The Lanka Academic
 
MARCH 27, 2002 EST, USA
 
A NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED BY LACNET
 
VOL. 2, NO. 355
TLA FEATURE CORNER
Headline Summary
F R E E      C L A S S I F I E D S
T  O  P      H  E  A  D  L  I  N  E
Sri Lankan mission in Oslo to be upgraded
Ranmali Wijesuriya in Colombo, SLT 10.00 a.m Thursday 28 March 02. Sri Lankan consular office in Oslo will be upgraded soon to a fully pledged mission with an appointment of an ambassador foreign ministry sources in Colombo told The Lanka Academic today. Even though Norway has a full diplomatic mission in Colombo with an ambassador Sri Lanka operates only a consular office in Oslo reporting to the ambassador in Sweden. Our sources reveal that the UNF government has found it important to have a fully pledged mission in Oslo with the Norwegians playing an important role in the peace process. The Lanka Academic sources also revealed that V. Menikdiwela secretary of former President J.R. Jayawardane is to be appointed as Sri Lanka’s ambassador in Netherlands. Our sources add that selection of 82-year-old Menikdiwela has created much displeasure among the foreign service.
Published: Wed Mar 27 22:54:07 EST 2002
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This session has now ended.

Answers 1-28 now available! The Lanka Academic is delighted to announce the 8th guest in its series of Q & A sessions: Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Leader of the Opposition in the Sri Lankan Parliament. With the recent change in leadership in the Sri Lankan government, the peace process appears to be gaining fresh new momentum. This is your opportunity to ask questions from Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa related to Sri Lankan politics and receive answers by clicking here. The answers will appear here.

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UNP candidates in Colombo running amok
 Ranmali Wijesuriya in Colombo, SLT 8.00 a.m Thursday March 28. United National Party candidates in Colombo contesting the forthcoming municipal elections are running amok creating fear among the people of Colombo... Back to the top
Lankan President welcomes direct talks with LTTE
 Press Trust of India, 6:29 SLT. Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga today welcomed the government's announcement of direct negotiations with the LTTE, expected to take place in early May... Back to the top
'Colombo ready to consider all issues'
 The Hindu (International), MARCH 27. . The Sri Lankan Cabinet spokesman and senior Minister, G.L. Peiris, said today that the scheduled visit of the Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister, Vidar Helgesen, on April 17 would "strengthen the preparations already in progress" for peace talks with the LTTE... Back to the top
TNA raises doubts about Government's commitment to peace process
 Lucien Rajakarunanayake in Colombo, Thursday, March 27, 2002 11:30pm SLT. The most senior Tamil politician in Sri Lanka Mr. T. Sivasithamparam, who is President of the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF), and also president of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), strongly attacked the Government for its allocation for defence expenditure in its first budget as a being too high... Back to the top
Canada to sell peace effort to Sri Lankan diaspora
 Yahoo India, March 28, 1:01 AM. A Canadian legislator said on Wednesday his country would try to drum up support for Sri Lanka's peace process among a Tamil diaspora whose dollars are almost indispensable to Tamil Tiger rebels... Back to the top
Hopes of early Government - LTTE talks stalled
 Lucien Rajakarunanayake in Colombo, Thursday, March 27, 2002 11:30pm SLT. Although the leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Velupillai Pirubaharan has said they were ready for talks with the Government, hopes of early talks have been stalled due to a pre-requisite laid by the LTTE - "lift the ban"... Back to the top
Lanka peace talks to start in May
 Gulf_news, 28 March 2002. Direct talks between the Sri Lankan government and Tamil guerrillas aimed at ending the country's Tamil minority ethnic conflict under a Norwegian-backed peace process will commence in the first week of May, Constitutional Affairs Minister Prof... Back to the top
Polls success proves an agony for UNP
 Lucien Rajakarunanayake in Colombo, Thursday, March 27, 2002 11:30pm SLT. The United National Party (UNP) is virtually plagued with demands for top jobs in local government bodies after its recent victory in 225 of 230 local bodies that went to the polls on March 20 and 25... Back to the top
121 vote in favour of the UNF budget
 Frederica Jansz in Colombo, 11.30 p.m. SLT Wednesday March 27. At the second reading today of the budget proposals presented by K... Back to the top
Another suspect in the Udathalawinna mass murder arrested
 Frederica Jansz in Colombo, 9.30 p.m. SLT Wednesday March 27. Another suspect was remanded today in connection with the murder of ten youth at Udathalawinna on December 5th, last year... Back to the top
Child killed in bomb blast
 Frederica Jansz in Colombo, 10.10 a.m. SLT Wednesday March 27. A child was killed in a bomb blast which took place in a house in the Kurunegala district this morning... Back to the top
Antique anchor raised from Sri Lanka's Galle Harbour
 Yahoo Singapore, March 27, 10:28 AM. A Dutch ship anchor wrecked in Sri Lanka's Galle Harbour 343 years ago has been raised by a team of divers from the Western Australian Maritime Museum, it was revealed here Wednesday... Back to the top
Chandrika hails direct talks with LTTE
 The Hindu NUS, March 27, 2002. Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga today welcomed the Government's announcement of direct negotiations with the LTTE, expected to take place in early May... Back to the top
Canada for a united Sri Lanka
 Ranmali Wijesuriya in Colombo, SLT 8.15 p.m Wednesday March 27. Canada's belief is that any solution to Sri Lanka's conflict must satisfy the legitimate aspirations of all Sri Lankans, regardless of language, ethnicity or religion while preserving the country's unity and territorial integrity This was stated by Canada's Secretary of State for Asia-Pacific David Kilgour who addressed a press conference in Colombo after a three day visit to the island ... Back to the top
Sri Lanka to open talks with LTTE in May
 Times of India, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2002 2:24:16 PM . The Sri Lankan government is to hold its first face-to-face talks with Tamil Tiger rebels in the first week of May, Justice Minister G L Peiris said on Wednesday... Back to the top
Sri Lanka suffers trade slump
 BBC South Asia, Wednesday, 27 March, 2002, 11:26 GMT . The central bank said the deficit in January narrowed to $131m (£92m) from $228m a year earlier, as imports dropped and export rose slightly... Back to the top
March 27 (20 :36) Japan helps Sri Lanka harness 6 waterfalls to generate power - COLOMBO
 Kyodo News, March 27 . apan and Sri Lanka on Wednesday exchanged notes finalizing a special yen loan of 33.3 billion yen (about $251 million) to enable Sri Lanka to harness six of its most scenic waterfalls to generate power... Back to the top
LTTE demands eviction of tenant cultivators
 Lucien Rajakarunanayake in Colombo, Wednesday, March 27, 2002 6:30 am SLT. Reports recently received from the political parties opposed to the LTTE such as the Eelam People's Democratic Front (EPDP) and the Eelam People's Revolutionary Front (EPRLF - Perumal Wing) that the LTTE is ordering landlords to forcibly evict a large number cultivators, have been confirmed as true by independent sources in the North and East... Back to the top
Cricket - Pakistan get security approval from Sri Lanka
 Yahoo India, March 27. Sri Lankan cricket chiefs have praised security during their team's recent visit, a major boost for Pakistan before tours by New Zealand and Australia, a Pakistan spokesman said on Wednesday... Back to the top
Thailand mulls hosting Sri Lanka talks with Tiger rebels
 Yahoo, March 27. Thai officials and Sri Lankan diplomats said Wednesday they were discussing a proposal to hold landmark talks between Sri Lanka's government and the Tamil Tiger rebels in Thailand... Back to the top
Precision Wires to explore possibility of making investment in Sri Lanka
 Yahoo India, March 27. Precision Wires India Ltd has informed BSE that the Company is exploring the possibility of making investment in Sri Lanka in the field of its main activity viz... Back to the top
Negotiations to resume soon - LTTE
 tamilnet, March 26. Political negotiations between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers will resume soon when the terms and conditions of the permanent ceasefire agreement between the two sides are implemented and conditions of normalcy are restored in the Tamil homeland, LTTE sources told TamilNet Tuesday... Back to the top
LTTE opens crucial talks with Norway
 Times of India, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2002 2:17:01 AM. COLOMBO: The leader of Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels on Tuesday held crucial talks with Norwegian peace brokers aimed at clearing the way for political negotiations with the government, rebel radio said... Back to the top
Norwegians and LTTE discuss modalities for peace talks
 Frederica Jansz in Colombo, 3.05 p.m. SLT Tuesday March 26. A Norwegian team led by Eric Solheim, Thomas Strangeland and Jon Westoborg today discussed in the Vanni modalities to begin peace talks with the Sri Lankan government... Back to the top
Sri Lanka set for peace talks with rebels in May
 Reuters/Yahooo, Wednesday March 27, 6:41 PM. Sri Lanka's peace negotiations are expected to begin in the first week of May with the government and Tamil Tiger rebels talking face-to-face for the first time in seven years, the government said on Wednesday... Back to the top
Sri Lanka's war-torn north to get 40 MW of power
 power report, march 26. Sri Lanka's war- weary northern Jaffna will receive additional power to ease regular blackouts more severe than in the rest of the island, a power ministry official said on Tuesday... Back to the top
LTTE plus MoU puts Human Rights under grave threat
 Lucien Rajakarunanayake in Colombo, Wednesday, March 27, 2002, 6:30 am SLT. The situation regarding Human Rights in areas under the LTTE's control, as well as those outside its control, pervaded the forum discussion on "Human Rights and Conflict Resolution - Sri Lanka's Dilemma" organized by the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) held at Hotel Renuka, Colombo yesterday (Tuesday 26)... Back to the top
Ethnic criteria wrong in deciding on conduct of elections - PAFFREL
 Lucien Rajakarunanayake in Colombo, Wednesday March 27, 2002, 6:30 am SLT. The People's Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) has expressed its grave concern over the decision of the Commissioner General of Elections to postpone local government elections in most of the North-East province, while holding them in certain small pockets in the province... Back to the top
Muslim protest gathers strength
 Lucien Rajakarunanayake in Colombo, Tuesday, March 26,2002, 3:02pm SLT. The demonstration by Muslims who have undergone great hardship due to Sri Lanka's separatist war and are demanding a greater role in the current peace process, gathered strength yesterday... Back to the top
Peace Talks to be held in Thailand- Balasingham
 Saroj Pathirana in London, Tuesday 26/03/02 1645 GMT. Negotiations between the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tigers may be held in Thailand, a senior leader of the LTTE said in a press conference held in LTTE controlled Vanni... Back to the top
Canada concerned about landmines in Lanka
 Ranmali Wijesuriya in Colombo, SLT 6.00 p.m Tuesday March 26. Canada has shown a special concern regarding the issue of anti-personal landmines in Sri Lanka and has called on both parties to the conflict to make a commitment to stop the use of landmines and to commit to no further laying of mines and to move to ratify and implement the Ottawa convention as soon as possible... Back to the top
Constitutional changes to ensure consensual governance
 Lucien Rajakarunanayake in Colombo, Tuesday, March 26, 2002, 3:00 pm SLT. The United National Front (UNF) Government is seeking to bring in an amendment to the Constitution - the 18th Amendment, in a bid to ensure consensual government in place of the present co-habitation in governance... Back to the top
Sri Lankan cricket stars to make peace pitch in Jaffna
 IANS/Yahoo, 27 March 2002. Sri Lankan cricket captain Sanath Jayasuriya and ace bowler Muttiah Muralitharan will make a pitch for ethnic peace by playing an exhibition match in the once-embattled northern Jaffna peninsula... Back to the top
Canada is ready to help Sri Lanka if asked – Canadian Secretary of State Asia-Pacific
 Ranmali Wijesuriya in Colombo, SLT 4.30 p.m Tuesday 26 March. Canadian Secretary of State Asia-Pacific David Kilgour said today that his country is ready to help if asked, to provide technical or other assistance as discussions progress, particularly in areas where they have some considerable experiences, including devolved systems of government... Back to the top
Birds nests hauls by Customs and Police
 Lucien Rajakarunanayake in Colombo, Tuesday, March 26, 2002, 3:05 pm SLT. Two detections by the Customs and Police have brought to light what is believed to be a massive illegal trade in the export of birds' nests from Sri Lanka... Back to the top
LTTE open crucial talks with Norway on peace deal
 Press Trust of India, Colombo,Tuesday, March 26, 2002. Velupillai Prabhakaran, the LTTE chief today began talks with Norwegian peace brokers to clear the way for crucial political negotiations with the Sri Lankan government, officials and rebel radio said... Back to the top
41 indicted in Bindunuweva camp massacre
 The Hindu (International), 27 March 2002. More than 18 months after the Bindunuweva rehabilitation camp massacre, the Sri Lankan Government has brought formal charges against 41 people alleged to have been involved in the gruesome incident... Back to the top
SriLankan summer flights rescheduled
 Gulf-News, 27 March 2002. The SriLankan Airlines' summer 2002 timetable has given prominence to Dubai and Thiruvananthapuram, with both cities to be connected more frequently with the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo... Back to the top
4,800 feared killed in Afghan earthquake
 Gulf-News, 27 March 2002. An earthquake measuring six on the Richter Scale devastated the districts of Nahrin and Burkha in northern Baghlan province on Monday night, and again yesterday afternoon... Back to the top
Anton Balasingham's visit causes controversy
 Frederica Jansz in Colombo, 2.15 p.m. SLT Tuesday March 26. The visit of the LTTE's chief theoretician Dr. Anton Balasingham to Sri Lanka yesterday has caused massive controversy and debate in the South... Back to the top
Child protection laws very weak in Sri Lanka
 Frederica Jansz in Colombo, 2 p.m. SLT Tuesday March 26. Dr. Harendra De Silva, Chairman of the National Child Protection Authority in Sri Lanka said today child protection laws in the country are extremely weak... Back to the top
Negotiator helps Tamil Tigers prepare for peace talks
 Yahoo Singapore, march 26. The chief negotiator for Sri Lanka's Tamil Tigers flew into rebel-held territory on Monday to help guerrillas prepare for peace talks with the government, officials said... Back to the top
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