EPDP Political Advisor Maheswary Velayutham shot and killed by LTTE gunmen

Maheswary Velayutham, Political Advisor of the Eelam People Democratic Party and an Attorney – at – Law was shot and killed at 7.45 PM this evening at her house, located at Karaveddy, in the Jaffna district, by suspected Tiger gunmen.

She joined the EPDP led by Minister Douglas Devananda in 1992. She is aged 53 years and remained a spinster.

According to available reports, she went from Colombo to her house in Karaveddy as her mother was lying on her sick bed.

According to EPDP sources, three pistol wielding Tiger gunmen arrived at her house in Army uniform, shot and killed her on point blank range and vanished from the scene.

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Pakistan back in Commonwealth; appreciates Sri Lanka's support

Pakistan has been re-admitted to the Councils of the Commonwealth with immediate effect, a decision following Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama's call at the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) meeting in London yesterday, when he made the opening statement and strongly urged the nine member body to immediately lift Pakistan's suspension.

The Minister stated that following the full restoration of democracy in the country, Pakistan has complied with all conditions and requirements set down by the CMAG, and emphasised that the issue should no longer remain on the CMAG agenda. The CMAG unanimously adopted the Foreign Minister's proposal.

Sri Lanka, spearheaded by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, had earlier opposed vigorously the decision to suspend Pakistan from Commonwealth in London and Kampala last November.

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LTTE’s investment business closed down - London

The massive wholesale cash & carry business of the LTTE operating from Unit 7 & 8 Commerce Park, Commerce Way, Croydon CRO 4ZS is said to have been closed down. The operators have abandoned the business and have run into hiding. A private limited company Valvai Holdings Ltd was running the business under the trading name of Valvai Cash & Carry since 2003.

Millions of pounds have been invested in the business which was run by the LTTE men. According to reliable sources, the business had obtained work permits for some of the LTTE activists to work in the cash and carry business. The company was operating a large warehouse at its registered address.

The reason for the closure of the business is not known yet. But sources in South London said that LTTE was compelled to close down due to fear of police intervention.

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Cyclone-hit Myanmar to supply rice to Sri Lanka

With India and Pakistan showing their reluctance to supply rice to Sri Lanka, cyclone hit Myanmar has agreed to go ahead with its contractual rice export obligations that will benefit the island nation to meet its requirements.

Myanmar had agreed to export one lakh metric tones of the food grain of which 20,000 tonnes have already arrived in Sri Lanka.

According to Sri Lankan officials, the consignment of rice of about 50,000 tons from Myanmar has not been hampered by the cyclone and will arrive in the island as committed. Myanmar, a major rice exporting country, is facing criticism on its reported decision to go ahead with exports of the food grain despite thousands of cyclone hit people in its country needing food and other assistance.

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Congress calls for ban on pro-LTTE outfits

Congress, a key ally of Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK, on Monday demanded a ban on pro-LTTE organisations in the state and asked the state government to deal with "scourge of terrorism with iron hand."

"Terrorism of any kind, whether it be from Sri Lanka or within the state (Maoists) or communal, should be dealt with an iron hand," senior Congress leader D Sudarshanam told the state assembly while participating in the debate on the demand for grants to the Home Department held by Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.

Without naming any organisation or political party, he demanded a ban on all outfits in the state openly supporting the proscribed LTTE.

"The Tamil Nadu Government should also urge the Centre to extend the ban on the LTTE", he said.

The Centre had first banned the LTTE in 1992 and last extended it on May 14, 2004. The organisation had been banned under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

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