Prashan, a member of the EPDP, talking from Point Pedro told BBC's Sandeshaya program that Ponnadurai Maheshwaran, who identified the suspects hopes to identify one more government security person tomorrow. Maheshwaran managed to escape from the army personnel when they allegedly abducted him with the others who were later killed. Maheshwaran says that he was able to identify six army personnel on the 19th of December before been blindfolded. Six other suspects are to be produced in courts tomorrow for further identification.

Meanwhile, The Lanka Academic learns that Mavai Senadhirajah, TULF MP for Jaffna has written to the President of Sri Lanka claiming that there are several other mass graves in the area. He has requested the President to order immediate excavations. Published: Wed Jan 3 13:04:27 EST 2001

Judge A. Premashankar has stated that he has received instructions from Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva, to conduct a trial-at bar in determining justice for the horrifying murders.

Witnesses who found the crudely dug grave at Murusuvil in which the bodies were found will help identify the killers today. The bodies which included a five year old child went missing after they had been arrested by the Army on December 19, 2000. One of the missing who managed to escape the slaughter, had alerted local authorities about the unlawful arrest and is serving as a witness in the murder trial. Published: Wed Jan 3 04:32:02 EST 2001

The LTTE maintain that it is continuing to observe a month long ceasefire which will end on January 24. The government rejected the rebels offer for a month long truce stating that a de-escalation in the military conflict can occur only after negotiations between the two warring factions have begun.

Dr. Jehan Perera, Director at the National Peace Council observes that the LTTE’s declaration of a unilateral ceasefire for a month from Christmas eve would have been a great relief to those directly affected by the war. On international human rights day that took place earlier in December, Tamil people marched in Trincomalee with placards, some of which called for “Peace at any cost”. Religious and civic leaders from the north-east urged the government to reciprocate with a ceasefire of its own. But the government was prepared only for a truce on Christmas day. The government’s rejection of the LTTE offer indicates that the time for peace, forgiveness and reconciliation between the two warring parties is not anywhere on the near horizon. Published: Wed Jan 3 04:32:01 EST 2001

He added that apart from a natural disaster which hit the island nation forcing thousands out of their homes this week due to a cyclone, the government is totally responsible for the plight of millions of Sri Lankans who can barely afford three meals a day. Published: Tue Jan 2 23:46:21 EST 2001

end Published: Tue Jan 2 05:39:51 EST 2001

The security guards at the gate had been trussed up by the gunmen who then carried out their carnage. It is not yet clear if the motive was robbery. Published: Tue Jan 2 23:46:21 EST 2001

On Dec 25 at 1.10 a.m. the LTTE had fired six mortars towards the Forward Defence Line in Nunavil West. Again on Dec 25 at 4.30 a.m. within the general area of Kaithady the LTTE lobbed a hand grenade and one soldier received injuries.

On Dec. 26 at 6.50 a.m. in the general area of Kaithady the LTTE again lobbed a hand grenade and one soldier received injuries. Also on Dec. 26 at 10.30 a.m. at Nunavil West the LTTE fired one 81mm mortar bomb. On Dec. 26 at 11.30 a.m. in the genera area of Kilali, troops on an observation post saw three cadres of the LTTE moving towards the military's Forward Defence Lines. The soldiers engaged them in fire and killed 2 rebels and wounded one. One soldier was also wounded in the incident. Troops had recovered one T56 weapon, one T56 magazine, one hand grenade, one helmet, one pouch and one dog tag bearing no. 0299. Again on Dec. 26 at 7.55 p.m. at Eluthumadduval South, the LTTE fired 60mm and 80 mm mortars and small arms. There were no casualties. Again on Dec. 26, 8.10 p.m. at Jaffna, one soldier was killed and another was wounded due to a confrontation with a group of rebels. On Dec. 26 , between 8.15 p.m. to 9.25 p.m. at Maduvil

the LTTE fired two 81mm mortars. Around the same time on Dec. 26 at 8.15 p.m. at Eluthumadduval South, a soldier who was deployed in a strong point was killed due to LTTE fire.

On Dec 27 at 1.30 p.m. at Kaithady the LTTE fired a couple of small arms rounds towards the Forward Defence Lines. Published: Tue Jan 2 23:46:21 EST 2001