Sri Lanka Timeline - Year 2012

January 1

The TNA is to meet with representatives of the diplomatic community in Colombo to explain the parity's stance with regard to land and police powers to the provinces. The TNA members are to meet with the diplomats to brief them on the progress made at the talks between the Government and the party.

All Ceylon Muslim Congress (ACMC) Secretary General Y.L.S Hameed said that ACMC will leave no room for another re-merger of the North and the East. He said one must understand the background in which the late Muslim leader M.H.M. Ashraff tabled the demand for a separate unit of devolution for the Muslims in the North and the East.

Sri Lanka Police Department is planning to link all Police Stations through an online network to provide a better and efficient service to the people, according to Colombo Page. The move facilitates the decision of the Police Department to complete investigations regarding minor complaints within 48 hours, Police sources say.

Government has allocated LKR 61,000 million to accelerate the implementation of many development projects in the Jaffna District to promote the livelihood of the people who suffered during the three-decade-long LTTE terrorism, Northern Province Governor Major General G.A. Chandrasiri told the Sunday Observer. Another LKR 5,000 million has been allocated to the Northern Provincial Council from the budget for development activities in the province, he said.

A large stock of weapons, explosives and other war like equipments buried by the LTTE, while they were fleeing after their defeat in 2009, was unearthed by Naval troops in Narantanai West in Kayts on January 1.

Minister of External Affairs Professor G.L. Peiris called in the Ambassador of France to Sri Lanka, Christine Robichon, to express Sri Lanka's concern over the issue of four stamps by the French mail service La Poste depicting images of LTTE. Professor Peiris pointed out that when Governments, especially in the West allow the pro-LTTE groups to operate in such a manner, the Sri Lankan public will question those countries' bona-fides and the Sri Lankan Government has to consider the public opinion since the pro-LTTE groups overseas are still seeking to achieve their objectives through different means.

French Ambassador confirmed the publication of 360 stamps by La Poste. However, after the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs has informed La Poste that LTTE is a terrorist group banned by the EU in 2006, the mail service has assured that no such stamps will be printed further.

Peiris urged the French Government to ensure that publications like the four stamps issued by La Poste of France, depicting images related to the LTTE, including its insignia, should not happen and their publication be cancelled.

Loosening its stance against granting police and land powers to the provinces according to the 13^th Amendment to the Constitution, the Government said that it is ready to consider its scope provided the TNA put forward its proposals at the talks with the Government.

A crucial round of talks between the TNA and the Government is scheduled to be held on January 17, 18 and 19 in Colombo. Political sources say the talks will be crucial since the devolving of land powers sill be taken up in the talks.

The Sri Lanka Police Department will create opportunities for former LTTE cadres who are well educated to join the Police, Inspector General of Police N. K. Illangakoon said. He said if the former LTTE cadres were willing to join the Police after fulfilling the requirements, the Department would recruit them.

In another context, he said the Police Department had recruited over 600 Tamil Police officers and they are now serving in the North and the East.

Election Commissioner of Sri Lanka Mahinda Deshapriya has decided to hold the elections of two local government bodies of the Mullativu District on March 10.

Traditional Industries and Small Enterprises Development Minister Douglas Devananda said that all Tamil parties, including the TNA, must strengthen President Mahinda Rajapaksa's hands to find a durable solution to the ethnic issue. Devananda observed that if the TNA does not participate in the Parliamentary Select Committee proceedings, it will be difficult to find a durable solution to the ethnic issue and there will be a stalemate which will continue to aggravate sufferings of the Tamil people.

Around 74 LTTE cadres who have been rehabilitated on court orders, are to be released shortly on a decision by the Rehabilitation Department. According to Rehabilitation Commissioner General Major General Chandana Rajaguru this group will be released on January 22 at a ceremony in Batticaloa. He said that 11,375 out of around 12,000 former LTTE cadres had been rehabilitated and integrated into society to date, while another 750 are being rehabilitated and will be released in batches.

Higher Education Minister S.B. Dissanayake said that all Tamil parties, particularly the TNA, should get actively involved in the deliberations of the Parliamentary Select Committee on the ethnic issue.

Sri Lanka plans to strengthen security in the country to prevent any resurrection of the vanquished LTTE, Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. He observed that the LTTE, although defeated in the country, is still active overseas and groups sympathetic to the LTTE cause are attempting to revitalize their movement at international level. Though many LTTE-friendly groups and individuals function overseas separately, they have one common objective of dismembering Sri Lanka and establishing a separate State.

Higher Education Ministry Secretary Sunil Jayantha Navarathna said that on the advice of LTTE supporters, a Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) faction led by Kumar Gunaratnam is engaged in hampering the university system.

Child Development and Women's Affairs Minister Tissa Karalliyadde said the powers demanded by the TNA would not address issues faced by the Tamil people in the country. Karalliyadde said the TNA was seeking powers to the Northern Provincial Council that have not been given to any other provincial council in the country. He noted that the TNA should understand the real needs of the Tamil people and work towards winning them.

Minister of Lands and Land Development Janaka Bandara Tennakoon said that over 200,000 citizens in the country do not possess any land.

Cabinet Spokesman and Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said that the TNA leader R. Sampanthan's statement that his party will take part in discussions in connection with finding a solution to the issues of the Tamil community is a positive sign. Minister Rambukwella said that whatever solution worked out through these discussions should be endorsed by Parliament.

Higher Education Ministry Secretary Jayantha Navaratne said the numerous student protests in local universities are the result of students falling victim to outside political elements.

The overseas LTTE groups trying to revive the vanquished terror group in Sri Lanka have used the personalized services offered by the postal authorities in Britain, France and Canada to make a mockery of those States where the terrorist group remains as a banned organization.

Commenting on the ongoing talks between the Government and TNA, Presidential adviser for reconciliation and member of the Government delegation for the Government-TNA discussions, Rajiva Wijesinha told the Daily News that "there is an increasing perception that there are many common factors between us and there is a desire on both sides to have a positive solution". "There are one or two issues which will obviously take a longer time, rather than trying to resolve the more difficult question first, resolving the easier issues first will be more productive. Because then you realize that the difficult problems are not so difficult," Wijesinha said.

A massive recruitment program has been launched to enlist Tamil-speaking men and women from the Northern and Eastern provinces to foster a good relationship between diverse ethnic communities, Police media spokesman, Superintendent of Police Ajith Rohana.

The US granted President Mahinda Rajapaksa immunity from a law suit filed in a US court against him by the pro- LTTE Tamil Diaspora. The US filed a "Suggestion of Immunity" at the United States District Court for the District of Columbia on January 13 for President Rajapaksa recognizing him as the "sitting head of state of a foreign state."

The External Affairs Ministry has directed the country's missions in Europe to keep a close watch on the activities of LTTE front organizations in their respective countries.

The We Are Sri Lankan (WASL) organization led by the dissidents of JVP said the rehabilitated former LTTE members should be given equal rights and not be sidelined. WASL Convener, Udul Premaratne said that the Government was critical of organizations that stood and fought for ethnic harmony.

A suspected sympathizer of the LTTE was arrested by Kochi city Police from Chengalpettu in Chennai in connection with a human trafficking case involving Sri Lankan Tamils.

Colombo Chief Magistrate Rashmi Singappuli said that the court is expecting the advice of the Attorney General regarding legal action against two surrendered leaders of the LTTE. The duo, former LTTE media spokesman Daya Master and translator George, surrendered to State Military in the last phase of the war against LTTE.

Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne said that foreign forces are behind some of the protests held in the country. Jayaratne said that such foreign forces were behind the protests against the setting up of private universities. He observed that he has received affidavits stating such facts. According to the Prime Minister, certain foreign elements including the Tamil Diaspora were hopeful of resurrecting the LTTE organization.

Defence and Urban Development Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said the Police has to play a vital role in the country's development.

Naval personnel attached to the Eastern Naval Command recovered a stock of LTTE arms and ammunition hidden in Devapura and Chilawatte areas s. The recoveries included one T 56 weapon, one T 81 weapon, two T 56 magazines, one T 56 magazine, eight 81mm motor bombs, two 60 mm motor bombs and two hand grenades were also found. A number of identity cards of LTTE militants were also recovered.

An area exceeding 1,934 out of 2,061 square kilometers of lands in the North which were dotted with land mines and booby traps have been cleared by the end of 2011 and Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa has given specific directives to expedite the clearing of the remaining 127 square kilomete.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa assured Indian External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna, who is an official tour to Sri Lanka, that he stood by his commitment to follow the "13th Amendment plus approach" to achieve a political solution to the Tamil question.

The TNA said that it looked forward to a new beginning in talks with the Government, following President Rajapaksa's assurance on devolution and autonomy. "The President has spoken about going beyond the 13th Amendment. This is a new beginning and we will pursue the talks from here," TNA Member of Parliament Sumanthiran said, when asked about the progress of talks.

Mass Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said that Government can overcome political extremism. The Minister said the LTTE operated a propaganda and fund raising network in nearly 230 countries and is one of the richest terrorist organizations found in the world.

Government spokesman and Minister of Media & Information Keheliya Rambukwella said the Government expects to establish a Senate representing minority groups and academics as a "viable link between the Central Government and the provinces". Explaining the government's initiative, the Minister said the 13th Amendment to the Constitution is already a part of the Constitution since 1987, and the establishment of the Senate, which will act as an advisory body to the legislature, is what meant by the 13 plus or 13 and beyond.

About 142 families who left their villages in 1999 due to terrorist activities were resettled in their own lands, said Resettlement Minister Gunarathna Weerakoon. These families have been settled in temporary shelters in Gajabapura and Monaraweva divisional secretariat divisions in Weli Oya. About 75 families are living in Gajabapura and 67 families in Monaraweva, he added.

TNA Member of Parliament (MP) Rasavarodhayam Sampanthan said that the TNA will continue to hold talks with the Government delegation to reach consensus on an effective and workable solution to the grievances of people in the North and the East and would not quit the talks under any circumstances.

Sri Lanka Navy on January 21 arrested two people, including a former Sea Tiger [cadre of the Se Wing of the LTTE] attempting to enter the island illegally under cover from the northwestern coast, the Navy reported on January 22. The two ethnic Tamils were dropped off by a hired Indian boat at the 9th Sand Bank off the coast of Thalaimannar and were swimming to the 8th Sand Bank when the naval personnel attached to the North-western Naval Command spotted them and arrested.

Leader of the House and Chief Negotiator in the TNA-Government talks Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva affirmed that they have not suspended or withdrawn from the ongoing negotiations to find a workable framework for the devolution of power.

The Government ceremoniously reintegrated another batch of 78 rehabilitated former LTTE cadres to the society. Another 750 ex- LTTE cadres are currently being rehabilitated and over 800 more cadres will be rehabilitate on the orders of courts, according to the Commissioner General of Rehabilitation Major General Chandana Wanaguru. During and immediately after the final phase of the war 11,700 LTTE cadres had surrendered to the Government Security Forces (SFs) or arrested by the SFs.

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said that even after the end of the war, LTTE elements were still trying to act from behind some political parties. Rajapaksa also said that the Government could not be held responsible for the persons who go missing due to terrorist activities.