31.   Kumaratunga, a member of the majority Sinhalese community, initiated a dialogue with the LTTE in August.

32.   Kumaratunga, who is a member of the majority Sinhalese community, initiated a dialogue with the LTTE after coming to power in August.

33.   Kumaratunga, a member of the majority Sinhalese community, opened a dialogue with the LTTE after becoming premier in August.

34.   Members of the majority Sinhalese community started protesting Thursday to press the authorities to withdraw weapons issued to several minority Tamil political groups.

35.   Most victims were from the Sinhalese community.

36.   Military sources said a woman suicide bomber was the most likely suspect in the killing of Dissanayake, a member of the majority Sinhalese community.

37.   Perera, from the majority Sinhalese community, accused the police of discrimination for singling out staff from the minority Tamil community and carrying out searches on their residences.

38.   Political reaction to the death of Jayewardene, a member of the majority Sinhalese community, has been subdued.

39.   Sinhalese mobs began attacking homes and businesses of minority Tamils in the capital while Jayewardene, a member of the majority Sinhalese community, remained silent.

40.   Streets were almost empty and radio and television broacast special programs to mark the New Year, celebrated jointly by the majority Sinhalese community and the minority Tamils.