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People behind Delft politics
By Chris Kamalendran in Delft Island, Jaffna
Behind the party politics of the crisis hit Delft island is a deep humanitarian problem with some 6000 people having only one telephone which is often not accessible and only one bus which is often not on the road.

The 35 square kilometre island which has hit the news headlines in recent months is situated strategically between the Jaffna mainland and southern India making it a convenient pad for the smuggling of people and valuable items. That is probably why there is a big battle for control of this poor island.

For the past ten years the EPDP had been in control but in recent months and especially after the February ceasefire the civilian population appears to have turned strongly against the EPDP with or without assistance from the LTTE. So much so that EPDP members are virtually besieged in their office guarded by some 40 armed policemen and with the Navy also maintaining a tight grip around the island.

A boat operated by the Multi-purpose Cooperative Society (MPCS) is the only mode of transport for the Delft islanders to travel to or from the Jaffna mainland. The boat operates only twice a day and carries about 200 passengers at a time. As soon as we stepped out of the boat at the entry point we saw the MPCS building but precious little other than that in turns of development.

Among the other offices are the Assistant Government Agents office (divisional Secretaries office), a small hospital, a post office and an Agrarian service office to cater to the needs of the people who mainly depend in fishing and dairy.

We were told that the one and only bus in the island is now kota-uda-parked at the AGA's office as the battery has allegedly been removed by EPDP cadres who have now set up an office close to the AGA's office.

The LTTE has also set up its own hospital known as the 'Thleepan' memorial hospital close to the LTTE office which had been in operation for the past few months. The hospital is run by LTTE para-medics.

Why the EPDP is trying to keep control or why the LTTE is trying to get control may be seen in strategic terms. The island, is situated close to India and is therefore good for business-legal or illegal.

The smuggling of coconut products and sea products is known to be big business as is people smuggling to India and from there to other countries.

The EPDP is insisting on its right to remain in the island but there appears to be a growing public protest if not uprising against it.

Giving one side of the story MPCS chairman S. Ganeshalingam charged that the EPDP under the then minister Douglas Devananda had misused or abused public funds. He said the protest were a popular uprising and were not instigated by any other armed group as alleged by the EPDP.

Mr. Ganeshalingam also claimed that the EPDP during its reign had not allowed any other parties to come in and was responsible for the killing of at least 10 civilians including an AGA. (See separate story).

Former EPDP parliamentarian V. Kuhendran denied the allegation. He claimed the EPDP had provided electricity and other benefits while standing by the Delft people even during their worst times such as the IPKF period. He pledged that the EPDP was ready and willing to face the new attack and would stay with the people of Delft.
The EPDP office in the Delft island is being guarded by some 40 police officers round the clock and the EPDP members are under a virtual siege.

The EPDP members are not in a position to move out from their office in fear of attacks. Even their food supplies are brought in by the Police.

The Sri Lanka Navy is closely monitoring the entry point from where the boat service begins at Kurikattuwan, on the mainland of Jaffna. The Navy wants to ensure that unauthorized people do not enter the area to carryout any possible attacks.

A group of university students who earlier tried to enter the island were stopped by the Navy, fearing that they would create unrest in the island.

The battle between the EPDP and those who want it out of the Delft came to Colombo last week with the EPDP leader, Douglas Devananda openly clashing with minister T. Maheshwaran on a private television channel.

Mr. Maheshwaran told The Sunday Times he was interested in the people of Delft and not in political parties. He said the EPDP needed to resolve its problems with the people instead of relying only on the protection of the security forces.

It was not suicide says, AGA's wife
The widow of A. Nicholas Assistant Government Agent who was allegedly killed by the EPDP in 1995 in the Delft Island recalled the terror she underwent when her husband was taken away from home in the night.

Mary Rita Nicholas one of the key members agitating against the EPDP today told The Sunday Times that they had suffered immensely under EPDP rule.

"My husband was the Assistant Government Agent since 1985. On June 8, 1995 four members of the EPDP came to our house around 9.00 p.m. and called for my husband. They wanted him to come to their office to discuss some matter.

"We waited anxiously, but around 1.00 am some other EPDP members brought back my husband's body claiming that he had committed suicide. I did not believe their claims but they threatened me at gun point and tried to force me to sign a document saying my husband had committed suicide," Mrs. Nicholas said.

She said she was forced to remain in the island and could not complain to anyone though the EPDP leader on one of his visits had apologized for her husband's death. "But the damage was done," Mrs. Nicholas said.

Colombo set alight for Christmas
By Faraza Farook
Colombo would be thrust into the lime-light from today with a wide variety of festive activities kicking off the ground and the city set alight to usher in the new year.

Some 35 private establishments in a collaborative effort with the government will light up the roads, roundabouts and buildings in Colombo, Moratuwa and Negombo, while entertainment has been lined up to create a festive feeling among the people.

This extravaganza organised at a cost of about ten to fifteen million rupees, will host musical shows, carols, carnivals, open air theatres and spectacular fireworks displays.

Duplication Road in Colombo will swing into action with about ten or twelve establishments including Don Carolis, House of Fashion, Stone 'N' String, Charter House etc. financing the activities in that area. A pandol will be put up at the roundabout at Duplication road (near Liberty Plaza), while a float with a Santa Claus is expected to ply on the road distributing sweets to children.

The roundabouts at Galle Face Green near the Galadari Hotel will also be lit up and a spectacular fireworks display will take place be worked off from barges on the sea bordering Galle Face Green on December 31. A mega musical show by Shri FM is also on the cards. About 18 roundabouts will be lit up and several way side restaurants opened, in this festive programme which will begin today and continue till January 2.

Commenting on the government proposal to light up the city for the festive season Interior and Christian Affairs Minister John Amaratunga said this was the first time after many years that there will be a festive feeling without fear. He said this programme would also boost the image of the country and improve the tourist industry and promote investment. The month of festivity is also in celebration of the UNF's completion of one year in office, he said

The minister will switch on the illuminations at 7 p.m. today starting from Lipton's Circus roundabout and later at Galadari Hotel, Liberty Plaza and Kotahena roundabouts.

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