By Keith Noyahr
The European Union Council of Ministers was set to ban the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) this week despite last-ditch efforts by the rebel organization to stay the ban, a top diplomatic source revealed last night.
"The ban will be imposed on the LTTE before Germany takes over the Presidency next month," the source revealed on the condition of anonymity. Currently, the EU Presidency lies with Austria and Germany would take over the Presidency of the 25-member strong European grouping next month.

Sub Inspector Bandujeewa Weerasinghe Bopitigoda held in LTTE captivity broke down in tears during an interview The Nation had with him last week. An emotional Bopitigoda said he was worried about his wife and five year old daughter (see page three for story) pix by Ishara S. Kodikara

HOT NEWS

By Santhush Fernando
The UNP backed "Spectacle" group was in the lead as counting of the CMC ballots continued past midnight.
UNP Mayoral hopeful Sirisena Cooray told "The Nation" late last night that the UNP backed independent group was leading in all wards that counting had been finished. "We are confident of victory," he said.
According to unofficial results Cooray was leading in the preferential count.

• LTTE reacts strongly to SLMM statement
  The LTTE yesterday sent a strong letter to the SLMM in reply to the Monitors statement that the Tigers too were responsible in assuring the safety of the monitors after the truce monitors suspended sea monitoring following the SLN Pearl Cruiser attack.

• Troops in scuffle with LTTE at Nagar Kovil
  By Shabnam Muzammil
  An exchange of fire using mortars and Rocket Propelled Grenades took place between the Army and the LTTE at the Nagar Kovil forward defense line in the Jaffna peninsula yesterday morning.

• ‘I acted within the ambit of the law’, Mahinda on NPC appointments
  President Mahinda Rajapaksa said he acted within the ambit of the law when he appointed members to the National Police Commission and the Public Services Commission.
  The President was responding to critics who took the position that he cannot make these appointments without the consent of the Constitutional Council.

Most of the polling booths in the Colombo city were empty and was devoid of the queues common at other elections.

• Election results
• Concerted push for peace
  Mahinda, Ranil meet to reach consensus
  By Keith Noyahr
  The battle-hardened Army Commander Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka has been receiving a number of get-well messages since that dastardly or perhaps despicable act by the Tigers to try and eliminate the Army Chief sans the required fortnight’s notice to resume hostilities.

"Lankan Model for Devolutioltion"
President Mahinda Rajapakse has reiterated his commitment to peace. He says evil cannot be conquered by evil and adds violence is not the answer to the ethnic strife. Productive discussion with the LTTE will help the government find a lasting solution provided the LTTE is also willing to enter into meaningful negotiations.

• ICSL divestiture a blessing: Insurance Ombudsman
  Insurance Ombudsman Dr. Wickrema Weerasooria declared the divestiture of the Insurance Corporation of Sri Lanka to the Distilleries Group was a blessing to the institution and the industry by itself.

• Economic odds and ends
  Shah Suresh, the Lion Brewery See Eee Oh is all gaga about his benchmarks. One malt is probably the global best while the second is the global best. Suresh, both Shah and Czar, held both throne and crown for decade plus two as the youngest See Eee Oh of a listed corporate from the very day he enlisted with the Lions.

• No list, no vote
  Sirisena Cooray who was deprived of contesting the Colombo Municipal Council under the elephant symbol had also been deprived of his vote. "My vote had been removed from the list while I was abroad," he said.
   
• Bandu dreams of coming home
  

• Sri Lanka in command
  Sri Lanka took every opportunity to give their batsmen time in the middle on the second day of the tour match against Sussex at a chilly Hove, piling up 521 for 5 before declaring at tea. By the close, Sussex had reached 41 for 1 in reply.

• Volley ball’s rising star from Gampaha
  A talented volleyball player is emerging from the horizons of Gampaha. The lad, Kasun Lahiru, is just 16 years old, studies at Vigoda Maha Vidyalaya, and can be mentioned as a true prospect for the volleyball arena.

• Ex-Sri Lanka skipper Hettiarachchi reflects on Sri Lanka's rugby future
  Former Sri Lanka skipper Radika Hettiarachchi banks on his skills, strength and dedication to training to win back his berth in the national rugby team.

• Expecting the best, prepared for the worst
  By Wilson Gnanadass from Kilinochchi
  Pix by Ishara S. Kodikara
  How far will it go? That's what many nervous civilians in Kilinochchi are wondering as they brace for what is showing signs of becoming the biggest war in decades.
• The European Union agrees to ban the LTTE
  By K. Godage
  Though it has taken this one incident to bring about the ban it has taken years of effort which as I stated began with Lakshman Kadirgamar. The question is often asked what are our Missions doing? Diplomacy is a discreet business and this writer is personally ..