Frederica Jansz in Colombo, 7 p.m. SLT Saturday April 29. President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge has requested that all parties which had organized rallies on May Day to commemorate workers should instead donate all such expenses towards the national defence fund. Given the present security situation in the country and the setback troops suffered at Iyakkachi and Elephant Pass the Peoples Alliance have decided not to host any May Day rallies.

Frederica Jansz in Colombo, 7.10 p.m. SLT Saturday April 29. News reports today said that a cross section of Sri Lankans on Wednesday convened in front of the European Headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva to urge the LTTE to stop violence and negotiate in good faith within Sri Lanka's democratic system. The demonstrators condemned the LTTE attempts to sabotage the Norwegian peace initiative.

Frederica Jansz in Colombo, 8 p.m. SLT Saturday April 29. SSP Bandula Wickremasinghe, Chief of the Vice Squad in Colombo says 150 hardcore criminals wanted for upto 15 killings each, are operating in and around Sri Lanka's capital. The crime rate which has risen in recent times and gripped the city is a result of hired asassins and underworld mafia gangs, though on a wanted list have so far eluded the cops. Wickremasinghe has called for public assistance to help supply information on the whereabouts of these men. A special police commando unit comprising 100 handpicked officers is at present being trained to counter the underworld and terrorist threats in Colombo and her suburbs, he said.

Frederica Jansz in Colombo, 9 p.m. SLT Saturday April 29. The military hospital today has requested that no politicians be allowed into the hospital to visit wounded soldiers. The request came after injured troops protested saying politicians were using the Elephant Pass debacle to gain cheap political mileage.

Since large numbers of wounded soldiers were flown to Colombo's military hospital in the aftermath of the battle at Elephant Pass, a number of politicians followed by TV and photo journalists have visited the sick men. Mr. Anura Bandaranaike MP, was today turned away from the hospital when he tried to enter and hand over medical equipment worth over a million rupees. The military hospital has instead asked that all such donations be handed over to the Presidential Secretariat. The UNP has refused to do so stating that all donations to the army hospital should be handed over to medical officers.

Frederica Jansz in Colombo, 9.30 p.m. SLT Saturday April 29. President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge has summoned an emergency cabinet meeting this evening. The meeting is being chaired by the President. Justice Minister G. L. Peiris who was scheduled to speak at 4 p.m. at the Russian Cultural Centre today, sent a message saying he was unable to attend as he had been summoned by the President for a cabinet meeting on a national emergency.