SLMC Becoming dominant Muslim political force again

It's renaissance time again for the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress! Plagued by internal dissensions and defections in recent times the party was in the doldrums. If the vicious criticism against the SLMC leader by his political rivals was a proper measure to go by then the leadership days of Rauff Hakeem seemed numbered. Much of the anti - Hakeem venom was mouthed not by long - standing enemies but by the friend turned foes , consisting of SLMC dissidents and defectors.

Politics however is dynamic. The wheel turns full cycle often. It is now turning once again to the advantage of Rauff Hakeem. The Muslim Congress is hitched to to Ranil Wickremasinghes star. If the success of recent UNP - SLMC election meetings in the North - East is anything to go by then the mood is certainly on the upbeat.

Rauff is on a roll. Speaking confidently at well attended Muslim mass meetings he talks proudly of the deal he has entered into with Wickremasinghe. The electoral divisions of Kalmunai, Sammanthurai and Pottuvil will be redemarcated together as a separate administrative district. An equitable scheme of tsunami rehabilitation will be set up where the Muslims will receive their rightful due and also control the process in Muslim areas. When peace talks begin the Muslims will be given third party status. No deal will be done without Muslim consent. Powers to be devolved to Tamil areas will also be devolved to Muslim majority areas. A territorially non - contiguous Muslim majority council may be on the cards depending on the course of negotiations. Muslim security too is guaranteed.

With all these and more guaranteed by Wickremasinghe the SLMC leader is putting his heart and soul into the opposition leaders campaign. Hakeem is telling the Muslims that they must ensure Wickremasinghes victory in order to secure the political promises made. Moreover Hakeem reminds the Eastern Muslims that the votes delivered should match those delivered from the Tamil side. He also states that the Muslims should win their rights without hindering the Tamils winning back their lost rights. As for Wickremasinghe the "certain " Muslim vote is better than the "uncertain" Tamil vote and so plunges zestfully in the campaign with the SLMC.

Wickremasinghe and Hakeem have been strengthened by Mahinda Rajapakses undisguised Sinhala supremacist campaign. The JVP - JHU axis along with the stated anti - minority position leaves the minority communities with a very restricted choice.

The decisions of minority parties like the SLMC and CWC were essentially grassroots motivated. The membership was firmly against Rajapakse and his cohorts. Even if the SLMC and CWC leadership wanted to support Mahinda the ordinary people would have flocked to Ranil.

It is now a mutually reinforcing process. By the Muslim Congress aligning with Wickremasinghe and vice versa both parties are riding the crest of wave. Both sides benefit. Since this tie- up will continue till Parliamentary elections further electoral gains are likely to be made. If the present trend continues then the SLMC could once again prove electorally that it is the foremost and dominant political force of the Muslims. Hakeem can reiterate his credentials as the Muslim "thesiya Thalaiver"

(National leader).

Even though the SLMC is much depleted in Parliament today it must be remembered that the situation was caused more by splits and defections rather than electoral misfortune. The MPs belonging to the three non - SLMC formations in Parliament are all ex - Muslim Congress people. Despite all the anti - Hakeem and anti - SLMC campaigning the Muslim Congress remains the "party of the Muslims" in the hearts and minds of the North - Eastern Muslim voter. The SLMC symbol "Maram" is the party tree around which other Muslim party crepers are wrapped around. The Ashraff magic still works. Every election since 1994 has seen the majority of North - Eastern Muslim MP's being elected from the SLMC.

It is the realisation that the SLMC remains foremost in the Muslim psyche that impels past dissidents and defectors to return home like the Biblican prodigal son. The acknowledged "Sheik of Kattankudi" Hizbullah has buried the hatchet with Hakeem and returned to his "Thaai Veedu" (Maternal home). He was earlier in the NUA. Former MPs Harees of Sainthamaruthu and Azeez of Pottuvil have ditched the National Muslim Congress and joined the SLMC. Even Ferial Ashraff may re- join after the Presidential election. She is holding back now mainly due to deference to Kumaratunga it is felt.

One problem however would be that though the people continue to elect Muslim Congress MP's some of them could defect after victory. In a bid to prevent this sordid history repeating itself Hakeem seems to have arrived at a foolproof arrangement with Wickremasinghe. This is a major reason for Hakeems optimism and buoyancy.

Fragmentation was a great impediment to his party and challenge to his leadership in recent times. After the untimely death of Ashraff the man who enabled the SLMC to achieve political power the leadership mantle fell on the comparatively young shoulders of Rauff Hakeem. The political base of the Muslim Congress was the Eastern Province.

Hakeem however was from the Central Province. They party also used the familiar "Sympathy for the widow" card of Sri Lankan politics. Ferial ashraff contested the 2000 Oct 10th poll from her husbands Amparai district. Though in mourning and away from active politics she achieved a great victory.Both she and Hakeem became cabinet ministers.

The situation was ripe for politics of inner - party intrigue and manipulation. Hakeem as the blue - eyed boy of Ashraff had aroused the envy of some in the party. As a loyal deputy of Ashraff the young lawyer had been identified with the actions of his leader. There were some in the SLMC who were angered harboured resentment towards Ashraff and Hakeem. They never dared to confront Ashraff. With his passing they felt confident to take on Hakeem.

Since the SLMC base was the Eastern province the new leader being from the Up -Country was resented by some of the old SLMC hands from the East. This factor too was exploited by some disgruntled elements. Hakeem added to his problems by trying to emulate his mentor too soon.

Ashraff had tolerated no dissidence and asserted his authority as the undisputed leader of the party. In fact the party rank and file never referred to him by name but respectfully as "thalaiver" or leader. Hakeem too tried to be another Ashraff. The SLMC Constitution gave the leader autocratic powers in some spheres. Hakeem too tried to be a "thalaiver" like Ashraff.

This naturally was resented. Many tried to "democratise" the party and usher in a type of collective leadership where major decisions would be taken after collective consultation. Worried perhaps that such type of leadership would prevent his assertion as leader Hakeem resisted it.

Soon the dissidents got around Ferial Ashraff. A not so subtle effort was made to promote her as the sole SLMC leader. Eastern Muslim sentiments were aroused against the "outsider" Hakeem. The Thalaivers widow was projected as the alternative.

Ironically Ferial too was not an Eastern Muslim but like Hakeem from the Central Province. Yet she was a daughter in law of the East and also had been elected to Parliament from the East with a creditable majority.

Kumaratunga too began fishing in these troubled waters.She began cutting out Hakeem and favouring Ferial. The aftermath of the Mawanella anti - Muslim violence was a prominent example of this. Despite the simmering tensions Hakeem could have perhaps neutralised Ferial by sharing the leadership mantle with her . But he did not and this exacerbated the tensions.

When the great showdown came and Hakeem was fired overnight by Kumaratunga seven of the eleven SLMC Mps crossed over with Hakeem while four stayed on with Ferial in the cabinet. The subsequent election saw Ferial and her faction contesting as NUA with the PA. Hakeem tied up with the UNP. The SLMC swept the polls . Amparai district politicians like Athaullah, Anwer Ismail, Farees, Azeez etc backed Hakeem over Ferial.

But there was trouble again.. Athaullah wanted a full - fledged cabinet post. Hakeem refused. Inspired by Athaullah most of the North - Eastern MP's began ganging up against Hakeem. The LTTE did not honour the pact signed with the SLMC. Muslims were under severe harassment by the LTTE. This increased Eastern Muslim resentment.The tigers also blocked Muslim representation at the peace talks. Hakeem adopted a moderate and sensible approach over these issues. Athaullah and co raised the regional cry against Hakeem and also aggravated anti - Tamil tensions. Adding to Hakeems woes was his closeness to Basheer Segudawood of Eravur. Athaullah and his cohorts quit the SLMC on the verge of elections.

The fresh poll saw Hakeem proving a point by contesting in Amparai and winning. The SLMC won most of the seats again. But the party was in the opposition. Kumaratunga needed a majority. Carrots were dangled and Badiurdeen. Abdul Majeed, Ameer Ali and Baila defected. One of the dirtiest political stunts was enacted against Hakeem in the form of the Kumari Cooray matter.

All these brought the SLMC tide to a low ebb. Hakeems stock was falling. Then came the tsunami and the miserable performance by all those SLMC defectors who were now cabinet minsters, non - cabinet ministers, deputy minsters etc in the cabinet.

Athaullah for example never even visited the affected areas for weeks. The shabby treatment meted out to Muslims in the P- TOMS and the inability of Muslims in Government to remedy it exposed their inadequacies.

The SLMC resurgence under Hakeem began with the party's post - tsunami politics. It has now reached new heights with the Presidential elections. The SLMC in general and Hakeem in particular are on the ascendant. [Courtesy -MorningLeader]

University students protest outside Norway Embassy against alleged Tamil rebel attacks

Dozens of university students Wednesday protested outside the embassy of peace broker Norway in the Sri Lankan capital against a spate of attacks - including the killings of two school principals - allegedly by Tamil Tiger rebels.

About 250 students carrying banners and shouting slogans gathered outside the embassy, accusing Norway of being biased toward the guerrillas and not exerting enough pressure to halt rebel attacks, said R.S. Jayawardene, a student protester.

Norway has been playing a pivotal role in trying to end Sri Lanka's two-decade war between the government and Tamil rebels. The Scandinavian country brokered a cease-fire in February 2002. Subsequent peace talks however, broke down in April 2003 and efforts to resurrect negotiations have so far failed.

Scores of armed policemen wearing bulletproof vests and helmets stood guard outside the heavily barricaded embassy.

Suspected Tamil Tiger rebels last week shot dead a high school principal who opposed the guerrillas, a day after assailants gunned down a school leader who supported the Tigers.

Jayawardene also accused the rebels of a spate of attacks on security forces, including an attack on Tuesday in the island's volatile east that left one policeman dead and another injured.

``Disarm the LTTE,'' ``The LTTE is killing school principals,'' read some of the banners against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

Scores of people - Tamil Tigers, breakaway rebels, politicians opposing the rebels, and civilians - have been killed despite the cease-fire, and violence has escalated since a rebel group split away from the LTTE in March 2004.

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.