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30th January 2000
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They don't stop at red

The highest number of road traffic accidents in Colombo last year, took place in Cinnamon Gardens - Colombo 7, an official of the City Traffic Police said last week. 

According to statistics compiled by the City Traffic Police, 1999 has seen 1527 traffic accidents taking place in the Colombo 7 area, 47 more than the previous year. 

The main reasons attributed for this are that there are many roads in the Colombo 7 area and that the spacious roads also encourage speeding, resulting in greater damage when an accident takes place.

In Colombo city alone 64 pedestrians have succumbed to injuries caused in the 89 fatal road traffic accidents.

More than 300 accidents have taken place on pedestrian crossings. This relatively new phenomenon of knocking down pedestrians on crossings has seen a sharp rise during last year.

Meanwhile, 244,160 traffic related cases have been filed in Colombo city, 50,000 more cases than last year. 

The highest number of violations has been the 'breaking of red lights', or the non obeying of traffic light signals. 

Violating Article 148 of the Motor Traffic Act, which deals in depth with rules pertaining to overtaking and lane changing etc. is a root cause for a large number of accidents, said Sergeant Upali Jayawardena, of the City Traffic Police. 

The number of accidents within the city had risen by a thousand over the previous year reaching 12,664 in 1999.

"The use of a cellular phone while driving is a violation," Sergeant Jayawardena said.

He said the driver would have the added trouble of doing without his phone for about a week, as it would be taken into police custody.

"Those who possess seat belts in their cars should wear them," he advised.


Countering Tiger in cyber war

By Chamintha Thilakarathne
'Sinhaya' a new web site founded by Sri Lankans around the world to combat LTTE propaganda has accused the Sri Lankan leadership of being self interested and unjust.

An article titled "Chandrika tries to set records straight on the 'ten year offer'" on this site states that what the people need is a mature political leadership with a commitment to the country rather than to self. It states that the country needs "a leadership that realizes while people belong to different races, the problems affecting them do not — a leadership that realizes that the key to peace and harmony whether ethnic or otherwise, lies not in pandering to the hunger of politicians for power, whether in the name of devolution or not, but in fair play and justice." 

The new site (www.sinhaya.com) has been introduced by those claiming to be Sri Lankan patriots around the world to challenge TamilNet and other pro-LTTE propaganda on the internet and on other multi-media networks.

They say that their mission is to expose the true nature of the LTTE terrorists. "For over twenty years, LTTE terrorists and their supporters have been feeding the world with lies about atrocities and discriminatory acts committed against Tamils living in Sri Lanka to swing world opinion in their direction, and the leaflets and letters exchanged are an initiative by 'Sinhaya' to combat LTTE terrorist propaganda" they say.

The site gives news, information, background on the ethnic conflict and on Sri Lankan history which they claim is being distorted by the LTTE. Pictures of Sri Lankan civilians massacred by the rebels as well as letters and discussions on the issue can be found on line.

Among the letters available on the site are letters written to the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair by the Sinhala Bala Mandalaya based in the United Kingdom and a letter written to the British MP who spoke in favour of the LTTE at a London rally.


Is drug shortage spreading?

Questions are being raised if the drug shortages reported from various parts of the island from time to time would result in a severe shortage affecting many of the hospitals.

Recent reports that the Central Province is suffering from a temporary drug shortage were attributed to the fact that the annual requirements for this year had not been received.

Health officials in the Kandy district said there was no acute shortage but a few hospitals that come under the Provincial Ministry lacked certain drugs. Some of the common drugs were pain killers and drugs given to diabetic patients.

This years consignment is expected to reach the provinces by February 11. However there has been speculation that the funds allocated for the purchase of drugs is insufficient or inappropriately used by the Provincial authorities.

Provincial Ministry sources allege four people in the Provincial ministry have bought vehicles worth Rs. four million from the funds received to the Provincial ministry. The Provincial Health Minister was alleged to be one of them. However, he was not available for comment.


Beware of robbers on trains

By Nilika de Silva 
Robberies on overcrowded trains are common, with at least one or two such cases being reported each day at the Fort Railway Station.

"These things cannot be prevented," Station Superintendent, Fort Railway Station, K.N. Wijesinghe said adding this happens in other countries as well.

Though violence could be minimised, through the providing of security, due to the prevailing situation, the need of the hour is for people to remain vigilant throughout the journey.

The Police are tied up with other problems, but if they could detail some police officers for this purpose it would ease the problem to a great extent, Mr. Wijesinghe said.

Even as The Sunday Times reporter looked on, a lady who had come on the Vavuniya - Matara train complained to the Station Superintendent how she had lost her valuables including her national identity card.

The main problem is posed by unauthorised vendors on trains. These vendors get in at small stations, where there is no one to stop them, he said.

Beggars on trains is another serious problem, as sometimes they force people to part with their money, he said adding, we have caught beggars who when examined did not have any disability.

The beggars and musicians on the train the tip-off pick pockets about passengers who are carrying a lot of money. "It's an organized gang," he said.

Be wary about getting friendly with unknown people, look after bag and baggage and do not wear valuable jewellery, the Station Superintendent advised. He also stressed that passengers must not eat food items offered to them by unknown persons on the train as even a toffee can be doctored. Very recently it happened on a long distance train, he said. 

More than 150,000 commuters use the Fort Railway station daily, and during festival seasons this figure increases. Therefore measures must be taken to make train commuting safe.


Army hopeful of roping in 15,000 men

By Hiranthi Fernando
A major recruitment drive planned by the Sri Lanka Army is scheduled to begin on February 1. It will be continued until March 5 on a staggered basis in various districts. 

'Our target is as much as we can get, hopefully 15,000 men. If we can get more we are happy', said Lt. Gen. Srilal Weerasooriya, Commander of the Army at a press conference held at Army Headquarters on January 27.

Such recruitment programmes are held regularly about twice a year, Gen. Weerasooriya said. He explained after the incidents at Vavuniya and Elephant Pass, a fair number of soldiers have been wounded and are undergoing treatment.

'The Army needs the cooperation of the media in its campaign to augment its forces. This war concerns the entire country and does not belong to the Army alone. We are serving for the sake of our nation', he said. 

Gen. Weerasooriya said they expect to give these new recruits 16 weeks of training which is the normal training period for a new entrant. They will join their regiments only after this training. Within the regiment too, they will have post depot training after which they will be sent to the respective battalions. The Army Commander dismissed the claim made about the alleged lack of training of the soldiers.

They have performed very well at Elephant Pass. That is because they have trained very hard', he asserted. 

'We have been doing a lot of training while on the battle field too', said Gen. Munasinghe, who had recently been in charge of Jaffna. 'That is how we have been keeping the LTTE away, he said.

The Army Commander explained that the districts in the south have been divided among the five infantry regiments of the Army. These regiments are conducting an awareness campaign to encourage recruitment among the youth in their respective districts, by enlisting the support of the Divisional Secretaries, grama niladharis, samurdhi niyamakas and school principals in the area. Leaflets are being distributed and a poster campaign is underway.

Gen. Weerasooriya admitted that with the censorship, the full facts about the war situation may not be known. However, he said the Army would like to brief the media on the facts as often as it is necessary. He requested that the facts should be obtained from the Army. The Army Spokesman, Brig. Palitha Fernando, Maj. Gen. Balagalle or the Army Commander himself if contacted would divulge the truth about the situation.

'There are some facts such as tactics or operations which we cannot reveal but as far as the situation is concerned, we have nothing to hide', he said. 

He recalled that after the attacks in Vavuniya last November, there had been misreporting of facts even before the censorship was imposed. Inflated figures of deaths and casualties had been reported by the media. Such reports he said disturbs and demoralises the soldier at the front, whose source of information is the radio he holds in his hand. Contrary to these reports the total deaths during those four days was 101 though few people now believe it. 

'What happened in the Wanni was not repeated in Jaffna', Maj. Gen. Munasinghe said. 'Our soldiers fought very well, inflicting heavy casualties on the LTTE. They repulsed the unceasing waves of the Tigers and we are proud of them. We need to convey to the friends and relatives of the soldiers that they are performing well. You have to expect reversals in a war. But we are not deterred. We ask for cooperation in recruiting more youth to increase the numbers and make this a success. The LTTE are now in difficulties. It is the correct time to join our soldiers and help in the fight', he said.

'We must look at it from a national point of view', Chief of Staff, Maj. Gen, Balagalle said.

'The nation is facing a crisis for so many years. If we are to bring peace to this country we need the support of the nation, devoid of politics. The youth of the country are needed to join our ranks and fight for our country', he said.


Artistes under threat

Trojan attackers?

By Leon Berenger and Chris Kamalendran
In what could be a dangerous trend that needs to be checked immediately, artistes are coming under attack and threats.

Amid condemnation from all segments of civil society, the state is under pressure to bring the culprits to justice. Why was renowned actress Anoja Weerasinghe's house along with her archive of two decades of collection burnt? Why were Rukantha Gunatilleke and his wife Chandralekha Perera humiliated, robbed and threatened with death? Is this because they supported the UNP in the last presidential election or are these incidents related to professional rivalry? Will these questions remain questions for good? 

Police have been called in to investigate these incidents of threats to the popular artistes.

In the most violent and outrageous incident, goons armed to the teeth with automatic rifles and other firearms had come in defender vehicles and entered the Mattegoda residence of popular singing duo Rukantha Gunatilleke and Chandralekha Perera, subjected them to degrading treatment before getting away with jewellery, other valuables and the couple's 3.2 million rupee luxury vehicle.

According to police, around a dozen gunmen forcibly entered the residence and forced them to remain still as they chopped off locks of their hair before departing.

The Goonatilleke's luxury intercooler was later found abandoned at Maradana on Friday. The vehicle had also been stripped of the stereo and other valuable fittings, police said.

The incident has now forced the couple to leave their Mattegoda home and go into hiding along with their six-year-old daughter. Their house is now being guarded by relatives.

Police Chief Lucky Kodituwakku has appointed a special team to probe the incident at the Rukantha residence, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Jayantha Wickremaratne told The Sunday Times last night.

In a related development, prominent Sinhala film director Dharmasiri Bandaranaike has received a poison note in mail threatening him with bodily harm should he prolong his association with Rukantha. 

Mr. Bandaranaike told The Sunday Times he was apparently targeted because of his close friendship with the Rukantha family. The singing couple had also provided the background music for his current stage drama 'Trojan Women' where popular Sinhala actress Anoja Weerasinghe plays the lead role.

The recent incidents appear to have been triggered off by the contents of Mr. Bandaranaike's 'Trojan Women' which portrays the suffering of women in a thousand year war triggered by a love affair between a queen and a prince of a neighbouring country.

Mr. Bandaranaike said he had not taken the matter up with the police but instead had approached the independent media to inform his fans in particular and the public in general.

Meanwhile, 19 women's rights groups have condemned the arson attack on actress Anoja Weerasinghe's private home at Moneragala a few days after the presidential elections, describing it as an attempt to control the free expression of artistes. (See separate story).

Like Rukantha and Chandralekha, Anoja too supported the UNP leader at the last elections and she even appeared on UNP platforms.

Reacting to the attack on the artistes, famous singer Gunadasa Kapuge said he feared a scene similar in Hitler's Nazi Germany where artistes were singled out and exterminated. 

"Although I performed on PA election platforms it was purely for entertainment purposes only, and nothing to do with politics," Mr. Kapuge said.

In a similar incident that occurred during the reign of terror in the late 1980s, the script writer and the lead actor of a stage drama were killed in two separate incidents that are yet to be properly solved. In this case the script writer was the late journalist Richard de Zoysa and the actor was Lakshman Perera, a UNP member of the Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia Municipal Council.

Meanwhile, Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera issued a statement on Friday condemning the attack on the artistes. He said that under no circumstances should such incidents be tolerated and promised to do everything possible to bring the attackers to justice.

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