In brief
Released
Eighty three Tamil youths arrested in Jaffna last year and detained in Colombo and Anuradhapura prisons were released on bail by court on 9 May. Bail was fixed at Rs 2,500 for 64 youths and Rs 25,000 for the others.
Refusal
The Sri Lankan government is considering changes in police laws after many policemen refused transfers to the northern war zone. Over 200 policemen left their posts in mid-May at Parayanalankulam in Mannar.
Sacked
Douglas Devananda’s Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP) sacked two of its MPs R Rameswaran and R Ramamurthy in May. Mr Devananda says disciplinary action was taken against them following complaints of impropriety from Jaffna residents.
Sunk
Seven Sea Tiger boats were sunk and 40 Tigers killed in an encounter with the Sri Lankan Navy off Kokkilai in Mullaitivu District on 27 May. The Navy says the LTTE cadre were on their way to the Vanni battle front.
Summit
The 9th summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in the Maldives on 12 May decided that a South Asian Free Trade Association (SAFTA) will be established by the year 2001.
Next article.
Back to Sri Lanka Monitor Index page.
Back to The Refugee Council Welcome page.