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Bus fares to come down
Private bus owners are to come up with a revised bus fare structure following the government's request that bus fares be reduced in keeping with the Rs. 6 reduction on a litre of diesel.

National Transport Commission Chairman A.B. Talagune said a meeting will be held with private bus owners next week to reach a final decision regarding the new fares.

TNA continues to demand Vaiko's release
The Tamil National Alliance is scheduled to hold a second protest rally in Batticaloa on Tuesday to call for the release of MDMK leader Vaiko .

On Thursday the TNA held a mass protest and handed over a petition to the Batticaloa GA to be forwarded to the Indian President and Prime Minister calling for the immediate release of Vaiko.

Amunugama calls for caution
PA media spokesman Sarath Amunugama on Friday called upon the media to exercise caution when reporting security related information.

While criticising the divulging of information regarding security vehicles purchased during the PA regime, Mr. Amunugama said, "The convention since the time of President J. R. Jayawardene has been not to give details regarding security items."

He was addressing the third in a series of PA news conferences being held to explain the party's position regarding economic, social and current political developments in the country.

Mr. Amunugama also commended Iqbal Athas, on his reporting on the Millennium city incident stating "The other media people should also follow this example."

He went on to speak of the aftermath of the raid stating that retaliation was taking place.

"Three of those Tamil informants have been killed in the city of Colombo, in broad daylight, even in Wellawattte near High street and their families are being picked up," he said.

Meeting to reopen schools, cancer centre in Jaffna
By our Jaffna Correspondent
Discussions were held yesterday at the Tellipalai in Jaffna to decide on the re-opening of government schools, a cancer hospital and the resettlement of refugees in the area.

Army Commander Lionel Balagalle, Defence Secretary Austin Fernando, Jaffna Commander Sarath Fonseka, Minister T. Maheshwaran, TNA MPs and government officials of the area took part in the discussion.

Among a series of matters discussed were the re-opening of Union College, Vasavilan MMV and the Cancer hospital in Tellipalai. These institutions have been vacated by the Army, but a final decision on the reopening of these places is yet to be taken.

Defence Secretary Fernando said the matter would be discussed with Defence Minister Tilak Marapana and a decision arrived at before the end of this month.

During the discussions, officials decided to open the Sendankulam-Keerimalai Road to enable people to visit the temple in the area. It was also decided that people using this road need not produce Identity Cards.

New media unit for state propaganda
The government is to set up a media unit for state propaganda with staff drawn from state institutions, The Sunday Times learns.

The media unit which is likely to be headed by ITN Chairman Gayruka Perusinghe has already begun recruiting personnel for the unit which is to be based at the Gramodaya centre opposite Temple Trees.

Personnel from state media institutions are being interviewed for this unit and they will be paid by the Government Information Department.

The Media Unit will have sophisticated equipment and will be responsible for government propaganda activities.

The Government Information Department will continue to operate, but at a lower scale, The Sunday Times learns.

But, Minister of Information Imthiaz Bakeer Markar when contacted by The Sunday Times said that the matter was still under discussion.

20 ministers, DMs yet to declare assets
Several parliamentarians, including cabinet ministers, non-cabinet ministers and deputy ministers, are yet to declare their assets to the Parliament Secretary General or the President, although the deadline lapsed a month ago.

Of the 58 government ministers and deputy ministers, only 38 including Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, have so far declared their assets.

Ministers, non-cabinet ministers and deputy ministers are expected to declare assets to the President while other MPs have to declare to the Parliamentary Secretary General.

War police constable killed by bus
By Shane Seneviratne
A police constable who had served in the war zone for 14 years was killed yesterday when he was run over by a bus which he tried to board in Kandy for inspection as party of a perahera security check, police said.

Constable U. P. G. Chandrasiri, 34, from Kantale had tried to board the bus around 5. 30 a.m. at Buwelikada junction but it moved away, he fell and the bus ran over him.

The driver has been remanded.

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