News in brief

UN chief stresses commitment to counter-terrorism strategy

UN Secretary General Bank Ki-Moon said that meeting the survivors and families of victims of the terrorist attacks in Algiers had redoubled his resolve to push for the implementation of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.

The UN chief also said he will soon present a proposal for a review of UN security worldwide and will also make a number of specific suggestions to countries hosting UN offices.

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Industrial zone in Mirigama

The Government plans to establish a new industrial zone in Mirigama soon, Minister of Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion Sarath Amunugama and a delegation of Chinese investors have already approved the proposal and the Board of Investment has agreed to provide 160 acres of land for the new zone, with facilities to start 100 new industries.

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Karuna to be investigated

Breakaway Tiger leader Karuna Amman, who is living in the United Kingdom now, is to be investigated for possible war crimes, a British daily The Times said, Karuna, the former Batticaloa - Ampara district commander of the LTTE has been accused by human rights groups of serious atrocities including extrajudicial killings, torture and abductions of civilians and recruiting child soldiers.

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Troops defuse 198 AP mines

Troops defused 198 anti-personnel (AP) mines and six booby traps during a search and clearing operation conducted at general area Nedunkulam in Vavuniya.

In Parikariperiyakulam soldier received injuries due to an LTTE mortar attack.

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Two Tamil civilians killed

Suspected LTTE gunmen had killed two Tamil civilians in Jaffna and Batticaloa yesterday.

Former UNP candidate for Provincial Council Elections in Jaffna, Muthukumaran Sivapalan was killed by motorbike-riding gunmen at Chulipuram, Jaffna.

Civilians sources said that the victim was also a well-known businessman and a political activist who used to condemn the terrorism of the LTTE at open fora.