Reports noted that the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) of Sri Lanka has cracked a plot to assassinate Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. A large haul of ammunition including a suicide kit weighing over 5 kg, machine guns, 121 rounds of ammunition, two ammunition cases, 13 cyanide capsules, five batteries, remote controllers, detonators were among items recovered by the police1.

The Sri Lankan government strongly condemned the comments of the Norwegian Minister of Environment and International Development, Erik Solheim, which were published in the website of the ‘Aftenposten’ newspaper on August 28, 2009, laying the blame for extra-judicial killings on the Sri Lankan Army. In the light of his comments, the Foreign Ministry noted the “possible partisanship in the facilitatory role” carried out by Mr. Solheim earlier2.

The Sri Lankan government meanwhile expects to get grants worth between Rs. 1,500-2,000 million from the International Organization for the Displaced towards the rehabilitation of surrendered LTTE cadres. Among other countries, the US, UK, France, Japan and India have welcomed this grant. Surrendered Tiger cadres will be given training in information technology, carpentry, masonry, tailoring and other technical courses3.

In other developments, the Media and Information Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa stated that the Sri Lankan economy had now recovered and was stable, with foreign reserves amounting to over Rs. 3 billion.

• 1. “Plot to assassinate Defence Secretary,” Daily News, August 25, 2009, at http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/08/25/sec01.asp
• 2. “Sri Lanka ‘Deeply Regrets’ Comments by Eric Solheim and Doubts about His Impartiality during the Peace Process,” Lanka Web, August 30, 2009, at http://www.lankaweb.com/news/items/2009/08/29/sri-lanka-%E2%80%98deeply-...
• 3. “Over Rs 1,500 m to rehab detinues,” Daily News, August 25, 2009, at http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/08/31/news13.asp