Conditions of the IDP’s ‘good and impressive’, says US Congress delegates; New US Ambassador to Sri Lanka named; Sri Lanka Army Chief says LTTE is over
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    • The United States Congress has officially passed a statement that the situation of IDPs in the Sri Lankan camps is “good and impressive”. Issues such as demining and programmes conducted by Northern Development Task Force, which aims to resettle the displaced within a short period of 180 days, amongst others was discussed in detail1. On the diplomatic front, Patricia Butenis, has been designated as the new Ambasador of Sri Lanka. Ms Butenis has earlier served in Iraq, Pakistan and India2.

    Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama meanwhile reiterated the victory of the Lanka government in getting a clean chit from the Human Rights Council meeting which was held in Geneva. The Minister stated that key nations had acknowledged that Rajapakse had conducted human rescue operations and also protected the human rights of the common people. In the recently held Human Rights Council Meeting held on May 25, 2009, 29 nations voting for the motion while 12 voting against with 6 abstaining from the vote3.

    Sri Lanka Army Chief General Sarath Fonseka, has cautioned that thought he LTTE is almost finished, there were chances that the guerilla outfit could carry hit and run attacks. H epointed out trhat the top three leadership rungs of the outfit had been destroyed and chances of regrouping were negligible. As per the latest count the government had lost 190 officers and 5200 men, while 27,000 soldiers were injured. On the LTTE front, 22,000 Tiger fighters had been killed and 9000 rebels captured during the same period4.

    At the domestic front provincial council elections would soon be held. According to the sources, United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA), is alls et to contest elections in Jaffna and Vaviniya. These elections would take place between August 4 – 17, 20095. In other developments, Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias Karuna has been appointed as the vice president of Sri Lanka Freedom Party6.

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