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(DN)Q. How do you look at the last phase of the war to end terrorism?
A. The northern war has clearly exposed the contradiction in our society. The UNP, INGOs, NGOs and the diplomatic community together held that war is no solution to the ongoing crisis but only a negotiated settlement could resolve the conflict. Full Text
The LTTE is certainly in it’s death throes and as a last throw of the dice it is deploying suicide bombers, the most crudest weapon in it’s armoury, now that it has lost almost all it’s military hardware, Sea Tiger assets and air power to the Security Forces. Not only that, the Government had rubbed salt to the Tiger’s wounds by displaying all the captured military hardware of the outfit at the Deyata Kirula exhibition. Surely a most rankling experience for the LTTE who made proud boasts earlier of the capture of troops’ weapons caches and armouries. Naturally Prabhakaran’s desperation may have exceeded all bounds. Full Text
(DN)The Jathika Hela Urumaya yesterday staged an anti-LTTE demonstration in front of the Canadian High Commission in Colombo urging the Canadian Government to take meaningful and effective action against the activities of the LTTE in Canada , with a request to arrest those pro- LTTE groups which have reportedly harassed Sri Lankan Consul General in Toronto after forcibly entering his office.
The protesters complained that LTTE supporters in Canada are conducting fund raising events and protest campaigns against the Sri Lankan Government in spite of the fact that the LTTE is a banned terrorist organisation by the Canadian Government. Full Text
By Sumaiya Rizvi and Dianne Silva
A Buddhist monk
(DM)“Whenever the terrorists are defeated they try to ride the war at the expense of civilians. That is the nature of terrorists.
The Government has rescued the people and now they have to provide them with equal rights to live as any other Sri Lankan. Although globally our conflict is portrayed as an ethnic conflict it is truly terrorism. Full Text
(DM)The Co -chairs of the Sri Lanka’s (SL) peace process had offered an option to Prabhakaran who is now stranded in the Mullaitivu jungles. That is, for him to save at least that small area now under his control by agreeing to peace negotiation after laying down arms. It is clear to the viewers of the Tamilnet web and from the enunciations of the Tamil National Alliance(TNA) M.P.’s that Prabhakaran however is infuriated by this proposition to lay down arms. Full Text
(DM)The megalomaniac nature of LTTE Leader Velupillai Prabhakaran was demonstrated in the most brutal manner on Monday when he sent a Tiger suicide cadre huddled among the civilians who sought refuge in the government controlled areas. The female suicide cadre brainwashed by the Tigers to carry out one of the most dastardly acts exploded herself among scores of innocent and destitute women and children who had come from the LTTE controlled areas braving the most difficult and dangerous circumstances. Full Text
At least 29 people, including 10 civilians, were killed and 64 others including 40 civilians injured when the suicide bomber blew herself up at an IDP rescue centre, north of Vishvamadu in Mullaitivu yesterday. Full Text
On Monday, the BBC said it would no longer provide FM radio programming to Sri Lanka's state broadcaster (ID:NL9595891) and a panel of U.N. experts said journalists, rights defenders and lawyers in Sri Lanka lived in a "climate of fear". Full Text
(DM)Parliamentarian Karuna Amman has yet to show cause for his comments made to the international media couple of weeks ago, which was critical of Eastern Province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan, General Secretary of the TMVP A. Kailesvararajah said.
Kailesvararajah stressed that the deadline for Mr. Amman to explain his action still remains as February 17 and failure to meet this deadline would result in Mr. Amman being removed from the party as earlier announced. Full Text
“This is the last chance to show its commitment towards the Tamil people and take an example from the changes that are taking place in the Eastern Province,” he said adding that civilians should not be used as human shields in the Vanni. Full Text
19 fleeing civilians shot dead, more than 60 injured
By Sunil Jayasiri
(DM)The ICRC yesterday launched what was termed by some as a “daring sea rescue” of injured civilians trapped in Mullaitivu while the military separately attempted to rescue some of the civilians in the safe zone by land.
However the military said the LTTE attempted to thwart the operation by opening fire towards the fleeing civilians killing at least 19 and injuring more than 60. The critically injured were airlifted to hospitals in Anuradhapura and Vavuniya. Full Text
By Raj Gonsalkorale
(AT)Victory breeds hatred, the defeated live in pain, happily the calm live, having set victory and defeat aside.” President Mahinda Rajapaksa quoting the Dhammapada during his speech to the UN General Assembly
Often, in conflict resolution, symbolic gestures that build credibility go a long way in preparing the ground for introducing more substantive measures over time. The Sri Lankan conflict has bled the country for so long no one expects or should expect miraculous solutions overnight. However, it is important for people to know that our leaders have a vision as to how appropriate solutions can be found and how serious they are about introducing and implementing them when conditions are right to do it. In the meanwhile, they need to comfort those affected with symbolic gestures that builds trust and gives them hope. Some symbolic gestures suggested are noted below. Full Text
(groundviews)With an uncertain number of Tamil ‘civilians’ trapped within the beleaguered and shrinking LTTE territory, Sri Lankan Tamils in the island as well as across the globe are understandably concerned about the fate of their brethren. Even those who are hostile to the LTTE have responded emotionally to this situation. The issue I raise is whether emotion and humanitarian concern have eclipsed realism and factuality. Full Text
By B. Raman
(TC)The success of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces in inflicting a series of defeats on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) since the middle of 2006 and in restoring the writ of the State over 95 per cent of the territory in the Tamil majority Eastern and Northern provinces, which was under the control of the LTTE, has been greeted in India with a mix of satisfaction and concern.
The satisfaction arises from the expected total defeat of the LTTE’s insurgent force, which had succeeded in virtually establishing a State within a State with its paraphernalia of an administrative structure and a so-called Army, Navy and Air Force. Its naval and air capabilities posed a threat not only to the national security of Sri Lanka, but also to the security of India and the region as a whole. Full Text
Indian Tamils have little or no contact with Sri Lankan Tamils, says
Xavier Joseph.
(TH)KOLLAM: The war between Sri Lankan forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has in no way created any problem for the Tamils of Indian origin in that country, says Xavier Joseph, who stayed there for 20 days in January.
Mr. Joseph, 50, belongs to one of the 700 Tamil families from Sri Lanka rehabilitated at Kulathupuzha, near here, under the Sirimavo-Shastri agreement of October 1964. Full Text
(PISL)The Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process regrets the disregard shown for human life in the press release issued by Amnesty International regarding the suicide bombing that took the lives of 28 Sri Lankans.
(PISL)I was deeply shocked by news on Friday that stones had been thrown at the office of the International Committee of the Red Cross. The day before it had been the Indian cricketers, an appalling departure from our usual civilised behaviour as spectators. Such violence must stop, and I hope that message will go out loud and clear.
Colombo, 10 February, (Asiantribune.com): It has now become very clear that the LTTE woman suicide bomber targeted Brigadier Shavendra Silva, the Commander of Sri Lanka Army’s 58 Division, but he miraculously escaped. Brigadier Shavendra Silva subsequently vowed that he will continue with the humanitarian operation and liberate the innocent Tamil civilians languishing as hostages of the LTTE. He added that he would continue with his operation until the last innocent Tamil civilian is released from the grip of the Tiger terrorists. Full Text
Colombo, 25 January, (Asiantribune.com): In an open letter to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, TULF Leader V. Anandasangaree, has questioned why Karunanidhi did not visit Sri Lanka and see for himself the situation that fastly unravels in the country. He said in that letter Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapakse has openly extended an invitation to him to visit and asked what is preventing him from doing so.
The TULF leader pointed out that ‘seeing is believing’ and not to be misled by Parliamentarians belonging to TNA who are proxies of the Tiger terrorists. Full Text
(AT)Britain, a country that has been a victim of terrorism of all sorts, made a bold a statement recently highlighting the right of the government of Sri Lanka to defeat it militarily while emphasizing the need of a political solution in the long run.
The statement issued by the Secretary of State for Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs on Sri Lanka on 21 January 2009, clearly says that it does not recognize the LTTE as the representatives of the Tamil population in the island nation. On the contrary, it has been explicit in its condemnation of the outfit for the blatant abuses committed by the organization against all the communities in the name of liberation of the race, they say that they represent. Full Text
Copenhagen, 25 January, (Asiantribune.com): The Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen expresses his strong commitment to democracy, rule of law and human rights commended the Sri Lankan security forces for successfully combating terrorism in Sri Lanka.
Ambassador Ranjith Jayasooriya, resident in Stockholm, who is also accredited to the Kingdom of Denmark met the Danish Prime Minister on Wednesday 23rd January, 2009 after the Prime Minister’s Annual Meeting with the Ambassadors accredited to Denmark in the 'Nordatlandens Brygge' historical building of the Prime Minister’s Office in Copenhagen in Denmark. Full Text
The contrast of international and domestic travellers at Southern India's Chennai international airport stands unique from all others.
For some passengers, their baggage is only old cartons that earlier held Red Label whisky or cigarettes, Sony or National TV sets. Others had rolled their belongings into a bundle covered by polythene or shopping bags that advertised different makes of silk saris. A few who stood in queues for flights headed to South Asian capitals were sarong clad, even barefoot. Mingling alongside were others with their Samsonite or American Tourister luggage. They hopped around in joggers or classy leather shoes. The blend of extremes, from the lowest to the upper fringes of budget travellers is perhaps better exhibited in Chennai. Full Text
(ST)The LTTE blasted the Kalmadukulam tank bund yesterday, flooding a section of the A-35 Paranthan- Pooneryn main road, Dharmapuram and Visvamadu, as troops advanced towards the Visvamadu area,worsening the plight of civilians trapped there, the Defence Ministry said. The Tigers used high explosives to trigger the detonation, the Ministry further said. Meanwhile, during last week’s operations, security forces discovered two LTTE mine-manufacturing factories about 500 metres east of the eastern edge of the Udayarkattukulam tank in Mullaithivu. The factories contained chemicals, explosive substances, metal balls, batteries, detonator cords, flexible wires and gas cylinders, the Defence Ministry said. Full Text
(ST)LTTE co-operates in handing over captured lance-corporal for further treatment in Colombo An injured soldier, Lance-Corporal Saman Pushpakumara, 24 years, who was captured by the LTTE on January 4 at the Muhamalai battlefront, Killinochchi district, and admitted to the Dharmapuram government hospital for treatment on January 9, was released by the LTTE on Friday and brought to Colombo.
(ST)Civil administration work carried out in the Mullaitivu district has been officially suspended to facilitate the civilians to leave the district, as security forces pushed forward to capture the last stronghold of Tiger guerillas.
Mullaitivu Government Agent Emelda Sukumar said directions had been issued to all public servants to stop work and leave the district for their own safety. Full Text
(SO)The Swiss National (50) and his woman partner(34) who attempted to cross over to Vavuniya at the Medawachchiya checkpoint in a Izuzu cab belonging to a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) were taken in for questioning by the Medawachchiya police, the Police Media Spokesman SSP Ranjith Gunesekera told the Sunday Observer. Full Text
(SO)Becoming more fierce on civilians, who are trying to breakthrough the gates of the LTTE hell-hole, the Tigers have recently laid a swathe of land mines, in the densely populated LTTE controlled areas - Theravikulam, Visuamadu and Puthukudiyirippu in Mullaitivu to prevent the civilians fleeing to the government controlled areas.
As the Executive Head of State, all action flows from His Excellency the President without which failure will result. The operations conducted by the Armed Forces are to achieve a political aim - peace, as they are deployed to achieve this political goal. This political leadership was not available earlier although Service Commanders had requested for more men and equipment to conduct operations against terrorists. Instead, political leaders failed to provide these needs but opted to continue with “Talks”.
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| Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa |
The LTTE leader did neither tolerate any opposition nor any in the organisation that threatened his leadership. This made him eliminate all other Tamil political parties or anyone who disagreed including Tamil organisations as well as PLOTE, EPRLF, TELO, Tamil leaders including his rank and file. Regarding the possibility of him escaping, he recalled that during “Operation Liberation One”, better known as “Operation Vadamaradchi” the LTTE leader was confined to the Jaffna peninsula. At that time he had stated he contemplated suicide but given an opportunity he escaped. Since the environment had changed today, it is doubtful he would attempt suicide but would escape if possible to continue his struggle for a separate state. When questioned regarding the future of the “Tiger’ leader and the prevailing belief among some that the LTTE although defeated will once again ‘rise”, he said the Sri Lankan political leadership should recognize this possibility. Full Text
(SO)As t
While diverse opinions are expressed and penned down about his presence or possible ‘departure’, some politicians who were one time his close buddies believe that he is still active in Vanni and others say that he has fled the country as he loves ‘his life’ more than anything else! Full Text
(SO)With significant repeated defeats suffered by the LTTE, the Tamil diaspora has warned the LTTE leadership their inability to garner international support and raise funds for the outfit and had asked them to resort to some other tactics to disrupt normalcy in the liberated areas and in other major cities, intelligence sources revealed. The diaspora have asked them to show the international community that they are LTTE still strong with its fighting capabilities and still stick to their original concept - Eelam, a separate Tamil State. Full Text
(observer)Japanese Special Envoy, Yasushi Akashi paid a visit to Vavuniya where he met the civilians, who had escaped from LTTE-held areas yesterday.
Akashi was accompanied by Japanese Embassy officials, during his visit to Manik Farm Centre for internally discalced persons and gave a hearing to their grievances informed, source said. Full Text
(observer)The infrastructure and livelihood development projects to rehabilitate regions liberated from the grip of LTTE terrorists are implemented in Ampara, Batticaloa, Trincomalee and Mullaitivu, said Secretary to the Nation Building and Plantations Sector Infrastructure Development Ministry, W. K. K. Kumarasiri. The projects are estimated to cost over Rs. 1,952 million
He said that under the Gama Neguma program three components - spiritual, livelihood and infrastructure development projects were implemented in those districts. Full Text
(TH)Coimbatore (PTI): CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Brinda Karat on Sunday said her party's concern about the plight of the Sri Lankan Tamils should not be misused by any force to support the outlawed LTTE. "The CPI(M) is extremely concerned about the safety and security of Tamil population in Sri Lanka. However, the party would not like this concern to be misused by any force to support LTTE," she told reporters here. Full Text
(TH)Colombo (PTI): With troops advancing towards the last Tamil Tiger bastion of Mullaittivu, Sri Lanka has put its Navy on alert to thwart any possible attempt by LTTE supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran to flee the island through sea route.
"The Sri Lankan Navy has been put on alert to prevent any attempt by LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran or other senior leaders from fleeing the country," a senior defence official told PTI on Sunday. Full Text
COLOMBO (AFP) – Sri Lanka's military on Sunday launched air attacks against the last remaining jungle hideouts of Tamil Tiger rebels after driving them out of their main strongholds, officials said.
Helicopter gunships supported ground troops advancing deeper into the Mullaittivu region, where the retreating Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) forces are holed up, a military official said. Full Text
(yahoo)COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – Sri Lanka soldiers captured a Tamil Tiger training camp as government troops pressed ahead with their offensive against the guerrillas in the country's embattled north, the military said Sunday.The military has achieved a string of major victories against the rebels in recent months — including the capture of the Tamil Tiger administrative capital of Kilinochchi a week ago. The government has vowed to crush the separatist guerrillas and end the Indian Ocean island nation's 25-year-old civil war in the coming months. Full Text
By C. Bryson Hull COLOMBO (Reuters) - Sri Lankan troops fought toward the shrinking strongholds of the separatist Tamil Tiger rebels on Sunday, the military said, seeking a crushing battlefield victory to end one of Asia's longest insurgent ground wars.
The military said it had killed at least 24 rebels after a series of confrontations on Saturday in the small northeastern wedge of jungle which is all that is left of the Tigers' self-proclaimed state. Full Text
(defence.lk)Sri Lanka Air Force fighter jets destroyed an LTTE attack boat hidden in the Chundikulam lagoon this morning (Jan 11).
Air Force spokesperson Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said that the jets carried out the air strikes targeting the boat and the withdrawing terrorists from the Jaffna peninsula. He confirmed that the boat was destroyed and the terrorists suffered heavy damages in the air raid. Full Text
(defence.lk)Troops of the Army 59 Division (59 Div), Task Force 2 (TF 2), Task Force 3 (TF 3), and Task Force 4 (TF 4) are slowly but steadily making their way across the Mullaittivu jungle that lies in the middle of the area what is now known as the terror triangle. The thick forest that stretches its boundaries to Iranamadu tank to the west, A-35 (Paranthan- Mullaittivu) road to North and A-34 (Mankualam- Mullaittivu) road to South is known to be the area where the LTTE terrorists would have their final hiding places. Full Text
(defence.lk)With Sri Lanka Army soldiers are continuing to uphold the zero civilian casualties (ZCC) policy in their counter terrorist operations in Wanni, LTTE has reportedly lost its influence over the people completely.
Yesterday (Jan 10) alone, 183 civilians braved escaping terrorist clutches and sought refuge with army. The group of refugees included 70 adult males, 58 adult females, 28 male children and 22 female children. They have told the soldiers that the people in Wanni have lost the fears created in their minds by the LTTE about soldiers, as tiding goes around about the friendly manner that they treat the refugees. Full Text
(DN)The capture of Paranthan and Kilinochchi confirms that remaining strongholds of the LTTE Elephant pass and Mullaithivu would fall within a short period. This assessment also confirmed by many experts following events in the security section.
It is widely believed this may lead to the collapse of the LTTE as a fighting force after 25 years. Unprecedented rains in the North have delayed military advance by nearly 1 1/2 months and with improved weather conditions the above would be a reality. Full Text
Global response to LTTE (DN)Excerpts from address by Ravinatha Aryasinha, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the EU, Belgium and Luxembourg, at the EU-US International Seminar on the LTTE, held at the Europol Headquarters in the Hague, Netherlands, 9-10 Dec 2008.
To the best of my understanding, this is the first time such a wide-ranging international group of experts have chosen to devote an entire two days to discuss with EU member states and other third affected countries, the ramifications of the activities of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Full Text
(DN)President Mahinda Rajapaksa has directed the relevant officials to provide all necessary facilities to the once entrapped civilians fleeing towards the Government controlled territory, from the uncleared areas.
Two camps have been established at Menik Farm and Nelunkulam in the Settikulam and Vavuniya, areas, for the exodus of displaced persons. Around 750 families are domiciled herein. Full Text
*58 Division captures Elephant Pass South*
* Troops in full control of Jaffna lagoon*
*Air Force prevents LTTE building earth bund*
Security Forces yesterday reached Elephant Pass with the 58 Division troops capturing the entire southern part it and further advancing towards the North to capture it the entirely, Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka said yesterday.
(DM)The government has been celebrating the victory at Kilinochchi as a decisive one that heralds the dawn of peace. The day that the troops entered Kilinochchi, President Mahinda Rajapaksa delivered an address to the nation at the Presidential Secretariat in which he praised the sacrifice of the Sri Lankan soldiers and called on the LTTE to surrender and give up their dream of Tamil Eelam. Although the President added that the capture of Kilinochchi should not be seen as a victory of the south over the north, the sound of fire crackers exploding in Colombo and elsewhere signaled rejoicing in the country. Full Text
(DM)The nation collectively paid its tribute to the security forces that braved the extremely arduous conditions in the inhospitable terrain to achieve the national objective of wiping out terrorism. Remembering those who laid their lives in the battlefield was indeed the duty of all peace-loving people. It is their hope that the forces will proceed further to accomplish its final goal. After finally defeating the LTTE what invariably arises is the challenge of implementing the second stage to bring about a complete end to terrorism and violence. In his speech announcing the capture of Kilinochchi, President Mahinda Rajapaksa reiterated his policy of building this country as a true homeland of all communities after wiping out the menace of terrorism. The constituent parties of the government as well as some of those outside solidly backed this policy. Full Text
During the meeting between the Sri Lankan delegation and US officials led by US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Richard Boucher, the Deputy Minister noted that the LTTE is holding civilians as human shields and preventing them from coming to Vavuniya, where the Government had made arrangements to receive them. Full Text
The ceremony took place at the Palali military headquarters before a large gathering of senior officers.
Later the new Commander inspected the guard turn-out and received the Guard of Honour accorded by the 1st Field Engineering Regiment. Full Text
(DM)COCHIN: As the Lankan forces entered the Tamil-Tiger strongholds in northern Lanka scattering away the rebels, Kerala’s marine security agencies fear a large number of suspected LTTE cadres have infiltrated the Indian shore via trawlers to discreetly engage themselves as workers in fishing trawlers off Cochin coast.
Senior officials at the Coastal Base Station in Fort Cochin responsible in patrolling the Indian waters up to 22 nautical miles, said they had come across Indian trawlers with some of them, including women, speaking a Tamil dialect similar to that spoken in Sri Lanka. Full Text
Ms. Selvi said that the elimination of a language would be an achievable matter through the massacre of the people speaking that tongue. Ethnic violence being meted out on the Sri Lankan Tamils would result in the disappearance of Tamil language in the long run. “We have been raising our voice only to check elimination of Tamil from that region,” she said delivering the convocation address at the J.J. College of Arts and Science here on Sunday. Full Text
The bases of insurgents may be destroyed, but their grievances demand real solutions.
AS SRI Lankan Government soldiers occupied the Tamil Tigers' stronghold of Kilinochchi, Israeli soldiers began to enter Gaza. One case represents a separatist movement in perhaps the final throes of a failed struggle for independence; the other the administration of a territory about to be pushed from power. Full Text
(yahoo)COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – Sri Lankan forces overran another village Monday and moved closer to seizing a strategic base from the Tamil Tigers, but concerns are mounting for the hundreds of thousands of civilians living in the rebels' shrinking territory.
The government has chased the rebels out of much of their de facto state in the north in recent months — taking their administrative capital of Kilinochchi last week — but the offensive is complicated by the presence of an estimated 300,000 civilians in rebel territory. Full Text
Driven from their northern headquarters, Sri Lanka's Tamil rebels face defeat
(NP)On Friday, Sri Lanka's army captured Kilinochchi, the de facto capital of the Tamil Tigers. This marks a crippling blow for the Tigers, a rebel militia and terrorist group that first took up arms more than a quarter-century ago. It also poses an indirect security risk for Canada: As the Tigers are routed from the battlefield, Ottawa must guard against fleeing Tiger leaders seeking sanctuary among this country's large Ontario-based community of expatriate Tamils.
The Tigers -- more formally known as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) -- have been on the defensive for several years now. In the northern part of the country, the Sri Lankan army has taken a number of Tiger-held towns and outposts. In the eastern part of the country, the LTTE military apparatus has disintegrated completely, thanks largely to defections and infighting. Full Text
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| Policy on LTTE leader's extradition has not been changed, says India |
In what appear to be the first official response since Sri Lanka military captured LTTE's former political headquarters, Kilinochchi, India's Foreign Secretary re-stressed that there is no military solution for problems facing Sri Lanka.
“There is no military solution to Sri Lanka’s problem, no matter how the military situation might fluctuate,” Shiv Shankar Menon told journalists in Delhi. Full Text
(yahoo)New Delhi, Jan 5 (IANS) India has consistently urged Sri Lanka to extradite Tamil Tiger chief V. Prabhakaran, an accused in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon said here Monday.
'We have consistently demanded the extradition of Prabhakaran… this is a request we have renewed repeatedly,' Menon told reporters.
Asked to comment on the advances being made by Sri Lankan forces in key Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) bastions, Menon said while the military situation may vary from time to time, India advocated a political solution to the decades-old ethnic conflict. Full Text
(TC)The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)organization has begun constructing new defence lines to prevent the Sri Lankan armed forces from moving further into tiger – controlled territory to the east of the Jaffna – Kandy road known as A – 9 highway.
The latest tiger move comes in the wake of the Army gaining control of Paranthan, Kilinochchi and the entire stretch of roadway up to a point two km south of Elephant pass.
The new LTTE defence line begins south of Kilinochchi in the Thiruvaiyaaru east and the northern tank bund of Iranaimadhu reservoir and extends northwards to Ooriyaan along the shores of the Jaffna lagoon. Full Text
(TC)The Sri Lankan armed forces have started moving into the “Aanai Iravu” or Elephant pass region as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE) commenced withdrawing from the area.
Soldiers of the 58 division commanded by Brig. Shavendra Silva began moving towards Elephant pass from two directions.
One column proceeded along the axis of the Jaffna – Kandy road known as A – 9 highway from a place called Umaiyaalpuram , north of Paranthan. Full Text
(TC)The Sri Lankan armed forces have made significant gains in the Eastern Wanni region after the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) began withdrawing from several areas held by them earlier.
Among these places were the culturally important Vatraappalai , home to the famour Amman temple and the strategically important Oddusuddan along the A – 34 highway
Troops have also cleared the area from Mankulam to Thaniootru on the A – 34 or Mankulam – Mullaitheevu road. Full Text
(defence.lk)Troops of 59 Division had several confrontations with LTTE terrorists while engaged in consolidating operation to extend own defence line through out the day, 4 January.
According to the latest military report, troops of 14 Vijayaba Infantry Regiment (VIR) has been tactically infiltrated the LTTE-built earth bund in general area south of Chemmalai today (4 Jan). A body of LTTE terrorist killed during the confrontation was also found in a search operation conducted. Full Text
59 Division troops have entered the Mulliawalai township along the A-34 Oddusudan- Mullaittivu main road claiming soaring LTTE casualties after hours of heavy fighting that broke-out between troops and LTTE in the tactically important battle terrain since last evening (Dec 25). According to latest reports received from the battlefield, 16 Sri Lanka Light Infantry (16SLLI) regiment troops are now engaged in a fierce gun battle with LTTE in the area, today(Dec 26). Troops had to come across difficult ground where mobility was seriously limited, area military sources said. Terrorists have constructed long stretches of earth bunds, which were successfully negotiated by the advancing infantry battalions, the sources added. Full Text
Laying aside the bitter experiences of the arm conflicts over two decades, the Christian population in Jaffna peninsula celebrated the ascendant of most reverential Christmas since the midnight on 24th December till the dawn of next day. A special Mass had been conducted by the Jaffna Arch Bishop Rev. Father Thomas Ravundranayagam at the St. Mary's Cathedral - Jaffna. The Rev. Fathers of the Cathedral and over 2500 devotees participated in this special event. The troops in the Jaffna peninsula also extended their fullest co-operation for this event providing the necessary security measures, and shifting the Curfew hours completely under the guidance of Jaffna Security Forces Commander Maj. Gen. GA Chandrasiri. Full Text
(By: Walter Jayawardhana)
In its leader editorial entitled , 'The Fall of LTTE's Last Bastion in sight' The Pioneer of New Delhi said that the Sri Lankan Army continued to make progress against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and predicted that the last bastion of the "terrorists" may fall before the year is over.
"The battle may now have entered a decisive phase," said the editorial which also added, "Kilinochchi is likely to fall soon and when it does it will be a big victory for the Government." Full Text
(By: Walter Jayawardhana)
While Pope Benedict has appealed in his Christmas homily to the world to end all forms of child abuse including child soldiering - the psychotic chief of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has sent an order simultaneously demanding all students who just sat for the General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level) examination be conscripted for military training.
Despite the Pope's appeal Prabhakaran wants to conscript the 8000 girls and boys who sat for the GCE (O'level) exam to beef up his army as a last resort to save his tottering fascist regime and the self declared political capital , Kilinochchi now surrounded and being besieged by the Sri Lankan armed forces. Full Text
(defence.lk)Another group of Tamil civilians who were able to escape from non-liberated areas in Oddusudan, Mullaittivu have arrived at the Omanthai Entry/Exit point in Vavuniya yesterday (Dec 25).
According to the military sources, 27 Tamil civilians including 7 children have reached to security forces controlled area seeking safety for their lives Thursday morning. 10 males and 10 females are also among the group of escapees.
"Unable to resist the military attacks LTTE terrorists are forcibly holding civilians," one of the escapees said.
The escapees have been directed to the welfare centers established in the area after providing them with food, medical treatments and other necessities.
(defence.lk)Troops of Task Force 1 (TF 1), who have thwarted the LTTE counter attack in south of Sinna Paranthan area last morning, continued their offensive towards Kilinochchi.
Army snipers deployed in 582 Brigade have taken 14 targets while snipers deployed in 583 Brigade have also taken 14 more targets ahead of the own defence line in general area Nivil yesterday, 24 December, the military report received from the battlefront said.
Meanwhile, troops of 57 Division continued offensive push on terrorists while adjusting their defence lines yesterday. Two more LTTE bodies were found along with two T-56 weapons and one T-81 weapon in search operations conducted in north of Akkarayankulam and Akkarayankulam areas.
(defence.lk)Sri Lanka Air Force fighter jets have carried out two air raids targeting LTTE strong points observed in Kilinochchi front today, 25 December.
Air Force spokesperson, Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara speaking to defence.lk said that the first air raid was launched around 10.30AM targeting LTTE defence line in west of Kilinochchi. The mission was launched to assist the troops of 57 Division.
Meanwhile, the second air raid was launched around 3.40 PM at LTTE defence line in west of Paranthan in support of ground troops of Task Force 1.
(Defence.lk)Troops of the 57 Division have thwarted successive attempts made by LTTE to launch counterattacks in general area South of Adampan, Kilinochchi, Saturday (Dec 6).
Fierce fighting ensued between troops and LTTE which lasted from 3a.m., until 9p.m., Wanni military sources said. According to reports, terrorists have launched 3 successive counterattacks only to be left heavily beaten, with over two dozen LTTE fatalities and twice as many casualties.
Troops have engaged LTTE with heavy Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL), artillery and mortar fire, Wanni military sources further said.
Terrorists have withdrawn from the area abandoning dead, weapons and ammunitions, the sources said. LTTE's area ground leaders Velavan and Gopith were also involved in the failed attempt, military said citing intercepted LTTE communication.
The 57 Division troops are led by Major General Jagath Dias.
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