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| Sunday, 30 January 2005 |
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Government-LTTE accord likely From Tamil Press by S. Selvakumar Constructive talks were held between the government's and LTTE's Peace Secretariats to cooperate in relief operations and rehabilitation in the tsunami devastated North-East regions, the Thinakaran said in its main story on Monday. The paper quoted LTTE Theoretician Anton Balasingham and said action taken by the security forces to save people when the tsunami hit Tamil areas was praiseworthy. Some foreign relief workers who attempted to convert locals into a christian missionary religion in the guise of distributing medicines at Akkaraipattu were rounded up and beaten by the public. A vehicle that belonged to these missionary workers was also smashed up. The Virakesari in an interview with Sea Tiger Chief Soosai said he could not understand as to why foreign relief workers failed to turn up at Mullaitivu. He was also quoted as saying that the LTTE did not ban them from visiting Mullaitivu and they should not think that all Tamils in Mullaitivu were tiger cadres. The Norwegian Parliamentary team have told the TNA that it would consider direct aid to the North-East. Norwegian special envoy Vidar Helgessen has said that during meetings with President Kumaratunga and Prabhakaran the topic of peace process was not touched. The Thinakkural in a front page story said the Navy which incurred heavy losses in the tsunami was contemplating to buy war ships at a cost of Rs. 3.59 billion out of the funds provided by the international community for tsunami relief. The Virakesari on Tuesday published exclusive pictures taken at Mullaitivu by a team of journalists send from its Colombo office of two large sea tiger vessels intact. In the caption story the paper said LTTE vessels were anchored one kilometer inland from its base and as such no damage was caused. The paper said the Virakesari team was allowed permission to take pictures only after a foreign news agency was first allowed. The Sudaroli led with the story that ample resilience was apparent both in the government and the LTTE factions to form a common structure to distribute relief and rehabilitate the North-East. CWC Minister Muththu Sivalingam denied certain media reports that his party requested more cabinet portfolios and added this was a time of national disaster and the CWC was only concerned about rebuilding the nation, the Thinakaran said. The Thinakkural said North-East District Secretaries and government officials met with Thamilselvan in Kilinochchi and had discussions on rehabilitation and rebuilding. Central Provincial Councillor P. Radhakrishnan would take oaths as Education Minister of the CPC on January 31. Government requested 35,000 tents from the international community to resettle affected people. The Thinakkural said people in the South were opposed to the 100 meters buffer zone but fisherfolk in the East coast consented to withdrew 300 metres inland when their houses are rebuilt. The Virakesari said 159 schools are yet to be re-opened since refugees still occupy these buildings and there were no government lands in the vicinity of these schools to house these refugees. A chariot made of wood believed to be used in Hindu religious festivals was washed ashore in Vakarai along the Eastern coast from Thailand. Thousands of people in East went to the site to see this beautiful 10 by 5 feet chariot, the Virakesari said. The Sudaroli in its front page carried a colour picture of this chariot. A big demonstration was scheduled for Friday in Mannar to protest against allegations that the government failed to provide international monetary aid to Tamil areas and attempting to purchase military wares out of those funds. Next of kin of government servants killed in the tsunami would receive the deceased's salary until the day of retirement, the Virakesari said in its main story on Friday. The Sudaroli said the government and the LTTE were very closer to reach an agreement to create a structure that would help close co-operation in relief and rehabilitation in the North East. The UNP praised the government for co-operating with the LTTE on relief and reconstruction efforts. The high level military team that left for Iran to purchase weapons returned to the country sans any agreement. Police so far have arrested 160 suspects for alleged theft, robbery, abduction and rape in the post tsunami period. LTTE's Eastern province military leaders were scheduled to meet with Prabhakaran on Friday and Anton Balasingham would return to London on Saturday, the Thinakkural said. |
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