Bus bomb in Piliyandala, 23 killed, 40 wounded.

EP polls: Ranil insists on Int. monitors to counter Govt.`s undemocratic acts and intimidation

At a meeting with a group of delegates of the European Union (EU), Opposition and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasised the need of Int. monitors at the forthcoming Eastern Provincial Council polls… He said that he would be requesting the Elections Commissioner also to ensure this deployment at the elections.

Ranil explained to the delegation the dangers posed by the Govt. to a fair and free election, which includes intimidation and undemocratic acts of the Govt.

SLMC Leader Rauff Hakeem who resigned from Parliament to contest the Provincial Council polls in alliance with the UNP also participated in the discussion.

The EU delegation agreed to look into the matter.

TMVP resuming Tiger terror in Kalmunai?

Huge crowds of infuriated Muslims protested and took to the streets in Kalmunai against the high handed action and intimidation of the TMVP yesterday (1Mar). Muslim protestors congregated near the Kalmunai Jumma mosque to demonstrate their objection against alleged TMVP firing into the air and intimidation threatening to burn down the Muslim dominated Sainthamuruthu village.

This tense situation arose following misgivings between Muslim fishermen and outsider fishermen brought in for dynamite aided fishing. A hartal was also staged against MVP intervention.

The TMVP had come armed with automatic weapons on 31st March night; the day the dispute started.

A fortnight ago, a meeting was held between the area fishermen and the STF when it was decided that dynamite fishing will be discontinued.