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Tamil roadblock for emerging PA - UNP consensus

By Franklin. R. Satyapalan
The PA-UNP agreement on a referendum to decide on the future of the temporarily merged North Eastern Province is running into a barrage of Tamil opposition, Tamil political sources said yesterday. They were also firmly of the view that an interim council without the LTTE would be pointless.

Three Tamil parties, TELO, EPRLF and the Tamil Congress representing the North East and the upcountry organisations like the CWC, DWC, Upcountry People’s Front and the Ceylon National Workers Congress (of Mr. M.S. Sellasamy) have in a statement criticised the emerging consensus between the PA and the UNP in the draft peace package.

In a joint statement issued last Wednesday these parties warned that a referendum in the East and the constitution of an interim council would further complicate the problem. They said that the ongoing PA-UNP discussions have lost direction by deviating from the previous objective of reaching an agreement and presenting it to the LTTE and other Tamil groups.

PLOTE had expressed its solidarity and support for the stand taken by the seven Tamil political parties at the meeting convened by TELO. Although the EPDP did not participate at this meeting, it is sharply opposed to the referendum and the interim council proposals which it had labeled as "useless.’’

The TULF too has rejected the proposed referendum and said that it cannot participate in an interim council without the LTTE.

Tamil political sources say that the demand that the LTTE gives up arms expecting compliance was ridiculous. What should be attempted is an interim arrangement that can develop into a permanent solution, they said.

"Imposing preemptive conditions will not help,’’ TELO leader N. Srikanthan said yesterday.

The TULF’s Joseph Pararajasingham added that an interim council without the LTTE would be ineffective.

He stressed that the key player in the ethnic issue today is the LTTE and trying to resolve this question without the Tigers will be like playing Hamlet without the King of Denmark.

Pararajasingham said that the TULF will strongly oppose the bifurcation of the North East or any referendum that can lead to it. He stressed that there will be no compromise on this issue.

Mr. W.T. Wilson of the EPRLF said that if peace was the real objective, matter like an interim council and referendum should not be brought in at this stage. Instead, all concerned should concentrate on a durable solution that can be acceptable to all parties including the LTTE.

Referendum neither "practical nor feasible" - Ashraff

By Franklin R. Satyapalan
Although the SLMC has agreed to a referendum in the Eastern Province regarding a North-East merger, they believed that such an exercise "is neither practical nor feasible," SLMC leader M. H. M. Ashraff said yesterday.

Ashraff also said that government’s position that LTTE will not be brought into an interim council arrangement "is not the right attitude towards the LTTE." He said that the Tigers coming into an interim council would obviously mean that they are coming in after downing arms following a ceasefire.

Ashraff who expressed his conviction that the ethnic problem here cannot be resolved without the support of the international community accused the UNP of "playing safe" with its proposal for the creation of an interim council and a referendum for the Eastern Province.

He said that they opposed the referendum at the time of the Indo-Lanka Accord for the same reason they adduced now. It is not practical and this has been proved by the fact that no referendum has been held for nearly 13 years after the Indo-Lanka Accord.

"We fear that a Kashmir situation may arise in the North-East as well," he said.

"Despite several UN resolutions, no referendum has been held in Kashmir to decide its future."

He also said that the Muslim minorities have bitter experience as a result of the temporary merger of the North-East permitting Tamil armed militants to operate freely in those areas. Several hundred people had been killed and Muslims massacred. The Muslims were living in those areas already as second class citizens. The Sinhalese there have also undergone bitter experiences.

Ashraff said that their solution was that all three communities of the North-East share political power. But this has been presented to the public as though the SLMC was insisting on carving out a separate Muslim state. "We categorically deny this allegation," he said.

He said that their solution to the problem was a South-East Council with adequate safeguards for the Muslim minorities elsewhere in the North East. They also stood for the protection of Sinhalese minorities in the region.

He said they were keen on special safeguards for Muslim minorities in the Mannar District and the future of about 75,000 Muslims driven out of Jaffna and other parts of the Northern province.

He said that they had a duty to ensure the right of these people to return to their homes and be adequately compensated for what they have suffered.

"It is our prime duty to ensure that Muslims are not once again driven away at the point of a gun from any part of the Northern and Eastern provinces," Ashraff said.

Anti-LTTE protest by Lankans in Rome

From Sujeeva Nivunhella - Our London Corr.
A protest manifestation against the LTTE terrorists in Sri Lanka will be held in Piazza Repubblica in Rome, Italy on 29, June with the special permission from the Police in Rome. This has been organised by the newly formed Sri Lankan Unity-Italy’’ organisation.

On the same day the organisers intend to hand over petitions to Home Affairs Ministry in Italy, British Embassy and to the Indian Embassy urging these countries to help the Sri Lankan government to eradicate Tamil Terrorism in Sri Lanka.

Since this day is going to be a holiday in Rome, the organisers expect more than 1000 Sri Lankans to attend this rally.

In the meantime, a mass demonstration was held last Wednesday during Prime Minister’s question time outside House of Commons in London demanding the British Government to close LTTE Headquarters in London, put an end to Tamil Tiger Terrorist fund raising on British soil protect the third most threatened Sinhala race from extinction.

This well attended demonstration was organised by the United Organisations Against Terrorism in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka offers "interim council" to north and east for five years

By Amal Jayasinghe
COLOMBO, June 23 (AFP) - President Chandrika Kumaratunga and her main opposition party have agreed to form an interim council to administer Sri Lanka’s northeast in a bid to end Tamil separatist violence, officials said Friday.

During bipartisan talks between Kumaratunga’s People’s Alliance (PA) and the main opposition United National Party (UNP) it was agreed to offer an interim council for the embattled regions for a five-year period, officials said.

While the composition and the exact role of the interim body is yet to be announced, it is seen as a stop-gap measure until political reforms are in place to grant greater autonomy to the island’s ethnic Tamil minority.

"The agreement is to have an interim council for a period of five years for the northern and eastern provinces, considering them as one region," a source close to the talk said.

"There was a discussion as to whether the period should be two years or more and finally all felt that five years was more practical and realistic."

He said "all political parties" could be included in the interim administrative council, but there was no specific reference to the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

The government in a statement Friday reiterated that there will be no place for the Tamil Tigers in an interim council unless they denounce violence.

The government’s stance on the LTTE remains the same, that the LTTE could participate in an interim council only on entering the democratic political mainstream and giving up their terror campaign," the government said Friday.

Tiger guerrillas are leading a campaign for an independent homeland in the island’s northern and eastern regions for where the two main political parties have proposed the interim body.

The proposed council is expected to have a greater degree of autonomy, including the right to negotiate direct foreign loans and to administer land and have its own police force.

Authorities believe that greater autonomy could see an end to Tamil demands for outright separation.

Foreign policy and defence are the key areas that will remain with the central government as part of the drastic political reform package unveiled by President Kumaratunga on August 3, 1995.

President Kumaratunga’s PA and the opposition UNP have been meeting since March in a bid to hammer out a broad consensus on a political settlement to the conflict as together they represent the majority Sinhalese community.

The opposition UNP holds the balance of power in parliament and can make or break political reforms. However, the reforms must go to parliament before its six-year term expires on August 24.

The latest development on the key devolution issue comes two days after a senior minister announced the government had decided to present a draft peace plan to the Tamil Tigers before going to parliament for approval.

Agriculture Minister D. M. Jayaratne confirmed then that they would discuss the peace package with Tamil Tigers.

Jayaratne also played down a government statement Sunday which said it would press ahead with the peace bid with or without the Tigers.

Political analysts said diplomatic pressure may have encouraged the government to review its stand.

Australia, Lanka in touch over illegal immigrants

by Shamindra Ferdinando
Australia is in regular touch with Sri Lankan authorities regarding continuing attempts by some Lankans to enter Australia illegally, a top Australian diplomat said on Friday.

"We are seriously concerned," the diplomat said adding that Australia continued to advice Lankans as well as other illegal immigrants not to attempt illegal entry.

Australian Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs MP Philip Ruddock last Wednesday warned Lankan illegal immigrants that they should take notice of the grieving relatives of those Lankans who died attempting the journey last year. The warning was believed to have been made following Australian High Commission in Colombo receiving information regarding further attempts to enter Australia illegally.

"We’ve been told about people falling overboard and being left in shark-infested waters and crews deserting boats," the High Commission quoted the minister as saying in a statement issued last week.

At least 15 Lankans drowned in an Indian ocean storm last year when their unseaworthy vessel on its way to Australia sank. Some others have been arrested by Australian authorities after they landed there. They remain in detention.

The diplomat said that the issue of illegal immigration and other related matters remain on top of bi-lateral issues between Australia and Sri Lanka. "This is one key issue which affects Australia," the spokesperson said pointing out that the recent tragedy in the port of Dover, UK where bodies of 58 illegal immigrants were found, signals the dangers in illegal entry.

The spokesperson said that Australia welcomes immigrants. They must apply legally, the spokesperson said adding that they wanted to tell the people of the dangers in seeking illegal entry.

Dozens of Lankans had been killed in abortive attempts to cross borders in various European countries.

Sri Lankan officials said that foreign governments should deport illegal immigrants as soon as they arrive in their respective countries. The majority of illegal immigrants, some of them members of Sri Lankan terrorist groups, collect funds in Canada, the US, Europe and Australia.

"People would not try illegal entry if they face immediate deportation," one official said pointing out that almost all these so-called asylum seekers are after better economic prospects abroad.

Canada has become a safe heaven for thousands of immigrants, engaged in fund raising for the LTTE. Despite, repeated calls, these immigrants, some of them accused of shootings, extortion and assault, continue to operate free, he said.

AG knows nothing about re-opening Eppawela case

Attorney-General K.C. Kamalasabayson yesterday said he knew nothing of any decision to seek the adjudication of a full bench of the Supreme Court on the Eppawela phosphates controversy on which a 3-judge bench has already made a determination.

Asked about a report saying that the government will call for the review of this matter by a full bench of the Supreme Court, the AG said: ``I know absolutely nothing about anything like that.’’

He found it curious that the report had been attributed to ``government sources.’’ - (FRS)

TNL withdraws petition

By Chitra Weerarathne
The Attorney General, K. C. Kamalasabaysan PC, on Friday told the Supreme Court that the Minister of Justice, Professor G. L. Peiris has revoked from the Order Paper of Parliament the Bill which sought to amend the Parliamentary Elections Act, to prohibit the candidates contesting at Parliamentary Elections to seek advertisements on the electronic media.

The Attorney General said that thereby there was no necessity for the Supreme Court to hear and determine any petitions filed against this Bill.

Consequently, the petition filed by Telshan Network Pvt. Limited challenging the Constitutionality of this Bill was withdrawn by the counsel for the petitioner, Mr. Desmond Fernando PC. Mr. Desmond Fernando appeared with Mr. Lakshman Perera and Ms. Shanika Wickremasinghe, instructed by Asoka Samararatne for the TNL.

Military cargo at Wattala warehouse Sri Lanka informed of transhipment - Bangladesh diplomat

by Shamindra Ferdinando
Criminal Investigation Department [CID] on Friday questioned the manager and the assistant manager of the Wattala warehouse from where half a dozen crates containing military cargo were taken into custody on May 27.

The crates had contained spares imported from Pakistan via Colombo for Bangladesh Armoured Fighting Vehicles.

A CID official recorded statements at the offices of the Wattala warehouse, informed sources said adding that the investigation appeared to have been aimed at finding out whether any rules and regulations have been violated by the management of the warehouse and any other relevant authorities by removing these crates out of the port and taking them to the warehouse.

A Bangladesh diplomat said that they simply could not understand why the crates were taken into custody.

"As far as we know, we have informed Sri Lankan authorities regarding the transhipment and obtained necessary approvals," he said pointing out that the High Commission expects the government of Sri Lanka to clear these crates.

He expressed surprise at the decision to launch a police inquiry, saying that they have followed all procedures in moving military cargo from one country to another.

A Ports Development, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Ministry spokesman said that the cargo was cleared after receiving confirmation from the Office of the Bangladesh High Commissioner and the Defence Advisor.

"The cargo was in the custody of the customs," he said admitting that as far as the ministry and the Ports Authority were concerned no procedures have been violated.

The Bangladesh High Commission has been in touch with government authorities since the seizure of spares.

A spokesman for the warehouse said that the six crates were moved from the Colombo harbour to the warehouse on May 26 but kept in customs bond. But the entire consignment was taken away by the officers of the Customs Preventive Office on the next day. He said that they have permission to remove consignments from the harbour for re-packing at Wattala.

"Customs took away what was under their own custody," another source said.

TELO not invited

The TELO was not invited for the meeting government had with the main opposition UNP, the Tamil parties in Parliament and the SLMC last Wednesday, a spokesman for the party said yesterday.

"We are represented in Parliament by Wanni District MP A. Adayakalanathan and we are at a loss to understand why we were not invited.

It appears that some people find us as an irritant in regard to the discussion on some vital issues involved in the national question for we had been refusing to play second fiddle to them," he said. (F.R.S.)

Bogey of cooking oils
Plea to curtail misleading advertisements

by Chittaranjan de Silva
The Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) has expressed concern over advertisements in the print and electronic media, which claim that certain cooking oils are ‘free of cholesterol’.

Chairman of the SLMA’s Non-Communicable Disease Prevention Committee, Dr. S. Seneviratne Epa said yesterday that these advertisements could ‘dupe or mislead the public, especially those having heart ailments, into believing these cooking oils could be consumed safely, even by them’.

Dr. Seneviratne, a cardiologist, pointed out the urgent need to curtail misleading advertisements, which target the unsuspecting public and give them a wrong impression.

He explained that some vegetable oils in the market carry labels with a heart painted in red to assert to the customer that consuming these oils are healthy for the heart.

He pointed out that in any case vegetable oils are cholesterol free. Those who advertise these oils are actually telling a truth when they say that these oils are cholesterol free, but the public is in danger when advertisements also imply that these oils are safe for consumption even for heart patients.

He advised the public to look for the words ‘monounsaturated" or ‘polyunsaturated" fats when buying cooking oils, rather than look for cholesterol free oils, since it is the ‘unsaturated oils’ that are healthy for the heart.

Coconut oil, which has been a popular cooking ingredient among the Sri Lankan public for ages also ‘do not contain any cholesterol, but it is a saturated oil’, Dr. Seneviratne said.

He also said that no vegetable oil could contain cholesterol and added that cholesterol is mainly contained in animal fat.

But however, even though coconut oil and other vegetable oils are free of cholesterol, it does not mean these oils are safe for the heart because they fall into the "saturated" oil category.

He stressed that fat contained in unsaturated oils, both the monounsaturated and the polyunsaturated varieties, are healthy for the heart.

Soya oil, olive oil and corn oil are categorised as unsaturated oils and the fat contained in them are healthy for the heart, he said.

Dr. Seneviratne further explained that all saturated oils harden when they are refrigerated, while the unsaturated remain in liquid form.

He said that this test could be used effectively in determining the saturated oils from the unsaturated ones.

According to Dr. Seneviratne, people, even those with heart ailments, have to consume oil since it is a essential part of their diet.

From the calories contained in the daily diet, around 20-30% comes from the fat in the diet, he said explaining the importance of fat in the diet.

He emphasised that the fat needed for the body should be obtained from unsaturated oils, which are healthy for the heart.

Terrorist bunker destroyed - Govt.

Special Media Information Centre said in a situation report that on 22nd June, around 11.30 p.m. in general area Colombuthurai, troops destroyed a terrorist bunker using small arms and RPGs. Two terrorists were killed during the attack.

Troops sniped and killed 3 terrorists at Nagarkovil around 6.00 p.m. on the same day.

On 23rd June, around 6.45 p.m. in general area Allarai, troops engaged a group of terrorists with machine guns and small arms. Ground troops confirmed that 2 terrorists were killed.

In the Wanni on 22nd June around 3 p.m. in general area Nadhukuda, troops on a search and clear operation recovered 1 boat, 1 out Board Motor, 1 communication set, 1 Yamaha Motor Cycle, 3 T56 magazines and 3 Petrol cans from the area.

On 23rd June around 2.30 p.m. in general area Vavuniyaperiya, troops carried out a reconnaissance patrol and observed an abandoned terrorist bunker. On a subsequently search in the area troops recovered 1 RPG and 7 RPG bombs which were hidden outside the bunker.

On the same day around 11 a.m. in general area North of Omantai, troops snipped and killed 1 terrorist.

Around 5.30 p.m. in general area Meerandavil, troops observed a terrorist movement and engaged with small arms and Artillery fire. Subsequently troops cleared the area and recovered 2 hand grenades along with 2 terrorist dead bodies.

Shell Gas won’t increase price

Shell Gas Lanka Limited in the immediate aftermath of the devaluation of the rupee last week, has said that it is subsidising a 12.5Kg domestic cylinder by Rs. 20.46 to avoid another price increase.

Shell Gas, which increased the price of a domestic cylinder by a shocking Rs. 105 recently, said that they have decided not to pass the additional cost to the consumer this time.

The recent devaluation of the rupee has resulted in a cost increase of Rs. 17.64 per domestic cylinder, while the increased cost of goods and services have added Rs. 2.81 to the price, SGLL said.

The additional cost to the company, as a result of the rupee depreciation, would be Rs. 15 million per month, SGLL added.

It further said that they also had to absorb a loss of Rs. 500 million by keeping the gas prices artificially low from January to May this year.

The company is taking measures to cut down on operating costs, said. — (CdeS)

Remembering the heroes

Old Peterites will get-together on July 2 for the Annual General Meeting of the Old Boys Union. Proceedings will begin with a Concelebrated Holy Mass presided over by the Rector and Patron of the Union at 8.00 a.m. in the College Chapel together with Old Boy Priests. The mass will be specially offered for all Peterites in the Armed Forces and the Police who have sacrificed their lives for the cause of the motherland.

‘Our World Through Colours’

The Primary hands of Methodist College, Colombo 3, will hold an exhibition on July 2 and 3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the National Art Gallery.

More colour will be added by four participating schools — Lanka Sabha Vidyalaya, Lindsay Balika Vidyalaya, Lumbini Maha Vidyalaya and Vidyawardena Vidyalaya, Colombo.

Bridal Show

‘Health Beauty and Gift Fair 2000’ incorporating the Bridal Show will be held at The Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre for the fourth successive year, from July 27-30.

This event being only one of its kind will bring together leaders in the segment of Hairdressers, Beauty Therapists, Bridal Designers, Cosmetics Suppliers and related products.

Goes abroad for social study

Zarin Joe Rauf, Dist. Chairman Lions 306C International Relations visited HongKong and Macau recently and met Dist Governor Lions International Dist 303 Lion Edwin K. W. Yun. He also visited the 128-year-old Kam Wo Hospital in Macau.

Mr. Rauf visited these countries to acquaint himself with social activities of those region .

Office-bearers

The sixth Annual General meeting of the Institute of Sri Lankan Photographers was held recently at Galle Face Hotel.

The following were elected office-bearers and Ex-Co members:

President: Panduka de Silva

Immediate Past President: L. E. Samararatne

Vice President: N. R. Abeyasinghe

Hony Secretary: Vijitha Kumar de Silva

Hony Treasurer: Chandana Fernando

Executive Council: Bandu Gunaratne, Aruna Kirthisinghe, Chandrasena Perera, V. J. Wickremage, K. L. S. Fernando, Wajira Dharmaratne, K. D. T. Weerasekara, Varuna Kariyakarawana, Sisira Jayasekara.

Free animal sterilising

The Animal Welfare and Protection Association with the assistance of the Veterinary Department of the University of Peradeniya will conduct a free sterilising/neutering clinic at the transit home for animals at No. 107 A, Kadawatha Road, Dehiwala, on Sunday, July 2 from 8.30 a.m. to 12 noon.

On a first come first served basis dogs and cats over 6 months can be sterilized. The animals must not be given any food or water for 12 hours prior to the operation. The animals must be healthy and not sick. Cats must be brought in a box and dogs on a chain.

The aim of holding these clinics is to eradicate rabies and prevent unwanted puppies and kittens.

Handwoven exhibits

"Image Sri Lanka IV — distinctive handwovens" — a national handloom centre project 1999/2000 will be held at the National Art Gallery from July 7-9.

It is organised by the Texile Training and Services Centre and co-sponsored by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board.

The project ‘Image Sri Lanka’ was initially started in 1996 with a view to establishing an identity in Sri Lankan textiles.

New Chairman of NAITA

The Minister of Science and Technology Batty Weerakoon has appointed T. R. Wijewickrema as the new Chairman of the National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority (NAITA) functioning under his Ministry.

An old boy of Ananda Sasthralaya, Kotte Mr. Wijewickrema is a son of the late Mr. D. N. R. Wijewickrema, District Inspector of Telecommunications and Mrs. Wijewickrema, the sister of the well known Sri Lankan Scientist and Educationist Dr. E. W. Adikaram.

Mr. Wijewickrema holds a Master’s Degree from the Liberec Technical University of Czechoslovakia in Engineering. He has represented NAITA at various international conferences, seminars and workshops. At the time of his appointment as Chairman of NAITA he was a Consultant of the American Inter-national Development Council (Asian Development Bank).

Australia helps magnanimously to uplift health services

by Saman Indrajith
As around 800,000 persons living in welfare centres, resettled villages and villages in the border areas in Sri Lanka suffer from poor state of reproductive health services and facilities, the Australian government has decided to assist local health authorities to upgrade reproductive health needs of those affected by the armed conflict, Australian Ambassador Peter Rowe, said last week.

Donating two vehicles for reproductive health services in the conflict areas to the Minister of Health and Indigenous Medicine, Nimal Siripala de Silva at the Minister’s office in Suwasiripaya, Mr. Rowe said that the Australian government, through AusAID, has donated $500,000 to the Sri Lankan government through United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for a project to improve the access and quality of reproductive health services to populations affected by the on going North-East conflict. The duration of this project is two years. It is being implemented by the Family Health Bureau of the Health Ministry.

"This project is essential to comprehensively address the reproductive health needs of an extremely vulnerable segment of the population, mostly those affected by the armed conflict," he said.

The main beneficiaries of the project will be women of reproductive age. It will concentrate on providing emergency reproductive health care to these women. The project is being implemented in 11 districts: Anuradha-pura, Polonnaruwa, Puttalam, Ampara, Jaffna, Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi, Vavu-niya, Mannar, Trincomalee and Batticaloa. It is meant to adopt a comprehensive and integrated reproductive health approach.

Ms. Suneeta Mukherjie, UNFPA Representative in Sri Lanka was also present on the occasion where an ambulance was handed over to be used in the project’s operations in Mannar and a double cab to Polonnaruwa District.

Promoting Buddhism in Europe

The German Dharmaduta Society will be holding a Public Seminar on the topic ‘The Necessity for Promoting Buddhism in Europe’ at the Mahaveli Centre Auditorium, 96, Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha, Colombo 7, on Sunday, 2nd of July commencing at 3.00 p.m., to commemorate the first anniversary of the death of the Founder of the Society, Asoka Weeraratna (Ven. Mitirigala Dhamm-anisanthi Thero) which falls on that date. An Exhibition of Re-Prints of Old Photographs depicting the Buddhist links between Sri Lanka and Germany, and particularly of the Berlin Buddhist Vihara, Asoka Weera-ratna’s Dharmaduta activities in Germany in the 1950’s, the preparations for the sending of the First Theravada Buddhist Mission to Germany in 1957 and most significantly the establishment of the Buddha Sasana in Germany by the regular despatch of Buddhist monks for prolonged periods of residence in that country, among others, will be on display on this day from 2.00 p.m. at this venue.

Bhikkhu Bodhi who was the principal speaker at the United Nations Headquarters, New York, this year on the occasion of the declaration of Vesak as a day of international religious observance, will deliver the keynote address on ‘ The Necessity for Promoting Buddhism in Europe ‘

Ven.( Dr.) Bell-anvila Wimalaratne Mahanayake Thero, Ven. Nauyane Ariyad-hamma Mahanayake Thero (Deputy San-ghanayake, Yogas-hrama Institute, Amarapura Nikaya) Ven. Rathmale Punnaratana Thero (Berlin Buddhist Vihara), Ven. (Dr.) Vijayarajapura Seelavansa Thero (Nyanaponika Centre, Vienna, Austria), Ven. Nyanadassana Thero (a Greek Monk) from the Mitirigala Forest Hermitage, Dr. Granville Dharm-awardena (President, German Dharmaduta Society) and Dr. K. D. G. Wimalarathne, Director, National Archives constitute the Panel of speakers. There will also be a Panel discussion open to public participation.

The German Dharmaduta Society administers the Berlin Buddhist Vihara (Das Buddhistische Haus), which is the oldest Buddhist Temple in Europe. Dr. Paul Dahlke, a devout German Buddhist, built it in 1924. The German Dharmaduta Society purchased the premises in 1957. On Sunday the June 18, 2000, a large crowd of Germans (estimated to be nearly 500 ) attended the Poson ‘Open Door’ religious programme of activities conducted at the Berlin Buddhist Vihara.

Sahanaya promotes "Healing Arts"

The National Council for Mental Health (Sahanaya) is organising an exhibition titled "The Healing Arts" on July 1 and July 3 at the British Council Auditorium in Colombo.

The promoters said that the purpose of this exhibition is threefold - (1) To raise an awareness of mental health issues in our society. (2) To promote the work of Sahanaya and (3) To display and demonstrate the use of the creative art as a therapeutic medium.

They explained that the purpose of the exhibition was to present the work of Sahanaya to as wide an audience as possible and to recognise the achievements of individuals who had obtained treatment.

"People suffering from a mental health problems face stigmatisation and isolation by the communities in which they live. Much of this is due to the fact that the public have a lack of knowledge and understanding of mental health problems," a Sahanaya news release said.

"It is hoped that this exhibition will help in some way to break down those barriers by providing information about mental illness, the work of Sahanaya and the benefits of the arts to health and well-being."

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