Fighting in Vavuniya; fatal casualties to LTTE

Fresh clashes between the security forces and the LTTE broke out last night (02) at 9 p.m, in the Mullikulama, Kalmadu area in the Vavuniya District with both sides exchanging heavy artillery barrages.

The military troops launched a decisive retaliatory attack, engaging heavy artillery and mortars at identified LTTE gun positions north west of Vavuniya, initial reports said.

LTTE flanks were repulsed due to the heavy military thrust, where it is believed that a large number of terrorists are entrapped in Mullikulama area. Meanwhile, it is said that the troops are trying to cutoff the escape routes.

According to military officials the army troops have 'sledge hammered' the main terrorist offensive line, leaving large number of LTTE bodies scattered in the area. LTTE casualties are believed, to be high with soaring death figures, according to intercepted enemy communications.

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http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20070603_03

CFA should be amended to bring peace - Devananda

The leader of the Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP) and Minister of Social Services and Social Welfare Kathriravelu Nithyananda Douglas Devananda, MP says that the Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) which gave undue advantages to the LTTE should be amended to bring back peace.

In an interview with the Sunday observer he said that the CFA, was signed to make the guns silent...

Q: Can you explain the real situation in the North and East ? Do the civilians have access to humanitarian services ?

A: The Government is trying its level best to provide the basic things such as food and other essential items to the people. But, unfortunately the LTTE has blocked all these services from reaching the people. Because of the LTTE threats, there are so many logistical problems faced by the Government. The LTTE has obstructed each and every step that the Government has taken to improve the living condition in the North and East.

Recently the LTTE has threatened the private traders not to sell goods......

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http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2007/06/03/fea06.asp

Tigers slipped into Switzerland through the back door

Investigations reveal that Switzerland is being taken for a ride by Tigers cadres who are posing as victims of Tiger terror.

This is the latest people-smuggling racket operated by the Tigers. Already there are 40,000 Tamils settled down in Switzerland. They are a part of the Tamil diaspora that funds Tiger terror operations in Sri Lanka.

Tiger operations which include abduction of Tamil teenagers, murders, kidnappings and running heavily guarded concentration camps in Vanni.

At Swiss embassy in Colombo, they posed as Tamils running away from the Tigers. Once they collected the necessary visa and land in Switzerland they join the Tiger outfits in their respective cantons.

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http://www.asiantribune.com/index.php?q=node/5999

Construction work on Rs. 3.6 b Hambantota port soon

Construction work on the Rs. 3.6. billion Hambantota port with financial assistance from the Chinese government will commence within two months, the project engineer, Janaka Kurukulasuriya told the media.

The Chinese government has agreed to provide funds at the request of President Mahinda Rajapaksa during his recent visit to China, he said.

The construction work has been jointly undertaken by the China Harbour Engineering Company and Sino Hydro Corporation.These companies have agreed to complete work on this port in three stages, he said.

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http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2007/06/03/new12.asp