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DATE=5/23/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=LANKA/ PRESIDENT (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-262701
BYLINE=VANDANA CHOPRA
DATELINE=COLOMBO
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO:  Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga 
says the nation is facing a grave crisis.  Vandana 
Chopra reports from Colombo, the government reports 
fighting with Tamil rebels continues in the northern 
Jaffna region.
TEXT:  Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga says 
the country is battling to protect its sovereignty, 
territorial integrity, and unity.
In an address on state television, President 
Kumarartuna urged citizens to refrain from holding 
unnecessary celebrations, such as elaborate marriages.  
She asked Sri Lankans to direct the money earmarked 
for such functions towards the success of the war 
effort. 
The Sri Lankan president urged employees from the 
public and private sectors to donate at least two-days 
salary per month for the next few months towards the 
National Security Fund.  She urged support for what 
she called - heroic soldiers engaged in a battle to 
prevent a division of the country.
The government reported sporadic fighting in Sri 
Lanka's northern Jaffna region, a day after it said it 
had successfully repulsed attacks by Tamil guerillas.
// OPT //  A government statement reported fighting 
overnight in Chavakachcheri and Ariyalai sectors, east 
of Jaffna city.
Military officials had earlier said 150-Tamil rebels 
were killed in an assault on army defenses in 
Tennamarachchi division in northern Jaffna.  The 
director of government information says the bodies of 
dead rebel guerillas were handed over to the Red Cross 
representative in Jaffna.  // END OPT //
Fierce fighting has raged for days, after the 
government rejected a rebel offer to withdraw troops 
from the northern Jaffna region.  Sri Lanka's top 
commander says the army will never withdraw from 
Jaffna.
India has put its navy on alert in case Sri Lanka asks 
for help to evacuate troops from the Jaffna peninsula.  
There are thousands of troops based in northern 
Jaffna.  Aid officials have also expressed growing 
concern for the safety of the 500-thousand civilians 
in the region.
Meanwhile, a Norwegian peace mission met President 
Kumaratunga to discuss the latest situation in the 
country.  Few details were available.  Norway has 
offered to mediate peace between the warring sides. 
The government has introduced censorship on all media, 
and government statements on the war are nearly 
impossible to confirm since no reporters are allowed 
in the war areas.
Government forces took control of Jaffna, the former 
rebel headquarters, in 1996 and the rebels are trying 
to win it back.  The Tamil rebels have been fighting 
for a separate homeland since 1983.   (SIGNED)
NEB/VC/RAE
23-May-2000 11:37 AM EDT (23-May-2000 1537 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.