Oil from Mannar 60% possibility!
Oil from Mannar Basin - even chances
by Devan Daniel -The Island160508
There is a 60 percent possibility that the Mannar Basin will have oil, said the Director General of Petroleum Resources Development Secretariat in a public lecture Wednesday.
"Oil exploration is a high-risk venture with a 10 percent success rate of finding oil, but things might be different in Mannar," Dr Neil De Silva said.
He said that oil exploration began in the ’70s and seven wells had been explored after 18,000 km of 2D seismic data of the Mannar basin was collected but no oil was found.
The technology was not very accurate and the wells were drilled in places that should not have been drilled but now with 3D seismic data a more accurate survey can
be done and the chances that the Mannar Basin on the Sri Lankan side of the maritime border will contain oil has a probability rate 60 percent, Dr De Silva said.
India is producing oil from wells discovered on its side.
The Mannar Basin was divided into eight blocks and the government decided to open three of them for bids, which closed on 31 January this year.
Block SL-2007-01-001 received bids from Cairn India, ONGC Videsh and Niko Resources. Block SL 2007-01-002 received two bids, Cairns India and Niko Resources while the third block SL 2007-01-003 received a bid from Niko Resources.
The government decided to evaluate the bids for SL 2007-01-001 only, as it felt that the other two blocks did not receive enough bids. He said that only the cabinet
would know why such a decision was taken. The exploration contract is eight years in duration and is divided into several stages with each stage having certain
requirements which need to be met in order to qualify for the subsequent stages.
Sri Lanka had road shows in London, Houston USA and Kuala Lumpur prior to calling for bids with many heavy weights in the field of oil-exploration expressing
their enthusiasm. 5,000 emails, 200 faxes and 100 phone calls to top executives in oil exploration companies were made in order to market the bids. A total number
of 42 companies had responded and showed interest in exploring for oil in the Mannar Basin.
"But we had several challenges. One was the security concerns and political uncertainty. But on a technical ground the slots were too small. They would have preferred to explore a wider area as it would naturally increase the chances of discovering oil.
"Oil exploration in the Mannar Basin will take place in relatively deep waters where a single well is estimated to cost US $30 million to drill (US $ 10 million in
shallow waters) and oil exploration companies wanted to be able to conduct a more meaningful exploration and wanted a larger area.
"Sri Lanka continues to compete with countries such as India, Bangladesh, Africa and the Middle East to attract oil explorers and the disadvantage Sri Lanka had is
that its competitors had proven that they did have oil deposits.
"We have a high country risk, the whole world knows the situation in the country. We have a marketing risk, an unproven basin with no oil. And there is the
geographical risk, there is a 60 percent chance of finding oil in the Mannar Basin " Dr De Silva said.
According to historical data on existing offshore oil wells, commercial oil production is expected to begin by 2014, Dr De Silva said, if oil is found.
South America, Australia, Africa including Arabia, South Asia and Antarctica were once locked together in a single land mass about 550-500 million years ago called
Gondwanaland and these regions today have oil reserves and since Sri Lanka shares its geographical history, Dr De Silva believes that Sri Lanka too could have oil resources.
"Oil exploration is a high-risk venture with a 10 percent success rate of finding oil, but things might be different in Mannar," Dr Neil De Silva said.
He said that oil exploration began in the ’70s and seven wells had been explored after 18,000 km of 2D seismic data of the Mannar basin was collected but no oil was found.
The technology was not very accurate and the wells were drilled in places that should not have been drilled but now with 3D seismic data a more accurate survey canbe done and the chances that the Mannar Basin on the Sri Lankan side of the maritime border will contain oil has a probability rate 60 percent, Dr De Silva said.
India is producing oil from wells discovered on its side.
The Mannar Basin was divided into eight blocks and the government decided to open three of them for bids, which closed on 31 January this year.
Block SL-2007-01-001 received bids from Cairn India, ONGC Videsh and Niko Resources. Block SL 2007-01-002 received two bids, Cairns India and Niko Resources while the third block SL 2007-01-003 received a bid from Niko Resources.
The government decided to evaluate the bids for SL 2007-01-001 only, as it felt that the other two blocks did not receive enough bids. He said that only the cabinet
would know why such a decision was taken. The exploration contract is eight years in duration and is divided into several stages with each stage having certain
requirements which need to be met in order to qualify for the subsequent stages.
Sri Lanka had road shows in London, Houston USA and Kuala Lumpur prior to calling for bids with many heavy weights in the field of oil-exploration expressing
their enthusiasm. 5,000 emails, 200 faxes and 100 phone calls to top executives in oil exploration companies were made in order to market the bids. A total number
of 42 companies had responded and showed interest in exploring for oil in the Mannar Basin.
"But we had several challenges. One was the security concerns and political uncertainty. But on a technical ground the slots were too small. They would have preferred to explore a wider area as it would naturally increase the chances of discovering oil.
"Oil exploration in the Mannar Basin will take place in relatively deep waters where a single well is estimated to cost US $30 million to drill (US $ 10 million inshallow waters) and oil exploration companies wanted to be able to conduct a more meaningful exploration and wanted a larger area.
"Sri Lanka continues to compete with countries such as India, Bangladesh, Africa and the Middle East to attract oil explorers and the disadvantage Sri Lanka had is
that its competitors had proven that they did have oil deposits.
"We have a high country risk, the whole world knows the situation in the country. We have a marketing risk, an unproven basin with no oil. And there is the
geographical risk, there is a 60 percent chance of finding oil in the Mannar Basin " Dr De Silva said.
According to historical data on existing offshore oil wells, commercial oil production is expected to begin by 2014, Dr De Silva said, if oil is found.South America, Australia, Africa including Arabia, South Asia and Antarctica were once locked together in a single land mass about 550-500 million years ago called
Gondwanaland and these regions today have oil reserves and since Sri Lanka shares its geographical history, Dr De Silva believes that Sri Lanka too could have oil resources.
Sri Lanka welcomes India's decision to extend ban on LTTE
Colombo, May 15 (PTI) Sri Lanka tonight welcomed India's decision to extend the ban on Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and described it as New Delhi's
policy of not extending support to terrorism."This is in keeping with India's tradition of having banned the LTTE and not endorsing the outfit's separatism and support for terrorism," sources in the Presidential secretariat told PTI.
"Therefore this move by India is welcome," the sources said.
A notification extending the ban for another two years on the LTTE, declaring it as an unlawful association, was issued by the Union Home Ministry in New Delhi
yesterday.
The release said the "turbulence" in Sri Lanka is being exploited by the pro-LTTE forces, in spite of the ban, causing disquiet and threat to the security of Tamil Nadu.
In view of hostilities between Sri Lankan security forces and the LTTE, vigil has also been stepped up in 21 islands in the Palk Straits.
More than 70,000 people are reported to have lost their lives in the ethnic strife involving Tamils in Sri Lanka during the last 25 years.
The LTTE-led by Velupillai Prabhakaran has been banned in several countries including the United States.
The LTTE was involved in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in May 1991 and the group has been banned in India since 1992.
The notification said that the Indian government was of the view that LTTE is an unlawful association and there is a continuing strong need to control all such separatist
activities by all possible means. PTI
Colombo, May 15 (PTI) Sri Lanka tonight welcomed India's decision to extend the ban on Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and described it as New Delhi's
policy of not extending support to terrorism."This is in keeping with India's tradition of having banned the LTTE and not endorsing the outfit's separatism and support for terrorism," sources in the Presidential secretariat told PTI.
"Therefore this move by India is welcome," the sources said.
A notification extending the ban for another two years on the LTTE, declaring it as an unlawful association, was issued by the Union Home Ministry in New Delhi
yesterday.
The release said the "turbulence" in Sri Lanka is being exploited by the pro-LTTE forces, in spite of the ban, causing disquiet and threat to the security of Tamil Nadu.
In view of hostilities between Sri Lankan security forces and the LTTE, vigil has also been stepped up in 21 islands in the Palk Straits.
More than 70,000 people are reported to have lost their lives in the ethnic strife involving Tamils in Sri Lanka during the last 25 years.
The LTTE-led by Velupillai Prabhakaran has been banned in several countries including the United States.
The LTTE was involved in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in May 1991 and the group has been banned in India since 1992.
The notification said that the Indian government was of the view that LTTE is an unlawful association and there is a continuing strong need to control all such separatist
activities by all possible means. PTI
Suicide bomb explosion near Lake House; 8 killed, over 90 casualties
Eight Police personnel were killed and over 90 casualties reported, following the LTTE suicide bomb attack near Lake House at around 12noon, today (May 16).
Many civilians are also said to be among those injured, defence sources reported from the blast site.
According to the available information, a motor bike riding LTTE suicide bomber had rammed into a bus carrying Police personnel at the Ceramic Junction, near Lake House. Casualty figures are yet to be known More information will follow. [Updated: 1:10: PM 5/16/2008 ]
Eight Police personnel were killed and over 90 casualties reported, following the LTTE suicide bomb attack near Lake House at around 12noon, today (May 16).
Many civilians are also said to be among those injured, defence sources reported from the blast site.
According to the available information, a motor bike riding LTTE suicide bomber had rammed into a bus carrying Police personnel at the Ceramic Junction, near Lake House. Casualty figures are yet to be known More information will follow. [Updated: 1:10: PM 5/16/2008 ]
Army Chief reviews Jaffna security situation
Army Commander Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka in an attempt to take an overall stock of the latest ground situation flew to Jaffna yesterday morning with
several senior military officers of the Army Headquarters.
Commander, Security Forces Headquarters - Jaffna (SFHQ-J) Major General G.A. Chandrasiri after receiving the Military Chief gave a detailed outline of the
security developments in areas under his command. All respective Commanders in Divisions and Brigades joined him to brief the visiting Commander on the current
situation.
After reviewing the present security situation in the area under SFHQ(J), the Army Chief gave additional instructions to all senior ground commanders on future
security arrangements.
several senior military officers of the Army Headquarters.
Commander, Security Forces Headquarters - Jaffna (SFHQ-J) Major General G.A. Chandrasiri after receiving the Military Chief gave a detailed outline of the
security developments in areas under his command. All respective Commanders in Divisions and Brigades joined him to brief the visiting Commander on the current
situation.
After reviewing the present security situation in the area under SFHQ(J), the Army Chief gave additional instructions to all senior ground commanders on future
security arrangements.
Maheswari Velautham shot dead in Jaffna
[TamilNet, Tuesday, 13 May 2008, 15:23 GMT]
Maheswari Velautham, an advisor of EPDP leader Douglas Devandanda, was shot and killed at her residence at Navi'ndil near Nelliyadi in Vadamaraadchi in Jaffna
Tuesday around 6:30 p.m., initial reports from Jaffna said. Ms. Maheswari, whose association with Tamil militancy dates back to late 1970s, narrowly escaped from
a group of Tamil prisoners who attacked Mr. Douglas Devananda when he visited Kalutara prison in June 1998 with her. She is a lawyer by profession.
Maheswari VelayuthamThe killing took place at her residence located in Keerippalli.
Her brother, Kampan, a TELO fighter, was killed in a confrontation with the Sri Lanka Army in 1985.
Maheswari left Jaffna after Tamil Eelam Liberation Organisation (TELO) was banned by the Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) and worked with Mr.
Kandasamy, the founder of TRRO, and was in charge of the Madurai office of the Tamil Information Centre.
Later, she became closely associated with the EPDP, the paramilitary-cum-political party, headed by Douglas Devananda and was functioning in an advisory
capacity.
Last modified on: 5/10/2008 5:16:23 AM
Tuesday around 6:30 p.m., initial reports from Jaffna said. Ms. Maheswari, whose association with Tamil militancy dates back to late 1970s, narrowly escaped from
a group of Tamil prisoners who attacked Mr. Douglas Devananda when he visited Kalutara prison in June 1998 with her. She is a lawyer by profession.
Maheswari VelayuthamThe killing took place at her residence located in Keerippalli.
Her brother, Kampan, a TELO fighter, was killed in a confrontation with the Sri Lanka Army in 1985.
Maheswari left Jaffna after Tamil Eelam Liberation Organisation (TELO) was banned by the Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) and worked with Mr.
Kandasamy, the founder of TRRO, and was in charge of the Madurai office of the Tamil Information Centre.
Later, she became closely associated with the EPDP, the paramilitary-cum-political party, headed by Douglas Devananda and was functioning in an advisory
capacity.
Last modified on: 5/10/2008 5:16:23 AM
'Ex-Invincible' sunk in Trincomalee Harbour MOD
At approximately 2.15a.m., local time an under water explosion damaged and caused logistic vessel A-520(MV Invincible) to sink while moored at the Ashroff jetty
in Trincomalee harbour, today (May 10).
No lives were lost due to the explosion.
A-520 was a merchant vessel built in 1970's and handed over to the Sri Lankan Navy, following a court order after it was apprehended while transporting 254 illegal
migrants off Tangalle in 2003.
in Trincomalee harbour, today (May 10).
No lives were lost due to the explosion.
A-520 was a merchant vessel built in 1970's and handed over to the Sri Lankan Navy, following a court order after it was apprehended while transporting 254 illegal
migrants off Tangalle in 2003.
Probe on sinking of navy vessel in Trinco
Sunday Times lk 110508
An undersea explosion which sank the navy’s cargo ship MV Invincible in the Trinco harbour early yesterday is being probed by the authorities, Military spokesman
Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara.
He said the navy was not yet certain whether it was a terrorist act that sank the vessel which was berthed at the Ashraff Jetty and had a skeleton crew on board for
routine operational purposes when the explosion occurred around 2.15 a.m.The Navy said there were no casualties and no other property was damaged.
Meanwhile the pro LTTE website TamilNet claimed that Sea Tiger commandos carried out the under water attack when the supply vessel was being loaded with
explosives to be transported to Kankesanthurai Harbour in Jaffna. The Navy said the vessel built in 1971 was handed over to it by a court order after it had been
seized by authorities while transporting some 250 illegal migrants off Tangalle in 2003.
Meanwhile the Media Centre for National Security said eight soldiers were killed and 12 wounded in the Alamkulam area in Mannar on Friday.
The Centre also said that 33 LTTE cadres were killed and 45 injured during the massive assault in which nearly one square kilometre of land under the LTTE was
captured by the Army.
The bodies of five soldiers reported missing after the clashes were handed over to the ICRC.
Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara.
He said the navy was not yet certain whether it was a terrorist act that sank the vessel which was berthed at the Ashraff Jetty and had a skeleton crew on board for
routine operational purposes when the explosion occurred around 2.15 a.m.The Navy said there were no casualties and no other property was damaged.
Meanwhile the pro LTTE website TamilNet claimed that Sea Tiger commandos carried out the under water attack when the supply vessel was being loaded with
explosives to be transported to Kankesanthurai Harbour in Jaffna. The Navy said the vessel built in 1971 was handed over to it by a court order after it had been
seized by authorities while transporting some 250 illegal migrants off Tangalle in 2003.
Meanwhile the Media Centre for National Security said eight soldiers were killed and 12 wounded in the Alamkulam area in Mannar on Friday.
The Centre also said that 33 LTTE cadres were killed and 45 injured during the massive assault in which nearly one square kilometre of land under the LTTE was
captured by the Army.
The bodies of five soldiers reported missing after the clashes were handed over to the ICRC.
Naval cargo vessel under attack; sailors escape
By Ananth Palakidnar
A 70-metre long cargo vessel came under attack at 2.15 a.m. yesterday at the Naval harbour in Trincomalee. The sailors on board at the time of the attack escaped
without any injury, according to Navy spokesperson Commander D. K. P. Dassanayake.
Commander Dassanayake told the Sunday Observer that when the vessel came under attack by the Sea Tigers it was anchored in the harbour and did not contain
any cargo. “The vessel which weighs around 5,000 tonnes and 70 metres in length sank after the attack”, the Navy spokesperson said.
He said that this particular vessel was apprehended by the Navy in Lankan waters with 254 people on board when she was involved in human trafficking in 2003.
The ship was later confiscated by the Navy following a court order. In 2005 the vessel was also badly damaged due to the tsunami waves when it was anchored in
Galle in 2004. However, it was repaired and used by the Navy.
“We believe the attack was carried out by an LTTE suicide squad under water, due to frustration that it could not bring its lethal cargo into Lankan waters,”
Commander Dassanayake said.
Meanwhile, police in Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu seized a massive haul of explosive items in 85 gunny bags and arrested five persons who attempted to smuggle
them to Sri Lanka on Wednesday. The gunny bags contained detonators, gelignite sticks, wires and various other explosive items.
The suspects who are being currently grilled by the Rameswaram police said that they were taking them to the LTTE at the time the police nabbed them on the
Rameswaram high seas.
Investigations are also being carried out to track down the smuggling network that operates between the LTTE and Rameswaram despite the stringent security
measures in place to prevent LTTE links with South India.
By Ananth Palakidnar
A 70-metre long cargo vessel came under attack at 2.15 a.m. yesterday at the Naval harbour in Trincomalee. The sailors on board at the time of the attack escaped
without any injury, according to Navy spokesperson Commander D. K. P. Dassanayake.
Commander Dassanayake told the Sunday Observer that when the vessel came under attack by the Sea Tigers it was anchored in the harbour and did not contain
any cargo. “The vessel which weighs around 5,000 tonnes and 70 metres in length sank after the attack”, the Navy spokesperson said.
He said that this particular vessel was apprehended by the Navy in Lankan waters with 254 people on board when she was involved in human trafficking in 2003.
The ship was later confiscated by the Navy following a court order. In 2005 the vessel was also badly damaged due to the tsunami waves when it was anchored in
Galle in 2004. However, it was repaired and used by the Navy.
“We believe the attack was carried out by an LTTE suicide squad under water, due to frustration that it could not bring its lethal cargo into Lankan waters,”
Commander Dassanayake said.
Meanwhile, police in Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu seized a massive haul of explosive items in 85 gunny bags and arrested five persons who attempted to smuggle
them to Sri Lanka on Wednesday. The gunny bags contained detonators, gelignite sticks, wires and various other explosive items.
The suspects who are being currently grilled by the Rameswaram police said that they were taking them to the LTTE at the time the police nabbed them on the
Rameswaram high seas.
Investigations are also being carried out to track down the smuggling network that operates between the LTTE and Rameswaram despite the stringent security
measures in place to prevent LTTE links with South India.
Karuna likely to be deported to Lanka
From Neville de Silva in London
Britain is on the verge of deporting LTTE rebel leader Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias Col Karuna to Colombo after he was prematurely released from prison
last week. Karuna, an embarrassment to the British government from the time it was known that he had travelled to Britain on a Sri Lankan diplomatic passport
issued under another name, was serving a nine month sentence when he was given an early release and transferred to an immigration detention centre, believed to be
at Harmondsworth.
Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias Col Karuna If he returned to Sri Lanka as expected, the Lankan government too would have a problem on its hands given the reported split between Karuna and Pillayan who
has taken over the leadership of the rebel group.
On January 20, The Sunday Times exclusively reported from London that Karuna who was produced in court a day before the Christmas holidays last December
had pleaded guilty to travelling on a passport that did not belong to him.
The British Home Office said it could not comment on the case when contacted by the Sunday Times. The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office confirmed that
Karuna had been moved to immigration care and drew attention to a statement by the Crown Prosecution Service which had been studying the possibility of charging
Karuna with other offences including those applicable under international law.
The CPS said that there was “insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for any criminal offences in the UK.” Since his arrest last November
human rights activists have been crying for his blood and urging Britain to try him for war crimes and for violating the UN Convention Against Torture arguing that it
was possible to do so under British law.
With no prospect of that happening now, Britain would like to get Karuna off their hands as quickly as possible, informed sources said. “Deporting him is the only
way to get rid of him now that no other charges could be brought against him,” a diplomatic source said.
He is expected to be put on a flight to Colombo, mostly likely on SriLankan Airlines, Sri Lanka’s national carrier which is the only one flying direct to Colombo from
here. Sri Lanka authorities here or in Colombo are likely to be given short notice of his deportation, if at all, out of courtesy.
Informed sources said that it was not necessary for any prior notice to be given of the deportation. The Home Office has often put detainees awaiting deportation on a
flight at short notice and sometimes on a weekend or a public holiday making it difficult for detainees to contact their lawyers.
Karuna who was moved last week from Wormwood Scrubs prison to a detention centre had served less than four months of his nine month sentence. But apparently
the 32 days he spent in custody awaiting trial had been taken into consideration in granting him early release for good behaviour.
In January the Sunday Times predicted that Karuna “will possibly spend only five months or less of his nine month term setting a poser for the British authorities and
himself.”
Karuna’s lawyer David Harvey Phillips of the legal firm David Phillips was quoted as saying that Karuna had not formally applied for asylum to remain in Britain.He
could still do so but it is most unlikely it will be considered seriously as he had failed to do so shortly after arriving in the UK.
Karuna might not have done so because he was under the impression that the diplomatic passport he travelled on would protect him as he indicated to court before
he was sentenced. Karuna’s wife and children who preceded him to Britain have applied for asylum. But sources said that their case was still pending.
Britain is on the verge of deporting LTTE rebel leader Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias Col Karuna to Colombo after he was prematurely released from prison
last week. Karuna, an embarrassment to the British government from the time it was known that he had travelled to Britain on a Sri Lankan diplomatic passport
issued under another name, was serving a nine month sentence when he was given an early release and transferred to an immigration detention centre, believed to be
at Harmondsworth.
Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias Col Karuna If he returned to Sri Lanka as expected, the Lankan government too would have a problem on its hands given the reported split between Karuna and Pillayan who
has taken over the leadership of the rebel group.
On January 20, The Sunday Times exclusively reported from London that Karuna who was produced in court a day before the Christmas holidays last December
had pleaded guilty to travelling on a passport that did not belong to him.
The British Home Office said it could not comment on the case when contacted by the Sunday Times. The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office confirmed that
Karuna had been moved to immigration care and drew attention to a statement by the Crown Prosecution Service which had been studying the possibility of charging
Karuna with other offences including those applicable under international law.
The CPS said that there was “insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for any criminal offences in the UK.” Since his arrest last November
human rights activists have been crying for his blood and urging Britain to try him for war crimes and for violating the UN Convention Against Torture arguing that it
was possible to do so under British law.
With no prospect of that happening now, Britain would like to get Karuna off their hands as quickly as possible, informed sources said. “Deporting him is the only
way to get rid of him now that no other charges could be brought against him,” a diplomatic source said.
He is expected to be put on a flight to Colombo, mostly likely on SriLankan Airlines, Sri Lanka’s national carrier which is the only one flying direct to Colombo from
here. Sri Lanka authorities here or in Colombo are likely to be given short notice of his deportation, if at all, out of courtesy.
Informed sources said that it was not necessary for any prior notice to be given of the deportation. The Home Office has often put detainees awaiting deportation on a
flight at short notice and sometimes on a weekend or a public holiday making it difficult for detainees to contact their lawyers.
Karuna who was moved last week from Wormwood Scrubs prison to a detention centre had served less than four months of his nine month sentence. But apparently
the 32 days he spent in custody awaiting trial had been taken into consideration in granting him early release for good behaviour.
In January the Sunday Times predicted that Karuna “will possibly spend only five months or less of his nine month term setting a poser for the British authorities and
himself.”
Karuna’s lawyer David Harvey Phillips of the legal firm David Phillips was quoted as saying that Karuna had not formally applied for asylum to remain in Britain.He
could still do so but it is most unlikely it will be considered seriously as he had failed to do so shortly after arriving in the UK.
Karuna might not have done so because he was under the impression that the diplomatic passport he travelled on would protect him as he indicated to court before
he was sentenced. Karuna’s wife and children who preceded him to Britain have applied for asylum. But sources said that their case was still pending.
Srilanka - Rajapaksa challenges Prabhakaran to direct clash
Colombo, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa Tuesday challenged the elusive leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Velupillai Prabhakaran to
“clash with him directly” and declared that his government would continue in its bid to flush rebels out of their stronghold in the north.
“I will challenge Prabhakaran to clash with me directly if possible without engaging in a killing spree of targeting innocent civilians, parliamentarians and ministers,”
Rajapaksa said after inaugurating the Oluvil port project in eastern Amparai district Tuesday.
Rajapaksa, who is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, has said his ruling coalition “will never backtrack on its journey to liberate innocent civilians” living in
the LTTE-held areas in the north.
“As much as the government liberated the people of the east from terrorism and enabled them to enjoy the fruits of freedom, the people of the north would also be
given such an opportunity soon,” the state-run Daily News quoted the president as saying in Amparai.
The inauguration of the Oluvil port project comes two days before campaigning ends for the provincial council polls on May 10.
“Now the people of the east should decide whether they should be governed by their own representatives or according to the dictates originating from (the rebel-
held) Kilinochchi. On May 10 the people in the east will decide whether they want the development process to continue or whether go back to the clutches of
terrorists,” Rajapaksa said.
The main opposition United National Party (UNP) and the Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) have urged the government to disarm pro-government Tamil
militant groups in the east to ensure a free and fair election.
Colombo, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa Tuesday challenged the elusive leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Velupillai Prabhakaran to
“clash with him directly” and declared that his government would continue in its bid to flush rebels out of their stronghold in the north.
“I will challenge Prabhakaran to clash with me directly if possible without engaging in a killing spree of targeting innocent civilians, parliamentarians and ministers,”
Rajapaksa said after inaugurating the Oluvil port project in eastern Amparai district Tuesday.
Rajapaksa, who is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, has said his ruling coalition “will never backtrack on its journey to liberate innocent civilians” living in
the LTTE-held areas in the north.
“As much as the government liberated the people of the east from terrorism and enabled them to enjoy the fruits of freedom, the people of the north would also be
given such an opportunity soon,” the state-run Daily News quoted the president as saying in Amparai.
The inauguration of the Oluvil port project comes two days before campaigning ends for the provincial council polls on May 10.
“Now the people of the east should decide whether they should be governed by their own representatives or according to the dictates originating from (the rebel-
held) Kilinochchi. On May 10 the people in the east will decide whether they want the development process to continue or whether go back to the clutches of
terrorists,” Rajapaksa said.
The main opposition United National Party (UNP) and the Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) have urged the government to disarm pro-government Tamil
militant groups in the east to ensure a free and fair election.
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