Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar will shortly brief the Pakistan government on his talks in New Delhi at Pakistan's request for Sri Lanka to use its 'good offices' in improving Indo-Pakistan relations.
Mr. Kadirgamar discussed the Pakistan request with Indian Foreign Minister I. K. Gujral during his visit to New Delhi on Thursday and Friday.
Mr. Kadirgamar was tight lipped on his returns yesterday about the Indian response, but confirmed that he would be conveying to his Pakistan counterpart, India's reaction in due course.
He emphasized however that Sri Lanka was not a negotiator or a mediator in the dispute between India and Pakistan and added that Sri Lanka had not shifted from its position that all contentions issues should be settled bi-laterally under the Simla agreement between India and Pakistan.
Mr. Kadirgamar said the Indian government had earlier written to Pakistan's Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in reply to her letter and was now awaiting a reply from her to resume talks between the two countries.
At least 10 soldiers were killed and five police officers injured in sporadic incidents in the North and East, a military spokesman said.
Six soldiers were killed in the Thenmarachchi division in Jaffna around 4.30 p.m. when a tractor in which they were travelling was blown up by a pressure mine on Friday.
Four more soldiers were killed yesterday morning when an army vehicle carrying reinforcements to assist a group of soldiers under attack in Santhurukanduwan 6 km. north of Batticaloa was caught up in a land mine explosion. The soldiers who came under attack were on a routine patrol.
At Pettalai in Batticaloa in another land mine explosion three police constables and two sub-Inspectors were injured on Friday at noon.
One LTTE cadre was also killed in a confrontation in Thenmarachchi Jaffna on Friday.
India's new Prime Minister, H. P. Deve Gowda has reiterated India's support for the independence and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka and respect for the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of states, particularly of Sri Lanka.
There was no question of supporting the LTTE which had tried to seek the help of the Indian government, he said in talks with Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar. <'/P>
Mr. Gowda emphasised that this principle had been endorsed by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, M. Karunanidhi. All constituent political parties in the United Front, including the DMK had been party to the extension of the proscription of the LTTE, which had been one of the decisions of the new Indian Cabinet.
Mr. Gowda stressed India wished to enhance New Delhi's relations with neighbours such as Sri Lanka. Mr. Kadirgamar was the first Foreign Minister to visit India since the assumption of office by the United Front Government this month. He was in New Delhi on Thursday and Friday as a special emissary of President Chandrika Kumaratunga.
The Minister handed over a letter to the Indian Premier in which President Kumaratunga extended an invitation to Mr. Gowda to visit Sri Lanka at a mutually convenient time.
Mr. Kadirgamar briefed Mr. Gowda on developments in Sri Lanka including the situation in the North and East. He explained that civilian administration was being gradually re-established in the Jaffna peninsula following campaigns conducted by the security forces to restore peace in the area, the Foreign Ministry said.
The Sunday Times has been appointed the official newspaper for the forthcoming visit of Miss World Jacqueline Aguilera to Sri Lanka. The reigning Miss World will be here from July 12-15 in connection with the Sri Lanka Anti-Narcotics Association (SLANA) Health Run and the installation of the new presidents of the Rotary Clubs of Colombo East and West. Her visit is sponsored by the E.A.P Edirisinghe, Group of Companies.
This is the second successive visit by a reigning Miss World to Sri Lanka. Last year Miss India Aishwarya Rai received an enthusiastic welcome when she visited Sri Lanka. Miss Rai flagged off has SLANA health run, lending her support to the anti-drug campaign and also graced the installation of the new president of Rotary East, Krish Rajendra.
The Sunday Times was the official newspaper for her visit as well, bringing readers extensive coverage and exclusive interviews. <./P>
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The President and Cabinet of Ministers have decided to give priority to the reconstruction of the Jaffna Public Library.
According to a press release, the President had explained to the government that the library was burnt down in 1981 during the District Development Council Elections, and it is the duty of the Sri Lankan people to make amends for this senseless crime.
Therefore it was decided that the library be re-constructed as a symbol of friendship of the people of the South towards the people of the North.
The Jaffna Library is renowned as one of the oldest and the best of its kind in Asia.
The five-and-a-half hour power cuts will continue as significant rain was not experienced in the catchment areas during the past few days, a CEB official said yesterday. On Friday the generating capacity of the reservoirs was 180.5 GWH (Gegawatt Hours). Around 400 GWH is needed to suspend the power cuts.
The rainfall figures in the catchment areas for the period ending at 9.30 a.m. yesterday were as follows: Canyon-19mm, Castlereagh-33mm, Laxapana-17.2mm, Kotmale- 5.5mm, Maussekelle-14.2mm, Norton-17.8mm and Ukuwela- 8.3mm. No rain was received in Randenigala, Rantambe, Victoria and Bowatenna.
According to the Meteorological Department scattered showers will be experienced in the next few days. Today there will be occasional showers with a gust of strong westerly winds in the Central, Sabaragamuwa, Western and Southern provinces.
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