Sri Lanka Update: April 22, 2007.

A multi-million-pound credit card scam at petrol stations across Britain is alleged to be funding the LTTE rebels in Sri Lanka.
Luke Baker, Police probe scam that may fund Sri Lanka rebels, Reuters, April 21, 2007.

Motorists hit by card clone scam, BBC News, April 21, 2007.

Norwegians Against Terrorism (NAT) claims that 90 percent of the LTTE’s funds are coming from sources outside Sri Lanka.
Ayesha Wijeratne, ‘90 percent of LTTE funding comes from outside’, The Nation, April 22, 2007.

Corrupt politicians and governments are bigger stumbling blocks for development of Sri Lanka than the war.
Gamini Warushamana, Conflict not the biggest stumbling block for economic growth - Wimal Weerawansa, Sunday Observer, April 22, 2007.

Meanwhile the Government has rejected the allegations that Defence Secretary threatened a news editor.

In the recent times, there has been a noticeable decline in the freedom of media and in the accuracy and responsibility of media expression in the country as a whole.

The security situation in the North-East hinders progress in particular provinces, Water and sanitation coverage is low in this region with only about one out of every 10 households having tap water.

Although the President has won accolades for protection of Buddhism, and has shown no qualms in confronting the LTTE’s violence with a greater show of strength, he has demonstrated a liberal disposition towards other religions.
Jehan Perera, PRESIDENT’S VATICAN VISIT MAY BRING UNEXPECTED RESULTS, NPC, April 17, 2007.

Also See:
Iqbal Athas, Situation Report, Sunday Times, April 22, 2007.

Wilson Gnanadass, Tamils live in fear and insecurity, The Nation, April 22, 2007.