In brief
Budget
Rs 45 billion ($750 million) was allocated for defence in the 1998 budget presented in Parliament on 5 November, while the budget deficit is Rs 112 billion. The National Security levy of 4.5% will remain and the Save the Nation tax of 2% on earnings between Rs 15,000 and Rs 30,000 and 3% above will continue.
Challenge
Tiger supporters have retained former US Attorney General Ramsey Clark to lead a legal team to challenge Clinton administration’s 8 October designation of the LTTE as a terrorist organisation.
Landmines
Foreign minister Lakshman Kadirgamar says Sri Lanka will not sign the Ottawa treaty for the ban on mines as the security forces heavily depend on landmines in the war. Reports say the UN may assist to clear 10,000 landmines in Jaffna.
Denied
The Sri Lankan government in late November revoked its permission to the BBC for filming author Salman Rushdie’s novel Midnight’s Children in the island, following protests by Muslim organisations.
Arrest
Eight armed members of Tamil group EPDP were detained on 13 November after an attempt to abduct MP R Rameswaran’s secretary V Gunaseelan in Colombo. Mr Rameswaran and his brother Ramamurthy were sacked from EPDP in May.
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