Indian fishermen arrested by the Sri Lanka Navy

Twenty two Indian fishermen who allegedly illegally entered the Sri Lankan maritime border have been arrested.

Police stated that the group of fishermen who was arrested by the navy was handed over to the
Talaimannar police.

The navy had also seized five vessels used by the fishermen.

The police went onto say that the Indian High Commissioner's office in Colombo had been informed of the arrests.

The group of arrested fishermen will be produced in court later.

Meanwhile, twenty five Sri Lankan fishermen who were in the custody of Indian authorities will be handed over to the navy today.

Navy Spokesperson, Commander Kosala Warnakulasuriya told Newsfirst that the fishermen were arrested by the Indian coastguard while engaged in fishing activities in the Indian maritime border recently.

TNA decides not to participate in the UNHRC session in Geneva

The Tamil National Alliance has decided not to take part in the nineteenth sessions of the UNHRC
in Geneva.

Issuing a release the TNA noted that the Sri Lankan question will be featured prominently at the Human Rights Council sessions in Geneva.

According to the Tamil National Alliance the report compiled by the expert panel appointed by the UN Secretary General as well as the the LLRC report have addressed issues of violations of human rights laws, the causes of the conflict as well as the need to evolve an acceptable political solution as the means of achieving genuine reconciliation.

The release adds that the two reports have tackled issues relating to demilitarisation, the need to curb paramilitary groups, the need to strengthen civilian administration, access to information, media freedom and transparency with regard to the detention of detainees.

Leader of the TNA R.Sampanthan says that the TNA constructively engaged with the government to evolve an acceptable solution for over a year.

Fifty suspected LTTE prisoners to be transferred

It has been decided to transfer some of the suspected LTTE prisoners detained at the Vavuniya Prison to the Anuradhpura Prison.

A Prison Spokesperson stated that around fifty such prisoners will be transferred to the Anuradhapura
prison due to lack of space and security reasons.

Meanwhile, reports have revealed that some prisoners at the Vavuniya Prison had launched an attack on the prison officials yesterday.

A senior officer of the prison stated that the prisoners had attacked a group of officers with water when
they had gone to investigate them based on a complaint stating that the prisoners had a mobile phone in their possession.

It has also been revealed that the argument between the officers and the prisoners had become intense and had resulted in the pelting of stones.

The senior officer at the prison stated that the attack had been carried out by some of the suspected
LTTE prisoners detained at the Vavuniya Prison.

Those who do not belong to Thamennawa asked to leave

The police have requested people who do not belong to the Thammennawa - Kataragama areas to leave the area.

Police Media Spokesperson, SP Ajith Rohana stated that the message was conveyed through loud speaker by the Lunugamvehera Police last afternoon, based on complaints lodged by the residents.

Residents have lodged a complaint at the police station stating that the people arriving from
other areas have damaged the rivers and canals by engaging in a search for gem deposits in the area.

Meanwhile, there was an unrest in the area yesterday due to a rumour that another gem deposit had been discovered in the Thammenawa - Kataragama area.

The National Gem and Jewellery Authority stated that due the rumour around ten thousand people had
gathered in the Thammennawa forest area. 

Rumour creates restlessness in Kataragama

Residents in Thammannawa, Kataragama have become restless after a rumour was spread of another
precious stones deposit in the area.

Director General of the National Gem and Jewelry Authority, Nimal Bandara said that around 10,000
people gathered in the area following the rumour and have commenced excavating for precious stones.

Bandara added that subsequently Secretary to the Ministry of Environment, Uthpala Basnayake
inspected the area.

Thereafter speaking to Newsfirst, Uthpala Basnayake said that the area needs to be inspected if in fact there are precious stones in the area and if so, the necessary measures will be taken.

Govt. is prepared to face any charges, says Ministry of External Affairs

The Ministry of External Affairs says that the government is ready to face any allegation that might be levelled against the country at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Deputy Minister Neomal Perera said as a Democratic country Sri Lanka is ready to face any Commission.

Speaking to Newsfirst the Deputy Minister said that these allegations are being levelled at the country at
time it is seeking legal advise to implement the recommendations put forward by the LLRC Report.

Child pushed out of bus - NTC temporarily suspends permit

The route permit of the bus where a child was allegedly pushed out because the child did not have the
required bus fare has been temporarily suspended.

Chairman of the National Transport Commission, Roshan Gunawardena said that this step was taken last afternoon.

The child is a student residing in the Mawanella area.

Speaking to Newsfirst the student said that the conductor of the bus pushed him out when he found out
that he did not have the required bus fare.

Speaking further the student said that as a result he had to walk 18 kilometres to his house.

Best person to talk about war crimes is Sarath Fonseka, says Sarath Silva

Retired Chief Justice, Sarath N. Silva says that Former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka is the best person that should have been sent to Geneva, if discussions are to be held on war crimes at the United Nations Human Rights Council.

He expressed this view at the Galle District Professionals Meeting that was held at the Galle Town Hall on February 23..

''On the 27th of February, the United Nations Human Rights Council sessions will commence in Geneva. The United States will present a resolution against Sri Lanka stating that an international investigation needs to be carried out against the alleged war crimes that had taken place in Sri Lanka.'' 

'''I saw in the newspapers that a delegation of fifty two individuals comprising minister G,L. Peiris and seven other ministers; are heading to Geneva. Can one say who is the best person that should have been sent there? I know the answer.'' 

''It is Sarath Fonseka, who spearheaded the war, who should have been sent there. Even I have seen his scars when we went to the Nallur Kovil. If he shows these scars to them and say ''I  fought; with a group of terrorists, and that they tried to kill me on three occasions, and once I even had to hold my own intestines in my hands and say that I am still alive and to take me to a hospital,'' then I  think that those charges against war crimes will ease to some extent.'' 

''The rule of law is applicable internationally and we need to face those charges.'''' said the Retired Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva. 

Protester in Chilaw killed by gunshot

Police Media Spokesperson SP Ajith Rohana says that an individual has died due to a gun shot wound during a protest that was held in Chilaw a short while ago.

He added that three others who were injured have been hospitalised.

The police fired tear gas to disperse the protesters.

Police Media Spokesperson SP Ajith Rohana said that the fishermen had behaved in an unruly manner and that the police were compelled to fire tear gas.

Police fire tear gas to disperse fishermen

Police have fired tear gas to disperse a demonstration that was being conducted a few hours ago by fishermen in Chilaw.

Our correspondent stated that the fishermen were protesting against the fuel price hike.

Police media spokesperson SP Ajith Rohana said the fishermen were behaving in an unruly manner.

He added that as a result police were compelled to use tear gas to disperse the demonstrators.

Our correspondent said the fishermen had gathered close to a Church in the area.

Indian fishermen arrested by Sri Lanka Navy

The Sri Lanka Navy has arrested three Indian fishermen who had allegedly violated the Sri Lanka maritime border and had engaged in fishing activities.

Navy Media Spokesperson Commander Kosala Warnakulasuriya stated that the fishermen had been arrested last night.

He stated that the trawlers that had been used for the fishing activities have also been seized by the Navy.

The fishermen had been arrested in the northern sea areas of the country. 

Commander Kosala Warnakulasuriya stated that steps have been taken to hand over the arrested fishermen to the Kankesanthurai Police .