In brief
Awarded
Batticaloa resident Ehamparam Damayanthi, 15, was awarded Rs 50,000 ($770) compensation by the Supreme Court in early February. In her fundamental rights application, Damayanthi said she was tortured and raped during Army detention under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
Strike
After a nine-day strike by 600,000 plantation workers in the Hill Country from 5 February, trade unions agreed to accept Rs 101 as daily wage for tea workers and Rs 95 for rubber workers following the intervention of President Chandrika Kumaratunge. The unions had earlier demanded a raise from Rs 83 to Rs 105.
Threat
Reports in February said that in view of a number of bomb explosions in southern Sri Lanka and the security threat posed by the LTTE, the US Peace Corps, serving in the island for many years, may be withdrawn.
Talks
A six-member German parliamentary delegation, on a four-day mission to assess the current situation in Sri Lanka in late February said that attempts must be made to bring back the LTTE to the negotiating table.
Attack
Eight soldiers, including an officer were killed in a LTTE attack on an Army jeep on Medawachchiya-Mannar road on 17 February. Four other soldiers were injured.
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