January 2001

4th:
Ship services to KKS restored: The ICRC resumed its weekly voyages between Trincomalee and Kankesanthurai following a tripartite agreement reached last week between the security forces, the ICRS and the LTTE, military and the ICRC officials said yesterday(3^rd Jan.). In April last year, the ICRC suspended weekly voyages by chartered vessel 'Jaya Gold' . 'Jaya Gold' transports patients from the north referred to Colombo hospitals, drugs, medical equipment, medical personnel, both local and expatriate NGO personnel and supplies to Jaffna based NGOs.  (The Island - 04/Jan/2001)

"No cease-fire before talks", the president assures service chiefs. (Sunday Times - 07/Jan/2001)

10th: The government has totally rejected allegations made by the LTTE and its local and foreign media allies, that the government had imposed economic embargoes on the North and East. The Jaffna Government Agent's latest report reveals that the Jaffna District warehouses carry as at January 1^st, a remaining stock of (in Metric tonnes) Flour 5,142; Sugar 1,758; Dhal 386; Milk Powder 51. (Daily News - 10/Jan/2001).

11th: Norway's special envoy Erick Solheim arrived in Colombo yesterday on a four day visit. (Daily News - 11/Jan/2001).

12th: Erick Solheim hold talks with leaders (Daily News - 12/Jan/2001)

14th: Solheim to meet LTTE leaders in London: Norwegian peace envoy Eric Solheim who left Sri Lanka last week is expected to be back in the country next week after consulting the LTTE in London on what he gathered after talks with the Sri Lankan government leaders. (Sunday Observer - 14/Jan/2001)

15th: US-Sri Lanka Extradition Treaty in force: The instruments of Ratification of US-Sri Lanka Extradition Treaty were exchanged between Karl F. Inderferth, Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia and Dr. Warnasena Rasaputram, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary on behalf of the government of the United States of America and the Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, respectively on 12 January 2001, at the US State Department in Washington. With formalities being completed by both sides the Extradition Treaty which was signed between the two countries on September 30^th, 1999 has now formally entered in to force, the foreign Ministry said (Daily News - 15/Jan/2001).

16^th: Banning the LTTE will erode Britain's neutrality and undermine the peace process - Balasingham (The Island - 16/Jan/2001)

17^th: Army launches Kinihira IX, advancing further South: The Army backed by artillery and air support, began moving further South of the Jaffna Peninsula at dawn yesterday, launching operation 'Kinihira IX'. The offensive, which began at 6:30 a.m. marked this year's first major military operation against the LTTE.(Daily News - 17/Jan/2001)

17^th: Today a crowd, most of whom were university students assembled within the Jaffna University premises conducted a demonstration called "Pongu Thamil" meaning uprising Tamil. (Sunday Leader 21/Jan/2000)

18^th: Advancing security forces re-captured an area of more than 10 km. South of Jaffna peninsula in operation 'Kinihira IX', by yesterday afternoon (Daily news - 18/Jan/2001).

20^th: President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has decided to appoint a Commission to inquire in to the deaths of Minister M H M Ashrof and 11 others in a helicopter crash, last year. The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress which suspects a conspiracy behind the crash, had earlier appealed to the President to probe the tragedy. (Daily News - 20/Jan/2001)

20^th: The LTTE said yesterday that it would not extend its unilateral ceasefire declared on December 24^th. In a statement to the Jaffna-based Tamil daily 'Udayan' the LTTE has said that it will resist and drive back any army offensive. (Daily News - 20/Jan/2001)

22^nd: Interpol, The International Criminal Police Organisation, has issued a Red Alert Most Wanted Notice for the Capture of LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran and some of his closest accomplices.(Daily News - 22/Jan/2001)

28^th: The British Foreign Office is keeping a stiff upper lip on the Colombo government's request that the LTTE be included in Britain's list of proscribed terrorists. (The Island - 28/Jan/2001)

28^th: Despite Sri Lanka's persistent call for the LTTE to be proscribed under the Terrorism Act 2000, speculation here is that it will be rejected in a carefully choreographed effort. (Sunday Times - 28/Jan/2001).

February

1^st: Norwegian peace envoy Erik Solheim arrived in Colombo yesterday. This is his second visit to Sri Lanka this year. (Daily News - 1/Feb/2001)

1^st : The Police are conducting investigations into the grenade attack on the British on British charity Oxfam office at park road, Colombo yesterday morning. Two vehicles at the Oxfam garage were damaged, but there were no casualties.

2^nd: President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga had a special meeting with Norwegian peace envoy Erik Solheim on Wednesday night. He also met opposition leader Ranil Wickramasinghe yesterday morning. Reports also said that the Norwegian envoy had discussions with other political parties. A Norwegian embassy official said Solheim had no plans to meet the LTTE leadership during his visit (Daily News - 2/Feb/2001).

2^nd: The Resettlement and rehabilitation authority of the North has allocated and spent a capital expenditure of Rs. 815 million for the development of the Jaffna district from 1996 to 2000 (Daily News - 2/Feb/2001).

4^th: Solheim ends whirlwind visit - Talks about talks reach crucial stage (Sunday Observer - 4/Feb/2001)

4^th: President Chandrika Kumaratunga told her service chiefs that there is to be no letting up in the campaign to defeat the LTTE on the battle field, since it greatly strengthens the bargaining position of the government to have the Tigers on the defensive in the northeast and therefore in a weak position to make demands. Troops have now reached the village of Mukamalai, only 15 km from Iyakachchi junction, where the forward defense lines of the Elephant pass camp were located before the Tigers captured it a year ago. Iyakachchi is only 5 km from Elephant Pass itself , which is on the southern-most point of the peninsula. In the Jaffna Peninsula, the Tigers now hold only a stretch between Mukamalai and Elephant Pass, and the parallel stretch of coastline from Nakar Kovil down to Chundikulam. During the last seven months soldiers have advanced more than 30km along the 50-km stretch from Jaffna town to the Elephant Pass. The entire 50 -km stretch was captured by the LTTE between February and May last year. The army now controls more than 70% of the peninsula. ( The Island - 4/Feb/2001)

4^th: A memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlining the modalities of peace talks has been prepared by Norway's peace envoy to Sri Lanka Mr. Eric Solheim. This will pave the way for the commencement of prospective peace talks between president Chandrika Kumaratunga and the LTTE Supremo Velluplillai Prabhakaran in Oslo, Norway, according to the reliable sources. The memorandum will now have to be signed by President Chandrika Kumaratunga and Prabhakaran before it is implemented.

However, there are still a few clauses in the document, which both are not agreeable to. Some of them are; the LTTE requesting the ban on food and medical supplies being sent to the rebel held areas being lifted and the government's insistence on not having an 'open ended' time frame for peace talks but a distinct time frame during which period peace talks should be concluded. Once these contentious issues are ironed out it is expected that both will sign it. The moot question is who will sign the document first? This is Mr. Solheim's third visit since meeting Prabhakaran in the vanni and has been the longest.

He has already met President Kumaratunga and Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and is expected to meet President Kumaratunga once more before he leaves today (Saturday). Speculation was rife that president Kumaratunga might sign the MoU before he leaves. LTTE theoretician Anton Balasingham has told Mr. Solheim in London on Monday, January 29^th, after seeing the document that Mr. Prabhakaran will sign it provided the President signs it first. The LTTE on their part has extended the month-long cease-fire which ended on January 24^th by another month. (Weekend Express - 3,4 /Feb/2001).

 8^th: British High Commissioner tours East on a fact finding mission. (The Island - 08/Feb/2001)

11^th: The Sinhala Urumaya (SU) party launched a signature campaign to as Britain to proscribe the LTTE. A spokesman for the SU said that the aim is to collect a million signatures by February 17^th. (The Island - 11/Feb/2001).

11^th: Norwegian peace envoy Erik Solheim is very likely to find his mission at the cross roads when he arrives in Colombo this week. This situation has arisen in the wake of LTTE theoretician Anton Balasingham insisting that the government should reciprocate the LTTE cease fire before any talks could begin. Though the government and the LTTE has earlier agreed on several clauses in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) drafted by Norway to begin peace talks, the latest situation is likely to lead to a deadlock, diplomatic and political sources said. (The Island - 11/Feb/2001).

23^rd: LTTE said on Thursday they would extend a unilateral cease-fire for a third month as a goodwill gesture to try to push forward a peace process. (Daily News- 23/Feb/2001).

24^th: On the eve of the British Prime Minister Tony Blair's address to the Canadian parliament on Thursday (22^nd February), questions were raised in Canada's parliament on the introduction of British style anti-terrorism legislation. (The Island - 24/Feb/2001)

25^th: Peace talks in two months - In an interview with CNN in New Delhi, President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga said the two sides (Government and the LTTE) could probably meet in two months because the LTTE has asked for time to implement certain conditions. (Sunday Times - 25/Feb/2001).

25^th: The allocation of Rs. 200 million for the rehabilitation of the North by the government to the Ministry of Development, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of the North, without consulting other MPs of the province has been criticised by Jaffna district UNP parliamentarian T Maheswaran. (Sunday Times - 25/Feb/2001).

25^th: India pledges more help, but urges start of peace talks. (The Island - 25/Feb/2001)

25^th: EU pledges fullest support to Norwegian mediation. (Sunday Observer - 25/Feb/2001)

26^th: EU urges Britain to ban all terrorist groups. (Daily News - 26/Feb/2001)

26^th: EU says UK ban on LTTE will not affect Norwegian peace bid. (The Island - 26/Feb/2001)

27^th: EU opposes breach of Sri Lanka's territorial integrity. (Daily News - 27/Feb/2001)

March

02^nd: Britain proscribes LTTE under new Terrorism Act - Britain on Wednesday included the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in a list of 21 international groups recommended for proscription under the new Terrorism Act 2000. The proscription is expected to severely affect the LTTE's fundraising and propaganda activities in Britain, where its 'international secretariat's is based. (Daily News - 2/Mar/2001)

03^rd: Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar told the local and foreign media yesterday that the end of the war is near. " That is the general feeling even in the armed forces" he said commenting on the British Governments ban on the LTTE and 21 other terrorist organisations. Mr Kadirgamar specially thanked India in this connection. "We owe a debt of gratitude to the Indian Government. The External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh gave us unsolicited support by making representations to the British Government to ban the LTTE" he said. (Daily News - 3/Mar/2001).

04^th: Norwegian peace envoy Erik Solheim is expected back in Colombo this week after consultations with the LTTE theoretician Anton Balasingham in Oslo, Norway. Political sources attach much importance to the intended visit since it takes place in the immediate aftermath of the proscription of the LTTE by the British government. (Sunday Observer - 4/Mar/2001).

5^th: Norwegian envoy Erik Solheim arrived in Colombo yesterday in an effort to keep the fragile peace process on track. (The Island - 5/Mar/2001)

7^th: A joint Sri Lankan parliamentary delegation that visited Oslo, last week, was assured that Norway does not see any further role for them when the government and the LTTE return to the negotiating table, delegation sources said yesterday. The Norwegian Special Envoy to Sri Lanka Mr. Erik Solheim who met the delegation which comprised PA, UNP, TULF and EPDP MPs twice, has assured that he does not believe Norway has a role in Sri Lankan affairs once the negotiation commence, the sources said. The delegation was led by Speaker Anura Bandaranaike. (The Island - 7/Mar/2001).

15^th: Germany and Sri Lanka to jointly fight international terrorism - At a press briefing which followed the bilateral talks (between President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder), the Chancellor said that he had pledged to support for Sri Lanka's efforts to fight terrorism. (Daily News - 15/March/2001).

15^th: Singapore busts Tamil Tiger fundraising ring. (Daily News - 15/March/2001)

18^th: Norwegian peace envoy Erik Solheim and Norway's Ambassador in Colombo Jon Westborg currently briefing the Indian leaders on the peace initiative are expected to return to Colombo within the next few days to proceed to Vanni for discussion with LTTE supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran, political and diplomatic sources in Colombo said. (Sunday Observer - 18/March/2001)

18^th: Nearly 4,000 army deserters have reported back to their respective regiments during the amnesty period which ended last Friday. (Sunday Observer - 18/March/2001)

23^rd: Airforce jets yesterday morning bombed LTTE's "Beirut" base situated about 35kms west of Batticaloa town, Airforce Headquarters spokesperson said. (The Island - 23/March/2001).

23^rd: Independent Eelam an unattainable vision - US Ambassador replies to Tamil Guardian: The US ambassador to Sri Lanka Ashley Wills responding to the Tamil Guardian Editorial of March 14 states that he did not dismiss Tamil aspirations as alleged in the editorial but what he did was to dismiss the idea of an independent Tamil Eelam. (Daily News - 23/March/2001).

24^th: Eleven Muslim farmers abducted by terrorists - Six armed terrorists abducted the farmers at gun point yesterday - a day after the Tigers extended their truce by another month - as the farmers were heading towards their paddy fields along the Pottuvil-Akkaraipattu road. One of the abducted farmers had managed to escape. (Daily News - 23/March/2001).

 
April

02^nd : The government is now considering a package of humanitarian measures to the Vanni mainly focusing on bringing down the prices of commercial goods there, Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar said. (Daily News - 02/April/2001).

04^th: Kadirgamar tells parliament - No MoU, only an agreement with LTTE before talks: Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar yesterday said that the government would announce the exact dates of negotiations and other details before the end of the month. The Minister was responding to a question by UNP MP Tyronne Fernando in parliament yesterday. (The Island - 04/April/2001).

05^th: 1,563 families settled in liberated areas of Jaffna Peninsula - Between January and now a total of 1,563 families have been settled in Jaffna Peninsula, military spokesperson Brigadier Sanath Karunaratne told a news conference at the government information department yesterday. (Daily News - 05/April/2001).

07^th: Norwegian ambassador in Vanni for talks with Prabhakaran - The Norwegian ambassador Jon Westborg yesterday met LTTE leader Vellupillai Prabhakaran for talks relating to the ongoing Oslo brokered negotiations to bring the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE back to the negotiating table, military and political sources said yesterday. (The Island - 07/April 2001).

08^th: New demands: talks at cross roads: confusion over LTTE's fresh conditions as Norwegian ambassador returns from Vanni. (Sunday Times - 08/April/2001).

09^th: No solution without national consensus says UNP - (The Island - 09/April/2001)

09^th: Norwegian ambassador briefs foreign minister, Kadirgamar on Vanni talks - Ambassador Jon Westborg and Second Secretary Tomas Stangeland travelled to the LTTE held area of Mallavi on Friday. They held extensive discussions lasting nearly 10 hours with Tiger political leader P Thamilchelvam on Friday and Saturday and returned to Colombo on Saturday night.

"A number of concerns and questions raised by the LTTE concerning a proposal for building of understanding and the creation of a foundation for direct talks between the two parties were classified. Possible alternatives were discussed," a news release issued by the Norwegian Embassy stated yesterday. (Daily News - 09/April/2001).

10^th: Interaction between the LTTE and terrorist groups in the central Asian and east European regions will be closely monitored by Sri Lankan and Russian intelligence agencies, under last Wednesday's Sri Lanka -Russia police agreement. (Daily News - 10/April/2001).

17^th: A fierce sea battle erupted between the Sri Lankan Navy (SLN) and Tiger terrorists early yesterday when the latter opened fire on a SLN patrol that stumbled on an LTTE supply convoy off the Mullaitivu-Chalai coast, 24 hours before the Government's Sinhala Tamil New Year truce was due to end. (Daily News - 17/April/2001).

18^th: American journalist Marie Colvin (44) working for the British newspaper Sunday Times was wounded on Monday (16^th) night in a skirmish between the army and the LTTE while she was trying to cross the forward defense line of Vavuniya in the company of LTTE cadres. (The Island - 18/April/2001).

20^th: The Batticaloa town was paralyzed yesterday due to a Hartal organised by the Batticaloa University students to commemorate the 13^th death anniversary of the LTTE female cadre Pupathi Umma who was the first Tamil woman who fasted unto death on April 19^th, 1988 demanding that IPKF (Indian Peace Keeping Force) should leave the North-East. (Daily News - 20/April/2001).

21^st : Tamils do not condone LTTE violence - Bishop of Jaffna: Although the LTTE identified itself with the Tamils and fought for the rights of the Tamil people, the Tamils do not condone its resources to violence, said Bishop of Jaffna, Rt. Rev. Thomas Saundranayagam in a dialogue with a group of visiting Colombo based journalists at the Bishop's house, Jaffna on Thursday. (Daily News - 21/April/2001).

24^th: LTTE puts another new demand: Norway to change from facilitator to direct third party participant of the peace talks. (The Island - 24/April/2001).

29^th: Operation Agni Khiela (Rod of Fire) end, troops pull back: Heavy casualties in four days of fighting in North - Fierce Tiger guerrilla attacks and mounting casualties have forced the Security Forces to withdraw to their original defenses, just four days after venturing out to recapture Pallali, a village in the palm fringed thin stretch of land that links Jaffna peninsula to mainland. The four day military adventure has taken the lives of 180 troops including three officers. More than 1600 soldiers have been injured. The operation started at 1:48am on the 24^th of April (The Sunday Times - 29/April/2001).

 
May

3^rd: Police riot squads rushed to bring under control a violent clash between two factions (one Sinhalese and the other Muslim) on Monday (30^th April 2001) resulting in one person’s death and critical injuries to another, at Mawanella. Unruly mobs attacked police personnel and their vehicles, forcing the officers to use tear gas on the attackers and fire in the air. (Daily News - 03/May/2001)

4^th: The CID yesterday began investigating the clashes at Mawanella and the disturbances that followed. On a directive from President Chandrika Kumaratunga, the IGP detailed DIG (CID) Punya de Silva who is now on the spot directing investigations to ascertain the cause of violence and to identify and arrest those responsible for the disturbances. The president has also called for a report on the situation and the circumstances which led to the clash. She has directed the Valuation Department to assess the damage to public and private property. (Daily News - 04/May/2001)

5^th: A few incidents of stone throwing and demonstrations were reported in several places in Colombo city yesterday. In the first incident a group of persons parading the streets of Maradana had hurled stones at the Maradana Police station. In another incident at Wolfendhal Street Colombo 12, unruly crowds had hurled stones at buses plying along the road. In the third incident at Panchikawatte, stones have been hurled at the shops in the area. Police had to use tear gas in all these incidents to disperse the unruly crowds.

7^th : President Chandrika Kumaratunga in an address to the nation on Saturday said that last week’s violent incidents at Mawenalla were a conspiracy against the government. (The Island - 07/May/2001)

10^th: President Chandrika Kumaratunga will brief her ministers at the weekly meeting today on the outcome of the talks held between Norway and the LTTE regarding peace moves and is likely to announce the date and venue for the peace talks scheduled this month, official sources said today.

12^th: Substantial progress on MoU - LTTE: The LTTE in a statement issued yesterday said that substantial progress has been made on the Norwegian Memorandum of Understanding after intense discussions with the facilitators.

16^th: Norway’s Special Envoy, Erik Solheim, arrived in Colombo yesterday to continue efforts in getting the peace process back on track, the Royal Norwegian Embassy told the Daily News. According to diplomatic sources, the possibility of the government agreeing to an informal truce has not been ruled out, though the Tigers are insisting on an official ceasefire and international ceasefire monitors. (Daily News - 16/May/2001)

20^th: Norwegian peace facilitator Erik Solheim returned after his meeting with the LTTE hierarchy on the Vanni last Thursday yet optimistic that the issues raised by the Tigers could be resolved thereby paving the way for resumption of talks, diplomatic sources said. (Sunday Observer - 16/May/2001)

27^th: Solhiem wants US to pressurise government, LTTE for peace: Erik Solheim, Norway’s special envoy, has urged the United States of America to exert constant pressure on both parties so that the peace process could be expedited and strengthened. Solhiem made this request to several officials and lawmakers at separate meetings in Washington when he undertook a trip to the US last week to brief concerned Americans about the progress of the peace process in Sri Lanka. (Sunday Leader - 27/May/2001)

27^th: The Government last night rejected the LTTE’s call for the suspension of the proscription on it and declared such a move could only be an outcome of the negotiation process. (Sunday Times - 27/May/2001)

June

3^rd: President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga is due shortly to convene a special meeting of her Cabinet Ministers to explore ways of bringing the LTTE to the negotiating table following the present impasse due to the LTTE demand for de-proscription prior to peace talks. (Sunday observer - 3/June/2001)

6^th: Two civilians were killed and 16 wounded , some of them seriously when their homes were hit during a fierce two-hour confrontation between the army and the LTTE at Kawatayamunai, about 2 kms southwest of Valaichenai, in the Batticaloa district yesterday. (The Island - 6/June/2001)

6^th: Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has pledged the United National Party (UNP)’s support to President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga’s moves to end the war in the North. Mr Wickremesinghe gave this assurance during his meeting with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha Jayaram at the Chief Ministers Secretariate in Chennai. (Daily News - 6/June/2001)

10^th: Solheim sidelined for blabbing - The apparent sidelining of Norway’s special envoy Erik Solheim as the chief peace talks facilitator came following an understanding reached between Colombo and Oslo that the young politician was on an agenda of his own and not keeping the two governments adequately briefed. (Sunday Times - 10/June/2001)

10^th: Norway upgrades its role - The readiness by Norway to undertake the peace effort at a higher official level than in the past is likely to quicken the momentum towards direct peace talks between the Government and the LTTE, the ‘Sunday Observer’ learns. This follows the top-level talks between Norway’s Foreign Minister Thorbjorn Jagland and President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga on Thursday. (Sunday Observer - 10/June/2001)

11^th : The exclusion of Mr. Erik Solheim from the ‘high level’ meeting between the government and the Norwegian Foreign Minister Thorbjorn Jagland on Thursday (7^th June) is said to be a result of the government’s need to sideline him from the peace process in response to pressure from various quarters. The impression given by the government is that his presence at ‘high level’ meetings as a facilitator was not acceptable. (The Island - 11/June/2001).

12^th: LTTE blames the government for Solheim’s removal: The LTTE statement says that Mr. Solheim has performed his role as a facilitator in an admirable and impartial manner and the LTTE should have been informed before removing him from his role as a facilitator. (Daily News - 12/June/2001)

12^th: LTTE yesterday in a statement said that Norway has breached its neutrality by agreeing with the Sri Lankan authorities to change the role of peace envoy Erik Solheim without consulting them. (The Island - 12/June/2001).

13^th: The UNP has finalised all arrangements to submit the no confidence motion against the People’s Alliance government to speaker Anura Bandaranaike in parliament on June 19, a spokesman for the UNP said yesterday. (The Island - 13/June/2001)

14^th: SLFP General Secretary and Samurdhi Minister S B Dissanayake yesterday stated that Sri Lanka should use the influence and good offices of western countries and India to resolve the ethnic crisis through the formation of a national government. (The Island - 14/June/2001)

16^th: Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) leader Rauff Hakeem was due to meet President Chandrika Kumaratunga last night to sort out among other matters the signing of the long delayed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the PA and the SLMC. Observing that the dispute between Hakeem and National Unity Alliance (NUA) leader Ferial Ashraff had been blown out of proportion the spokesman said what has to be sorted out is whether Ferial Ashraff is a member of the SLMC politburo. "The NUA constitution says that the SLMC leader will also be their leader. So this is another matter that has to be sorted out" he added. (The Island - 16/June/2001)

17^th: Speaker Anura Bandaranaike is expected to give a long and exhaustive ruling , rejecting an order of the Supreme Court staying him from appointing a Select Committee to probe an impeachment motion presented by the opposition against the Chief Justice Sarath N Silva, the Sunday Times learns. The order is expected either on Tuesday, June 19 or Wednesday, June 20^th when the parliament sits. (Sunday Times - 17/June/2001)

17^th: The rift between Muslim Congress leaders Rauf Hakeem and Farial Ashraff widened yesterday while questions also remained about the Minister Hakeem’s position in the government despite crisis talks with President Kumaratunga on Friday night. (Sunday Times - 17/June/2001)

21^st: SLMC -NUA quit PA coalition - In two dramatic moves yesterday, the coalition partnership between the People’s Alliance and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress ended in shambles and the SLMC was in the opposition fold. President Chandrika Kumaratunga stripped leader of the SLMC, Rauff Hakeem of his ministerial portfolio - Internal Trade, Commerce, Shipping Development and Muslim Religious Affairs. No reasons were given as a government news release tersely announced Mr. Hakeem had been removed from his ministerial offices.

22^nd: The Government Parliamentary Group which met yesterday morning passed a resolution expressing its appreciation of the stern action taken by President Chandrika Kumaratunga in relation to Rauff Hakeem former Minister of Internal Trade, Commerce, Shipping Development and Muslim Religious Affairs. (Daily News - 22/June/2001).

25^th: The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) has continued to keep the country in suspense regarding its support for the UNP sponsored on no confidence motion on the government after its central committee early yesterday morning resolved that its ten member parliamentary group should decide on the matter. (The Island - 25/June/2001)

25^th: JVP parliamentarian and party propaganda secretary Wimal Weerawansa said yesterday, it was the JVP’s firm stance that the LTTE ban should not be lifted under any circumstances until the Tigers publicly renounce their demand for Tamil Eelam and JVP also opposed the SLMC’s demand for separate administrative regions for Tamil speaking people. (Daily News - 25/June/2001)

25^th: SLMC Leader and former Minister of Internal Trade, Commerce, Shipping Development and Muslim Religious Affairs Rauff Hakeem, in a statement issued yesterday, said that despite President Chandrika Kumaratunga alleging he had acted in violation of collective responsibility of the Cabinet Ministers on numerous occasions, she offers no evidence of any breach. (Daily News - 25/June/2001)

27^th: The high command of the SLMC which met on Monday (25^th)unanimously decided to accept and implement the recommendation of the working committee made at its meeting on June 23^rd, to remove all persons who had been co-opted to the politbureau on September 17, last year, since their appointments were contrary to the Constitution. Consequent to this decision , the party leader Rauff Hakeem acting under the powers vested in him under the Constitution, has appointed Mrs. Ferial Ashraff and her son  Aman Ashraff to the politbureau. T K Azzor said in a press release issued yesterday afternoon. (The Island - 27/June/2001)

27^th: The proposed meeting between National Unity Alliance leader, Ferial Ashraff and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress leader Rauff Hakeem , did not take place because the former had rejected his invitation, Hakeem told ‘The Island’ yesterday. (The Island 27/June/2001)

28^th: Mrs. Farial Ashraff expressed bewilderment that Mr. Hakeem was holding on to both Secretary General and leadership positions in the NUA, reacting to admonitions by SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem to refrain from presenting herself as the leader of the National Unity Alliance (NUA). (The Island - 28/June/2001)

28^th: A group of UNP members on behalf of the Muslim community in Kandy district are taking steps to make representations to the party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe requesting him not to allow SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem, contest Kandy district from the party at the next general election, because he is a labelled Muslim communalist, a Muslim politician holding a high office in a Central province local government institution said yesterday. The spokesman expressed anxiety over the Kandy district UNP MP R M Abdul Cadar encouraging Rauff Hakeem to contest Kandy district when Abdul Cadar was most critical of Rauff Hakeem during and even after the last general elections. (The Island - 28/June/2001)

28^th: Amidst intense manoeuvering for control of parliament where the PA government no longer has a majority, president Chandrika Kumaratunga yesterday left the country on a private visit after conferring all her powers for the first time on the Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake, Although President Kumaratunga has gone abroad on several occasions on official and private visits, she has never conferred full powers of the Office of the President on the prime minister. (The Island - 28/June/2001)

29^th: The venerable Mahaknayake Theras of Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters of the Siyam Maha Nikaya Kandy observed yesterday (28) that changing or replacing the government, at this crucial hour, would not help solving any of the burning problems. What was more important under the present context was to make all efforts to put all resources of both the government and the opposition together with the view to find effective solution to the ethnic problem.

July

02^nd: Pope John Paul on Sunday called Sri Lanka's government and rebel leaders to pursue negotiations to put an end nearly two decades of ethnic violence on the Indian Ocean Island. ( Daily News - 02/July/2001)

02^nd: The JVP said yesterday that it will vote against the monthly extension of emergency regulations when it is debated in parliament on Friday, brushing aside government claims that it would amount to a lifting of the LTTE ban. (The Island - 02/July/2001)

03^rd: India yesterday expressed great disappointment at recent developments in Sri Lanka.

4^th: Colombo district judge Sunil Rajapakse yesterday suspend an enjoining order which restrained the leader of the National Unity Alliance (NUA), Ferial Ashraff, the Minister of Development and Reconstruction of the East and Rural Housing from functioning as leader of the NUA. Besides, the order restraining the second and the third defendants, J Asitha Perera and M L A H Hisbulla, from functioning as the members of the High Command of the NUA, had also been suspended. The order was a sequel to an application made by first, second and third defendants Mrs. Farial Ashraff, Mr. Asitha Perera and Mr. M L A M Hisbulla, respectively. Plaintiffs alleged that as the first defendant was not the leader of the SLMC and in terms of the constitution of the NUA, she should not function as the leader of the NUA. (Daily News - 04/July/2001).

4^th: The United National Party Parliamentary Group has decided to vote against the extension of the emergency on July 6^th, political sources said yesterday. UNP and opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said on Monday in a public rally that the government had no moral right to remain in power when it had lost its parliamentary majority. (Daily News - 04/July/2001)

4^th: Opposition and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday while displaying his "amazement" over the government's obsession with emergency regulations declared that defeat of the extension of emergency in parliament would not be of any bad consequence to the country , since security is maintained and the war is fought under regulations of the Prevention of Terrorism Act. (The Island - 04/July/2001).

5^th: If not for pre-emptive air strike Jaffna would have been in peril - Foreign Minister Kadirgamar (Daily News - 05/July/2001).

5^th: The government yesterday sought to postpone from July to August the debate on the opposition United national Party's no-confidence motion, but the final decision on the date was put off till tomorrow due to vehement protest against the proposal. The debate on the no-confidence motion against Chandrika Kumaratunga's government is now tentatively fixed for July 16, according to parliamentary sources. (The Island - 05/July/2001).

5^th: National Unity Alliance leader, Farial Ashraff, will sack Rauff Hakeem from the politburo and high command of the party at a delegates conference in Ampara today, informed sources said. The move comes just two days after district courts lifted an enjoining order obtained by the Hakeem faction, restraining Farial from functioning as the NUA leader. (The Island - 05/July/2001)

6^th: President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has invoked Section 12 of the Public Security Ordinance (Chapter 40) and the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act No 48 of 1979 to retain the proscription of the LTTE and ensure security island-wide in the face of warnings by the UNP and JVP, as well as TELO and TULF that they would vote against the extension of the Emergency. (Daily News - 06/July/2001).

7^th: While the government will not budge from its decision to fix the UNP sponsored no-faith motion for debate in Parliament on August 7^th, President Chandrika Kumaratunga is likely to prorogue parliament for two months effective midnight August 6^th, authoritative sources said yesterday. (The Island - 06/July/2001).

7^th: Amidst intense political manoeuvering for control of the SLMC and the NUA, Minister Farial Ashraff chaired NUA's Delegates' Conference at Ampara town hall yesterday amidst sporadic attacks on vehicles carrying her supporters to the meeting and an SLMC call to boycott the meeting. At Samanthurai police fired into the air to disperse SLMC supporters who went on the rampage attacking vehicles carrying NUA supporters. (The Island - 06/July/2001).

7^th: Opposition moves to tilt the balance of power in Parliamentary Select Committees were thwarted yesterday. Chief opposition Whip W J M Lokubandara presenting a motion yesterday morning midway through the vote of condolence on the late SLMC leader M H M Ashraff called for the reconstitution of the Parliamentary Select Committees and Advisory Committees to reflect the majority in opposition ranks. He called for the suspension of standing orders 19,20(1), 20(3) and 23(3) pertaining to parliamentary procedure and for the reconstruction of the committees. The motion was passed as a joint opposing move supported by all parties and all 115 members of the opposition.

7^th: The joint Opposition bill to set up the much touted five independent commissions will be deferred for two weeks as legal experts incorporate amendments proposed by the various Opposition political parties at a meeting last Tuesday. (The Island - 7/July/2001).

11^th: With Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake calling off informal talks between the PA and the UNP on the formation of a National Government, the scene has now shifted to the no confidence motion against the government which the joint opposition yesterday requested Speaker Anura Bandaranaike to take up for debate, as scheduled on July 18. The request signed by 115 opposition parliamentarian from the UNP, JVP, SLMC, TULF, TELO, ACTC and Sinhala Urumaya was handed over to the Secretary General of Parliament Dhammika Kitulgoda yesterday morning. (The Island - 11/July/2001)

14^th: Speaker Anura Bandaranaike is expected today to give a ruling on the opposition's contention that the prorogation of Parliament by president Chandrika Kumaratunga was illegal. Leaders from the joint opposition excluding Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), met Mr. Bandaranaike at his Kollupitiya residence yesterday morning and asked him to convene parliament on July 16^th, as earlier scheduled. It was speculated that the JVP did not support the opposition move. JVP spokesman, Wimal Weerawansa, said they had been "unable" to attend but that they would sign the combined opposition letter for Parliament to be summoned. He was referring to a second letter which had not been handed over to the Speaker yesterday morning, said Ravi Karunanayake, UNP Parliamentarian. (The Island - 14/July/2001).

14^th: The JVP yesterday said that they were contemplating legal action before an international court against the government's decision to hold a referendum. "We don't have much faith in the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka. We are considering legal action before an international forum", Propaganda Secretary Wimal Weerawanse said. (The Island - 14/July/2001).

14^th: The Joint Business Forum (JBF) has requested an urgent meeting with President Kumaratunga to discuss the serious political crisis that has arisen in the country as a result of the prorogation of parliament. (The Island - 14/July/2001).

14^th: The Leave to Appeal application, filed by two Working Committee members of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), citing Mrs. Ferial Ashraff and four other persons as respondents, was heard before the Court of Appeal yesterday. The appellants has set aside a District Court order, which refused to restrain Mrs. Ashraff from functioning as the leader of the national Unity Alliance (NUA). The court of appeal gave the five respondents, time till July 18, to file written submissions, on their preliminary objections to the leave to appeal application. (The Island - 14/July/2001).

15^th: The joint opposition, which had asked Speaker Anura Bandaranaike to disregard the prorogation and summon parliament on schedule, were yesterday waiting anxiously for his ruling. "We have been trying to contact the Speaker but have not been able to trace him", said Karu Jayasuriya, United National party deputy leader. Bandaranaike's ruling had been expected yesterday morning but the opposition said they had heard nothing from him. (The Island - 15/July/2001).

15^th: Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe had a "secret" meeting with President Chandrika Kumaratunga on July 4 claimed that even without the JVP's ten votes, he could muster 113 votes for the no-confidence motion against the government, well informed political circles revealed yesterday. This implied that eight government MPs were willing , in Wickremesinghe's calculations , to throw their weight with the opposition. Justice Minister Batty Weerakoon went on record over state radio last week that some "monkeys" had been bought over according to what the President had told him. (The Island - 15/July/2001).

15^th: The JVP is treading a cautious path in its opposition to President Kumaratunga's prorogation of parliament and referendum, striving to distance itself from the UNP while participating in the meetings of the joint opposition action committee. JVP sources indicated that they will on Monday unveil "an anti-PA action plan", that will not involve the joint opposition but include progressive activists including artists. At the same time they will participate at a meeting of the joint opposition action committee to be held on Monday at Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe's official residence. (The Island - 15/July/2001)

15^th: Norway's attempts to revive its tottering peace bid in Sri Lanka revive its tottering peace bid in Sri Lanka have suffered a kidney punch due to unprecedented political turmoil in an island already soaked in blood and tears, diplomats said Friday. (The Island - 15/July/2001)

20^th: According to Reuters the total number of people ranging between 10,000 and 20,000 participated in the UNP's much vaunted protest campaign (against the President's decision to hold a referendum) in Colombo yesterday. In attempts made by the police to curb violence two people died and 70 were wounded, three of them critically. The protest itself was illegal under the referendum law under which the inspector general of police banned the UNP from holding any processions in Colombo. (Daily News - 20/July/2001).

21^st: President Chandrika Kumaratunga yesterday sacked Minister Rauff Hakeem from the PA cabinet. According to the powers vested in the President under the Constitution, president Kumaratunga removed Mr. Hakeem from his portfolios of the Minister of Internal and International Trade and Commerce, Shipping Development and Muslim Religious Affairs, a press release issued by the Director of Government Information stated. (Daily News - 21/July/2001)

21^st: Despite the SLMC members of parliament deciding to sit in the opposition benches in parliament, the party will not take any course of action to embarrass the government, Leader of the national Unity Alliance and Minister Ferial Ashraff told the Daily News yesterday. Minister Ashraff has had detailed discussions with President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga yesterday at which she told the president that she too was a member of the SLMC and she treated the removal of its leader from the cabinet as belittling the party.
Mrs. Ashraff also told the media yesterday that she too will be resigning from her ministerial office. (Daily News - 21/July/2001).

August

02^nd : President Chandrika Kumaratunga is expected to summon all political party leaders representing parliament for a round table meeting next week, official sources disclosed yesterday. Sources said this meeting will follow the ongoing meetings with political parties separately. (The Island - 02/July/2001)

03^rd: President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga last night appointed a high powered National Committee on airport security which will recommend measures to ensure tight security. The committee is headed by the Defence Secretary Mr. Chandananda de Silva. (Daily News - 03/August/2001)

03^rd: The JVP yesterday called on the government to cancel the referendum and form what they call a "probationary" government for a limited period of time so that the five independent commissions could be established and measures for the further democratization of the system could be put in place. JVP general secretary Tilvin Silva at a press briefing said that this proposal conveyed to the president by the JVP at their meeting with her on Tuesday is the best "face saving" measure the government could take in view of an apparent defeat at the referendum. (The Island - 03/August/2001).

04^th: The Court of Appeal on Thursday issued a stay order restraining the Commissioner of Elections and the Secretary General of Parliament, from accepting letters signed by Mrs. Ferial Ashraff , expelling SLMC members from the NUA. The stay order is valid for two weeks. (The Island - 4/August/2001)

04^th: The three policemen allegedly involved in the shooting incident at the UNP protest rally surrendered before the Colombo Additional Magistrate on Thursday. They were remanded till August 6. (Daily News - 4/August/2001).

04^th: Over 100 persons yesterday called over for interviews conducted by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority to recruit gantry crane, transfer crane and loading machine operators and prime mover drivers to ensure uninterrupted cargo handling operations at the Jaya Container Terminal (JCT) in the wake of the wild at strike now on. (Daily News - 4/August/2001)

05^th: Three persons were critically injured in a factional clash between the Tamil Eelam Liberation Organisation (TELO) and the Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front in Vavuniya yesterday. Vavuniya district TELO Secretary S Ravichandran said that the attack took place while the representatives of the five Tamil parties TELO, ACTC, EPRLF, PLOTE and TULF were at a meeting in Vavuniya. (Sunday Observer - 05/August/2001).

06^th: The government will go ahead with the proposed referendum to determine whether the country needs a new constitution, regardless of the outcome of its talks with the opposition parties, a senior government minister said yesterday. (The Island - 6/August/2001)

07^th: Colombo based agents of multinational insurance companies will report to their principals this week on the safety of the Colombo port following repeated assurance given by the Sri Lanka ports Authority Chairman Admiral Mohan Samarsekara.  Vessels from American President Lines (APL), Ceylon Shipping Lines and Sea Consortium have been already slapped with a war risk surcharge on their vessels and they will pass on these additional costs to importers and exporters. (Daily news - 7/August/2001)

07^th: With public opinion increasing for the formation of a government of national reconciliation, the UNP said yesterday that the onus now lies entirely with the government if it was keen to re-establish democracy in the country. The deputy leader of UNP, Karu Jayasuriya said that the UNP was agreeable to a government of National Reconciliation provided the government summons parliament and cancels the proposed referendum. (The Island - 7/August/2001)

08^th: The internal clash in the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress has developed in to a stage where two persons are claiming to be party leader simultaneously. Both MP Rauff Hakeem and National Unity Alliance senior deputy leader M L A M Hisbullah are challenging each others leadership. Mr. Hisbullah said that former leader Rauff Hakeem's leadership automatically lapsed six months ago when he failed to summon a politburo meeting for electing the leader. (Daily News - 8/August/2001)

08^th: SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem yesterday brushed aside the leadership claim from his erstwhile colleague M A L M Hisbullah as what he called a "puerile effort by a beleaguered government". (The Island - 8/August/2001).

08^th: Ten unarmed Muslim civilians were abducted by LTTE on Monday in Sungavila, about 20kms. North East of Hingurakgoda along their five tractors and a hand cart. Nine of these civilians had been released later in the day. Sungavila is a predominantly Muslim village which has about 200 families who's main income is based on Agriculture. (The Island - 8/August/2001)

08^th: LTTE kills 37 civilians, abducts 22: The LTTE went on rampage murdering 37 civilians, injuring 52 and abducting 22 in the North and East within the first seven months of the year, Defence Ministry source yesterday. (Daily News - 8/August/2001)

08^th: The Mahanayake Theros of Malwatte and Asgiriya on Monday (06) conferred there blessings on the Sihala Urumaya (SU) efforts to bring together the main political parties - the UNP and the PA- to form a government of friendship (a government of national reconciliation). (The Island - 8/August/2001)

08^th: Opposition and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday that a formation of a government of national reconciliation under a leader who commands a majority in parliament. Addressing the UNP working committee yesterday afternoon Wickremesinghe said that once the government is defeated in parliament of resigns before that, the leader of the single largest party in parliament should be called on to form the next government. Thereafter those who are for the formation of a government of national reconciliation and the re-establishment of democracy in the country should get together for whatever the duration necessary. (The Island - 8/August/2001)

09^th: President Chandrika Kumaratunga Tuesday(7^th) announced the postponement of the August 21 referendum. The new date to conduct the referendum was fixed for October 18^th. Postal voting fixed for tomorrow and the day following has been postponed indefinitely. President Kumaratunga issuing a statement on the postponement of the referendum claimed that it was done after considering the divergent views of all political parties, trade unions, religious organizations and other sections of the community. (The Island - 9/August/2001)

09^th: The postponement of referendum has resulted in hectic political activity within the UNP as well as the PA. Sources said the some UNPers were continuing with their efforts to form a government of national reconciliation. They said that four UNP MPs have met the Prime Minister on Tuesday two hours before President Chandrika Kumaratunga announced the postponement of the referendum.

09^th:  The joint opposition yesterday called for a cancellation of the national referendum and the immediate reconvening of Parliament to enable the implementation of the democratic process. (The Island - 9/August/2001)

10^th: The Mahanayakes conferred their blessings for the short-term strategy of the JVP to save the country from present plight, when a special JVP delegation met the chief prelates on Wednesday. (The Island - 10/August 2001)

10^th: The Defence Ministry said on Wednesday that comprehensive review of the security measures at Colombo harbour has been undertaken by the competent authorities. A Defence Ministry spokesman said that following measures have been put in place. The overall security in the Colombo harbour has been placed under a unified command. The Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy is held responsible for the coordination of all security aspects of the harbour. For the purpose of security planning, Colombo Port has been divided into six different zones and placed under the charge of separate sector commands. (The Island - 10/August/2001)

11^th: President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga said that the government was prepared for a consensual Government to solve the constitutional crisis and to end the war and urged the UNP government to come forward with concrete proposals as one group instead of sending different groups with different proposals. (Daily News - 11/August/2001).

11^th: The Public sittings of the Presidential Commission of inquiry into the incident which occurred at the Bindunuwewa Rehabilitation Centre in Bandarawela will begin at the BMICH Colombo on August 13 and 21 at 9:30 am. (Daily News -11/August/2001)

12^th: The JVP, which struck a new understanding with the minority PA government on Friday has demanded that the peace process with the LTTE be suspended, opening a new dimension to the country's ongoing political crisis. (Sunday Times - 12/August/2001)

12^th: Following opposition from Tamil political parties to the charge of treason contained in the draft motion to impeach President Kumaratunga, the opposition draft committee hopes to have the motion ready within a week after making necessary modifications, political sources said. (Sunday Times - 12/August/2001)

12^th: The UNP will continues its anti-government agitation campaign with demonstrations planned in 70 towns tomorrow as negotiations for a national unity administration collapsed again. (Sunday Times - 12/August/2001)

19^th: At a stormy meeting of the United National Party Working Committee last Thursday, party chief and Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe affirmed that party emissaries had engaged with the Government to explore ways of restoring political stability by assuring conditional support to the People Alliance regime. The UNP leader made the clarification in response to a barrage of questions by a group of critics led by MP Rajitha Senaratna. Mr. Senaratna caused an uproar when he referred to last Sunday's report in this newspaper that twenty UNP parliamentarians favoured conditional support for the PA regime and demanded that those MPs identify themselves and face disciplinary action for betraying the party.

19^th: The UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has reiterated his warning to president Chandrika Kumaratunga that even without the JVP's 10 votes, he could easily muster the required number of votes for the no-trust motion against the government. Wickremesinghe's warning has implied that even if the president agrees to the JVP's five-point plan for conditional support for her government, the beleaguered PA has no chance in defeating the UNP led motion, political sources said. (The Island - 19/August/2001)

19^th: Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger separatists have accused the government of scuttling Norway's attempts to broker peace and called for a fresh bid to end decades of bloodshed, a radio report said Friday. The LTTE told the BBC that they wanted to end the conflict which has killed more than 60,000 people. "We have not stopped the attempts for peace talks," the report quoted the LTTE's political wing leader Thamil Chelvam as saying. Asked about the July 24 attack against the country's only international airport and the adjoining military airbase, Chelvam refused to accept responsibility but said the rebels welcomed the operation. (The Island - 19/August/2001)

21^st: Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake wrote to Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday, proposing formal talks towards reaching a constructive agreement between the government and the UNP. (Daily News - 22/August/2001)

22^nd: LTTE attack kills 13 policemen and injures 18 in Ampara Central Camp - three police posts and a Police Special Task Force camp in Ampara in the early hours of yesterday. . (Daily News - 22/August/2001)

23^rd: Fifteen people were injured , four of them seriously, when a civilian passenger bus was caught in an LTTE claymore mine explosion at Vellorpoint, Nilaveli in Trincomalee yesterday around 12:30 pm, defence sources told the Daily News yesterday. (Daily News - 23/August/2001)

23^rd: The application for leave to appeal by SLMC General secretary against the District Court refusal to grant an enjoining order to prevent Minister Mrs. Ferial Ashraff from acting as the leader of the NUA and/or acting upon the alleged constitution of the NUA, which came up for support yesterday was put off for 29^th of September by the Court of Appeal after Counsel for Mrs. Ashraff called for an amendment in the caption in the main petition.

23^rd: Minister of Constitutional Affairs and Industrial Development, Prof. G L Peiris yesterday pointed out that the issue of resigning from the Cabinet did not arise as the president under powers vested in her under the constitution reserved the right to remove any minister any time. Minister Peiris made this observation in reply to a question posed by 'The Island' last night as there was speculation that Prof. Peiris was to tender his resignation from the Cabinet to express the solidarity to the president. On Monday (20^th)night Ministers Alavi Moulana, Reggie Ranatunge and Jeevan Kumaratunge tendered their undated resignations to show solidarity and confidence in the leadership of president Chandrika Kumaratunga. Prof. Peiris said that an undated resignation letter from the Cabinet at any time was contrary to principles and democratic practices. (The Island - 23/August/2001)

23^rd: President Chandrika Kumaratunga replying an explanatory letter of Samurdhi Minister S B Dissanayaka yesterday levelled a series of allegations against her minister's administration of the Samurdhi funds.

24^th: UNP and Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe replying a letter sent to him by the Prime Minister on Tuesday, to start a dialogue with the PA has reiterated that such a dialogue should discuss the demands put forward by the joint opposition. The opposition leader has pointed out that the demand to immediately reconvene the parliament, cancellation of the referendum and the establishment of the five independent commissions should be discussed as priorities. The UNP leader has named Messrs. Karu Jayasuriya, Tyronne Fernando, K N Choksy, and the Party Chairman Charitha Ratwatte s the delegation for talks. (The Island - 24/August/2001)

24^th: Thousands of supporters last afternoon gathered in the city of Colombo to attend the UNP sponsored Peoples Movement for Democracy protest rally at Town Hall. (The Island - 24/August/2001)

24^th: The LTTE in the early hours of yesterday mounted a multi-pronged attack on the strategic Kokkuthuduwai army detachment, north of Trincomalee and succeeded in capturing at least two front-line bunkers before ground troops backed by heavy naval gun fire support forced the LTTE to withdraw, military officials said. The LTTE seized the two positions after multi-barrel rocket launchers and 122mm mortars engaged troops deployed north of the base, situated about 17kms northwest of Pulmoddai forcing them to abandon their front-line fortifications. (The Island - 24/August/2001)

31^st: The PA leadership in an attempt to get a majority in parliament has initiated secret talks with the JVP as the PA-UNP dialogue for a consensus government ended in a deadlock on Wednesday, informed political sources said. (The Island - 31/August/2001)

31^st: Two constables and a civilian were killed while several civilians were injured when a bomb fixed to a push bicycle exploded last morning near the gate of a Kalmune Pradeshiya Sabha. (The Island - 31/August/2001)

31^st: The government is still considering ways and means of obtaining the consent of the UNP to a joint PA-UNP appeal inviting the LTTE for talks. The press release issued by the PA on the outcome of the PA-UNP talks carried an appeal to the UNP to reconsider its position and make a joint statement with PA. The Foreign Affairs Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar replying to a question put forward by journalists at last Wednesday's press conference said that he saw such a statement as a "historic moment in the domestic politics of this country". Referring to failure of get the UNP agreeing for such a statement, he said "I do not give up hope".

31^st: The failure of the recent PA-UNP talks has left the government with only two options to overcome the crisis, said the Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe. He said the President should invite the party which has majority in parliament to form a new government or hold a general election under a caretaker government representing all political parties in parliament after establishing the five commissions and reinitiating the peace process he said. (Daily News - 31/August/2001)

September

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