APRIL  

30/April/2002

• Central Provincial Council: United National Front takes over, Chief Minister swearing in today. (Daily News)

• Army on a one month long recruitment drive to fill void. (The Island)

• Trincomalee anti-Jayalalitha demo leaves 3 injured. (The Island)

29/April/2002

• Only one homeland - PM. (Daily News)
• A9 open for six days. (Daily News)
• More LTTE farms - The LTTE will set up more agricultural farms to employee its fighting cadres after the war is ended. (Daily News)
• LTTE wants sex videos handed over. (The Island)
• LTTE re-detains 82-year-old notary for not paying ransom. (The Island)
• UN puts 1.3 million refugees high on peace agenda. (The Island)
• Muslim team visits Jaffna. (Daily Mirror)
• India's Tamils impartial in talks. (Daily Mirror)

28/April/2002

• 18th Amendment on May 21: Major constitutional amendments stripping the president of her absolute powers to dissolve or prorogue parliament and allowing MPs to cross over or cast a conscience vote will be presented in parliament on May 21, government sources said yesterday. (Sunday Times)

• LTTE to impose a dress code for Jaffna women. (Sunday Times)

• Premier gives assurance to prelates, rejects the theory of a separate minority Tamil homeland in the north and the east. (Sunday Times)

• Interim council a move to achieve separate state:EPDP (Sunday Times)

• Red tape bar o A9 bus travel. (Sunday Observer)

• LTTE to seek indefinite delay in N-E polls. (The Island)

• LTTE wants parity of status at negotiating table. (The Island)

• Deal firmly with terrorism but address causes - President Chandrika Bandaranaike in New Delhi urged the South Asian countries. (The Island)

• Peace hopes rises with Norway's shuttle diplomacy. (The Island)

• UN mission assess people's needs in peace process. (The Island)

• FAO launches plan to revive food production in Sri Lanka's north. (The Island)

27/April/2002

• [opposition leader] Mahinda Rajapakse sidelined. (The Island)

• Even LTTE ignores Mahinda: The LTTE has not invited the Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapakse for any talks regarding peace initiatives in Thailand, a spokesman to the opposition leaders office told the Island. (The island)

• Private bus operators assured solution to Jaffna service by May 1st. (The Island)

26/April/2002

• Draconian defamation law to be replaced. (The Island)

• Karuna, Karikalan back in Batticaloa. (The Island)

• More to join North-East Sinahala rights campaign. (The Island)

• LTTE craft detained off  Trincomalee harbour. (The Island)

25/April/2002

• SLFP to reveal stance on peace process soon. (Daily News)

• Traffic high on A9. (Daily News)

• Maheshwaran threatens counter-demo: Hindu Cultural Affairs Minister T Maheswaran yesterday fired a warning at JVP and certain elements within the PA that he would lead a counter demonstration against their protest rallies to undermine the peace process. (Daily News).

• Govt. Complains to SLMM about detection of Tiger boats. (The Island)

• Ampara, Batticaloa civilians complain to Norway about LTTE extortion in East. (The Island)

• No faith motion against three [UNF government] ministers - will JVP go it alone? (Daily Mirror)

24/April/2002

• India rules out role in Lanka peace talks. (The Island)

• President says neglect led to ethnic war. (The Island)

• Monitors informed of 14 civilians held by the LTTE. (The Island)

• Abduction trauma: The 82 year old man from Batticaloa who was allegedly abducted by the LTTE but released after he promised to pay them Rs. 2.5 million. (The Island)

• Forced TV show by LTTE: A group of LTTE cadres on Sunday (21) night forced a group of people at Soruwila(a village about 18 kms south-east of Polonnaruwa), to watch a tape showing overrunning of an army base. Since the signing of the MoU with the government, the LTTE has been showing its movies in government held areas as part of its recruitment campaign. (The Island)

• Private bus owners to meet Prabhakaran over direct Jaffna travel. (The Island)

• Commercial use of A9 by May 7th - Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM). (Daily News)

• LTTE May Day rallies in N-E. (Daily News)

• PA may drop no-faith move [against three minority party ministers in the UNF government, namely  Rauff Hakeem, Arumugam Thondaman and P Chandrasekaran on the basis that they violated the law by holding formal meeting with LTTE - a banned organisation] - the opposition leader dismisses motion as imprudent. (Daily Mirror)

• Cease fire enters third month, monitors optimistic. (Daily Mirror)

23/April/2002

• The Samagi Dharma Yatra takes off: The Samagi Dharma Yatra* from Kataragama to Jaffna took off from the vicinity of Kirivehera yesterday on its 20 day journey. (Daily News)
  * a Buddhist religious peace march for harmony

• Anti-peace demo flops: A procession to the Prime Ministers residence by some 150 Buddhist monks protesting against the Government's peace bid was foiled yesterday soon after it took off when the police barricaded the road. (Daily news)

• President arrives in India. (Daily News)

• Balasingham's statement irrelevant: The statement made by the LTTE Chief Negotiator Anton Balasingham that his leader Velupillai Prabhakaran was both the President and Prime minister of  North East was rejected by the Government, secretary to the Government Spokesman  said yesterday. (Daily Mirror)

• India seen wary of Sri Lankan peace moves. (The Island)

• Complaints many, recognised violation one - monitors. (The Island)

22April/2002

• Protest against LTTE deproscription today. (The Island)

• LTTE conditions for travel to Jaffna: The LTTE issuing a notice said that Singhalese and Muslims could travel to Kilinochchi and Mulaitivu only after prior permission from the LTTE. (The Island)

• President, India tread softly on peace. (The Island)

• Monitors to report on LTTE ban of Thinamurasu in B' caloa. (The Island)

• Peace process incredibly fast - Vidar Helgesen[Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister]

21April/2002

• Sangha (Buddhist priests) opposes Tiger de-ban. (The Island)

• Tigers use ceasefire to bring in arms supplies through Southeast coast. (The Island)

• LTTE for one-party rule in North & East. (Sunday Times)

• Ban on LTTE will only be suspended. (Sunday Times)

• PM to hold talks with Blair, Vajpayee and Jayalalitha. (Sunday Times)

• Puttalam refugees torn between the desire to go back to the North and fears of an uncertain future. (Sunday Times)

• SLMC hopeful of sustained dialogue with LTTE. (Sunday Times)

• We are no longer a moderate party - [TULF leader] M Sivasithamparam. (Sunday Times)

• Demining team heading for Jaffna. (Sunday Times)

• What about Sinhala refugees? -Sinhala Urumaya party on [some 150,000 Sinhala refugees]. (Sunday Times)

• Pongu Muslim [ a Muslim prayer and resolution meeting similar to 'Pongu Tamil' ceremonies that was to be held yesterday in Kalmunai] called off. (Sunday Times)

20/April/2002

• Lawyer son complains about LTTE abduction. (The Island)

• US-funded team to begin de-mining. A 26 member team of the US States Department of State's Quick Reaction Demining Force (QRDF) is to be stationed in Jaffna for four months. (The Island)

• Sri Lanka's sovereignty challenged, says ex-PM. (The Island)

• LTTE hijacks tractors, demands ransom. (The Island)

• 180 ceasefire violations reported since February but most of them were not serious incidents, a spokesman for the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission said yesterday. He said that the only violation he saw as serious was the LTTE's prevention of public transport on the A9 high-way. (Daily Mirror)

• Don't clip [the President] Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga's wings - [Rauff] Hakeem. (Daily Mirror)

19/April/2002

• Monitors confident LTTE-held A9 stretch will be opened for unarmed forces. (The Island)

• Government dragging its feet on MoU charges Prabhakaran. (The Island)

• Oslo says talks on track for June. (The Island)

• 'Detain Prabhakaran' says Indian Congress student's wing. (The Island)

• The president to raise LTTE rights abuses at meeting with Norwegians. (The Island)

• District councils to replace PCs. (Daily News)

18/April/2002

• PA-JVP group to agitate against LTTE deproscription. (The Island)

• Tamil Nadu demands Prabhakaran's extradition. (The Island)

• LTTE suspect detainees still on hunger strike. (The Island)

• 82 year old abducted by LTTE. (The Island)

17/April/2002

• Thenmaradchi residents demand Army vacate their houses. (The Island)

• LSSP unable to acquiesce handing over NE to an armed LTTE. (Daily News)

• Redress for PTA detainees on the way. (Daily News)

• 200,000 Sri Lankans in India want to return home. (Daily News)

16/April/2002

• Prabhakaran's personal guarantee to Hakeem: Muslims will not be forced to fund LTTE's armed struggle. (The Island)

• Prabhakaran should be extradited: Sonia. (The Island)

• VHP now building up Hindu unity in Sri Lanka. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad is now spreading its tentacles in Sri Lanka, including in areas under the influence of Tamil Tiger Guarrilla's who significantly seem to have no objection. (The Island)

• DMK has  reservations about extradition  resolutions. (The Island)

14/April/2002

• Government considers lifting LTTE ban: 'We must move forward' - PM (Sunday Observer)

• LTTE's stance on peace, a major breakthrough - upcountry Tamil groups. (Sunday Observer)

• Expedite peace process, TNA tells UNF. (Sunday Observer)

12/April/2002

• India rejects mediation in peace talks. (The Island)

• Tiger ban won't be lifted -c Vajpayee. (Daily Mirror)

11/April/2002

• Monitoring Mission accepts LTTE violated ceasefire- gives 30 days to settle the dispute. (Daily News)

• TELO calls for objective monitoring of ceasefire. (Daily News)

• A9: Opposition leaders hit back at LTTE. (Daily Mirror)

• Government allows LTTE to run buses. (Daily Mirror)

• LTTE not sincere about peace: EPDP leader. (Daily Mirror)

10/April/2002

• Military says 'no' to LTTE movement thru Batticaloa - Valachchanai  Main Supply Root. (The Island)

• 10 - 15 complaints to SLMM in nine days. (The Island)

• Norway seeks expansion of truce mission. (The Island)

• Muslims in east still at the receiving end of LTTE. (The Island)

• Minister M H Mohommad to brief Muslim World on NE situation. (The Island)

• A9 crisis- monitor's ruling today:

Though the A9 highway linking Jaffna with the rest of the country has been reopened, a dispute over public transport has placed a major road block on the path to peace-with the Norwegian peace brokers expected to give their ruling on the matter today.

• Over 300 local and foreign journalists are expected to flock in to the Northern city of Kilinochchi to be present at the historic press conference by the LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran this evening. (Daily news)  

09/April/2002

• A9 high way reopens (on the 8th)after 12 years. (Daily Mirror)

• A9 opening brings immediate dividends. (Daily News)

• Jaffna poor to get land. (Daily News)

• LTTE-Muslim dialogue augurs well for peace process. (Daily News)

• [SLMC leader and Minister]Hakeem urges Muslims to support peace process. (Daily News)

• No public transport on A9 yesterday. (The Island)

• LTTE ban to be lifted on May 1- [Minister for Hindu Cultural Affiars] T Maheswaran. (The Island)

• Three LTTE ceasefire violators arrested by the police and the army at Trincomalee on Saturday. (The Island)

08/April/2002

• A 9 highway will reopen today: but who will run it? (The Island)

• Hakeem meets Trincomalee, Batticaloa Muslims- says LTTE must change. (The Island)

• Mass Muslim rally in Kalmunai, will declare N-E too as their motherland. (The Island)

• First ever National Survey on refugees:

• According to present statistics there are

• 664,251 refugees in Sri Lanka

• 346 refugee camps including: Jaffna 56, Kilinochchi 40, Mulaitivu 73, Vavuniya 14, Trincomalee 13, Puttlam 81, Anuradhapura 39- (Total 316)

• Nearly 41,309 displaced families live in these 346 refugee camps while 141,995 families live outside with there friends and relatives. (Daily News)

07/April/2002

• SLMC for 'constructive dialogue with LTTE. (The Island)

• Government, LTTE mum on return of Sinhalese - Sinhala Urumaya. (The Island)

• SLMC urges international support to save Muslims from LTTE. (The Island)

• Laws to strip Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga of dissolution powers. (The Island)

• A9 roadblock over bus operation. (Sunday Times)

• LTTE to guide TNA. (Sunday Times)

06/April/2002

• LTTE olive branch to Muslims - Apology for Jaffna expulsion-talks with Muslim leaders soon. (Daily Mirror)

• LTTE for levying entry tax on Jaffna highway. (Daily Mirror)

• Security reports by Army still withheld - Ceasefire violations: Government complaints 35; LTTE 2. (The Island)

• Tigers apologize to Muslims. (The Island)

• Over 66,000 Lankan refugees in India want to return. (The Island)

05/April/2002

• Government to present cross-over bill in May. (The Island)

• Colombo-Jaffna bus service put off. (The Island)

• LTTE bans EPDP's Thinamurusu (a weekly Tamil news paper). (The Island)

• 12-member parliamentary team to monitor MoU. (The Island)

• US Ambassador expresses reservation on LTTE's bona fides. (The Island)

• Opposition defends PC system - Several opposition parliamentarians requested the government yesterday to withdraw plans to abolish the Provincial Council System. (Daily Mirror)

• Select Committee of MPs to monitor ceasefire. (Daily Mirror)

• Conscience vote for MPs. (Daily News)

• Chief monitor meets LTTE to broach the subject of ceasefire violations mainly reported in the East of Sri Lanka. (Daily News)

• Prabhakaran to meet the press- next Wednesday (April 10)in Kilinochchi to discuss current peace moves and associated issues, a LTTE news release said yesterday. (Daily News)

04/April/2002

• Polls on May 20 for 16 LG bodies. (Daily News)

• Norwegian envoy meets LTTE leaders in Mullaitivu for another round of talks. (Daily News)

• No handover [to USA] of the Trincomalee port - Interior Minister (Daily News)

• Muslim MPs to meet [Norwegian Ambassador]Westborg over LTTE harassment in East. (The Island)

• LTTE exploits ceasefire - Varatharaja Perumal [former Chief Minister of the North-East Provincial Council. (The Island)

03/April/2002

• UNF government to clip wings of  hostile president. (Daily Mirror)

• Muslim MPs blast Karikalan from all sides. (Daily Mirror)

• Child Soldiers - a grave concern for ICRC. (The Island)

• Prabhakaran says will take severe action against MoU violators in the East. (The Island)

• Monitoring Mission (Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission [SLMM]) starts work. (The Island)

• Hand over NE interim council to LTTE - TULF. (The Island)

• No rift between UNF, SLMC, says Hakeem. (The Island)

• Have independent Muslim representation in the talks - Hisbullah [Parliamentarian]. (The Island)

• Alleged LTTE extortionist escapes. (The Island)

• Government machinery on gear to open A9. (Daily News)

• Muslim MPs to meet monitors. (Daily News)

02/April/2002

• No preconditions from the LTTE. (Daily News)

• Three hundred uniformed LTTE cadres defy MoU. (Daily Mirror)

• No complaints identified as violations yet - Monitors: The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) was aware of media reports on alleged abductions, extortion and child conscription by the LTTE but its members could delay only with specific complaints channeled to the mission, its leader said yesterday. (The Island)

• Muslim MPs to meet PM over LTTE harassment in East. (The Island)

01/April/2002

• PM assures Muslims - Allegations of harassments by LTTE will be probed. (Daily Mirror)

MARCH

31/March/2002

• [SLMC leader and Minister]Hakeem denies deadline to pull-out from government as reports of two Tamil dailies alleged. However, he did not deny that he had written to the Prime Minister expressing disappointment over the postponement of local polls in the north-east and the non-inclusion of SLMC demands in the MoU with the LTTE. (The Island)

• Talks after May 22. (The Island)

• Veteran politician and Governor of Western Province Alavi Moulana urges swift action to protect Muslims in the east. He expressed fears that if the Muslims did not act decisively, what happened to the Muslims in the Jaffna peninsula and the Wanni will happen to the Muslims in the east too. (The Island)

• Trinco likely to be major target if Tigers go back to war: Prabhakaran says that he wants 10,000 cadres for "final battle" - Defence Correspondent. (The Island)

• LTTE sets more 'issues for talks - Temporary deproscription and interim administration likely. (Sunday Times)

• Hakeem says Muslims ignored, but pledges he won't damage peace process. (Sunday Times)

• Tigers keep others out of North-East politics: The LTTE has sent out messages to rival Tamil groups to keep off from political activities in the North and the east, but to carryout with their 'humanitarian work' till the Tigers themselves officially enter government-controlled areas for political activities. (Sunday Times)

• Jaffna bus services on April 4. (Sunday Times)

• M H mohammad [Minister UNP, Western Province], keen on Muslim land rights in NE. (Sunday Observer)

• Government dishonering agreement - LTTE: The LTTE has charged that certain conditions stipulated in the ceasefire agreement of February 22nd are being dishonored by government agencies and the armed forces, and direct talks could occur only if all requirements are met. (The Sunday Leader)

29/March/2002

• Oslo envoy (Norway's deputy foreign minister) in Bangkok today to discuss a proposal for Thailand to host talks between Sri Lanka government and Tamil Tiger rebels. (Daily Mirror)

• Lanka t upgrade mission in Oslo. (Daily Mirror)

• Government opens Northern ports - immediate move to bring down prices in Jaffna peninsula. (Daily Mirror)

28/March/2002

• Direct Government - LTTE talks in first week of May. (The Island)

• On LTTE's request government transfers Dr. (Mrs.) Karikalan (wife of their commander in charge of the Batticaloa-Ampara theatre) to east (from government hospital at Puthukudirippu in the Wanni). (The Island)

• President approved Balasingham's arrival. (Daily News)

27/March/2002

• LTTE set for peace dialogue

-Agreement reached at top level Kilinochchi meeting with Norwegian team

-But Tigers insists that ban must be lifted

(Daily Mirror)

• TNA attacks government on high defence budget. (Daily Mirror)

• UNP carries all in Digamadulla - UNP with 217 local bodies already under its belt captured all eight local councils in Digamadulla district on Monday. UNP polled a total of 62,238 votes wining 68 seats against the nearest rival PA's 24,866 votes and 21 seats. (Daily Mirror)

• Muslims on 'Pada yathra' for their rights: Thousands of Muslims piled on to the streets in Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Ampara for a three day 'Pada Yathra' (a march) demanding recognition of Muslim rights and acceptance that the north-east province was also the 'Muslim homeland' (The Island)

26/March/2002

• Balasingham arrives. (Daily news)

• Bindunuwewa massacre (See news item on  October 2000): Forty one indicted. (Daily News)

• Religious leaders to meet LTTE. (Daily News)

• Peaceful poll in Ampara. (Daily News)

• Samurdhi goes N-E. (Daily News)

• National Youth Services Council (NYSC) official (Provincial director of the Northern Province of the NYSC, N Peranadan) visits Mullaithivu and Kilinochchi at the invitation of LTTE officials: the first government officer to visit since 1990.(Daily News)

• Government asks for UN mission to assess North-East. (The Island)

• Constitutional Council first meeting on April 1. (The Island)

• Pongu Thamil promotes peace - TULF. (The Island)

• A9 opening on April 10 (Daily Mirror)

• The Court of Appeal on Friday put off for may 10 all writ applications which have been filed challanging the ceasefire agreement between the government and the LTTE. (Daily Mirror)

• Over 400 post polls incidents. (Daily Mirror)

25/March/2002

• LTTE not for repatriation. (The Island)

• Balasingham in Wanni today. (The Island)

• Digamadulla goes to polls today. (The Island)

• Minister of Rehabilitation and Refugees, Dr. Jayalath Jayawardana will seek to give a security assurance to the Muslim community in the North and East that they will not be harassed or deprived of their land rights as a result of LTTE cadres arriving to the North-East area to commence political activities. (Daily News)

• Over 400 post poll incidents. (Daily Mirror)

23/March/2002

• Presidential Secretariat records 450 incidents. (Daily News)

24/March/2002

• National government proposal renewed. (The Island)

• Norway peace bid picks up, foreign venue looked for. (The Island)

• Cases against MoU get May hearing. (The Island)

• Tamil groups to return weapons. (The Island)

• More than 40 Black Tigers already in government areas? - Intelligence agencies ineffective without powers to arrest LTTE suspects. (The Island)

• UNP councilors to step down for CWC - The United national party (UNP) has already requested letters of resignation from 14 of its embers who were elected to local bodies from areas in the Nuwara Eliya, Badulla and Ratnapura Districts. This is to pave the way for the Ceylon Workers' Congress (CWC) members to take the places of those elected on the UNP ticket in Wednesday's local government election. Due to differences between the CWC and UNP, both parties which contested and won the last general election under the UNF (United national Front) banner, the names of the CWC members were deleted and the names of UNPers inserted when nominations were submitted for the local government elections. As a result, Housing Minister and CWC General Secretary Arumugam Thondaman and Deputy Minister Muthu Sivalingam threatened to resign from the government. (The Sunday Leader)

• Heads of local bodies to be named before mid-April. (The Sunday Leader)

• Elections - A victory marred by violence: Out of 60 local government bodies, polling in over 25% seriously flawed - CMEV, 38 incidents of post election violence. (The Sunday Leader)

• Past arms deals to be probed. (Sunday Times)

• Militarism, personality cult at Trincomalee ['Pongu Thamil' or Tamil upsurge] rally. (Sunday Times)

• Crack down on Tamils returning to Britain? - British High Commission officials when contacted for comments said that they were unable to comment on the report immediately until they sought clarification from the British Home Office. (Sunday Times)

• Truce covers sea and land: chief monitor. (Sunday Times)

•     

23/March/2002

• Thailand or Male possible venue for talks. (The Island)

22/March/2002

• Peace landslide, PA in pieces :
  Elections Dept. says polls faire, monitoring groups see flaws
  JVP wins Tissamaharama PS but overall share of votes slashed (Daily Mirror)

• Election verdict approves peace programme-PM (Daily News)

• Minister talks to LTTE: Hindu Cultural Affairs Minister T Maheswaran had discussions with the Baticalot-Ampara LTTE political wing leader Karikalan and deputy leader Visu at their B'caloa political sector headquarters in Kokkaddicolai (Daily News)

• UNP sweeps local polls. (The Island)

• Largest number of violation [of election laws] reported from Hanguranketha - Intimidation and chasing away of polling agents and the non appearnce of polling agents at polling stations were reported from the districts of Ratnapura, Kurunegala, Kalutara, Gampaha, Matale, Puttalam, Matara, Moneragala, Badulla, Anuradhapura and Nuwara Eliya. (The Island)

• UNF government's first budget this afternoon. (The Island)

• N-E local polls put off to September 25th. (The Island)

• Armed LTTEers raid Manampitiya - Government says LTTE plans to tax public servants in NE. (The Island)

• CWC wants its pound of flesh - The Ceylon Worker's Congress (CWC) expects some UNPers who won slots in some Pradeshiya Sabhas in the Nuwara Eliya district in Wednseday's Polls to quit, to fill their vacancies with its own nominees, party sources said yesterday.

21/March/2002

• Voter turnout low: The Election Commissioner that initial reports led them place voter turnout between 60 and 70% while it was only 40% around noon. (The Island)

• Election less violent-Polls chief: Announcing the successful completion of elections the Election Commissioner said his office had received reports of 160 incidents.  Majority of these were related to chasing out polling agents from booths while intimidation and harassment of voters followed (The Island)

• Polls chief told north-east elections could take place next Monday (The Island)

• Muslims protest LTTE terror acts (The Island)

• LTTE declared Trincomalee  Eelam capital. The rally was attended by 50,000 Tamils. (The Island)

• LTTE threatens army officer in B'caloa (The Island)

• Pongu Thamil blasts US (The Island)

• In the 30 hours up to 4.00 pm yesterday 350 polls related violence, says Presidential Election Monitoring Unit  A statement from the Unit (The Island)

• CMEV, PAFFREL report violence on the high (The Island)

• Quiet and peaceful poll-65% voter turnout says deputy commissioner of elections.  The People's Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) which deployed 3,000 monitors in all areas where polls were held received around  200 direct complaints by yesterday evening including two murders, one in Chilaw and one in Kurunegala.  Among the complains are - intimidation of voters (41); serious assault (11); simple assault (14); threats (73); stuffing of ballot boxes (23); damage to 5 houses.  The total complaints include 104 from the PA, and 59 from the JVP (The Island)
  The spokesman from the Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) said they deployed 2,300 monitors near polling centres and 20 mobile teams to monitor the polls.  The total number of complaints reported from nominations day up to yesterday morning rose to 514, the Police Election Secretariat said yesterday.  Of these 213 were made by the UNP, 164 PA, 116 JVP, 4 SLMC, others 6.

• Less violence, lower turnout: Independent monitoring group alleges vote rigging   PAFEREL had reported that the majority of the 76 complaints received so far had been from the PA and the JVP.  In addition polling agents have been forcibly ousted and ballot boxes stuffed in about 100 polling stations. It also reported an incident in which a son of a UNP Provincial Council member had been taken into custody over the stuffing of 500 fake ballot papers.  Stuffing of ballot boxes was reported from Nattandiya, Marawila, Mawathagama and Chilaw areas.
  The total number of eligible voters is 9,575,530 for the 222 local authorities in which voting took place in 15 MCs, 32UCs, and 244 PSs where 20 political parties and 300 independent groups were contesting. (Daily Mirror)

• CBK accused of voter right abuse (Daily Mirror)

20/March/2002

• 222 local bodies go to polls today. (The Island)

• 18 local polls including Colombo Ratnapura, Galle on April 4. (The Island)

• Pressurised Trincomalee Tamil pours out praising Prabha - A tense atmosphere prevailed in Trincomalee town yesterday as  Pongu Tamil or Tamil re-awakening rally kicked off with placards of slogans hailing Prabhakaran as the leader of Tamil Eelam and urging Tamils not to give heed to any other leaders.  "There is no trouble yet,," said the priest at the China Bay Temple. "But the atmosphere is very tense. 

19/March/2002

• UNF vs UNF violence amidst relative calm marks local polls. (The Island)

• Government rejects president's call for troops for polls duty. (The Island)

• Japan gives Rs. 4.4 million (Rs 1 million this year and Rs 3.4 million last year) to PAFERAL for its media campaign against election violence. (The Island)

• Pongu Thamil rallies aim to justify war for a separate state, charges JVP. (The Island)

 18/March/2002

• US assistance sought to revamp army. (Daily Mirror)

• PAFEREL takes on new task -  to monitor the ongoing ceasefire. (Daily Mirror)

• President’s delay irks Minister Peiris  - Speaker to appoint Constitutional Council? (The Island)

17/March/2002

• Three big MCs (Colombo, Galle and Ratnapura) among 20 local bodies that will not poll yet due to pending court cases. (The Island)

• PA-JVP honeymoon ends over MoU. (The Island)

• Allegations of corruption in Attorny-General's Department. (Sunday Times)

16/March/2002

• European Parliament calls for international funding to underwrite peace process. (Daily News)

• Peace process moving forward - PM (Daily News)

• High US officials fly to Jaffna. (Daily News)

• No elections:  There will be no elections to the following Local Government bodies on March 20,2002:

  Colombo Municipal Council, Kesbewa Pradeshiya Sabha (Colombo), Peliuagoda Urban Council (Gampaha), Katunayake-Seeduwa Urban Council (Gampaha), Nattandiya Urban Council (Puttlam), Panadura Urban Council (Kalutara), Kalutara Urban Council (Kalutara), Ratnapura Municipal Council (Ratnapura), Ratnapura Pradeshiya Sabha (Ratnapura), Moneragala Pradeshiya Sabha (Moneragala),  Hali-Ela Pradeshiya Sabha (Badulla), Mihintale Pradeshiya Sabha (Anuradhapura), Tirippane Pradeshiya Sabha (Anuradhapura), Tangalla Urban Council (Hambantota), Akuressa Pradeshiya Sabha (Matara), Galle Municipal Council (Galle), Ambangamuwa Pradeshiya Sabha (Nuwara-Eliya), Buttala Pradeshiya Sabha (Moneragala), Ninthavur Pradeshiya Sabha (Ampara), Tirukkovil Pradeshiya Sabha (Ampara). (Daily News)

15/March/2002

• Large crowds greet PM in Jaffna. (Daily News)

• LTTE hopes for bold steps at peace talks (Daily News)

• LTTE clears A9 up to Paranthan. (Daily News)

• "Intentional violation of Constitution" - President Chandrika Bandaranaike's delay or refusal to appoint members to the constitutional council is a deliberate frustration of the collective will of the Parliament, Cabinet Spokesman Prof. G L Peiris said. (Daily News)

• CWE officials visit Jaffna. (Daily News)

• President avoids meeting with US official. (Dialy Mirror)

• Norway works out A9 deal with LTTE. (Daily Mirror)

• Australian Lanka association warns against MoU - Door opened to dominate Sri Lanka by Norwegians. (Daily Mirror)

14/March/2002

• US all out to support Sri Lanka. (Daily News)

• PM visits Jaffna. (Daily News)

• A people's mandate will help the peace process - Prof G L Peiris (Daily News)

• Sri Lankan Defence Minister, Tilak Marapane has defended the LTTE against charges of cease fire violations levelled by the US. (The Island)

• LTTE should know we have 'powerful friends' - Prof. G L Peiris (The Island)

• Monitoring mission head says truce moving ahead. (The Island)

• LTTE gang demands ransom. (The Island)

• LTTE suspect transferrec out of Boossa to boost confidence. (The Island)

• LTTE extortion goes unabated. (The Island)

• The World Food Program to provide assistance to conflict affected areas. (The Island)

• TNA decries US stand. (Daily Mirror)

• Batticaloa train to run by April. (Daily Mirror)

12/March/2002

• US calls on LTTE to observe truce terms. (The Island)

• Polls in Ampara, no decision yet on other NE areas. (The Island)

• A Tamil national Alliance’s (TNA) delegation which met Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe during the weekend demanded the release or legal action for Tamil political prisoners taken into custody under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), TULF parliamentarian and Senior Vice President Ananda Sangaree told the Daily News yesterday. (Daily News)

11/March/2002

• Hakeem says Muslims will not benefit from truce. (The Island)

• LTTE takes away goods by force. (The Island)

9/March/2002

• Checkpoint at Muhamalai to facilitate A9 opening up to Jaffna. (Daily News)

7/March/2002

• Legislation to fill gaps in 17^th Amendment: Process for removal of IGP, AG introduced. (The Island)

• Prabhakaran meets Norwegian monitors. (The Island)

• President’s inaction delays Constitutional Council. (Daily News)

• Northern people free to move: Government removes travel restrictions; another Tamil grievance addressed. (Daily Mirror)

6/March/2002

• MoU contents similar to 1995 agreement - Prof. G L Peiris (The Island)

• All mechanisms in place for 17^th Amendment - Prof. G L Peiris  (The Island)

• Debate on the MoU between the Government and the LTTE: LTTE preparing for war-Anura Bandaranaike. (The Island)

• Bhikkhus back peace process - Ven. Samitha Thera, MP (Daily News)

• EPDP backs ceasefire but wary of Tigers. (Daily Mirror)

• Ceasefire challenged in courts by JVP and Sinhala Urumaya parties. (Daily Mirror)

• Lanka wants Commonwealth action on terror; not just words - Sri Lankan foreign minister at the Commonwealth heads ops state summit. (Daily Mirror)

• Cache of LTTE explosives seized in Thailand. (The Island)

5/March/2002

• Agreement takes us half-way down the road - PM. (Daily News)

• Commissioner of Elections, Dayananda Dishanayake has decided that elections to 20 local bodies would be postponed to another date to be decided upon later due to filing of election petitions by political parties and independent groups, whose nominations were rejected. (The Island)

• PA protests postponement of local polls. (Daily news)

• Polls incidents reach 200. (Daily Mirror)

• JVP claims government gave into Tiger pressure. (Daily Mirror)

4/March/2002

• President conspiring to sabotage ceasefire - LTTE (Daily News)

• Government agrees to Parliament monitoring committee on MoU. (The Island)

• PM briefs Mahanayakes on government-LTTE MoU. (The Island)

• LTTE detainees fast. (Daily Mirror)

• ARTICLE: Peninsular Jaffna from ancient to medieval times - Its significant historical and settlement aspects (Dialy Mirror: 04/03/2002, continuation from Sunday 3/03/2002)

3/March/2002

• Ceasefire monitoring begins, No ceasefire violations. (Sunday Observer)

• Local government polls violence escalates: The majority of such incidents have been reported from Anuradhapura and Ratnapura.
  The Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) (Elections), say that although it was called a mini-poll, in terms of the voter strength it was much more than the December general election as it involves several municipal councils, urban councils and pradeshiya sabhas.  The police strength to be deployed at the polls will be the same as during the last general elections, around 40,000 police men, he said.
  Around 12.4 million persons are expected to vote at the polls to elect members for 18 municipal councils, 36 urban councils and 257 pradeshiya sabhas in the country.
  Altogether 26,326 candidates will contest for the 311 local government bodies including those in the North and the East and 4,394 members will be elected to these bodies. Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Police Election Secretariat said that the 122 polls related incidents have been reported at various police stations up to last Thursday.
  The number of complaints made by the respective political parties:
  The People’s Alliance 37, United National Party 58, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna 22, Independent Groups 3 and other parties 3.
  The nature of those complaints were: Shooting, arson, robbery, mischief, house breaking and theft, intimidation with firearms, abuse, threats and causing grievous as well as simple hurt.
  An amendment to the Local Authorities Election Ordinance (Chapter262), has already been passed in Parliament empowering the Elections Commissioner to conduct the polls in the North and the East on March 25^th. (Sunday Observer)

• MoU "Step in the right direction" The Catholic Bishops Conference of Sri Lanka (CBCSL). (Sunday Observer)

• President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has sent a letter to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe welcoming the ceasefire agreement but warning that the sovereignty of the country may be endangered by certain provision of the agreement. (Sunday Observer)

• ‘Pongu Tamil’ (Booming Tamil) celebrations after 20 years: The Tamil people in Vavuniya commenced celebrating ‘Pongu Tamil’ on the 25^th of February. The ceremony was organized by the LTTE cadres in the area who are now active in the uncleared areas. The LTTE collected money from the Vavuniya residents for the celebrations which is expected to continue for a week. Red and Yellow flags without the LTTE emblem were displayed everywhere. (Sunday Observer)

• Forces have right to stop LTTE sea-borne supplies - Prof. G L Peiris: "There is nothing in the Article 1.3 that in anyway, inhibits action by the armed forces to prevent the LTTE from brining Arms in to the country. The interpretation of this article specially the reference to "offensive operations against the LTTE" is not vague as some people are trying to imply. It is quite categorical. That is a reference to direct offensive attacks of any sort. It does not refer to defensive action by the armed forces to prevent arms smuggling in to the country. Action that is taken to intercept a boat that is thought to be bringing arms in to Sri Lanka is certainly not "offensive action". It does not come within the ambit of  "offensive operations" because it is defensive action to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka.- See the full interview in Sunday Observer, 03/March/2002,
  Government’s 100 days: Progress at the end of 50 days - Sunday Observer.

• LTTE in ‘cultural raid’ of Vavuniya. (The Sunday Times)

• JVP, EPDP to discuss ceasefire agreement with CBK. (The Sunday Times)

• Norwegian general begins Sri Lanka truce monitoring. (The Island)

 1/March/2002

• The long-awaited ministerial swearing-in took place yesterday after five postponements. Nine ministers, eight of them non-cabinet rank were sworn in by the President, increasing the cabinet to 33 members. (The Island)

• Sweden to send peace monitors to Sri Lanka. (The Island)

• EU warmly welcomes Ceasefire Agreement. (Daily News)

• Fifty NGOs support agreement. (Daily News)

• Commonwealth raises issue of international terrorism: Push to block finance of terrorists likely to affect LTTE. (Daily News)

• Sweden to send peace monitors to Sri Lanka. (Daily News)

• LTTE continues to threaten civilians. (Daily news)

• Over 350 Sinhala families apply for re-settlement in N-E. (Daily News)

2/March/2002

• The Local Government elections in six Councils is likely to be postponed due to logistic problems. (Daily News)

• The National Organizer of the Sinhala Urumaya party has field a Writ of Certiorari application before the Court of Appeal seeking to quash the decision of the Prime Minister in the signing of the Ceasefire Agreement between the Government and the LTTE and to declare that it is illegal and has no power in the law. (Daily News) 

• LTTE now more realistic - Former Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar (Daily Mirror)

FEBRUARY

26/Feb/2002

• President blows hot-CBK warns that she can cancel MoU with one command to the army. (Daily Mirror)

• UNHCR signs agreement for settlement. (Daily Mirror)

• Ceasefire debated on March 4. (Daily Mirror)

• Prevention of Terrorism Act under review. (Daily Mirror)

• Cabinet spokesman Prof. G L Peiris explains why MoU was not sent as Cabinet paper. (Daily Mirror)

• Peace Confidence Index rises -According to an opinion poll conducted by the social research unit of the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA). US one hundred percent with Sri Lanka - Powell (Daily News)

• EC issues guidelines preventing election malpractices (Daily news)

• Armed forces to be strengthened. (The Island)

• Government appeals for aid to rebuild war zone. (The Island)

• Local Govt. Polls: Batticaloa, Trincomalee government agents want polls put off. (The Island)

• Postal voting for the areas outside north and east will be on March 7 and 8, while voting in the north and east will be on March 13 and 14. Ballot papers for the areas outside north and east will be issued on March 1.(The Island)

• Survey on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs): The Ministry of Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Refugees (RR and R) revealed that there were 42,000 IDPs living in welfare centers, 142,000 IDP living with their friends and relatives; prior to signing an agreement with the UNHCR on launching a national survey on IDPs. (The Island)

25/Feb/2002

• PM ready to discuss anything short of a separate state. (The Island)

• Retired Norwegian Major General monitoring mission head. (The Island)

• Government ready for MoU debate when House meets again. (The Island)

• TELO, PLOTE told not to carry arms in east. (The Island)

• Jaffna residents harassed by the LTTE. (The Island)

• Talks within three months. (Daily News)

• Waiting ministers made to wait again (Daily Mirror)

• All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC) sounds optimistic note. (Daily Mirror)

• Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) hopeful of sincerity. (Daily Mirror)

• Ceasefire agreement no reason for campaign of panic-LSSP (Daily News)

• Opposition to move no-faith motion. (The Island)

• An ‘Agreement of Betrayal’ - JVP (The Island)

23/Feb/2002

• No other way but negotiations, says Ranil (The Island)

• As from 00:00 hours on 23 February 2002, a ceasefire agreement enters into force between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The cease fire document signed by Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and the LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, has been deposited with the Norwegian Government and have been asked to make agreement public, states Jan Petersen, Foreign Minister of Norway in a press release. (The Island)

• First step towards peace:
              No abductions, extortions, suicide missions, offensive operations
              Free flow of non-military goods, A9 to open up to Jaffna
              No offensive operations (Daily News)

• President ‘surprised and concerned’ (The Island):

• The Prime Minister met the president Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, on Thursday 21^st February evening, to brief her on the MoU between the Prime Minister and the LTTE. The Prime minister has informed the president that the LTTE leader, Mr. Velupillai Prabhakaran has already signed the document and that the Prime Minister would be signing it on the morning of Friday, 22^nd February 2002, states a press release from the President’s office.  "The president has expressed surprise and concern that she was being informed, for the first time, of the contents of the agreement, after it was signed by Mr. V. Prabhakaran and just a few hours before the Prime Minister proposed to put his signature to it."

• Double standards in truce-Malwatte Thera (The Island)

• Opposition says summon House to discuss MoU (The Island)

22/Feb/2002

• Government, LTTE sign a memorandum of understanding. (Daily Mirror)

• PM to make official statement from Vavuniya (Daily Mirror)

• Monitoring mission begin to work within 72 hours( Daily Mirror)

• Rambaikkulam  PLOTE camp at Vavuniya was attacked by unidentified gunmen last night killing five (three PLOTE cadres and two civilians) instantly. (Daily Mirror)

• Local government amendment bill passed. (Daily Mirror)

21/Feb/2002

• Oslo team here today with final draft of MoU (Daily Mirror)

• JVP opposes postponing NE polls. (Daily Mirror)

20/Feb/2002

• No formal agreement reached yet, says GL (The Island)

• Mathanaraja EPDP’s Jaffna MP (The Island)

• Top government-LTTE representatives discuss forced conscription, extortion in the east (The Island)

• Opposition gets a day to study LG (Amendment) Bill. (Daily News)

• Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP) chief and Jaffna District MP, Douglas Devananda, wants the United national Front (UNF) government to hold inquires into the killings of all Tamil leaders. (The Sunday Leader)

19/Feb/2002

• Thondaman meets Tiger leaders in East (Daily News)

• Constitutional Council: CWC adamant on its nominee. (Daily News)

• LG (Amendment) Bill in house today. (Daily News)

• Govt to extend unilateral ceasefire. (Daily News)

• Arms ships rings alarm. (Daily Mirror)

• UNP-PA clash over Provincial Councils. (Daily Mirror)

• Govt. to extend ceasefire if permanent truce not in place by Feb.24. (The Island)

17/Feb/2002

• Malaria ravages LTTE held Vanni-100 cases a day (Sunday Observer)

• No more police registration: Tamils welcome Govt. move. (Sunday Observer)

• PA-UNF seek constructive co-habitation. (The Island)

• We have faith in Ranil says TNA. (The Island)

• DPLF-Democratic People’s Liberation Front, a former Tamil guerrilla movement turned political party has become Sri Lanka’s first to field only women as candidates in an election. (The Island)

• Amnesty renews concern over Tiger child soldiers.  (The Island)

14/Feb/2002

•  Balasingham rules out re-opening of Kilinochchi-Jaffna section of A9 road—Agreement not finalised-LTTE (The Island)

• JVP begins LG polls campaign (The Island)

• Postal voting date of LG elections brought forward (from March 13 & 14 to March 7 &8) (The Island)

• MoU gifts north, east to LTTE (JVP in a letter to several political parties in the opposition) (The Island)

13/Feb/2002

• Tigers looking at Canadian federal model (Daily Mirror)

• Ballot papers in different colours (Daily Mirror)

• Protest at postponed NE local election (Daily Mirror)

• CID raids Ratwatte's residence

• LTTE seeks Quebec style referendum (Daily Mirror)

• LTTE to open Vavuniya-K'nochchi road from Feb 15 (The Island)

12/Feb/2002

• MOD clearance off for Jaffna travel (The Island)

•  Another warrant on Lohan over Oct. 2000 poll incident (The Island)

• NJC (National Joint Committee) calls to reject Norwegian draft agreement (The Island)

• Amendments to local govt. election laws in Parliament on Feb. 19 (The Island)

• Tigers release abducted farmer - A Muslim  farmer abducted by the LTTE from Elephant Island on 5 Feb 2002 has been released (The Island)

• IGP faces corruption inquiry (Daily Mirror)

• 431 persons still in custody - including eight politicians for alleged involvement in pre and post election violence (Daily Mirror)

• Four Tiger recruits escape (Daily Mirror)

11/Feb/2002

• Scandinavians to monitor truce (The Island)

• Malwatte Thera wants LTTE ban to stay till lasting solution found (The Island)

• New guidelines on PTA prisoners (The Island)

• Local polls: Over 26,000 vie for 4394 places - for 23 districts will be conducted on March 20 while elections for seven local bodies in Kilinochi and Mullaitivu are to be held on March 25 (Daily News)

• A-9 highway opening delayed (Daily News)

• Over 6,000 refugees to return from India (Daily News)

• Prabha ready to give up Eelam?  Two LTTE top rungers against decision (Daily Mirror)

• SLFP also probes blunders (Daily Mirror)

• Constitutional Council before LG elections (Daily Mirror)

• Tiger ban should stay till peace consolidates-Maha Nayaka tells Jaffna army commander (Daily Mirror)

10/Feb/2002

• Norway to fix D-Day for permanent ceasefire. (Sunday Times)

• Scandinavians to monitor truce. (The Island)

• Eight nomination lists rejected for local body elections. (The Island)

• Seventy one teams field candidates for local elections. (The Island)

• 3 major hurdles for permanent ceasefire.  (The Sunday Leader) 

• Ratwatte quizzed by CID for nine hours – Attorney General, Solicitor General take over case as former minister denies allegations.  (Sunday Times)

• Five more in Cabinet. (Sunday Times)

• Journalists must be free to expose corruption: High Court judgment in Athas case: 2 SLAF officers get tough sentences. (Sunday Times)

• Ranil to expand cabinet by promoting six non-cabinet ministers. (The Island)

9/Feb/2002

•  As sons continue to evade arrest: CID summons Anuruddha over Kandy massacre. (The Island)

• Ratwatte brothers will be arrested at any cost - DIG, Attorney General to oversea probe.

• Naveen withdraws resignation. (The Island)

• Arumugam wins the day. (The Island)

• Local polls on March 20,25. (The Island)

• Hartal protests in North-East. (The Island)

• Angered Muslims protest against the LTTE. (The Island)

• LTTE demands taxes on fishing boats. (The Island)

• Ceasefire draft: Final touches yesterday. (Daily News)

• Do not disturb peace process - Bishop Rayappu appeals. (Daily News)

• PA to form shadow cabinet. (Daily Mirror)

• No arms for three groups: Tamil parliamentary groups now assisting the security forces in the Northeast will be disarmed by the time the jointly agreed ceasefire between the government and the LTTE now being worked out with Norwegian facilitation comes in to operation. EPDP, PLOTE and the TELO are the Tamil groups who are now permitted to carry firearms with certain restrictions imposed on them to prevent impingement on civic rights. (Daily Mirror)

8/Feb/2002

• Local Polls: Nominations close today (Daily News)

• Fishing restrictions relaxed (Daily News)

• Police, Elections Commissions to be established shortly (Daily News)

• Give up Eelam, Oslo tells LTTE-Norwegian Prime Minister: Hopes of a dialogue between the two sides are brighter (Daily Mirror)

7/Feb/2002

• Norwegians back today-Norwegian delegation headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesen is due to arrive in Sri Lanka today (The Island)

• De-mining on to re-open A9 highway-The Army and the LTTE yesterday started de-mining Omanthai, north of Vavuniya of the Kandy-Jaffna A9 highway (The Island)

• LTTE 11th hour change of mind sends back next of kin of abductors empty handed (The Island)

• Security eased for Thondamanaru-Point Pedro fishermen (The Island)

• House welcomes new Opposition Leader (Daily News)

• President distorting facts says Balasingham-He denied the allegations that the LTTE was recruiting children for war (Daily News)

• Bindunuwewa comes to court-High court on 11 March 2002 (Daily News)

• 6/Feb/2002

• CBK urges LTTE to adhere to commitment made to UN special representative Olara Otunu in May 1998 to desist from recruiting child combatants (The Island)

 5/Feb/2002

• Mahinda Rajapakse new opposition leader (The Island)

• Pottu Amman says Indian intelligence is in touch with him (The Island)

• LTTE deny forced conscription charges (The Island)

• Govt.-LTTE true deal on Feb 19 (The Island)

• Nearly 1,000 Southenres to visit the Vanni - on a friendship journey today (Daily News)

• Plea to withdraw cancellation -The North East Common Teachers' Union (NECTU) has requested the govt. to withdraw the cancellation of 3,000 teachers in the Tamil medium in the Northeast province which was appointed by the previous govt. (Daily News)

• ST (Secretary to the Treasury) to visit Trincomalee (Daily News)

• Karikalan denies child recruitment (Daily Mirror)

• Fishermen hoist black flags (Daily Mirror)

• Mahinda sworn in as Opposition Leader (Daily Mirror)

• TNA  (Tamil National Alliance) decides not to contest local government elections (Daily Mirror)

 4/Feb/2002

• LTTE talks of resuming ties with India (The Island)

• UTHR (a group of former Jaffna University teachers) tells Oslo to save children  (Daily Mirror)

• LTTE to set up Special Task Force (Daily Mirror)

• Jaffna fishermen threaten to extend demonstrations (Daily Mirror)

 3/Feb/2002

• De-mining of A-9 route under way with UNDP aid (Sunday Observer)

• UNICEF slams Tigers-Child recruitment continuing under cover of ceasefire (The Sunday Times)

• 2/Feb/2002

• PTA (Prevention of Terrorism Act) prisoners on protest fast-Badulla prison asking for speedy action on their cases (The Island)

• Till UNP brings in amendments to LG polls act, polls chief wants Northeast Gas to accept nominations (The Island)

• 1/Feb/2002

• Local polls nominations from today - Registered political parties and independent groups can forward their nomination lists until Feb 8 noon.  The polls should be scheduled within the 5th and 7th week from the final nominations day (Daily News)

• Jaffna fishermen protest against ban and restrictions imposed by the Sri Lankan security forces on fishing in Jaffna (Daily News)

• 'Hartal' against Tiger extortion in Kinniya (The Island)

• Transport of essential items to uncleared areas continues (The Island)

 
JANUARY

 
31/Jan/2002

• Tigers rounding up youth in NE for forcible conscription-Tamil residents flee to save their children (The Island)

• With peace some Tigers may end up in the Army-Balagalle (The Island)

• Govt. offers to set up two new entry points to LTTE held region (The Island)

• Govt. optimistic of permanent truce deal with LTTE soon

• Oslo for truce panel with Delhi approval (The Island)

• Puttalam fishermen want naval patrols after LTTE ransom threat (The Island)

• Cabinet decisions-PSC (Public Service Commission) to probe political victimisation (The Island)

• Complaints of violence against women up last year but down during elections (The Island)

• Government-LTTE to seal permanent end to hostilities (Daily News)

• Cabinet approves amendment to LG polls act - The Cabinet approved to amend the Local Government Elections to confer the Commissioner of Elections with discretionary powers to cancel polls in areas where an emergency or unforeseen situations hinder the holding of an election (Daily News)

• NPC (National Peace Council) expresses concern-NPC expressed a note of caution over the possibilities of small scale localised events suddenly spiraling out of control (Daily News) 

• EPDP MP further remanded-for his alleged involvement to an incident in Kayts on 28 November 2001 (Daily News)

• Rights (HRC) delegation visits Jaffna after a long lapse (Daily Mirror)

• Closing date for postal votes - applications for the LG elections scheduled for March will close today (Daily Mirror)

30/Jan/2002

• Fate of local polls undecided (Possibilities of postponing LG elections a request by the Tamil National Alliance are under close study (Daily News)

• CTTU (Ceylon Tamil Teachers Union) writes to Minister on varied problems (Daily News)

• Tigers come closer to indefinite truce (The Island)

• Include SLMC in talks-Hakeem (The Island)

• Govt. to open another entry point to north tomorrow (The Kandy-Jaffna  (A9) highway will be opened before February 15) (The Island)

• LTTE's demand for equality with Govt. audacious (In a statement made by the Jathika Sangha Sabha, National Joint Committee, Sinhala Jathika Peramuna, Tavalama Development Foundation and Sinhala Veera Vidahana) (The Island)

• Ceasefire pact on the cards (Daily Mirror)

29/Jan/2002

• Freedom for PTA suspects. (Daily Mirror)

• PM holds extensive talks with Church leaders. (Daily Mirror)

• Thondaman holds talks with Trinco LTTE leaders. (Daily Mirror)

• Polls protest by JVP. (Daily Mirror)

• PM cautiously moves towards deregulation. (Daily Mirror)

• Suresh (Polonnaruwa district LTTE armed division leader) pledges to uphold ceasefire. (Daily Mirror)

• LTTE ban for review at Common Wealth meeting. (The Island)

• Tigers move freely in Welikanda. (The Island)

• SL leads UN group on anti-terror pact. (The Island)

• SLMC stance on NE polls after meeting PM. (The Island)

• Troops turn back LTTE cadres trying to enter Valachchenai. (The Island)

• Lankan PM determined to formalize long-term ceasefire. (Daily News)

• Avenues to open Kandy-Jaffna road explored .(Daily News)

• A three member delegation of the Human Rights Commission (HRC) led by its Chairman Faiz

• Mustapha is now on a fact finding mission in Jaffna. (Daily News)

• Thondaman visits LTTE-held areas in Trinco. (Daily News)

28/Jan/2002

• Govt. doesn’t accept Traditional Homeland concept- PM.(Daily News)

• PA claims of extensive post-poll attacks not substantiated. (The Island)

• Five PTA Prisoners stage hunger strike.(The Island)

27/Jan/2002

• No outright de proscription just now- PM explains to Maha Sangha (Sunday Observer)

• Parents of missing servicemen returns dejected. (Sunday Observer)

• Power supply for Madhu region. (Sunday Observer)

• Tiger ban: Government may opt for suspension. (Sunday Times)

• Norway moots time-bound ceasefire for govt. and LTTE. (The Sunday Leader)

• Govt. stops deployment of security forces for protection of politicos. (The Island)

• US State Dept. No. 2 due here. (The Island)

• PoWs in a narrow shave after Tiger hijacking of ferry. (The Island)

 26/Jan/2002

• Status quo with regard to ground deployment remains: Groups of LTTE cadres enter Wlikanda (The Island)

• World Bank to fund power. (Daily News)

• President backing peace process (Daily Mirror)

• Defeated TULF candidate wants B,Caloa vote recount. (Daily Mirror)

24/Jan/2002

• PA supports peace initiative. (Daily News)

• Two more soldiers handed over. (Daily News)

• LTTE ban to be suspended. (Daily Mirror)

• PA walkout over post election violence. (Daily Mirror)

• Norwegians, Balasingham in permanent truce meet. (The Island)

• 14,424 mt. of rice rice imported: From January 1^st of last year to November 11, Agrarian Training Research Institute. (The Island)

23/Jan/2002

• Peace no turning back: PM-Govt. reviewing on LTTE says Ranil in policy statement Norway-LTTE in London.  (Daily Mirror)

• LTTE makes goodwill gesture for peace. (Daily Mirror)

• Asgiriya prelate puts proscription record straight. (The Island)

• LTTE releases 7 civilians, 3 armed forces men. (The Island)

• Press Council out, Press Complaints Commission in. (The Island)

• Govt. not prepared to let go this last chance for pace - PM. (Daily News)

• LTTE would not set preconditions for peace-Tamilchelvam. (Daily News)

• Trinco-Kandy road open 24 hours. (Daily News)

• Ten PoWs arrive in Piramankulam. (Daily News)

22/Jan/2002

• Tiger de-ban looms large: Asgiriya Mahanayake supports move on accepted conditions. (Daily Mirror)

• Govt. too to extend ceasefire. (The Island)

• Tigers release 10 soldiers. (The Island)

• Lift LTTE ban before talks begin - TULF (The Island)

• If LTTE is for unconditional talks relax proscription-Asgiriya Nayake Thera (Daily News)

• Madhui hospital to be upgraded. (Daily News)

21/Jan/2002

• Deposcription of LTTE: US would use its own yardstick-US ambassador to Sri Lanka, Ashley Wills. (Daily News)

• Maha Nayake Theras optimistic on reaching peace consensus.(Daily News)

• Thousands join peace march in Vanni. (Daily News)

• Road blocks eased in Anuradhapura. (Daily News)

• LTTE extends case fire as a goodwill gesture (Daily Mirror)

• India Centre not to concede LTTE plea. (The Island)

• Give priority to NICs-CWA: The Ceylon Worker’s Alliance has urged the government to give top priority to the issue of national identity cards to the plantation sector people. (The Island)

19/Jan/2002

• Ban on LTTE must stay says the MEP. (The Island)

• New stability vital for Aid Club meeting: MoU- foundation for peace talks. (The Island)

• Tamil parties and Hakeem locks horns on local elections in NE. (The island)

18/Jan/2002

• No immediate re-opening of Colombo-Jaffna road (The Island)

• US ambassador poses peace questions (The Island)

• LTTE ready for permanent truce. (Daily Mirror)

• Vanni civilians welcome peace initiative. (Daily News)

• Retired judge Sundaralingam nominated for Constitutional Council. (Daily News)

17/Jan/2002

• Buses on Colombo-Jaffna road: Private operators getting to gear for profitable route(Daily Mirror)

• LTTE asks India to review position (Daily Mirror)

• Tigers want ban lifted(Daily Mirror)

• New thrust for peace from Norway(Daily Mirror)

• GL sidesteps Selvam’s demand(Daily Mirror)

• SLMC counters JVP allegations:
  Responding to a series of  charges made by JVP’s Anjaan Umma on the letter written by SLMC leader Rauf Hakeem to the LTTE leader, the SLMC said the JVP which entered the democratic process after two unsuccessful armed struggles should not block the chances of another such organization joining mainstream politics. (Daily Mirror)
  Ceasefire extension on Monthly basis (Daily Mirror)

• Government to extend cessation of hostilities:
  The Government will extend the cessation of hostilities after January 24^th and expects the LTTE will also follow-suit, Cabinet spokesman and Minister Prof. G L Peiris said yesterday. (Daily News)

• Vehicles permitted to enter Vanni.  (Daily news)

• No immediate de-banning of LTTE, says govt. (The Island)

• Norway discusses permanent ceasefire with LTTE. (The Island)

• PM in Constitutional Council talks today. (The Island)

16/Jan/2002

• Polling booths in LTTE held areas at local govt. polls? (The Island)

• The TULF led Tamil national Alliance [TNA] wants election commissioner Dayananda Dishanayake to setup polling booths in LTTE held areas in the North-East at the forthcoming local government elections in view of the truce between the government and the LTTE, party sources said. (The Island)

• Norway has its own stakes in talks, says ‘The Economist’ (The Island)

14/Jan/2002

• Making the first ever visit by a United National Front Government Minister to Jaffna, Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Refugees Minister Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena stressed that the government was committed to usher in peace as soon as possible. (Daily News)

• 2^nd round LTTE-Norway talks in London today (The Island)

• 25 Police officers from the Hambantota District questioned for suppressing election violence in the district during campaign time. (The Island)

10/Jan/2002

• To create atmosphere conducive to peace talks, come Jan 15- the government to relax Vavuniya pass system, abolish fuel coupon (The Island):
  The pass system imposed for ten years by army and police in Vavuniya is expected to be greatly relaxed on January 15^th as part of a series of government measures to create an atmosphere conducive to proposed peace talks with the LTTE.

9/Jan/2002

• Norway facilitated Common Cessation of  Hostilities on line (Daily News)

• All Ceylon Hindu Congress (ACHC) has requested Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to lift the embargo on goods to the uncleared areas of the North ‘immediately’ to e

6/Jan/2002

• Govt. - LTTE may sign MoU (The Sunday Leader)

• CBK offers hand of peace to Ranil (The Sunday Times)

• Key military secret becomes public (The Sunday Times)

• Road to Jaffna to be reopened by Jan 15^th - Rs. 1 million allocated for route A9 repairs (The Sunday Times)

5/Jan/2002

• Tamil militant groups warned against extortion (The Island)

• Armed Tamil militant groups in Vavuniya have been asked not to extort money from lorries transporting goods to the Vanni, a security forces spokesman in Vavuniya stated yesterday. (The Island)

• Six more soldiers remanded over 10 Muslim youth massacre in Kandy  (The Island)

• JVP skeptical about peace talks (The Island)

3/Jan/2002

• Norway-LTTE talks in London tomorrow (Daily Mirror)

• Restrictions eased on most items to uncleared areas (The Island)

• Tigers say will meet Norwegian officials (The Island)

• Free flow of goods to Vanni (Daily News)

• SAARC focuses on terrorism (Daily News)

2/Jan/2002

• Fifteen acts of murder and 511 other acts of violence were reported to the PAFFERAL (People's Action for Free and Fair Elections) since December 5^th Election. (Daily News)

^ Top of page