13 terrorists killed in confrontations

Four terrorists were killed or injured in a confrontation around 6.45 in the morning in the WELIOYA area while two terrorists were also killed by the Army in the ADANKULAM area around 1.20 in the afternoon.

Another two terrorists were killed and two others were injured in the VADUKKARI area at 1.30 in the afternoon on the same day.

A terrorist was reported injured in a confrontation in the area of KATTUVATTAIMALAI area around 12.30 in the afternoon.

Eight terrorists were killed and a terrorist bunker was completely destroyed by Troops in a confrontation in the KALLIKULAM area, in VAVUNIYA around 9.10 am.

Troops also killed a terrorist in the KILLALI area, JAFFNA on the same day.

Military operations in progress; 19 LTTE terrorists killed in yesterday's attacks

 

Military reports reveal that security forces have continued their limited military operations at northern and Wanni defences inflicting heavy damages to the LTTE terrorists yesterday, January 30. According to the reports 19 LTTE terrorists were killed many others injured during the clashes erupted Killaly, Muhamalai, Vavuniya, Mannar and Weli-Oya fronts throughout the day.

In the Muhamalai front, two LTTE terrorists were gunned down by the army snipers in two separate incidents one took place at 11.00 a.m and 2.00 p.m. yesterday.

In the Killay front, in a pre-emptive strike launched by the security forces destroyed LTTE bunker line around 7.50 p.m. Ground troops confirmed at least four LTTE terrorists were killed in this attack.

Several incidents have been reported from the Vavuniya front yesterday. Security forces launched an attack targeting LTTE bunkers in general area Kallikulam. The confrontation took place at 1.45 p.m and troops confirmed five LTTE terrorists were killed in this attack. In the same area, around 3.25 p.m troops launched an attack targeting LTTE bunkers and troops confirmed at least five LTTE terrorists were killed or wounded due to the attack.

Meanwhile, troops engaged in consolidating operations at Vilathikulam area found bunkers and warlike items abandoned by the fleeing LTTE terrorists. Defence sources said three LTTE bunkers were fund along with 60 anti-personnel mines and 4 trapped devices.

Three army soldiers also sustained injuries due to two separate explosions took place at Periyapantrichchuchchan and Mullikulam yesterday.

In the Mannar front, troops attacked the LTTE's strong point located at general area Adampan around 8.45 a.m yesterday. Ground troops confirmed that more than five LTTE terrorists were killed in this attack. In a subsequent search operation conducted, troops uncovered 143 anti-personnel mines, 40 hand grenades, 5333 T-56 ammunition and 10 improvised explosive devices, sources stated.

Meanwhile, an army soldier received injuries due to an explosion of anti-personnel mine took place around 1.45 p.m in the Adampan area.

In the Weli-Oya front, troops attacked a group of LTTE terrorists in general area in Kokkuthuduvai around 10.05 a.m and killed one terrorist troops confirmed.

Troops confronted with a group of LTTE terrorists at Kokkuthuduvai and LTTE transmission confirmed that five of their cadres were killed in this attack. Three soldiers also received injuries in this incident.

Meanwhile, in another confrontation took place at Andankulam around 10.45 a.m yesterday. LTTE transmission confirmed that an LTTE cadre was killed while another two received injuries due to this confrontation.

Two soldiers received injuries due to incidents took place at Kokkuthuduvai and Andankulam areas yesterday. One soldier received injuries due to explosion of anti personnel mine around 10.30 a.m. at kokkuthuduvai. Meanwhile another soldier engaged in de-mining operations in the Andankulam area injured due to LTTE's small arms fire around 2.40 p.m. 40 anti-personnel mines were uncovered by the troops engaged in de-mining operations in Andankulam area, sources said.

Akashi warns Sri Lanka aid may be reviewed

TOKYO — Japan's envoy to Sri Lanka's peace talks warned the Sri Lankan government Thursday that Tokyo may review its financial aid if it further accelerates its military pressure on Tamil Tiger rebels in the wake of the end of a six-year cease-fire between the two sides.

"Japan's assistance to Sri Lanka is intended to improve the conditions of the people, not the government alone," the envoy, Yasushi Akashi, said in a press conference in Tokyo after pointing to speculation that the Sri Lankan government purchases arms with funds provided by Tokyo for humanitarian purposes. Akashi visited Sri Lanka on Jan 13 to 15 to urge the government and the rebels known as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to pursue political resolution following the government's decision earlier this month to withdraw from the Ceasefire Agreement sealed in February 2002.

International action slow to stem Sri Lanka bloodshed: HRW

NEW YORK (AFP) - Global concern is mounting over Sri Lanka's worsening human rights record, but action by key international players has been "slow and lacked cohesion," Human Rights Watch said in its annual report.

The group said Sri Lanka managed to head off censure in the UN Human Rights Council by agreeing to host UN officials, though Colombo later rejected UN demands for the global body to monitor human rights in the country.

"Expressions of concern about the situation in Sri Lanka grew in 2007, but international action on human rights was slow and lacked cohesion," the New York-based group said.

The US government's Millennium Challenge Corporation suspended more than 110 million dollars in aid to Sri Lanka due to concerns about the island's human rights situation, HRW said.

It said Britain had also suspended three million dollars in debt relief citing concerns over human rights and high defence spending to battle separatist Tamil Tiger guerrillas.

More than 1,100 new "disappearances" or abductions were reported in Sri Lanka between January 2006 and June 2007, with the vast majority of victims being Tamils, the watchdog said.

The group has been lobbying Japan, Sri Lanka's largest single aid donor, to use financial assistance to the Colombo government as leverage to force the government of President Mahinda Rajapakse to clean up its rights record.

In the continuing conflict between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), both sides show little regard for the safety and well-being of civilians, the report said.

Since a resumption of major military operations in mid-2006, which led to a collapse of a Norwegian-arranged ceasefire earlier this month, hundreds of civilians have been killed and more than 208,000 displaced, the group said.

Government security forces were implicated in extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, forcibly returning internally displaced persons to unsafe areas and restricting media freedoms.

Hundreds of people have also been detained under newly strengthened emergency regulations that gave the government broad powers of arrest and detention without charge, the group said.

"The regulations have been used to conduct mass arbitrary arrests of ethnic Tamils in the capital Colombo, as well as to detain political opponents, journalists, and civil society activists."

In areas under its control, the LTTE continues to forcibly conscript children and adults, control the media, and suppress freedoms of expression, association and assembly, the group said.

Tens of thousands of people have died and many more have been displaced since the LTTE launched a separatist campaign in 1972 for an independent homeland for minority Tamils in the majority Sinhalese nation.

LTTE uses teachers and children for their combat purposes

It has been reported that the Tiger terrorists who are experiencing severe defeat at the hands of the security forces are engaged in diverting school children as well as teachers in Mannar for combat purposes at the forward defence lines.

Army media spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara says the LTTE is engaged in propagating false and distorted reports through its terror propaganda network, every time it looses its fortresses. One of such false propaganda was the killing of school children and civilians in an unliberated area. The spokesman adds terrorists fall into such low debts in order to receive international cooperation in the face of their losing confidence and power.

SL ready to commamarate the 60th independence anniversary

 


Arrangements are being made to celebrate Sri Lanka’s the 60th independence anniversary in a gallant manner. The government has announced an independence week from yesterday till the 5th of next month.

The main independence day celebrations will be conducted at the Galle Face Green in Colombo. Commemoration ceremonies have also been conducted on the provincial and district level.

Religious observances commence on the 2nd of next month with the chanting of an all night pirith ceremony at the Independence Square in Colombo starting at 10.00 pm. The Independence commemoration museum will be declared open at 3.00 pm at the independence square on the same day.

Offering of floral tributes in front of the statue of Rt. Honourable D.S. Senanayake on the 4th of February, the independence day.

A two minute silence will be observed from 8.52 to 8.54 in the morning on the independence day.
Further investigations will be conducted into the killing of two wildlife officials at the Wasgamuwa Wild Life Park. DIG central province Kingsley Ekanayake says that it has been established that the killings were not carried out by the Tiger terrorists. The police believes that an altercation at a liquor party at the office of the wild life sanctuary had led to the killings.

Treatment services at the Peradeniya hospital will be recommenced as soon as possible

Director of the Peradeniya Teaching Hospital Dr. Mrs. C. Gunatilleke says patient treatment services at the hospital will be recommenced as soon as possible.

Nurses at the hospital had been given a court order yesterday to report to work from today. It has been reported that however, no nurse has reported for the shift to start at 7’0 clock until 10.30 this morning. The other staff including doctors have already reported to work.

LTTE suicide blast kills 3, injures 17 civilians - Thirunaweli

 

An LTTE suicide bobber has exploded himself targeting innocent Tamil civilians at Thirunaweli in Jaffna this morning, January 31. According to the defence sources the suicide bomber had arrived at location riding a bicycle and exploded himself around 11.20 a.m.

Three people have been killed on the spot and seventeen others have suffered injuries. The victims have been rushed to the Jaffna hospital with the assistance of security forces personnel. According the sources received from Jaffna hospital, seven victims are in critical condition.

Military spokesperson Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara speaking to the media said that this is a cowardly attempt by the terrorists to instill a fear psychosis among the Tamil civilians living in Jaffna Peninsula.

He said that increasing civilian support to the security forces' to fight terrorism has agitated LTTE terrorists. Also, he highlighted the incident as a clear indication of the bogus nature of the liberator semblance that LTTE have been trying to create for itself.

UN urges sanctions on terror groups

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on the Security Council in a report issued yesterday to impose sanctions on armies and groups that make use of child soldiers in at least a dozen countries.

Recruitment of children in armed conflicts was happening mainly in African and Asian countries, ranging from Sri Lanka, Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda to Myanmar he said in the report.

Those responsible were rebel groups but included government forces in countries like Chad, Somalia and Sudan, Ban said. Some were guilty of killing and sexually abusing children.

The Security Council should consider penalising those responsible by banning arms and military aid and slapping travel and financial restrictions on leaders, Ban said.

Violations against children in conflict should be referred to the International Criminal Court, or ICC, based in The Hague.

The U.N. children's fund UNICEF estimated last year there were some 250,000 child soldiers worldwide. Other experts say information is so hazy that the numbers are impossible to determine.

Ban's report said several precedents had been set over the past year for ending impunity for crimes against children.

These included ICC charges against Congolese factional leader Thomas Lubanga Dyilo for conscription of children.

The court also issued arrest warrants for five senior members of Uganda's Lord's Resistance Army on charges including using children in combat.

But governments "must also promptly commence appropriate national prosecutions for grave crimes against children," Ban said.

He also urged the Security Council to tackle the controversial issue of cluster bombs, calling for a "binding instrument that prohibits the use, development, production, stockpiling and transfer of cluster munitions that cause unacceptable harm to civilians."

Cluster munitions contain bomblets that can saturate vast areas of land.

Used in conflicts from Vietnam to Iraq, they have been blamed for killing and maiming thousands of civilians.

Norway has led an effort to craft a treaty banning the weapons. Campaigning groups say nearly 100 countries support a ban, but munitions-producing nations the United States, China and Russia - all with vetoes in the Security Council - are resisting.

Five civilians murdered in Jaffna and Akkareipaththu

 

Three civilians including a woman have been killed in Mirisuwil, Jaffna this morning. According to the police sources, victims are to be identified. Chavakachcheri police is conducting further investigations.

Meanwhile, two civilians who had been transporting timber to a saw mill were found shot dead at Aakkareipaththu early this morning. The Police believe the murders were committed at 9.30 last night. Police sources informed that the victims are from Welimada area. Akkareipaththu police is conducting further investigations.

LTTE plans to launch bomb attacks

 
The security sources warn that there is an LTTE plan to launch bomb attacks under the guys of selling ice-cream. The aim of the LTTE terrorists is to cause a massive destruction in the south through such bomb attacks. The sources request the masses to inform immediately the security forces of any suspicious trading centers or tradesmen.
The sources also point out that the terrorist who are now facing utter defeat on the hands of the troops may resort to such violent tactics.
End

Government says all necessary preparation have been made with regard to the Deyata Kirula exhibition

Chairman of the Deyata Kirula organising committee minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya says all necessary preparation have been made with regard to the exhibition. The building of structures is now taking place at the BMICH premises. Speaking to media the minister said this year several new additions have been made to the exhibition. He said 16 foreign countries would take part this year in the Deyata Kirula exhibition.
Admission to the exhibition will be on a lottery ticket valued at 20 rupees. The lottery will be drawn daily to award prices amounting to 60 million rupees. School children and teachers accompanying them can enter free of charge. A special security plan is in place for the exhibition and special bus and train services will also operate.

Another Rupavahini staffer complains of threats

Employees of the Rupavahini Corporation are angered over a death threat to another of their colleagues.
Two armed men had gone to the residence of Duleep Sanjeewa, a Rupavahini staffer, at Kollupitiya and threatened him with death at gun point, Rupavahini Programme Producer Kanchana Marasinghe said yesterday.
He said Sanjeewa had made a complaint about the death threat to the Kollupitiya Police.
Journalists and other employees were living in fear after the assault on news producer Lal Hemantha and the death threat on a second employee of the corporation.
The incident involving Minister Mervin Silva at the Rupavahini Corporation earlier was being investigated by the CID and a three-member-committee of the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party was due to commence their own investigations today, Power and Energy Minister W. D. J. Seneviratne said.
The committee comprises the Leader of the House and Minister of Healthcare and Nutrition Nimal Siripala de Silva, Minister Seneviratne and Governor Western Province Alavi Mowlana.

Army uncovers five suicide jackets in shrubbery area in Kalpitiya

Sri Lanka army acting on a civilian tip off have uncovered five explosive jackets worn by LTTE suicide cadres around 3.45, this evening (January 30).
According to the defence sources in the area the items were found hidden inside a shrubbery close to a watercourse at Palaviya in the Kalpitiya area. Troops alerted by the civilian information, immediately launched a search operation in the area and found five suicide jackets, and four military packs, said the sources.
The items were carefully wrapped in polythene sheets and partly buried in the land, the sources added. Police believes that the LTTE terrorists had brought the items to the area in order to use them in a future attack. LTTE is the first terrorists’ organization to pioneer suicide bombing to kill civilians and VIPs.
The outfit uses young women dressed in traditional Asian attire to cover the bombs tied onto their bodies. Besides, it has contributed immensely for the other terrorists’ organization in the world by developing new techniques such as explosive belts, jackets and even breast bombs for female suicide bombers.

Five terrorists killed in Vavuniya

Troops confirm that five LTTE terrorists were killed during a confrontation in KALLIKULAM area, VAVUNIYA on Wednesday (30) around 4.45 in the evening.
Five soldiers were reported injured due to terrorists mortar fire and "booby" traps during search operations conducted in the VAVUNIYA area on Wednesday (30). Two were injured in the PERIYAPANDIVIRICHAN area, two in the MULLIKULAM area and one in the VILAYATHIKULAM AREAS.
Two soldiers were also reported injured during a confrontation with terrorists on Wednesday (3) around 3.10 in the afternoon in NIKAWEWA WELIOYA.

Army recovers large haul of explosives and fuel

Army in two incidents reported from MANNAR area recovered a large haul quantity of LTTE Anti- Personnel mines, explosives and live ammunition and seized a large stock of fuel.
A total of 5333 rounds of live ammunition, 143 Anti- Personnel mines, 40 hand grenades and a large stock of food including essential items belonging to the LTTE terrorists were recovered when the Army attacked a strong point in ADAMPAN in mainland MANNAR around 8.45 in the morning on Wednesday (30).
In a search operation on the same day (30) in the night around 7.15 the Army also recovered a 210 liter barrel of petrol from MANNAR Island which the terrorists had kept ready to be transported to the "un - cleared" areas.
In two search operations conducted in the VAVUNIYA area, the Army recovered a large stock of LTTE terrorist mines and "booby traps also conducted two search operations in the VAVUNIYA area on Wednesday (30). 60 LTTE Anti- Personnel mines and four (04) "booby traps" were recovered by the Army from the VLAYATHIKULAM area, while on the same day (29), one hundred and twenty (120) Anti- Personnel mines and ten (10) "booby traps" were recovered from KALLUKULAM area, VAVUNIYA.
In two search operations conducted by the Army in the TRINCOMALEE area on Wednesday (30), twenty (20) 60mm mortar bombs and thirteen cartridges were recovered around 12.40 from KADAWANA area in the afternoon while around 9.20 in the morning a 120mm mortar bomb primed as a "booby " trap was recovered from ALIYAODAI area.

MTD Capital targets toll road

jobMTD Capital Bhd, KUALA LUMPUR is confident of securing the RM2.2bil Colombo-Kandy toll road project.
Talks with the Sri Lankan government were in the final stages and the company hoped the project would be awarded by the end of the first quarter, group executive chairman Datuk Nik Hussain Abdul Rahman said after the MTD ACPI Engineering Bhd EGM yesterday.
The EGM approved the proposed private placement of 9.5 million shares to Lembaga Tabung Haji that would increase MTD ACPI's paid-up capital to RM231.6mil from RM222.1mil. The exercise will raise up to RM19.5mil for the group's working capital. “The extra capital would be utilised to fund on-going business,” Nik Hussain said.

Concerns Rise For Safety of Journalists in Sri Lanka

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) warns that the safety of journalists in Sri Lanka is in serious jeopardy as several serious attacks and anti-media statements by government officials demonstrate a lack of respect for the value of media freedom in the country.
The IFJ joins the Free Media Movement (FMM), the Sri Lankan Working Journalists’ Association (SLWJA), the Federation of Media Employees Trade Union (FMETU), the Sri Lanka Muslim Media Forum (SLMMF) and the Sri Lanka Tamil Journalists’ Alliance (SLTJA) in condemning all attacks on journalists in the country.The IFJ is concerned by a series of recent incidents, including a knife attack on Lal Hemantha Mawalage on January 25. The producer in the news division of the state-controlled Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) was reportedly attacked by two unidentified men on his way home in Athurigiriya, a suburb of Colombo.
The FMM, an affiliate of the IFJ, reported Mawalage had received continuous death threats since speaking on behalf of SLRC employees regarding an aggressive intrusion into SLRC’s offices by Labour Minister Mervyn Silva on December 27, 2007. Mawalage’s vehicle was intentionally hit by another car on January 23. The FMM said the incidents were believed to be linked to the Minister and Mawalage’s public role in the SLRC protest.On January 28, Suhaib M. Kasim, another journalist working for state-controlled media, was stabbed at his home in Colombo. The FMM reported that five intruders entered Kasim’s home, dragged him outside, and stabbed him, seriously injuring his abdomen. On January 26, the chairman of Associated Newspapers of Ceylon had "removed" Kasim from his position as associate editor of the state-controlled Tamil daily Thinakaran.In an interview published on January 27, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksha openly called for media censorship, the judicial enforcement of criminal defamation and the prosecution of two leading media institutions for "critical reportage". The statement, published in Sunday Lankadeepa, is another alarming reflection of the Sri Lankan Government’s growing and overt disregard for media freedom and the right of journalists to conduct their work freely. Rajapaksha, who is the brother of Sri Lanka’s President, was reported as saying, "I told the President that we need to exercise press censorship from the beginning.
I have been telling him that we need to bring in laws that stipulate harsh punishments for such reporting."
The IFJ said local, national and regional authorities must initiate immediate and impartial investigations into the attacks against journalists and the media community, and ensure that culprits are brought to justice.
"Continuing attacks and harassment are intended to send a message to the media community and to spread fear," IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said. "Media freedom requires respect for the right of differing and critical opinions to be voiced, particularly in times of conflict. Freedom of expression is the cornerstone of any civil democracy, but attacks on journalists are eroding Sri Lanka’s democratic stability."

Pakistan exports sugar first time in five years

Pakistan, which has been importing sugar in recent years, has struck its first deal to export the commodity in five years, selling 1,000 tonnes of whites to Sri Lanka, a senior industry official said on Wednesday.
"We have just closed the deal. We are aiming to sell another 20,000 tonnes to Southeast Asia and Middle East destinations. Negotiations are at an advanced stage," Najib Balagamwalla, chief executive of Karachi-based Seatrade Group, told Reuters.
Balagamwalla said the deal for Sri Lanka was sealed at $335 a tonne, free on board, for February shipment in containers.
"If London prices rise a little more, we should be able to do a couple of bulk deals," he added.

Minister denies military involvement in the sacred area of Madhu

Defence Spokesman, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella addressing the media this morning (30) in Colombo stated that the bomb blast in Periya Madhu had nothing to do with operations engaged in by the security forces. It was baseless to accuse the forces when the incident occurred in a no-war zone and moreover a sacred area in Mannar, he said.
The security forces operate with great respect to the church and the religious area and in fact the Army has avoided the area even though it is relatively easier to clear, the minister said.The minister stated that the government deeply regrets that such an explosion that destroyed about 17 lives had occurred and also regretted the Bishop's statement that the SLMM could have done something to identify the offenders.The Minister further said that the SLMM had been based in Colombo and could have done nothing in terms of identifying perpetrators of the brutal action. "Being a sacred area with no military involvement the LTTE was freely carrying on its day to day activities in the area. Though the government with sheer respect for the area kept away from any military offensive, in the future, if necessary the government would have to consider what action it should take," he added.The Minister regretted that certain media have made unsubstantiated accusations even giving publicity to elements that are clearly bent on compromising the sovereignty of the nation.

LTTE Field Headquarter Destroyed

Air Force pounded air strikes using fighter jet planes on the field headquarters of the LTTE at WEDDUKADU 2 km off the FDL today (30) around 8.20 a.m. Pilots confirm that the mission was successful.

Wanni liberation in progress; terrorists on the run in Vavuniya and Mannar

Military reports reveal that Sri Lanka Army has sustained its multi pronged thrust at the Wanni defence yesterday (January 30) inflicting heavy damages to LTTE terrorists. According to the reports 43 terrorists were killed and many others injured during the clashes erupted in the Vavuniya and Mannar fronts right throughout the day.
On the Mannar front, troops successfully beat off the terrorists from Pallaikkuli and Vannankulama areas after dislodging 15 LTTE bunkers in series of attacks launched during the daytime yesterday.
At Pallaikkuli, army infantrymen destroyed 6 bunkers manned by LTTE terrorists killing at least 12 LTTE cadres. Troops during the subsequent, search found a body of an LTTE cadre along with a T-56 riffle. Also, 80 mortar bombs (60mm), 3 claymore mines , and 10000 ammunitions used for T-56 riffles were uncovered from the area. Four soldiers suffered injuries and were evacuated to hospitals.
At similar incident at Vannankulama, troops destroyed 9 LTTE bunkers on the same day. LTTE radio transmissions have revealed that 10 terrorists were killed and many were reported missing during the clash. During the subsequent search, troops found three bodies of female LTTE cadres abandoned by the fleeing terrorists. Troops suffered no casualties in this incident.
Separately, snipers deployed in Karukkakulama and Parappakandal areas claimed that 10 terrorists were shot down during the morning hours yesterday.
On the Vavuniya front, 11 more terrorists were killed in a series of clashes erupted between troops and the terrorists during the day.
At Vilathikulama, troops ambushed a group of LTTE terrorists around 12.25, last afternoon. Ground troops confirmed that four terrorists were killed in the incident. Meanwhile, LTTE terrorists fired 81mm mortars at the troops deployed in the area around 2.45 on the same day evening. Two soldiers were killed and three suffered injuries in the attack.
At Navatkulama, troops attacked an LTTE bunker around 2.45.p.m. The ground sources confirmed that two terrorists were killed.
At Kallikulama, troops ambushed a group of terrorists around 3.20.p.m. LTTE radio transmission have revealed three LTTE cadres were killed in the incident.
In a similar incident in the Periyapantrichchuchan area occurred around 3.25.p.m troops claimed that two more terrorists were killed and another injured.
Also, another terrorist was reported to have suffered injuries when troops open fire at a group of terrorists detected in the Iramiyankulama area around 9, last morning.
Limited offensives are continuing.

The security forces destroyed 35 LTTE bunkers

The security forces destroyed 35 LTTE bunkers in their forward defence line in Jaffna around 12.45 this morning. The troops launched this surprised attack going beyond their forward defence line. Military spokesman Udaya Nanayakkara says shell attacks were also launched targeting the withdrawing terrorists with their wounded colleagues. It is believed that at least 30 terrorists were killed or wounded in these attacks. Seven security personnel were injured in the incident.
43 persons crossed over to government-controlled areas from un-cleared areas in Vanni last month. Some of them have said that the LTTE has ordered it is compulsory for school children in Wanni to undergo military training. Children are being forcefully recruited to the organization. Civilians in the area have been asked to transfuse their blood to be used to treat injured LTTE members.
Meanwhile, defence affairs spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella stressed that the security forces have no involvement in the claymore mine attack in Periyamadu yesterday. The Minister dismissed charges leveled against the government and the armed forces in this connection.
The air force fighter jets raided an operational center of the terrorists in the south of forward defence line in Muhamalai around 8.20 am today. Air force spokesman Andrew Wijesuriya said the pilots have confirmed their target was accurate and the center was completely destroyed.

Impartial inquiry into the dispute between nurses and doctors of Peradeniya hospital

Minister of Health Nimal Siripala de Silva instructs Secretary to the Ministry Dr. Athula Kahadaliyanage to conduct an impartial inquiry into the dispute between nurses and doctors of the Peradeniya Teaching Hospital. The secretary will leave for the hospital tomorrow to conduct the inquiry.
The responsible parties were to produce before courts today. The Minister points out that no one has the right to carry out acts of sabotage, even if they have the right to take trade union actions.
It has been reported that certain persons involved in the dispute have removed life supporting Oxygen masks from patients in the Intensive Care Unit of the Hospital. They allegedly have also hidden the essential pharmaceutical items. The secretary to the health ministry ordered the Raid and Investigation Unit of the ministry to probe these reports.

Construction Chamber to hold a seminar on Management of Ocean Resources

by Dakshitha Talgodapitiya
Chamber of Construction Industry recognizes the vast potential for exploitation of marine resources and the initiatives launched in this regard including exploitation of offshore oil and gas. CCI has been in the forefront of advocating offshore sand as an alternative to river sand for construction purposes. CCI has also noted opportunities for mining of mineral deposits and unparalleled port development activities envisaged.
Nevertheless CCI’s concern is focused on pollution of the marine environment and disposal of waste in particular.Having taken a broad overview of the marine environment and ocean resources CCI will host a seminar on Management of Sri Lanka’s Ocean Resources with special emphasis on creating a dialogue for a effective institutional and policy framework noting that institutional infrastructure for marine development is weak as well.
This full day seminar which will be held on 19th February 2008 at Galle Face Hotel will bring together some of the most knowledgeable and internationally respected resource personnel to a common forum. Among the presentations is one by Dr. Hiran Jayawardena, Secretary General of IOMAC on Sri Lanka’s Ocean Territory and its potential while Mr. Kumar Chitty, one time Asst. Secretary General and first registrar of the UN International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea will speak on sustainable development of the marine resources of Sri Lanka.
Dr. N.P. Wijayananda, Project Director of DEOCOM and former director of the Geological Surveys and Mines Bureau will make a presentation on offshore mineral resources.Dr. Niel de Silva, Director General of the Petroleum Development Secretariat will enlighten the participants on the exploration of Sri Lanka’s offshore oil and gas resources, potential and opportunities.Mr. Nissanka Perera, Director Coast Conservation Department and Mr. M.A.R. Kularatne, Chairman, Marine Pollution Prevention Authority have accepted the CCI’s invitation to speak on offshore development and ensuring coastal stability and marine pollution prevention respectively.
Prof. Dayantha Wijesekera who has been the vice chancellor of a number of universities and a much respected academic has been invited to speak on Managing Sri Lanka’s offshore resources and the need to develop human resources capacity.
Technical sessions will be chaired by Dr. Ranjith Galappathi, Chairman, Lanka Hydraulic Institute with senior Hydrograhper Mr. H.M.J. Wickramarante introducing the subject.

Hameedia launches ‘Romance Collection’ for Valentine’s Day

Leading menswear specialists Hameedia celebrates Valentine’s Day this year with a ‘Romance Collection’ for its thousands of customers all over Sri Lanka. The special Romance Collection features an exciting range of cufflinks with hearts and ties specially woven with hearts for the Valentine’s season.
As a value addition bonus to the ‘Romance Collection’, Hameedia also offers free monogramming on shirts, trousersand handkerchiefs, with the individual’s initials in an elegant and classy font within five days. This feature not only enhances the gift, but also makes it truly personal and with great sentimental value.
This year’s promotion extends through 01st to 29th February 2008 at Hameedia’s branches at Wellawatta, Liberty Plaza, Crescat Boulevard, Majestic City, Fort, Pettah and Nugegoda. The outstation branches in Negombo, Kandy and Kurunagala will also feature the identical promotions, thus affording the same offers to customers in those areas.
“Over the past couple of years Sri Lanka has joined the international tradition of celebrating Valentine’s Day. It is now an event which is a part of Sri Lanka’s social calendar and is celebrated by several thousands of people in this country. As Sri Lanka’s leading menswear specialist dealing in originals only and the country’s oldest retailer and manufacturer of quality men’s clothing, Hameedia has always paid great attention to its valued customers and offered them nothing but the very best”, Managing Director Fouzul Hameed said.
Reputed for original and high quality menswear, Hameedia has achieved record growth since its inception 59 years ago. Known for its strong principles and ethical standing on merchandising “ONLY ORIGINALS”, Hameedia enjoys a very strong and loyal base ranging from connoisseurs to entry level males. It currently enjoys an expanding loyalty base in Sri Lanka, together with a growing and discerning clientele in its new overseas markets in India and the UK.
Hameedia’s core values in setting fashion trends and attention to precision detail have earned it a clientele beyond the shores of Sri Lanka with markets in the UK and in India. The company has strengthened its portfolio by forging win-win business partnerships with world’s leading brands such as Van Heusen, Raymond, Louis Philippe, Lee, Arrow and Adidas. It now has 17 fully equipped Hameedia showrooms across Sri Lanka and 'The Envoy' showrooms in India and the UK while also being voted Sri Lanka’s First Menswear ‘Super Brand' status.

Sri Lanka Denies Soldiers Attacked School Bus Killing 18 People

Sri Lanka's military rejected a Liberation Tiger of Tamil Eelam statement that soldiers
attacked a school bus killing 18 people, 11 of them children, in the northwest of the
country.
An army Deep Penetration Unit carried out a mine attack on the bus yesterday in the
Mannar district, the LTTE Peace Secretariat said in an e-mailed statement. Two teachers 
and a school principal were among those killed, it said.
There were no military operations so far inside rebel-held territory yesterday, said Brigadier Udaya Nanyakkara, a military spokesman, according to the Defense Ministry's Web site.
The army is attacking LTTE bases in the north after driving the Tamil Tigers from the east in
July. Sri Lanka's government ended a 2002 cease-fire with the LTTE on Jan. 16,prompting the United Nations to call on the two sides to prevent the conflict escalating and human rights violations increasing.

Provincial health workers involved on C4 explosive case

The ministry of health says the lorry and workers taken into custody yesterday at the 
Thekka waththa police checkpoint with high power explosives are not attached to the
central ministry.
Health officer for the Vavuniya and Kilinochchi districts Dr. Sathyamurthi has admitted that the lorry and workers are from the Northern provincial council. Commenting on the high protein biscuits seized in Madawachchiya recently, the ministry rejected the UNICEF claim that the ministry granted approval for the food stock to be transported to Kilinochchi.

Injunction extended

 

The injunction imposed by the Colombo District Court against implementation of an

order by the General Secretary of the UNP,regarding eleven UNP Parliamentarians, who

had received ministerial portfolios , has been extended till the 29th of April this year.
The 11 parliamentarians, in a petition submitted to the Courts say it is against the

UNP constitution for the UNP General Secretary to call for explanations from them

on charges of breaching party discipline.

More Sri Lankans sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia

Two more Sri Lankan have been sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia, media reports said, while Amnesty International said they were convicted without legal representation on 'confessions' obtained under duress. Haleema Cadre from Kalmunai, a mother with an 8-year old son, her husband who is an Indian national and K M S Bandranaike from Kurunegala, has been sentenced to death, Arabnews reported.
They were alleged to have been involved in an armed robbery and murder of an elderly Saudi woman.
Another five Sri Lankans have also been sentenced to five years in jail and 500 lashes related to the same offence.
They are: Singarayar Calithar Wimaladas from Trincomalee, Abdul Basheer Mohamed from Mathurankuli, Puttalam, Amir Jabbar from Sammanthurai, Rismiya Abdul Haq from Kanatalai and Manickam Kulanthaivel Rosa from Kalmunai.
Amnesty international said Haleema was the mother of a young child.
"They have had no legal assistance at any time, even during trial and are believed to have confessed under duress," Amnesty said in a statement.
"None have had any legal representation whilst in detention or at any stage of the legal proceedings."
A Sri Lankan teenager who has been accused of murdering a child under her care is currently on death row. The Asian Human Rights Commission and well-wishers had funded her appeal.
Four Sri Lankan were beheaded last year by sword were 'crucified' and put on public display, reports said. One of the beheaded was told he was serving a 15-year prison sentence. Arabnews quoting unnamed sources said the son of the murdered Saudi woman was not happy with the sentence and had called for the other five convicts to be given death sentences.
Sri Lanka's consul general in Jeddah Abdul Latiff Mohammed Lafeer, had said a 7-day limit given for a appeal was not enough and more time has been asked to translate the verdict into English and seek legal opinion.
Lafeer said that those five persons who were sentenced to death fears that a higher court also condemn them to death following the request of the slain woman’s son.
He added that he personally handed over a copy of the verdict yesterday to Abdullah Al-Mattani, director of the Makkah branch of Saudi Human Rights Commission seeking his organization’s assistance.
According to sources, the son of the murdered Saudi woman is not happy with the judgment and has called for the other five convicts to be given death sentences.
Amnesty says court proceedings in Saudi Arabia are far short of international standards and often take place behind closed doors.
"Defendants normally do not have formal representation by a lawyer, and in many cases are not informed of the progress of legal proceedings against them," Amnesty said.
"They may be convicted solely on the basis of confessions obtained under duress, torture or deception.
"The rate of executions in Saudi Arabia has recently increased sharply, and the authorities have executed at least 103 people so far this year, although the true figure may be much higher." Sri Lanka has tight labour laws promoted by left-oriented politicians that hinder private sector economic activity and job creation at home.
Money printing by successive governments had led to chronic rupee depreciation and high inflation which also make foreign jobs attractive.
More than one million Sri Lankans now work abroad with little or no legal protection. Up to November last year they sent 2.2 billion dollars home.

Sri Lanka state tv news chief replaced

The news chief of Sri Lanka's state television station, who was assaulted by a government minister who stormed the newsroom in the company of thugs last month, has been replaced. "There have been repeated threats and after the incident it was difficult for me to carry out my duties," former new director of state-run Rupavahini, T M G Chandrasekara said.
"I asked the management to transfer me to another division and I heard that they had done so," he said.
One of Chandrasekara's colleagues, Lal Mawalage, was knifed by two assailants who waylaid him on his way home after work, two days ago.
Mawalage spoke up in support of his colleagues when labour minister Mervyn Silva was held hostage by television workers inside a room at the television station after the attack on its news director.
Television workers involved in the incident had also been targeted by Sri Lanka's secret police, media rights organizations complained.
Sri Lanka's government has so far not taken disciplinary action against the errant minister, who was doused in pink paint while being escorted out of the TV station by police.
Officials of a private television which gave wide coverage to the incident had also received death threats, a media rights bodies said.

CIAL support for Lanka

As part of the diversification projects, the Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) is all set to provide assistance to Sri Lanka in constructing an airport.
A high-level delegation of the officials of the CIAL headed by its Managing Director Shriram Bharath left for Sri Lanka following the invitation of Sri Lankan President Mahindra Rajapakse on Monday to hold preliminary discussions about the feasibility of setting up a new Greenfield Airport in southern Sri Lanka, in line with the CIAL airport here.
Rajapakse was impressed with the facilities provided to the Passengers at the airport here, when he visited Kerala in December.
Shriram Bharath pursued the proposal of the Sri Lankan Authorities through Prime Minister’s Office. T. K. A. Nair, principal secretary to the Prime Minister, took up the matter with C. R Jayasinghe, Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India and Lalith Weeratunga, secretary to the President of Sri Lanka.
The active intervention of these officials with the support of Ministry of External Affairs headed by Foreign Secretary Shiv Sankar Menon yielded result when the visit of a delegation of CIAL was cleared.
Besides the CIAL Managing Director, the team included Airport Director A. C. K Nair, general Managers A. M. Shabeer (Civil) and Suresh Babu (Commercial), Sr. Manager K. P Thankachan, Manager C. V. Ajithkumar and Deputy Manager T. Rajendran.
They will hold discussions with the President of Sri Lanka., the Minister of Ports and Aviation and senior officials of the Sri Lankan Government. The delegation will also visit the proposed site for the construction of the Airport. The delegation will return on February 2.

Sri Lankan sentenced to three years for using fake cards, papers

The People’s Court of Ho Chi Minh City , Korea sentenced a Sri Lankan man Monday to three years in prison for using fake credit cards and papers. The court heard Sethu Theven came to Vietnam last March on a fake passport provided by a man from an illegal migration gang known only as BaBu.
Theven then used counterfeit ATM cards supplied by BaBu to withdraw money from ATMs.
He took VND134.5 million (US$8,500) from six local banks before being caught red-handed in late March.
Theven met BaBu in Thailand.
In 2006 Theven agreed to pay $15,000 to BaBu to help him migrate to Canada as his business in Thailand was suffering heavy losses.
He came to Vietnam to work for BaBu while waiting for his visa to be processed.

Tamil Nadu Opposition Wants Kachchatheevu Taken Back

Opposition parties in Tamil Nadu Monday demanded the government seek the return of the Kachchatheevu Island, given to Sri Lanka by Indian government in 1974.
They also sought immediate release of 12 fishermen and their boats detained by Sri Lanka last week and removal of floating mines in the waters between Kachchatheevu and Neduntheevu islands.
Sri Lanka planted the mines Jan 20 to prevent Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadre from fleeing the Jaffna peninsula to Tamil Nadu.
'The only solution to the repeated violation of Tamil Nadu's fishermen's rights is the takeover of Kachchatheevu (by India),' said D. Jayakumar of AIADMK, the main opposition party in the state.
MDMK, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (Dalit Panthers or the VCK) and Left parties also joined AIADMK in raising the issue in the assembly through a special calling attention notice.
The VCK urged India to 'nullify the Kachchatheevu agreement' and 'declare the area as an integral part of the Indian territory'.
Electricity and Rural Industries Minister Arcot Veerasamy told the assembly that steps 'were being taken for the early release of 12 fishermen from Rameswaram'. The Tamil Nadu government was in contact with the Sri Lankan consulate in Chennai on the issue.
The minister said he and Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi have spoken to Union Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed to take up the issue with Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, in the port city of Rameswaram, more than a 1,000 mechanised fishing boats kept off the seas for the fourth consecutive day Monday as the fishermen were protesting the detention of their community members.
In a related development, the Congress party in the state, an ally of the ruling Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam (DMK), sought stern action against the parties supporting LTTE.
M. Krishnaswamy, president of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) wrote to Karunanidhi that these parties and organisations 'make demeaning references to the Congress... Our senior leaders are deeply pained by these remarks. I request you to take stern action against those responsible for this', he said, without naming any party or organisation.

This Govt. has no right to celebrate independence -Tissa Attanayake

UNP Gen.Secretary, Tissa Attanayake, addressing independence was achieved by the Father of the Nation, Late D.S. Senanayake , the first Prime Minister and Leader of the UNP in1948. No Govt. has ever turned the clock back on all the progress and development of this country as did this dismal and despotic Rajapakse Govt., he added.
the Media at the UNP Media Unit lamented that this Govt. is trying to celebrate Sri Lanka’s 60 years of independence on the 4th of Feb .2008 after defeating every purpose for which independence was achieved by the Father of the Nation, Late D.S. Senanayake , the first Prime Minister and Leader of the UNP in1948.

No Govt. has ever turned the clock back on all the progress and development of this country as did this dismal and despotic Rajapakse Govt., he added. The main objectives of independence of a country is to establish freedom for the people, freedom from the fetters of colonialism, banish poverty and ignorance ,and foster peaceful existence as a nation bound by laws.

With the Rajapakse Govt., what we witness in our very midst is poverty, education muddle, erosion of freedom , panic , tyranny and despotism , leave alone the dire dangers to the lives of the people and the sovereignty of the country , he asserted.In the circumstances, the UNP is compelled to reject the Govt.’s invitation to celebrate the Independence Day, he said.

However, the Party has decided to engage in religious worships and activities at all religious places: Temples. Mosques, churches and Kovils. The Party therefore urges all to visit their places of worship and perform religious acts on the day of independence.

The UNP is to have its religious services at Kandy Dalada Maligawa at 9.00 a.m.under the patronage of the Leader of Opposition and UNP, Ranil Wickrmesinghe. All Organisers of the Party are also instructed to perform religious activities in their own areas, he explained.The President had realized only now that it is the 13th amendment to the Constitution introduced by the UNP is the answer to the ethnic conflict after 20 years! But, when the UNP signed the Indo Lanka accord and introduced the 13 th amendment , it was the President , then , a Minister along with his Leader Sirimavo Bandaranayake who shouted hoarse against it under the Pettah Bo-tree which led to a country wide unrest .

This eventually led to 6600 UNP members losing their lives and mass destruction of National wealth and property.Had Rajapakse realized this solution 20 years ago, all this damage to person and property could have been saved, he regretted. Similarly, Rajapakse is certainly going to say after 20 years the best thing that could have happened to the ethnic crisis in Sri Lanka is the UNP’s Ceasefire agreement (CFA). But, by that time the whole Nation will be devastated and decimated, he concluded.

Thinakaran associate editor attacked

The associate editor of the state owned Tamil daily Thinakaran Suhaib M Kasim was stabbed at his home in Colombo . He is now recieving treatment in hospital.

CPJ alarmed at call for media censorship

The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa’s brazen public call to censor the media and reintroduce criminal defamation laws.
“This is an open intimidation of the media,” said CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon. “The Sri Lankan press sorely needs space to report independently on the escalating instability in the country, free of government intimidation.”
The newspaper group Wijeya, which publishes the Sunday Lankadeepa and several other widely circulated publications—including the English-language Sunday Times—and the broadcasting conglomerate Maharaja were singled out by the minister as examples of privately owned media groups that abuse their existing freedoms by reporting critically, according to the Free Media Movement translation, CPJ said.

Chief Justice ordered Police to remove all illegal sign boards

Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva ordered Police to pull down all illegal sign boards of speed limits put up on main roads as hapless motorists were being forced to either face prosecution or pay bribes to the police to get away.
The Chief Justice delivering a judgment in a Fundamental Rights case noted there were different sign boards giving various speed limits though the speed limit in the city should be 56 Kmph and 72 Kmph outside the city.
Therefore all boards which were against the laws should be removed.
The Chief Justice said that Police officers were given promotion on the number of cases they handled. Instead, they should be given promotion on merit. He noted that motorists were some times penalized on wrong speed limits.
The directive to pull down the illegal sign boards came as the Chief Justice delivered a judgment related to a Fundamental Rights application filed by a couple living in Saliyapura, Anuradhapura.

Army captured six bunkers in Mannar

Army troops have captured six bunkers in Mannar killing fourteen LTTE terrorists.
The media centre for national security said around 1.15 this afternoon in North of Pallikuli in Mannar troops captured 6 bunkers and killed 7 terrorists in confrontations.
In South of Adampan in Mannar troops killed 5 LTTE cadres in confrontations this evening. The media centre said 2 terrorists were killed in Army attacks in West of Adampan.
Vavuniya Police have seized high power C-4 explosives that were hidden inside a pair of footwear to be transported to the south.
The footwear had been hidden in a lorry belonging to the Department of Health that was carrying a stock of medicine to the Kilinochchi hospital. Police have arrested the driver of the lorry and two health workers.

The 15th SAARC Summit will be held in Kandy

The 15th SAARC state leaders’ summit will be held from the 27th of July to the 3rd of August in Kandy.
The decision was taken by President Mahinda Rajapakse at a special discussion at President’s House in Kandy.
The discussion considered the suitability of Kandy to host the summit. The President gave directions to the relevant authorities to complete development activities and new city planning of the Kandy town in view of the summit.
Around 1,000 representatives and 300 journalists will attend the SAARC summit. The discussion also reviewed the progress made in the Kandy city plan. President Rajapakse also highlighted the importance of expanding the Gama Neguma and Maga Neguma programmes especially in the districts of Mulative and Kilinochchi.

SL forces thwarted artillery attacks

The security forces have thwarted artillery attacks of the LTTE terrorists on the Palaly military complex successfully.
The terrorists shelled the military complex from the Punerin area this morning.
The Media Center for National Security says the troops retaliated the attacks by using Multi-barrel Rocket Launchers and artillery guns. The retaliatory attacks have silences the shelling of terrorists. Meanwhile, the Air force fighter jets raided a LTTE artillery gun position in Kalmune Point in Punerin around 11.45 this morning.
Air Force media spokesman Andrew Wijesuriya said the gun position was completely destroyed in the aerial attack.

CPC to increase efficency

A new project has been launched to increase the efficiency of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation. Priority will be given to repair oil pipes.
Acting Chairman of CEYPETCO Methsiri Wijegunawardena said modernization of the refinery plant will also be carried out. Mr.Gunawardena revealed this information participating in the official ceremony to commence this renovation.
A sum of 350 million rupees will be spent for this project. Renovation activities will conclude by January next year.