Thursday, January 31, 2008

India trying to stop Sri Lanka from defeating LTTE: JVP

A radical Sri Lankan nationalist party leader has accused India of trying to stop the Sri Lankan Army from defeating the Tamil Tiger rebels militarily.

India was forcing Sri Lanka to accept a political power-sharing arrangement with the minority Tamils now only to thwart the Sri Lankan Army's successful campaign to crush the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), charged K.D. Lalkantha, member of the Sri Lankan parliament representing the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP).

'India is once again trying to stop the victories of the Sri Lankan armed forces as it did when president J.R. Jayawardene was in power in 1987. At that time, it made him sign the India-Sri Lanka Accord and accept the provincial councils system,' Lalkantha told a public meeting here Wednesday.

Read more,
http://www.indiaenews.com/srilanka/20080131/94929.htm

Akashi wants military action to cease to give aid!

Yasushi Akashi, Japan's special peace envoy has warned that Japan would cut off aid if military action against tiger terrorists continued.

"We could be forced to review our aid policy if military action keeps escalating, although Sri Lanka wants Japan to continue it," Yasushi Akashi had told the media in Tokyo.

He had said the S.L. Government and the LTTE should choose peace indicating that GoSL have talks with tiger terrorists. Yasushi Akashi was in Sri Lanka from the 13th to 15th of this month when he met several political leaders including the President, Ranil Wickremasinghe and JVP Leader Somawansa Amarasinghe.

Read more,
http://www.lankatruth.com/full_story/2008/January/31/20080131_10.htm

Was scam linked to Tigers? 'They're obviously supporters'

Fraud investigators suspect a group of four who swiped account information from British bank cards of swindling victims out of about $250,000.

But Toronto Police are also trying to determine if there's a link between the international scam and the Tamil Tigers. Police found posters supporting the rebel group, which has been locked in a decades-old battle with Sri Lanka for independence.

"They're obviously supporters of the group," said Det. Scott Wittemore of 42 Division.

Read more,
http://torontosun.com/News/TorontoAndGTA/2008/01/31/4803672-sun.html

Women militants forced to join LTTE in Sri Lanka

Women are being forced into joining the LTTE, and are homesick, according to letters purportedly recovered from slain woman militants in Sri Lanka.

"Every LTTE cadre is anxious to see his or her parents and I will come home for pongal (festival) though I do not know what my fate will be," said one letter recovered by security forces from a slain woman militant.

"Amma, what can I do? When all those at home in the area were taken away, I too had to go with them (LTTE)," said the letter, which was released by the Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) to the media.

The letter, written in Tamil, with small portions in English, said "every fighter cries 'Amma' and 'Appa' at the time of their heroic death. They are all anxious to see their mothers."

Read more,
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/Rest_of_World/Women_militants_force

VCK leader justifies demand for lifting ban on LTTE

Thol Thirumavalavan, President of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), an ally of the ruling DMK-led Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA) in Tamil Nadu, today justified his demand for lifting the ban on Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

Defending his stand, the Dalit leader, talking to newspersons here, said his demand to seek lifting of the ban on LTTE and recognise the organisation as people's movement, was his individual freedom of expression and democratic right. "This is our stand. If the law seeks to punish us for taking the stand, we are prepared to face it," Mr Thirumavalavan said, even as the State Government announced that those who expressed support to banned organisations like the LTTE would be punished under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

Flaying the Sri Lankan Navy for placing the sea mines on international waters, the VCK leader urged India to launch a war against Sri Lanka to protect Indian fishermen.

Read more,
http://www.chennaionline.com/colnews/newsitem.asp

INGO/NGO BLOOD-SUCKERS & THEIR DILEMMA

A Joint-Statement titled " Abrogation of Ceasefire Agreement Will Escalate Spiral of Violence" has been published in the English & Sinhala newspapers on 28th & 29th January 2008.(quote): "The government's decision to abrogate the Norwegian-facilitated Ceasefire Agreement(CFA) signed with the LTTE in 2002 is a matter of grave concern to the undersigned civil society organizations."(end quote)

Who may these "civil society organizations" be? They are: Association of War Affected Women; Centre for Society and Religion; Centre for Human Rights and Development, Colombo; Centre for Women and Development-Jaffna; Christian Alliance for Social Action; Consortium for Humanitarian Agencies; Equal Grounds, Sri Lanka; INFORM; Home for Human Rights, Colombo; Human Development Organization, Kandy; International Centre for Ethnic Studies; International Movement Against Discrimination and Racism; Law & Society Trust; Mothers & Daughters of Lanka; Mannar Women for Human Rights and Democracy; Muslim Information Centre Sri Lanka; Muslim Women's Research and Action Forum; National Peace Council; Rights Now Collective for Democracy; SETIK, Kandy; Women and Media Collective.

Read more,
http://www.lankaweb.com/news/items08/310108-5.html

CIAL may bag deal to build Sri Lankan airport

The Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) - country's first airport built with private-public sector participation - may bag a deal to build a greenfield airport in Sri Lanka, the company said Thursday in a statement here.

A seven-member CIAL delegation, headed by managing director S. Bharath, is at present in the island nation and has held several rounds of talks with government ministers. It has also met Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

'On Jan 29, we (the delegation) were taken in a special Sri Lankan Air Force plane to the airport site at Weerawila in southern Sri Lanka for a visit and study,' the statement said.

'The proposed airport site is 15 km away from Hambanota in the southern province of Sri Lanka and around 300 km from Colombo. It is also the political constituency of Rajapaksa.'

Rajapaksa - on a visit to the famous Guruvayoor temple in Kerala two years ago - himself mooted the idea of CIAL building the airport in his country.

Read more,
http://www.indiaprwire.com/businessnews/20080131/27083.htm

Damaged Cable Cuts Internet Access to Middle East, Part of Asia

Much of the Middle East and part of Asia have lost Internet access due to damage to an undersea cable between Sicily and Egypt, reports The Guardian.

The story says most countries in the Middle East have completely lost access, while authorities in Mumbai say India has only about half its normal bandwidth.

A spokesman for the cable’s owner Flag Telecom, told The Register the anchor of a ship off the coast of Egypt cut the cable in multiple places and it could take 12 to 15 days to fix them all. That story puts Sri Lanka and Pakistan among the affected countries.

Read more,
http://www.itbusinessedge.com/blogs/hdw/?p=1563

Suicide bomber explodes himself; kills 4 civilians at Thirunaweli

A suicide bomber who was traveling on a bike exploded himself at a densely populated civilian area today (31 January) at 11.20 am. The incident took place at a crowded market place located along the Thrirunaweli- Kalliyankadu road, general area Thirunaweli in Jaffna, defence sources said.

Four civilians have succumbed to their injuries and another two sustained severe injuries due to the explosion sources added.

Extracted from,
http://defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080131_04

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Three Sri Lankans taken into custody in Tamil Nadu

Three Sri Lankan Tamils, who arrived here on a boat, were taken into custody on suspicion that they were militants, police said on Tuesday.

Sridhar (23), Kumar (21) and Arasu (27) arrived at Sambai near here and were arrested, police said. The trio was being interrogated, police said, adding that their boat has been seized.

Read more,
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/

Army sounds alert in Colombo after recovery of explosives

Sri Lankan security forces have been put on alert here over the possibility of bomb attacks by the LTTE following recovery of five kilogram of explosives from a vehicle bound for the capital from a rebel-dominated area.

As the army is engaged in intense clashes with the Tamil Tigers in the embattled northern region, it is highly possible that the LTTE might try to carry out explosions in Colombo, defence officials said on wednesday.

A plot to smuggle C-4 explosives into the capital from northern Vavuniya was unearthed on Monday, they said. The explosives were stuffed in a portion of a lorry meant to carry re-filled gas cylinders.

Four Health Department employees attached to the Kilinochchi hospital have also been arrested in this connection, the officials said, adding more C-4 explosives were recovered on Tuesday.

"Three detonators and one wire role were found placed inside a piece of log generally used to stop the vehicle without letting it slide," they said, adding "another four kg of C-4 explosives were found concealed around the vehicle jack."

Read more,
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200801301760.htm

Major landmark in fight against terrorism achieved; Muhamale & Nagarkovil Tiger Defences Fall

Valiant troops now taking the upper hand in their quest for peace by crushing LTTE terrorism during the wee hours on Wednesday (30) achieved another impressive and landmark victory when hundreds of troops of 55 and 53 Divisions in NAGARKOVIL and MUHAMALE stormed the first defence lines of the LTTE in both places and physically ejected some 35 bunkers killing or injuring at least 25 – 30 Tiger terrorists.

Read more,
http://www.nationalsecurity.lk/fullnews.php?id=10375

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Kerala probes presence of LTTE chief's wife

Kerala government on Tuesday said it was verifying reports that the wife of LTTE Chief Parabhakarn had taken shelter in the state following escalation of fighting between Tamil tigers and Sri Lankan Army in the island nation.

"Government did not have any official information about the whereabouts of Prabhakaran and his family and it is looking into the reports in this regard", State Home Minister Kodiyari Balakrishnan told reporters in the state capital on Tuesday.

However, police stations in coastal areas have been alerted as a precautionary measure, Balakrishnan said. The government has decided to set up eight more police stations in the coastal areas to intensify surveillance, he said.

"The new police stations would start functioning within one month", he said. These police stations would be equipped with modern gadgets and boats to carry out sea patrolling.

Read more,
http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1214194

Army not invovled in attack on school bus in Madhu -- Brig. Nanayakkara

Military Spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara totally denied LTTE allegations that Sri Lanka Army deep penetration unit attacked a civilian school bus in the Madhu area. He stressed that there were no military teams operating in those areas. Mannar Bishop, Rev. Rayappu Joseph was quoted earlier as having said that several school childred had died in a claymore blast insite LTTE controlled areas in Mannar.

Extracted from,
http://www.news.lk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4740&Itemid=44

Letters Recovered From Slain LTTE Women Speak Louder

Emotions and true-self in every human being, no matter what your gender or vocation is, for that matter, even a brainwashed terrorist, would come to the fore when the moment of awful truth dawned on any person.

The human nature is such, unable to make moral and rational judgments, that it always finds the sad desperation to commit terrorist acts, in this case, on the orders of the leadership. The case under reference was the latest detection of a few personal letters from the possession of dead women cadres of the LTTE. Those letters recovered from female Tigers died recently in Mannar and Welioya speak louder than what has been written by those victimized female Tigers. One Daya Nagai Neela, an LTTE woman cadre who has been conscripted by the LTTE as she alleged, wrote to her mother, father and the family while he was on the LTTE frontline at Uyilankulam, Mannar on 9th January 2008, just a few days before her death. Extracts from some of those letters found from dead Tigers are as follows:

“Mother, please don’t bother about me. If you are sick please go to hospital and get treatment. Amma, what can I do? When all those at home in the area were taken away, I too had to go with them. Every fighter cries “Amma and Appa” at the time of their heroic death. They are all anxious to see their mothers. Since 8 August 2007. I am at Mannar Forward Defence Lines. We do not have food, water or tea at the battlefield. Life in the organization is very miserable. During the firing of mortars and shells we crawl and bring food and water etc. I will come to our Pongal. I don’t know what my fate will be. Amma, please reply every letter which I send. I hope for a reply on the same day itself- yours loving daughter Daya Nagai Nila. (928)”

Read more,
http://www.army.lk/morenews.php?id=10207

Lankan Defence Secy denies helping Karuna

Sri Lankan Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse has rejected accusations that he helped renegade LTTE leader V Muralitharan, better known as Colonel Karuna, to secure a diplomatic passport through which he entered Britain.

His remarks came a day after BBC reported Karuna's allegations made in a British court that Rajapakse, younger brother of President Mahinda Rajapakse, "arranged everything" for him to travel to the UK using a diplomatic passport.

Karuna was sentenced to nine months in prison by the Isleworth Crown Court in West London on Friday for traveling on a forged passport to Britain

"I haven't helped him (Karuna). It is wrong for the British judiciary to make public these claims without verification," Gotabhaya Rajapakse told 'Lakbimanews'.

Reading out Karuna's statement in the open court, the prosecution had charged that President's Rajapakse's brother was known to him since he defected from the LTTE.

Read more,
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000200801271401.htm

Two forest officers found hacked to death at Wasgamuwa national park.

Two forest officers found hacked to death at Wasgamuwa national park.

source
http://www.defence.lk/

Army captured Viyattankulam

Army captured Viyattankulam in Mannar and ten terrorists were killed and ten bunkers destroyed in the confrontation today (29) morning.

Extracted from,
http://www.nationalsecurity.lk/fullnews.php?id=10364

Monday, January 28, 2008

Cancelled Canadian radar program is Sri Lanka's gain

A high-tech radar capable of monitoring small boats operated by drug dealers and terrorists and developed with Canadian tax dollars is being installed in Sri Lanka after the federal government decided it couldn't use the system.

The high-frequency surface wave radar, developed at a cost of $39-million by Ottawa defence scientists and Raytheon Canada Limited, had been hailed several years ago by federal officials as the only one of its kind in the world and a major boost for domestic security.

The federal government set aside $43-million to build and operate eight radar sites on the East and West Coasts as part of its push to improve security in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks on the U.S.

But the government has shut down the existing experimental radar sites in Newfoundland and the program has been cancelled. The project was derailed after one complaint was received that the radar interfered with civilian communications. The experimental radars had been operating for 10 years without a complaint.

Read more,
http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=269565

Sri Lanka main opposition to stay out of independence day celebrations

Sri Lanka's main opposition United National Party (UNP) said here Monday that they would not take part in the official celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of independence on Feb. 4.

"We will not be taking part in the celebrations", Tissa Attanayake, the UNP general secretary, told reporters.

"It was UNP which gained independence to the country in 1948. What we have seen since then is that all governments other than the UNP governments have undone our achievement of gaining independence. There is no freedom to celebrate," Attanayake said.

He said the country is presently undergoing hardships in all aspects of life, including education, health, economy and the separatist armed conflict in the island's north and east provinces.

Read more,
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-01/28/content_7513161.htm

Lankan Politician turned back for ‘LTTE links’ from Chennai

The immigration authorities at Chennai international airport turned back a senior Sri Lankan political leader on Thursday night on suspicion that he might have LTTE links.

Middle-aged Nityanandan Indrakumar had to take the flight back to Colombo after failing to convince the immigration officers that he had nothing to do with the Tamil Tigers and was, in fact, the secretary-general of the Tamil Eelam Liberation Organisation (TELO), a recognised political party in Sri Lanka with four MPs in Parliament.

"Indrakumar came with his wife and three children by Air Lanka UL123 Thursday night. The immigration officers at the airport told him that only his wife and children were permitted entry and he should go back to Colombo. He pleaded he was the leader of a recognised political party, which has been pro-India since its birth almost 30 years ago. But the officers would not relent. This is unfortunate," said Mr Sivajilingam, a TELO parliamentarian. He said Mr Indrakumar went back with his wife and children.

Read more,
http://lankaguardian.blogspot.com/2008/01/pro-ltte-lankan-mp-sent-back-from.html

Congress seeks stern action against LTTE supporters

Congress on Monday asked Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi to take "stern action" against the LTTE supporters in the state.

In a letter to Karunanidhi, state Congress President M Krishnaswamy said that in the past two months, some political as well as non-political organisations had been "openly supporting" LTTE, the banned terrorist outfit, at public meetings and through media.

"They were also making comments demeaning the Congress, which not only hurt the sentiments of the party workers in the state, but also the feelings of the public as a whole," he said in the letter.

Read more,
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/

JVP rejects solution based on Indian model

The JVP yesterday rejected APRC (All Party Representative Committee) call for a series of measures to achieve maximum and effective devolution of powers to the provinces in the short term.

JVP leader Somawansa Amarasinghe said that Minister Tissa Vitarana’s so called APRC was no APRC at all. How could they categorise it as an all party committee when the JVP and the UNP weren’t represented. The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) which recognised the LTTE as the sole representatives of the Tamil speaking people, too, boycotted the committee.

Addressing the press at Savsiripaya auditorium, Amarasinghe asserted that except the SLFP, other parties which endorsed the proposals were in fact no political parties. They were ‘three wheeler’ parties and their endorsement wouldn’t mean a thing, he said.


Read more,
http://www.island.lk/2008/01/28/news1.html

Air force pounds Pooneryn

The Air Force pounded LTTE artillery positions in Pooneryn in the North this morning minutes after the rebels launched a barrage of attacks towards military positions in Jaffna.

Source,
http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=5036

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Air defence system prevents LTTE to launch attack

Revamping of Sri Lanka's air defence system has prevented the LTTE's air wing to launch aerial attacks as in the past, the Air Force chief has said.

Questioning the outfit's so-called air wing, Roshan Gunathilake said the outfit hardly has an air force worth its name. "They (LTTE) have two or three aircrafts. I don't know whether you could call that an air force. They have not flown for a very longtime. We will wait and see," Air Force Commander Roshan Gunathilake said.

An effective air defence system that has been put in place by the Sri Lankan Defence authorities had forced the LTTE air wing to hesitate in getting air borne, Gunathilake told the Lakbima news.

Read more,
http://news.indiainfo.com/2008/01/27/0801271847_lanka-defence.html

UN high protein biscuits to tigers apprehended!

A large stock of ‘high protein’ biscuits being transported to Killinochchi by World Food Programme (WFP) has been apprehended by Medawachchiya Police.

The stock of ‘high protein’ biscuits was discovered when the police searched a vehicle belonging to WFP bearing Reg. No. WP-GK-5578, which was being driven to Killinochchi without any permission from the Ministry of Defense or from any other government authority.

According to defense sources consuming one of these biscuits would allow a person to remain without any other food for nearly ten hours and the biscuits are mainly used by troops engaged in guerilla warfare.

Read more,
http://www.lankatruth.com/full_story/2008/January/27/20080127_01.htm

Police in Catch-22 situation over LTTE

The Viduthalai Sirtuhaigal Katchi (VCK), an ally of the ruling DMK, recently sought to put up a giant cutout of LTTE chief Prabhakaran at the venue of its meeting in Chennai.

The meeting itself had been organised in support of the LTTE. It took a team of police officials more than two hours to dissuade VCK cadres from putting up the cutout pointing out that the LTTE was a banned organisation in India and putting up the cutout could lead to criminal proceedings.

After much pleading on part of the cops, the cadres finally gave up.

That the cops had to implore a bunch of lawbreakers rather than crack down on them explains the political dilemma of the Karunanidhi government in dealing with pro-LTTE elements in the state.

On the one hand the cops have been rounding up LTTE cadres and suppliers of materials to them from across the state but on the other they're constrained from acting against political parties that drum up support for the group.

Read more,
http://www.hindustantimes.com/storypage/

Sri Lanka Rupavahini Journalist Attacked

Lal Hemanth Mawalage, a senior journalist of Sri Lanka Rupavahini (TV) corporation (SLRC) was attacked by an armed gang yesterday (25) night.

He was slashed using knifes by unidentified gang and was admitted to Colombo National Hospital.

Lal Hemanth Mawalage has complaint the police earlier, that he receiving several death threat calls after speaking against Minister Mervin Silva, who created pandemonium inside the SLRC premises on 27th December 2007.

Several other SLRC journalists also receiving continuous threats following the incident.

Extracted from,
http://news.nidahasa.com/news.php?go=fullnews&newsid=467

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Air Force bangs at LTTE's Sea Tiger nerve centre - Mullaithivu

Air Force fighter jets pounded one of the nerve centers of sea tiger Wing at Kaivelikulam North West of Puthukkudiyiruppu this afternoon (Saturday the 26th of January).

According to the Air Force sources, fighter jets have carried out air sorties at 1.05 p.m. targeting a covert meeting of sea tiger leaders and the attack has been carried out on real time ground intelligence, the sources further added.

Fighter pilots have confirmed that the target was accurately hit.

Extracted from,
http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080126_04

Prabhakaran In India To Recuperate From Wounds?

Rumours of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) supremo V. Prabhakaran having crossed the Palk Straits to India to recuperate from wounds sent the Tamil Nadu police into a tizzy Friday.

The state police's anti-extremist wing - the 'Q' Branch - refused to comment on the rumours that said Prabhakaran may have been seriously wounded and moved to Tamil Nadu.

There were enough indications here that the law and order machinery was pressed into service to check all hospitals across the state for persons with unexplained wounds.

Meanwhile, fishermen belonging to Rameshwaram, 600 km south of here, are on an indefinite strike to demand removal of floating mines in the expanse of water separating India from Sri Lanka.

Fishermen's associations have threatened to block roads from Feb 1 if their charter of demands, including for immediate release of 12 of their comrades allegedly held by the Sri Lankan navy, is not met

Read more,
http://newspostindia.com/report-33407

India not playing any military role in Sri Lanka: envoy

India does not play any military role in the Sri Lankan conflict, the country's envoy to the US has said, while hailing New Delhi's role in the "political context".

"In the current military campaign there has been no role of India. But in a political context it has been a very positive role they have played and we are very appreciative of that. And from understandable reasons India does not get involved in the military campaign," Ambassador Bernard Goonetilleke said in response to a question from PTI.

He was speaking here at a discussion on the "Ceasefire Agreement, the Peace Process and the International Community".

Read more,
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/PoliticsNation/

Batti polls: Nominations period ends

The submission of nominations for municipal and urban council polls in the Batticaloa district concluded yesterday, the Elections Commissioner’s office said.

The polls, to be held on March 10, will elect representatives for nine local bodies.

Around 61 nominations lists have been submitted by six political parties and independent groups.

Nine nominations lists have been rejected, elections officials said. The United People’s Freedom Alliance, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, National Development Front, National Congress, Eelam Democratic Front and the Tamil Eelamakkal Viduthalai Pulikal are among the parties contesting the poll.

The UNP will not contest. The Government decided to hold elections in the East after liberating the Eastern province from the LTTE.

Extracted from,
http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/01/26/pol03.asp

Friday, January 25, 2008

'Karuna' given 9 month sentence in UK

Vinayagamoorthi Muralitharan, better known as Colonel Karuna, was sentenced Friday morning (25) at Isleworth Crown Court in West London. Muralitharan, who broke away from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in 2004, taking with him what has been described as the best fighters in the terrorist outfit, was arrested recently in London on charges of holding false identity documents.

The British Foreign Office said in December that it had told the Sri Lankan government of its "concern" at how Col Karuna had acquired a diplomatic passport under a false name.

Extracted from,
http://www.news.lk/index.php?option=com_content&

Lanka should remove defence system in Palk strait: MDMK

MDMK leader Vaiko on Friday demanded that the Centre ask the Sri Lanka government to remove the underwater defence system set up across the Palk strait on the International Maritime Boundary Line.

In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, a copy of which was made available to the media, Vaiko said the system would damage and destroy the fishing boats of Indian fishermen.

He said the Sri Lankan navy had communicated to the Indian Navy to inform Tamil Nadu fishermen not to venture out for fishing between Kachatheevu and Neduntheeve in the Palk strait, as mines had been placed.

Read more,
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Lanka

Lankan trade team to visit Qatar next month

A Sri lankan trade delegation comprising representatives from the construction sector will visit Doha early next month.

Speaking to Gulf Times yesterday, Sri Lankan Ambassador S B Atugoda said at least 25 members, representing various sectors of the Lankan construction industry, will accompany the delegation. The visit is at the initiative of the Chamber of the Construction Industry (CCI), Sri Lanka.

The CCI comprises at least nine organisations representing sectors and professionals such as architects, consultants, quantity surveyors, valuers, town planners, transport, economy, banking and insurance.

In recent times CCI has sent delegations to a number of Middle East countries including Qatar. The visit is the fourth by a Sri Lankan trade delegation in recent months, according to a Lankan embassy official.
The delegation will hold talks with representatives of the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) besides officials of companies engaged in the construction industry in Qatar.

Read more,
http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no

APRC proposals an important step, says Rajapaksa

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has described the “proposals” submitted to him by the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) on measures for the full implementation of the provisions of the Constitution for a political solution to the ethnic question as an “auspicious and important initial step.”

Receiving the proposals from APRC Chairman Thissa Vitharana on Wednesday, Mr. Rajapaksa said the government and the political parties that supported it undertook the responsibility to fully implement the proposals. He said they all had a responsibility to ensure the rights of all people to enjoy freedom without fear irrespective of race, religious, political and other differences.

He called on all parties to shed narrow differences and come together with due consideration for the people, to provide a suitable political solution to the political issue, while looking at a different solution to the problem of terrorism.

Read more,
http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/25/stories/2008012555991600.htm

SLC offers to host Asia Cup

Sri Lanka has approached Pakistan with an offer to host the upcoming Asia Cup cricket tournament as violence continues to wrack the country, the island's cricket chief said today.

The six-nation limited-overs tournament is scheduled to be played in Pakistan in June, but instability following last month's murder of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto has put sporting fixtures under threat.

“We have written and asked Pakistan if we can host the Asia Cup,” Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) chief Arjuna Ranatunga said on the sidelines of a news conference to promote tourism.
“It's a sensitive issue, but we will understand if Pakistan refuse us,” said Ranatunga, who led Sri Lanka to victory in the 1996 World Cup.

Defending champions Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates and Oman are due to take part in the tournament, the continent's premier One-Day International event.

Read more,
http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=5&theme=&u

8 countries ban poultry imports from India

The bird flu outbreak in West Bengal is now taking a toll on the country's poultry exports. Till January 24, eight countries had officially stopped import of poultry products from India.

While UAE, one of India's largest clients, continued its ban on Indian poultry products, imposed following the outbreak in Manipur in July 2007, the countries to have imposed a fresh ban after the West Bengal outbreak are: Oman, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Qatar, Bhutan, Kuwait and Bahrain.

It was just after November 8 when India informed the world organisation for animal health, OIE, that the country was free of H5N1 virus after the Manipur outbreak, that most of these countries had lifted their previous ban.

Read more,
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/

Thursday, January 24, 2008

LTTE silent after the X-ray Base attack

Army Spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara says that the LTTE areas were in deep silence and no incidents were reported after the Air Force attack on the clandestine X-ray Base.

In response to a question posed by Lanka-e-News, the Army Spokesman said that the LTTE radio communication too were silent today.

The shops in Kilinochchi were closed today since two more air attacks were launched to Kilinochchi after the major attack on 11.15 AM.

However, Air Force Spokesman Wing Commander Andrew Wijesuriya said that information so far had not proved Prabakaran was in the attacked X-ray Base.

Read more,
http://www.lankaenews.com/English/news.php?id=5275

Group of youth hacked to death by LTTE terrorists

Police have found several bodies of youth dumped in a swamp at Hijrapura on the Horoupathana - Kebithigollawa road by suspected LTTE terrorists this evening, January 24.

Police said the victims are believed to be a group of civilians who had gone searching for their cattle.

The victims were apparently hacked to death, the sources added.

Extracted from,
http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080124_06

Ban parties openly supporting LTTE: Congress

Expressing concern over reported rise in LTTE activities in Tamil Nadu,the Congress on Thursday asked the State Government to ban political parties and organisations which were openly supporting the proscribed outfit.

Participating in a discussion on the motion of thanks to the Governor for his address to the assembly, C Gnanasekaran (Cong) cited reports that 102 LTTE cadre had infiltrated into the state during the last two years and cases had been filed against 40 of them under the National Security Act.

Recalling the recent arrest of LTTE intelligence wing leader Thambidurai Parameswaran and others, who allegedly attempted to procure arms and material for the LTTE, he questioned the "inaction" of the state's intelligence.

He said the LTTE should be viewed in two phases -- before and after the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. The scar over Rajiv Gandhi's assassination still remained among Congressmen, he said and urged the Chief Minister to take steps to extradite LTTE chief V Prabhakaran, the prime accused in the case, against whom a non-bailable warrant was pending.

Stating that the LTTE had also killed several Tamils, Gnanasekaran wondered how some parties and organisations in the state were openly supporting the outfit.

Read more,
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200801241750.htm

Lankan maid commits suicide at Dubai airport

A Sri Lankan woman committed suicide at the Dubai International Airport recently by hanging herself.

Her young children, who are in shock, are now waiting anxiously for the remains of their mother to reach them.

Kala Sangarapillai, 30, who was working as a housemaid in Kuwait and was on her way to Sri Lanka via Dubai to see her family when she allegedly hanged herself in the ladies restroom at the Dubai airport three weeks back.

An official from the General Department of Forensic Science of Dubai Police said, “The Sri Lankan woman hanged herself from the ceiling of the airport’s ladies restroom and was found by the cleaners. The body of the victim is still in the police mortuary.”

He added that the body would be handed over to the authorities concerned after getting approval from the Dubai Public Prosecution on completion of all legal and administrative procedures.

Read more,
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/

Heavy LTTE casualties in air strike

It was only yesterday (24th) when Sri Lanka Air Force used 6 of its fighter jets to raid a major LTTE military facility deep inside the jungles east of Iranamadu. More details are now surfacing regarding the aftermath of one of the most devastating air strikes in the Eelam War 4.

According to military intelligence reports, hospitals in Kilinochchi are being filled with wounded LTTE cadres. Intel reports suggest that a significant number of cadres from Prabhakaran's elite guard unit, the Imran-Pandiyan regiment, are among the wounded.

However there is still no confirmation on any injuries caused to LTTE leader V. Prabhakaran. The pilots who took part in the raid could not confirm if anti aircraft fire was directed at their planes or not. LTTE usually places its truck mounted 14.5mm AA batteries in close proximity to LTTE leader's hideouts in fear of air strikes. If AA fire was absent when the attack occurred it may be an indication of LTTE leader having just left the scene prior to bombing. This however is a wild guess as of this moment.

SLAF used 24 bunker buster bombs to attack the X-Ray base, razing its buildings to dust in a matter of minutes.

Extracted from,
http://defencenet.blogspot.com/2008/01/heavy-ltte-casualties-in-air-strike.html

Prabhakaran's base hit; boosts Colombo stock exchange

he news of attack on LTTE supremo V Prabhakaran's base in rebel-held Wanni has brought cheers to the Colombo Stock Exchange index, which rose 65 points on Wednesday.

The Sri Lankan Sir Force jets on Wednesday attacked the LTTE base in Kilinochchi.

Despite a lack of information on the severity of the attack on the 'x-ray base' and the fate of the elusive rebel leader, brokers said the news resulted in a positive investor sentiment yesterday.

The Colombo bourse rocketed on Wednesday, with the All Share Price Index surging 64.46 points (2.70 per cent) and the Milanka indices gaining 80.42 points (2.62 per cent) on a turnover of Sri Lankan Rs 232.2 million, up from Monday's dismal Sri Lankan Rs 67.3 million.

Read more,
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000200801241222.htm

Patriotic people in this country are prepared to teach what Arbour and her kind have not learnt from any other country! – JVP

The patriotic people in this country are prepared to teach a lesson that Louise Arbour and her kind have never learnt from anywhere else in the world says Information secretary of the JVP Wimal Weerawansa.

Mr. Weerawansa said this addressing a protest campaign held by the JVP opposite main office of the UNO in Sri Lanka. The campaign was held to protest against the statement made by Ms. Louise Arbour, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights that "Violations by any party could entail individual criminal responsibility under international criminal law, including by those in positions of command.”

Read more,
http://www.lankatruth.com/full_story/2008/January/23/20080123_08.htm

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

LTTE refutes SLAF claims of air strike on Tiger leadership

Liberation Tigers Military Spokesman Irasiah Ilanthirayan Wednesday evening refuted the claims by the Sri Lanka Air Force that it had hit a location of the leader of the LTTE Velupillai Pirapaharan Wednesday morning. Stating that Colombo was spreading false propaganda, Mr. Ilanthirayan said the SLAF attack targeted civilian settlements at Vaddakkachchi twice between 11:10 a.m. and 11:35 a.m. and in the evening between 5:15 and 6:00 p.m.

Mr. Ilanthirayan was responding to questions raised by media in Colombo.

Earlier in the day, the SLAF had claimed that it had hit a key LTTE base describing the target as LTTE's nerve centre and stating it was awaiting confirmation on whether the LTTE leader was residing in the target, which it named as "X-ray base".

Colombo was engaged in such false propaganda, also during the Tsunami catastrophe and on many occasions earlier, he said.

Extracted from,
http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=24389

LTTE maintains radio silence after air strike

Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) maintained radio silence after a Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) raid targeted one of its highly secured military complexes deep inside the jungles east of Iranamadu today morning. LTTE also ordered all shops in Kilinochchi town to be closed down immediately following the aerial raid.

SLAF used 6 fighter jets simultaneously in one of the largest air strikes in the 4th Eelam War. However there is still no confirmation on any injuries caused to the LTTE leader Prabhakaran, who was supposedly present at the base during the bombing.

Read more,
http://defencenet.blogspot.com/2008/01/ltte-maintains-radio-silence-after-air.html

Air Force raids "X-ray base"; terrorists' nerve center in Kilinochchi

Sri Lanka air force fighter jets have raided the terror hub in Kilinochchi, known as "X-ray base" around 11.15, this morning (January 23). Air Force fighter jets in a low flying mission have targeted the base located East of Iranamadu Tank in the Kalmadukulama area, with the pin point accuracy, air force sources said.

According to Air Force Spokesperson Wing Commander Andi Wijesoriya, the air sorties were carried out on information obtained through real-time air surveillance and ground reconnaissance. Also, he said that the targeted location has been a regular visiting place of terror chief V. Prabhakaran.

Fighter pilots have confirmed that the target was accurately hit, he added.

Defence intelligence sources said that the air raid was timed with a "special" activity that was going on at the LTTE base. However, the sources refrained from commenting further on the issue. Also, the sources said, the targeted terror hub was located in a thick jungle patch, North of LTTE's "runway" in Iranamadu. The area has been long demarcated as a "high security zone" and a "no go" area for civilians, the sources added.

LTTE is a ruthless terrorist outfit that has been fighting for a mono ethnic separate homeland for Tamils in Sri Lanka since 1983. Last week, LTTE terrorists butchered 47 people in the Monaragala and Thanamalwila areas at the behest of their psychopathic leader V.Prabhakaran.

Extracted from,
http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080123_05

LTTE calenders sold outside London temples: report

A calendar apparently depicting the logo of the banned rebel outfit LTTE and the map of a separate state of Tamil Eelam was sold outside Hindu temples in London earlier this month.

The calendar, with a reddish sky and a rising sun in the background, depicts the map of Tamil Eelam and a Gloriosa Lily, the official flower of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), the Colombo Post reported today.

While the writing on top says Thamil Thai Naalkaati (Tamil Mother Calendar) 2008, the bottom portion states "History of the Tamils, world history and a calendar that reflects the religious and astrological matters relating to Tamils," it said.

Read more,
http://news.indiainfo.com/2008/01/22/0801221940_lanka-calender.html

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Twelve fishermen held by Lankan Navy

As many as 12 Indian fishermen were on Tuesday arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy for allegedly entering the country's territorial waters near Kachathivu, state fisheries department officials said.

The fishermen were later remanded to police custody by the Judicial Magistrate at Oorkaval near Kangesanthurai in the island nation, the officials said.

Three boats used by the fishermen were also seized by the Navy.

Meanwhile, the Indian Navy also took into custody 48 fishermen from Rameswaram who had attempted to cross to the Sri Lankan waters on Tuesday and handed them over to the Fisheries department officials. The licence of 12 boats and their diesel quota have been cancelled, officials said.

Indian Navy had detained 12 other fishermen belonging to Rameswaram on Monday, along with their mechanised boat.

Read more,
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/002200801221717.htm

India has realised danger from LTTE, says Rajapaksa

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has said that India and the US are supporting the war against 'Tamil Tiger terrorism' because they themselves feel threatened by the Tigers.

'India now realises that it could be the next target of the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam). And I am told that the LTTE has taken a contract to motivate Al Qaeda cadres to become suicide bombers,' Rajapaksa told IANS on the sidelines of a press conference here Tuesday.

The president described his government's relations with New Delhi as 'very good' and added that if he had to allow any foreign government delegation to go to Kilinochchi to talk to the LTTE, it would be the Indian government.

'I prefer India. It is our neighbour,' he asserted.

Read more,
http://www.indiaenews.com/srilanka/20080122/93134.htm

Jet, Kingfisher eyeing stake in Sri Lankan Airlines

Naresh Goyal-controlled Jet Airways and Vijay Mallya's Kingfisher Airlines are among a host of carriers looking at acquiring a 43.6 per cent stake in Sri Lankan Airlines, aviation industry officials said.

The two carriers will be looking at buying the stake presently held by Emirates Airlines in the Sri Lankan carrier once their 10-year shareholder pact expires April 1, the officials added.

The Sri Lankan government holds 51 percent stake in the carrier, while employees hold the rest.

When contacted, officials at both Jet Airways and Kingfisher declined comment on the matter. "We cannot confirm any development on this," Wolfgang Prock Schauer, chief executive officer of Jet Airways, told media.

"No comment," the Kingfisher spokesperson added.

Read more,
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News_by_Industry/Jet_Kingfisher_eyeing

Srilanka to introduce ET technology in dairy sector

In order to achieve maximum output from country’s milk sector, Srilankan government has decided to introduce latest Embryo Transfer technology to the industry.

Srilankan National Livestock Development Board, the Australian Government and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Peradeniya recently launched this Embryo Transfer Project and so far 200 high breed frozen embryos of Jersey Holstein Friesian and AFS breeds from Australia have been brought to Sri Lanka.

Once the breeding process is completed, the cows will be distributed among farmers associated with the NLDB. The objective of the project is to increase the number of milk cows and enhance dairy production.

Read more,
http://www.commodityonline.com/news/topstory/newsdetails.php?id=5035

The day the government would be sent home is not far away if the government is getting ready to introduce devolution proposals in betrayals of the vic

Propaganda Secretary of the JVP, Mr. Wimal Weerawansa says that if the government is getting ready to introduce devolution proposals for the Northern and Eastern provinces in betrayal of the victories gained by the brave security forces and sacrifice made by the people of the country and challenging the unitary status of the country, the day the government would be expelled in unison with the progressive forces of the country will not be far a way.

He said this when inquired by us about the stand of the JVP about the devolution package to be introduced by the All Party Representative Committee.

In further comments he said, "This package is a deadly blow to the forward march of the security forces to liberate the Northern Province from the Tiger terrorist after they have liberated the Eastern province and it is betrayal of the security forces gained by the security forces at the expense of their lives as well."

"On the other hand, the JVP sees this devolution package as a plot hatched against the advancing march of the security forces gaining victory after victory." he said.

Read more,
http://www.lankatruth.com/full_story/2008/January/22/20080122_02.htm

Two soldiers injured in LTTE attack- Thanamalwila

Two soldiers were reported injured when they came under an LTTE gunfire attack while been engaged in an extensive search operation, at Sirinandapura north east of Kithulkotte in Thanamalwila today (January 22) at 12.30.p.m.

The latest incident was reported within a day following the gun down of three Police personnel in a road picket, at Aliwanguwa junction in Kithulkotte along the Thanamalwila- Monaragala road.

According to Military spokesperson Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara, a soldier received minor injures while another wounded was admitted to the general hospital at Hambantota.

Further search operations are underway in the area, the spokesperson said.

Extracted from,
http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080122_05

Monday, January 21, 2008

Three Police personnel killed in LTTE attack- Thanamalwila

Three Police personnel a Sub- Inspector and two constables were shot dead by LTTE terrorists this evening (January 21) during a road picket at Aliwanguwa junction in Kithulkotte along the Thanamalwila- Monaragala road at 8.20.p.m, Thanamalwila Police said.

According to latest reports, the bodies of the slain Police personnel were brought to the general Hospital at Thanamalwila, while security forces tightened security in the area.

Read more,
http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080121_08

Arrested LTTE Cadres in Chennai Reveals More

In a follow-up to the arrest of eight LTTE cadres including Nathan alias Suruli in Tamilnadu, the sleuths of State Intelligence wing have filed a petition at Alandur court today seeking one week police custody for interrogating the arrested.

And the petition is likely to be taken up for hearing on Tuesday.

It may be noted that Thambidurai Parameswaran who had been working with LTTE’s intelligence section infiltrated into India via Rameswaram last February and later moved to Chennai.

Read more,
http://lankaguardian.blogspot.com/2008/01/arrested-ltte-cadres-in-

Global concern over maritime security cripples LTTE

Heightened global and regional cooperation to increase maritime security is adversely affecting the fighting capabilities of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on sea and land, military experts say.

"In naval terms, detection is more difficult than destruction and therefore, there is growing international cooperation for detection through arrangements like the Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) programme in the Asia-Pacific region," a military official told IANS on condition of anonymity.

He pointed out that the Indian Navy was holding an MDA conference at Port Blair in the Andamans in which 12 navies, including the Sri Lankan Navy, were participating. The Sri Lankans had sent naval cutter Suranimala under a commodore for the meeting.

He added that the Andamans were ideal for holding such a conference because, at its eastern most end, it was only 63 nautical miles from western Indonesia, an area that had become notorious for arms smuggling and piracy.

And significantly, the floating warehouses of the LTTE, which the Sri Lankan Navy had destroyed in the past year, were generally anchored just west of Java in Indonesia.

Read more,
http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=64647

Brutal Buttala Killings Provide Path to Ultimate Victory Against Violence Leading to Peace

The attacks on civilians in Buttala with LTTE’s inherent brutal dimensions to it got damning condemnation from all over the world. The United States aid that the incident bears "all the hallmarks of the LTTE." European Union’s Colombo office stated that "this attack has all the characteristics of the LTTE’s modus operandi."

It added that no support can ever be gained in the EU through such acts of "barbaric terrorist violence." The time is opportune for the Sri Lankan government to show the world that while taking the path towards a decisive victory against the LTTE in all its deadly forms of violence, the problems of the Tamils are also being taken seriously.

The country is behind the Rajapakse government in their unerring militaristic assault on the Tigers and it must deliver also on the issue of a fair settlement of the governance issue and that Tamils and their problems are being generously addressed.

Read more,
http://www.asiantribune.com/?q=node/9219

2 arrested for helping LTTE leader

Two days after the arrest of LTTE Intelligence Wing Member Nathan, the "Q" Branch Police today arrested two people for allegedly helping him procure bomb making materials for the banned outfit.

Police sources said Selvaraj (62) of Mannargudi and Reginald were nabbed on charges of procuring materials like iron balls and plastic granules for Nathan alias Surali alias Thambidurai Parameswaran, who was arrested along with seven other Sri Lankan Nationals on the outskirts of the city.

Today's arrests were made based on the statements given by Nathan during interrogation.

While Selvaraj, who arrived at Chennai Central Railway Station from Mumbai this morning, was arrested at Chennai Egmore Station when he was about to board a train to Madurai, Reginald was nabbed at southern Virudhunagar District. Two packets of sample Ironballs, Rs 7,000 and a couple of cell phones were seized from Selvaraj.

Read more,
http://www.chennaionline.com/colnews/newsitem.asp?NEWSID=%7BA80CD6BA-2

Sri Lanka Govt to Propose Transfer of Power

President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapakse assured he is set on submitting a proposal for the transfer of power next January 23 to solve more than two decades of tamil ethnic conflict.

He affirmed the objective is to present the initiative before Parliament and apply it after obtaining the necessary approval.

Rajapakse, quoted by Indian news agency PTI, said the recommendation of the Committee of All Representative Parties (APRC) on this issue will be included in a provisional report.

The Sri Lanka president made the statement on occasion of a meeting in his residence to commemorate the Pongal Festival.

Since its creation two years ago, the APRC has carried out 57 meetings on the transfer of power package before the creation of provincial councils in the conflicting regions in the north and east of this country.

The combats between soldiers and militants of the Tigers for the Liberation of Tamil Eejam (TLTE) intensified over the last weeks, in spite of the government s and rebels intention to comply with the cease fire agreed on February, 2002.

Read more,
http://www.plenglish.com/Article.asp?ID=%7B1455E452-6F45-4DD2-A8F5-A0E6D2F4F7B2%7D&language=EN

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Thendamarachchi LTTE Area Leader Killed by Troops

Following information received from civilians, Army troops cordoned the area north of KAITHADY and conducted a search Sunday (20) around 4.30 p.m. to net a group of Tiger terrorists.

During the operation, terrorists fired at the troops and attempted to flee the area.

However, counter fire by the troops killed two terrorists including the THENDAMARACHCHI terrorist leader identified as CHENGAN.

Subsequent search recovered one T-56 weapon, one micro pistol, one suicide jacket, one GPS (Global Positioning System), a stock of T-56 and pistol ammunition, one mobile phone and one FM radio from the location.

Extracted from,
http://www.army.lk/morenews.php?id=10030

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Lanka to import 30,000 tonnes of Indian rice

Sri Lanka has decided to import immediately 30,000 tonne of non-basmati pooni rice from India to fight the high inflation rate which is in double digits now owing to a rise in the cost of essential commodities.

"The government will import 30,000 tonne of Indian rice that could be brought from Singapore as the export price charged by the Indian traders could touch 500 dollars a tonne," an official said here.

The Lankan government is to import the quantum of rice in two weeks to reduce the domestic prices.

According to statistics, the high wheat flour prices have brought about a decline in its consumption by about 40 per cent in the past two weeks.

Read more,
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/Economy

Two new ships for Sri Lanka's Mercantile Shipping

The Sri Lankan-German joint venture Mercantile Shipping Company has announced that it has ordered two 7,800dwt multi-purpose vessels worth a combined €25m ($36.5m) from a Netherlands based yard. The vessels, which will boast their own cranes for handling break bulk and container cargo, will be funded by a cobination of the company’s own resources, international loans and a shipbuilding grant from the Dutch government.

"The ships will fly the Sri Lanka flag and will be crewed by Sri Lankans so they are going to be Sri Lankan ships,” Stephan Kuehl, Mercantile Shipping Company general manager told Lanka Business. “I believe this is the first time a private shipping company in Sri Lanka is getting new buildings."

Read more,
http://www.seatradeasia-online.com/News/2220.html

Aussies needed taste of their own medicine, says Ranatunga

Sri Lanka cricket chief Arjuna Ranatunga was amused to see the boot on the other foot after Australia complained about the on-field behaviour of the Indian team.

Sledging has become a hot topic in world cricket since the row which erupted after India spinner Harbhajan Singh was found to have racially abusing Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds in the Sydney Test this month.

The actions of the Australians have also come under scrutiny in the wake of the incident with criticism levelled at them for their over-competitiveness and aggression.

Former Sri Lanka skipper Ranatunga was no stranger to the acid tongues of the Australians in his playing days and, while he took some pleasure from seeing their barbs returned in kind, he believes it is time for the International Cricket Council to step in.

"I think this is the first time after I gave it back, that Australia is now being paid back with their own coin," Ranatunga told Sri Lankan newspaper The Island. "Now, even Australia is complaining.

"I think it's important for the administrators to clean up the game. I think they should stop shouting and sledging on the field.

Read more,
http://espnstar.com/cricket/newsdetails.cmd?id=7023002

CID probes misappropriation of euro 145,000 from several bank accounts

The Financial Investigations Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department is probing the misappropriation of a total of euro 145,000 from several bank accounts.

The CID is seeking Court permission to get the details of three accounts at Seylan Bank (Ambalangoda), Nations Trust Bank (Colombo Fort) and Commercial Bank (Bristol Street branch) in this regard.

A complaint in this connection has been lodged by A.G. Strarwicks from Liechtenstein, who has been living in Sri Lanka for the last 22 years.

The complainant has told Police that he owned a hotel in Ambalangoda and sold it in 1997 for Rs. 30 million. His residence visa expired.

However, he wanted to stay on in Sri Lanka after investing the funds from the sale of the hotel.

Read more,
http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/01/19/news02.asp

Russia's Foreign Ministry recommends Russians to cancel trips to Sri Lanka

Russia's Foreign Ministry has issued a recommendation to Russian citizens to refrain from trips to Sri Lanka in the wake of growing terrorist activity on the part of Tamil Eelam Liberation Tigers.

"This organization has noticeably stepped up its terrorist activity of late," a source at the Foreign Ministry said Friday. "There've been four terrorist acts in succession and they carried away many human lives."

"In the light of it, the Foreign Ministry recommends Russian citizens to refrain from trips to Sri Lanka until the situation in that country returns to normal," the source said.

Extracted from,
http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=12270912&PageNum=0

Sri Lanka plans fiber optic cable network using railway reserves

The Sri Lanka government has decided to call for tenders to set up a fiber optic cable network running along the country's railway tracks. The goal is to build a mass media cable network covering a large part of the country.

This was disclosed at the weekly media briefing on Cabinet decisions, held in Colombo yesterday evening.

The government said the decision was taken considering the requests made by several media technological institutions to set up a fiber optic cable network to cover the country’s main towns. Media Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa said a preliminary study on the project’s viability has been done with the assistance of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission.

Read more,
http://www.colombopage.com/archive_08/January18163833JR.html

Friday, January 18, 2008

Three dead bodies and 03 injured from the attack on Kalawelgala village taken to Thanamalwila Hospital

Thanamalwila Hospital sources say that three dead bodies and three injured from the terrorist attack on Hambegamuwa Kalawelgala Village unleashed at 1.00 am today have been brought to the Thanamalwila Hospital.

The injured are being rushed to the hospital by the Army and the villagers.

Source,

http://www.lankatruth.com/index.htm


Shooting incident reported in remote village - Thanamalwila

A shooting incident has been reported at Kalawalgala, a remote village in the Thanamalwila area few hours ago (17th January). According to available information four people with gunshot injuries have been admitted to the general hospital Thanamalwila.

Hospital sources said, one of the injured has succumbed to injuries and another three are presently being treated at the hospital.

Security has been tightened in the area.

Read more,
http://defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080118_01

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Photos of the Buttala bus attack
























Photos extracted from,
www.defence.lk, www.news.lk, www.lankaenews.com

Anyone being taken before international law for taking decisions on behalf of the Motherland would have to be taken over our dead bodies! –JVP

The JVP vehemently condemns a warning made by Ms. Louise Arbour, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights that "Violations by any party could entail individual criminal responsibility under international criminal law, including by those in positions of command.”

In condemning the decision of the government to withdraw from the CFA Ms.Louise Arbour emphasized that international law prohibited all sides in the decades-long Sri Lankan conflict from committing unlawful killings or torture, arbitrary detention, recruiting or deploying child soldiers, and forcing people out of their homes.

She also has warned that any party violating this international law, those who are responsible for such violations, including those in position of command would be tried under international law.

Mr. Somawansa Amarasinghe, speaking at a special media meeting held at Colombo foundation Institute today called Arbour’s warning as international terrorism. He said, “If any politician or military officer is taken before the international law for taking decisions on behalf of the Motherland they would have to take them over our dead bodies. We emphasize this to the military leaders of this country and the international community.

Read more,
http://www.lankamission.org/other%20pages/News/2008/January/2008-01-17JVP.htm

BUTTALA BUS BLAST – TRIBUTE TO RANIL’S CFA FINALE

On the final day of the ignominious CFA the terrorists murdered 27 innocent civilians and wounded around 67 persons in the Buttala claymore mine blast. Although the United States have condemned this brutal massacre of the terrorist outfit, the Videshapriya media dogs, and NGO vultures who cry foul for everything that affects or disadvantages the terrorist outfit and talk vociferously about humanitarian values and call for respect of innocent civilian life remain totally silent and ignorant of this horrendous massacre as it had happened in some other planet.

If the terrorists and the enemies of the nation who earn their livelihood by helping the terrorists and terrorism to prevail in this country hope that this type of inhuman acts and massacres could frighten the masses or open up a communal backlash, they are utterly mistaken. Terrorists and their bootlickers should realize that the people are determined to eradicate terrorism from Sri Lanka and they would confront any and every obstacle in this historical melee daringly and fearlessly, without falling pray to their schemes and strategies.

At the time of the blast, around 7.40 a.m. on Wednesday (16th) the SLTB long chassied bus from Buttala to Okkampitiya is reported to have been carrying over 100 passengers including many school children. There are three school children and 13 women among the dead. The injured have been taken to Moneragala and Buttala hospitals and 5 patients on critical conditions have been airlifted to the National Hospital in Colombo.
Read more,
http://www.lankaweb.com/news/items08/170108-2.html

TULF condemns 'LTTE's brutal and cowardly act'

Condemning the claymore attack in Okkampitiya that took the lives of 26 people and injured over 60 others last morning, V. Anandasangaree, President of the Tamil United Liberation Front, state in a media release it was a 'brutal and cowardly act' perpetrated by the LTTE.

He also said that 'it is high time that the LTTE stop killing innocent civilians which is not going to serve any purpose other than infuriating the International Community, which is fast losing patience'.

Mr. Anandasangaree pointed out that there should be no place for ferocious animals in human society.

"I have more than once found fault with the media, particularly the Tamil media all over the world for their failure to condemn these ruthless activities of the LTTE. Their failure to do so, in one way amounts to encouraging the LTTE to terrorise the civilians more and more. Some human rights activists too make the same mistake. I call upon all people whichever community they belong to, the media, human rights organizations and heads of all political partieis, including the TNA to condemn this ruthless act and to urge the LTTE to spare the innocent village folks who depend on each other in their family for survival."

Read more,
http://news.lk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4618&Itemid=44

LTTE intelligence wing member arrested in city (India)

An LTTE intelligence wing member and seven Sri Lankan Tamils were arrested here last night and iron-ball rings and plastics used in making explosives seized from them. The group was procuring supplies for the LTTE and gathering information on movements of anti-LTTE leader Varadaraja Perumal and Sri Lankan Social Service and Social Welfare Minister Douglas Devananda, the police said.

The LTTE operative Thambidurai Parameswaran had arrived in Rameswaram clandestinely in February 2007 and was masquerading as a taxi driver and procuring iron ball-rings, plastic, two-wheelers and boats, a press release issued by the police said.

He had engaged the seven Sri Lankan Tamils who attempted to procure these articles from Puducherry and Rameswaram to be smuggled to Sri Lanka by boats from Rameswaram, it said.

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http://www.chennaionline.com/colnews/newsitem.asp?NEWSID=

'Orissa Maoists linked to LTTE'

Earlier, there was the Nepal Maoist link. Now, investigation has unearthed the LTTE link of Koraput Maoists!

The link was unravelled after arrest of five top-ranking Maoists by Koraput police from Tamil Nadu. During investigation, police got vital clues that one arrested Naxalite had a direct link with LTTE in Tamil Nadu and the police suspect link of all arrested Maoists with the dreaded terror outfit.

Intelligence sources informed that the entry of Tamil refugees from Jaffna (Sri Lanka) to Malkangiri five years back could have established the link between Koraput Naxalites with Tamil cadres who later established their links with LTTE.

According to reports, the Naxalite cadres were arrested In Tamil Nadu in June, 2007, while imparting training to local unemployed youths in a forest range using looted arms of Koraput.

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http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEQ20080116215946&Page=Q&Title=ORISSA&Topic=0

Sri Lanka rebuts Louise Arbour's statement on CFA abrogation

Sri Lanka Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights, Mahinda Samarasinghe, in a statement today strongly rebutted the comments made by the UN High commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour on the government's decision to abrogate the 2002 ceasefire agreement.

The Minister said that the government decision was taken after “careful and serious consideration of effective measures required to protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka in the backdrop of escalating terrorists attacks” by the Tamil Tigers.

He said the Government is compelled to consider Ms. Arbour’s warning on ‘individual criminal responsibility’ as being untimely, inappropriate and unacceptable.

He further stressed that the government will not overturn its decision and will continue to take whatever legal action for the safety of the Sri Lankan citizens.

Minister Samarasinghe said “the Government is committed to the enforcement of military and other lawful measures to protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka and to eliminate terrorism, in accordance with the laws of Sri Lanka and in compliance with international norms and standards including International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law.”

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http://www.colombopage.com/archive_08/January17124458JR.html

Japan not demanding anything from Lanka – Akashi

Japan does not consider it its business to impose its will on other countries. " But we have the right to express apprehnsion over humanitarian and other consequent issues," Japanes Peace Envoy Yasushi Akashi told the media yesterday.

He said the Japanese government does not believe that it should go public on whatever had been achieved as one of the co-chairs. "We feel our efforts have been worthwhile and appreciated by many people in this country. Our genuine efforts are to help in achieving ethnic harmony so that its great potential for growth and harmony could be realised by Sri Lankans."

He also said that when he met President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Monday evening, he conveyed the serious concerns of the Japanese Government, and emphasised that a political solution to the problem would be indispensable.

"And in that context, a devolution package, on which the Government of Sri Lanka had been exerting considerable efforts, must be drafted as soon as possible."

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http://www.island.lk/2008/01/16/news1.html

Countering LTTE: India admits helping Lanka

For the first time in recent years, India has acknowledged helping the Sri Lankan navy in its operations against the Tamil Tigers.

Indian Navy chief Adm Sureesh Mehta said in the capital on Wednesday that India has been helping Sri Lanka.

''There is no direct support. We support by checking our activities on their coast and their activities on ours. In this way we help ourselves by helping them,'' said Admiral Sureesh Mehta, Navy Chief.

In Colombo, Sri Lankan Navy Commander Vice Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda has confirmed what the Indian Navy chief said in New Delhi.

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http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080038643&ch=1/16/2008%202:41:00%20PM

Friday, January 11, 2008

Bomb Explosion in Colombo Fort Railway station

A bomb explosion has taken place in the Colombo fort railway station around 7.35 this evening. According to the available information the explosion has occurred on the fourth railway platform.

Police suspects that the explosion was caused by a parcel bomb. One person has suffered minor injuries due to the explosion.

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http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080111_14

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

large explosion had taken place at Colombo Fort, in front of Lake house short while ago.

large explosion had taken place at Colombo Fort, in front of Lake house short while ago.

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http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080108_13

Govt. to ban tiger organization?

According to reports from government sources Mahinda Rajapakse government is planning to proscribe tiger organization.

According to these sources initial steps towards proscribing the terrorist organization are being prepared and the proposal to proscribe tiger organization will be presented to the cabinet meeting scheduled to be held tomorrow (9th).

Several weekend newspapers last weekend had reported that the government had decided to proscribe the terrorist organization and the relevant proposal would be presented to the cabinet by the Prime Minister.

Extracted from,
http://www.lankatruth.com/full_story/2008/January/08/20080108_05.htm

Assassination of Minister Dassanayaka is a further call for unity against terror - President

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, responding to this morning's assassination of Minister of National Heritage, D.M. Dassanayaka, said that this act of terrorism deserves the most vehement and unequivocal condemnation by all those who respect democracy,

desire peace and value human life. The President said in a media release issued this afternoon that ' his assassination in a claymore mine attack by the LTTE is yet another example of its continued commitment to terror and violence to achieve its separatist goals, and absolute contempt and disregard for human values and the policies and practices of democracy.'

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http://news.lk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4523&Itemid=44

India agrees to play on in Test series

India's troubled cricket tour of Australia is back on track after a day of tense negotiations resulted in the tourists last night agreeing to fulfil their commitments.
But the backdown came only after India pressured International Cricket Council chief executive Malcolm Speed into axing umpire Steve Bucknor for next week's third Test.

The ICC also agreed to India's request to appeal against the three-match suspension handed to Harbhajan Singh for calling Australian Andrew Symonds a monkey during the Sydney Test.

Speed revealed yesterday a senior judge from one of 16 cricketing countries would be appointed to hear Harbhajan's appeal against a racism conviction as soon as possible.

Speed said he had summoned a peacemaker – chief referee Ranjan Madugalle of Sri Lanka – to counsel the captains of the two warring teams, Ricky Ponting and Anil Kumble.

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http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/

Sri Lanka slams Nordic claim that truce saved 10,000 lives

Sri Lanka has slammed a claim by the Nordic countries that the now abrogated Ceasefire Agreement with the Tamil Tigers had saved 10,000 Sri Lankan lives.

The Sri Lankan government peace secretariat Monday described as 'dubious' the claim by foreign ministers of five Nordic countries late last week that the truce pact with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) had saved as many as 10,000 Sri Lankan lives in the first three years of its existence.

The Norway-brokered pact was signed in February 2002, and five Nordic countries jointly monitored its working. But last week, the Sri Lankan government unilaterally abrogated it, saying that it was a 'non-functioning' agreement, which facilitated violence rather than peace.

The government statement said that the Nordic ministers showed signs of ignorance of the rulings of the fully Nordic Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) as well as the concerted attacks conducted by the LTTE.

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http://www.indiaenews.com/srilanka/20080107/90226.htm

LTTE threats cause Indian PM cancelling visit to Sri Lanka -Claims Dr Subramanian Swamy.

Dr. Subramanian Swamy claims cancellation of Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh’s visit to Sri Lanka to attend the Sri Lanka’s 60th independence ceremony in Colombo was due to security concerns for his safety.

Dr. Subramanian Swamy in his exclusive interview to Nilatha Ilangamuwa of the Sri Lanka Guardian, gave his insight into the current political and military developments in Sri Lanka.

“I think Indian Prime Minster is in the hit list of the LTTE. The LTTE does not agree with India’s regional role. India is totally opposed to the LTTE and wanting its elimination”, Dr. Swamy said.

Dr. Swamy expressed serious concerns about the Government of Sri Lanka on its policy towards the Tamil and Tamil speaking people.

‘Sri Lanka Government must step up its accommodative approach towards the Tamil people’ and said he ‘wants its attitude change from its present negative stance. Current political climate is very bad development and is curtailing the country. What we are seeing is the government policy is taking the racist path like in the past’ he claimed.

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http://lankaguardian.blogspot.com/2008/01/

SriLankan Airlines brings international media to the country to boost tourism

National carrier, SriLankan Airlines, has arranged for travel journalists from international widespread magazines and newspapers to visit the country during 2007 in order to boost the appeal of the nation as a major tourist destination.

Invited media guests are taken around the island nation to familiarize them with popular areas such as the cities Dambulla and Colombo as well as beach resorts in the south.

“They are invited and brought to Sri Lanka at the airline’s expense, not only to write about the airline, but to provide valuable publicity for the country,” said SriLankan Airlines’ Head of Corporate Communications, Chandana De Silva.

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http://www.etravelblackboardasia.com/article.asp?id=50709&nav=2

Monday, January 7, 2008

Dubai's Emirates Airline ends contract with Sri Lankan Airlines

The Dubai-based Emirates Airline will not renew a 10-year contract to manage Sri Lankan Airlines which expires on March 31, local newspaper Gulf News reported on Monday.

Emirates will pass Sri Lankan Airlines' management control to the government of Sri Lanka, which owns 51 percent of the carrier, in April.

The end of partnership between Emirates and the Sri Lankan government came after a controversy last month when the latter cancelled the work permit of Sri Lankan Airline's CEO Peter Hill after the carrier denied seats to an entourage led by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

"Emirates has notified the government of Sri Lanka that it will not be renewing the shareholder's agreement which expires on March 31," said Tim Clark, president of Emirates and managing director of Sri Lankan Airlines.

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http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90778/90858/90863/6333719.html

Anura to re-join ‘Carnival of Clowns’, gets enhanced security

As widely expected in political circles, Anura Bandaranaike, MP, over the weekend reached an understanding with President Mahinda Rajapaksa to re-join the Cabinet, which he once dubbed as a ‘Carnival of Clowns’.

President Rajapaksa amidst tight security visited Visumpaya, where Bandaranaike had, since his latest crossover (from the ruling coalition to the Opposition), just before the December 14 final vote on the Budget, stayed despite a vacation order. The government slashed his security contingent from 72 to two, withdrew his kitchen staff provided by the Ceylon Hotels Corporation and his vehicles immediately after he joined the Opposition.

Altogether, he had over 100 workers provided by the government, sources said. Had Bandaranaike rejected the President’s overtures, he would have been removed from Visumpaya shortly, sources said.

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http://www.island.lk/2008/01/07/news2.html

M'lore police nab suspected LTTE stooges

The Dakshina Kannada police today nabbed two suspected LTTE stooges who were involved in Money laundering and other works for the LTTE network.

The Police gave the names of the arrested persons as Bala Reuben alias Reuben aged 22 of Vavuniya district in Northern Srilanka and Nallathambi Jayasheelan alias Sheelan aged 25 belonging to Sangana district of North Jaffna.

The police inspector of Kankanady rural station Jayanth Shetty and Mangalore North Police Inspector Umesh Shet apprehended them in a city lodge on a tip off operation carried out today. Police Sub Inspector Narayan Byndoor was also involved in the operations. Speaking to Mangalorean.Com Jayanth V Shetty preferred to call the duo as 'Associates of LTTE'. The tip off came from the internal sources of the police and the suspicion came stronger when they were speaking in Tamil on the phone.

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http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=broadcast&broadcastid=62906
Photo,
http://mangalorean.com/images/newstemp15/20080105ltte3.jpg

Indian filmstars in adverts for alleged LTTE fundraiser:report

Colourful posters featuring South Indian filmstars have come up in a few stores in London advertising a fundraising event allegedly for the LTTE, state media claimed here today.
The posters invite people to a show on Thai-Pongal day next week sponsored by an organisation allegedly close to Tamil Tigers, the government-owned Daily News said.

White Pigeon, the newly formed "charity" allegedly linked to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) that replaced the activities of the Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation after it was banned in the United Kingdom "is vigorously promoting the event unobstructed in the United Kingdom", the newspaper claimed.

"Alexandra Palace in London, the venue where thousands of LTTE supporters converged to pay their last respects to the remains of Britain-based leader Anton Balasingham and collect funds will be once again used on the coming Thai - Pongal day to raise one million pounds to procure arms for terrorism," the daily said.

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http://www.ptinews.com/pti%5Cptisite.nsf/0/

CFA abrogation unmasks LTTE - TULF leader

The Tamil United Liberation Front leader Veerasingam Anandasangaree welcoming the decision to abrogate the Ceasefire Agreement said that the agreement only helped the LTTE to expand its terrorist activities and to blindfold the international community.

Anandasangaree commenting on the abrogation of the CFA told the 'Sunday Observer' that the CFA should have been scrapped when the LTTE went beyond its limits. "The CFA was introduced to streamline the peace process.

Not only Sri Lankans even the international community expected the CFA to work effectively. But the LTTE had committed the bulk of the CFA violations. The CFA allowed the organisation to carry out the political activities in the cleared areas. But instead of concentrating on political matters, the outfit was planning its war strategies within the cleared areas to launch its attacks against the Security Forces," Sangaree said.

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http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2008/01/06/sec01.asp

Man from TN held on charges of smuggling fuel for LTTE

A suspected agent of separatist outfit LTTE was arrested after a fight with a Tamil Nadu police when he was attempting to smuggle diesel for the banned Sri Lankan group at Mandapam.

Mahendran, a native of Sivaganga District, was walking along the seashore with two cans of diesel when Sub-Inspector Ravi followed him on suspicion on Friday night, police sources said.

Sensing trouble, Mahendran pulled out a sword and tried to attack the SI, who however, escaped unhurt, overpowered him and seized the sword and the diesel cans, they said.

Investigation showed Mahendran was an LTTE agent smuggling essential commodities for the Sri Lankan militant group, said the sources.

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