4 Monday 26th June, 2006 Overseas... From page 1 Some of the applications for passports are sent with War unavoidable if Norway suspends incomplete data or without the necessary documents for processing the applications thereby causing delays and severe inconvenience to Sri Lankans. Even the fees charged from the Sri Lankans are monitoring function - Thamilchelvan sometimes incorrect. There are instances of Sri Lankan missions charging fees in excess of that stipulated by the TamilNet, June 25 - The a mission coordinated, facilitat- Thamilchelvan said. Thamilchelvan said. Government of Sri Controller of Immigration and Emigration, sources said. Liberation Tigers Political Head ed and led by the Royal Asked if LTTE had conveyed "Today, they have Lanka (GoSL) that can Incomplete applications sent for a number of purpos- S.P.Thamilchelvan, when asked Norwegian Government. the consequences of SLMM again changed their lead towards peace. es like the application of dual citizenship, birth registration what LTTE's reaction would be, The LTTE Political Head said composition prior to the EU stand. The Sri Therefore, the of children born to expatriate Sri Lankans being sent in if Norway, on 29 June, chose to that the transition period of six ban, he said that the LTTE had Lankan government Government of Sri without the required supporting documents or establish- suspend the monitoring role, months to replace the monitors repeatedly conveyed their reser- is now saying Norway Lanka and not the ing the Sri Lankan identity of the parent/parents are some responded that such a decision from EU Member States, as ini- vations in advance to the cannot go ahead with LTTE that needed to of the faults found by the Controller of Immigration and would signal an end to the tially suggested by Norway, was Norwegian facilitators. "The EU the changes in the change first, the LTTE Emigration. already fragile ceasefire and too long considering LTTE's countries were well aware that composition of the SLMM," Mr. Political Head said. The Commissioner has therefore proposed that plunge the island into war. Mr. desire to sustain an "absolute LTTE will not welcome mem- Thamilchelvan said adding that "When the Southern polity some of his experienced officers be attached to the mis- Thamilchelvan further said that neutral" composition of the bers of EU as part of the SLMM the LTTE observed with recognizes the concept of home- sions abroad where a large number of applications from the Tigers responding to the SLMM. after the ban," Thamilchelvan patience and tolerance when Sri land and is prepared to recog- expatriates is received to avoid the delays in processing questions posed by the facilita- However, the Tigers have said. Lankan Government wanted to nize the sovereign rights of our their applications for travel documents or birth certifi- tor Norway, had replied that agreed that they were prepared Colombo has been changing change a previous SLMM head. people, allowing us to chart our cates, sources said. they were fully prepared to con- to extend their initial sugges- their stand every day after they "Recognition of the concept own political destiny, just peace tinue providing diplomatic tion of one month transition responded with "affirmative" of Tamil Homeland is a pre-req- will prevail and the whole immunity to the Sri Lanka period, taking into account the answer to all five questions uisite for any successful engage- island would benefit," Mr. Monitoring Mission (SLMM) as practical difficulties, Mr. posed by Norway, Mr. ment between the LTTE and the Thamilchelvan said. Compiled by Dasun Edirisinghe Forecast for today A few showers will be experienced in the Concern over Western, central and Sabaragamuwa Norway-LTTE bid to change provinces and in the Galle and Matara dis- private sector tricts. monitors violates agreement: SL working hours Forecast for main cities hindustantimes.com, June 24 - The bership of the monitors because it was countries in Oslo on June 29, to discuss by Dasun Edirisinghe Sri Lankan government has said that the these two entities, which had signed the the LTTE's demand that monitors from The government is concerned about bid by the Norwegian government and agreement. the European Union (EU) countries changing working hours of the private the LTTE to change the members of the The Norwegian government and the should be replaced by personnel from sector along with the government sector Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) is LTTE cannot change the character of the non-EU countries following the EU's pro- as an answer to the new train times against the Status of Mission Agreement SLMM on their own because that will vio- scription of the LTTE. schedule. Labour Minister Athauda (SOMA), which set up the SLMM in late SOMA. "Any changes in the composition of Senevirathna and he will make the neces- February 2002. This view, put out on Friday by the gov- the SLMM, if needed, is not a matter for sary arrangement, Transport Minister A. As per SOMA, only the Sri Lankan gov- ernment Peace Secretariat, came in the unilateral decision making by the LTTE H. M. Fowzie told The Island yesterday. ernment and the Royal Norwegian gov- wake of the Norwegian government's or to be determined between Norway and A large number of private sector ernment can change the status and mem- decision to hold a meeting of Nordic the LTTE," the government statement aid. employees allege they were ignored by the Railway Department in formulating Forecast for sea area around the island the new Railway time tables. A few showers will prevail over the sea areas The 150th anniver- All Ceylon Railway Employees’ off the island. sary ceremony of General Union also alleged the new rail- Winds will be from South westerly. Speed the Kotte Sri way time table was creating problems wick be between 30 and 50 km/h. Kalyani Samagri among the private and government sector Seas around the island will be slightly rough. employees. Dharma Maha General Secretary of the Union Latest satellite image Sanga Sabha was Sumathipala Manawadu said according held yesterday (25) to the new public service office hours of at the Kotte 8.30 a.m. to 4.15 p.m. resulted in employ- Rajamaha Viharaya. ees wasting time at railway stations to President Mahinda board trains after office in the evenings. Office hours of the private sector has not Rajapaksa and changed. Opposition leader He proposed additional new trains Ranil operate between some stations such as Wickremesinghe Colombo and Panadura, Nugegoda, share a light Moratuwa, Gampaha, Ganemulla and Ragama. moment at the cere- INDOEX 25. 06 .2006 06:00:00 UTC mony. Minister Fowzie said this problem can- Sri Lanka standard time = UTC + 06:00:00 not be solved without changing the pri- Picture by Nishan S. vate sector office hours. Source - Meteorology Department Priyantha Politics of Sports Battle on for Cricket Board presidency by Shamindra Ferdinando Politicians, ex-sportsmen and They appeared to have survived ments from coming in. He President Mahinda Rajapakse both serving and retired security with the relevant higher authorities expressed the belief that recently expressed surprise over the forces are in control of major sports turning a blind eye. Kumaratunga’s timely action may large amount of money spent to bodies. Irrespective of their political Major sports bodies are run by have prevented the country los- either retain or secure top posts at interests they work in unison to gain politically influential persons through ing Test status. This took place sports bodies. and retain control of major sports proxies. They act as if these bodies in the backdrop of Kumaratunga Addressing a gathering at bodies. are their private property. Their polit- appointing Jayantha Homagama after the foundation lay- The Consultative Committee on ical masters protect them. The Dharmadasa in place of Thilanga ing ceremony for a sports ground, Sports and Youth Affairs chaired by recent revelation of the involvement Sumathipala. As I remember Rajapakse expressed the belief that Sports Minister Jeevan of some officials in the Sports UNP MP T. Maheswaran fiercely these funds should be made avail- Kumaratunga does not seem to Ministry in a major human smug- opposed Kumaratunga’s action able for the development of sports. have any say. The committee com- gling racket to the US bared the triggering an argument with He indicated that those who secure prises Sripathi Sooriyaarachchi, pathetic situation. Although some Jeyaraj Fernandopulle who top jobs were not that interested in Tissa Karalliyadde, Pavitra Devi officials were subsequently arrested, reminded that Jayantha developing the game. Rajapakse Wanniarachchi, Cegu Isadeen, the ministry is yet to explain the Dharmadasa was not a SLFPer. also emphasized the need to bring Duminda Dissanayake, Arjuna racketeers using the ministry prem- Subsequently Arjuna Ranatunga Mahinda Rajapakse in new laws to prevent mismanage- Ranatunga, Mervyn Silva, Dimuthu Arjuna Ranatunga Thilanga Sumathipala ises for the nefarious activities. got involved in the fracas. He ment, irregularities and particularly Bandara Abeykoon, Selvaraja In fact, MP Ravi Karunanayake accused Maheswaran of being in abuse of funds for the benefit of Kajendran, Gayantha Karunatilleke, in March last year emphasised the the payroll of Sumathipala, a administrators. Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, Nirmala need to keep politicians out of charge denied by both parties. A widespread abuse is the allo- Kotelawala, Achala Jagodage, Ven. sports bodies. The then Minister of Ranatunga urged Maheswaran cation of funds for clubs and individ- Uduwe Dhammaloka thera, Industry, Tourism and Investment to peruse certain files tabled in uals as part of the strategy to Kanagasabai Pathmanathan, Promotion Arjuna Ranatunga in his parliament in the previous year secure their support at the time of Jonston Fernando, Sagala brief speech claimed that so he would be able to get an elections to respective sports bod- Ratnayake, M.