Kumara in stilt walk for peace

By Chris Kamalendran

Carrying the message that peace is the need of the hour, a 26 year old man from Indigodatenna in Matugama began yesterday a 250 kilometre journey on stilts.

In his campaign to draw the attention of people to the need to find a lasting solution to the ethnic crisis, Saman Kumara, who makes a living by making broomsticks and rugs, is supported by the village temple's chief priest, Ven Bopitiye Sumangala Thera.

Mr. Kumara, covering 15 kilometres a day, will end his journey Anuradhapura at Jayasrimahabodhiya in three weeks.

"I hope that my effort will be useful to bridge the gap between the people in the north and the south and build a united country," said Mr. Kumara during a practice walk.

"I have obtained police permission for my task. The police will be escorting me from my village up to Kalutara. Two of my friends will be accompanying me up to Anuradhapura."

At a time when politicians were making little effort to end the war, Mr. Kumara's efforts were praised by many villagers.

He appeals to motorists and people to extend their fullest cooperation to him during the walk.

LTTE gets minister's letter

By Shelani de Silva

The Red Cross has delivered a letter from Environment Minister Nandimithra Ekanayake to LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, requesting the cooperation of the rebels in measures to stop the rape of forests and to protect the environment.

A Red Cross official told The Sunday Times the letter given by the minister two weeks ago was delivered to the LTTE leader through its Vavuniya office.

In the letter Minister Ekananyake said the environment had nothing to do with politics, the ethnic problem or the war. He said he had learnt that extensive damage had been caused to the forests, especially in the Wanni region and was seeking the cooperation of the LTTE in protecting the environment for the sake of the future generation.

Good swimmers drown in official silence

By Ayesha R. Rafiq

As the Asian Games gets underway in Bangkok today, questions are being raised as to the eligibility of some members of Sri Lanka's swimming contingent.

Swimming circles were also asking why no proper trials were held. The normal practice is to hold an official trial, set the qualifying standards and then make the selection. Participants are generally informed of these about a month ahead so that they could go into intensive training.

After the Nationals, which are held by the National Amateur Aquatic Sports Union, the participants were informed that no one had qualified for the Asian Games. Many are questioning how this could be done when no proper qualifying timing had been given.

When officials were asked why no trials were held, and why no timings were announced, a heavy bureaucratic silence was the answer.

Participants were later informed that they had been required to clock at least the eighth place timing of the last Asian Games. As there were no qualifiers, NAASU had sent the timings of all swimmers to the National Olympic Committee, notably without any recommendations. The National Selectors had initially not picked anyone.

Chairman of the NAASU Selection Committee said that when the NOC had informed the Sports Ministry that there were no recommendations, they were told that the matter had gone 'higher up' and they would have to select two boys and two girls to make up the swimming contingent.

The selection committee, comprising both NAASU and Sports Ministry officials had then reportedly selected the best allround swimmers, based on the number of events each had won.

But questions are being asked whether the four selected were the best and if not, why they were selected.

Sri Lanka's only long distance swimmer Sean Lee, winner of the 100m freestyle event Theekshana Ratnasekera, and the only record breaker at this year's Nationals, H.E. Nishantha have been left out, while Radeshie Daluwatta, the Army Commander's daughter, who was placed third in the 100m freestyle event will now be representing Sri Lanka in that same event at the Asian Games.

Conrad Francis, a swimmer who for the past year has been in Australia, within a week of arriving in Sri Lanka, was also included in the swimming contingent, after he produced an Australian certificate on his timing.

Parents of swimmers who have been left out are complaining that justice has not been done. "If this is the case, my child need not train for anything. If I have the money and the influence, he can go and win national colours, without even being qualified for it," said one parent.

Only one member of the contingent, Gayan Ranatunga has been sponsored for the Games, while the others have reportedly been told that if they could find the money, they could go. Upon hearing this, Kandy swimming star Anuradha Perera, had offered to pay his way, but he was refused permission.When The Sunday Times contacted Anuradha Perera's father he declined to comment on the matter.

There was a deadly official silence, as Sports Ministry Officials, the Chairman of the Selection Committee, Tory Jayawardene, and NAASU President Henry Perera, refused to comment.

NAASU selection committee chairman Dennis Flamer Caldera said they initially refused to send Daluwatta as her standard was not good enough, and had initially suggested that Ratnasekera should go. But they were told Ratnasekera couldn't go due to her A/L's. The family when contacted, however said that no such intimation had been made.

Participation at Asian Games entitles one to National Colours, which gains the holder extra points when it comes to University Entrance.

Parents are now afraid that if too great a fuss is caused over the selection, their children will not only be penalised at the upcoming SAF Games and swimming events hereafter, but that it could also result in their children's safety being threatened.

Parties throw all they have into North Western polls

By Chamintha Thilakarathna

With PA nominations to be handed in tomorrow and the UNP the day after, the campaign for the North Western provincial polls is turning hot.

Leaders of the two main political parties have directed their members to throw everything into the campaign for the election which is likely to be held in the third week of next month.

The PA is fielding Deputy Minister Sarath Nawinna while the UNP has decided to call in its NWP strongman Gamini Jayawickrema Perera to head the list there.

President Kumaratunga has appointed Ministers to be in charge of each area of the NWP while Mr. Jayawickrema Perera told The Sunday Times UNP, frontliners and MPs would spearhead the campaign which is being built as a test of strength for both parties.

The NWP leader said two members of the United Lalith Front, a constituent party in the PA, would be contesting on the UNP ticket.

The main challenge to the two major parties is likely to come from the JVP and the MEP while a new left front under the guidance of radical Wickramambahu Karunaratne will also contest.

Experts study UNP peace proposals

A committee of experts appointed by the Justice Ministry is to study the UNP's alternative proposals before drafting a constitutional reforms bill, including the devolution package, an official said.

Coordinator of the reforms committee, Jayampathi Wickramaratne, told The Sunday Times the committee would not make any new proposals but only refine the bill which would be ready within weeks.

Dr. Wickremeratne said the Committee felt that if the UNP proposals should first be discussed with the minority parties and their consent obtained.

He said there would be little purpose in incorporating any UNP proposals if the minority parties did not approve them.

Right of reply

Not me, not SEC

Nihal Mendis, Chairman of the State Engineering Corporation has spoken to us in response to our political commentary last week wherein it was reported that the President had criticised Housing Minister Indika Gunawardene over tender procedures, and the high cost of construction work at Temple Trees.

The President said she was able to save 40% of the construction work costs undertaken at 'Temple Trees'.

The column added that the President had referred to a 'Corporation head who was a classmate of the Minister', and that she was aware of this person, with whom it would be difficult to adopt this kind of procedure.

While the column stands by its story, Mr. Mendis states that the reference may be attributed to him as he is the only Corporation head who is a classmate of Minister Gunawardene.

Mr. Mendis, however, states that his Corporation has not undertaken any construction work at 'Temple Trees' and in fact it is only now that the Corporation has been invited to undertake this work. Therefore the reference could not have been either to him or the State Engineering Corporation.

Kadirgamar congratulates new Indian FM Jashwant Singh

Jashwant Singh, senior BJP member and close confidant of Prime Minister Atal Behar Vajpayee, was appointed yesterday as India's Foreign Minister.

In a move seen as asserting his authority within the Hindu nationalist ranks after an electoral rout, Mr. Vajpayee also brought in senior Hindu nationalists Pramod Mahajan and Jagmohan Malhotra to give his eight-month-old government a new face, officials said.

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister, the first to congratulate Mr. Singh on his appointment, said he had no doubt that relations between India and Sri Lanka would continue to remain as excellent as they were.

Mr. Kadirgamar says in his message:

"It was with great pleasure that I heard this morning of your appointment as the Minister of External Affairs of India. I send you my warmest congratulations on receiving yet another significant honour in your long career of distinguished public service.

"I have no doubt that during Your Excellency's tenure of the high office you now hold relations between India and Sri Lanka will continue to remain as excellent as they are and that together we will find new avenues of cooperation and fruitful endeavour for the benefit of our peoples and our region of the world.

"My own support and goodwill remain always assured to make of Your Excellency's portfolio the outstanding success it deserves to be. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration."

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