Welfare of war heroes is our paramount concern - Defence Secretary

Defence Secretary Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that the administration has rendered a major payment towards the welfare of war heroes during the last four existence and the government aims to give a house for every war hero.
The Secretary made these comments participating as the chief guest at a purpose of the Ranaviru Seva power yesterday, Dec 08 at BMICH.
Speaking to the participants he said, "When I took over the place of work as the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence in November 2005, I had to face a lot of challenges, and looking following of welfare of war heroes also considered as one of my priorities."
He further said that the welfare programme was implemented since the open of the humanitarian operation and so far 32,000 war heroes have been granted the amenities to build houses. Under the concept of "a house for every war hero" the Defence Ministry has constructed a fully-fledged city for war heroes in Ipalogama, Anuradapura, which consists of 1500 houses and there are 700 houses residual and will be distributed in the middle of the neediest armed workers, he said.
"President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Commander in leader of armed forces, instructed me to seek for permanent solutions for all the matters of war heroes in its place of going for temporary solutions" he added.
Further the desk Defence went on to explain that happiness and education of children of war heroes is my highest concern and keeping that in brain, we built Defence school in Colombo with all facilities for the advantage of the children of carrying weapons workers and Police. The government expects to build eight additional schools in the same principles in each region, he said.

Resettlement of IDPs; Two-thirds complete

A total of 169,938 Internally Displaced Persons have been resettled in their native seats within a short era providing them the length of with the provision of health, shelter, sanitary, education co-operative, water, electricity and other facilities in their villages, Disaster Management and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said.
"As a consequence of the speedy resettlement program the number of IDPs in welfare villages has come downward to 112,062 from 282,000," the Minister told a media briefing.
The Minister said that the administration has obviously shown the promise to resettle the IDPs as quickly as likely.
The relocation program for IDPs is in full swing achieving its set goals well inside the expected time border.
This might be a record for resettling IDPs. Most almost certainly by December 31 the administration will resettle a large number of IDPs out of the residual or else complete resettlement behavior, Minister Samarasinghe added.
At present 105,664 IDPs are in Vavuniya, 1,738 IDPs in Jaffna, 2,298 IDPs in Trincomalee. Approximately 2,360 IDPs are receiving action in several hospitals. A sum number of 112,062 IDPs are yet to be resettled.
However, the resettlement process in a way depend on the on-going de-mining behavior The Government has by now put into operation 24 de-mining machines. It purchased 19 de-mining machines out of 24 while the UN has offered five machines.
In de-mining activities main concern has been given to public roads, ordinary places and villages earmarked for speedy resettlement.
Accordingly, public places, villages and many roads counting A9, A32 roads and railway tracks are now free from land mines.
On the recommendation of President Mahinda Rajapaksa the Government has taken action to funding the IDPs freedom of group from December 1.
Accordingly, 22,443 IDPs have gone away from their wellbeing villages. Out of this figure 9,778 have come back. "Any person can leave the welfare villages and go back as they wish. No act will be taken against the people who wont come back to IDP Villages. The liberty is not limited to 15 days," Minister Samarasinghe noted.
The Minister rejected sure media reports that safety forces personnel will go after the IDPs if they don't come back.
"It is up to them to decide whether to return or not. What the administration did was to grant the freedom for them to move absent as they wish. However, the Government is carrying out the welfare activities in welfare villages further as usual," Samarasinghe said.
Courtesy : Daily News

President presents Ranajayapura to the War heroes

His Excellency Mahinda Rajapksa, President of Sri Lanka and the Commander in leader of the Armed armed forces today handed over Ranajayapura mega housing scheme to the disagreement heroes. At a rite held at Ipalogma, the President handed in excess of keys of 100 houses to their owners.
Ranajayapura is a idea made reality under the Mahinda Chinthana program, the President's vision for the country's future. The housing scheme at Ipalogama marks the conclusion of the first phase of total project aimed at structure 50,000 houses for the war heroes. Ranajayapura is the largest ever housing project built for the war heroes consisting 1509 completed houses with all contemporary facilities.
The scheme was planned and implemented by the Ministry of Defence under the leadership of Defence desk Gotabaya Rajapaksa. With his great interest in ' looking after the men at the back the weapon" , the Defence Secretary gave the top main anxiety to somewhere to live project over a lot of other Ranaviru welfare projects carried out under his leadership.
Additional desk of Defence, and the scheme manager Mr. Willy Gmamage verbal communication to defence.lk said that the cost of each three roomed house with lavatory amass cupboard and a ten rest on land was Rs. 1.4 million. The management has borne Rs. 600,000 of the total cost and the remaining Rs. 800,000 was given as interest free loans to the recipients which are unsurprising to be healthier within ten to fifteen years.
Also, the housing scheme is provided with a Super Market, a Bank of Ceylon branch, a major school a daycare unit and a well equipped hospital
The Foundation stone was laid for the scheme on the 14th December 2006. The building was at first undertaken by NACL but later taken over by the Sri Lanka Navy engineers. With an tireless effort and promise, navy engineers accomplished the task of completion 1509 houses within 15 months.
Former Commander of the Navy Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda made tremendous labors even during the humanitarian operations to accelerate the project. After him, Vice Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe, Commander of the Navy taken over the climbing job and talented it. The following chart shows the speedy progress of the project after taken over by the Navy.

Children of war heroes receive scholarships

Children of war heroes were awarded with scholarships by H.E the President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the place of worship Trees today (Nov 16).
The scholarship recipients were children of security forces workers, who had made their supreme give up and those upset during the caring operation.
First Lady Mrs. Shiranthi Rajapaksa, Defence desk Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Chairperson of the MOD Seva Vanitha Unit Mrs. Ioma Rajapaksa were also there at the occasion.

Rear Admiral Martin Alabaster calls on the Commander of the Navy

Commandant, Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth in 2007 Rear Admiral Martin Alabaster MA,MSc,C Eng,FIET called on the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy Vice Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe at the Naval skull Quarters yesterday (Aug 9).
Rear Admiral Martin Alabaster is on a secret holiday in Sri Lanka with his relations. He is now the Flag official Scotland, Northern England and Wales & Northern Ireland- Flag Officer treasury.
According to Naval sources, by the way Rear Admiral Martin Alabaster is as of the for children lot of the Commander of the Navy at Dartmouth as of 1976/77.



Admiring the painting of Dartmouth at the Commander of the Navy's office Commander of the Navy and Rear Admiral Martin Alabaster at discussion
Courtesy : Navy Media

Wanted : LTTE Suicide "bomber" Abdul Shalam Fatima Yasmin

The Sri Lanka Terrorist Investigation Division(TID) urgently calls on the public to give any information to help take into custody the above named suicide bomber who according to information frequents the area of Old Moor Street, Colombo 12 to the phone numbers given below or to an Officer of the security Forces or Police, or the neighboring Police position
The particulars are given below.

Name : Abdul Shalam Fatima Yasmin
Address : Old Moor Street , Colombo 12
ID No: 857835641 V
Date of Birth : 09.10.1985
Contact :
Police Headquarters : 011-2421111
Terrorist Investigations Division : 011 - 2321839 011- 2451636 011- 2384401
Crimes Investigation Department: 011-2320141
Colombo Police Emergency Operations Room : 011- 2243333

Army expands safe zone for entrapped civilians- Mullaittivu

Sri Lankan security forces underscoring its Zero Civilian Casualty (ZCC) policy while busy in the surge to liberate thousands entrapped with LTTE have long-drawn-out the available safe zone facilitating civilian group.
The diagram is also unsurprising to make sure security of the civilians who are making steady labors to flee from LTTE towards the recently odd areas both at Mullaittivu and Kilinochchi. According to armed officials, a 4-km long stretch to the north of Udayarkattu link and the Yellow Bridge on the A-35 Puthukkudiyiruppu-Paranthan main road up to Iruthumadu (09 23 17.20 N & 080 36 25.70 E) and another 8-km long area from the south of Iruthumadu up to Thevipuram (09 23 17.40 N & 080 40 53.60 E) have been therefore earmarked for this 'SAFE ZONE' with instant consequence.
Both southern limits of the Udayarkattu junction (09 21 17.80 N & 080 36 25.90 E) and the Yellow Bridge (09 20 21.80 N & 080 39 15.20 E) touch the limits of the A-35 main road, the sources additional said. caring aid agencies and NGO circles welcoming the fitting decision extra commented that it would hold LTTE terrorists totally accountable. "LTTE is using the blameless civilians as human shields rising the civilian pain which has already loomed to a crisis", an HR front official said.
The United Nations in an plea made by Mr. John Holmes, on 16th January, called on the LTTE to allow the civilians to move into government prohibited areas without care them as a being shield in the countenance of military go forward.

LTTE receives heavy damages; 3 LTTE bodies found - Mullattivu

Troops of 59 Division on advance to capture residual LTTE hideouts in Mullaittivu face had more than a few confrontations with LTTE terrorists yesterday, 6 January, inflicting damages to the enemy.
According to the military report conventional from the battlefront, troops confronted with detected groups of LTTE terrorists in general area Mulliyaweli. Subsequent search operation conducted, troops have found 3 bodies of LTTE terrorists killed throughout the gun battle along with military items left away by the fleeing terrorists. Two T-56 Weapons and eight T-56 Magazines were also among the items exposed
In universal area Mulliaweli north troops had confronted with LTTE terrorists in two occasions during the day hours. Three T-56 weapons, one Light Machine Gun (LMG) Weapon and a message Set were uncovered in a following search operation.
On the same day, troops had confronted with LTTE terrorists in Alakkulam and Oddusuddan areas in day hours. Electronic Warfare sources long-established that LTTE terrorists received heavy damages due to the security forces attack.
Meanwhile, Army troops sustained minor compensation in a argument took put in the Periyakulam area around 12.15pm yesterday.

Army Commander visits Wanni to congratulate ground troops

Followed by the significant feat achieved by Army in capturing Kilinochchi, Commander of the Army replacement General Sarath Fonseka accompanied by Wanni safety Forces Commander and a few senior officers of the Army head office, flew to Vavuniya on Saturday (3) morning in a bid to take stocks of the earth state of affairs in Wanni theater of war. Divisional Commander, 57 Division Major General Jagath Dias received the Army head on his influx at the airstrip.
During the appraisal gathering held at the safety Forces Headquarters Wanni (SFHQ-W) attended by Commanders of Divisions, Task Forces and Brigades, Wanni Commander appraised Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka and other older officers of the advances and gains the Army has so far achieved in Wanni caring operations.
At the end of the gathering Army leader praised officers and other position of their vow in achieving this great conquest and gave essential orders to be adapted during future operations.

37 civilians escape from LTTE hellhole, seek protection with security forces- Welioya

A total of 37 civilians have fled from LTTE imprisonment and sought defense with security forces at Welioya, Mullaittivu since 9a.m., today (Dec 20).
The primary group of escapees, 26 civilians including 14 males and 12 females have at house at Welioya at around 9a.m., Wanni military sources said. The civilians were locals from Mullaittivu, who had exposed horrific experiences with LTTE in the non-liberated areas. According to the civilians, terrorists are forcing populace in Mullaittivu towards 'mobile LTTE checkup centers', threatening them to giveaway at least a blood pint in the procedure.
Meanwhile, one more group of escapees from Mullaittivu have complete their way towards Weiloya, and sought defense with troops at around 11.30a.m., after fleeing from LTTE for days. The group consisted of 11 civilians who were afterward heading for to the IDP wellbeing center in Welioya. These populace have also bare experiencing alike hardships under LTTE, the sources further said.
Earlier, 8 civilians from the non-liberated area had required defense with safety forces, this morning at 8a.m.

Fifty-Four LTTE cadres turned rehabilitated youngsters receive vocational training certificates

Fifty-Four Tigers twisted reformed good citizens who underwent occupational training courses in Jaffna after they renounced LTTE violence and surrendered to the troops conventional their graduation day last Friday (12) during a rite, held at Thelippalai Union College.
The occupational training programme, initiated by the office of the treatment official General under the 2008-2012 Rehabilitation and Social recruitment Project obtainable training to those 54 men and women in the spheres of stonework, motorbike and scooter mend, drainage works, electrification of houses and English spoken message.
The training plan, taken by Commander of the Jaffna Security Forces, Major General G.A Chandrasiri saw 27 males and 27 children and females experience this preparation while inculcating optimistic thinking, management values, skill endorsement, peace building and endorsement of non-violence. A divide workshop in this link was also conducted during the training for the advantage of those detainees with the help of many lecturers from Jaffna and those flown from Colombo.
Simultaneously, on conclusion of the treatment programme, those youth are confident to find abroad employment through their associates elsewhere. Already 25 youth after the act had by now migrated on overseas employment.
The official document awarding ceremony for those rehabilitated youth took place lately at Thelippalai Union Maha Vidyalaya. Major General G.A Chandrasiri, Commander Security Forces Headquarters, Jaffna gave away special gift parcels and certificates to those young people and certain full support for their future tactics during the purpose.

Defence Advisors of 7 Nations visit Wanni battlefronts

Defence Advisors/Attaches of 7 nations visited battlefronts in Wanni on Monday (Dec 15). In a one-day call prearranged by the Ministry of Defence, Sri Lanka, Defence Attaches the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Maldives visited Security Forces head office Wanni, Army 57 Division and 59 Division head office.
The commanders of own areas briefed the security situation to the visitors. They were also progressive on the reason of the on going counter terrorist offensives.
During the visit, the Defence Attaches met IDPs and surrendered LTTE cadres and observed wellbeing events taken by the government. Also, the company had the first-hand in order how sure Aid Organizations and NGO's had distorted vital caring aid sent from overseas countries previous to the areas were unconventional.

Army offers 'Poja' at renovated Hindu Kovil- Terumurikandy

The 57 Division troops offered a 'Poja' at the Pillayar Hindu Kovil, at Terumurikandy, after implementation basic renovations at the holy site, which was unconventional from LTTE, on 10th December, 2008.
According to stone pillars at the holy site, the Kovil was constructed around 1889. The terrorists have fled the region after causing significant compensation to the holy place, security sources said. Terrorists are supposed to have used the holy site as a harboring point sources said, addition that security forces came across a few bunker expenses and trenches within the site premises.
Army media sources said that, troops have set for further renovations at the Kovil.

Defence Secretary visits Jaffna

Defence Secretary Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa and high military officials counting Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Donald Perera and Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka visited Jaffna peninsula this morning, 9 December.
Defence Secretary and other senior military official were welcomed at the Palaly airport by the Jaffna Security Forces leader Major General G.A. Chandrasiri.
Addressing the assembly of over 1000 security armed forces personnel serving in Jaffna neck of land at the indoor stadium in Jaffna Security Forces Headquarters, Defence Secretary Gotobaya Rajapaksa expressed his thanks to all security forces workers to their sum for armed victories after that to the world's most cruel terrorist association, LTTE.
He also avowed on welfare behavior at there in development under the management of the Defence Ministry for the betterment of the security forces workers in lively repair and also war heroes who sacrificed their lives and limbs for defensive the place of birth.
Defence Secretary also had a safety meeting on obtainable state of relationships of the battlefront with Division commanders and group Commanders of the Jaffna peninsula.

Army arranges donation of pushbikes for Jaffna schoolchildren

On a ask for made by Sri Lanka Army officials in Jaffna, Rotary friendship of Colombo has donated 23 push bicycles for the schoolchildren who had attained the uppermost script at the grade-5 learning examination-2008 in Jaffna.
The there was set as a consequence of a discussion held between safety Forces Commander in Jaffna, Major General GA Chandasiri and Additional Area Director of Education D.T. Selwarathnam. During this discussion, Mr. Slewarathnam had tinted that the schoolchildren in Jaffna have been conflicting ills due to be small of of sufficient public transport armed forces in the area.
Taking another pace towards restoring normalcy in the Peninsula, Major General Chandasiri had made a ask for of from the donor. Sri Lanka Navy had overjoyed the bicycles to Jaffna from Colombo and the gift was made at a simple rite held at Kankasanthurai on Saturday (Dec 6).
The bicycles were separate among 23 students belonging to 14 schools. The principals of the schools, teachers and the safety forces officials participated for the event.

Army responds to distorted 'oxygen report'

Security Forces Headquarters in Wanni on Thursday (30) flatly deprived of made-up reports and allegations on an supposed barrier of the method of oxygen cylinders into hospitals in un-cleared areas by the Army following such life-saving gas stocks reached the Omanthai Entry/Exit point.
Those pro-LTTE mouthpieces as usual have carefully, but shamelessly required to understand one single isolated detection that took place on 23rd October 2008 at Omanthai to their own advantage, blowing it absent of proportions.
As is the practice, a huge batch of medical supplies accordingly accepted by checkup authorities and Commissioner of Essential Services in more than three lorries with an approved quantity of oxygen cylinders reached the Omanthai Entry/Exit point for custom examination procedures, but the troops set up the accepted list of medical items, supplementary the lorries has been tampered and added with 24 more oxygen cylinders, using a pen.
Detection of those additional oxygen cylinders, in adding to what was being taken at that point, aroused suspicion and was afterwards referred to authorities in Vavuniya for necessary documentation and following approval, if this additional amass were to find its entry into un-cleared areas. On the other give, Army investigations have so far-away exposed that sure medical professionals and authorities, intending to serve different interests and agendas, were behind the ineffective oxygen smuggling effort.
Mystery surrounding area as to why those paying become aware of parties, when good channels are open, alternative to such fake practices following the alike authorities have previous in writing intimated that the Kilinochchi hospital has been shifted and all emergency luggage would be sent to Vavuniya in the prospect, as agreed.
Therefore, as explained Security Forces at Omanthai had not at all blocked the way of oxygen into un-cleared areas, but only warped away the excess stock detected until proper power is obtained without resorting to forgery.

C-4 explosive bag found in INGO office - Vavuniya

On information received from a civilian, security forces have found a bag with C-4 explosive and detonators inside an INGO office in Vavuniya last evening, 14 October.
According to the law enforcement sources, the bag contained 1.5Kg of C-4 high explosive, 3 m distance end to end detonator code and four electric detonators found inside the office of global Organization for Migrant (IOM) which is operating under UN approximately 6.30 pm.
The recipient of the bag, a staff member of IOM office Vavuniya, has already been in use into care and he confessed that he conventional the bag from one of the employees member in Mannar office.
Further investigations are being approved out by the Vavuniya police.

11 terrorists killed, 11 injured in fierce fighting - Kilinochchi

Eleven LTTE terrorists were killed while 11 more sustained injuries in fierce gun fight erupted in northeast of Akkarayanklulam in Kilinochchi front yesterday, 12 October.
According to the defence sources, the hours long fighting commenced on last morning caused heavy compensation to the enemy. By intercepting LTTE radio communication, the damages inflicted to the opponent were confirmed.
Two security forces personnel too made their utmost give up for defending the place of birth while busy with LTTE terrorists, defence sources added.

Air Force destroys LTTE aircraft - Mullaittiuvu [Updated]

Sri Lanka Air Force has shot down one of the aircraft belonged to LTTE terrorists this morning (Sept 9).

Air Force spokesperson Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara speaking to defence.lk said, the aircraft has been shot down in the Mualaithiuvu skies while running away following a failed mission.

He said Air Defence Radars have picked up two LTTE light aircraft while they were approaching to the Vavuniya area around 4 AM. Then the fighter jets launched from Katunayake airbase, have intercepted the terror aircraft and destroyed one of them, he added.

Speaking further he said , the aim of LTTE in this air mission was to target the Vavuniya airbase. However, the terrorists have failed to deliver their bombs on the target , he added.

Meanwhile, Military spokesperson Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said the terrorists have launched coordinated artillery attack at the Forward Defence of Vavuniya to support the attempted aerial mission. Troops have retaliated with heavy artillery and brought the situation under control, he added.

LTTE believed to have suffered heavy losses when Air Force carried out spoiling attacks at LTTE reserves in Kilinochchi during last couple of days. In a series of air raids, Air Force targeted number of terror marshalling points causing a severe damage to the enemy fighting capability.

More information will follow...

19 LTTE terrorists killed, 23 wounded at Palamoddai- Vavuniya

At least 19 LTTE terrorists were killed and 23 others reported wounded following intense fighting erupted between troops and LTTE, North of Palamodai general area, at the Vavuniya- Mullaittiuvu battlefront from 10a.m., till 1.30p.m., Tuesday (Sep 2).

Troops of the Task Force -2, continued steady advances into LTTE forward defence positions despite stiff resistance and have reportedly uncovered an i-com set left by LTTE, military sources said.

In addition to the LTTE fatalities, a soldier has laid his life and another wounded in the confrontations, sources further said.