CM has love and affection towards LTTE: Jayalalithaa

AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa today said that Chief Minister M Karunanidhi 'has love and affection' towards the LTTE, despite his recent announcement in the assembly that his government would not support the activities of the banned outfit in the state.

In a statement here, she pointed out that the policy note for police tabled recently in the assembly stated that Sri Lankan Tamils being behind the smuggling of arms from Tamil Nadu to Sri Lanka. But not a word was there on the LTTE's involvement, she said.

"This only implies that Karunanidhi is indirectly supporting the LTTE. How are innocent Sri Lankan Tamils behind the smuggling?. It is a well known fact the LTTE is behind all this. What further proof is needed to know that he (Karunanidhi) is supporting the LTTE?, she asked.

Extracted from,
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200705031968.htm

Flash floods hit Sri Lanka capital

At least four people have been killed by heavy rains in Sri Lanka, while flash floods caused heavy traffic jams and displaced thousands of people living in shanties in Colombo city.

A spokesperson for the Colombo National Hospital said one young woman drowned when she fell into an unprotected manhole, while another was killed by lightning.

Police said motorists were struck in lengthy traffic jams as the most of the city’s roads were underwater.

Extracted from,
http://www.colombopage.com/archive_07/May3114435JV.html

Read more,
http://www.lankaenews.com/Sinhala/news.php?id=2234 (Sinhala version)

Chennai airport to accommodate flights to Sri Lanka in case of emergency

ndia's Chennai airport has announced that it is ready to accommodate civilian aircraft that may be diverted from Colombo by any LTTE air raids.

Air Traffic Control (ATC) and Airports Authority of India (AAI) officials are on high alert to handle flight diversions, takeoffs and landings, and flight parking if Colombo airport is suddenly closed, a media report said.

“Priority will be accorded to such flights. Parking bays will be arranged and the local officials of the airline companies will be alerted to take care of passengers,” Airport Director Dinesh Kumar said.

When the LTTE attacked the Katunayake Air Base on March 26, the Bandaranaike International Airport was closed for four hours and Chennai airport handled the landings, with some flights diverted to Thiruvananthapuram.

Extracted from,
http://www.colombopage.com/archive_07/May2130939JV.html

SLFP proposals violate Mahinda Chinthana : JVP

Most political parties representing Parliament have now rejected the SLFP power devolution proposals to resolve the national question, with the JVP blaming the ruling party for the non-inclusion of its commitment to preserve the unitary character of the country.

JVP Parliamentary group leader Wimal Weerawansa said though the SLFP said Sri Lanka was a state which was sovereign and independent, the party had not made its stand clear to preserve the unitary character of the country in terms of the Mahinda Chintana policies. In its proposals the SLFP said Sri Lanka was a State which was sovereign and independent.

“If the Government believes it can resolve the problem by increasing the number of administrative bodies, it will be a joke. People are already confused about the provincial council system. So the establishment of a few other such bodies would only help corrupt politicians misappropriate public funds by being part of the system,” Mr. Weerawansa said.

However, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said these were not the final set of proposals to resolve the national question, and therefore they were open for discussion at the All Party Representative Committee (APRC).

Read more,
http://www.dailymirror.lk/2007/05/03/front/2.asp