In brief
Died
Sirimavo Bandaranaike, 84, world’s first woman Prime Minister, died on 10 October, after voting at the general elections.
Recruitment
The Defence Ministry began a campaign in October for 10,000 new Army recruits. Army Commander Lionel Balagalle says attempts to return some 15,000 deserters have failed.
Arrest
The Navy arrested 11 refugees attempting to flee to India from Jaffna island Punkudutivu in October. They are held at Kankesanturai military base under the PTA.
Damaged
The Jaffna Government Agent says 128,688 houses damaged in the peninsula after 1984 have not been repaired. Currently, 1,000 houses are being built with assistance from German GTZ.
Denial
Amnesty International has expressed concern for the safety of S Thushyanthan and T Sriranganathan, who were arrested by the Army in early October in Vavuniya.
Agreed
The LTTE and the government agreed to observe a ceasefire during UNICEF’s polio prevention programme in the north-east on 28 October and 2 November.
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