In brief
Order
On 3 August, the Supreme Court ordered the National Film Corporation to release the film Purahanda Kaluwara (Darkness of the full moon) and awarded Rs 500,000 as compensation to the producers. The film, depicting the effects of war, was banned by the government in February 2000.
Visit
A delegation of the Association of Families of Servicemen Missing in Action, led by AP Nanayakkara, met LTTE leader Thamilchelvan on 14 August in the Vanni, in an attempt to have Tiger prisoners released.
Census
Population census on 16 July excluded the Northern Province, due to security problems. UNHCR estimates that 917,000 people, majority of them Tamils, have fled abroad and over 706,000 are internally displaced.
Power
The Ceylon Electricity Board introduced 90-minute power cuts daily, from 1 July. The parliamentary Committee for Public Enterprises has accused the Board of corruption and deliberate project delays to facilitate deals with the private sector.
Ban
In early July, the government removed the ban on journalists into LTTE-controlled areas and invited reporters to visit the zones. But on 1 August the restrictions were re-imposed by the Defence Ministry.
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