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Afghanistan
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Sri Lanka
Statement:2013
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Date
Incidents
January - 5 
Higher Education Minister of Sri Lanka S.B. Dissanayake said that the Jaffna University would be closed if academic activities are not resumed this week, reported Colombo Page on January 6. Jaffna University students and academic staff started to boycott classes demanding the release of four univers
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Higher Education Minister of Sri Lanka S.B. Dissanayake said that the Jaffna University would be closed if academic activities are not resumed this week, reported Colombo Page on January 6. Jaffna University students and academic staff started to boycott classes demanding the release of four university students who are detained at the Welikanda military camp for rehabilitation. The students were arrested on charges of supporting terrorist activities following the clash between university students and the Security Forces (SF) on November 27, 2012 when the students tried to commemorate the dead Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Terrorists on the banned organization's Mahaveer Day (Heroes' Day).
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January - 8 
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Parliamentarian Suresh Premachandran said that the party would vote against the amended Divi Neguma Bill when it is taken up for a vote in Parliament on January 8 (today), reports Colombo Page. He said there was no change in the party's stance in relation to the Bil
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The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Parliamentarian Suresh Premachandran said that the party would vote against the amended Divi Neguma Bill when it is taken up for a vote in Parliament on January 8 (today), reports Colombo Page. He said there was no change in the party's stance in relation to the Bill. He explained that the TNA would vote against the Bill since it would acquire certain powers vested with the provincial councils. However, he observed that the party may reconsider its stance if the government includes the amendments proposed by the party in the Bill. Premachandran has noted that the proposed amendments have so far not been included in the Bill. The government has made 10 amendments to the Bill based on the recommendations made by the Supreme Court after considering 14 petitions filed against the Bill. The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), an ally of the Government, also said that it is yet to reach a final decision on the party's stance on the Bill as some SLMC members have expressed concerns over the bill since it interfered with subjects vested with the provincial councils under the 13th Amendment.
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January - 9 
President Mahinda Rajapaksa said Sri Lanka's Security Forces (SFs) fought the separatist terrorists and liberated the country not for their personal gain but for the yet unborn future generation. Addressing a national conference as the chief guest in Colombo, President Rajapaksa asserted that no one
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa said Sri Lanka's Security Forces (SFs) fought the separatist terrorists and liberated the country not for their personal gain but for the yet unborn future generation. Addressing a national conference as the chief guest in Colombo, President Rajapaksa asserted that no one will be allowed to snatch away the freedom of the people and the democratic rights gained through the sacrifice of lives by the valiant soldiers. The President stressed that the Government is not prepared to reverse the massive development programme being implemented as a free and sovereign nation.
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January - 17 
Addressing the cabinet media briefing on January 17 in Colombo, Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said Sri Lanka will focus on the need to amend the Constitution to add a 19th Amendment due to the recent conflict risen between the judiciary and legislature, reports Colombo Page. He
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Addressing the cabinet media briefing on January 17 in Colombo, Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said Sri Lanka will focus on the need to amend the Constitution to add a 19th Amendment due to the recent conflict risen between the judiciary and legislature, reports Colombo Page. He said there is discussion in several Government circles on the need to amend the Constitution and the Government will have to make a decision. However, the country will be informed before such a decision is taken, the Minister told the media.
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January - 18 
Construction, Engineering Services Housing and Common Amenities Minister and National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader Wimal Weerawansa on January 18 (today) said the eradication of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) terrorism is the only reason for all foreign interferences in Sri Lanka's internal m
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Construction, Engineering Services Housing and Common Amenities Minister and National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader Wimal Weerawansa on January 18 (today) said the eradication of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) terrorism is the only reason for all foreign interferences in Sri Lanka's internal matters, reports Daily News. The Minister said the Tamil Diaspora and certain Western countries want to create conflicts in Sri Lanka to portray a bad picture of Sri Lanka to the international community to support the resolution against the Sri Lankan Government on alleged war crimes and human rights violations. "Though the LTTE was defeated, we still have external and internal enemies. All Sri Lankans should recognize these enemies and support the government to defeat these enemies," the minister said.
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January - 21 
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader R. Sampanthan on January 21 said that the Government has failed to honor the pledges given to the United Nations (UN) on post war reconciliation, reports Colombo Page. Sampanthan observed that the Government had made several pledges to the UN and the internationa
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Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader R. Sampanthan on January 21 said that the Government has failed to honor the pledges given to the United Nations (UN) on post war reconciliation, reports Colombo Page. Sampanthan observed that the Government had made several pledges to the UN and the international community on reconciliation in the country, and one was the demilitarization of the Northern Province. He pointed out that there were concerns on the resettlement of the war displaced in their original homes. He also added that the delay in releasing or taking legal action against the Tamil political prisoners was also an issue that the Government has failed to address. According to Sampanthan, the Government will have to answer about its failures at the UN Human Rights Council sessions in Geneva in March.
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January - 23 
Army Commander Jagath Jayasuriya said on January 23 that the Army will hand over its first report on January 24 (today) in response to observations and recommendations made by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) with regards to the Sri Lanka Army, reports Daily Mirror. He said “T
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Army Commander Jagath Jayasuriya said on January 23 that the Army will hand over its first report on January 24 (today) in response to observations and recommendations made by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) with regards to the Sri Lanka Army, reports Daily Mirror. He said “The report will be handed over to Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Ministry of Defence.” He also stated that the report prepared by a Court of Inquiry to look in to the LLRC observations on casualties and deaths due to the activities of the armed forces would be handed over to the Defence Secretary in the near future as well.
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January - 24 
Defence and Urban Development Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, on January 24, said no Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadre that surrendered to the Security Forces during the final stage of the humanitarian mission went missing, reports Daily News. Commenting on allegations levelled by certain
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Defence and Urban Development Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, on January 24, said no Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadre that surrendered to the Security Forces during the final stage of the humanitarian mission went missing, reports Daily News. Commenting on allegations levelled by certain foreign elements that some of the LTTE fighters that surrendered to the Security Forces during the last phase of the humanitarian mission had gone missing, the Defence Secretary said all allegations are baseless and ever since, LTTE cadres who have surrendered were rehabilitated and reintegrated to society.
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January - 27 
External Affairs Ministry Secretary Karunathilaka Amunugama on January 27 said that he has briefed India about the progress it has achieved in the areas of post-war reconciliation and the implementation of the recommendations of the LLRC report during the eighth meeting of the India-Sri Lanka Joint
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External Affairs Ministry Secretary Karunathilaka Amunugama on January 27 said that he has briefed India about the progress it has achieved in the areas of post-war reconciliation and the implementation of the recommendations of the LLRC report during the eighth meeting of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Commission, which was held in Delihi last week, reports Daily News. He said Sri Lanka-India Joint Commission will be the apex body to discuss or review matters between the two countries and India has agreed to find collective solutions to various matters, be it political, educational, economic or otherwise during the Joint Commission meeting.
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January - 28 
US Deputy Assistant Secretary of the State Department James R. Moore on January 28 said, “As a measure to force Sri Lanka to expedite the implementation of the pledges given on reconciliation, the United States will sponsor a new resolution against Sri Lanka at the upcoming United Nations Human Righ
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US Deputy Assistant Secretary of the State Department James R. Moore on January 28 said, “As a measure to force Sri Lanka to expedite the implementation of the pledges given on reconciliation, the United States will sponsor a new resolution against Sri Lanka at the upcoming United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) Sessions in Geneva in March. It is a straightforward resolution that will build on the resolution brought in March 2012." He added that the resolution will be to expedite reconciliation and implementation of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) Report. There was speculation that the US was not happy with the Government's pace of the implementation of LLRC recommendations, and it was planning to bring another resolution.
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January - 29 
Two US Senators on January 29 have called for an independent investigation into the potential war crimes committed by the Sri Lankan Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) during the civil war in Sri Lanka, reports Colombo Page. In a letter addressed to the outgoing Secretary of
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Two US Senators on January 29 have called for an independent investigation into the potential war crimes committed by the Sri Lankan Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) during the civil war in Sri Lanka, reports Colombo Page. In a letter addressed to the outgoing Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, Democratic Senator from Pennsylvania Bob Casey and Democratic Senator from Vermont Patrick Leahy said an independent investigation is needed because the Sri Lankan Government has not answered the legitimate concerns of the people. "During the years following the end of the war, the Sri Lankan people have waited for the Government to address these concerns, yet no tangible or substantial progress has been made," the Senators wrote.
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February - 4 
Ruling out granting minority Tamils of the North any political autonomy as a solution to the three-decades-long ethnic conflict, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on February 4 said “It is not practical for this country to have different administrations based on ethnicity. The solution is to li
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Ruling out granting minority Tamils of the North any political autonomy as a solution to the three-decades-long ethnic conflict, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on February 4 said “It is not practical for this country to have different administrations based on ethnicity. The solution is to live together in this country with equal rights for all communities,” reports The Hindu. The President said this in his address to the nation on the occasion of the Sri Lankan Independence Day from the eastern port town of Trincomalee the administrative capital of Eastern Province. Mr. Rajapaksa claimed that though nearly four years had passed since the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) were routed, Sri Lanka “had to face continued challenges to protect the freedom and independence of our motherland. For this very reason we have now come to a very strong situation. Similarly, facing up to these challenges have increased our desire to be committed to our freedom”.
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February - 8 
Parliament on February 8 approved the draft bill to amend the Convention on Suppression of Terrorist Financing Act No 25 of 2005 without a vote after its Third Reading in Parliament, reports Colombo Page. The draft bill when presented to Parliament on February 6 got hung up in the definition of the
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Parliament on February 8 approved the draft bill to amend the Convention on Suppression of Terrorist Financing Act No 25 of 2005 without a vote after its Third Reading in Parliament, reports Colombo Page. The draft bill when presented to Parliament on February 6 got hung up in the definition of the word 'terrorist' when the opposition pointed out that the word 'terrorist' had not been defined clearly. The Leader of the House and Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva clarified to the House who a terrorist is today and according to the Minister's definition, a terrorist is a person who is directly or indirectly involved in any terrorist activity or a person who aids and abets him. The Act is amended to prevent collection of funds for terrorist organizations. Sri Lanka has provided a high-level written commitment to work with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an organization that combats international money laundering and terrorist financing, to implement corrective measures to adequately criminalize money laundering and terrorist financing.
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February - 11 
Defence and Urban Development Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa on February 11 said that the West is misled by Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) sympathizers, reports Daily News. “The international pressure brought to bear on Sri Lanka especially by the Western nations misled by Liberatio
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Defence and Urban Development Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa on February 11 said that the West is misled by Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) sympathizers, reports Daily News. “The international pressure brought to bear on Sri Lanka especially by the Western nations misled by Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) sympathizers can cause international investors and even tourists to stay away from the country,” he said. Rajapaksa added, “Instead of narrowing the scope of their engagement with Sri Lanka because of the many misrepresentations and lobbying affected by special interest groups in their own countries, the nations that are pressuring Sri Lanka internationally should engage constructively with the Government. It is only then that they will see for themselves the good work being carried out here despite significant constraints.” He said, “Sri Lanka’s journey since the dawn of peace has seen the country transform from a nation in the throes of many post conflict challenges to a country that is amongst the most peaceful, stable and secure in the world.”
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February - 12 
Speaking at the Special Development Committee meeting at Tilco City Hotel in Jaffna District, President Mahinda Rajapaksa on February 12 said all countrymen have a responsibility to ensure no room is left for the re-emergence of terrorism which brought suffering to the people of all communities for
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Speaking at the Special Development Committee meeting at Tilco City Hotel in Jaffna District, President Mahinda Rajapaksa on February 12 said all countrymen have a responsibility to ensure no room is left for the re-emergence of terrorism which brought suffering to the people of all communities for over three decades, reports Daily News. He said that he was well aware of the misery faced by the people due to terrorism and insisted that they all should keep in mind that the country has only one Government.
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February - 18 
Sri Lanka Ministry of Land and Land Development on February 18 said that it will resolve the dispute arisen due to the occupation of civilian lands for military establishments immediately, reports Colombo Page. The Ministry has started a study on the land in the High Security Zones (HSZ) of Northern
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Sri Lanka Ministry of Land and Land Development on February 18 said that it will resolve the dispute arisen due to the occupation of civilian lands for military establishments immediately, reports Colombo Page. The Ministry has started a study on the land in the High Security Zones (HSZ) of Northern and Eastern Provinces. The civilians who resided in the lands now taken under HSZ have been asked to submit their proof to the ownership of lands to the Divisional Secretaries of the area. The Ministry said that the land that is needed to be retained will be acquired and the owners will be compensated. The Lesson Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) has recommended the Government to review the existing HSZs, as well as small extents of private land currently utilized for security purposes, with a view to release more land while keeping national security needs in perspective. It recommended provision of alternate lands and or payment of compensation within a specific time frame if the Government occupied lands cannot be released to the owners.
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February - 20 
External Affairs Ministry spokesman Rodney Perera on February 20 said the Sri Lankan Government will seek the support of several countries including China to fend off a resolution to be brought against the country by the United States at the upcoming 22nd session of the United Nations Human Rights C
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External Affairs Ministry spokesman Rodney Perera on February 20 said the Sri Lankan Government will seek the support of several countries including China to fend off a resolution to be brought against the country by the United States at the upcoming 22nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) next month, reports Colombo Page. The United States on February 19 confirmed that it will present a procedural resolution at the upcoming session scheduled to commence on February 25. A three-member U.S. delegation visited Sri Lanka last month to observe the post-war progress said they were not pleased with the pace of the government's progress in implementing the reconciliation measures and investigating the alleged humanitarian law violations and therefore US will sponsor another resolution.
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February - 20 
Land and Land Development Minister Janaka Bandara Tennakoon on February 20 said in Colombo that measures will be taken within the next two years to resolve disputes arising from the requisition of civilian lands for military establishments. He said with the end of the conflict in the Northern and Ea
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Land and Land Development Minister Janaka Bandara Tennakoon on February 20 said in Colombo that measures will be taken within the next two years to resolve disputes arising from the requisition of civilian lands for military establishments. He said with the end of the conflict in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, civil administration has been established and displaced resettled but some major issues remain unsolved and land issues are among them. “The government allocated Rs 400 million to implement the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) recommendations related to land disputes and the ministry has commenced a study of the land in the High Security Zones of Northern and Eastern Provinces. The three Forces and Police handed over 5,000 acres of land to the ministry recently which they used for their camps and check points during the war period,” he said.
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February - 27 
Plantations Minister and President’s Special Envoy on Human Rights Mahinda Samarasinghe addressing the 22nd United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) sessions in Geneva on February 27 said “Undue pressure exerted by external parties on the issue of ‘retributive justice and accountability’, is not
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Plantations Minister and President’s Special Envoy on Human Rights Mahinda Samarasinghe addressing the 22nd United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) sessions in Geneva on February 27 said “Undue pressure exerted by external parties on the issue of ‘retributive justice and accountability’, is not helpful in the resolution of these issues”, reports Daily News. He said “This is not to state that the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) recommendations on accountability have been ignored. A Court of Inquiry was established by the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army to inquire into the observations made by the LLRC in its report as to alleged civilian casualties during the final phase of the Humanitarian Operation and the Channel-4 video footage irrespective of its authenticity or otherwise. The Court of Inquiry will now proceed to investigate the second part of their mandate - to examine the Channel 4 allegations.”
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February - 28 
Patrick Ventrell, acting deputy spokesperson of U.S. Department of State said at the daily press briefing on February 28 that the Government of Sri Lanka to date has not initiated any kind of investigation into the alleged rights violations yet, reports Colombo Page. He was responding to media inqui
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Patrick Ventrell, acting deputy spokesperson of U.S. Department of State said at the daily press briefing on February 28 that the Government of Sri Lanka to date has not initiated any kind of investigation into the alleged rights violations yet, reports Colombo Page. He was responding to media inquiries about the reports released by the United Nations and the Human Rights Watch accusing Sri Lanka of human rights violations and violations of international humanitarian law.
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March - 2 
Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on March 2 (today) denied that the Army killed Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Prabakaran’s 12-year-old son Balachandran, reports Daily Mirror. He told “Had it happened, I would have known it. It is obvious that if somebody from the armed forces h
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Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on March 2 (today) denied that the Army killed Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Prabakaran’s 12-year-old son Balachandran, reports Daily Mirror. He told “Had it happened, I would have known it. It is obvious that if somebody from the armed forces had done that, I must take responsibility. We completely deny it. It can’t be.”
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March - 4 
Meanwhile, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Ms. Navi Pillay on March 4 reiterated her concern about the lack of meaningful progress in accountability and reconciliation in Sri Lanka, reports Colombo Page. Addressing the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) general debate on thematic repo
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Meanwhile, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Ms. Navi Pillay on March 4 reiterated her concern about the lack of meaningful progress in accountability and reconciliation in Sri Lanka, reports Colombo Page. Addressing the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) general debate on thematic reports by Secretary-General and High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva at the 22nd session of UNHRC, Ms. Pillay said she remained concerned about the lack of meaningful progress in terms of accountability and reconciliation in Sri Lanka, and welcomed the Council's engagement in monitoring domestic processes regarding accountability.
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March - 5 
Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on May 5 (today) said he recognised the important steps taken by the Sri Lankan Government since the end of the conflict, reports Daily News. The UN Chief said this in reply to a question on Sri Lanka during a press briefing. He said “I recognised the impor
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Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on May 5 (today) said he recognised the important steps taken by the Sri Lankan Government since the end of the conflict, reports Daily News. The UN Chief said this in reply to a question on Sri Lanka during a press briefing. He said “I recognised the important steps taken by the government of Sri Lanka since the end of the conflict.”
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March - 9 
The Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration on March 9 said that Sri Lanka will conduct a census on people died and injured during the civil war with the LTTE and the Marxist insurrection in the 80's. The Ministry of Public Administration and Home Affairs in collaboration with the Census
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The Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration on March 9 said that Sri Lanka will conduct a census on people died and injured during the civil war with the LTTE and the Marxist insurrection in the 80's. The Ministry of Public Administration and Home Affairs in collaboration with the Census and Statistics Department will carry out the census. The census will cover the period of the terrorist war since 1983 including the unrest prevailed in the country in 1983 and the insurrection of the Marxist party Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna in the years of 1988 and 89. There is no data relating to the people dead and injured due to the atrocities committed by the two groups during these periods. The Ministry plans to complete the census before the end of this year.
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March - 11 
Minister of Investment Promotion Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena on March 11 said the groups supporting Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) who could not defeat Sri Lanka through war are now trying to attack the country by creating conflicts using international forces. Addressing a public meeting in C
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Minister of Investment Promotion Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena on March 11 said the groups supporting Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) who could not defeat Sri Lanka through war are now trying to attack the country by creating conflicts using international forces. Addressing a public meeting in Colombo the Minister alleged that international forces envious of Sri Lanka's rapid development process are exerting pressure on Sri Lanka and hatching conspiracies to make a regime change in the country. "Despite all this, the Sri Lankan Government will not be shaken by such allegations and will instead continue with its policies for the country," the Minister said.
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March - 13 
Land and Land Development Minister Janaka Bandara Thennakoon on March 13 (today) said that the Government will vest around 21,000 acres of land in the Jaffna Peninsula, taken over for military purposes during the war, among their original owners, reports Daily News. He said the Security Forces hav
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Land and Land Development Minister Janaka Bandara Thennakoon on March 13 (today) said that the Government will vest around 21,000 acres of land in the Jaffna Peninsula, taken over for military purposes during the war, among their original owners, reports Daily News. He said the Security Forces have already handed over the lands to the Government which they used as camps, check points, bunkers and other military establishments during the humanitarian operation. “We are now looking for the original owners of these lands and we hope to take immediate measures to resolve all disputes that arose due to the requisition of civilian land for military establishments in the Northern and Eastern Provinces,” the minister said. The Land and Land Development Ministry has taken measures to launch a special programme to solve the land disputes in these areas and it will be implemented in the near future on a priority basis. All problems related to lands in those areas are to be solved within next two years, Minister Tennakoon further stated.
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March - 13 
Meanwhile, Vavuniya prison authorities said on March 13 that no LTTE suspects were located in the Vavuniya prison due to security reasons, reports Daily Mirror. All the LTTE prisoners were at the Anuradhapura prison while Tamil civilian suspects were at the Vavuniya prison as usual. The Vavuniya pri
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Meanwhile, Vavuniya prison authorities said on March 13 that no LTTE suspects were located in the Vavuniya prison due to security reasons, reports Daily Mirror. All the LTTE prisoners were at the Anuradhapura prison while Tamil civilian suspects were at the Vavuniya prison as usual. The Vavuniya prison was opened on March 12 after being refurbished and the relocating of prisoners would be carried out gradually.
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March - 15 
Meanwhile, Mahinda Samarasinghe on March 15 answering a question during the sessions at the 22nd Session of the UNHRC also asked the International Community as to why “it keeps silent on the atrocities committed by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE),” reports Daily Mirror.
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Meanwhile, Mahinda Samarasinghe on March 15 answering a question during the sessions at the 22nd Session of the UNHRC also asked the International Community as to why “it keeps silent on the atrocities committed by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE),” reports Daily Mirror.
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March - 15 
Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), Ambassador Dr. Palitha Kohona, on March 15 (today) said that Sri Lanka undertook a task never undertaken by any country that faced terrorism, by even rehabilitating suicide bombers of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and rel
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Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), Ambassador Dr. Palitha Kohona, on March 15 (today) said that Sri Lanka undertook a task never undertaken by any country that faced terrorism, by even rehabilitating suicide bombers of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and releasing them to the Sri Lankan community, reports Daily News. He said, “LTTE suicide bombers struck over 230 times, killing thousands of civilians. They targeted men, women and children indiscriminately and left thousands dead and maimed. They created a massive wave of terror in the country.” He further said, “LTTE combatants including trained suicide bombers have now been rehabilitated and released to the community as part of the Government’s programme to restore the lives of the people who would otherwise have been sacrificed as human cannon fodder.”
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March - 16 
The United States on March 16 expressed its disappointment over Sri Lanka's rejection of all Universal Periodic Review (UPR) recommendations from States that called upon it to implement the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) recommendations. Delivering a statement, the U.S. Ambassad
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The United States on March 16 expressed its disappointment over Sri Lanka's rejection of all Universal Periodic Review (UPR) recommendations from States that called upon it to implement the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) recommendations. Delivering a statement, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) in Geneva, Eileen Chamberlain Donahoe said the U.S. is disappointed that Sri Lankan Government rejected all UPR recommendations from States that called upon it to implement the LLRC recommendations and called on the government to expeditiously implement both the UPR and LLRC recommendations.
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March - 17 
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader R. Sampanthan on March 17 accused the Government of changing demographics in north east, reports Colombo Page. He said, "Most regrettably, the time and space that the Government seeks is not to fulfill its commitments and obligations but rather to fulfill its own
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Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader R. Sampanthan on March 17 accused the Government of changing demographics in north east, reports Colombo Page. He said, "Most regrettably, the time and space that the Government seeks is not to fulfill its commitments and obligations but rather to fulfill its own agenda, which is to change the demographic composition of the North and East Provinces further and dilute and alter the cultural and linguistic identity of those areas.” He further said the Government seems to think that by persistently engaging in denials and adopting tactics of delay and evasion it could avoid the fulfillment of its commitments and obligations.
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March - 18 
Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India Prasada Kariyawasam on March 18 said, "Resolution on Sri Lanka in UN is uncalled for. We don't think there is a need for international community to get involved in Sri Lanka at this point", reports Daily Mirror.
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Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India Prasada Kariyawasam on March 18 said, "Resolution on Sri Lanka in UN is uncalled for. We don't think there is a need for international community to get involved in Sri Lanka at this point", reports Daily Mirror.
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March - 19 
Sri Lanka on March 19 said it intends to request for a vote when the United States sponsored draft resolution is taken up at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on March 21, reports Colombo Page. In letters addressed to Foreign Ministers of Human Rights Council member (HRC) countries, Sr
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Sri Lanka on March 19 said it intends to request for a vote when the United States sponsored draft resolution is taken up at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on March 21, reports Colombo Page. In letters addressed to Foreign Ministers of Human Rights Council member (HRC) countries, Sri Lanka's External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris rejecting the new resolution has said, that Sri Lanka seeks the understanding and the support of HRC member states at the vote on this resolution. The External Affairs Minister has written "Just as the Government of Sri Lanka did not recognize the last HRC resolution, it rejects the new resolution. Sri Lanka intends to request a vote when the draft resolution is taken up at the Human Rights Council on 21st March 2013.” "Government of Sri Lanka believes that drawing disproportionate attention to Sri Lanka's situation and introducing a resolution that seeks to discredit, single out the country and name and shame are unhelpful and counterproductive to Sri Lanka's current reconciliation process," the Minister emphasized.
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March - 20 
Sri Lanka on March 20 expressed 'strongest' reservations on the content of the report prepared by the United Nations High Commissioner of Human Rights Navanetham Pillay on Sri Lanka following a technical mission to the country, reports Colombo Page. Participating in the general debate on country spe
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Sri Lanka on March 20 expressed 'strongest' reservations on the content of the report prepared by the United Nations High Commissioner of Human Rights Navanetham Pillay on Sri Lanka following a technical mission to the country, reports Colombo Page. Participating in the general debate on country specific reports at the 22nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, Sri Lanka's special envoy Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said the report has been formulated pursuant to the last year's resolution against Sri Lanka which Sri Lanka has rejected. The envoy questioned how a technical mission after a visit of just over a week to the island could have produced such a document claimed to be a comprehensive report.
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March - 20 
Tens of thousands of Tamils from the North joined a rally in Jaffna city of the Northern Province on March 20 to condemn a US sponsored resolution against Sri Lanka at the UNHRC in Geneva, reports Daily News. The protestors said undue pressure on Sri Lanka will harm the hard won peace and ongoing de
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Tens of thousands of Tamils from the North joined a rally in Jaffna city of the Northern Province on March 20 to condemn a US sponsored resolution against Sri Lanka at the UNHRC in Geneva, reports Daily News. The protestors said undue pressure on Sri Lanka will harm the hard won peace and ongoing development. Protestors described the US led resolution as an attempt to undermine Sri Lanka’s post-war reconciliation and development and an ‘infringement on Sri Lanka’s sovereignty.’ Some banners by protestors stated: ‘Hands off Sri Lanka, do not disturb our unity, we want time and space to develop and sustain peace’. One of the organizers of the protest, political activist Angajan Ramanathan said such resolutions will not benefit the people in the former conflict affected North and East. Ramanathan said the Government led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa had been able to restore normalcy and rebuild the conflict affected areas which had not enjoyed such comforts for more than three decades.
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March - 22 
In a rejection of the resolution on Sri Lanka at the UNHRC, President’s Special Envoy on Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe on March 22 (today) said that the resolution was clearly unacceptable due to its inherent flaws, reports Daily News. The minister pointed out that preambular part of t
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In a rejection of the resolution on Sri Lanka at the UNHRC, President’s Special Envoy on Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe on March 22 (today) said that the resolution was clearly unacceptable due to its inherent flaws, reports Daily News. The minister pointed out that preambular part of the text is ‘intrusive, bears misinterpretations and focuses disproportionately on the negative and eliminates or is dismissive of the positive.’
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March - 22 
Minister for Youth Affairs Dallas Alahapperuma while addressing a media briefing held in at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute in Colombo on March 22, said “The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has become an institution that implements a new 'colonial policy' of ruling by creating divisio
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Minister for Youth Affairs Dallas Alahapperuma while addressing a media briefing held in at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute in Colombo on March 22, said “The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has become an institution that implements a new 'colonial policy' of ruling by creating divisions in international community, reports Colombo Page. The Minister further said the UNHRC has used Sri Lanka as the first test subject to experiment with the new policy of division. He said the UN resolution, calling for Sri Lanka to investigate war crimes allegedly committed by the security forces during the war against the LTTE, attempts to divide the country.
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March - 22 
President Mahinda Rajapaksa, at the presentation of Presidential Colours to the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment in Boyagane town of Kurunegala District in the North Western Province on March 22 said that the Government has made the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) aspiration of an Eelam state a
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa, at the presentation of Presidential Colours to the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment in Boyagane town of Kurunegala District in the North Western Province on March 22 said that the Government has made the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) aspiration of an Eelam state a dream, reports Daily News. He added that the Government was aware that it had to face the consequences, when the humanitarian operation began. He said “Surprise attack is vital to any side. Some international television stations are also trying to launch surprise attacks on Sri Lanka by making false allegations against us.” The President added that the country had to face pressure exerted by foreign Governments, when the humanitarian operation was being launched. It is because of this external irritant that the country is facing pressure from various foreign forces. This foreign intimidation is what the imperialists and the diaspora want.
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March - 24 
Environment Minister Susil Premajayantha, on March 24, said that preparations are being made to hold the Northern Provincial Council elections in 2013, reports Colombo Page. He noted that when the Northern Provincial Council elections are held, members of the international community who have been ur
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Environment Minister Susil Premajayantha, on March 24, said that preparations are being made to hold the Northern Provincial Council elections in 2013, reports Colombo Page. He noted that when the Northern Provincial Council elections are held, members of the international community who have been urging the Government to hold the elections would remain silent. He explained that holding elections to the Northern Provincial Council was delayed until the completion of the de-mining and resettlement programs. Elections could now be held in the North since the de-mining of most of the areas has been completed.
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March - 24 
Human Rights Commissioner, Prathibha Mahanamahewa on March 24 said that the Resolution passed by the United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) on March 21 could be described as a soft but dangerous one. He said when the text was analysed it was very ‘soft’ as terms such as “urge”, “note”, “welc
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Human Rights Commissioner, Prathibha Mahanamahewa on March 24 said that the Resolution passed by the United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) on March 21 could be described as a soft but dangerous one. He said when the text was analysed it was very ‘soft’ as terms such as “urge”, “note”, “welcome” and “request” were used, which implied that they were not a must. A dangerous fact is that it urges Sri Lanka to allow an opportunity to the UN rapporteur to make observations in the following areas - the freedom of expression and the independence of the judiciary, the independence of the judges, the independence of the lawyers, abductions, disappearances and women’s rights.
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March - 24 
Secretary of the External Affairs Ministry Karunatilaka Amunugama, on March 24, said that Sri Lankan Government expects to meet the deadline set by the United Nations resolution to implement the remaining recommendations made by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), reports Colomb
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Secretary of the External Affairs Ministry Karunatilaka Amunugama, on March 24, said that Sri Lankan Government expects to meet the deadline set by the United Nations resolution to implement the remaining recommendations made by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), reports Colombo Page. He told that most of the recommendations have already been implemented and the rest will be implemented by March 2014.
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March - 25 
Defence and Urban Development Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa while delivering a talk on ‘How the war was ended’ at a function at Light House Hotel in Galle District on March 25 said “Certain politicians who are slavishly devoted to the service of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) terro
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Defence and Urban Development Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa while delivering a talk on ‘How the war was ended’ at a function at Light House Hotel in Galle District on March 25 said “Certain politicians who are slavishly devoted to the service of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) terrorists are engaged in a dirty game of creating problems among the Tamil population to cling to power,” reports Daily News. He was of the view that the machinations of the LTTE rump and other parties with vested interests were compounded by the strategic interest that certain states have in Sri Lanka because of its unique geographical position and said the LTTE propaganda machine remains fully operational in a number of countries though the terrorist outfit has been completely wiped out.
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March - 25 
Elections Commissioner, Mahinda Deshapriya, on March 25, said that elections in the Northern Province could not be held as the Northern Provincial Council was yet to be constituted by the President, reports Daily Mirror. He said despite the Government finalizing plans to hold the Northern Provincial
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Elections Commissioner, Mahinda Deshapriya, on March 25, said that elections in the Northern Province could not be held as the Northern Provincial Council was yet to be constituted by the President, reports Daily Mirror. He said despite the Government finalizing plans to hold the Northern Provincial Council Elections they were unable to begin the election process as the Northern Provincial Council did not exist.
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March - 25 
Plantation Industries Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe on March 25 said that the resolutions adopted at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva in 2012 and 2013 are not indicative of an agenda to promote and protect Human Rights, reports Colombo Page. Samarasinghe said "The second res
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Plantation Industries Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe on March 25 said that the resolutions adopted at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva in 2012 and 2013 are not indicative of an agenda to promote and protect Human Rights, reports Colombo Page. Samarasinghe said "The second resolution does not change the Government of Sri Lanka's position. We will go on with our programme and be open about our progress. We noted that there is a political or other extraneous agenda at work.” However, he noted that Sri Lanka managed to garner considerable support at the UNHRC during the vote on the resolution although most member states were under considerable economic and political pressure.
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March - 28 
Human Rights Watch (HRW) on March 28 said that Sri Lanka should act on the call by the Deputy Minister V Muralitharan, known as Colonel Karuna, to investigate war crimes by examining his own role in serious abuses, reports Daily Mirror. Karuna was effectively the second-in-command of the Liberation
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Human Rights Watch (HRW) on March 28 said that Sri Lanka should act on the call by the Deputy Minister V Muralitharan, known as Colonel Karuna, to investigate war crimes by examining his own role in serious abuses, reports Daily Mirror. Karuna was effectively the second-in-command of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the head of its eastern province forces until he split from its leader V Prabhakaran in March 2004. Brad Adams, the Asia director at HRW said "Karuna's call for war crimes investigations should not allow him to airbrush out his own role in atrocities. His LTTE forces were implicated in some of Sri Lanka's most horrific abuses, so the Government's long-stalled war crimes investigations might as well begin with him. LTTE forces under Karuna's command were directly involved in some of the worst crimes of Sri Lanka's 26-year-long armed conflict, which ended in May 2009.”
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March - 31 
Minister of National Language and Social Integration Vasudeva Nanayakkara on March 31 said that the Government is seeking a ban on nationalist and religious extremist groups disrupting the ethnic harmony in the country, reports Colombo Page. The Minister said his ministry is preparing to submit a Ca
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Minister of National Language and Social Integration Vasudeva Nanayakkara on March 31 said that the Government is seeking a ban on nationalist and religious extremist groups disrupting the ethnic harmony in the country, reports Colombo Page. The Minister said his ministry is preparing to submit a Cabinet paper seeking a ban on extremist groups that are creating rifts between the ethnic and religious communities in the island. According to the Minister, the Cabinet paper will seek to bring new laws to crack down on such groups.
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April - 2 
S.B. Divaratne, who heads the Presidential Task Force overseeing resettlement, said on April 2 that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is known to have taken over more than 2,000 acres of residential properties belonging to Muslims in the North and given them to its supporters during the wa
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S.B. Divaratne, who heads the Presidential Task Force overseeing resettlement, said on April 2 that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is known to have taken over more than 2,000 acres of residential properties belonging to Muslims in the North and given them to its supporters during the war, reports Daily Mirror. He said the lands grabbed by the LTTE had been occupied by some people for more than ten years and therefore there were practical difficulties when it came to moving the occupants out of these lands. This has resulted in the Government having to find alternative land to resettle the displaced Muslims. He further said “Though some 23,000 Muslims families, displaced from their original places of residence had consented to be resettled in the North after the war ended, nearly 15,000 had been resettled, particularly in the Mannar District. We want to resettle the remaining 8,000 families as well. Yet, their lands are occupied by others. We cannot take back these lands. Instead, we have to find them alternative lands elsewhere in the North.”
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April - 5 
Addressing a press briefing held in Colombo on April 5, Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero, the secretary of Sri Lanka's ill famous Buddhist extremist organization Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) said that the country's fate would be changed within two months, reports Colombo Page. He further said that the Bu
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Addressing a press briefing held in Colombo on April 5, Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero, the secretary of Sri Lanka's ill famous Buddhist extremist organization Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) said that the country's fate would be changed within two months, reports Colombo Page. He further said that the Buddhist monks would not allow the country to be converted to a state like Thailand. BBS said that it will not allow the casinos and other betting businesses to surge in the guise of developing tourism. The BBS secretary criticized the several websites, including the websites linked to Minister Wimal Weerawansa, leftist Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara and Minister Mervyn Silva for criticizing BBS and acting against it. The BBS's hardline attitude towards other religions has drawn concern from moderate Sri Lankans who fear that a Taliban like group is in the formation if the Government and the society fail to take action against the group.
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April - 7 
Executive director of the People's Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) Rohana Hettiarachchi on April 7 said election monitors in Sri Lanka have begun their operations in the Northern Province in preparation for the provincial council elections, reports Colombo Page. He said the Government h
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Executive director of the People's Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) Rohana Hettiarachchi on April 7 said election monitors in Sri Lanka have begun their operations in the Northern Province in preparation for the provincial council elections, reports Colombo Page. He said the Government has decided to hold elections to the Northern Provincial Council before September this year and the public awareness campaigns have been commenced in the North regarding the Northern Provincial Council election and programs have been started from Mannar District. The election monitor in collaboration with the Registrations of Persons Department has organized a mobile service for the voters in the North to obtain national identity cards.
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April - 8 
External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris on April 8 reaffirmed in Parliament that it did not concur with the US-sponsored resolution adopted at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) sessions on March 22, reports Daily Mirror. Responding to a statement by Opposition United National Party (UNP)
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External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris on April 8 reaffirmed in Parliament that it did not concur with the US-sponsored resolution adopted at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) sessions on March 22, reports Daily Mirror. Responding to a statement by Opposition United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, Peiris said the Government would not hold talks with anyone on the matters contained in the resolution. He said the resolution seeks to incorporate both the report of the panel of experts, dubbed by Sri Lanka as the Dharusman report and the report by United Nations Human Rights High Commissioner Navi Pillay.
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April - 10 
Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa on April 10 said “Had the then Indian Government acted with responsibility, Sri Lanka wouldn’t have experienced a 30-year protracted war with Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), reports Colombo Page. The Defence Secretary said former Indian Permanent Repres
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Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa on April 10 said “Had the then Indian Government acted with responsibility, Sri Lanka wouldn’t have experienced a 30-year protracted war with Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), reports Colombo Page. The Defence Secretary said former Indian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Hardeep Singh Puri had been directly involved in the Indian operation against the then J. R. Jayawardene Government in the run-up to the July 1987 Indo-Lanka Accord.
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April - 10 
The first part of the Army’s Court of Inquiry (CoI) report which was handed over to Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa by Army Commander Jagath Jayasuriya on April 10 stated “The instances of shellings referred to in the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) report were not caused b
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The first part of the Army’s Court of Inquiry (CoI) report which was handed over to Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa by Army Commander Jagath Jayasuriya on April 10 stated “The instances of shellings referred to in the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) report were not caused by the Sri Lanka Army and civilian casualties might have occurred due to unlawful acts by LTTE,” reports Daily News. The Army said in a statement “These acts include firing at civilians fleeing to the safety of Army held areas, dropping of artillery rounds fired by ill-trained LTTE gunners on to civilian concentrations, employment of sub-standard artillery rounds obtained from illegal sources by the LTTE, forced conscription of civilians including children and old people by LTTE for combat purposes, thus exposing them to danger.”
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April - 15 
United Kingdom (UK) Foreign Secretary William Hague on April 15 said the human rights situation in Sri Lanka in 2012 remained of serious concern, with a number of negative developments, including with regard to freedom of expression and media and judicial independence, reports Daily Mirror. William
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United Kingdom (UK) Foreign Secretary William Hague on April 15 said the human rights situation in Sri Lanka in 2012 remained of serious concern, with a number of negative developments, including with regard to freedom of expression and media and judicial independence, reports Daily Mirror. William Hague launched the "Human Rights and Democracy report for 2012" prepared by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, which documented UK's action to raise standards and stamp out abuses occurring globally. The report stated, “Serious human rights violations including intimidation of human rights defenders continued in Sri Lanka in 2012 and reports of enforced disappearances continued in the year.”
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April - 20 
President Mahinda Rajapaksa said on April 20 that the Government is planning to hold elections to the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) most likely in September, reports Daily News. This will be the first time, provincial council elections will be held in the Northern Province, since the PC system c
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa said on April 20 that the Government is planning to hold elections to the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) most likely in September, reports Daily News. This will be the first time, provincial council elections will be held in the Northern Province, since the PC system came into existence under the 13th amendment to the Constitution in 1987. Addressing a large gathering, the President recalled how terrorism brought untold hardships to the people of the area where many were killed and some others fled due to continuous attacks by the terrorists.
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April - 21 
Former spokesman of Tamil Tiger terrorist group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Velayutham Dayanithi alias Daya Master on April 21 said that he would announce his decision to contest the NPC election within the next two weeks. Daya Master is slated to contest under the ruling party United Pe
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Former spokesman of Tamil Tiger terrorist group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Velayutham Dayanithi alias Daya Master on April 21 said that he would announce his decision to contest the NPC election within the next two weeks. Daya Master is slated to contest under the ruling party United People's Freedom Alliance. The former English teacher, who joined the LTTE, became the media spokesman of the outfit which ran a de facto state centering Kilinochchi town. The LTTE's former media spokesperson surrendered to the Sri Lanka Army on April 22, during the final stage of the war, with another prominent Tiger, George Master, in the Putumatalam area of Mullaitivu District inside the No-Fire Zone. A Sri Lankan court subsequently released them on bail.
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April - 23 
President Mahinda Rajapaksa on April 23 stated that “the only way to eliminate the scourge of terrorism from the world is to understand its true nature and fight it for what it is, instead of giving terrorism various definitions and tags”, reports Daily News. The President said his Government will
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa on April 23 stated that “the only way to eliminate the scourge of terrorism from the world is to understand its true nature and fight it for what it is, instead of giving terrorism various definitions and tags”, reports Daily News. The President said his Government will never allow anyone to take up weapons against the country and shall not leave room for anyone to divide the motherland. However, he lamented that when fighting against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Sri Lanka had to seek foreign help largely to get weapons. “We need to do research and as Sri Lankans’ we should produce what we need in our own soil. This is how we can add value to our hard won peace,” he added.
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April - 25 
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) on April 25 threatened a continuous protest campaign against the military's acquisition of private lands in the North, reports Colombo Page. TNA says the military has acquired over 6,400 acres of private lands in the North.TNA will commence a protest campaign in Jaffna
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Tamil National Alliance (TNA) on April 25 threatened a continuous protest campaign against the military's acquisition of private lands in the North, reports Colombo Page. TNA says the military has acquired over 6,400 acres of private lands in the North.TNA will commence a protest campaign in Jaffna from April 29 against the military acquisition of lands.TNA parliamentarian M.A. Sumanthiran said the military has put up notices in the North on the lands that are to be acquired by them. He said the notices put up by the military states the lands have been acquired for military purposes. The lands acquired by the military are to be used to settle families of military personnel in the North. He added that despite a Supreme Court order in 2006 and an assurance by the President in 2009, the displaced people have not been resettled.
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April - 26 
Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), the largest ally of the ruling coalition, officials on April 26 said they will call for applications from prospective candidates soon to contest the elections for the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) in September, reports Daily Mirror. The SLFP-led alliance will hand
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Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), the largest ally of the ruling coalition, officials on April 26 said they will call for applications from prospective candidates soon to contest the elections for the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) in September, reports Daily Mirror. The SLFP-led alliance will handpick 19 candidates for the Jaffna District, eight for the Mannar District, and eight for the Mullaitivu District, nine for the Vavuniya District and seven for the Kilinochchi District. SLFP National Organiser and Minister Basil Rajapaksa said his party would put up a newspaper advertisement soon calling for applications from those willing to contest the election. The NCP will comprise 38 members including two bonus seats. There will be 16 elected from Jaffna, five from Mannar, six from Vavuniya, five from Mullaitivu and four from Kilinochchi. The number of seats has been determined according to the population in the North based on the latest census, and the geographical size. According to the Provincial Council Election Act, there should be presidential order to the Elections Commissioner to conduct an election for the first time to a provincial council.
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April - 27 
Sri Lankan Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York Ambassador Major General Shavendra Silva on April 27 said that the United States and other western countries should understand that terrorism wherever and in whatever form is terrorism and it should be eliminated, reports C
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Sri Lankan Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York Ambassador Major General Shavendra Silva on April 27 said that the United States and other western countries should understand that terrorism wherever and in whatever form is terrorism and it should be eliminated, reports Colombo Page. Speaking to the national radio Major General Silva said bombs used in the Boston attack are similar to the bombs used by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Sri Lanka. Highlighting that still arms and ammunitions are being recovered from the former battle fields in the North and East, the UN envoy said placing Security Forces (SFs) in those areas is not a matter to be considered in a different perspective.
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April - 29 
National Mine Action Centre said on April 29 that ninety five percent of the Confirmed Hazardous Area has been cleared of mines and an area of 96 kilometers remains to be cleared at the end of March 2013, reports Daily News. A total of 1,968,369,553 square kilometers have been completely cleared of
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National Mine Action Centre said on April 29 that ninety five percent of the Confirmed Hazardous Area has been cleared of mines and an area of 96 kilometers remains to be cleared at the end of March 2013, reports Daily News. A total of 1,968,369,553 square kilometers have been completely cleared of mines in the North, Eastern and North Central Provinces during the last four years. In June 2009, a month after the defeat of LTTE, the government with the support of donor communities such as, US, Australia, Japan, China, India, European Union (EU) etc, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), national and international mine action operators implemented a comprehensive and rapid de-mining programme to clear the affected areas estimated to be 2,064 square kilometers.
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May - 1 
Sri Lanka's Marxist party, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Propaganda Secretary and Parliamentarian Vijitha Herath on May 1 said the party has plans to present affidavits to court from family members of individuals who had disappeared from the Matale District during the 1988-1989 period, reports Col
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Sri Lanka's Marxist party, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Propaganda Secretary and Parliamentarian Vijitha Herath on May 1 said the party has plans to present affidavits to court from family members of individuals who had disappeared from the Matale District during the 1988-1989 period, reports Colombo Page. The party is to make these representations to court when the case on the Matale mass grave will be taken up on May 8. Vijitha said that the party has already collected information from families of one hundred people who had gone missing during the JVP insurgency in the late 1980s. He said the party would present the affidavits from the families and request the court for DNA tests to be carried out on the skeletal remains. He noted that the JVP would intervene in the case to identify the victims buried in the mass grave that has been found to be from the period between 1986 and 1990. The Matale mass grave was uncovered last November and 154 skeletal remains have been unearthed from the grave.
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May - 2 
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP M. A. Sumanthiran on May 2 said that TNA is planning to file a large number of cases demanding the lands taken over by the military for security purposes from Northern Province, reports Colombo Page. He said that they would file a case in Colombo against the acquisit
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Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP M. A. Sumanthiran on May 2 said that TNA is planning to file a large number of cases demanding the lands taken over by the military for security purposes from Northern Province, reports Colombo Page. He said that they would file a case in Colombo against the acquisition, later this week, and appealed to people to file at least 5,000 cases in various courts.TNA had reportedly summoned the people, who make claims for land supposedly taken over by the military, to provide them legal assistance to file the cases. TNA and other Tamil groups say that 6,000 acres of land are taken over by military for the High Security Zones.
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May - 5 
The Sri Lankan Government on May 5 has allocated Rs. 400 million to pay as compensation to owners of the land in the High Security Zones (HSZs) in the North, reports Colombo Page. The Government has decided to acquire 6,381 hectares of the land in Jaffna District that is now being used as HSZs perma
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The Sri Lankan Government on May 5 has allocated Rs. 400 million to pay as compensation to owners of the land in the High Security Zones (HSZs) in the North, reports Colombo Page. The Government has decided to acquire 6,381 hectares of the land in Jaffna District that is now being used as HSZs permanently and the owners of the land will be paid compensation, the Minister of Land and Land Development Janaka Bandara Tennakoon said. The Government has posted notices in all three official languages at public places in the relevant areas informing the acquisition that is to be done under the Land Acquisition Act. According to the notice, the owners of the land can produce deeds or some other document of proof to enter into the HSZs and identify their land. An official evaluation of the land will be carried out and the owners will be compensated accordingly.
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May - 6 
Marxist party Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) says the Government should take steps to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), reports Colombo Page. JVP Propaganda Secretary and parliamentarian Vijitha Herath said that the PTA is a draconian piece of law that needs to be repealed. Pointing out
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Marxist party Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) says the Government should take steps to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), reports Colombo Page. JVP Propaganda Secretary and parliamentarian Vijitha Herath said that the PTA is a draconian piece of law that needs to be repealed. Pointing out that the Government has used the PTA as a tool to suppress dissent before; Herath said the Act could be misused to detain people during the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) elections to silence political dissent. The JVP, according to Herath, would campaign to demand the Government to repeal the PTA. He noted that the leader of the Muslim Tamil National Alliance, Azath Sally is the latest victim of the PTA. Sally was arrested under Section 120 of the Penal Code and provisions under the PTA for violating clause 21 of the PTA.
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May - 7 
The Government ruled out the possibility of repealing the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) despite requests by opposition political parties, reports Daily Mirror. In response to a question by Opposition United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne told Parl
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The Government ruled out the possibility of repealing the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) despite requests by opposition political parties, reports Daily Mirror. In response to a question by Opposition United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne told Parliament that though the LTTE was militarily defeated, there were attempts to revamp the organisation in different parts of the world. The Prime Minister said the provisions of the PTA were required to deal with the discovery of weapon hauls hidden by the LTTE. He said the PTA was needed to take action with regard to LTTE suspects who did not surrender after the war ended in 2009.
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May - 9 
Rehabilitation and Prisons Reforms Minister Chandrasiri Gajadeera on May 9 said that several rehabilitated former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres have expressed interest to enter politics, reports Colombo Page. He noted that measures would be taken for them to contest in future local
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Rehabilitation and Prisons Reforms Minister Chandrasiri Gajadeera on May 9 said that several rehabilitated former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres have expressed interest to enter politics, reports Colombo Page. He noted that measures would be taken for them to contest in future local Government elections in a democratic manner. He cautioned that the Tamil Diaspora and other elements are trying to disrupt peaceful existence in the country and are organizing themselves to entice the Tamil youth back into battle. "However we have appealed to the Tamil youth to resist such sinister attempts and enter politics in a democratic manner to win their rights and demands," Gajadeera said. According to the Minister, so far six rehabilitated former cadres have expressed interest in contesting at the next election.
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May - 10 
Gunasundaram Jeyasundaram, a childhood friend and close mate of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, while making a statement before the Colombo Supreme Court on May 10 deplored the acts of his one time leader and expressed his desire to undergo a rehabilitation pro
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Gunasundaram Jeyasundaram, a childhood friend and close mate of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, while making a statement before the Colombo Supreme Court on May 10 deplored the acts of his one time leader and expressed his desire to undergo a rehabilitation programme conducted by the Sri Lanka Army, reports Daily News. In his statement before the Supreme Court, Jeyasundaram said he was profoundly disturbed by the role of the LTTE and condemned its aggressive and violent methods, urging his onetime fellow sympathisers of the outfit to follow suit. Gunasundaram also asserts that factions of the LTTE scattered across the globe should immediately cease their actions as they continue to inflict more harm on the Tamil community in Sri Lanka.
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May - 12 
Former LTTE arms procurer Kumaran Pathmanathan also known as KP on May 12 said that reducing the army presence in the war-hit areas in the country and introducing civil administration would help improve the living conditions of the people there, reports Daily Mirror. He also said that in the 1970s,
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Former LTTE arms procurer Kumaran Pathmanathan also known as KP on May 12 said that reducing the army presence in the war-hit areas in the country and introducing civil administration would help improve the living conditions of the people there, reports Daily Mirror. He also said that in the 1970s, Tamil politicians brainwashed youngsters like him into joining the Tamil cause. KP is not short of suggestions on the means to achieve peace and reconciliation: “The army’s presence enhances safety at one level, but also intimidates people.”
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May - 13 
Vanni Security Forces Commander and Officer-in-Charge of Displaced Persons in the Northern Province Major General Boniface Perera said, “Not a single civilian had gone missing in the Vanni District after the end of the war”, reports Daily News. He said, "If anyone says someone has gone missing afte
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Vanni Security Forces Commander and Officer-in-Charge of Displaced Persons in the Northern Province Major General Boniface Perera said, “Not a single civilian had gone missing in the Vanni District after the end of the war”, reports Daily News. He said, "If anyone says someone has gone missing after the end of terrorism and if they are ready to give information on who had gone missing etc, and when and where, I am ready to debate with any person at any international forum on behalf of the Government."
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May - 15 
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) on May 15 provided legal assistance to over 1,400 land owners in Jaffna District to file the cases in court challenging the Government's occupation of land for security purposes, reports Colombo Page. The TNA in a statement said 1,474 land owners in Jaffna District file
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Tamil National Alliance (TNA) on May 15 provided legal assistance to over 1,400 land owners in Jaffna District to file the cases in court challenging the Government's occupation of land for security purposes, reports Colombo Page. The TNA in a statement said 1,474 land owners in Jaffna District filed the court cases. The TNA has appealed to people to file at least 5,000 cases in various courts. According to the party, the petition challenges the Section 2 notices issued under the Land Acquisition Act which specifies that 6,381 acres and 38.97 perches are to be acquired. TNA parliamentarian M.A. Sumanthiran says the military has acquired the private lands in the North to settle families of military personnel in North.
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May - 15 
While opposing the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) election, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) on May 15 said it would only pave the way to separatism, reports Daily Mirror. The JVP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake said, “The provincial council system in the 13th Amendment is not devolution of power
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While opposing the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) election, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) on May 15 said it would only pave the way to separatism, reports Daily Mirror. The JVP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake said, “The provincial council system in the 13th Amendment is not devolution of power; it will only extend the power of councils pressuring the people especially in the north if the Provincial Council election was held. Therefore it is essential to establish a new constitution that would treat all ethnic groups equally, safeguarding their rights and culture.” He further said, “The Government is performing arbitrary activities in the north. Northern people think the Colombo Government is invading and looting their lands with military power.”
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May - 17 
Parliamentarian Ravi Karunanayaka of main opposition party, United National Party (UNP), said on May 17 that the UNP turned down a request from former LTTE ‘media spokesman’ Velayutham Dayanithi alias Daya Master to contest the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) elections under the party ticket. He s
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Parliamentarian Ravi Karunanayaka of main opposition party, United National Party (UNP), said on May 17 that the UNP turned down a request from former LTTE ‘media spokesman’ Velayutham Dayanithi alias Daya Master to contest the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) elections under the party ticket. He said that Daya Master had requested from the UNP to offer him a ticket to contest the NPC election. Daya Master had earlier told local media that he would contest the election for the NPC under the ruling party, United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) ticket. Daya Master, a former English teacher, joined the LTTE and became the ‘media spokesman’ of the outfit. He surrendered to the Sri Lanka Army on April 22, 2009, during the final stage of the war, with another prominent LTTE leader, George Master, in the Putumatalam area of Mullaitivu inside the No-Fire Zone. A Sri Lankan court subsequently released them on bail.
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May - 18 
Nine persons who were attempting to commemorate the Liberation tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres on May 18 were taken in for questioning, reports Daily News. Vanni Commander Major General Boniface Perera said that attempts by some LTTE sympathisers to commemorate LTTE cadres on May 18 on the prete
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Nine persons who were attempting to commemorate the Liberation tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres on May 18 were taken in for questioning, reports Daily News. Vanni Commander Major General Boniface Perera said that attempts by some LTTE sympathisers to commemorate LTTE cadres on May 18 on the pretext of remembering their kith and kin was foiled. Perera said an organisation close to the LTTE had tried to mark the day by displaying photographs of slain LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran’s son. The Army with the help of the Police had taken nine persons for questioning and later released them, after recording their statements. “We recognise the right to commemorate those dead by the close relatives but not making this a pretext to remember ‘War Heroes’. That is the sole right of the Armed Forces,” he asserted.
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May - 18 
President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the Humanitarian Victory Parade on May 18 said he would not allow even a single inch of the country’s land secured through the sacrifice of heroic Forces to be usurped, reported Daily News. “There will be no room for separation,” President Rajapaksa asserted, a
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the Humanitarian Victory Parade on May 18 said he would not allow even a single inch of the country’s land secured through the sacrifice of heroic Forces to be usurped, reported Daily News. “There will be no room for separation,” President Rajapaksa asserted, adding, “I believe that the feeling that we should all live together in a single country is once again emerging in the hearts of the Tamil people,” he said. “Prabhakaran and his cohorts destroyed the Tamil intelligentsia who could build up the culture of the Tamil people of the north. Similar to Prabhakaran, the political parties that are propping up the Diaspora are still engaged in an effort to drag Tamil society to the depths of destruction. As long as these groups exist the Tamil people need no other enemies,” the President said.
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May - 18 
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) defied the government's ban on commemorating the terrorists who died in the war and held a remembrance in Vavuniya for those who died in the final battle which also killed Velupillai Prabhakaran and his entire top leadership. "We had a meeting to commemorate all tho
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The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) defied the government's ban on commemorating the terrorists who died in the war and held a remembrance in Vavuniya for those who died in the final battle which also killed Velupillai Prabhakaran and his entire top leadership. "We had a meeting to commemorate all those who died in the conflict," TNA parliamentarian Suresh Premachandran said. The TNA held its function peacefully amid heavy presence of Police.
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May - 18 
Vanni Commander Major General Boniface Perera while celebrating Victory Day in Vavuniya District on May 18 (today) said that “Any organisation or individual will not be allowed to venerate a terrorist organisation. Anyone participating in a commemoration ceremony for Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
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Vanni Commander Major General Boniface Perera while celebrating Victory Day in Vavuniya District on May 18 (today) said that “Any organisation or individual will not be allowed to venerate a terrorist organisation. Anyone participating in a commemoration ceremony for Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres will be arrested. There is only one military in a country. Any citizen has the right to commemorate their loved ones but no one can commemorate terrorists who were disloyal to the Government.” He further said, “We have information that the Commemoration Day in Vavuniya is not a day to commemorate the dead. They are planning to commemorate LTTE cadres who died during the war. I will never allow any individual or organisation to commemorate a terrorist organisation. If any individual or organisation organizes ceremonies to remember the LTTE, they will be arrested.”
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May - 19 
Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya criticized the foreign representatives expressing different opinions about maintaining army camps in the North, Colombo Page reported on May 19. "Foreigners have no right to decide where the army camps of this country should be maintained," he said
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Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya criticized the foreign representatives expressing different opinions about maintaining army camps in the North, Colombo Page reported on May 19. "Foreigners have no right to decide where the army camps of this country should be maintained," he said. The Army Commander noted that there are only three Army camps in the Jaffna peninsula at present, although there were sixteen army camps at the end of the war in May 2009. Speaking of the de-mining operations, Lieutenant General Jayasuriya said the demining of the remaining 96 square kilometers will be completed before the end of this year. He added that a special programme is being implemented under the mediation of the Ministry of Economic Development to provide welfare facilities to the people who are being resettled.
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May - 20 
Commenting on an article in Udayan newspaper, Dharmapuram Citizen Committee Chairman Wanni Murugesu claimed that the newspaper never spoke of conditions during the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Daily News reported on May 20. He stated, “The Udayan is now talking about three conditions for
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Commenting on an article in Udayan newspaper, Dharmapuram Citizen Committee Chairman Wanni Murugesu claimed that the newspaper never spoke of conditions during the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Daily News reported on May 20. He stated, “The Udayan is now talking about three conditions for holding the Northern Provincial Council Election, while conveniently forgetting the past. They must remember that President Mahinda Rajapaksa is the person who eradicated the terrorism in Sri Lanka through a humanitarian operation and created a peaceful country. The Udayan states that the Northern Province Governor should be a civilian. Whether civilian or not is irrelevant. The only thing that matters is the person who is appointed should work with dedication for the public in boosting Northern development. Such baseless statements made to overcome the narrow minded political objectives are subject to the aversion of the Tamil people in the Northern Province.” The Udayan newspaper recently commenting on conditions related to the Northern Provincial Councils election in its editorial states that holding the Northern Provincial Council Election is not conducive, Colombo Page reported on May 20. It said that the government should establish Independent Commissions before holding an election in the Northern Province. The newspaper calls for the appointment of a Governor before the election and Commonwealth observers be deployed to monitor the election. The newspaper stressed that the authorities should follow the above conditions in order for a free and fair election to be held.
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May - 22 
Petroleum Industries Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa on May 22 stated that the Government has not taken any decision to amend the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, reports Daily News. “We are aware that the Tamil National Alliance [TNA] is not in favour of the proposed amendment to the 13th Ame
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Petroleum Industries Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa on May 22 stated that the Government has not taken any decision to amend the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, reports Daily News. “We are aware that the Tamil National Alliance [TNA] is not in favour of the proposed amendment to the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. We assure that whatever change is decided by the [Parliamentary] Select Committee will be adhered to by the government,” the Minister asserted. He recalled that the Provincial Council system was introduced to the country as a result of the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord signed by the United National Party (UNP). “Right from the inception, there were a number political parties which opposed the introduction of the Provincial Council system to the country” as “certain provision included in the Provincial Council system did not suit a country like Sri Lanka”. “We are a small country,” Yapa noted. Minister Yapa also said the elections to the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) would be held in September 2013 as decided by the government earlier, and this would not change. “The North is a part of our country. The Northern Provincial Council is a similar administrative unit to the Provincials Councils operational in the country elsewhere right now,” the minister added. “We are not concerned who would win the election. We are keen to hold elections under the provisions of the Constitution,” the Minister said.
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May - 22 
The TNA parliamentarian M.A. Sumanthiran has said that the United States (US) is looking into the progress made by the Sri Lanka government following the resolution adopted at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in March 2013, Colombo Page reported on May 23. He said that that US Ambassador to Sri L
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The TNA parliamentarian M.A. Sumanthiran has said that the United States (US) is looking into the progress made by the Sri Lanka government following the resolution adopted at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in March 2013, Colombo Page reported on May 23. He said that that US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Michele J. Sison has met with TNA representatives last week to discuss the UNHRC resolution and see what progress has been made since it was adopted. He has said that the US envoy was also briefed on the land issue in the north and she was told by the TNA that taking over civilian land is in complete contravention of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) recommendations. The TNA has told Sison that a free and fair election (for NPC) cannot be expected in a militarized environment and had emphasized the need for foreign election monitors for the polls.
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May - 22 
UNP parliamentarian Lakshman Kiriella said on May 22 that the party believes that the devolution of power would address the ethnic issue and it was the best method to solve the ethnic issue in the country, reports Colombo Page. The UNP parliamentarian said the war could have been ended before 2009 i
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UNP parliamentarian Lakshman Kiriella said on May 22 that the party believes that the devolution of power would address the ethnic issue and it was the best method to solve the ethnic issue in the country, reports Colombo Page. The UNP parliamentarian said the war could have been ended before 2009 if the members in the present government in 2001-2003 had agreed with the devolution of power and helped the then UNP government to implement the 13th Amendment. He added that the government would split if provincial council elections are held for the NPC since it consists of parties with different opinions on the provincial council system. Kiriella expressed doubts on government's intention to hold the NPC elections. He said the party has learnt that some groups in the government are attempting to get an order from the courts to ban the elections in the North while the government is looking for excuses not to hold the elections. Kiriella says that holding provincial council elections would prove that the government had accepted the UNP's opinion on power devolution.
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May - 23 
Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has said that Police powers cannot be vested with the provincial councils, Colombo Page reported on May 24. Rajapaksa has been quoted in the local media saying that he would never agree to the granting of Police powers to provincial councils according to the 13t
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Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has said that Police powers cannot be vested with the provincial councils, Colombo Page reported on May 24. Rajapaksa has been quoted in the local media saying that he would never agree to the granting of Police powers to provincial councils according to the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. According to Rajapaksa, at present no provincial council exercises police powers, and if they were to be granted such powers in future, such a measure could pose a serious threat to national security and he foresees a dangerous situation. He has added that if the councils were vested with police powers, a serious situation would arise with regard to the maintenance of law and order, and even the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) would become ineffective.
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May - 23 
The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), a coalition party of ruling United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA), said it will take measures to mobilize the public to urge the government to abolish the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, Colombo Page reported on May 24. JHU parliamentarian Ven. Athuraliye Ratana
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The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), a coalition party of ruling United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA), said it will take measures to mobilize the public to urge the government to abolish the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, Colombo Page reported on May 24. JHU parliamentarian Ven. Athuraliye Ratana Thero said the public must be mobilized to urge the government to change its stance on the 13th Amendment. Ven. Ratana Thero observed that the JHU's proposed motion to amend the Constitution to abolish the provincial council system in the country is to be presented to parliament next week. JHU on May 22 revealed party's proposed 19th Amendment to the Constitution primarily to repeal the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, which paved way for the power devolving Provincial Council system in the island. Thero's call to abolish the 13th Amendment came in response to the May 23 statement by Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa that the Government would not abolish the 13th Amendment. Yapa had said the government has no intention whatsoever to repeal the 13th Amendment or introduce amendments to the Constitution to remove police and land powers to the provinces or postpone the Northern Provincial Council polls. Minister Yapa said if the government introduces the Constitution or amendments to the Constitution it would be through a consensus by all stakeholders. The government would resort to a power devolution process or introduce constitutional changes only through an extensive political interaction with all political parties and other stakeholders and that is why the government took measures to constitute a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to discuss all these issues related to power devolution, police and land powers to PCs and security issues of the provinces, the Minister said.
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May - 24 
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) on May 24 insisted on complete power devolution to the provinces through the 13th Amendment to the Constitution since problems over the provincial councils are due to the incomplete devolution of power by successive governments, reports Colombo Page. TNA parliamenta
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The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) on May 24 insisted on complete power devolution to the provinces through the 13th Amendment to the Constitution since problems over the provincial councils are due to the incomplete devolution of power by successive governments, reports Colombo Page. TNA parliamentarian, Suresh Premachandran said that the respective governments had appointed committees that have made various proposals but the problems over the provincial councils in the country have not been resolved through the years. Premachandran said the TNA expects nothing less than complete devolution of financial, Police and land powers to the provinces through the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. According to Premachandran, late President Ranasinghe Premadasa had appointed the Mangala Munasinghe Commission, and former President Chandrika Kumaratunga came up with another solution. The present government appointed the All Party Representative Committee (APRC), he noted. Premachandran said that the governing party needed to resolve its stance on the devolution of power among its coalition partners since they are expressing differing views.
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May - 24 
Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya told The Divaina that only three camps would be kept in the Jaffna peninsula and the rest of the camps would be withdrawn, Colombo Page reported on May 25. The lands where the camps are presently established would be returned to the legal owners, t
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Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya told The Divaina that only three camps would be kept in the Jaffna peninsula and the rest of the camps would be withdrawn, Colombo Page reported on May 25. The lands where the camps are presently established would be returned to the legal owners, the Army Commander said. He also said that the withdrawn camps are to be relocated in the Army colony. Plans are afoot to set up a new Army colony in Jaffna peninsula. The new Army colony will be established in the Palaly area where the defense forces headquarters and the airport is situated. The Kankasanthurai naval harbor will also be established in the colony. The government has decided to acquire 6,381 hectares of the land in Jaffna that is now being used as High Security Zones (HSZs) permanently and to pay compensation to the owners of the land. The government has allocated SLR 400 million to pay the land owners. According to the government, the lands in the HSZs of Weligamam North in the Palaly and Kankasanthurai (KKS) areas are to be acquired for the expansion of the Palaly airport and the KKS harbor. The Army Commander further said that the maintenance of law and order in relation to civil administration of the areas released for civilian activity would be the sole responsibility of the Police.
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May - 24 
The Government on May 24 stressed that the US embassy as any other foreign mission based in Colombo should get prior approval to engage with local government authorities. According to External Affairs Ministry Secretary Karunathilake Amunugama, foreign missions should either inform or get prior appr
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The Government on May 24 stressed that the US embassy as any other foreign mission based in Colombo should get prior approval to engage with local government authorities. According to External Affairs Ministry Secretary Karunathilake Amunugama, foreign missions should either inform or get prior approval to implement any project in agreement with the local government authorities. “This is an international norm,” he said. The Secretary’s comments came in the wake of the US embassy move to set up a public information and activity centre known as the American Corner in agreement with the Trincomalee Urban Council. The Agreement with regard to the establishment of this centre was signed by officials of the US embassy in Colombo and the Trincomalee Urban Council on May 22, without the knowledge of External Affairs Ministry. US embassy spokesman and Director Press Cultural and Educational Affairs Christopher Teal told the Daily News that the embassy has put up these information centers in Kandy and Jaffna without any prior approval from the External Affairs Ministry. He said that the same process was adopted for the establishment of the American Corner at the Trincomalee Public library. “The purpose of setting up of these information centres are to provide vital information to the people particularly the student population in the East”, he said, adding, the mission is contemplating setting up such a Centre in the south soon.
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May - 27 
Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva and Leader of the Sri Lanka Delegation to the 23rd session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) Ravinatha Aryasinha said on May 27 that the government has established a mechanism to ensure the right of information to the relatives of Liberatio
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Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva and Leader of the Sri Lanka Delegation to the 23rd session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) Ravinatha Aryasinha said on May 27 that the government has established a mechanism to ensure the right of information to the relatives of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suspects, Daily News reported. Aryasinha said that a centralized comprehensive database of detainees established by the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) of the Police with units operating around the clock in Colombo, Vavuniya and Boosa enables the Next of Kin (NoK) to receive details about those who are released from detention. Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative added that information is provided to the Next of Kin of the detainees only because they have requested that such information is not made public due to privacy concerns. “Upto now, around 3,220 inquiries have been made by the relatives to the TID alone. Of the 2,729 complaints recorded, investigations into 1,628 investigations have been completed while investigations into 1,101 investigations were in progress as of February 2013”, he said. Aryasinghe added that a special committee has been appointed to look into the cases where suspects remain in custody pending indictment. “In order to file cases against the suspects that remain in remand custody pending indictment, a special committee has been appointed to look into their cases,” he added. He further added that the scope of this committee is to review and advise further course of action to be taken against these suspects, including the possibility of release of suspects following rehabilitation.
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May - 29 
Addressing the opening ceremony of the Global Services Forum Beijing Summit in Beijing (China), President Mahinda Rajapaksa on May 29 explained how Sri Lanka's economic development initiatives are closely linked to the reconciliation process undertaken by his administration, reports Daily News. "Ma
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Addressing the opening ceremony of the Global Services Forum Beijing Summit in Beijing (China), President Mahinda Rajapaksa on May 29 explained how Sri Lanka's economic development initiatives are closely linked to the reconciliation process undertaken by his administration, reports Daily News. "Many leaders across the world acknowledge that economic disparities are a source for internal conflicts. Aware of this fact, we in Sri Lanka are working hard to ensure that all the citizens of our country get equal economic opportunities."
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May - 29 
Tissa Attanayake, General Secretary of main opposition United National Party (UNP), criticized Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa's statement on the holding of provincial council elections in Northern Province, Colombo Page reported on May 29. Attanayake observed that Rajapaksa has breached the r
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Tissa Attanayake, General Secretary of main opposition United National Party (UNP), criticized Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa's statement on the holding of provincial council elections in Northern Province, Colombo Page reported on May 29. Attanayake observed that Rajapaksa has breached the role of a public servant by stating that holding the Northern Provincial Council election would pose a threat to national security. Explaining that public officials are prohibited to make statements regarding policy matters, Attanayake said it was up to the government in power to make such statements and that Rajapaksa's comment is a violation of the code of conducts that govern public servants.
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May - 29 
Vanni Security Forces Commander and Officer-in-Charge of Displaced Persons Major General Boniface Perera has said that civilians living in the Northern Province do not want the Army to be removed from the Northern Province, Daily News reported on May 30. “The people do not want the Army to be remove
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Vanni Security Forces Commander and Officer-in-Charge of Displaced Persons Major General Boniface Perera has said that civilians living in the Northern Province do not want the Army to be removed from the Northern Province, Daily News reported on May 30. “The people do not want the Army to be removed from the Northern Province as they think they will have to face another appalling situation similar to what they experienced during the war period,” he added. The civilians are dealing with the Army in a very friendly manner. The Sri Lanka Army has already become one of the main contributors of the development process in the Northern Province. Civilians in the North want to assist development by joining with the Army, Major General Perera said. The government has already resettled war affected persons in the Northern Province and it has given priority to the Northern Province development projects. In such a situation, certain elements such as the Udayan newspaper and other organizations are trying to divide Sri Lanka again. “They are working according to an agenda of the Tamil Diaspora. People who failed to win the Eelam war through terrorism are now trying to win it by dividing Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims by publishing such articles which arouse communal hatred,” Major General Perera said. Major General Perera was reacting to an article published in Udayan on May 26 in which the newspaper questioned why the government acquires public lands privately if 14 army camps out of 17 in Jaffna are to be shifted to the Palali High Security Zone. Commenting specifically on this report, Perera said: “When we look at these facts we can clearly see that these allegations are baseless. We have never acquired any land in the Northern Province after 2009. If anyone says someone has acquired public lands in the Northern Province after defeating terrorism and if they are ready to give information on who had done it and when and where, we are ready investigate into the incident,” he said.
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May - 30 
Ally of ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party, the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) said the party would not support the abolition of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. SLMC Leader and Justice Minister Rauf Hakeem said that the SLMC would not take any action to support the abolition of the 13th Amendm
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Ally of ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party, the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) said the party would not support the abolition of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. SLMC Leader and Justice Minister Rauf Hakeem said that the SLMC would not take any action to support the abolition of the 13th Amendment. He said the party's stance was that the 13th Amendment should not be revised in any way and there should not be any change in the land and police powers vested with the provinces under the 13th Amendment. According to Hakeem, the SLMC would only support any change to the 13th Amendment if the change mooted would bring about a reinforcement of the conditions put forth by the Amendment.
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May - 31 
Separately, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian Mavai Senathirajah, on May 31, said that a power sharing arrangement under a unitary State would not solve national question, reports Colombo Page. He said that power sharing under a unitary system is questionable in today's context of domina
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Separately, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian Mavai Senathirajah, on May 31, said that a power sharing arrangement under a unitary State would not solve national question, reports Colombo Page. He said that power sharing under a unitary system is questionable in today's context of domination by Buddhist extremists and the party is yet to discuss and decide its stance on the draft Constitution presented by the United National Party (UNP).
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May - 31 
Meanwhile, the United States (US), on May 31, said that LTTE’s financial network of support continued to operate throughout 2012, and there were multiple reports of increased LTTE involvement in human smuggling out of refugee camps. The US Country Reports on Terrorism 2012 released by the US State D
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Meanwhile, the United States (US), on May 31, said that LTTE’s financial network of support continued to operate throughout 2012, and there were multiple reports of increased LTTE involvement in human smuggling out of refugee camps. The US Country Reports on Terrorism 2012 released by the US State Department said “The LTTE used its international contacts and the large Tamil Diasporas in North America, Europe, and Asia to procure weapons, communications, funding, and other needed supplies. The group employed charities as fronts to collect and divert funds for their activities.”
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June - 2 
Meanwhile, President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Badulla District of Uva Province on June 2 said that recalling atrocities perpetrated by LTTE terrorists in the past was not intended to sow seeds of hatred in society, but to ensure that such a gruesome period will not be repeated in the future, reports Dai
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Meanwhile, President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Badulla District of Uva Province on June 2 said that recalling atrocities perpetrated by LTTE terrorists in the past was not intended to sow seeds of hatred in society, but to ensure that such a gruesome period will not be repeated in the future, reports Daily News. He said “We should tell the younger generation that the country faced such a gruesome period in the past in order to avert such situations in the future through forging closer and amicable ties between communities.”
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June - 3 
Sri Lanka's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK), Dr. Chris Nonis, in an interview with BBCs Mishal Husain in London said that the country has made tremendous progress towards reconciliation since the end of conflict in 2009, Colombo Page reported on May 4. “Compared to other countries which
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Sri Lanka's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK), Dr. Chris Nonis, in an interview with BBCs Mishal Husain in London said that the country has made tremendous progress towards reconciliation since the end of conflict in 2009, Colombo Page reported on May 4. “Compared to other countries which have resolved long running conflicts such as South Africa and Northern Ireland, Sri Lanka has made tremendous progress towards reconciliation in four short years since the end of the 28-year long conflict in 2009,” Nonis said. The High Commissioner said 297,000 people have been rehabilitated and there is a billion dollar programme going into the North and East of the country for the rebuilding.
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June - 5 
Further, TNA spokesman Suresh Premachandran told on June 5, “The Government will introduce legislation which stipulates that the consent of a majority of the PCs was enough instead of the consent by all PCs for parliament to pass a law. This will be done prior to the election. No sooner the election
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Further, TNA spokesman Suresh Premachandran told on June 5, “The Government will introduce legislation which stipulates that the consent of a majority of the PCs was enough instead of the consent by all PCs for parliament to pass a law. This will be done prior to the election. No sooner the elections are held they will use this ruse to ensure that Land and Police Powers are removed from the purview of the Provincial,” reports Daily Mirror. He further said the ‘majoritarian principle’ would augur well for the government and the Sinhalese majority since the other provinces except the Eastern province is governed by the Sinhalese.
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June - 7 
Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya on June 7 said that the Elections Department had begun preparations to hold the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) elections in September although it was yet to receive an official confirmation regarding the holding of the election, reports Daily Mirror. Mahi
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Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya on June 7 said that the Elections Department had begun preparations to hold the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) elections in September although it was yet to receive an official confirmation regarding the holding of the election, reports Daily Mirror. Mahinda said “It will be held in September. That is confirmed and now we are awaiting an official confirmation. We have now called for data on Government officers to take up official duties for the election.” He further said as of now the status quo regarding the registered voters would remain unless there is legislation to effect change to include a new voter list.
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June - 9 
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) on June 9 said that it would be useless to hold elections to the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) after amending the 13th Amendment and reducing powers vested with the provinces, reports Colombo Page. TNA parliamentarian Suresh Premachandran said, "The current Presiden
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Tamil National Alliance (TNA) on June 9 said that it would be useless to hold elections to the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) after amending the 13th Amendment and reducing powers vested with the provinces, reports Colombo Page. TNA parliamentarian Suresh Premachandran said, "The current President and the Government are going against this (implementing the 13th Amendment and going beyond)." He further said, "We want to go beyond the 13th Amendment. Provincial Councils need more powers on land, police and taxation. There are also issues in relation to the Governor. It is important to go beyond the current system. Only then can people in each province look after themselves. We are not satisfied with the current system and we must go beyond."
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June - 10 
Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga said on June 10 that the then Government was so much under pressure that it accepted the 13th Amendment to the Constitution without calling for a referendum in the face of a threat of invasion, reports Daily News. He said many countries including the Unit
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Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga said on June 10 that the then Government was so much under pressure that it accepted the 13th Amendment to the Constitution without calling for a referendum in the face of a threat of invasion, reports Daily News. He said many countries including the United Kingdom, United States, France, and neighboring India exerted pressure to stop the humanitarian operation launched by the Government to free the country from terrorism. He added that public discussion is brewing on the 13th Amendment and many secrets with regard to the introduction of the Provincial Council System (PCS) are coming to light. The country’s administrative process was completely changed with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, which was implemented without the people’s consent, the Secretary said. The Secretary said it is left to the people to evaluate the benefits received from the Provincial Councils which were established in 1989.
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June - 10 
Separately, the Catholic Bishops of Sri Lanka in a statement at Catholic Bishops' Conference in Colombo on June 10 requested the Government not to proceed with amending the 13th Amendment or totally repeal it but to discuss with all relevant parties on drawing up a totally new Constitution which is
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Separately, the Catholic Bishops of Sri Lanka in a statement at Catholic Bishops' Conference in Colombo on June 10 requested the Government not to proceed with amending the 13th Amendment or totally repeal it but to discuss with all relevant parties on drawing up a totally new Constitution which is fair by all communities. "The 13th Amendment of the National Constitution is a system that by large allows the greater participation of the people in the matter of governance," the statement signed by the Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith on behalf of the organization said. It said that although the 13th Amendment may not be perfect, pondering on this constitutional provision may lead to over centralization of authority and to international meddling in the internal affairs of this country at a time when Sri Lanka is striving to make permanent the hard won peace. The bishops advised the Government to discuss the 13th Amendment through a PSC and consider a totally new Constitution which would guarantee "justice, peace and prosperity for all citizens of the country regardless of their ethnic, religious or social differences."
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June - 12 
Faizer Mustapha, the Deputy Minister of Investment Promotion, on June 12 said that it is dangerous to hold election to the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) with land and Police powers since the major Tamil party, Tamil National Alliance (TNA), still harbors a separatist line, reports Colombo Page.
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Faizer Mustapha, the Deputy Minister of Investment Promotion, on June 12 said that it is dangerous to hold election to the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) with land and Police powers since the major Tamil party, Tamil National Alliance (TNA), still harbors a separatist line, reports Colombo Page. The Deputy Minister joined by Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Batticaloa organizer, Arun Thambimuttu, told the media that the provinces did not need land and Police powers. Mustapha and Thambimuttu said the provincial council system was a white elephant and land and Police powers allocated to the provinces under the 13th Amendment should be repealed before the NPC election. According to Mustapha, if Police powers were granted to the provincial councils it would interfere with the independence of the Police.
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June - 12 
Meanwhile, leader of Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP) and Senior Cabinet Minister Tissa Vitarana on June 12 said that 13th Amendment to the Constitution needs to be changed, reports Daily News. The Minister said the shortcomings in the Amendment should not be a reason to postpone the NPC election to b
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Meanwhile, leader of Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP) and Senior Cabinet Minister Tissa Vitarana on June 12 said that 13th Amendment to the Constitution needs to be changed, reports Daily News. The Minister said the shortcomings in the Amendment should not be a reason to postpone the NPC election to be held in September. He maintained, although the 13th Amendment needs change, any modification to it is not a prerequisite to hold elections in the North. He said, “Shortcomings in the 13th Amendment to the Constitution can be addressed through consensus arrived at by political representatives of all the political parties represented in Parliament. President Mahinda Rajapaksa promised to do it through a proposed Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) process.”
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June - 14 
Meanwhile, Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Rajitha Senaratne addressing a press briefing held in Colombo on June 14 said that he was ready to sacrifice his cabinet portfolio to stop further reducing the powers devolved to the provinces through the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, repo
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Meanwhile, Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Rajitha Senaratne addressing a press briefing held in Colombo on June 14 said that he was ready to sacrifice his cabinet portfolio to stop further reducing the powers devolved to the provinces through the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, reports Colombo Page. The Minister said that he would not change his position on the 13th Amendment. He further said that the Government would be defeated before the international forces unless it fails to stop the moves to further curtail the powers of the provincial councils. The Minister also rejected the proposals for a referendum on the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.
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June - 16 
Meanwhile, Marxist party Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) on June 16 announced that it would bring a political package to replace the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, reports Colombo Page. The party led a bloody campaign against the 13th amendment and the Provincial Councils in 1987-90 period and
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Meanwhile, Marxist party Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) on June 16 announced that it would bring a political package to replace the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, reports Colombo Page. The party led a bloody campaign against the 13th amendment and the Provincial Councils in 1987-90 period and many people died as a result. Politburo member of the JVP, Parliamentarian Anura Kumara Dissanayaka said that solutions for the problems of the Tamil people are needed to be provided concurrently with the abolition of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. JVP proposes solutions to the problems of the Tamil people in their package while proposing to abolish the 13th Amendment completely, Dissanayaka says. JVP package is based on constitutional recognition of state as a multinational state and acceptance of freedom of all nationalities. The package will be launched within two weeks, the JVP MP said.
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June - 16 
United National Party (UNP) Assistant Leader Joseph Michael Perera on June 16 said that the confrontation over the scrapping of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in particular would ultimately create a situation where the separatists would achieve their objective overnight, reports Daily Mirror
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United National Party (UNP) Assistant Leader Joseph Michael Perera on June 16 said that the confrontation over the scrapping of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in particular would ultimately create a situation where the separatists would achieve their objective overnight, reports Daily Mirror. “This will help pro separatists to gain what Prabahakaran could not achieve in the 30 year old war,” he said. He said parties which oppose the scrapping of the 13th Amendment including the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) should leave the Government. He said they cannot remain in the Government when they oppose anything because of the collective responsibility. At the same time he said the Government should make a firm decision on the 13th Amendment and inform the people of its official stand.
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June - 17 
Prime Minister and Religious Affairs Minister D.M. Jayaratne at a meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office in Colombo on June 17 said giving Police and Land powers to Provincial Councils will create needless issues in a small country like Sri Lanka, reports Daily News. He said the 13th Amendment to th
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Prime Minister and Religious Affairs Minister D.M. Jayaratne at a meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office in Colombo on June 17 said giving Police and Land powers to Provincial Councils will create needless issues in a small country like Sri Lanka, reports Daily News. He said the 13th Amendment to the Constitution has opened up a dialogue in the media and the public space. It is a characteristic of democracy. Some say the 13th Amendment is needed; some say it is not required. However, Police powers and Land powers referenced in the Amendment are not required at this juncture. He further said “Equity is the main feature of a society. When creating an equal society, the differences among nationalities, races, castes and religions should be eliminated.”
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June - 20 
Meanwhile, Leader of the House, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva on June 20 said that the main opposition United National Party (UNP) and the major Tamil party, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) have requested more time to decide on the proposed Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to decide on constitu
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Meanwhile, Leader of the House, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva on June 20 said that the main opposition United National Party (UNP) and the major Tamil party, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) have requested more time to decide on the proposed Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to decide on constitutional amendments. The Government last week proposed the setting up of a PSC to discuss amending the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. According to de Silva, some opposition parties use wasting time as a strategy. The Minister added that the Northern Provincial Council election would not be postponed until conclusion of the PSC proceedings.
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June - 20 
Minister of Mass Media and Information Keheliya Rambukwella on June 20 explained the reasons behind the Government's initiative to revise the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, reports Colombo Page. Addressing a media conference following the cabinet meeting, Minister Rambukwella said the 13th Amen
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Minister of Mass Media and Information Keheliya Rambukwella on June 20 explained the reasons behind the Government's initiative to revise the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, reports Colombo Page. Addressing a media conference following the cabinet meeting, Minister Rambukwella said the 13th Amendment to the Constitution and the Indo-Lanka Agreement were imposed on the country without the consent of the people. "However, the sovereignty of the people is supreme. Therefore, the Government has focused the attention on bringing in certain amendments to the 13th Amendment as it suits to the country in the present situation," he said. The 13th amendment, which has become controversial lately, was introduced by India in 1987 as a way for power devolution to address the ethnic issue creating the provincial council system in Sri Lanka. The Minister said that a country has the right to change agreements with foreign countries in conformity with the aspirations and mandate of the people of the country as the sovereignty of the people is supreme.
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June - 21 
Meanwhile, President Mahinda Rajapaksa, addressing the heads and chief editors of media institutions on June 21, said that the Provincial Council system in Sri Lanka is not a total failure and had provided many benefits, and therefore the future existence of the system should be decided by the peopl
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Meanwhile, President Mahinda Rajapaksa, addressing the heads and chief editors of media institutions on June 21, said that the Provincial Council system in Sri Lanka is not a total failure and had provided many benefits, and therefore the future existence of the system should be decided by the people, reports Colombo Page. The President said although the Provincial Council system has been branded as a white elephant by many factions, it should be utilized to provide useful service to the public. However the system has been established in the country for many years and cannot be changed by sudden decisions, he added. Expressing his views on 13th Amendment to the Constitution, President Rajapaksa said the Government has appointed a PSC for the political parties to discuss the issue and take a decision not because of the upcoming Northern Provincial Council (NPC) election. "These amendments are not solely for the North and East. It is the rest of the Provincial Councils in the country that has to be changed and it is the view of the general public," the President said.
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June - 21 
Separately, Chief Opposition Whip of United National Party (UNP) Member of Parliament (MP) John Amaratunga said in Parliament on June 21 that the party will nominate its members to the proposed Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to study the revisions to the 13th Amendment to the Constitution only
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Separately, Chief Opposition Whip of United National Party (UNP) Member of Parliament (MP) John Amaratunga said in Parliament on June 21 that the party will nominate its members to the proposed Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to study the revisions to the 13th Amendment to the Constitution only if the Government agrees to conditions set by the party on June 19, reports Colombo Page.
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June - 22 
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Professor G. L. Peiris during a long interview in Sydney on June 22 claimed that remnants of the defeated LTTE are involved in the people-smuggling business of bringing Sri Lankan boat people to Australia, reports Daily Mirror. He stated, although the war between the Sri
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Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Professor G. L. Peiris during a long interview in Sydney on June 22 claimed that remnants of the defeated LTTE are involved in the people-smuggling business of bringing Sri Lankan boat people to Australia, reports Daily Mirror. He stated, although the war between the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE is over, Tamil Tiger networks still intimidate Tamil families in the diasporas and extort money from them, while also engaging in a range of other criminal activities. He also requested Australia to proscribe the LTTE as a terrorist organisation, making any support to the terrorist organisation from Australia illegal.
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June - 23 
Further, national organizer of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Rafeek Rajabdeen on June 23 said that the party will nominate its representative for the PSC on June 29. He said there will be a special meeting of the party on that day and at that meeting the Executive Council will discuss the SLM
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Further, national organizer of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Rafeek Rajabdeen on June 23 said that the party will nominate its representative for the PSC on June 29. He said there will be a special meeting of the party on that day and at that meeting the Executive Council will discuss the SLMC proposals regarding the constitutional issue and make decision on the party representative to the PSC. Earlier the Parliamentary Group of SLMC unanimously resolved on June 11 to express opposition to any moves to make changes to the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.
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June - 24 
Election Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya on June 24 said that the elections for the three provincial councils will be held in late September, reports Colombo Page. The Election Commissioner told "Most likely it will be either on September 21 or 28." He further said that the actual date of election w
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Election Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya on June 24 said that the elections for the three provincial councils will be held in late September, reports Colombo Page. The Election Commissioner told "Most likely it will be either on September 21 or 28." He further said that the actual date of election will depend on the number of political parties and groups that will submit the nominations to the North Central, Northern and Central Provincial councils that are up for polls.
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June - 24 
Meanwhile, Chief Government Whip and Minister Dinesh Gunawardena on June 24 said the constitutional amendments proposed to amend the powers granted to the Provincial Councils under the 13th Amendment to the Constitution would be sent to the Supreme Court for advice. Sri Lanka's cabinet of ministers
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Meanwhile, Chief Government Whip and Minister Dinesh Gunawardena on June 24 said the constitutional amendments proposed to amend the powers granted to the Provincial Councils under the 13th Amendment to the Constitution would be sent to the Supreme Court for advice. Sri Lanka's cabinet of ministers granted approval for amending the 13th Amendment regarding the power vested in the President to merge provincial councils to form a united Provincial Council. The amendment that repeals the clause that empowers the President to merge two provinces will be brought as an urgent bill in parliament.
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June - 24 
Separately, former leading arms procurer and international wing leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Kumaran Pathmanathan alias KP told on June 24 that he has no ambition to contest for the Northern Provincial Council. Pathmanathan rejected the rumors that he would contest the elect
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Separately, former leading arms procurer and international wing leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Kumaran Pathmanathan alias KP told on June 24 that he has no ambition to contest for the Northern Provincial Council. Pathmanathan rejected the rumors that he would contest the election as the Chief Minister candidate of the ruling United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA). He also said that he is not sure who would be appointed as the Chief Minister candidate.
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June - 24 
Further, former spokesman of LTTE Velayutham Dayanithi alias Daya Master on June 24 said that he was invited to contest the election for the Northern Provincial Council by higher authorities of the Government. He said that the Tamil people are concerned of the efforts to curtail the powers of the Pr
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Further, former spokesman of LTTE Velayutham Dayanithi alias Daya Master on June 24 said that he was invited to contest the election for the Northern Provincial Council by higher authorities of the Government. He said that the Tamil people are concerned of the efforts to curtail the powers of the Provincial Councils. He also said the "extremely racist campaign" against the Tamil people should be stopped by parties like Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) and National Freedom Front (NFF). He urged the "Sinhala extremist parties" to join hands with the Tamil people.
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June - 25 
Further, main party in opposition UNP on June 25 said that it opposes the dilution of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution as proposed by the Government. Addressing a media briefing in Colombo, the UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake, said that the 13th Amendment was a result of an accord betwe
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Further, main party in opposition UNP on June 25 said that it opposes the dilution of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution as proposed by the Government. Addressing a media briefing in Colombo, the UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake, said that the 13th Amendment was a result of an accord between two sovereign nations and not a private agreement between Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and the former Sri Lankan President J. R. Jayewardene, as claimed by their critics. Critics of the 13th Amendment say the Indo-Lanka agreement, which led to the 13th Amendment to the Constitution paving the way to create provincial councils, was thrusted upon Sri Lanka by India in 1987 during the height of the war with Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as a solution to the ethnic problem. The critics say now that the terrorist war is over the Amendment needs to be revised to suit the peaceful conditions in the country. They argue that the powers granted in the13th Amendment to provincial councils will lead to a separate state in the country. "The theory that devolution would lead to separation was nonsensical and unacceptable," Attanayake said refuting the argument.
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June - 25 
Separately, Prisons and Prison reforms Minister Chandrasiri Gajadeera on June 25 said that there are 810 former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres in remand custody and they are not political prisoners but hardcore LTTE cadres who ordered the killings and other heinous terrorist activiti
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Separately, Prisons and Prison reforms Minister Chandrasiri Gajadeera on June 25 said that there are 810 former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres in remand custody and they are not political prisoners but hardcore LTTE cadres who ordered the killings and other heinous terrorist activities. He further said most of the arrested LTTE cadres have been rehabilitated and released to the society but these hardcore LTTE cadres remain detained because there is evidence against them. "Punishing persons who have committed crimes is not a human rights violation," the Minister noted.
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June - 26 
President Mahinda Rajapaksa during a meeting with the leaders of the leftist parties on June 26 said the basis of the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) process would be the recommendations of the All Party Representatives Committee (APRC) headed by Prof. Tissa Vitharana, reports Daily Mirror. The
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa during a meeting with the leaders of the leftist parties on June 26 said the basis of the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) process would be the recommendations of the All Party Representatives Committee (APRC) headed by Prof. Tissa Vitharana, reports Daily Mirror. The APRC headed by Prof. Tissa Witharana formed on July 11, 2006, was boycotted by the United National Party (UNP) and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP). The final report of the committee was presented to the President on August 16, 2009 with none of the proposals being implemented thus far.
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June - 26 
Sri Lankan authorities on June 26 released the former female political wing leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Subramaniam Sivathai alias Thamalini after undergoing a one-year rehabilitation program, reports Colombo Page. The Commissioner General of Rehabilitation Brigadier Dharsh
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Sri Lankan authorities on June 26 released the former female political wing leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Subramaniam Sivathai alias Thamalini after undergoing a one-year rehabilitation program, reports Colombo Page. The Commissioner General of Rehabilitation Brigadier Dharshana Hettiarachchi said that Thamalini was handed over to her parents at the Poonthottam Rehabilitation Centre in Vavuniya District. Thamalini, a resident of Kilinochchi District joined LTTE in 1991 and became the head of LTTE Women's Wing. She was arrested by Lankan army in May 2009 at an Army welfare center for refugees and taken to Colombo for investigations. She was charged with training LTTE cadres and establishing connections with LTTE members overseas. After being detained at the Welikada prison for many months she consented to be rehabilitated and was transferred to the Vavuniya Rehabilitation center to undergo the rehabilitation programme in order to re-integrate her into the society. According to the rehabilitation officials, Thamalini received vocational training at the camp and had followed a training course in bridal dressing.
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June - 27 
In another incident, National Movement for the Abolition of Provincial Councils (NMAPC), on June 27 said thousands of Buddhist monks in Sri Lanka will hold a rally in Colombo on July 2nd calling for the abolition of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. The NMAPC stated that 3,000-4,000 monks from
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In another incident, National Movement for the Abolition of Provincial Councils (NMAPC), on June 27 said thousands of Buddhist monks in Sri Lanka will hold a rally in Colombo on July 2nd calling for the abolition of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. The NMAPC stated that 3,000-4,000 monks from all over the country would participate in the rally.
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June - 28 
Meanwhile, UNP parliamentarian Mangala Samaraweera on June 28 said that President Mahinda Rajapaksa was an experienced and veteran politician and he would not act against the 13th Amendment, if he was to take a decision on his own, reports Daily Mirror. He said “I do not think the President would ac
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Meanwhile, UNP parliamentarian Mangala Samaraweera on June 28 said that President Mahinda Rajapaksa was an experienced and veteran politician and he would not act against the 13th Amendment, if he was to take a decision on his own, reports Daily Mirror. He said “I do not think the President would act against the 13th Amendment, if he is to take a decision on his own. He has been taken hostage by extremist groups led by Gotabaya Rajapaksa. What we should do is not to abolish the 13th Amendment but to carry it forward. It should be 13++ not 13-.”
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June - 30 
Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa on June 30 announced that he will leave for India on July 4 to appraise the Indian leaders of proposed revisions to the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. He is expected to meet India's External Affairs Minister Salman Kurshid and National Security Advi
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Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa on June 30 announced that he will leave for India on July 4 to appraise the Indian leaders of proposed revisions to the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. He is expected to meet India's External Affairs Minister Salman Kurshid and National Security Advisor Shivashankar Menon to brief on the political situation including matters relating to the proposed amendments to the 13th Amendment.
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July - 1 
Minister of State Languages and National Integration Vasudeva Nanayakkara on July 1 announced that he would leave the Government if it takes steps to abolish the powers of the provincial council system, reports Colombo Page. He slammed the idea circulated by some other members of the Government that
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Minister of State Languages and National Integration Vasudeva Nanayakkara on July 1 announced that he would leave the Government if it takes steps to abolish the powers of the provincial council system, reports Colombo Page. He slammed the idea circulated by some other members of the Government that provincial councils are a "white elephant". He argued that the cabinet of 95 ministers was more a white elephant than provincial councils. He said that mere 7% of the cost of provincial councils is spent for maintaining them. The majority of the expenses of the provincial councils are for sectors like education and health which the Government will have to bear in case the provincial councils are abolished.
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July - 2 
Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) General Secretary, Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, on July 2 said that the Indo-Lanka Accord and the 13th Amendment to the Constitution are invalid, reports Colombo Page. The Minister noted that India had failed to disarm the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as a
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Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) General Secretary, Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, on July 2 said that the Indo-Lanka Accord and the 13th Amendment to the Constitution are invalid, reports Colombo Page. The Minister noted that India had failed to disarm the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as agreed in the Indo-Lanka Accord. He explained that India had pledged to disarm the LTTE in 72 hours after entering into the agreement but had failed to do. Therefore, he notes that the Sri Lankan Government should realize that the agreement is invalid.
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July - 6 
The July 7 issue of The Sunday Times quoted Senior Adviser to the President and Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa as saying, “Some things can be said openly and some things cannot be said openly in diplomatic business between governments. They [India] gave us some of their views, we expr
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The July 7 issue of The Sunday Times quoted Senior Adviser to the President and Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa as saying, “Some things can be said openly and some things cannot be said openly in diplomatic business between governments. They [India] gave us some of their views, we expressed our views. That is what usually happens. Not only between countries but there must be that sort of exchange of views even in a family, between husband and wife. Then a lot of problems will be sorted out. This was like that.” Basil Rajapaksa had visited India and July 5 met with India's External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid. During the meeting Khurshid has emphasized that the 13th Amendment should not be diluted and Sri Lanka should go beyond the amendment to ensure meaningful devolution of powers. The PSC, which was constituted in June 2013, presently has 19 members, all from the ruling coalition — United People’s Freedom Alliance — led by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party. The main opposition United National Party (UNP), led by Ranil Wikremesinghe, the TNA, as well as the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) which is in the ruling alliance and has been in favour of implementing the 13th Amendment in its original form, is not part of the PSC. Members of the PSC, meanwhile, held their first meeting on July 9, and would meet again on July 26.
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July - 7 
Leader of the Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP), Minster Douglas Devananda on July 7 said that at least 38 ministers are supportive of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, reports Colombo Page. He told that he has collected the signatures of 38 Government ministers expressing their support t
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Leader of the Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP), Minster Douglas Devananda on July 7 said that at least 38 ministers are supportive of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, reports Colombo Page. He told that he has collected the signatures of 38 Government ministers expressing their support to the 13th Amendment in its current form. He observed that the Government would not be able to get the required two-thirds majority in parliament to pass any amendments to the 13th Amendment. If the Government tries to dilute the 13th Amendment, we will oppose it. We want the full implementation of the 13th Amendment. According to him, the existing provincial council system was the best way to devolve powers to the provinces.
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July - 9 
Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister Professor G.L. Peiris on July 9 told Parliament the Indian government has informed Sri Lanka that according to revelations so far into the bomb attack in Bodhgaya (Bihar, India), the incident had no connection with Sri Lanka, according to Daily News. The minister
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Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister Professor G.L. Peiris on July 9 told Parliament the Indian government has informed Sri Lanka that according to revelations so far into the bomb attack in Bodhgaya (Bihar, India), the incident had no connection with Sri Lanka, according to Daily News. The minister made this observation in response to UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe’s statement that Parliament should make a request from the Indian Government through the External Affairs Ministry for a copy of the report on the Bodhgaya bomb attack compiled by the Indian Police. Further, a minor Tamil party, the Democratic People's Front (DPF), will contest provincial council election under the main opposition UNP, reports Colombo Page. DPF Leader Mano Ganeshan said that his party would contest the Central Provincial Council election under the UNP. The DPF will field candidates from the UNP in the Kandy and Matale Districts for the election.
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July - 9 
President Mahinda Rajapaksa, during a discussion with India’s National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon, in Colombo on July 9 said the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) is the best forum to reach a consensus on the implementation of the 13th Amendment, reports Daily News. It is a top priority o
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa, during a discussion with India’s National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon, in Colombo on July 9 said the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) is the best forum to reach a consensus on the implementation of the 13th Amendment, reports Daily News. It is a top priority of the government to reach a consensus on the 13th Amendment, President Rajapaksa said. The President agreed with Menon that the participation of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) in the PSC is important. The President also urged India to encourage the TNA to participate in the PSC and stated that the government is committed to taking the process forward despite any obstacles. President Rajapaksa explained to Menon the practical problems involved in devolving land and police powers to the provinces in a small country such as Sri Lanka -- and stressed that the structure that is implemented ‘should apply and be acceptable to all parts of the country.’ Shivshankar Menon, meanwhile, emphasised the need for Colombo to fulfil its commitment to India and the international community regarding a political settlement that would go beyond the 13th Amendment of the country’s Constitution, adds The Hindu. “We have made our views clear on how we would like to see much more positive and forward movement towards reconciliation and a political resolution of the various issues which have led to ethnic politics being so polarised and fragmented in Sri Lanka in the past. They told me their plans … and as friends and very close neighbours we exchanged opinions. It is our hope of course that they are successful in building a Sri Lanka in which every community feels at home, feels master of their own destiny and feels that they have strong stake in the success of society and country as a whole. And we will continue to work with all our friends in Sri Lanka to that end,” Menon said. Menon was in Colombo for two days – July 8 and 9.
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July - 14 
Frontline Socialist Party (FSP), a splinter party of main Marxist party Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), on July 14 announced that the party would not contest the upcoming provincial council elections. A communique issued by the FSP propaganda secretary Pubudu Jayagoda said the party will not contes
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Frontline Socialist Party (FSP), a splinter party of main Marxist party Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), on July 14 announced that the party would not contest the upcoming provincial council elections. A communique issued by the FSP propaganda secretary Pubudu Jayagoda said the party will not contest the provincial council elections since it is organizing the party for politics that exceed elections. The FSP said in the communique that the elections are held on a ground which is advantageous to the rulers. It pointed out that the rulers set the regulations and call the others to contest at a time convenient to them. FSP branded the upcoming election as a trap.
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July - 16 
Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva told Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka YK Sinha after the latter visited the minister recently that the Sri Lankan Government has opened doors and given equal opportunities for every political party to come up with their
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Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva told Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka YK Sinha after the latter visited the minister recently that the Sri Lankan Government has opened doors and given equal opportunities for every political party to come up with their suggestions and proposals at the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to create permanent ethnic harmony, Daily News reported on July 17. Minister Silva, who is the PSC chairman, said the Government has taken every step to bring the PSC to a fruitful end. He said even though the main Opposition and the TNA have not positively responded to the initiative, they will participate in the PSC since it has been established to look into the proposals and suggestions of political parties with regard to the 13th amendment to the constitution.
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July - 18 
Minister of External Affairs Professor G.L. Peiris told a visiting European Union (EU) delegation on July 18 that Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) front organizations continue to raise funds in foreign countries and therefore, sustained vigilance over such activities is necessary, reports Col
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Minister of External Affairs Professor G.L. Peiris told a visiting European Union (EU) delegation on July 18 that Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) front organizations continue to raise funds in foreign countries and therefore, sustained vigilance over such activities is necessary, reports Colombo Page. He reiterated this when he met the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with South Asia at the Ministry in Colombo.
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July - 19 
Economic Development Minister and Sri Lankan President's younger brother, Basil Rajapaksa on July 19 said that Sri Lanka cannot risk a provincial Government forming its own army through Police powers devolved to provinces under the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. Basil said Sri Lanka cannot affo
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Economic Development Minister and Sri Lankan President's younger brother, Basil Rajapaksa on July 19 said that Sri Lanka cannot risk a provincial Government forming its own army through Police powers devolved to provinces under the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. Basil said Sri Lanka cannot afford another war and there is no guarantee that a future Northern provincial Government would not do the same as what LTTE did. He also noted that the devolving Police powers would actually amount to going against the 13th Amendment which was created by the Indo-Lanka Accord in 1987 as only one mechanism should be there for law enforcement for the entire country and there cannot be separate mechanisms.
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July - 19 
Election Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya on July 19 (today) assured political party secretaries that foreign poll observers would be invited to observe the forthcoming Provincial Council (PC) election, but they would not be from countries that voted against Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council (
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Election Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya on July 19 (today) assured political party secretaries that foreign poll observers would be invited to observe the forthcoming Provincial Council (PC) election, but they would not be from countries that voted against Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in March 2013, reports Colombo Page. He said 22 observers have been invited from the Association of Asian Election Authority. However, the Commissioner's comment would mean that observers from Argentina, Austria, Benin, Brazil, Costa Rica, Estonia, Germany, Guatemala, Ireland, Italy, Peru, Monte Grave, Poland, Moldova, Rumania, Sierra Leone, Spain, South Korea, Switzerland and America, will not be invited as they had cast their votes against Sri Lanka at the UNHRC in Geneva last March. According to Deshapriya, monitors from India too will not be invited for the same
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July - 20 
Election Secretariat of Sri Lanka announced on July 20 that three international organizations will be invited to monitor the upcoming election of the three provincial councils. South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Commonwealth, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEA
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Election Secretariat of Sri Lanka announced on July 20 that three international organizations will be invited to monitor the upcoming election of the three provincial councils. South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Commonwealth, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are the three organizations that will be invited to monitor the polls for Northern, Central and North Western provincial councils.
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July - 21 
Sri Lanka Army on July 21 said it will not get involved in security activities in the North during the forthcoming provincial council elections, unless a request is made by the Police. Military Spokesman Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasuriya said the military will in no way be directly involved in civilian a
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Sri Lanka Army on July 21 said it will not get involved in security activities in the North during the forthcoming provincial council elections, unless a request is made by the Police. Military Spokesman Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasuriya said the military will in no way be directly involved in civilian activities, especially election activities, unless called upon to assist by the Police.
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July - 22 
The Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) on July 22 said that over 85,000 voters in the Northern Province do not have national identity (ID) cards, reports Colombo Page. CaFFE Executive Director, Keerthi Tennakoon said that out of the 85,000 persons in the North without ID cards, according t
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The Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) on July 22 said that over 85,000 voters in the Northern Province do not have national identity (ID) cards, reports Colombo Page. CaFFE Executive Director, Keerthi Tennakoon said that out of the 85,000 persons in the North without ID cards, according to the 2012 voter register, 45,000 were in the Jaffna District alone.
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July - 23 
The main opposition United National Party (UNP) on July 23 said that the country is on the path of militarization which has a bad effect on civil society, reports Colombo Page. UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake said that the sectors like sports and Foreign Service have severely affected by the
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The main opposition United National Party (UNP) on July 23 said that the country is on the path of militarization which has a bad effect on civil society, reports Colombo Page. UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake said that the sectors like sports and Foreign Service have severely affected by the militarization. He said that the appointment of retired and in-service military officials to the positions in sports administration has discouraged the people committed to sports. He also said that the Foreign Service has become less productive due to the lack of qualified professionals since retired military officials have been appointed instead of diplomats to overseas missions. A recent European Parliament delegation visiting Sri Lanka also expressed concern over deployment of military personnel for civil work, especially in the North, as it takes away the employment opportunities available for civilians and in long run will affect the economic revival in conflict affected areas.
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July - 24 
The Army spokesman Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasooriya on July 24 said that Army is planning to further reduce the number of troops it has stationed in the Jaffna peninsula, reports Colombo Page. The Army has taken a decision to move troops from 13 small military camps located in the Walikamam sector of J
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The Army spokesman Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasooriya on July 24 said that Army is planning to further reduce the number of troops it has stationed in the Jaffna peninsula, reports Colombo Page. The Army has taken a decision to move troops from 13 small military camps located in the Walikamam sector of Jaffna District to the Palaly Cantonment in northern edge of the peninsula. Tamil National Alliance (TNA) on July 12 had asked the Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya to reduce the military presence in northern Sri Lanka prior to the upcoming provincial council polls.
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July - 24 
Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) leader Somawansa Amarasinghe on July 24 said his party would abolish the provincial council system under a JVP Government and that it would restore the rights of all communities, reports Daily Mirror. He said that President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his Government has fai
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Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) leader Somawansa Amarasinghe on July 24 said his party would abolish the provincial council system under a JVP Government and that it would restore the rights of all communities, reports Daily Mirror. He said that President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his Government has failed miserably to find a political solution to the national question though they had ample time to resolve the matter.
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July - 26 
Minister Susil Premajayantha on July 26 (today) said that the proposed revisions to the 13th Amendment to the Constitution would not be possible before the forthcoming Provincial Council elections, reports Colombo Page. He also noted that the government has not taken any steps to dilute the 13th Ame
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Minister Susil Premajayantha on July 26 (today) said that the proposed revisions to the 13th Amendment to the Constitution would not be possible before the forthcoming Provincial Council elections, reports Colombo Page. He also noted that the government has not taken any steps to dilute the 13th Amendment as alleged by some elements.
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July - 29 
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian Suresh Premachandran on July 29 said it will not accept the proposed Presidential Commission to probe the disappeared during the period of the war, reports Colombo Page. Premachandran said, "Since the Government has deliberately failed to implement t
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The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian Suresh Premachandran on July 29 said it will not accept the proposed Presidential Commission to probe the disappeared during the period of the war, reports Colombo Page. Premachandran said, "Since the Government has deliberately failed to implement the LLRC recommendations over the past three years; they are now appointing commissions after commissions to show the world that they are implementing LLRC [Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission] recommendations. Although the Government can fool some, they cannot fool the Tamils or the International community."
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July - 30 
President Mahinda Rajapaksa on July 30 said his stance on the issue of distribution of Police and land powers to Provincial Councils has not changed and reiterated that the powers will remain with the Federal Government, reports Colombo Page. The President said Police and land powers were not implem
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa on July 30 said his stance on the issue of distribution of Police and land powers to Provincial Councils has not changed and reiterated that the powers will remain with the Federal Government, reports Colombo Page. The President said Police and land powers were not implemented since the introduction of the Provincial Council system to the country and he doesn't consider that the issue should be given special attention now.
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July - 31 
Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella on July 31 said that the 13th Amendment to the Constitution would not be completely abolished but will be changed to make it more meaningful, reports Colombo Page. He said "The 13th Amendment and Provincial Councils system were introduced to solve
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Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella on July 31 said that the 13th Amendment to the Constitution would not be completely abolished but will be changed to make it more meaningful, reports Colombo Page. He said "The 13th Amendment and Provincial Councils system were introduced to solve the conflict in the north, but that never happened." He further said some changes have been made to the 13th Amendment in order to make it more meaningful.
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August - 3 
Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe, Security Forces’ Commander of Jaffna rejected a claim made by the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) on the troop strength in the peninsula, Colombo Page reports on August 4. Major General Hathurusinghe, responding to the allegation by the TNA Spokesperson and Jaffna
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Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe, Security Forces’ Commander of Jaffna rejected a claim made by the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) on the troop strength in the peninsula, Colombo Page reports on August 4. Major General Hathurusinghe, responding to the allegation by the TNA Spokesperson and Jaffna District Parliamentarian, Suresh Premachandran, that 150,000 Security Forces are present in Jaffna, said even during the peak time of the war in 2008, there were only 43,000 security personnel in Jaffna. The troops have been gradually transferred out from Jaffna and at present there are only 13,150 security service personnel in Jaffna, the Commander said. According to the Jaffna Commander, 77 houses and 20 blocks of land have been given back to their original owners through the Jaffna District Secretary Office. He said that steps have been taken to hand over 90 percent of the private lands and houses occupied by the security forces in Jaffna to their legitimate owners. The Commander said that some owners living overseas have requested the Army not to vacate their properties while others have indicated that the security provided by the Army is needed to maintain peace. Premachandran had said, "Jaffna is only a part of the entire Northern Province, where one million people live. However, there are 150,000 Security Forces personnel present in Jaffna. But, the government says there are only 13,000 troops stationed in Jaffna."
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August - 3 
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) expressed disappointment over President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s stance on land and Police powers to provinces, Colombo Page reports on August 4. Leader of the TNA, R. Sampanthan, said that the President changes his stance on devolving Police and land powers from time to
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The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) expressed disappointment over President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s stance on land and Police powers to provinces, Colombo Page reports on August 4. Leader of the TNA, R. Sampanthan, said that the President changes his stance on devolving Police and land powers from time to time. Sampanthan said, "He (the President) does not seem to have any steady decision. The TNA is observing his comments and at the right time the Alliance will come out with the response to the President." The President Rajapaksa had earlier said that his stance on the issue of distribution of Police and land powers to provincial councils has not changed and reiterated that the powers will remain with the Government. The President said Police and land powers were not implemented since the introduction of the Provincial Council system to the country and he doesn't consider that the issue should be given special attention now ahead of the first ever provincial council election to the Northern Province Council (NPC).
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August - 5 
Minister Wimal Weerawansa said the TNA has an agenda to weaken the Central Government, Colombo Page reports on August 6. He said that TNA's Chief Ministerial candidate for the NPC, C.V. Vigneswaran, is in an agenda to weaken the Central Government at a future election. He further said that Vigneswar
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Minister Wimal Weerawansa said the TNA has an agenda to weaken the Central Government, Colombo Page reports on August 6. He said that TNA's Chief Ministerial candidate for the NPC, C.V. Vigneswaran, is in an agenda to weaken the Central Government at a future election. He further said that Vigneswaran would start to grab power when he becomes the Chief Minister and merge with the Eastern Provincial Council with the support of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress led by Minister Rauf Hakeem. Weerawansa was referring to R. Sampanthan’s statement where he had said, in response to the President Mahinda Rajapaksa's statement that the land and police powers will not be granted to the NPC, that it could be dealt with when they win the power of the NPC.
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August - 9 
General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and Minister Maithreepala Sirisena on August 9 made an announcement that the ruling alliance United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) will commence its campaign for the forthcoming provincial council elections on September 2 coinciding with the
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General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and Minister Maithreepala Sirisena on August 9 made an announcement that the ruling alliance United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) will commence its campaign for the forthcoming provincial council elections on September 2 coinciding with the 62nd anniversary of the UPFA's main constituent, SLFP, reports Colombo Page. Elections for the Northern, North Western and Central Provincial Councils will be held on September 21. President Mahinda Rajapaksa will launch the inaugural campaign with a rally at the Maliga Pitiya Ground in Kurunegala District of North Western Province.
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August - 9 
Tamil party Tamil National Alliance (TNA) on August 9 said that the party has planned to meet the officials of the United States Department of State to brief the U.S. officials on the forthcoming Northern Provincial Council election, reports Colombo Page. A delegation of TNA led by party leader R. S
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Tamil party Tamil National Alliance (TNA) on August 9 said that the party has planned to meet the officials of the United States Department of State to brief the U.S. officials on the forthcoming Northern Provincial Council election, reports Colombo Page. A delegation of TNA led by party leader R. Sampanthan and M.A. Sumanthiran is scheduled to leave for the United States on August 12.
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August - 16 
Army Commander Daya Ratnayake on August 16 said that Sri Lanka’s Security Forces (SFs) invented their own methods to fight against Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), reports Daily Mirror. He said that during the war there were ups and downs for the SFs. “We were required to adapt and remain ah
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Army Commander Daya Ratnayake on August 16 said that Sri Lanka’s Security Forces (SFs) invented their own methods to fight against Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), reports Daily Mirror. He said that during the war there were ups and downs for the SFs. “We were required to adapt and remain ahead of our enemy. We did adapt. We did think out of the box. We invented our own methods and we succeeded,” the Commander said.
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August - 19 
President Mahinda Rajapaksa on August 19 told his political rivals not to internationalize Sri Lanka's problems and instead look to settle them internally, reports Times of India. Rajapaksa said, "Some go to India and utter different things while others go to US and do same. People must engage with
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa on August 19 told his political rivals not to internationalize Sri Lanka's problems and instead look to settle them internally, reports Times of India. Rajapaksa said, "Some go to India and utter different things while others go to US and do same. People must engage with the government in order to look for solutions and not clash with it." He was referring to the visit to India by the main opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and a delegation of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) on a tour of the US.
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August - 26 
Military spokesman Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasooriya on August 26 said that several army camps in the Jaffna peninsula of Northern Province were closed down, further reducing the presence of troops in the area, reports Daily Mirror. He said “Approximately 30 acres of lands and 10 houses in Thenmarachc
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Military spokesman Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasooriya on August 26 said that several army camps in the Jaffna peninsula of Northern Province were closed down, further reducing the presence of troops in the area, reports Daily Mirror. He said “Approximately 30 acres of lands and 10 houses in Thenmarachchi area were handed over to the civil authorities for them to hand over the properties to the original owners. This will further reduce the presence of troops in the area as part of a larger program launched by the security forces to locate troops in main camps where possible.”
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August - 28 
Mass Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella on August 28 said that Sri Lanka did not encounter a single incident of terror after the defeat of the LTTE in May 2009, reports Colombo Page. Highlighting the post-war achievements, Rambukwella said during a short period of four years after t
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Mass Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella on August 28 said that Sri Lanka did not encounter a single incident of terror after the defeat of the LTTE in May 2009, reports Colombo Page. Highlighting the post-war achievements, Rambukwella said during a short period of four years after the war ended, 300,000 displaced persons have been resettled while another 12,000 have successfully been rehabilitated and integrated into society and a large number of Tamils have been given the opportunity to enlist with the SFs.
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August - 29 
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Member of Parliament (MP) Suresh Premachandran at the maiden election rally of the TNA for the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) poll held in Mannar District on August 29 said that Tamil people can begin talks on a federal solution only if 'we have weapons', reports Dai
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Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Member of Parliament (MP) Suresh Premachandran at the maiden election rally of the TNA for the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) poll held in Mannar District on August 29 said that Tamil people can begin talks on a federal solution only if 'we have weapons', reports Daily News. He added “We can talk going even beyond that. If we don't have weapons we will get nothing." TNA MP P. Ariyanendran addressing the gathering also said "The armed conflict was continued by leader Prabhakaran. But today, we live on without anything. It is your duty to vote for the TNA and ensure its victory to fight for Tamils' rights as well as to get what we want. Vote for us and we will be able to get what we require.”
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August - 30 
Unified Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (UCPN-M) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda speaking at a training programme for the officer bearers of the party in Kathmandu on August 30 revealed that his party had ties with Sri Lanka's Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam (LTTE), during the decade-long
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Unified Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (UCPN-M) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda speaking at a training programme for the officer bearers of the party in Kathmandu on August 30 revealed that his party had ties with Sri Lanka's Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam (LTTE), during the decade-long armed conflict in Nepal, reports The Himalayan Times. According to him, it was the first time that he was making public the ties between the LTTE and his party. Saying that the LTTE was also fighting for ethnic liberation, Dahal tried to justify the relationship with the LTTE. The insurgency in Nepal was a "movement for national liberation", he added. He further revealed that LTTE had also sought help from the Maoist side.
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August - 30 
United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay acknowledged the post-war progress when a meeting between the UN official and the President Mahinda Rajapaksa took place on August 30 at the Temple Trees in Colombo, reports Colombo Page. Pillay said "This is a visit long overdue, bu
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United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay acknowledged the post-war progress when a meeting between the UN official and the President Mahinda Rajapaksa took place on August 30 at the Temple Trees in Colombo, reports Colombo Page. Pillay said "This is a visit long overdue, but I felt that it's much better that I come so that I'll be in a position to report on the very many achievements that have been made. Firstly, it was very visible to me in the North how much you have invested in reconstruction." Discussing the implementation of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) recommendations, the High Commissioner said she was very pleased about the establishment of a commission to look into war-time disappearances.
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August - 31 
President Mahinda Rajapaksa in an exclusive interview with The Australian in his Colombo office on August 31 accused pro-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) networks of using money to bribe politicians in key Western nations, in order to get them to agitate against the Sri Lankan Government on H
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa in an exclusive interview with The Australian in his Colombo office on August 31 accused pro-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) networks of using money to bribe politicians in key Western nations, in order to get them to agitate against the Sri Lankan Government on Human Rights issues, reports Daily News. He also said that international networks sympathetic to the LTTE play a big role in the people-smuggling trade to Australia. He said "The LTTE (Tamil Tigers) sympathiser networks have been in this business for a long time. It was their big money-raiser. They are still doing it today." He described the leader of the LTTE, Prabrakaran, who died in the final conflict of 2009, as "a psychopath who took a delight in killing."
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September - 2 
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian Suresh Premachandran on September 2 said the Government should either apologize to the families of missing persons or accept that such crimes have happened and ensure that will not happen again in future, reports Colombo Page. Premachandran asked, “If th
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Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian Suresh Premachandran on September 2 said the Government should either apologize to the families of missing persons or accept that such crimes have happened and ensure that will not happen again in future, reports Colombo Page. Premachandran asked, “If the government is adamant that what they did was correct and is not willing to accept their mistakes, how can there be reconciliation in this country?" He explained that there are thousands of people still missing (or killed) and there could not be reconciliation without the truth being asserted.
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September - 3 
Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa delivering the Keynote Address as Guest of Honour at the third annual Defence Seminar 2013 in Colombo on September 3 said "Despite the success of the Welfare camps, despite the speed of resettlement, and despite the far-reaching nature of the rehabilitation and
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Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa delivering the Keynote Address as Guest of Honour at the third annual Defence Seminar 2013 in Colombo on September 3 said "Despite the success of the Welfare camps, despite the speed of resettlement, and despite the far-reaching nature of the rehabilitation and reintegration programme, it is not easy to ensure speedy reconciliation," reports Colombo Page. He further said that speedy national reconciliation is not easy since for a very long period of time, most of the people in the North and parts of the East of the country lived under the total dominance of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Over 300 participants, comprising 66 foreign delegates, ambassadors and defense attachés participated in the Defence Seminar - 2013 themed 'Post Conflict Sri Lanka; Challenges and Regional Stability'.
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September - 4 
President Mahinda Rajapaksa observed on September 4 that in the present era, the country is witnessing a revival of religious activity among all faiths following the end of the 30 year long conflict, reports Daily News. He stressed that his Government at all times was committed to protect the rights
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa observed on September 4 that in the present era, the country is witnessing a revival of religious activity among all faiths following the end of the 30 year long conflict, reports Daily News. He stressed that his Government at all times was committed to protect the rights of all religions in the country and also treat them on an equal footing.
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September - 8 
Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa addressing a rally in Jaffna city of Jaffna District on September 8 said that the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) is trying to mislead the people in the Northern Province, reports Colombo Page. He said the TNA has prepared a manifesto to satisfy the expect
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Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa addressing a rally in Jaffna city of Jaffna District on September 8 said that the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) is trying to mislead the people in the Northern Province, reports Colombo Page. He said the TNA has prepared a manifesto to satisfy the expectations of the Diaspora to pave a path for another chaotic situation in the country. Speaking of military, Minister Rajapaksa further said that it is the President who holds the power to reduce the presence of security forces in the North and the Chief Minister of the Northern Province does not wield such an authority as the TNA has claimed.
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September - 8 
The Commissioner General of Rehabilitation, Major General Jagath Wijethilake in Colombo on September 8 said that 107 former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres who have successfully completed the rehabilitation program at the Maradamadu and Poonthottam rehabilitation centers in Vavuniya D
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The Commissioner General of Rehabilitation, Major General Jagath Wijethilake in Colombo on September 8 said that 107 former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres who have successfully completed the rehabilitation program at the Maradamadu and Poonthottam rehabilitation centers in Vavuniya District will be released September 9 (today), reports Colombo Page. When the three-decade long war with the Tamil Tiger terrorists ended in May 2009, around 11,800 ex-LTTE cadres surrendered to the Security Forces (SFs). The former LTTE cadres undergoing rehabilitation receive vocational training during their rehabilitation program to learn skills that could find them employment once they are reintegrated into the society. The Government has introduced a scheme through a State Bank to provide loans up to a maximum of Rs.250, 000 to the 10,375 rehabilitated cadres for self-employment purposes.
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September - 9 
Sri Lanka Lawyers' Guild on September 9 said that they will file a case in the Supreme Court against the election manifesto of the TNA, reports Colombo Page. Kapila Gamage, the convener of the Sri Lanka Lawyers' Guild said the TNA manifesto was against the Constitution of the country. He said that t
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Sri Lanka Lawyers' Guild on September 9 said that they will file a case in the Supreme Court against the election manifesto of the TNA, reports Colombo Page. Kapila Gamage, the convener of the Sri Lanka Lawyers' Guild said the TNA manifesto was against the Constitution of the country. He said that the proclamation of self-rule in the manifesto is a violation of the Sri Lanka Constitution. He reminded that it is compulsory for any elected member of an election to any institution to take oaths confirming that he or she will safeguard the constitution of the country.
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September - 10 
Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) General Secretary Tilvin Silva on September 10 (today) said that the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) with its election manifesto has not addressed the issues faced by the Tamil people, but has instead provided the Mahinda Rajapaksa government another topic to be used du
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Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) General Secretary Tilvin Silva on September 10 (today) said that the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) with its election manifesto has not addressed the issues faced by the Tamil people, but has instead provided the Mahinda Rajapaksa government another topic to be used during its election campaign, reports Colombo Page. The JVP General Secretary added, "We believe the present government uses communalism, encourages it and sponsors groups that spread communalism and religious differences to maintain its power and undermine the opposition. We therefore don't believe that the present government would or could ever solve the national question. Also, the TNA's attempt doesn't also do anything to solve the national question but instead strengthens communalism and helps the government to take advantage to use its communalism."
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September - 10 
Youth Affairs and Skills Development Minister Dullas Alahapperuma on September 10 said that the manifesto of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) is a ‘cyanide capsule’ to innocent Tamil youth freed by the present leadership of the country, reports Daily News. “The manifesto of the Tamil National Allia
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Youth Affairs and Skills Development Minister Dullas Alahapperuma on September 10 said that the manifesto of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) is a ‘cyanide capsule’ to innocent Tamil youth freed by the present leadership of the country, reports Daily News. “The manifesto of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) is a cyanide capsule that is given once more to the innocent Tamil youth who were freed by the present leadership of the country,” he stated. He claimed that it is a strategic document that is designed to prevent Tamil and Sinhalese communities forging cordial relations in the aftermath of the defeat of terrorism that kept the two communities away from each other for three decades. The minister also said one should not forget that though the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is eliminated from Sri Lankan soil, the separatist ideology still lurks outside the country.
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September - 11 
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian M.A. Sumanthiran on September 11 said that the party's election manifesto for the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) election is prepared to uphold the right of self-determination of the Tamils in the country, reports Colombo Page. He said "The manifesto
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Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian M.A. Sumanthiran on September 11 said that the party's election manifesto for the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) election is prepared to uphold the right of self-determination of the Tamils in the country, reports Colombo Page. He said "The manifesto emphasizes the political aspirations of the Tamils, while upholding the integrity of the country. The manifesto does not contain anything new and they are the outcome of the past political struggle of the Tamils in the country.” He explained that the TNA's manifesto highlighted the party's political aspirations within the framework of the Constitution of the country. He added that nothing has been mentioned about the division of the country or anything against the Constitution of the country.
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September - 12 
Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that the United States had given its fullest support to destroy LTTE’s floating armouries in the deep sea between 2006 and 2008, reports Daily Mirror on September 13 (today). Rajapaksa said "Between 2006 and 2008 we destroyed 12 of these floating armouries.
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Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that the United States had given its fullest support to destroy LTTE’s floating armouries in the deep sea between 2006 and 2008, reports Daily Mirror on September 13 (today). Rajapaksa said "Between 2006 and 2008 we destroyed 12 of these floating armouries. The Americans were very, very helpful. Most of the locations of these ships were given to us by the American."
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September - 12 
The Government on September 12 said that it cannot accept the election manifesto of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) for the Northern Provincial Council (NPC), reports Colombo Page. In its election manifesto, the TNA, once considered as a proxy for the terrorist group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eel
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The Government on September 12 said that it cannot accept the election manifesto of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) for the Northern Provincial Council (NPC), reports Colombo Page. In its election manifesto, the TNA, once considered as a proxy for the terrorist group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) during the war, has called for establishing power sharing arrangements in a unit of a merged Northern and Eastern Provinces based on a Federal structure.
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September - 13 
leader of the Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP) and Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Minister, Douglas Devananda on September 13 (today) said that the TNA has betrayed the people in the North to the dollars, euros and pounds of the Diaspora, reports Colombo Page. The Mini
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leader of the Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP) and Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Minister, Douglas Devananda on September 13 (today) said that the TNA has betrayed the people in the North to the dollars, euros and pounds of the Diaspora, reports Colombo Page. The Minister noted that a majority of the TNA leaders visit the North only during election time. He added that these leaders would return to their luxurious homes in Colombo once the election is concluded. According to Devananda, the TNA leaders travelled around the world with fabricated stories in order to earn dollars and sterling pounds for their own benefit.
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September - 15 
Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa on September 15 said that the TNA is attempting to push Tamils in the North to vote for the by spreading racism and separatism, reports Daily Mirror. The Minister said that it is crystal clear with the TNA manifesto that it is playing the racist card to
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Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa on September 15 said that the TNA is attempting to push Tamils in the North to vote for the by spreading racism and separatism, reports Daily Mirror. The Minister said that it is crystal clear with the TNA manifesto that it is playing the racist card to win the Northern Provincial Council election. He said that the pledges made by the TNA in their election manifesto could not be fulfilled through a Provincial Council administration. Hence, the Minister said, the TNA is only playing the racist card to mislead the Northern voters.
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September - 15 
President Mahinda Rajapaksa on September 15 appealed to the people in the North not to get misled by the false propaganda of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), reports Colombo Page. The President pointed out that the TNA is misleading the people by promising self-Government and independence but not
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa on September 15 appealed to the people in the North not to get misled by the false propaganda of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), reports Colombo Page. The President pointed out that the TNA is misleading the people by promising self-Government and independence but not in a position to uplift the people's lives or provide the basic facilities they need. He noted that the Presidential, Parliamentary and Pradeshiya Sabha elections were held and democracy has been established in the region following the war. Holding an election in the north that was subjugated to terrorism for 30 years is a great accomplishment he added.
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September - 15 
TNA on September 15 rejected the allegation that its election manifesto demanded a separate state of Tamil Eelam, reports Colombo Page. The leader of the TNA, R. Sampanthan said "We have never asked to divide the country. We have very clearly said, without any attempts to hide, that a solution shoul
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TNA on September 15 rejected the allegation that its election manifesto demanded a separate state of Tamil Eelam, reports Colombo Page. The leader of the TNA, R. Sampanthan said "We have never asked to divide the country. We have very clearly said, without any attempts to hide, that a solution should be found within the country." He further said the party will ask for whatever necessary to find a solution and the party is ready to discuss and negotiate with the Government in future to achieve such a solution.
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September - 16 
Commander of the Army in the Jaffna peninsula, Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe said there was a possibility of about 4,000 former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE) combatants, who are still at large regrouping, with the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) glorifying the slain LTTE leader Velupill
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Commander of the Army in the Jaffna peninsula, Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe said there was a possibility of about 4,000 former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE) combatants, who are still at large regrouping, with the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) glorifying the slain LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran in its campaign for the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) elections, reports Daily News on September 17 (today).
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September - 16 
President Mahinda Rajapaksa in an interview said that he will not allow any country to act against the interests of India from Sri Lankan soil, reports Daily Mirror on September 17 (today). Rajapaksa made the comment after ascertaining New Delhi's concern about China's presence in Sri Lanka. When as
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa in an interview said that he will not allow any country to act against the interests of India from Sri Lankan soil, reports Daily Mirror on September 17 (today). Rajapaksa made the comment after ascertaining New Delhi's concern about China's presence in Sri Lanka. When asked about the deteriorating ties between the two countries due to coalition pressures on New Delhi from partners in Tamil Nadu, he conveyed his worries about "the message of separatism" still emanating from Tamil Nadu. He tried to empathise with the Indian government and said that he understood the compulsions of Indian politicians and was ready to them a "wide margin".
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September - 18 
Claiming that the election manifesto of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) had stronger demands than the Wadukkodai Resolution and was harmful for the country, former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) arms procurer Kumaran Pathmanathan alias KP on September 18 accused the TNA of obstructing the
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Claiming that the election manifesto of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) had stronger demands than the Wadukkodai Resolution and was harmful for the country, former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) arms procurer Kumaran Pathmanathan alias KP on September 18 accused the TNA of obstructing the immediate release of most of the LTTE suspects in custody, reports Daily Mirror. Pathmanathan told a packed media conference held at the Sencholai Children’s Home in Kilinochchi District “They (TNA) demand of the authorities not to release those senior ex-LTTE members in government custody fearing they would not be able to engage in politics openly.” Pathmanthan also accused the TNA Chief Ministerial candidate for the Northern Provincial Council elections C.V. Wigneswaran of giving maximum punishment to LTTE suspects who were found guilty, while he was the presiding judge.
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September - 19 
The Chief Ministerial candidate of TNA former Supreme Court judge C. V. Wigneswaran compared a national hero to the slain LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, reports Colombo Page on September 20. "Prabhakaran was a freedom fighter. He may have been brutal, but so is the government," he has said in a
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The Chief Ministerial candidate of TNA former Supreme Court judge C. V. Wigneswaran compared a national hero to the slain LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, reports Colombo Page on September 20. "Prabhakaran was a freedom fighter. He may have been brutal, but so is the government," he has said in an exclusive interview to Times of India when asked about the allegations that he has glorified the LTTE and its leader as a 'Maveeran' in his election campaign.
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September - 19 
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on September 19 said “The forthcoming provincial elections in Sri Lanka, especially in the Northern Province are an important opportunity for reconciliation in the country”, reports Colombo Page. The Secretary-General welcomed the provincial elections, wh
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United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on September 19 said “The forthcoming provincial elections in Sri Lanka, especially in the Northern Province are an important opportunity for reconciliation in the country”, reports Colombo Page. The Secretary-General welcomed the provincial elections, which are scheduled for 21 September, particularly in the Northern Province, which has not had provincial elections since 1987. He also called on all parties "to participate peacefully in the elections and to work together in the period following the elections to address the national and post-war agenda constructively and collaboratively."
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September - 21 
After the voting ended the Election Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya on September 21 said the provincial council elections held for the Northern, Central and North Western provinces are by and large free and fair except for some minor incidents, reports Colombo Page. Over 60 percent of registered vot
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After the voting ended the Election Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya on September 21 said the provincial council elections held for the Northern, Central and North Western provinces are by and large free and fair except for some minor incidents, reports Colombo Page. Over 60 percent of registered voters have cast their ballots in the Central and Northern Provinces while in North Western Province voter turnout was 55 percent.
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September - 21 
The Government on September 21 said the Chief Ministerial candidate of the TNA violated election rules on the eve of election by engaging in election propaganda, reports Colombo Page. The government charged the Chief Ministerial candidate, former Supreme Court Judge C.V Vigneswaran has given an inte
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The Government on September 21 said the Chief Ministerial candidate of the TNA violated election rules on the eve of election by engaging in election propaganda, reports Colombo Page. The government charged the Chief Ministerial candidate, former Supreme Court Judge C.V Vigneswaran has given an interview for about one hour to the Tamil TV Channel "Thanthi" on September 20 and has indulged in his election propaganda activities making extremist views to mislead the Tamil people.
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September - 22 
Addressing a media briefing in Jaffna District following the party's landslide victory, the TNA leader R. Sampanthan on September 22 said that his party is ready to assist the Government to fully implement the 13th Amendment to the Constitution and is ready to participate in the Parliament Select Co
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Addressing a media briefing in Jaffna District following the party's landslide victory, the TNA leader R. Sampanthan on September 22 said that his party is ready to assist the Government to fully implement the 13th Amendment to the Constitution and is ready to participate in the Parliament Select Committee (PSC) appointed to resolve the national issue if the Government agrees to a meaningful measure to devolve power, reports Colombo Page.
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September - 22 
President Mahinda Rajapaksa on September 22 said that holding an election to provide the people in the North, who were under terrorist control for three decades, the right to elect their own administration is a victory for the Government, reports Colombo Page. He said the provincial council election
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa on September 22 said that holding an election to provide the people in the North, who were under terrorist control for three decades, the right to elect their own administration is a victory for the Government, reports Colombo Page. He said the provincial council election held on September 21 is a unique event that strengthened Sri Lanka's political democracy. Pointing out that the political parties in the North that were under terrorist control for so long are now enjoying freedom and happiness thanks to the thousands of youth in the Security Forces (SFs) who sacrificed their lives to obtain that freedom, the President said those heroes should be remembered at this moment for establishing a lasting peace in the country.
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September - 26 
Supreme Court in a ruling on September 26 stated that the land powers in Sri Lanka were vested with the Central Government and not with the Provincial Councils (PCs), reports Colombo Page. Despite the three-judge bench delivering independent decisions on the case, the bench agreed that according to
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Supreme Court in a ruling on September 26 stated that the land powers in Sri Lanka were vested with the Central Government and not with the Provincial Councils (PCs), reports Colombo Page. Despite the three-judge bench delivering independent decisions on the case, the bench agreed that according to the 13th Amendment the land powers were vested with the Central Government. A three-member Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice Mohan Peiris, Justice Eva Wanasundera and Justice Sri Pavan gave the ruling when an appeal filed by the Minister of Plantation Industries was taken up.
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September - 27 
Campaign for a Free and Fair Election (CaFFE), the local election monitoring group issued a statement saying that "frequency and gravity" of post-election violence have increased in the last few days, reports Colombo Page on September 28 (today). The monitoring group said that the highest number of
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Campaign for a Free and Fair Election (CaFFE), the local election monitoring group issued a statement saying that "frequency and gravity" of post-election violence have increased in the last few days, reports Colombo Page on September 28 (today). The monitoring group said that the highest number of incidents have been recorded from the Kurunegala District in North Western Province. According to CaFFE five incidents have been reported from the Kurunegala District of which four incidents involved supporters of governing party members Dayasiri Jayasekara and Johan Fernando. CaFFE said there were reports of intimidation and violence against Jayasekara's supporters from Fernando's supporters in several areas. The election monitors called on the law enforcement authorities and leaders of political parties to take the necessary steps to prevent the incidents of violence.
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September - 29 
Chief Minister- elect of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), C.V. Vigneswaran on September 29 said that it plans to hold discussions with the Government to obtain the land and Police powers rightfully given to the provinces in the Constitution, reports Colombo Page. Vigneswaran further said that the
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Chief Minister- elect of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), C.V. Vigneswaran on September 29 said that it plans to hold discussions with the Government to obtain the land and Police powers rightfully given to the provinces in the Constitution, reports Colombo Page. Vigneswaran further said that the party will demand the Government to immediately remove the military from the lands that belonged to the Tamil people and are currently occupied by the military. He said the party will find solutions to the grievances of the thousands of the Tamil people displaced from their lands and homes as well as to find answers to the missing and disappeared.
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September - 30 
External Affairs Ministry Secretary Karunathilaka Amunugam on September 30 said that most recommendations in the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) report have been implemented, reports Colombo Page. However, he has observed that there are some shortcomings in the process, which the
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External Affairs Ministry Secretary Karunathilaka Amunugam on September 30 said that most recommendations in the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) report have been implemented, reports Colombo Page. However, he has observed that there are some shortcomings in the process, which the Government will address in the future. He added that the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanetham Pillay cannot issue a deadline to the Sri Lankan Government on the implementation the LLRC recommendations. On September 25 Navanetham Pillay asked the Government to engage in a credible national process with tangible results, including the successful prosecution of individual perpetrators.
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September - 30 
President Mahinda Rajapaksa in an interview to Al-Jazeera said that there will be no withdrawal of the army from the north, reports The Hindu on October 1. Explaining his position, the President asked “Then, if the other Provincial Councils also asked me to withdraw their army camps all over the cou
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa in an interview to Al-Jazeera said that there will be no withdrawal of the army from the north, reports The Hindu on October 1. Explaining his position, the President asked “Then, if the other Provincial Councils also asked me to withdraw their army camps all over the country where can I have the army?” The statement has raised concerns about the Government’s intention as regards its demilitarization. Ever since the ethnic war ended in 2009, different sections in the country have repeatedly raised issues of heavy militarization in the north and east and the interference of the army in civil matters. The Government’s argument against demilitarization is often centered on the question “Where is the space for accommodating the troops?”
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October - 2 
Meanwhile, Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP), a Tamil ally of the governing party on October 2 called on the Government to allocate powers meant for the Northern Provincial Council (NPC), reports Colombo Page. EPDP said the Government should assign powers meant for the NPC without heeding to ra
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Meanwhile, Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP), a Tamil ally of the governing party on October 2 called on the Government to allocate powers meant for the Northern Provincial Council (NPC), reports Colombo Page. EPDP said the Government should assign powers meant for the NPC without heeding to racial and religious extremists. EPDP organizer for Vadamarachchi in Jaffna District A. Sri Rangeswaran warned that the people in the North would commence a protest campaign if the Government fails to vest the rightful powers of the NPC with the Council. He has said there have been many sacrifices and losses on the part of the people in the North to finally achieve the power in the NPC. According to Rangeswaran, separatists in the South are propagating communal and religious disharmony through various forms of propaganda to achieve their political agenda.
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October - 4 
Meanwhile, Lord Rogan of the United Kingdom, a Member of the House of Lords while meeting President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees in Colombo on October 4 said “The military presence in the North is substantially less than what has been often portrayed," reports Daily News. Hev said "During my vi
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Meanwhile, Lord Rogan of the United Kingdom, a Member of the House of Lords while meeting President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees in Colombo on October 4 said “The military presence in the North is substantially less than what has been often portrayed," reports Daily News. Hev said "During my visit to all parts of the country, North, East, South, and West I was able to speak freely and openly with Ministers, Government officials, religious leaders, and most importantly ordinary citizens from all sections and walks of life. What struck me particularly was that the military presence in the North was substantially less than what has been often portrayed."
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October - 5 
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Member of Parliament (MP) Mavai S. Senathiraja from Jaffna District in an interview to The Hindu on October 6 said that the first priority for the new Government should be to ensure that lands destroyed in the war be reclaimed and livelihood programmes for the people in
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Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Member of Parliament (MP) Mavai S. Senathiraja from Jaffna District in an interview to The Hindu on October 6 said that the first priority for the new Government should be to ensure that lands destroyed in the war be reclaimed and livelihood programmes for the people introduced, reports The Hindu. He said the international community has to put pressure on the Sri Lankan Government to rebuild the devastated areas. The second priority should be to pass laws to bring in money for the development of provincial councils. The local bodies, at present, were unable to access necessary funds for development, he said. The third thing, Mr. Senathiraja said, should be to give the people the right to self-rule, for which India’s support was necessary.
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October - 6 
Meanwhile, extremist Buddhist monk Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero, the leader of the Sinhala Buddhist Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) militant movement on October 6 said that a crusade would be launched in Sri Lanka, reports Colombo Page. Addressing a meeting of the movement held in Anuradhapura District, the
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Meanwhile, extremist Buddhist monk Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero, the leader of the Sinhala Buddhist Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) militant movement on October 6 said that a crusade would be launched in Sri Lanka, reports Colombo Page. Addressing a meeting of the movement held in Anuradhapura District, the Buddhist monk blamed the Government for allowing the TNA to engage in politics. Introducing TNA as the political front of the militarily defeated rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Gnanasara Thero said the Government should be responsible for the consequences of TNA coming to power in the NPC.
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October - 8 
Meanwhile, the visiting Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid during his visit to Jaffna District on October 8 said "India remains committed to uplifting the lives of the people of the Northern Province through its efforts to restore the social, educational, economic and cultural infrastr
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Meanwhile, the visiting Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid during his visit to Jaffna District on October 8 said "India remains committed to uplifting the lives of the people of the Northern Province through its efforts to restore the social, educational, economic and cultural infrastructure, which were devastated by the armed conflict", reports Colombo Page. He said India's assistance to Sri Lanka with a timely and phased approach has taken into account the ground situation and the immediate needs of the people at any given time. He further said the Housing Project in Sri Lanka is the largest grant assistance project undertaken by the Government of India in any part of the world. The project has completed 1,000 houses under the Pilot Phase and nearly 16,000 houses are under various stages of construction in the 2nd Phase of the project. The Minister said the target of completion of all 50,000 houses will be reached before the end of 2015.
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October - 8 
President Mahinda Rajapaksa expressing his view to Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid when the latter called on him at President’s House in Colombo on October 8 said Parliament is the best forum to address the issue of implementation of the 13th Amendment, reports Daily News. He added
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa expressing his view to Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid when the latter called on him at President’s House in Colombo on October 8 said Parliament is the best forum to address the issue of implementation of the 13th Amendment, reports Daily News. He added that Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) members should engage in dialogue and come up with a solution that is in line with ‘what the people want’. A number of issues of mutual interest were discussed during the meeting with the underlying objective of developing strategies for the two countries to coordinate more closely towards further strengthening relations.
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October - 13 
Former Member of Parliament (MP) M. K. Shivajilingam of Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization (TELO), one of the constituent parties of Tamil National Alliance (TNA) on October 13 said that although the TNA is an alliance of five parties, the party is controlled by the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITA
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Former Member of Parliament (MP) M. K. Shivajilingam of Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization (TELO), one of the constituent parties of Tamil National Alliance (TNA) on October 13 said that although the TNA is an alliance of five parties, the party is controlled by the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK), reports Colombo Page. As a result, the members of three constituent parties boycotted the October 11's swearing-in ceremony of the members elected from the TNA to the Northern Provincial Council. Nine members of Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front (EPRLF), TELO and Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) boycotted the swearing-in ceremony held at the Weerasingham Hall in Jaffna District under the patronage of Chief Minister C.V. Vigneswaran. The dissident MPs to the Northern Provincial Council have decided to hold their own swearing-in ceremony on October 14 (today) in Mullaitivu District.
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October - 15 
Mohammad Muzammil, spokesperson of National Freedom Front (NFF), an ally of the governing party United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) on October 15 said that the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has established a provincial council in the North based on a separatist agenda, reports Colombo Page. Muza
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Mohammad Muzammil, spokesperson of National Freedom Front (NFF), an ally of the governing party United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) on October 15 said that the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has established a provincial council in the North based on a separatist agenda, reports Colombo Page. Muzammil told that the TNA was continuing with the agenda of forming an Eelam through a new programme. He noted that the TNA's victory at the Northern Provincial Council will be used to push the separatist agenda once again. According to Muzammil, new Northern Chief Minister C.V. Vigneswaran's comments indicated that the Northern Province would join with the Eastern Province as the first step in forming the Eelam. He added that the TNA was using its manufactured internal battles to carry out its agenda.
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October - 18 
The Military on October 18 strongly denied the allegations made by a right group that its troops are responsible for insecurity experienced by the women in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, reports Colombo Page. Army spokesman Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasooriya speaking to media said "In a majority of
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The Military on October 18 strongly denied the allegations made by a right group that its troops are responsible for insecurity experienced by the women in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, reports Colombo Page. Army spokesman Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasooriya speaking to media said "In a majority of cases, the perpetrators had been close relatives or neighbors of the victim and had been of Tamil ethnicity," the spokesman told media. The spokesman vehemently denied a recent report released by the London-based Minority Rights Group (MRG) that the militarization of the north and east from 2009 has contributed to continued insecurity for minority women. The MRG recently released a report titled "Living with insecurity: Marginalization and sexual violence against women in north and east Sri Lanka". In its report the group says that Tamil and Muslim women in the North and East of Sri Lanka are increasingly marginalized and face chronic insecurity due to presence of security forces and government actions.
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October - 22 
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) R. Sampanthan speaking to the reporters following a meeting with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders in Chennai, Tamil Nadu (India) on October 22 said that the Central Indian Government should listen to the sentiments of Tamil Nadu political leaders over India's partic
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Tamil National Alliance (TNA) R. Sampanthan speaking to the reporters following a meeting with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders in Chennai, Tamil Nadu (India) on October 22 said that the Central Indian Government should listen to the sentiments of Tamil Nadu political leaders over India's participation in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Sri Lanka next month, reports Colombo Page. He said that he doesn't think the participation of Indian leaders in the summit would help the Tamil cause despite his party's divided opinion on the issue. Many Tamil Nadu political parties and even Tamil leaders in the Congress have urged the Indian Prime Minister to boycott the Commonwealth meeting in Colombo.
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October - 24 
The United Nations (UN) on October 24 commended the Sri Lankan Government's post-war development saying that the Government has set an example to other countries with the impressive progress made in resettlement, reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts, reports Colombo Page. UN Resident and Humani
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The United Nations (UN) on October 24 commended the Sri Lankan Government's post-war development saying that the Government has set an example to other countries with the impressive progress made in resettlement, reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts, reports Colombo Page. UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative Subinay Nandy said the infrastructure development is also progressing successfully at present. He said "The relationship between these achievements and reconstruction efforts and the genuine drive to achieve reconciliation must be carefully nurtured by creating suitable conditions and resolute political commitment to enforce policies that respect and protect minority rights, and encourage dialogue, peace and reconciliation."
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October - 26 
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) on October 26 decided to boycott the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) to be held in Colombo from November 15 to 17, reports Colombo Page. Mavai Senathirajah, a senior TNA legislator said "We will not take part in CHOGM. But our staying away does not mean
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Tamil National Alliance (TNA) on October 26 decided to boycott the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) to be held in Colombo from November 15 to 17, reports Colombo Page. Mavai Senathirajah, a senior TNA legislator said "We will not take part in CHOGM. But our staying away does not mean we are protesting against the participating nations. We will be eager to meet them."
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October - 29 
Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma issuing the report of the Commonwealth Observer Mission to Northern Provincial Council Elections (NPC), held on September 21, 2013, described the election as an historic election for Sri Lanka and found the conduct of Election Day itself to be impressiv
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Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma issuing the report of the Commonwealth Observer Mission to Northern Provincial Council Elections (NPC), held on September 21, 2013, described the election as an historic election for Sri Lanka and found the conduct of Election Day itself to be impressive, Colombo Page reported on October 30. "Voters turned out in large numbers to exercise their franchise, and electoral officials conducted polling with dedication and diligence," he said. "The post-results environment was also peaceful and for this, we commend the leadership of participating political parties," Sharma said in a statement released by the Commonwealth Secretariat on October 29.
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October - 29 
President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the 23rd convocation ceremony of the Sri John Kothalawala Defence University (KDU) in Colombo on October 29 stressed that the demands for removal of army camps from the North made by some elements will never be a reality, reports Colombo Page. Rajapaksa said "T
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the 23rd convocation ceremony of the Sri John Kothalawala Defence University (KDU) in Colombo on October 29 stressed that the demands for removal of army camps from the North made by some elements will never be a reality, reports Colombo Page. Rajapaksa said "There are demands that we remove the troops from the north. This is not a practical thing to do and it will not be done." The President, pointing out that the Government has implemented a massive development drive throughout the island as a measure to eliminate all root causes of terrorism, requested the peace loving public to support the Government to defeat the conspiring elements at the very outset.
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