News in brief

Nominations for Batti L.G polls

The nominations for local government elections in the Battiacaloa district will be accepted for nine local bodies in the district from January 18 to 25, Deputy Election Commissioner (Batticaloa) T. Krishnanthalingam said. Elections for three local bodies, in predominant Muslim areas, were held in May 2006. This is the first time elections for local bodies are to be held since 1994. The officials twice called for nominations earlier, in 2002 and 2006, but the elections were postponed for nine local bodies due to the security situation.

Ex terrorists to contest EP election

Several former terrorist groups which have given up arms and entered democratic politics are planning to form an alliance to contest the future Eastern Province election under one banner. Representatives from the EPDP, TMVP, EROS and EPRLF (Varathan) met in Batticaloa yesterday and discussed to form an alliance to contest the forthcoming elections.

Indian Navy intensifies patrolling

The Indian Navy is conducting intensive patrolling of the sea off the coast of Rameswaram, as the LTTE is struggling to hold its Wanni territory. Following a sea battle with the Lankan Security Forces in the Neduntivu area, a number of Sea Tiger bodies had been washed to Rameswaram. After four bodies were found in a highly decomposed state, the Indian Navy intensified its patrolling over the sea, using helicopters.

Rs. 38 b to improve transport sector

The Government will allocate Rs.38 billion to improve the national transport sector to provide a better service for commuters this year, Transport Minister Dallas Alahapperuma said. The Minister said that a new era has opened in the State transport sector with the dawn of the New Year, adding that the railway and bus services will be made profit-making sectors by eradicating maladministration and large scale financial malpractices.

Tamil Nadu police steps up vigilance

Tamil Nadu police is reported to have intensified vigilance on the coastal areas of the Ramanathapuram district following reports that some doctors may be taken to Sri Lanka to treat Tigers injured in battles with the Security Forces. The Intelligence Bureau and the 'Q-Branch' of Tamil Nadu police were said to be closely monitoring the sea coast and a special patrolling drive had been initiated, according to officials. Meanwhile, four persons who were arrested for smuggling explosives at Paramakudi in Ramanathapuram district a few weeks ago, have been detained under the National Security Act and kept in Madurai prison.