al-Haj M. Ashroff Hussein, National President of the International Assembly of YMMA (Sri Lanka) yesterday, the committee unanimously adopted a proposal by its Governor Hassan Al Fassi Sheriff, seconded by the Kandy District Governor M.S.M. Fouzer to request the Minister of Post and Telecommunication to issue a stamp in memory of the late Business/ Gem Tycoon, Social and Religious worker Al-Haj M.I.M Naleem.

The late Naleem Hajiar has rendered a yeoman service to the Muslim community of Sri Lanka. Jameeyah Naleemiya the citadel of Sri Lanka Muslim Renaissance in the field of Islamic education and Iqra which was producing competent people of technical field were some of his remarkable ventures, to help the needy. The presence of these ventures will ensure that this great Muslim entrepreneur lives in the hearts of the people forever.

The IA-YMMA is also to call upon the local government authority in Beruwela to name the road that leads to the Jameeyah Naleemiya Islamic Academy to be named after this great philanthropist and the patriotic Sri Lankan citizen.

child 

Today, the world celebrates the International Children�s and Elders� Days. The happy juxtaposition of the two days is indicative of the circle of life that begins with childhood and ends in the twilight years. Even as the child pictured here contemplates life in an even more competitive future, this elderly couple amble along at their own pace helped by another elderly person.  

Headline News

At least three killed in Sri Lanka's volatile east ahead of prime minister's visit

Gunmen fatally shot two ethnic Tamils and a Sinhalese man in separate attacks in Sri Lanka's volatile east, hours before a planned visit Saturday by presidential candidate and current Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse, police said.

The Tamil men, both aged 23, were shot dead by unidentified gunmen just before midnight in Valaichchenai village, 220 kilometers (135 miles) east of the capital, Colombo, said Rohan Abeywardene, the region's top police chief.

Around six hours later, an ice-cream seller, belonging to the Sinhalese majority was shot dead in the neighboring eastern district of Ampara - parts of which are under Tamil Tiger rebel control.

The fresh outbreak of violence came as Rajapakse traveled to the coastal village of Oluvil, in Ampara, to address an election rally.

Security has been bolstered by special anti-terrorist commandos and the police ahead of his visit, Abeywardene said.

He said while the violence is unlikely to have an impact on the premier's visit, ``we are not taking any chances.''

The premier's special security team also combed the area ahead of Rajapakse's arrival by helicopter.

Rajapakse will contest presidential elections expected on Nov. 17.

Oluvil is a Muslim-dominated village. Rajapakse also visited another Muslim village in Ampara on Friday. The Muslim vote will be crucial at the poll for Sri Lanka's new president, and could determine whether Rajapakse or his main opponent, Ranil Wickremesinghe, wins.

``I will make sure there will be an honorable peace where Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims can all live without fear,'' Rajapakse told the crowd.

Muslims generally do not trust the Tamil rebels, who are mostly Hindus. Muslims claim their 1.3 million minority have been discriminated against since an earlier Sri Lankan government signed a cease-fire agreement with the rebels.

Authorities suspect the latest violence was linked to feuding between militant groups.

The split in the Tamil Tiger rebels in March 2004, sparked internecine clashes that have killed scores, mainly in Sri Lanka's east. In recent months, the fighting has spilled over into the capital.

Sri Lankan President leaves on foreign visit amid party dispute

Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga who is nearing the end of her official term in December has undertaken a visit to Paris amidst a serious policy dispute with her presidential candidate and the incumbent prime minister Mahinda Rajapakse.

The ruling party officials said Saturday the President had lefthere early Saturday morning to attend sessions of United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization.

The ruling party, Sri lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), said Friday that Kumaratunga had agreed to address Rajapakse's election rallies despite her earlier call on him to explain his electoral pacts with extremist political parties aimed at winning the Nov. 17 poll.

Kumaratunga who cannot contest a third time for President choseRajapakse as the party's nominee.

But she is unhappy with Rajapakse's pacts with the two hardlineparties who are opposed to a federal solution being looked at as an ultimate settlement to the separatist armed conflict.

The SLFP sources said that Kumaratunga appointed a nine-member committee comprising senior ministers and provincial governors. The committee has been mandated to formulate the policy document for Rajapakse while preserving the SLFP's own policies whilst recognizing the policies of parties who had entered deals with theparty's presidential candidate