News in Brief:

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 09 December 1998, 22:00 GMT]
Sri Lankan Army and Liberation Tigers agree to provide escort to transport exam papers in areas controlled by them, Paachchanoor refugees wait to receive Government's relief food, Court dismisses case against Sri Lankan Minister and Cigarettes prices go up in Jaffna.

LTTE and SLA to escort exam papers

The Sri Lankan Army (SLA) in Trincomalee said that it could not provide escort to transport the examination papers to Chenpaha Mahavidyalayam (school) in Eechilampattai in Muthur where 73 students will sit for the GCE (O/L) examination.

Eechilampattai area is not under the control of SLA.

Educational Department officials said the question papers would have to be transported daily from Kilivetti, 15 km. from Eechilampattai.

However, following discussions between the SLA and the exam authorities the army had agreed to provide escort to Mahinthapuram, 11 km. from Kilivetti.

The examination authorities in Muthur who had discussions with the Liberation Tigers said that the LTTE has agreed to provide escort from Mahinthapuram.

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Dry rations run dry

Thirty-five Tamil families who were displaced from Paachanoor in the Trincomalee district staying at a near by church have not received any relief dry rations.

They sought refuge at the church after a confrontation between the Sri Lankan Army and the Liberation Tigers.

The people have earlier requested local government authorities to provide them relief food. However, the request was turned down.

When TULF MP for Trincomalee district Mr. R.Sambanthan, brought this to the attention of the Government Agent (GA) of Trincomalee, the GA has ordered to provide relief food for the displaced, sources said.

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Author loses court case

A Case filed by S.R.H.Wijesinge, the author of the book 'Eight stars in Sri Lanka', against the Minister of Justice and Ethnic affairs Prof. G.L.Peiris was discharged today in the Colombo High Court.

Wijesinge alleged that the minister had used part of his book with out his approval, in the Draft devolution proposal submitted by the government.

The judge dismissed the case on grounds that there was not enough evidence.

Romesh de Silva appeared on behalf of the Minister, while Wijesinge appeared for himself.

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Cigarette prices go up in Jaffna

Scarcity of Cigarettes in Jaffna after the transport to and from the peninsula came to halt has resulted in price hike of cigarettes there, said sources.

A Cigarette is being sold at twenty rupees while a packet of 20 cigarettes at 380 rupees.

Sources said the Sri Lankan Army in sentries in Jaffna who ask civilians to buy cigarettes for them do not give them enough money and people are indirectly forced to buy Cigarettes with their own money.

The SLA personnel were given a quota of cigarettes earlier but now they are given 180 rupees a week.

(1 US $ is approximately 67 Sri Lankan Rupees)