In brief

Displaced

The Rehabilitation Ministry says over 769,000 people have been internally displaced in the island’s 25 districts. Over 387,000 are displaced in Kilinochchi and Jaffna districts.

Accident

Liberal Party leader Chanaka Amaratunge, 39, was killed in an motor accident on 1 August at Daluwatte, south of Colombo. Mr Amaratunge was an ardent advocate for substantial devolution of power to minority communities.

Increase

The People’s Alliance government increased the price of wheat flour for the third time since assuming power from Rs 13.95 a kilo to Rs 16.95 from 27 August. The cost of bread has risen by Re 1 from Rs 5.75 a lb.

Revenge

At least 60% of the people who fled Mullaitivu after the LTTE assault on the Army camp in July have returned. An initial survey indicates that 29 civilians had been killed by the security forces in retaliation.

Hospital deaths

Reports say 22 people died at the Mallavi hospital within a week in late August because of the lack of medicines and medical equipment. They were sent to Mallavi after the Kilinochchi hospital was closed following Army’s Operation Sathjaya.

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