Lanka minister dies in air crash
COLOMBO, Sept 16 — A senior Sri Lankan minister and 14 more were killed today when an MI-17 helicopter carrying them crashed in the mountain jungles in the east of the country. Ports Minister and leader of Sri Lankan Muslim Congress M.H.M. Ashraff, nine of his supporters, three bodyguards and two crew members were travelling to his home constituency of Ampara when the crash occurred, officials here said.

Most parties back EC code
NEW DELHI, Sept 16 — In a major boost to the Election Commission on the vexed issue of the time of implementation of the model code of conduct, a majority of recognised national and state parties, including the Shiromani Akali Dal, supported the EC stand that the code should be implemented from the date of announcement of the poll schedule and not from the date of actual notification.

Intervene in WB: Laxman
HYDERABAD, Sept 16 — Bharatiya Janata Party President Bangaru Laxman today urged the Centre to immediately intervene in West Bengal and declare the violent-hit districts “disturbed areas” saying the situation there was “serious”.

Mayor refuses to step down
AMRITSAR, Sept 16 — In a communication to President and General Secretary of the BJP, Mr Subash Sharma, Mayor, Municipal Corporation, has described his expulsion from the party as “arbitrary, undemocratic and unconstitutional”.