Demonstration against LTTE activities and fund raising in Netherlands

More than 350 vocal protestors , both the Sinhalese and the Tamils, strongly demanded that Prabhakarn should down his arms and give in to the Sri Lanka Army and the Nederlands should immediately put an end to the fund raising of the LTTE in the Hague that increases the agony of the Tamils in the Mullaittivu and Kilinochchi Districts who are subjected to the worst civil rights violations in the world.
"Fund raising in the Hague helps LTTE to sprint one of the worst Fascist organisation in the modern world that keeps an army of child soldiers kidnapped from their homes and schools, well recorded by the United Nations," one of the protestors said.
Many placards written in Dutch said the funds from Nederlands help Prabhakaran run one of the most dangerous radical groups in the world as described by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) in the United States.
"Expatriates of Sri Lanka, living in The Netherlands and other European cities gathered in front of the Parliament of The Netherlands in The Hague on 11th October 2008 to protest against terrorism in general and the LibeSri Lankans belonging to all communities ration Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)'s killing against humanity in particular. The expression was preceded by a Peace March towards the Parliament," a statement issued by the organizers said.
This was the first time an anti- LTTE demonstration was held in the Nederlands although the European organizers of the terrorist group has made the country's capital, the Hague a hub for their fund raising activities. Demonstrators alleged the money are being raised for the most anti-human rights behavior in Sri Lanka under bogus human rights organizations in the Hague. They alleged the funds are then taken across limits to France, the United Kingdom and Canada to be smuggled out to banks to weapons for terrorist behavior.
The organizers supposed in the statement: "At the end of the demonstration, a memorandum on the objectives of the event namely to highlight the increasing LTTE killings of blameless people in Sri Lanka, to ask for the Dutch authorities' solidarity towards the Peace efforts of the Government of Sri Lanka and to totally ban all LTTE activities in The Netherlands, was submitted to the government authorities. Copies of the memorandum were also sent to the Prime Minister and other political personalities."

Anti-LTTE raids in Melbourne reports 'The Australian'

Australian Federal Police (AFP) have arrested, at the request of the FBI, a director of a Melbourne business college believed to be linked to the Tigers over alleged terrorism offences in the US.

Thulasitharan Santhirarajah, 34, is expected to face extradition proceedings after his arrest on Monday when AFP agents raided homes and businesses around Melbourne, including the office of his Melbourne International College.

The raids were conducted at the request of the FBI, which has been cracking down on the fundraising activities in the US of members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

A spokesman for federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland yesterday confirmed the US had requested that Santhirarajah be detained.

"The man is wanted to face prosecution for alleged terrorism offences in the United States of America," the spokesman said. "As this is an ongoing law enforcement matter, it would be inappropriate to comment on the specifics of the case."

Santhirarajah appeared briefly in a Melbourne Magistrates court on Monday and was remanded in custody until next month.

As well as the city office of the college, AFP agents raided five properties and businesses in Narre Warren, Dandenong and Lysterfield.

It is understood police questioned some colleagues and business partners of Santhirarajah, but later released them.

Staff at the college yesterday refused to comment on the raids or Santhirarajah's arrest.

Neighbours of Santhirarajah in Narre Warren said they had noticed unusual activity in their street for some time. Diana Taylor said that in recent weeks she had seen people setting up what she thought was undercover surveillance.

Last year in unrelated proceedings, the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force in New York arrested the alleged US director of the Tigers.

At the time, the FBI accused Australia's Tamil community of helping fund terrorist attacks by the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka.

Two Melbourne men, allegedly linked to the Tigers, are awaiting trial over unrelated alleged terrorism-related offences. They were charged in 2006 with being members of a terrorist organisation, making funds available to a terrorist organisation and making an asset available to a proscribed entity.

Courtesy: The Australian

21 victims killed in LTTE claymore attack identified

Twenty-one innocent passengers including young eight young women were killed and over 60 suffered injuries due to the LTTE roadside bomb explosion took place in Katubedda, Moratuwa this morning, June 06.

Post-mortems and Magisterial inquiries into their deaths were conducted at the Colombo South Teaching Hospital morgue this afternoon.

Following dead personnel have already been identified, according to the police sources.

Ms S. Kanthi Senanayake (Piliyandala),

Ms Thilini Maduka (Piliyandala),

Ms Seetha Jayalatha Fernando (Delthara),

Ms Samanthi Kanepola,

Ms Wiswaka Gayan (Kiriwaththuduwa),

Ms Madushika Sewanthi (Ambalagoda),

Ms Ayantha Damayanthi (Madapatha),

Ms Sanduni Jayasinghe (Piliyandala),

Ranjith Thilakarathe (Gonapola),

Nuwan Manokara (Embilipitiya),

Sujeewa Jayal,

Thanua Priyanka (Tangalle),

K.G.K. Chathura,

Wasantha Priyalal Fernando,

Gemunu Rathnayake (Kandy),

K.A. Indika,

Sujith Hettiarachchi,

W.G. Thanuja,

D. Kularathne (Madapatha),

S.N.D. Jayasinghe

Liyanage Thilakaratne Fernando (Moratuwa)

Jaffna tour of the UN Australian and Norwegian diplomats

A delegation consisting of the Deputy High Commissioner for Australia Ms. Sophia Mclnture Deputy Head of Mission Norwegian Embassy in Colombo Ms. Hilde Haraldstd and UNCHR Representative in Sri Lanka Mr. Amin Awad who arrived at Palaly airport on May 27 2008 on an official tour were welcomed by Jaffna Commander Major Jeneral G.A. Chandrasiri.

The Jaffna Commander explained to the distinguished delegation of diplomats the current security situation of the Jaffna area and the coordination with the civilian population. The delegates placed their signatures on a log book. They were presented with souveniars.

The delegates met with the Government Agent Jaffna, Mr. K. Ganesh and were briefed on the civilian life in Jaffna. They also made an observation tour of the construction sites of buildings donated by the UNO. They left for Colombo on May 28, 2008.



Courtesy : MCNS

7 Killed, 73 wounded in LTTE bomb explosion - Dehiwala [3rd Lead] [Updated

7 civilians were killed including a pregnant mother and 73 more passengers suffered injuries when the LTTE terrorists exploded a bomb inside a highly crowded Colombo-Panadura train around 4.55 p.m today.

According to the available information the explosion occurred inside the 5th carriage of the Panadura bound train which leaves the Maradana railway station around 4.25p.m.

It is believed that the parcel bomb exploded had been placed on the luggage rack in the train, police sources said.

Many of the victims were office workers headed home at the end of the workday and the victims who suffered injuries were rushed to the Kalubowila teaching hospital and National hospital Colombo.

Earlier, LTTE terrorists detonated two bombs in two carriages of a highly crowded train at the same railway station killing more than seventy and wounding over hundreds of innocent civilians in the same manner on 24th July 1996.

LTTE is a ruthless terrorist outfit notorious for crimes against innocent civilians. In its pursuit for a mono ethnic separate homeland for Tamils, the outfit has killed and maimed over tens and innocent children, Tamil and Sinhalese political leaders in indiscriminate bomb attacks. FBI in a recent report called LTTE the most dangerous terrorist outfit in the world.

Child soldiers in Sri Lanka and their rehabilitation

The problem of child soldiers has been a recurrent nightmare for Sri Lanka, since the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam made almost a fetish of using children in their forces. Their baby brigade was a source of pride during the nineties and, even though they tried in the course of that decade to establish themselves as a respectable military organization, the issue of child soldiers reveals most clearly perhaps their rejection of civilized norms.

Though the issue had been noticed previously, it became a focus of attention following the 2002 Ceasefire Agreement. Child soldiers became the symbol as it were of continuing LTTE militarization. According to UNICEF data, there were a total of 6,183 cases of child recruitment by the LTTE in five years after the February 2002 CFA. Out of this 3,732 were boys and 2,451 were girls. Although these numbers appear high, these are still probably lower than the actual numbers. It is not possible to accurately determine the full extent of under-age recruitment for several reasons. Some parents are not aware of existing reporting mechanisms. Others fear reprisal and so do not report. Most families suffer from intimidation and threats if they contravene LTTE orders.

During the same period, the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission, which ruled after examination on Ceasefire Violations, declared that there had been 1743 confirmed cases of child recruitment by the LTTE (out of 2062 allegations). There were none of course by the Government of Sri Lanka, which has never used child soldiers - though there was a single accusation of child recruitment made against the government, which was dismissed.

Though the Sri Lankan government has never used child soldiers, there have been allegations against it of complicity with former members of the LTTE in recruitment of child soldiers during the last few years. UNICEF has maintained a database of recruitment of children in the Eastern Province by the Karuna faction, which broke away from the LTTE in 2004. It should be noted that, immediately after the split, an estimated 1,800 children were released by the Karuna group. However, there was widespread re-recruitment of these children by the LTTE in mid-2004 and the Karuna faction then claimed that it was forced to take in children who were otherwise in danger.

UNICEF data confirmed a total of 351 children overall recruited by the Karuna faction, mostly boys. There is no confirmation at all of government involvement, and the only allegation made by UNICEF was of soldiers at a checkpoint waving through cadres including children. Investigation revealed that, when the matter was brought to the notice of authorities, disciplinary action had been taken against the soldiers involved. No other allegations were made and, though a UN official recorded assertions of complicity in a report in 2006, he did not respond to requests for evidence. Significantly, the UN Secretary General, in his own report, only mentioned allegations against government forces in a few instances, while categorically condemning the LTTE for several instances of child recruitment and the Karuna faction in a few.

The government has tried to ensure release of all children held by the Karuna faction, and initially set a target date of 2007 for this. This was not achieved, but the number is only in double figures now, and these cases too should be resolved soon. One problem however, as became clear when arrangements were being made to take over several late last year, was the inadequacy of arrangements for rehabilitation. The Karuna faction had little faith in UNICEF, and this was understandable in the past, though recently with a new head of UNICEF plans for a productive partnership between government and UNICEF are in train.

Most recently, government has been able to instil confidence in the TMVP, the democratic political party into which the former Karuna faction has been transformed, with regard both to collaboration with UNICEF and general safety in the East, following the successful conduct of peaceful and pluralistic elections in the region. Two sets of former combatants have now been restored to their parents or to government custody for a rehabilitation programme, in which UNICEF has agreed to partner the government.

The failure of rehabilitation in collaboration with the LTTE

Unfortunately, following the Ceasefire Agreement, UNICEF thought it could work with the LTTE to rehabilitate former child soldiers. The then government accepted this position, in its anxiety to display commitment to the peace process, and these attitudes continued for several years despite continuing evidence of LTTE violations of the CFA.

Thus GOSL institutions such as the NCPA which has the mandate to uphold the protection rights enshrined in the CRC was left out of planning because they had advocated strongly against child recruitment, which led to strong objections to their involvement by the LTTE. Instead of the NCPA, the partner GOSL institution in rehabilitation projects was the Ministry of Social Welfare which was acceptable to the LTTE but without much experience in this field.

Though UNICEF continued to advocate against child recruitment with the LTTE and attempted to get them to honour their commitments to cease recruitment and release all child soldiers, this advocacy did not yield the desired outcome. As part of the Action Plan for Children, UNICEF in collaboration with the GOSL planned a mass media awareness campaign on child rights emphasizing advocacy against child recruitment. According to reports by UNICEF, the mass media campaign was indefinitely postponed since January 2004 as the LTTE did not approve of the key messages. It was subsequently not implemented.

More importantly, the demobilisation of already recruited child soldiers by the LTTE and the prevention of new recruits faced serious constraints. The programme on rehabilitation and reintegration which was planned by the GOSL in collaboration with UNICEF and the LTTE in 2003 was not effectively implemented. The LTTE agreed to the programme only on the basis that the main implementing agency was an NGO, the Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO), which was the only organisation acceptable to them. The GOSL was represented by the Ministry of Social Services at that time.

According to UNICEF as of 31 March 2006, the estimated number of children released was 1,614, out of which 173 had been sent to transit centres and 1,441 directly to their homes. UNICEF reported that the following activities took place1:

(a) A transit centre, managed by UNICEF in collaboration with the TRO, was opened up in Kilinochchi (October 2003). However, it functioned only for a few months. During these few months, UNICEF maintained a 24-hour presence at the transit centre with both national and international staff. However the centre did not continue to function as no children were released to the centre.

(b) UNICEF allocated resources for land, construction of the centres, supplies and equipment, furniture and recruitment of international and local staff. Two other transit centres were planned in Batticaloa and Trincomalee. These centres were never opened. Substantial resources were provided by UNICEF for both the Killinochchi and the other two centres. The main reason for the non-functioning of the centres was the non-release of child combatants by the LTTE. The very few children released did not justify the cost of running such transit centres.

(c) During the time period between 1 July 2004 and 30 June 2005, only 17 boys and 22 girls were released to the transit centre. During the same period, 269

were considered released from all districts in the North except Trincomalee District.

(d) Between 1 July 2004 and 30 June 2005, the Kilinochchi transit centre accommodated released children for 13 weeks. These released children from this transit centre have been reunited with their families.

(e) In December 2004, UNICEF met with senior level LTTE leaders to discuss the usage of the transit centres. Due to the limited number of children being released it was agreed that the Killinochchi transit centre should be reprogrammed for an alternate use.

(f) UNICEF withdrew all their support to the transit centre, including their staff by the end of December 2004.

(g) UNICEF continued to maintain the hope that the transit centres would be used to accommodate released children, should the LTTE release a sufficient number. However such plans were abandoned since there were too many unresolved issues related to such centres, relating to the type of staff employed to run the centre, how reunification occurs, rehabilitation of child combatants and the quality and access to psychosocial therapy they could hope to obtain.

Other absurdities on the part of UNICEF included the enthusiasm of its Head for the commitment of the LTTE, as late as 2007, to release children under 17. When it was pointed out that 18 was the lower limit, she remarked that the LTTE had told her it needed to introduce new legislation for this purpose, since the limit on its existing law was 17. When it was pointed out that the LTTE could not legislate, she apologized, and referred to regulations. It was clear that she had been totally taken in by LTTE masquerades as to its intentions.


The importance attached by the LTTE to continuing use of child soldiers is apparent from its attempt to remove the topic from discussion at the last sets of peace negotiations held under the CFA in 2006. At a meeting with the Norwegian ambassador held in March 2006, in preparation for negotiations in April, they 'insisted that the issue of child recruitment does not fall within the parameters of the CFA, and should not be part of the agenda at the next round of talks...Mr Bratskar has pointed out that the CFA does mention of the abductions. Since a child cannot voluntarily join the LTTE military force, all recruitment will have to be treated as abduction. He had also argued that looking at the history of the six rounds of talks, there is an acknowledgment that recruitment should not be continued, and that continued recruitment was extremely damaging to the image of the LTTE at the international level.'

After this exchange, the LTTE refused to go to talks in April. In June they went to Oslo but refused to talk. Finally in October they did talk for one day, but not on the second. Though the issue of child soldiers was not the only one they were diffident about, clearly they felt very uncomfortable when it was on the table.

Future Plans
It is apparent now that no reliance can be placed on the LTTE with regard to child soldiers. Recently a large proportion of young girls have been found amongst the dead in LTTE bunkers and, though these may not be children, it is apparent that the practice of putting the vulnerable in the front lines has resumed.

All this however makes it more important that the government, in collaboration with UNICEF and other appropriate agencies, sets in place plans for rehabilitation, that will cater not only to the children now in custody, or who may soon be released by the Karuna faction, but also those who might be able to escape from LTTE clutches.

A Committee set up by the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Human Rights (IMCHR), which functions under the Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights, has developed plans for several rehabilitation Centres, and identified partners who can provide suitable care plus high level training to give former child combatants better opportunities for employment. Working together with UN agencies that move beyond the basic dependency needs of most victims of war seems the best option, and projects have been proposed to ILO and IOM, in addition to bilateral donors.

Providing a positive future is essential for these children who have been so badly abused in the past. If the current intransigent LTTE leadership changes, it is possible that a younger generation, some of whom suffered abuse as children as did many in the Karuna faction, will promote a change of approach that will open up opportunities they were denied. Sri Lanka hopes that the international community, some of which still continues despite all statistical evidence in a state of denial about LTTE brutality in this regard, will contribute to the change that is so urgently needed.

Courtesy: Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP)

Terrorists suffer heavy losses in clashes - Vavuniya

Sri Lanka Army soldiers yesterday (May 14) found five bodies of female LTTE cadres along with 5 T-56 rifles, after hours long clashes occurred in the Periyamadhu area on the Vavuniya warfront. According to the defence sources in the front, heavy clashes had prevailed between 8.30- 10 am as troops continued to march ahead into the LTTE dominated Wanni territory.

The terrorists had showered mortar fire on the charging soldiers but failed to halt them, the sources said. One soldier was killed, one reported missing in action and four others suffered injuries in the incident, the sources added.

Elsewhere, troops confronted with a group of terrorists around 2 pm and claimed at least 4 LTTE cadres were killed. One soldier suffered injuries in this incident.

In a similar incident at Palamodai troops attacked two fortified LTTE bunkers around 3.50, last evening. Ground sources have confirmed that 6 LTTE cadres were killed in the incident. Army suffered no damages.

Separately, a sniper deployed in the Palampiddi area claimed to have shot down one terrorist around 11.15 a.m. One solder suffered injuries due to an Anti Personal (AP) mine explosion in the same area on the same day evening.

Meanwhile, Army Electronic Warfare (EW) cells based on radio monitoring reported that terrorists had transferred 8 of its cadres to Molangavil government hospital in the non liberated area, out of which 3 had died at the hospital.

Further details from the warfronts will follow..

Bullet to Ballot - The Hindu Editorial

The relatively violence-free conduct of the first ever election to Sri Lanka 's Eastern Provincial Council (EPC) is a feather in the cap of the Mahinda Rajapaksa government. The United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA), which teamed up with the breakaway LTTE group led by Pillayan, has emerged victorious with 20 of the 37 seats.

The opposition parties have charged the government with large-scale electoral irregularities. The reports of independent observer groups provide some support to such complaints. However, the fact that the United National Party (UNP) and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) combine polled over 42 per cent of the votes cast indicates that the charge of large-scale rigging has no leg to stand on. Quite apart from who won and who lost, the EPC election has far-going political significance. The very fact of an elected council coming into existence, after a gap of two decades, in a province that was the theatre of war between the security forces and the LTTE less than a year ago is cause for cheer to all who believe that democracy and genuine devolution of power are the solution to Sri Lanka's principal national question. The constitution of a democratically elected government in the Eastern Province will also set at rest the controversy triggered by the October 2006 judgment of the Sri Lanka Supreme Court declaring the merger of north and east, effected after the 1987 Indo-Lanka Accord, to be illegal.

"Now that the EPC is a political fait accompli, President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the winning alliance must move forward quickly to give meaning to the devolution exercise. They must respect the rights of the democratically elected opposition and accommodate its legitimate demands.

The choice of Chief Minister will be watched with keen interest, especially because the Tamil, Muslim, and Sinhala populations are evenly balanced. Given the tensions involved in the past over the demographic change brought about by state-sponsored colonisation, the sound and progressive course will be to go for a rotating arrangement in which the chief minister-ship will be shared by the Muslim and Tamil groups that have done well at the polls.

Providing security to all the displaced people, rehabilitating them, and rebuilding the war-affected areas must be taken up as top priorities. Finally, there is the tricky task of disarming the militant groups, especially the cadres of the breakaway LTTE, and integrating them in civil society and democratic politics. What all this demands is far-sighted political statesmanship by an administration that has proved highly effective in the military field."

Courtesy : The Hindu

9 LTTE terrorists killed, over 13 wounded in Wanni fighting

At least 9 LTTE terrorists were killed, over 13 others reported wounded when troops clashed with LTTE at the Wanni theater of battle on Monday (May 12), security sources said.

According to reports received, an LTTE terrorist was killed during fighting ensued with troops at the Vavuniya front in addition to an Army casualty reportedly caused due to an AP mine explosion. On the Mannar battle front 6 terrorists were killed and 5 others wounded, what ground troops described 'sporadic clashes' in general areas Alankulama, Udiyadi, Kaddpulama, Pikkulama and Sirumullikankandal. Two soldiers were also reported wounded in general area Kaddpulama.

Meanwhile, at the Welioya front military sources said that, 2 LTTE terrorist were killed and 8 others injured in fighting ensued between troops and LTTE in general areas North of Janakapura and North of Kiriibbanwewa. Three soldiers were also wounded during the fighting, military sources further added.

Related news >>>

LTTE suffers more damages in Wanni battle

4 terrorists killed, 4 wounded in Welioya front

Security forces personnel who are continuing their offensive march to liberate Wanni, inflicted heavy damages to the enemy in the clashes occurred yesterday, May 11.

In a confrontation took place in general area north of Janakapura, by intercepting terror transmission, it is learnt that 2 LTTE cadres were killed. One soldier was killed during this confrontation, sources further said. Another soldier has suffered injuries due to a separate confrontation took place around 4.30 pm in the same area.

Meanwhile, troops have confronted with a group of LTTE terrorists in the same area last afternoon. One terrorist was either killed or wounded due to security forces retaliation. One T-56 weapon was also found in a subsequent search operation.

Eight more terrorists were either killed or wounded while an army soldier was killed due to three separate confrontations occurred in the same area.

Meanwhile, six confrontations were reported from general area Kiriibbanwewa. Two terrorists were killed while 4 others suffered injuries in these confrontations. Eight terrorists reported either killed or wounded, sources further said. One slain body of an LTTE cadre was found with a T-56 weapon and an I-Com set

Wanni liberation continues; 15 terrorists killed in yesterday's clashes

Sri Lanka army soldiers engaged in counter terror operations in the Islands's terror gripped North yesterday (May 10) continued their onslaught at the terror defences in the Jaffna and Wanni theatres of operations.

In the Jaffna theatre, troops attacked terror bunkers on the Muhamalai front and claimed to have neutralised few of them. However, no confirmation on terror casualties has so far been obtained in any of these attacks.

Separately, a sniper deployed on the Nagarkovil front reported to have shot down one LTTE cadre detected approx 250m ahead of own defence line last morning.

In Wanni theatre, all three battlefronts, i.e. Vavuniya, Mannar and Welioya were fully engaged in daylong clashes with the terrorists.

On the Vavuniya front, troops attacked terrorists at three occasions and claimed to have killed 4 terrorists and wounded 3 others. At Vedamakilam, troops ambushed a group of terrorists in the morning hours and confirmed two terrorists were killed in this incident. At Palampiddi, troops clashed with the terrorist in two occasions, one in the morning and the other in the evening. Army Electronic Warfare (EW) cells confirmed 2 terrorists were killed and 3 others wounded in these incidents. No damages caused to the own troops.

Elsewhere, one soldier suffered serious injuries due to an anti personnel (AP) explosion while advancing in the Vairavarpuliyankulam area last afternoon.

On the Mannar warfront, troops continued their offensives in the Alankulama area throughout the day. However, no confirmation on terror casualties has been received so far. During these operations one soldier caught in a booby trap received injuries and evacuated to immediate medical attention.

Separately, troops attacked and destroyed an LTTE bunker defence using RCL weapons at Manthota last morning. Troops believed at least 2 terrorists were killed in these clashes.

A sniper deployed in the Karunkandal area reported to have gunned down an LTTE cadre on the same day evening.

On the Welioya warfront, troops had several clashes in the North of Janakapura and Kiriibaanwawa areas throughout the day.

EW cells confirmed 4 terrorists were killed and at least 5 others injured during the clashes occurred in the North of Janakapura area for the day. Also one body of a slain LTTE cadre and 14 hand grenades, one T-56 riffle, a silver compass were found during search operations. A soldier suffered injuries due to an AP mine explosion and directed to immediate medical care.

In the North of Kiriibbanwewa area, troops attacked and captured a trench line manned by LTTE terrorists last evening. EW cells confirmed one terrorist was killed and another injured in this incident. Separately, troops attacked a group of terrorists on the same evening and claimed 2 terrorists were either killed or wounded. Troops suffered no casualties in the incident.

Troops engaged in search operations in the area removed 256 AP mines, uncovered 18 hand grenades and 2 improvised bombs.

Limited offensives are continuing.

Troops advance amid heavy artillery fire; heavy casualties to LTTE in yesterday's clashes

According to the recapitulated military reports received from battlefronts troops had achieved several important victories over the terrorists in yesterday's (April 30) clashes. Also, a significant change in LTTE's response to the military onslaught was observed yesterday as the terrorists started to fire large number of heavy artillery towards the army forward defence lines (FDLs).

In the Jaffna theatre of battle, troops engaged LTTE bunkers from Muhamalai, Kilaly and Nagarkovil frontiers using small arms, rocket propeller grenades and mortars at several occasions. Ground troops claimed at least 7 LTTE cadres were killed or wounded during these clashes. Also, snipers deployed on the Muhamalai front claimed one terrorist was killed.

On the Wanni theatre of battle, troops advanced from all three frontiers, i.e. Mannar, Vavuniya and Welioya, amid heavy artillery barrages and battling against anti personal mines and booby traps.

On the Vavuniya front, troops had several clashes with the terrorists in Palampiddi and Valliyappalai areas throughout the day and claimed 8 terrorists were killed and at least 2 others wounded. Further, one soldier was killed 9 others suffered injuries due to anti personal mine explosions and improvised bomb explosions while advancing into the LTTE dominated areas in the Muttiramadittakulam, Palampiddy, Kallikkulam , and, Palaimoddai areas. Two more soldiers were killed and another suffered injuries due to a pressure mine explosion in the Panichchakkulam area last evening.

Day's most fierce clashes occurred when Army infantrymen on the Mannar front marched in to the terror defences in the Veppankulama area and pushed own defences about 1.5 km into the terror dominated territory. In daylong clashes occurred in the area troops captured terror based named "Selvi". Radio transmissions among LTTE units revealed that 26 LTTE cadres were killed and 18 others wounded in this incident. Also, 8 soldiers suffered injuries. Separately, snipers deployed in the Veddayamurippu area claimed to have killed 2 terrorists on the same day evening. Four soldiers suffered injuries due to terror mortar fire while consolidating their defences in the Karunkandal area.

On the Welioya front, troops marching into the Mullaittivu LTTE heartland came across heavy artillery fire that prevailed from morning to evening. Troops also retaliated to the attack using heavy artillery and rockets. 4 soldiers were killed and another injured due to terror artillery fire directed at the North of Janakapura. Another soldier suffered injuries due to improvised bomb explosion in the same area. Monitored radio transmissions among LTTE units confirmed 2 LTTE cadres were killed and 16 others injured in the army retaliatory fire. Meanwhile, troops engaged in clearing operations removed 127 anti personal mines .

Limited operations are continuing.



Related News:

Pressure mine explosion kills two soldiers

LTTE's "18 Base" falls to troops; 42 terrorists killed, 38 wounded - Mannar

Navy seizes 815 gelignite sticks with five persons, van and mortar bike - Puttalam

A Sri Lanka Navy seized five persons with a stock of 815 gelignite sticks from the Palavi area, Puttalam which were being prepared to be smuggled.

The stock of gelignite, the five persons including three Muslims, two Sinhalese the van and the motor bike involved have been handed over to the Puttalam Police for further investigations.

Courtesy : MCNS

LTTE's "18 Base" falls to troops; 42 terrorists killed, 38 wounded - Mannar

Troops have captured the LTTE's stronghold called "18 Base" (One-Eight Base) located at north of Parayakulam in Mannar front inflicting heavy damages to the enemy today, April 30.

Clashes erupted when the troops deployed in general areas Parayakulam, Karukkakulam and Kattankulam were advancing towards LTTE defence line around 5.15 am and brought the entire area where LTTE's "18 Base" located under fully security forces control following heavy fighting lasted for hours, defence sources in Mannar said.

By monitoring LTTE radio communication, it is learnt that 42 LTTE cadres were killed while another 38 suffered injuries due to this battle.

Six army soldiers suffered injuries during this gun battle and they were airlifted to the hospitals for immediate medical attention.

Sri Lanka Air Force MI24 helicopter gun ships provided aerial cover to the ground troops by destroying two identified LTTE gun positions located in general areas Karukkakulam and Chalampikulam, sources further said.

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11 terrorists killed, 18 wounded in clashes erupted - Mannar front

SLAF bombed at LTTE heavy gun positions - Welioya

Sri Lanka Air Force fighter jets raided LTTE heavy gun positions located in general areas Andankulam and Kumbulamunai this morning, April 30.

Air Force spokesperson, Wing Commander Andrew Wijesooriya speaking to deence.lk said that air attacks launched between 11.15 a.m and 11.30 am targeting LTTE gun positions located 12 and 14 Kilometres north of the security forces Forward Defence Line (FDL) in Welioya front.

Meanwhile, MI24 helicopter gun ships raided LTTE stronghold located 3.5Km ahead of security forces defence line in Mannar front around 4.00 pm, spokesperson further added.

Civilian info averts sabotage attempt- Bandaragama

The Bandaragama Police recovered explosives, detonators, iron nails and 2kg of ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3), following precise information given by a civilian to the Police Emergency Information Unit (119) yesterday (April 29) morning at 7.10.

According to Police sources, the recovery was made when search operations were conducted in general area Veedagama in Bandaragama. A bag was found left in a by road near the 'Veda Temple' at Veedagama and following items were recovered, Bandaragama Police said.

Item Description Quantity
Gelignite slabs 10
NH4NO3 02kg
Gun powder (low explosives) 400g
Non-electrical detonators 04
Flexible wire roll (black & red)
01
Iron nuts and bolts 5kg
Iron nails 3kg



"Our applaud should go over to the vigilant civilians who made it possible to avert a possible sabotage attempt", Bandaragama Police OIC was quoted as saying.

NH4NO3 is an oxidizing agent used in explosives, including improvised explosive devices. It is also used with fuel oil mixtures and has reportedly been used for bombs in terrorist acts such as the Oklahoma City bombing (April 19, 1995).

EU condemns Piliyandala bus attack

The European Union (EU) on Monday condemned the latest terror attack in Piliyandala which killed 26 people and wounded many others last Friday.

"I firmly condemn this new indiscriminate terrorist attack against innocent people," Benita Ferrero-Waldner, European Commissioner for External relations and European Neighborhood Policy, said in a statement.

The commissioner said she was "profoundly shocked" by the horrific attack on civilians in a bus.

"This is totally unacceptable and cannot be justified under any circumstances," she stressed.

"My thoughts are with the families who have lost loved ones and I wish a speedy recovery to those injured in this attack," she added.

Courtesy: Xinhua

Tamil youth shot dead by LTTE gunmen- Jaffna

Alleged LTTE gunmen shot dead a Tamil youth this evening (April 29), near the Railway Road in general area Kokuvil, Jaffna.

According to witnesses two motor bike riding gunmen have shot at the youth who was on his way home and fled the area immediately at around 6.45p.m.

Motive of the killing is not known and further investigations are in progress, Jaffna Police sources said.

Farmer killed in LTTE attack - Yakavawa

A farmer was killed when LTTE terrorists exploded a claymore bomb inside a jungle area between Nikawawa and Yakawawa this evening. According to the police sources the bomb was exploded around 4.30 pm targeting the farmer who was travelling on a motorbike. The exact location is inside a jungle patch in the Manawa area, the sources added.

Police investigations are in progress

LTTE building complex adjacent to Iranmadhu air stripe bombed

Sri Lanka Air Force fighter jets attacked a building complex located adjacent to the air stripe maintained by the LTTE terrorists in Irnamdadhu jungle this morning. According to, the Air Force spokesman Wing Commander Andrew Wijesuriya, the air strike was launched around 9.45 am.

Air force sources confirmed that the buildings were inflicted with severe damages. However, casualties to the terrorists is yet be ascertained, he added.