September 21, 2005:
The slide towards renewed civil war continues. The main LTTE
faction continues its assassination campaign against dissidents in the Tamil
community, while more evidence of corruption in the handling of disaster relief
funds emerge. The tidal waves last December brought billions of dollars in
contributions for relief and rebuilding, but much of it has been wasted or
stolen.
September 16, 2005: The state of emergency, imposed when the
foreign minister was assassinated last month, will be extended another month.
LTTE rebels oppose this, as they feel the increased police powers are directed
at them. The LTTE is believed responsible for the killing. The LTTE wants to
resume peace talks, but the government wants to obtain the release of three
policemen being held by the rebels. The policemen had gone into LTTE territory
to arrest a foreign child molester.