SLAF raids LTTE logistic storage depot in Mulaithiuvu

Sri Lankan Air Force fighter jets made precision air sorties at an LTTE logistic storage depot today, May 04, located 5km West of Pudukkudiyirippu in Mulaithiuvu District.

The Air Force spokesperson, Wing Commander Andrew Wijesooriya speaking to defence.lk said that the air sorties were launched around 4.30.p.m.

According to the Air Force sources the enemy target had been under constant surveillance and the latest air reconnaissance information has revealed intensified activities in the area.

Extracted from,
http://defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080504_05

Priyanka Gandhi under LTTE threat

While going back on their earlier written statement that Priyanka Gandhi , daughter of Rajiv Gandhi never met former Prime Minister assassination convict Nalini ,Vellore Prison Superintendent admitted that the two women actually met and Rajiv’s daughter Priyanka is protected as she faces a high level of threat from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), her father‘s killers.

A second letter written by the prison authorities said, “Priyanka Vadra
( Gandhi’s married name) is protected by the SPG and faces a high level of threat from various outfits, including the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Moreover, the meeting was more of a personal nature.”
It is believed the prison authorities made the statement based on intelligence reports possessed by India.

It has been now explained that during the Priyanka Gandhi (Vadra) visit to the Vellore prison she was accompanied by special security men belonging to Special Protection Group (SPG) and the prison visitor’s records are marked under such a security official named Pankaj Kumar and two other officials who were protecting her and hence the earlier denial.

It has been also explained that the Priyanka Nalini meeting actually took place on March 19, and that the meeting was not in violation of established norms, by Ms. Soundari , the Supirintendent of the Women’s prison.

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http://www.sinhalaya.com/news/english/wmview.php?ArtID=15228

Quebec Tamil group used as front for Tigers: report

Sri Lanka's terrorist Tamil Tigers control the Montreal-based World Tamil Movement as one of their "foreign branches," in charge of raising funds for the war effort and spreading propaganda, according to documents seized by the RCMP.

In a 184-page affidavit unsealed by the Federal Court yesterday, RCMP Corporal Shirley Davermann details how the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam give instructions to Tamil activists in Canada, and how money is collected in Canada for the Tiger cause.

"The WTM is a foreign branch of the LTTE in Canada," she said, and its members follow written directives from the Tigers' leadership.

"In 2003, the LTTE issued a document called the 'Re-organization of foreign branches of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam' in which they dictate precisely how they want their foreign branches to be structured and operated. The Quebec branch of the WTM has been structured and operates as per the above-noted document."

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http://www.nationalpost.com/news/canada/story.html?id=490330

Prabhakaran’s “Imran Pandian Regiment” Terrorists Felled; 8.5 sq km Area Captured by Troops

IN WHAT CAN BE CALLED another major strike on LTTE terrorists being beaten off in the MANNAR sector, forward marching troops launched a massive attack on a group of terrorists in CHETTIYARKATTAIADAMPAN, southeast of GIANT TANK this morning (3) around 11.00 a.m.

At least fifteen Tiger terrorists, most of whom were from the so called terrorist military wing, “IMRAN PANDIAN regiment” were killed in the incident.

It is said that the so called terrorist military wing was the terrorist leader PRABHAKARAN’s most acclaimed “terrorist regiment”.

Terrorists have lost some of their vitally important areas such as VEPPANKULAM, KALLIKULAM, PIKKULAM and KARUKKANDAL during most recent confrontations with the troops who have already established their positions to the extent of 8.5 sq km, northwest of GIANT TANK.

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http://www.army.lk/morenews.php?id=12884

STF to oversee development initiatives in Sri Lanka’s north

The Sri Lanka Cabinet has approved a proposal made by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to set up a Special Task Force (STF) to oversee development initiatives in the strife-torn Northern Province districts, including the districts of Jaffna — administered by the government — and Killinochi and Mullathivu, which are under the control of the LTTE.

An official announcement here on Saturday said the three-member STF would be headed by the Cabinet Minister for Social Services, Douglas Devananda, and comprise the Minister for Rehabilitation, Rishad Badiuddin, and senior Presidential Advisor and MP Basil Rajapaksa. Mr. Rajapaksa is the younger brother of the President.

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http://www.hindu.com/2008/05/04/stories/2008050455191000.htm

Pak to export 10,000 tonne cement to Lanka

Rising cement demand from India and China and high construction activity in Sri Lanka have led to a rise in cement prices in the island nation, as a result the country is planning to import 10,000 metric tonne of cement from Pakistan to meet its requirements.

According to Sri Lankas Trade, Marketing Development, Co-operatives and Consumer Affairs Minister Bandula Gunawardena, an agreement has been signed with a company in Pakistan to import 10,000 metric tonne of cement to the island country.

"A high cement demand has been created in the country with the commencement of many construction projects, including buildings and bridges," Gunawardena told reporters.

Meanwhile, private traders said besides high requirement in Sri Lanka, the problem of cement aggravated due to rise in world demand especially from India and China.

The stock from Pakistan, which is slated to arrive in Sri Lanka early this month, is expected to be distributed through the recently set up State Trading Co-operative Wholesale Company Ltd to consumers to meet the demand.

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http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage_c_online.php

45 Sri Lankan fishermen arrested in Indian waters

Forty five fishermen of Sri Lanka, who came in fishing trawlers, were apprehended by Coast Guard for entering the Exclusive Economic Zone of Indian waters.

Commandant K. Janardhanan, Commanding Officer, Coast Guard Station, Mandapam, told The Hindu that a Coast Guard ship on routine offshore patrol found a flotilla of trawlers moving 116 nautical miles off Chennai on April 27. The fishing boats, fitted with advanced navigational aids, were engaged in illegal exploitation of maritime resources deep inside the Indian waters. They did not have any valid documents.

Most of the fishermen were Sinhalese belonging to Chillaw near Negamboo. They were detained under Section 3/10 and 7/14 of Maritime Zone of India Act 1981 for illegal fishing. All nine boats had Global Positioning System (GPS) and high frequency sets, which were connected under the world wide communication network. About 2.10 tonnes of fish was seized from them.

Read more,
http://www.hindu.com/2008/05/03/stories/2008050357590100.htm

Wimal and Nandana agreed to form a new political party

Parliamentarian Nandana Gunatillake, said that they would form a new political party in the near future. He said that he has already discussed with Wimal Weerawansa about this party.

The new political movement will also include those who have left the JVP in dejection, and that doors were open for any would-be deserter as well, Mr. Gunatilake said.

Speaking to media regarding his talks with Mr. Weerawansa, the JVP MP said that the new movement would be launched this month.

The new party would be registered with the Elections Commissioner after May 10th, he added.

In the meantime, While claiming that the party membership of dissident MP Wimal Weerawansa would be cancelled constitutionally, JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva today said that Weerawasna should contact the party directly without conveying massages through media.

He said the Central Committee of the JVP would take a decision regarding Wimal Weerawansa soon.

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http://www.asiantribune.com/?q=node/10903

Break Wanni-Colombo logjam

Two developments in the Sri Lankan theatre need to make Delhi and other world capitals, particularly Washington and London, sit up and end the dichotomy that has characterised their reaction to and relations with Colombo.

Firstly, senior Lanka Minister Jeyraj Fernandopulle, the only Roman Catholic in the Rajapakse government was assassinated on April 6, just outside Colombo. His religion had lost relevance for the LTTE as he facilitated the Pillayan Group's entry into mainstream politics. Otherwise they would not have eliminated him so soon after the Madhu church episode exposed the clergy for yet another time to the criticism that the Church in Tamil belt remains sympathetic towards the Tigers. Also, through the targetted killing the LTTE wanted to signal that they are not dead as the government has been claiming for the past several months. This is a normal tactic of all insurgent groups under pressure as the Indian experience in Kashmir and northeast of the country shows.

The second development is no less significant though it took place miles away in the United States. The Washington Times has put the spotlight on how the Tigers have made inroads into the US to help bankroll and equip their operations back home in Sri Lanka. In a manner of speaking, there is no big deal about the WT report. That the LTTE runs a well oiled world-wide network spanning some 54 countries is by now well documented. Tigers' operations have considerable visibility in UK, France, Australia and the Scandinavian countries. Jen Haberkorn's despatch is significant nevertheless because for the first time the US has acknowledged LTTE as one of the most dangerous and deadly extremist organizations that has been an inspiration even for al Qaeda in Iraq.

Yet, the reaction to the killing of Jeyraj Fernandopulle appears just a routine or what can be termed as a proforma statement. The United States, European Union, Canada and India have denounced the attack that also killed 13 others and left nearly 100 wounded. "The United States denounces this vicious and reprehensible terrorist attack on civilians in the strongest possible terms," a US embassy statement said in Colombo. "Its perpetrators have achieved nothing other than to cause further suffering among the people of Sri Lanka. Only a political solution, not continued violence, offers the way forward to end the country's conflict".

Read the full article here,
http://www.centralchronicle.com/20080503/0305302.htm

North Lanka would be liberated from LTTE soon: Rajapaksa

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has said the LTTE domination in the northern part of the country would end soon and asked the people to vote for the government-backed alliance in the forthcoming Provincial Council elections in the eastern region.

"The security forces are advancing step by step in the northern theatre too. Soon the people there too would be liberated," Rajapaksa said in his May Day rally on Thursday at Dehiattakandiya in Ampara district of eastern Sri Lanka.

"The Eastern populace is poised to hand over a resounding victory to the Government at the May 10 Provincial Council Election to continue the momentum of the Eastern Resurgence programme," Rajapaksa said.

"We know the Easterners are a grateful people. They will show that on May 10. They will never let Prabhakaran take back the East. A vote for the Government is a vote for peace and development. A vote for the Opposition will be an endorsement of Prabhakaran. We need your support to take the development process forward," he said.

This year's May Day celebrations in the East should be dedicated to the heroic forces who spearheaded the humanitarian mission to liberate the people who were living under LTTE clutches for more than two decades, the President said.

Read more,
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000200805021422.htm

1.5 kg heroin seized from Lankan Tamil

Heroin seizures in the state continued for the third consecutive day on Thursday as the 'Q' Branch of the state police and Narcotics Control Bureau seized 1.5 kg heroin worth Rs 1.5 crore in the international market from a Sri Lankan Tamil in Ramanathapuram.

The team arrested Niranjan, a Sri Lankan Tamil and his associate Velamayil, a resident of Ramanathapuram, on charges of attempt to smuggle the contraband to Sri Lanka. The duo was trying to get a boat to smuggle the contraband to Sri Lanka.

"He had just arrived in Ramanathapuram from Mumbai. He brought the drug by train," Davidson Devasirvatham, director, NCB, south zone, told The Times Of India. Niranjan brought the drug from Mumbai to Chennai and took it to Madurai by train and later to Ramanathapuram. He was carrying the drug in polythene packets kept inside a bag, officials said.

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http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Chennai/

SL Prez assures end of LTTE domination

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has said the LTTE domination in the northern part of the country would end soon and asked the people to vote for the government-backed alliance in the forthcoming Provincial Council elections in the eastern region.

"The security forces are advancing step by step in the northern theatre too. Soon the people there too would be liberated," Rajapaksa said in his May Day rally yesterday at Dehiattakandiya in Ampara district of eastern Sri Lanka.

"The Eastern populace is poised to hand over a resounding victory to the Government at the May 10 Provincial Council Election to continue the momentum of the Eastern Resurgence programme," Rajapaksa said.

"We know the Easterners are a grateful people. They will show that on May 10. They will never let Prabhakaran take back the East. A vote for the Government is a vote for peace and development. A vote for the Opposition will be an endorsement of Prabhakaran. We need your support to take the development process forward," he said.

Read more,
http://news.indiainfo.com/2008/05/02/0805021359_lanka-rajapaksa.html

Advancing troops capture Karukkakulama town area- Mannar

Troops gained total control over Karukkakulama town area, located North West of Parappakandal in Mannar yesterday (May 1), following concentrated amour and artillery shell attacks at LTTE, security sources said.

Army infantrymen made swift incursions into the LTTE strong point and have reportedly captured 1.6km of land stretch in the area at around 6a.m. According to military sources, a soldier has laid his life, while another was wounded during the advances made on Thursday.

Meanwhile, ground sources citing intercepted LTTE communication said that, LTTE has suffered at least 15 fatalities during confrontations erupted with troops.

Extracted from,
http://defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080502_05

Extortion filling Tiger coffers - US State Department

The LTTE continued to finance itself with contributions from the Tamil Diaspora in North America, Europe, and Australia, by imposing local "taxes" on businesses operating in the areas it dominates and reportedly by extortion operations in Government-controlled areas, the US State Department said yesterday.

The Department's just-released Country Report on Terrorism said the LTTE also used Tamil charitable organizations as fronts for its fundraising.

"In November, the US Government designated under Executive Order 13224 and froze the US-held assets of the Tamil Rehabilitation Organization, a charity associated with the LTTE. The LTTE previously used such funds for weapons purchases on the international black market and also captured arms from Sri Lankan security forces. The Sri Lankan Navy sunk three LTTE supply ships in September and another in October," the report said.

After a period of targeting Sri Lankan military and official personnel throughout 2007, the LTTE appears to have recently resumed its targeting of civilians, the Report noted.

It said the Government took effective control of the Eastern Province in midyear, but the LTTE continued to control much of the north and carried out attacks throughout the country.

Read more,
http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/05/02/sec01.asp