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Mini polls in Jaffna
LTTE wants TULF to go on TNA ticket
The LTTE and the TULF yesterday discussed the local council elections in the North-East during a three-hour meeting in the rebel-held Wanni area. The Sunday Times learns that LTTE Political Wing leader S. P. Thamilselvan sought clarification from the six-member TULF delegation headed by General Secretary R. Sambanthan about their plans to contest the local government elections scheduled for June. The LTTE had advised the TULF not to contest on its own but to go as a TNA alliance, sources said.

TULF President V. Anandasangaree, who is away in London and did not attend two previous meetings with the LTTE, was not invited for the meeting. The other members of the TULF delegation were Mavai Senadhiraja, Joseph Pararajasingham, A.Chandra Nheru, Nadarajah Raviraj and K.Thurairetnasingam.

The LTTE had summoned the TULF for the meeting mainly to ascertain the views of the TULF on a variety of issues. On previous occasions the LTTE met with the TNA which included the TULF..

The Sunday Times learns that at yesterday's discussions, matters related to the High Security Zone and the ongoing peace process were also taken up. The TNA has so far not decided on how it plans to contest the local government elections in the north eastern province, but its constituent parties are unanimous in their call for a fresh list of candidates for the elections.

TNA sources said they will support amendments to the election laws to nullify the list that has been accepted by the Elections Commissioner.

Nagadeepa Viharadhipathi’s last journey
Ven. Brahmanawatte Dhammakeerthi Tissa Nayaka Thera, Viharadhipathi at the Nagadeepa Purana Raja Maha Vihara, Jaffna passed away last Tuesday at the Colombo National Hospital at the age of 92.

His body lay at Nagadeepa Shaka Vihara at Dematagoda until yesterday. Following religious ceremonies at the Vihara, his body was flown from the Ratmalana airport to Jaffna. Tomorrow, his body will lie at the Nagadeepa adahana maluwa.

His body will then be taken to the Nagadeepa Raja Maha Vihara and lie-in-state until his cremation.

Streams run dry as water project starts
By Shelton Hettiarachchi
A multi-million rupee Japanese funded water supply project has been completed in Nuwara Eliya, but has left several streams dry and some houses in the area damaged, residents claim.

The first stage of this project, costing Rs. 457 million has been completed and was commissioned on March 31 by Housing Minister Arumugam Thondaman, while the second stage is due to be completed by the end of October 2003, and is estimated to cost Rs. 468 million.

When a well sunk alongside the Hawa Eliya-Vajirapura road was tested last month the springs in close proximity to the well had run dry fast while walls of about 10 houses close by, had cracked.

A resident told The Sunday Times, 'We are not against the project, but we fear its consequences'. Residents had also complained to Mayor Chandana Lal Karunaratne and asked for redress.

A man identified as Piyasena added, "Most of the houses suffered cracks on the walls on the two days when water was pumped to the sunk well. Even a large building close by had many cracks on its walls. This is going to be a problem." When we inquired from the Mayor about this problem he said it would be discussed with the project company and necessary steps taken.

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