Jaya flays Sethusamudram project
   [ 16:27 GMT, Sep. 2, 2005 ] [ Business Standard ]

    Chief minister of Tamil Nadu J Jayalalithaa today criticised the Rs 2,427 crore Sethusamudram Ship Canal Project (SSCP) saying that the implementation of this project will cause adverse impact on the environment thereby affecting the livelihood of fishermen. The SSCP will allow ships to sail between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka to circumnavigate peninsular India. At present, they have to sail around Sri Lanka to do so, a route that adds 780 kilometres and 30 hours to the journey. The traffic through the canal is expected to be largely coal, finished goods and downstream petroproducts. However, the corporation had decided to avoid transport of crude oil through the canal because of the high level of environmental sensitivity of the area.

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   Tales of woe shame a nation
   [ 14:14 GMT, Sep. 2, 2005 ] [ The Toronto Star ]

   

‘And they can't get help down to us poor people in New Orleans? I tell you, America has let us down.’

Nature wrought destruction but human beings have brought disgrace. It is disgraceful that hundreds of state troopers and National Guard soldiers have been deployed to protect property rather than help people. It is disgraceful that thousands of hurricane refugees — including the elderly, the infirm, the sick, mothers with babes in arms, children separated from parents — have been essentially abandoned in the Superdome and the convention centre, left to fend for themselves without food or water. It is disgraceful that not a single relief agency has any presence on the ground as far as those of us who are here can see. No Red Cross, no federal emergency administrators, no medical teams, no shelter officials, no angels of mercy.

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   Lakshman Kadirgamar: how the south constructed him, the Tamils saw him
   [ 12:40 GMT, Sep. 2, 2005 ] [ Northeastern Monthly ]

    The most important element that went into this construct was that he was known as a Tamil. By making him the foreign minister, he became a Tamil who represented the Sri Lankan state in its relations with other states in the comity of nations. His position as a Tamil representing the Sri Lankan state in its dealings with the international community, at a time when others in the Tamil community were fighting for self-determination alleging Sri Lanka was discriminating against that community, went a long way in undermining the rebel cause. Kadirgamar’s high profile position as foreign minister (the United States used / uses General Colin Powell / Dr. Condoleeza Rice, both blacks, for the same reason) was therefore strategic. Having made Kadirgamar an important minister in PA/UPFA cabinet, southern politicians angled their rhetoric cleverly to show that he was beyond parochialism and small mindedness.

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   Tactical imperatives drive LTTE's responses - Balakumaran
   [ 12:33 GMT, Sep. 2, 2005 ] [ TamilNet ]

    "Liberation Tigers' recent responses to emerging political issues are tactical, reflecting the organizations political maturity and the need to further expose to the international community, Government of Sri Lanka's inability to effectively address the Tamil National question," said Mr. K. V. Balakumaran, a senior LTTE member and former EROS leader, when TamilNet asked for his comment on the recent characterization by the Colombo press of LTTE "climbing down" on previously stated positions on issues."The Liberation Tigers, for example, do not see the agreement on principle to hold talks aimed at strengthening the implementation of the MoU as a blemish on its self-respect or dignity. The LTTE leadership will continue to take tactical decisions that will help advance the political gains the movement has made in recent years," he added.

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   Government of Sri Lanka / President recognize TRO
   [ 12:31 GMT, Sep. 2, 2005 ] [ TRO ]

    Tamils Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO) received an award on 22 August 2005 from Her Excellency President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga in recognition of its contribution to the Transitional Accommodation Project (TAP). The President invited representatives of the UN Agencies, and International and Local NGO's to Tea at the President's House where a ceremony was held to mark the building of 50,000 temporary shelters for tsunami affected families. The President thanked all of the organizations present for their outstanding work in reaching this goal so despite the enormity of the natural disaster that Sri Lanka experienced on 26/12/04. TRO was recognized for building 3,240 temporary shelters.

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   I Got Trapped in the Secret ‘No Fly List’ of the Transportation Security Administration
   [ 20:47 GMT, Sep. 2, 2004 ] [ Illangai Thamizh Sangam ]

    I neither have the charisma of a Kennedy nor the celebrity status of Massachusetts’ senior Senator Edward 'Teddy' Kennedy. However, for the past 25 years, I have subscribed to the liberal democratic ideals for which the youngest males of the Kennedy clan (John F., Robert and Edward) have stood for in the limelight. Thus, it is nothing but my karma that I became a victim (like Teddy Kennedy recently) of the notorious ‘secret no-fly list’ maintained by the Transportation Security Administration of the American government. First I’ll describe what happened to me on August 21st Saturday (in Nagoya, Japan) and August 24th Tuesday (in Rome). Then, I’ll express my thoughts on how I came to be trapped, since - unlike Teddy Kennedy - I’m a Sri Lankan Tamil and hold a nominal Sri Lankan passport, though living beyond the borders of Sri Lanka for the past 23 years.

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   "UNHCR's commitment to the IDPs and Extremely Vulnerable Individuals(EVI) will continue"
   [ 20:36 GMT, Sep. 2, 2004 ] [ LTTE Peace Secretariat ]

    The discussions centered mostly on the plight of the IDPs and those who have already returned to their homes on a resettlement program but not yet become beneficiaries of resettlement allowances and compensation in cases of damage to dwellings. Mr. Tamilselvan laid emphasis on the pitiful conditions in which IDPs continue to languish in welfare centers since they had denied of access to their habitats because of the High Security Zone restrictions by the occupying military. The UN rep. presented an overview of UNHCR's plan of action for 2005 and invited suggestions from Mr. Tamilselvan to improve on the present performance level.

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   Denial of basic human rights and violation of CFA by military
   [ 11:37 GMT, Sep. 2, 2004 ] [ LTTE Peace Secretariat ]

    The Cease Fire Agreement provides for the release by the military of the civilian dwellings within a stipulated time frame of a maximum of 180 days but it s now two and a half years since the CFA came into force while the military s continuing to occupying houses belonging to civilians in Thenmaradchi. This is not only a violation of the CFA but a denial of basic human right in not allowing owners of occupying their dwellings" says The federation of civilian based organizations in Thenmaradchi in a memorandum submitted to the civil authorities. It further states that the military should arrange to vacate civilian dwellings, both in the high security zone and the outside, and also permit unhindered fishing for the fishermen Kokilakandy.

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   I Got Trapped in the Secret ‘No Fly List’ of the TSA - Sachi Sri Kantha
   [ 11:35 GMT, Sep. 2, 2004 ] [ Sangam ]

    I neither have the charisma of a Kennedy nor the celebrity status of Massachusetts’ senior Senator Edward 'Teddy' Kennedy. However, for the past 25 years, I have subscribed to the liberal democratic ideals for which the youngest males of the Kennedy clan (John F., Robert and Edward) have stood for in the limelight. Thus, it is nothing but my karma that I became a victim (like Teddy Kennedy recently) of the notorious ‘secret no-fly list’ maintained by the Transportation Security Administration of the American government. First I’ll describe what happened to me on August 21st Saturday (in Nagoya, Japan) and August 24th Tuesday (in Rome). Then, I’ll express my thoughts on how I came to be trapped, since - unlike Teddy Kennedy - I’m a Sri Lankan Tamil and hold a nominal Sri Lankan passport, though living beyond the borders of Sri Lanka for the past 23 years.

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   French diplomats meet TNA foreign affairs committee
   [ 11:08 GMT, Sep. 2, 2004 ] [ TamilNet ]

    “We told France if indeed talks on the ISGA commence, there is a good chance that an agreement could be reached in this matter. We said that this is exactly what the Singhalese are afraid of, as it would mean that they would no longer have a monopoly on power, and their hegemony over the Tamil nation will cease for once and for all time. We also said that it is for this reason that we suspect that the Sri Lankan government t is trying to provoke the LTTE to another war by destabilizing the east and supporting Tamil armed groups," said Mr. Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam TNA MP Thursday. The TNA explained the difficulty the LTTE faces due to the suffering the children of the NE undergo. The two TNA MPs told the French diplomats that the LTTE was working with UNICEF to address this issue.

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   India's polite refusal
   [ 10:26 GMT, Sep. 2, 2004 ] [ BBC ]

    A month or so before he was removed from office, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee invited me for tea and an informal chit-chat. He was in a good mood, basking in the opinion polls which had been predicting victory in the elections for the coalition he was leading. "I keep telling President George Bush, I am the prime minister of the world's largest democracy and there is no way I can send troops to Iraq against the wishes of my people." As in most of South and South-East Asia, the US-led invasion of Iraq is terribly unpopular in India.

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   Sri Lankan Tamils turn to Supreme Court to get homes back
   [ 22:12 GMT, Sep. 2, 2003 ] [ AP ]

    Army units have occupied homes, schools and government offices in the area since they captured Jaffna from the rebels in 1996. Tamils forced from their homes "will seek the country's highest law court to order the Sri Lanka army to vacate the lands and houses of internally displaced families immediately, enabling their resettlement,Under the cease-fire, the soldiers should have already left civilian homes outside so-called "High Security Zones. But the army has refused to leave some homes in the zones, forcing civilians "to languish in the refugee camps and welfare centers indefinitely,''

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   The merger as defence against state-aided land grab
   [ 21:36 GMT, Sep. 2, 2003 ] [ Northeastern Herald ]

    The Tamil demand for a homeland of the merged north and east and the successive governments’ attempts to thwart it begin with the Bandaranaike-Chelvanayakam pact. According to pact that was eventually abrogated, the northern province was to form one regional area, while the east was to be divided into two or more regional areas. Tamils should realise that the merger and the homeland are issues that arise from Tamil self-defence against the depredations of the Sri Lankan state. And as long as issues such as state-aided colonisation and its consequences remain un-addressed and unresolved by the southern polity, it will be foolish for the Tamils to agree to a de-merger.

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   Lanka Tamils want early political settlement
   [ 12:41 GMT, Sep. 2, 2003 ] [ Times of India ]

    Despite the devastation of the civil war, the Tamil people in Sri Lanka are looking forward for an early political settlement between the LTTE and the government, a delegation of South African Tamil leaders, who have just returned from a fact-finding mission to the island, said. Addressing a media conference here, the leader of the delegation, Balakrishna Reddy, said during their eight-day tour last month they visited Jaffna and other areas ravaged by the 20-year strife. The South Africans visited the island under the auspices of the Tamil Co-Ordinating Committee of South Africa, which promotes the re-habilitation and reconstruction of devastated Tamil areas in north and northeast of Sri Lanka.

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   Ranil challenges CBK's view
   [ 12:38 GMT, Sep. 2, 2003 ] [ Daily Mirror ]

    Assuring President Chandrika Kumaratunga that the government is pursuing with every effort to get the LTTE camp in Manirasakulam removed, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has told her that acting on the basis of political expediency at a time like this, is in his view, not the correct approach. "It has always been my position that the people of this country have mandated the government with this responsibility of proceeding to pursue peace, while maintaining the fullest security, and I am determined to fulfil this confidence which the people have placed in us", the Premier has told the President in the latest letter responding to her charges that the government was mishandling the peace process.

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   Sri Lanka hopes for tourist boost
   [ 12:28 GMT, Sep. 2, 2003 ] [ BBC ]

    Sri Lanka is planning a massive boost in its tourist accommodation to cope with what is proving to be a surge in business thanks to the 18-month ceasefire with the Tamil Tiger rebels. The influx of up to 10,000 visitors from the UK later this year for a series of cricket Test Matches could also put a strain on the avaiable accommodation, the government believes. The 14,000 or so available rooms are not sufficient, Tourism Minister Gamini Lokuge told reporters. "We are going to create 3,000 additional rooms," he said.

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   UK: Samurai sword gang strike
   [ 12:20 GMT, Sep. 2, 2003 ] [ This is London ]

    Four killers armed with a Samurai sword, hammers and axes stabbed a teenager to death in what detectives believe is the latest gangland killing involving Sri Lankan Tamils. Asan Ratnasargan was stabbed in the chest with the sword as he sat in a red Alfa Romeo coupe with two friends. The four men attacked the car with hammers and axes before killing the 18-year-old. His two terrified friends drove off to escape the gang.

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   Eravur police investigates Batticaloa youth's death
   [ 12:13 GMT, Sep. 2, 2003 ] [ TamilNet ]

    Tharmaratnam Vanarajah (25) who was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder in Chenkalady, Batticaloa in November 2002 and kept in Batticaloa prison, died at the Batticaloa Teaching Hospital when he was taken there after suddenly falling ill, prison authorities said. Ex-militant sources said that Vanarajah was earlier a member Peoples Liberation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE) and later he quit and worked for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). He then joined the intelligence section of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and functioning as an informant. Eravur Police are conducting investigations into his death.

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   Buddhist monks join Sri Lanka president over Tiger ban
   [ 18:11 GMT, Sep. 2, 2002 ] [ AFP ]

    Buddhist monks joined Sri Lanka President Chandrika Kumaratunga Monday in demanding that the co-habitation government abandon plans to lift a ban on Tamil Tiger rebels ahead of crucial talks. Hundreds of saffron-robed clergy from the newly formed National Conference of Buddhist Monks went to the main conference hall in procession urging that the government should not give into rebel demands to remove the ban. "Lifting the ban on Tamil Tigers is not only illegal and a violation of democratic norms, but an insult to the Buddhist community," the monks said in a resolution to be submitted to Kumaratunga. Later the monks travelled to Kumaratunga's tightly-guarded official residence to hand over a petition. Kumaratunga is also against her co-habitation government's plan to lift the Tiger ban.

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   Sri Lankan FM cuts short Bhutan visit for emergency meet
   [ 18:08 GMT, Sep. 2, 2002 ] [ AFP ]

    Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister Tyronne Fernando cut short his visit to Bhutan Monday to return home for an emergency cabinet meeting, Sri Lankan officials here said. The minister was summoned home for a special session of the cabinet on Tuesday amid a deepening cohabitation crisis with President Chandrika Kumaratunga, said Fernando's secretary Ranga Kalansooriya. "The minister has to be in Colombo for the urgent cabinet meeting, but he is leaving behind the cricket coach to continue their program," Kalansooriya said.

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   LTTE complains against low flying aircraft
   [ 15:13 GMT, Sep. 2, 2002 ] [ CDN ]

    The LTTE yesterday complained to the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) against low flying unmanned Air Force aircraft in uncleared areas. But the Air Force defended its action on the basis that the Ceasefire Agreement enables the Security Forces to continue defending the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity. "The LTTE complained that unmanned Air Force aircraft have hovered over Pallai during the weekend," SLMM Deputy Head Hagrup Haukland told the Daily News.

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   Mandela Blasts US Attack Threats
   [ 14:59 GMT, Sep. 2, 2002 ] [ Guardian ]

    Nelson Mandela, South Africa's former president, strongly condemned U.S. threats to attack Iraq, warning on Monday that the United States was ``introducing chaos in international affairs.'' ``No country should be allowed to take the law into their own hands,'' Mandela said at his Johannesburg home, shortly before going into a meeting with French President Jacques Chirac. ``Especially the United States of America, because they are the only superpower in the world today, and they must be exemplary in everything they do.''

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   President comes out against de-ban and interim council
   [ 14:55 GMT, Sep. 2, 2002 ] [ Daily Mirror ]

    In a disturbing turnt of events ahead of the Thailand peace talks, President Chandrika Kumaratunga yesterday expressed opposition to the de-proscription of the LTTE before progress was made at the forthcoming talks and the granting of an interim administration before addressing the core issues. The President was responding to concerns expressed by a group of representatives of the clergy and the public and noted that she would oppose any proposal by the cabinet to de-ban the LTTE.

Sri Lankan President Opposes Rebels


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   Jaffna students storm SLA positions
   [ 14:50 GMT, Sep. 2, 2002 ] [ TamilNet ]

    Over two thousand protesting Tamil students Monday forced their way into Sri Lanka Army positions and camps in Point Pedro in the northern Jaffna peninsula, destroying barriers, sentry points and checkpoints. Students demanding the withdrawal of troops from public places also blocked the main entrance of the SLA's 52-4 Brigade headquarters. Troops fired tear gars and live rounds and assaulted students, journalists and local officials of the Liberation Tigers' political wing who intervened.

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   Donors pledge $65m for Sri Lanka
   [ 13:04 GMT, Sep. 2, 2002 ] [ BBC ]

    The World Bank and United Nations have promised Sri Lanka $65m (£42m) in aid to rebuild the war-ravaged north east of the country. Brandmon Weerakoon, secretary to the prime minister and Commissioner-General of Relief, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation, said the World Bank had promised $40m and the UN $25m.

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   Meetings in Kilinochchi, London ahead of Sept 16: Peace moves gather pace
   [ 13:03 GMT, Sep. 2, 2002 ] [ Dept. of Information ]

    Prime Minister's Secretary Bradman Weerakoon held talks with LTTE political wing chief S.P. Thamilchelvam yesterday as Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Leader Minister Rauff Hakeem flew to London for talks with LTTE Chief Negotiator Anton Balasingham. The discussions in Kilinochchi and in London precede the first round of formal peace talks between the government and the LTTE in Thailand on September 16. Weerakoon held two hours of talks with Thamilchelvam on North East development and certain issues regarding the Ceasefire Agreement, LTTE media secretary Daya Master told the "Daily News".

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   MDMK alleges secret understanding between Jayalalithaa, Chandrika
   [ 19:27 GMT, Sep. 2, 2002 ] [ The Hindu ]

    The MDMK presidium chairman, L. Ganesan, today alleged that there was secret understanding between the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, and the Sri Lanka President, Chandrika Kumaratunga, to derail the peace process on the island. While the Sri Lankan Prime Minister, Ranil Wikremasinghe, had initiated peace measures and wanted to talk to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, the President seemed to be against peace initiatives, said Mr. Ganesan speaking at a meeting held here to welcome MDMK members, who are on a march from Tiruchi to Vellore.

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   Nedumaran appears in Tiruchendur court
   [ 19:24 GMT, Sep. 2, 2002 ] [ The Hindu ]

    The Tamil Nationalist Movement leader, P. Nedumaran, recently arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, was produced before the District Munsif-cum-Judicial Magistrate Court at Tiruchendur today in connection with a case registered against him in 1994 for his alleged comments in support of the Liberation of Tigers and Tamil Eelam during a meeting at Tiruchendur in June 1992. The charge sheet was filed by the police in connection with the case in 1997. A copy of it was given today to Mr. Nedumaran against whom a warrant was issued recently. The case had been adjourned to September 5.

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   Political instability clouds Sri Lanka peace process
   [ 18:12 GMT, Sep. 2, 2002 ] [ ABC ]

    Sri Lanka's fragile peace process has suffered an unexpected setback with president Chandrika Kumaratunga leading a group of hardliners resisting moves to lift a ban on Tamil rebels before formal peace negotiations begin. Hardliners are rallying behind Mrs Kumaratunga who in a one-page statement released by her office on Sunday said the 1998 ban should be removed, only if the peace process succeeded and not before.

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   Batti TEEDOR launches Book
   [ 12:59 GMT, Sep. 2, 2002 ] [ TamilNet ]

    "Our National Leader's objective is not to prolong the long, devastating war. His primary focus is in obtaining a lasting peace through negotiations that allows our people to live free and with dignity," said Ramesh, the Special Military commander of LTTE for Batti-Ampara district at a book launching ceremony organised by the TEEDOR (Tamil Eelam Economic Development Organisation).

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   It's not LTTE, but EPDP, say Tamil MPs
   [ 12:26 GMT, Sep. 2, 2001 ] [ Sunday Times - SL ]

    Opposition Tamil MPs have alleged that the EPDP is behind the intimidating campaign that called for their resignations from parliament. The MPs said the LTTE had denied issuing the threat and their investigations indicated that the leaflet had the EPDP stamp. All Ceylon Tamil Congress leader A. Vinayagamoorthy said he would have quit parliament, had the request been from the LTTE, but he soon found out it was the work of the EPDP because it wanted to weaken the joint opposition resolve to defeat the government. TULF MP Joseph Pararajasingham said they too believed that the LTTE had no role in the leaflet campaign.

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   No military solution to strife in Lanka
   [ 11:40 GMT, Sep. 2, 2001 ] [ Times of India ]

    There cannot be a military solution to the long-drawn ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka, which must be resolved only through dialogue between the Lankan government and the Tamil rebels, experts said on Saturday. Sri Lankan and Indian experts, participating in a seminar here on 'Indo-Sri Lanka Relations: Towards resolving the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka', felt the strife, which has plagued the island nation for nearly a decade and a half, cannot be resolved until LTTE is made a part of the reconciliation process.

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   Marxists throw lifeline to Sri Lanka's crisis-hit government
   [ 11:34 GMT, Sep. 2, 2001 ] [ AFP ]

    Sri Lanka's main leftist party was Sunday ready to save the minority government from collapse, but insisted on first publicly bringing the administration to its knees. In return for a year of support from the Marxist JVP, or People's Liberation Front, the party said President Chandrika Kumaratunga must swallow her pride and bow to demands to scrap a referendum and to reconvene parliament early. "The government has agreed in principle to subject itself to a probationary period of one year," JVP general secretary Tilvin Silva said. But Kumaratunga must make the announcements on the party's demands before midnight Sunday, Silva added.

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   Muslims complain about reporter
   [ 11:25 GMT, Sep. 2, 2001 ] [ GlobeAndMail ]

    A Muslim lobby group accused a National Post reporter yesterday of setting out to cause trouble for people who sent letters to his newspaper criticizing his stories. Sheema Khan, chairwoman of the Canadian branch of the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations, said that Stewart Bell telephoned the employers of people who sent their letters to the Post via workplace e-mail. He appeared to hang up yesterday when asked about the group's complaint. Post editor-in-chief Kenneth Whyte did not repond to a request for comment.

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   IMPLIED BURDEN ON THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY?
   [ 22:22 GMT, Sep. 2, 2000 ] [ TamilCanadian ]

    The horrors of government-sponsored violence against Tamil people in Sri Lanka defy the imagination: mass murder, rape, and wanton destruction of houses, places of worship, schools and fishing and farming industries. The international community knows about them, heard about them, and has seen them, but seemingly not doing anything not only to stop it but also to find a peaceful resolution of the whole conflict. This leaves the Tamils to ask the inevitable question: "Couldn't someone or some country have done something to prevent this?" Tamils are fighting for their self-determination to free themselves from the deprivations, discriminations, genocide and ethnic cleansing.

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   Another poll, same issue
   [ 21:42 GMT, Sep. 2, 2000 ] [ Times of India ]

    In 1994, when Chandrika Kumaratunga last sought votes for her party, she talked about sweeping constitutional reforms. Six years later, as Sri Lanka prepares for another election, she is still asking for support for a reforms package.

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   Lankan refugees end fast
   [ 16:35 GMT, Sep. 2, 2000 ] [ Chennai OnLine ]

    Sri Lankan refugees lodged in the refugee camp at Chengalpattu, on a hunger strike for the past four days to press their demands, ended their stir yesterday following an assurance from the Collector and deputy superintendent of police that action would be taken on their demands within a week. The refugees were demanding that the government send them back to Sri Lanka at government expense.

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   Media watchdog wants end to Sri Lanka censorship
   [ 16:27 GMT, Sep. 2, 2000 ] [ Reuters ]

    "CPJ believes that it is impossible to hold free and fair elections in a country where media are subject to censorship regulations," - CPJ statement.The censorship was imposed in May as battles raged between government troops and Tamil Tiger rebels in the country"s north. The Supreme Court ruled in July that the censorship was illegal, but the curbs were re-imposed soon afterwards through new regulations.

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   Media calls for lifting press censorship
   [ 16:22 GMT, Sep. 2, 2000 ] [ India Abroad ]

    A New York-based media group has called on the Sri Lankan government to lift press censorship in view of the October ten Parliamentary elections.

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   Nine parties contest in Trinco district
   [ 16:18 GMT, Sep. 2, 2000 ] [ TamilNet ]

    Five political parties and an Independent Group today submitted their nomination papers to contest the Trincomalee electoral district during the forthcoming general elections. Nine recognized political parties and two independent groups have submitted their nomination papers to contest in the island elections.

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   UNP releases election manifesto
   [ 16:16 GMT, Sep. 2, 2000 ] [ TamilNet ]

    The election manifesto released today by the United National Party (UNP) stated that the constitution would not be amended until a political solution to devolve powers agreeable to all political parties is reached. The clergy, civil organisations and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) would also be consulted for a broad consensus, the manifesto further said.

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   Sinhala right-wing party to contest from Jaffna
   [ 11:30 GMT, Sep. 2, 2000 ] [ The Hindu ]

    A Sri Lankan right-wing Sinhalese party and a staunch opposer to the Government's devolution package, the Sihala Urumaya, would contest the October 10 parliamentary polls from northern Jaffna and other districts in the Tamil-dominated north and eastern province. Three officials of the Sihala Urumaya flew to Jaffna yesterday by the Sri Lankan Air Force helicopter to file their nominations, the party general secretary Tilak Karunaratne told the State-run newspaper Daily News.

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   Pakistan, Israel rescued besieged Lankan troops
   [ 10:35 GMT, Sep. 2, 2000 ] [ BRecorder ]

    Access Lanka, the multi-storeyed building in the heart of Sri Lankan capital Colombo houses a number of consultants. They range from telecommunications and software experts to dealers in military hardware. Close relatives of a number of Lankan army generals and the country's defence minister sit pretty in their cosy offices in Access Lanka to conduct the lucrative business.

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   Letter: Neelan Thiruchelvam
   [ 11:11 GMT, Sep. 02, 1999 ] [ TamilCanadian ]

    No details available.

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   Former Tamil rebel leaders killed in explosion
   [ 11:11 GMT, Sep. 02, 1999 ] [ The Intelligencer ]

    No details available.

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   18,757 War-widows in Jaffna
   [ 11:11 GMT, Sep. 02, 1999 ] [ TamilCanadian ]

    No details available.

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   Supreme idiocy, deliberate tactic
   [ 11:11 GMT, Sep. 02, 1999 ] [ TamilCanadian ]

    No details available.

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   Sri Lanka militia leader assassinated in bomb blast
   [ 11:11 GMT, Sep. 02, 1999 ] [ Yahoo ]

    No details available.

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   PLOTE leaders killed in blast
   [ 11:11 GMT, Sep. 02, 1999 ] [ TamilNet ]

    No details available.

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   PLOTE to file legal action against Sri Lankan Police
   [ 11:11 GMT, Sep. 02, 1999 ] [ TamilNet ]

    No details available.

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   Bomb kills Sri Lanka militia leader
   [ 11:11 GMT, Sep. 02, 1999 ] [ BBC ]

    No details available.

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   Sri Lankan militia leader killed in blast
   [ 11:11 GMT, Sep. 02, 1999 ] [ Reuters ]

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   Tamil Canadians Dismiss Extortion Claims
   [ 11:11 GMT, Sep. 02, 1999 ] [ Ilankai Tamil Sangam ]

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   Next phase of exhumation of mass graves in northern Sri Lanka to begin
   [ 11:11 GMT, Sep. 02, 1999 ] [ TamilCanadian ]

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   Cash-starved Sri Lanka to cut teak trees in national parks
   [ 11:11 GMT, Sep. 02, 1999 ] [ CNN ]

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   Toronto: Police Make Arrest in Midnight Rapist Case
   [ 11:11 GMT, Sep. 02, 1999 ] [ CBC ]

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   Chemmani exhumations next week - AG
   [ 11:11 GMT, Sep. 02, 1999 ] [ TamilNet ]

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   Ex-SLA troops identify further graves
   [ 11:11 GMT, Sep. 02, 1999 ] [ TamilNet ]

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   Ex-soldiers identify more Jaffna grave sites
   [ 11:11 GMT, Sep. 02, 1999 ] [ TamilNet ]

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   World: Hopes rise of Mideast deal
   [ 11:11 GMT, Sep. 02, 1999 ] [ BBC ]

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   Sri Lankan parties watching Indian polls
   [ 11:11 GMT, Sep. 02, 1999 ] [ Hindu ]

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   Island of solitude
   [ 11:11 GMT, Sep. 02, 1999 ] [ Indian Express ]

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   Letter: Neelan Thiruchelvam
   [ 11:11 GMT, Sep. 02, 1999 ] [ TamilCanadian ]

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   Former Tamil rebel leaders killed in explosion
   [ 11:11 GMT, Sep. 02, 1999 ] [ The Intelligencer ]

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   18,757 War-widows in Jaffna
   [ 11:11 GMT, Sep. 02, 1999 ] [ TamilCanadian ]

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   Supreme idiocy, deliberate tactic
   [ 11:11 GMT, Sep. 02, 1999 ] [ TamilCanadian ]

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   Sri Lanka militia leader assassinated in bomb blast
   [ 11:11 GMT, Sep. 02, 1999 ] [ Yahoo ]

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   PLOTE leaders killed in blast
   [ 11:11 GMT, Sep. 02, 1999 ] [ TamilNet ]

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   PLOTE to file legal action against Sri Lankan Police
   [ 11:11 GMT, Sep. 02, 1999 ] [ TamilNet ]

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   Bomb kills Sri Lanka militia leader
   [ 11:11 GMT, Sep. 02, 1999 ] [ BBC ]

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   Sri Lankan militia leader killed in blast
   [ 11:11 GMT, Sep. 02, 1999 ] [ Reuters ]

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   Tamil Canadians Dismiss Extortion Claims
   [ 11:11 GMT, Sep. 02, 1999 ] [ Ilankai Tamil Sangam ]

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   Next phase of exhumation of mass graves in northern Sri Lanka to begin
   [ 11:11 GMT, Sep. 02, 1999 ] [ TamilCanadian ]

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   Cash-starved Sri Lanka to cut teak trees in national parks
   [ 11:11 GMT, Sep. 02, 1999 ] [ CNN ]

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   Toronto: Police Make Arrest in Midnight Rapist Case
   [ 11:11 GMT, Sep. 02, 1999 ] [ CBC ]

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   Chemmani exhumations next week - AG
   [ 11:11 GMT, Sep. 02, 1999 ] [ TamilNet ]

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   Ex-SLA troops identify further graves
   [ 11:11 GMT, Sep. 02, 1999 ] [ TamilNet ]

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   Ex-soldiers identify more Jaffna grave sites
   [ 11:11 GMT, Sep. 02, 1999 ] [ TamilNet ]

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   World: Hopes rise of Mideast deal
   [ 11:11 GMT, Sep. 02, 1999 ] [ BBC ]

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   Sri Lankan parties watching Indian polls
   [ 11:11 GMT, Sep. 02, 1999 ] [ Hindu ]

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   Island of solitude
   [ 11:11 GMT, Sep. 02, 1999 ] [ Indian Express ]

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   Sri Lanka opposition challenges postponment of key poll
   [ 11:11 GMT, Sep. 02, 1998 ] [ AFP ]

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   GA's offices remain closed in Vanni
   [ 11:11 GMT, Sep. 02, 1998 ] [ TamilNet ]

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   New mass graves in Jaffna peninsula
   [ 11:11 GMT, Sep. 02, 1998 ] [ TCHR ]

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   India tests missile
   [ 11:11 GMT, Sep. 02, 1998 ] [ BBC ]

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   PLOTE attempts to clear town
   [ 11:11 GMT, Sep. 02, 1998 ] [ TamilNet ]

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