Lanka ready to go to moon for talks: Tyronne

By Keith Noyahr reporting from Queensland

"We are ready to meet the LTTE anywhere, even on the moon. But without India peace cannot be achieved," Minister Fernando told Sri Lankan journalists in Coolum, Queensland, where he was leading Sri Lanka's delegation at the Commonwealth Summit.

Asked whether he was agreeable to an Indian venue he said it was up to the Norwegians facilitators to decide.

Earlier, Minister Fernando urged Commonwealth leaders to push for an extension of the international campaign against terrorism to include the political, financial, economic and diplomatic fronts while noting that the current campaign has forced the LTTE to the negotiating process.

"We are convinced that military means alone will not provide a solution. It requires a political solution through negotiations," said Mr. Fernando who led the Sri Lankan delegation in the absence of President Chandrika Kumaratunga during the First Executive Committee Session at Hyatt Regency Coolum.

Speaking right after British Prime Minister Tony Blair's speech, Mr. Fernando admitted that grievances of the Tamil minority community caused extremists to take to terrorism but in the same breath he affirmed that the government had a right to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity while protecting its citizens and property.

While welcoming the plan of action report of the Commonwealth Committee on Terrorism, he said his government "was gratified" that the report "recognized the importance of mutual understanding, tolerance and respect in fostering harmony between the different cultures and faiths."

Mr. Fernando said Commonwealth Secretary General Don McKinnon's statement on the ceasefire in Sri Lanka was deeply appreciated.

"Heads of government agreed that any member state that aided, supported, instigated, financed or harboured terrorists, or permitted such activities within its jurisdiction, violated the fundamental values of the Commonwealth and should have no place in it," according to the plan of action report of the Committee on Terrorism (CCT).

The committee has recommended that this principle be reaffirmed at the current meeting after which the Coolum Declaration will be released tomorrow. The committee has recommended to the Heads of Government legal, financial and general measures including model legislation, the urgent ratification and implementation of anti-terrorism conventions, international evidence gathering, tracing, freezing and confiscation of assets of terrorists, their agents, sponsors and supporters, prevention of money laundering, co-operation in information exchange and suitable measures to promote tolerance and respect in fostering harmony between peoples of different cultures and faiths. 

"This (agreement) would establish a positive atmosphere in which further steps towards negotiations on a lasting solution can be taken," he said adding that the President and the Prime Minister representing the two main political parties in the South had agreed to work together to make the cease-fire effective as the first step in the political process.

While alluding to a draft Bill on money laundering being finalized in Sri Lanka, Minister Fernando called on Commonwealth developed countries to assist developing states by sharing expertise and know-how to monitor financial transactions. The "unlawful" activities" envisaged in the Bill includes offences under laws dealing with drug trafficking as well as prevention and suppression of terrorism.

The Foreign Minister met British Prime Minister Blair, South African President Tabo Mbeki, and his counterparts from Canada, Singapore and New Zealand yesterday and is scheduled to meet Indian Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh today among others. Mr. Singh would be visiting Sri Lanka in April to revive the joint agreement earlier entered into between the two countries.

SLIC waits for greenlight

By Nilika de Silva

SLIC motor department manager K.G. Gunapala said the passengers and buses had already been provided with terrorist cover at no extra payment.

The driver and the cleaner too of each of the buses could be provided with the terrorist insurance cover if requested, he said. 

Meanwhile, the Lanka Private Bus Owners Association (LPBOA) is awaiting the greenlight from the government to launch its service from Colombo to Paranthan, located six kilometres from Kili-nochchi. Sources said landmines had been cleared only up to Paranthan and the bus owners propose to initially cover this journey of 335 kms. 

Last week the LPBOA met the ICRC head of dedication Isabelle Barras and sought its aid to begin the plying of buses to the North, association president Gemunu Wijeratne said. 

In response to a letter asking the ICRC to provide security and protection to its buses, employees and passengers in the LTTE controlled areas, the ICRC on Tuesday had told the LPBOA to make the request formally through the government.

LPBOA sources said 60 applications had already been received from those who wished to ply on this route. 

They said at present 35 buses were operating in Vavuniya carrying passengers between Vavuniya and Omanthai located 15 kms north of Vavuniya. The buses plied on alternate days carrying passengers travelling to and from the Wanni, sources said.

Each day 200 buses used to depart from the Pettah Central Bus Stand bound for distant parts of the country covering more than 100 kilometres, chief operations manager W. H. gunathilake said. He said 30 buses left for the Eastern province, Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts.

Mr. Gunathilake said buses bound for Vavuniya left Colombo each day at 3 a.m and 7 a.m. and again at 10 p.m. and midnight with another bus leaving at 1 a.m. to Mannar. 

However, buses could use the stretch from Vavuniya to Omanthai only if they reached before 1.30 p.m., security sources said. 

Leading architect consultant dead

Educated at the Royal Primary and Trinity College in Kandy, Mr. Peiris apprenticed at one of the top architectural firms of his time, Messers Billimoria, De Silva, Peiris and Panditharatne of which his father S. H. Peiris was a partner.

Mr. Peiris went on to Denmark where he qualified himself professionally and on his return, father and son set up their own firm of architects and were consultants to many landmark buildings and projects in the country.

An outgoing personality of great charm, Mr. Peiris enjoyed a wide circle of friends.

He was the president of the Orient Club at the time of his death, an office he had held for many years.

An enthusiastic and expert billiards player he was the winner of many club championships.

The funeral will take place at the Borella General Cemetery at 5.30 p.m. today.

PM reassures Mahanayake

By Shane Seneviratne

The assurance was given when the Prime Minister met the Ven Rambukwelle Sri Vipassi Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatte Chapter in Kandy last evening and the prelate raised the issue about the possible withdrawal of troops following the signing of the ceasefire agreement.

The Mahanayake told the Prime Minister to keep the security forces on alert while pushing forward the peace process.

Mr. Wickremesinghe told the prelate that he believed this was the last opportunity for peace and the country should make use of it.

"The international community has woken up against terrorism. We should make use of the opportunity. This year will be decisive to us whether we are going for peace or war," the Prime Minister said.

He said the government was planning a series of ceremonies and events enabling civilians in the north and south to interact.

He said that as part of the plans he intended organising a visit of Sri Lanka's world famous cricket team to the north while Rehabilitation Minister Jayalath Jayawardena had organised a Pakistani cricket team to visit the north.

He said plans were underway to open more cinema halls in the north and east enabling the people who had been burdened by the war to live a more relaxed life.

The Prime Minister said that more Buddhist temples would be restored and wanted the Mahanayake to assign about 70 Buddhist monks to work from those temples.

He said the people in the south should organise more ceremonies during the forthcoming National New Year enabling the civilians to interact.

Tamil parties ready to disarm — conditionally 

By Shelani Perera

They said the demand followed the signing of the MoU between the government and the LTTE requiring Tamil paramilitary groups to be disarmed within 30 days.

Tamil parties operating in the North and East were armed. 

The EPDP operating in Jaffna and in Kayts, the PLOTE based in Vauvniya, the EPRLF in the East and the TELO in Mannar remained armed, sources said. 

They said some Tamil parties had been accused of extortion apart from carrying out their political activities.

The MoU required the government to integrate individuals in the armed units under the army command for service away from the Northern and Eastern provinces.

Former EPDP parliamentarian S. Sivathasan told The Sunday Times the arms had been given by the government and they would not object handing them back.

He said although the EPDP was willing to hand over the arms, their cadres would not join the army owing to difficulties such as language and training methods.

Meanwhile, PLOTE leader D. Sitharthan told The Sunday Times the party had made a similar demand to the government asking for additional security.

"We are not a paramilitary group. We carry arms for our safety but if the government wants us to be disarmed we will oblige provided we are given additional security," Mr. Sidarthan said.

Best Speaker's Contest 2001

Five candidates will be selected for the finals, after a series of preliminary sessions. The finals will be held on May 12, at the Trans Asia Hotel, Colombo.

The winner will be awarded the Bartleet challenge Trophy and host of other prices, organisers say.

Foreign monitors for polls

Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake said the Elections Chief had informed party secretaries that invitations had been sent to several foreign monitors. 

Foreign observers would be brought down on his invitation in consultation with the political parties, he said.

The monitors from the European Union and Asian countries had not confirmed their arrival, the official said.

He said foreign monitors were brought down to the country in 1991.

Meanwhile, the Elections Chief had granted permission to two local monitoring bodies to observe the election.

Sources said poll cards were being prepared for delivery from March 6- 8. They said poll cards would be issued in areas other tnan North and East.

While the Elections Department was training Returning Officers and other staff members, the Police Election Secretariat had recorded 156 complaints of election violence, sources said. They said 35 incidents had been identified as serious offences.

Party Secretaries had been warned to brief the candidates against getting themselves involved in activities of violence specially when pasting posters.

Over Rs. 2 b in foreign aid to develop North

By Dilruskhi Handunnetti

He said the international community was extremely pleased with the government's peace initiative. Lending agencies and friendly countries were likely to assist Sri Lanka financially and otherwise, he said. 

Mr. Jayawardene said the government estimates had shown that the war-ravaged North would require over Rs. 2,000 million to restore the destroyed infrastructure.