News in brief

Thanamalwila panic

Police yesterday arrested five Tamil suspects in Thanamalwila after the public panicked by their presence in the area. Initial investigations revealed that they were labourers who had come from Badulla to work in chena.

Twelve LTTE cadres killed

Twelve LTTE cadres including two female cadres were reported killed in a confrontation with the Security Forces in Mannar. Three LTTE bunkers in an LTTE stronghold were also completely destroyed. The dead included a group of terrorists who had arrived to support the Tigers engaged in attacks with the troops.

Iranian delegation at EPZ

Iranian Finance Minister Dr. Davoud Danesh Jafari and a team of delegates visited the Katunayake Export Processing Zone (EPZ) to ascertain the investment opportunities in the country and to gain an understanding of the Export Processing Zone set up by the Board of Investment (BOI).

Tax concessions for local entrepreneurs

The Government plans to offer tax concessions to local entrepreneurs who wish to assemble hybrid and electric driven motor vehicles in the country. Minister of Environmental and Natural Resources, Champika Ranawaka said the Government wants to actively promote environment friendly vehicles in the country and will provide concessions to the people who wish to start such projects.

Tight security for Tirupur Mayor

Following three threatening phone calls from overseas to Tirupur Mayor K. Selvaraj, demanding funds for the cause of Sri Lankan Tamils, the Coimbatore rural police have provided him tight security cover. G. Karthikeyan, Superintendent of Police, Coimbatore Rural District, confirmed the calls and said armed police guards had been stationed at the Mayor's residence and the Tirupur Corporation office.

Vehicle owners called to display name, contact number

The Colombo Traffic Police yesterday called upon vehicle owners who parked vehicles on authorised roads in the city to display the owner's name and the contact telephone number. "The decision was taken following complaints, received on suspicious vehicles on city highways," City Traffic, SSP D. Sundaralingam said. He said if the vehicle owner's name and the contact number is displayed clearly on the reverse of the windscreen or on the front seat, it would be easy for security personnel to contact the owner.