Sporadic violence was reported in the north and east in the last two days since the conclusion of talks in Geneva.

One soldier was killed and three others injured in a claymore blast in Vavuniya yesterday morning, the Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) said. A truck with soldiers on leave was targeted at Puvarsakulam around 7.50 in the morning.

Both sides exchanged artillery fire at Muhamalai, Jaffna and at Mankerni, north of Batticaloa on October 30.

Meanwhile the government yesterday said that 522 Tiger cadres had surrendered to government forces since 2002.

On Monday, October 30, 16 Tigers had surrendered to the Army at Selvanagar (9) and Mahindapura (7) south of the Trincomalee Bay. From October 24 to 30 a total of 27 Tigers had surrendered to security forces.

"During the week from the 24th until the Monday (30) 27 Tigers have surrendered to the Security Forces. On the 24th of October one Tiger terrorist surrendered to Selvnagar Army Camp. On the 26th, a Tiger aged 23 surrendered to the Ja-Ela police. On the 27th seven (07) Tigers surrendered to the Kallar police roadblock. Among the Tigers who surrendered on the 27th one is 15 years old. Four are 17 years old while the other two are 19 and 21 years," MCNS said.

Twenty-five LTTE cadres who surrendered to the army were presented to the media yesterday.

Military Spokesperson Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe told The Morning Leader that the LTTE cadres who surrendered were from the east.

"They surrendered to the army over a period of three days from last Friday," he said.

Government Defence Spokesperson Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said the government assured to provide the cadres with shelter, food clothing and opportunities and jobs.

Rambukwella further mentioned that the army would take steps to transfer the former LTTE cadres to safer places.

The cadres said they were taken by the LTTE to undergo training and fight for them.

The military said the cadres belonged to the ages ranging from 15-35.

One of the cadres speaking to the media said they were put into containers, but were looked after well by the LTTE.

The cadres said they were trained in Trincomalee, Sampur and Batticaloa areas.

The cadres said they had fled to safer areas and later surrendered to the army in Batticaloa and Sampur.

Major Upali Rajapakse told The Morning Leader the cadres would be protected and kept under safe security.

Rajapakse also said the cadres would not be permitted to use mobile phones and that they would only be allowed to take calls under the supervision of the military.

Rajapakse further said this measure was taken, as they were not sure of their whereabouts and due to possible LTTE links.

He noted that these cadres couldn’t be sent back to there respective homes yet and will be assisted by the military forces in Colombo and their needs looked into.

Army officials also said that previously eight LTTE cadres surrendered to the army and were brought to Colombo last week and the 25 cadres who surrendered since Friday arrived in Colombo two days ago.

TNA MP, R. Sampanthan yesterday wrote to President Mahinda Rajapakse calling for an end to the terror that has overtaken villages in the north and east as a result of the killings and abductions carried out by paramilitary groups and security personnel, over the past few months.

Sampanthan in his letter called attention to the fact that seven villagers had gone missing and five persons, including TNA MP Kopalasundaram Pathmakalapan had been shot dead in Trincomalee and its surroundings within the last six months. He also stated that villagers, who had began returning and rebuilding their life with their personal savings without any government assistance following the signing of the CFA, were once again contemplating fleeing their homes for fear of their lives.

"We bring this to your attention as it will be unconscionable to have them suffer the immense trauma of being displaced once again," Sampanthan said in his letter.

Meanwhile a press release issued by the TNA yesterday also draws attention to the shooting of Pathmakalapan and TNA Vanni District MP Sivanadan Kishore who was attacked with seven hand grenades.

The release stated that two home guards attached to the Senuwara Police station named Karunaratne and Weerasinghe were responsible for Pathmakalapan’s shooting but have not been apprehended to- date.

"The TNA very reliably learns that the two gunmen were Home Guards by the names of Karunaratne and Weerasinghe who were attached to the Senuwara Police Station and who have currently sought refuge at the Senuwara Police Station itself," the release said.

It further said Kishore’s residence was situated within close proximity to the air force camp; between two checkpoints on either side, one 15 metres and the other less than 100 metres away from the residence. "The attackers had not been apprehended," the release said.

Condemning strongly the attacks on democratically elected representatives of the Tamil people the release stated, "The TNA wishes to point out that the objective of these attacks on political leaders is to terrorise and silence such persons and thereby prevent the exposure of serious human rights abuses that are being continuously committed by the GOSL armed forces and its paramilitary groups, who are in the pursuit of a military solution to the Tamil national question."

Aid workers voiced concerns that the break down in peace talks and incidents reported in Muhumalai could lead to a rise in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugees heading toward India.

"The figures have remained more or less stable so far, but we are concerned over the possible rise in IDPs, especially given the reports coming in from Muhumalai," Jeevan Thiagarajah, Head of the Common Humanitarian Association (CHA) said.

UN figures indicate that 15, 876 people have been internally displaced since January this year, while 4679 have fled to India. However UNHCR Spokesperson Linden Jeffers the figures had so far not been updated since October 26, before the peace talks.

"It is too early to comment on a possible increase," Jeffers said, adding that the new statistics would be released next week.

Meanwhile NGO officials in the East said that while most IDPs had returned to their homes from camps, many were still affected by the prevalent bad weather due to severe damages caused to about 20% of the houses in the fighting that had taken place over the past few months.

Those affected by the rains also included IDPs who still remained in camps for security reasons.

UNP MP Karu Jayasuriya denied accusations of manipulations during the signing of the MoU between the UNP and SLFP to obtain posts and portfolios and reasserted his commitment to work with the government to bring about peace and prosperity in the country, in a statement released yesterday.

Jayasuriya said he considered himself very fortunate for the opportunity to direct the UNP group that held discussions with the government, leading to the successful signing of the MoU, marking an end to a political culture hitherto based on confrontation. "This I consider a task of high national importance," Jayasuriya said.

He added that he believed the agreement provided a strong basis for reaching a solution acceptable to all people on the national issue, for the implementation of the 17th Amendment to the constitution, for the establishment of independent Public Service, Police Commissions, and independence of judiciary, in addition to ensuring of free and fair elections.

He further said he believed structural changes were necessary in the UNP.

"I believe that it is necessary to provide for structural changes in the decision making process within the United National Party for it to be more democratic," Jayasuriya said.

He also reiterated his commitment to make it a "People’s Party" once again. "I state with humility and responsibility that I consider it my bounden duty to work to reform our party in the same way that we worked selflessly to achieve understanding between the two major political parties," Jayasuriya stated.

Quoting Mahatma Gandhi he said "There are moments in your life when, you must act, though you cannot take your best friend with you… The still small voice within you, must always be the arbiter when there is a conflict of duty."

"I am committed to follow the path shown by Mahatma Gandhi," Jayasuriya said.

A program to encourage drug addicts and unemployed youth to collect and separate solid waste for recycling has become popular in the urban areas.

The programme to create awareness among the unemployed commenced under the directions of founder National Programme on RecyclingSolid Waste Dr. Ajantha Perera.

These programmes are conducted in the Gunasinghepura, Bloemendhal, Modera and Mattakkuliya areas. Speaking to The Morning Leader Dr. Perera said drug rehabilitation centres only concentrate on rehabilitating drug addicts.

"Once released from the drug rehabilitation centres these people do not have a proper job to earn their daily wages. In some cases drug addicts resort to selling drugs again because they have no other way of earning a living," explained Dr. Perera.

Dr. Perera added that by collecting recyclable solid waste such as plastic, polythene, glass and metal and reselling them, rehabilitated drug users and unemployed youth can earn a living by means of self employment.

Programmes to create awareness on recycling solid waste have been held at drug rehabilitation centres in the country. "The collecting and selling of solid waste has been introduced as a cottage industry for these rehabilitated people, as they need to be accepted as part of society. If they have a way of earning an income they will become accepted citizens in society," Dr. Perera said.

The Trade Ministry yesterday claimed that while the government had purchased 35,000 metric tonnes of paddy from farmers from the Yala harvest, they could not purchase anymore as farmers lured by higher market prices refused to sell to the government.

"Market prices are increasing and the only reason we have not bought more paddy is because the farmers won’t sell to us now," Secretary, Trade Ministry Dr. K. Ratnayake, said.

President, Progressive Farmers Association, M. K. Jayatissa however refuted the statement saying even the most highly priced Samba sold at only Rs.1000-1050 per 64 kg. He said Nadu sold at Rs.860-850. Jayatissa alleged that permits to buy at subsidised rates had been sold to traders by government officials, with the result prices had come down even further.

"It is extremely unfair: the prices paid are very low and with the rising cost of living we can barely make ends meet," Jayatissa said. "Some farmers have even pawned their equipment," he added.

Ratnayake said the government currently had 150,000 metric tonnes of paddy in storage, of which 35,000 metric tonnes were procured after the Yala harvest.

Commenting on the recent proposal to export paddy to India, Ratnayake said it was not feasible because the cost of production in Sri Lanka was very high, and the variety of rice produced here suited local consumption only.

"The produce would be much too expensive to export, and the varieties grown here are not consumed outside the country, but is meant for local consumption," he said.

Meanwhile Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Tissa Warnasuriya said that the recent heavy rains were bound to have damaged paddy crops — though to what extent had not yet been studied.

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has forecast power cuts in 2007 due to the failure to begin construction on the 300 MW combined cycle power plant in Kerawalapitiya.

An official from the Power and Energy Ministry told The Morning Leader that the construction of the Kerawalapitiya power plant would begin in the first week of November and end in December 2007.

The official also mentioned that a capacity of 900 MW at Kerawalapitiya is not required at the moment whereas only 300 MW is actually needed and this can be produced by the time construction is complete.

The CEB Engineers’ Union said in a statement that construction of the Kerawalapitiya power plant was crucial to meet the growing demand as Sri Lanka’s generators are expected to reach maximum capability by 2008.

Seven percent growth in electricity demand is anticipated for 2006 and 2007 and the CEB engineers say that by 2007 and 2008 the CEB would not be able to meet the country’s electricity demand.

The union said that cabinet has approved proposals to set up new power plants.

The Transport Ministry has requested private bus owners to provide passengers with a better service in lieu of reducing the bus fares.

The government reduced fuel prices recently, but private bus owners have not reduced their bus fares.

According to an agreement between the Transport Ministry and private bus owners passengers will be provided with a better service from November 15.

Speaking to The Morning Leader Transport Minister, A. H. M. Fowzie said if private bus owners do not follow the terms and conditions imposed by the Transport Ministry after November 15, he would bring down the bus fares of the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) buses.

"The overcrowding of passengers in buses and the issuing of bus tickets, preventing bus drivers from waiting long hours at bus halts and providing a code of ethics for bus drivers and conductors was discussed at the meeting," Fowzie said.

According to Fowzie a private bus that could reach its destination in half an hour takes one hour to get there, because bus drivers and conductors have no concern for the passengers.

The 19th meeting of the task force organised by the World Tourism Organisation to protect children from sexual exploitation in tourism will be held on November (6) at the Royal Air Force Club in London.

The task force meeting will offer two thematic sessions on the involvement of the tourism industry and a campaign to protect children from sexual exploitation in tourism and a reporting session on related child abuse issues.

The meeting coincides with the World Travel Mart (WTM), which is also taking place in London at the same time. Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Task Force and Special Advisor tothe Secretary-General, World Tourism Organisation, Dr. David de Villiers would chair the meeting.

Chairman, Sri Lanka Tourist Board, Udaya Nanayakkara will present a case study on the subject cooperation between public and private sector. UNICEF would provide assistance to the Sri Lanka Tourist Board.

Nine UNP MPs returned to Sri Lanka after a three-day tour in India that left them ‘more patient, compassionate and tolerant’ and therefore better equipped to bring about peace, according to the delegation.

The delegation took part in a special programme called ‘Peace and Reconciliation’ at the Art of Living International Centre of spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

Jayalath Jayawardena headed the group of MPs. The other MPs included Ranjit Maddumabandara, Mahinda Ratnatilleke, Champika Premadasa, Dilip Wedaarachchi, Akila Kariyawasam, Edward Gunasekera, Chandrasiri Suriyaarachchi and Gayantha Karunatilleke.

The MPs reportedly learned to relax, to be patient, to be compassionate, to be tolerant and how to be natural, at the programme. They also had ayurvedic treatment to detoxify their bodies and purify their minds.

Some MPs had stated after the programme that they intended to become vegetarian and give up alcohol, according to Jayawardena, though no names were revealed. He further said more MPs would definitely be sent to the Art of Living Foundation in the months to come to follow similar programmes.

Jayawardena also urged Sri Sri Ravi Shankar to play a role in resolving the Sri Lankan conflict.

The State Government of Tasmania in Australia has funded a project to provide electricity to the tsunami affected Yawatte and to over 600 new houses in Matara and Tangalle districts.

The Government of Tasmania donated Rs.25 million to the project with the result that 10 housing schemes for the tsunami victims are now lit up.

Premier of Tasmania, Paul Lennon, said the people of Tasmania were proud to be able to contribute to the reconstruction project, which would help create a new future for many people whose lives were shattered by the 2004 tsunami.

Hydro Tasmania Consulting, an arm of the state electricity utility in Tasmania implemented the project.

Y’s Men Sri Lanka Region will present, Musical Memories IX at the BMICH banquet hall on Saturday, November 4. This evening of vintage songs is well patronised and much looked forward to by all music lovers.

The special feature of this event is, there are no groups or individuals singing.

The whole audience sings accompanied by one of the popular bands in town. This year Cosmic Rays will lead the audience in singing. Entrance to this show is by a book of songs (150 approx) of golden oldies in English as well as Sinhala.

This year’s show will be of special significance as the organisers have decided to felicitate PRD Ranjan and the Y’s lady Srikanthi, who were the architects of this popular and much looked forward to annual musical programme.

Christ Church, Galle Face, Colombo 3 as part of its 153rd anniversary celebrations will present a musical fiesta on November 3 at 6 p.m. at the church.

The evening of music will include instrumentals, gospel, spiritual, classical and contemporary works by renowned artists. Entrance to the event will be Rs. 250.

The government yesterday said that adequate food supplies were reaching Jaffna despite warnings by relief agencies that the peninsula was at the brink of starvation.

Commissioner General of Essential Services, S. B. Divaratne told the press that other than fuel, spices and some items of baby food, Jaffna had adequate stocks of essential food items for10 to12 weeks.

Meanwhile, the government had dispatched 750 tonnes of spices and baby food to the peninsula yesterday and had planned to ship 800 mt.tonnes of diesel, 240,000 mt. tonnes of Kerosene, 120,000 mt. tonnes of petrol to Jaffna since there was a shortage of fuel for the past several days.

According to Divratne the peninsula need 4500 mt.tonnes of rice per month and apart from this amount other essential food items to the weight of 8000 mt. tonnes will be dispatched today to strengthen the food stocks in Jaffna.

"From August 17 six charter ships on twelve occasions carried food to the peninsula and another 2,800 mt.tonnes of wheat flour are being loaded from the Prima factory at Trincomalee to be shipped to north but the bad weather conditions has made all the attempts impossible up to some extent so far. Any how we are managed to ship all the food items with the greatest difficulty," claimed Divaratne.

"However, the LTTE threats and the reluctance of foreign owned ships to carry food supply to Jaffna caused a mild set back and the government owned vessels have so far managed to supply the essential food items to Jaffna without any hindrance," Divaratne said.

Divaratne further stated that all these food items are distributed through 14 army welfare centres and five CWE outlets in the Jaffna Peninsula without any additional cargo charges.

By Nirmala Kannangara

With the onset of inter-monsoon rains, the Epidemiological Unit (EU) of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL) predicts an outbreak of dengue all over the country.   

Epidemiologist, Dr. M.N.R.Abeysinghe told The Morning Leader yesterday that although the October statistics shows a reduction in dengue related illnesses compared to September; with the recent rains the possibility of increase in dengue and filaria once the flood waters recede cannot be discounted.

"Definitely there will be an increase during November and December due to the accumulation of pockets of water. We have identified 48 high risk areas islandwide and all the MOHs have been requested to be on the alert for a possible dengue threat," said Dr. Abeysinghe.

As a result of the overflowing of septic tanks due to the recent floods, wells and other drinking water sources would be contaminated and water borne diseases such as dysentery, diarrhoea and leptospirosis could increase according to Dr. Abeysinghe.

Dr. Abeysinghe requests the people living in flood affected areas to drink boiled and cooled water and also to avoid eating raw vegetables and green leaves if they are unable to ensure that these are not contaminated, and also to use latrines situated in higher elevations if the latrines in use have been submerged in the floods.

Muslims who were forced to leave the north are to urge President Mahinda Rajapakse to appoint a Presidential Commission to look into the issues faced by them.

The Muslims who have been living in Puttalam and the surrounding areas, commemorated the 16th year of expulsion from the north last week.

President of the commemoration organising committee, S.M.A. Niyaz told The Morning Leader the planned events could not be held due to heavy rain.

"We have postponed the events to November. We have planned all the events to be held on Friday, November 24," he said.

Several events were organised to commemorate the occasion and were scheduled to be held last Saturday (28) in Puttalam.

Niyaz said the people and the participants were informed of the postponement of the events.

"We are trying to get an appointment with the President so that we could directly request from him to appoint a committee to look into the problems faced by the northern Muslims for the last 16 years," said Niyaz.

He also said the Muslims from the north had prepared a declaration and it would be announced soon.

"We are hoping to release the declaration during the period when the commemoration is scheduled to be held," he said.

He said nearly 125,000 Muslims were living in Puttalam and surrounding areas at the moment and that most of them were still living in welfare centers.

"There were 85,000 persons at the time we moved out of the north in 1990. About 70% of our people are still living in welfare centers. There are about 15 welfare centers and the conditions of these centers are very bad. Our people have been facing these problems for the last 16 years," he added.

He added that they would request the President to take steps to reopen the Puttalam-Mannar road.

"The road has been closed for more than 16 years and it is the closest route to the north. However, the security personnel say that the road is closed due to security reasons," he said.

The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) said it has kept in touch with the Muslims in Puttalam and were looking into the problems faced by them.

SLMC Chairman Basheer Segudawood told The Morning Leader party officials including Leader Rauf Hakeem were out of the country at the moment.

"Our party leader is in England and is participating in discussions related to the northern Muslims," he said.

Consumers have called on the government to reduce the price of kerosene in keeping with the recent price reductions on petrol and diesel.

They have accused the government of not paying much attention towards the reduction of kerosene prices when other fuel prices were reduced.

Kerosene is known to be a primary source of energy to rural folk, especially the fishing community.

Transport and Petroleum Resources Minister A. H. M. Fowzie told The Morning Leader that steps have not yet been taken to reduce kerosene prices, but noted that the level of consumption of kerosene has seen a decline in recent months.

Due to the decline in the level of consumption, Fowzie noted that there was ‘no point in reducing the price of kerosene,’ but said that a team of officials will be appointed by the Ministry to carry out observations regarding world market prices of kerosene.

As for rumours that have been doing the rounds on the sale of low quality kerosene, the Minister said that the government provided its agents with good quality kerosene and what happens from then on was not under his purview. He explained that there could be instances where certain black market dealers would mix kerosene with water to earn a few extra rupees.

However, Fowzie noted that special relief measures would be adopted when providing kerosene to the fisheries sector in the future.

Speaking of the north, Fowzie said a shipment carrying petrol, diesel and kerosene was sent to Kankesanthurai (KKS) on Sunday (29). The shipment holds up to 5,000 drums of fuel. According to Fowzie, this fuel will be sufficient for a month.

The delay in sending shipments of fuel to the north has been attributed mainly to the shortage of ships, but private ships have been arranged to carry fuel.

"A big quantity of fuel will be sent to the north soon. A cargo ship is due to reach Colombo Harbour on November 15 and it would then be sent to KKS, Jaffna," Fowzie said.

Sri Lanka consumes around 30 million liters of petrol, 130 million liters of diesel and 18 million liters of kerosene each month.

The government is of the view that unless new reforms are introduced to the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) services cannot be improved.

Power and Energy Minister John Seneviratne told The Morning Leader that a committee has been appointed to work on reforms and if it so recommends the same reforms would be re-introduced within the provisions of the Electricity Board Act of 1969 or would introduce new reforms to restructure the board, which the Minister feels should be done immediately.

"Although the JVP backed unions try to say that the government is having secret agendas I being the Minister in charge of the CEB know what should done to safeguard this gigantic organisation," said Seneviratne.

Meanwhile, at a press briefing held in Colombo, Convener, Organisation to Protect the CEB, Ranjan Jayalal said that the employees irrespective of party politics would go for stronger trade union action if the government presents the Electricity Reform Bill (ERB) in parliament.

"We came to know from reliable sources the government has lobbied the UNP to help pass the bill through parliament. The government could achieve its goal but they are yet to realise the consequences of implementing the ERB," added Jayalal.

Jayalal further stated that the government’s plan to restrict the CEB unions by appointing a Competent Authority to overlook the CEB affairs would not be tolerated.

"We heard that former Air Force Chief Weerakkody is to be appointed as the Competent Authority. This is solely to curtail trade union action. The people’s power is mightier than the government’s power. If any steps are taken to restrict trade union affairs CEB employees would not hesitate to walk out with a complete stoppage of work," added Jayalal.

Passengers and conductors will not be allowed to travel on the footboard of buses after November 15, according to a new rule by the Transport Ministry.

Passengers and conductors traveling on the footboards of buses will be charged by the police according to the new rules and regulations.

Speaking to The Morning Leader Transport Minister A.H.M. Fowzie said private bus owners have agreed to the new rules and regulations imposed by the Transport Ministry.

"Private bus owners cannot overcrowd the buses. The number of passengers standing and traveling in buses cannot be more than 60% of the seated passengers," Fowzie said.

"If all buses run according to the time table system there will be plenty of buses for passengers," Fowzie said.

President, Private Bus Owners Association, Gemunu Wijeratne said his organisation agreed with the Minister to provide a better service for commuters. "If the time table system is implemented most problems faced by commuters can be solved," he said.

Education up to grade 11 has been made compulsory for students in LTTE-controlled areas by the "Tamileelam Child Protection Act."

The ‘act’ was enacted by the "Tamileelam Legislature Secretariat (TLS)" and became effective on October 15.

The LTTE said the act laid down procedure and penalties for offences committed against children.

The act contains 83 sections and mandates registration of all child births, outlaws enlisting of children under 17 years in armed forces, makes participation of under 18-year olds in armed combat illegal, and proscribes all forms of child labour.

This act brings into law, measures to protect the rights and the well being of the children, the LTTE claimed.

TLS officials told reporters that they were directed by LTTE Leader Veluppillai Pirapaharan to formalise the rights of the children into law and specify penalties for violating the laws within the framework.

The TLS said legislators had gone through the child protection acts of other countries such as Malaysia, Australia, UK and Norway. The TLS said this child protection act prohibited child employment below the age of 16, and stated child labour was a crime punishable by two years of imprisonment.

Application forms for university entrance for the Jaffna students have been sent after a delay due to transport problems to the north.

Senior Assistant Secretary, University Grants Commission (UGC), M.M. Premakumara told The Morning Leader the forms were sent on October 17.

"About 5,000 copies of the forms were sent to the north last month," he said. He said the forms were sent with the assistance of the Defence Ministry.

"We requested the Defence Ministry for assistance for the transportation of the forms. The Ministry gave permission and the forms were airlifted to the north last month," he said.

However, the Jaffna students are faced with a different problem now.

The university has not opened for the students for the last two months due to the security situation. University officials said there was no sign of the campus being opened for the students in the near future.

Registrar of the University P. Kandasamy told The Morning Leader the security situation was not conducive for students to venture outside their homes.

"It is not practically possible to open the campus and conduct studies because most of the students living outside the peninsula have left by ship. They will not be in a position to come back even if the campus is opened immediately," he said.

Although the country has been experiencing fair weather for the last couple of days rainy weather conditions are expected to continue in the next few days the Meteorology Department said.

Meteorologist, Merril Mendis told The Morning Leader yesterday that the depression in the Bay of Bengal had now moved towards India but the possibility of the depression recurring was yet there.

"The Met Department expects another disturbance in the Bay of Bengal and if it occurs, evening showers accompanied by thunderstorms and cyclonic conditions could be expected," Mendis said.

According to Mendis, by the time the inter-monsoonal rain ceases the northeast monsoon could be expected from mid November till mid December and that it would bring much less rain to the western province, but heavy showers to north, north central, east and south-eastern parts of the country. (NK)

The Education Ministry in collaboration with the Department of Census and Statistics will conduct an islandwide census on literacy in information technology of the academic staff serving in government schools, approved private schools and pirivenas.

According to Media Secretary, Education Ministry, Jayaweera Delpagoda the approved census introduced as ‘Census on computer literacy of the academic staff serving in government approved schools and pirivenas 2006,’ will be conducted throughout the island on November 2.

"This census is to collect data relating to teachers’ knowledge in computers, their ability to use software, utilisation of the internet and the use of computers for teaching activities," Delpagoda said.

The government has decided to increase the compensation paid to the families affected by the Kebethigollewa bomb blast recently.   

The Assets and Industrial Rehabilitation Authority (AIRA) has commenced the paying of compensation for those who died or were wounded by the Kebethigollewa bomb blast.

The AIRA initially paid Rs. 50,000 for a married man or woman, and Rs. 25,000 for an unmarried man or woman who died in the blast as compensation.

However according to the new cabinet decision AIRA will now pay Rs. 100,000 for a married man or woman and Rs. 50,000 for an unmarried man or woman who died in the blast as compensation. Compensation for those under 18 years of age who died in the bomb blast will be Rs. 25,000. Those injured and over 18 years of age will be paid Rs. 50,000. Those under 18 years of age will receive Rs. 25,000.

The army camp in Panagoda has organised a rehabilitation and welfare programme to uplift the lives of the differently abled army personnel in the country.

The programme is organised with the help of the Rural Industries and Self Employment Ministry.

As part of the programme the differently abled army personnel will be taught to make coir, cane, clay and leather products.

The main aim of this programme is to uplift the lives of the differently abled army personnel and encourage them to engage in self employment without being a burden on the country.        

Twenty five differently abled army personnel who completed the training course were presented their certificates by Rural Industries and Self Employment Minister S. B. Navinna recently. Another 150 army personnel who completed their courses at the National Design Institute, Katubedda were also given their certificates.

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Five persons armed with firearms and posing off as police personnel robbed Rs. 140,000 in cash and jewellery worth Rs. 579,100 in Embilipitiya.The Embilipitiya police are conducting investigations.

Two persons were arrested in Akuressa while attempting to cut a 312 foot telephone wire. Two watchers at a nearby office spotted them. The Matara Telecom Institute in Thibbotuwewa has been informed of the incident. Akuressa police are investigating.

A 23-year-old youth was killed in Medawachchiya when he accidentally touched an electric wire. The wire was believed to have been cut and set aside by a 55-year-old passer by. The suspect is now in police custody.

A 13-year-old schoolgirl was abducted and raped in Matugama. The suspect, a 29-year-old youth also from the area was taken into custody and investigations into the matter are continuing.

A highly decomposed body was found in the Modera River in the Moratuwa police area. The body is currently lying atthe Panadura hospital.

The Ingiriya police have discovered a skeleton and a skull. The victim is yet to be identified. Soil samples are to be sent to Colombo for further investigations.