LTTE shifting operations to Kerala coast: Top Navy offcial

With its movement restricted on the Tamil Nadu coast due to constant surveillance by Navy and Coastguard, the LTTE has started shifting its operations to the Kerala coast, a top Naval official on Monday said.

The Sri Lankan forces have understood LTTE's tactics and the Indian Navy has increased vigil on the Tamil Nadu coast, making it virtually impenetrable, Flag officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Naval command, Vice Admiral Sunil K Damle said.

Now attempts are being made by the LTTE to slowly use Kerala coast for smuggling arms and ammunition and drugs. Efforts are also being made by other terrorist organisations to use Malabar as a landing point for RDX, he told reporters.

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http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/LTTE_shifting_ope

LTTE fires artillery at Catholic school in northwest Sri Lanka, four students and two teachers wounded

Hours after the killing of four civilians in the border village of Mahawilachchiya, the Tigers fired heavy artilleries at a Roman Catholic school in Pulleadi Irrakkam in the Mannar district, injuring four students and two teachers.

Military said that two boys, two girls and two teachers were among the seriously injured and admitted to the general hospital in Murunkan. Another two, a girl and a teacher have been admitted to Mannar Hospital. They said that more than 10 artillery shells exploded inside the school premises around 1.20 pm.

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http://www.colombopage.com/archive_07/November26123941JV.html

LTTE terrorists kill 04 villagers including a woman - Anuradhapura

Four civilians including a woman were shot dead by LTTE terrorists today (26 November) at Mahawilachchiya village bordering Wilpaththu Sanctuary, Mahawilachchiya Police said.

According to Police sources, terrorists have opened small arms fire at the villagers and fled into the jungles area at the bordering Wilpaththu Sanctuary.

Police and security forces are now engaged extensive search and clearing operations in the area, Mahawilchchiya Police said.

Defence sources viewed this as an LTTE genocide attempt to cause fear among the villagers forcing them to flee their traditional lands, at the boarders of the ancient Anuradahapura Kingdom.

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http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20071126_04

Sri Lankan president in Tehran

The Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has arrived in Tehran heading a political and economic delegation for a three-day visit.

Iran's Commerce Minister Massoud Mir-Kazemi welcomed Rajapaksa at Tehran Mehrabad International Airport Monday morning.

The Sri Lankan president was later welcomed by his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

During the ceremony, the national anthems of the two countries were played and the two presidents reviewed a guard of honor.

Ahmadinejad and Rajapaksa then started private talks.

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http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=32637§ionid=351020101

Sanath to quit Test cricket

Sri Lanka’s aging batting superstar Sanath Jayasuriya will announce his retirement from Test cricket during the first Test against England which will get underway at the Asgiriya Stadium next Saturday, according to a very senior member of Sri Lanka Cricket. He said “Sanath is due to make this announcement during the Test match in Kandy”.

One of the explosive batsmen that the cricketing World has ever produced made his Test debut against New Zealand at Hamilton, on February 22 1991. However he made his mark on the field of cricket during the 1996 World Cup pairing off with wicket-keeper batsman Romesh Kaluwitharana taking pinch hitting at the top of the order into a new height. He was chosen as the most valuable player even prior to the end of the series.

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http://www.sundaytimes.lk/071125/Sports/sp218.html

Amnesty for Lankan army deserters, over 1,500 report for duty

Over 1,500 Sri Lankan army deserters have rejoined duty after being offered a general amnesty, boosting the military's fight against Tamil rebels.

"The deserters who do not have any criminal record were offered amnesty and given time between November 12-25 to re-join," Defence spokesman, Udaya Nanayakkara, said.

He said over 1,500 army deserters have already joined duty and the number of such personnel could cross 1,600 before the deadline ending on Sunday.

"They will be given training to bring them back into high fitness level before resuming duty in their respective regiments," Nanayakkara said.

The amnesty applied not only to army deserters, but also to those who remained absent from duty without getting official leave.

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http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200711251820.htm