Thursday, October 27, 2005
Saturday, October 22, 2005
Tighter security for Lanka candidates amid suicide bomb fears
Outgoing President Chandrika Kumaratunga, who herself faced a bid on her life during a previous election campaign, has sent her elite bodyguards to protect Prime Minister and ruling party candiate for the November 17 election Mahinda Rajapakse, her office said in a statement.
The main opposition candidate, Ranil Wickremesinghe, was also given addtional security and told to plug the holes in his security system, the statement said.
"Security for the two candidates was strengthened and they were provided additional security personnel, vehicles and other logistics as directed by the President," it said.
Ports Minister Mangala Samaraweera said meanwhile that they feared that Tamil Tiger rebels may resort to suicide bombings against the Premier and other key politicians in the run up to the vote.
Tamil Tiger rebels have been accused of assassinating an opposition presidential candidate in October 1994 and trying to blow up Kumaratunga when she ran for re-election in December 1999. She lost one eye in the attack.
The new security measures also come in the aftermath of the assassination of foreign minister Lakshman Kadirgamar in the heart of the capital. The government immediately blamed the Tigers for the killing, a charge denied by them.
Mecca ‘Ceylon House’ in dire straits
The Ceylon House', in the Holy City of Mecca, a gift from the late King Faisal Ibnu Abdul Aziz to the Muslim national leader Dr. T. B. Jayah in 1960, for use by Sri Lankan Muslims as a pilgrims rest, is today in a critical situation, former Parliamentary Affairs Minister A. H. M. Azwer says.
"The Ceylon House is the property of Sri Lankan Muslims. A Board of Trustees comprising seven Sri Lankans and one from
"It is learnt that all attempts made by Sri Lankan Consul General in Jeddah to meet the Saudi Trustee to protest against illegal structures hindering the pilgrims have failed as the Trustee over there had evaded all meetings," he said.
"Presently, the Saudi Government constantly extends area of the Haram Sheriff to accommodate the ever increasing annual Haj pilgrims. The site in which the
Azwer in his letter requests the President who is also the Minister of Muslim Affairs to take prompt action to address a communication to Saudi leader King Abdullah appealing him to intervene in this matter to restore ‘Ceylon House' to the ownership of a newly appointed Board of Trustees.
LTTE neutral in Presidential poll
"We have decided to be neutral... We will not support any party," The LTTE spokesman, Daya Master told the Sunday Observer.
"We will let people make their choice," he said. He said the LTTE could not recommend to Tamil people to vote for any main contenders, given the "history of broken promises".
The LTTE would permit canvasing in LTTE held areas, he said, however adding that candidates would be required to obtain prior permission. He said though the LTTE would not back any candidate, it was firm that the people's right to exercise universal franchise should not be curtailed under any grounds.
"There were previous incidents where Tamil people were prevented from voting," he said referring to the closure of entry-exit points to Vanni in the Parliamentary polls in 2001, disenfranching an estimated 80,000 voters.
The Supreme Court later ruled it a violation of fundamental rights. He said the LTTE proxy Tamil National Alliance would also not support any candidate.
Thursday, October 20, 2005
A Mississippi Department of Transportation vehicle moves past the lighthouse along U.S. Highway 90 in Biloxi, Miss., Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2005. Amid the crushed casinos, uprooted trees and ruined hotels that mark Biloxi's touristy stretch of beach highway, the city's famous cast-iron lighthouse still stands mostly unscathed after Hurricane Katrina. 
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Probe into rape incident at BIA
Police and
The woman has complained to the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment that she was gang raped by five airport workers from the baggage handling and security service on October 10, while she was waiting overnight for a flight to
She has been sent to the
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.
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
Hakeem however was from the
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.
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]
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
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.
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
Hakeem however was from the
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.
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
About 250 students carrying banners and shouting slogans gathered outside the embassy, accusing
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.
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
BIRD FLU
GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS
This document was updated and approved by the Director’s Committee of
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Meanwhile,
Monday, October 17, 2005
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
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.
Hisbullah invites Anver Ismail for an open debate
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
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
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 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
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.
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