Sri Lanka Latest News: 05/27/08

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Tamil leader frustrated with fundraising

Federal officials released more documents yesterday that were seized during a massive RCMP investigation into Tamil Tigers fundraising in Canada, including a guerrilla leader's request for "a huge sum" of money.

The police files, unsealed by the Federal Court, are the latest evidence that Sri Lanka's Tamil Tigers rebels have been bankrolling their civil war with money raised by supporters in Canada. But the newly disclosed documents also suggest the Tamil Tigers may not be getting as much from Canada as they would like: In one communique, a senior rebel boss complained that Canadians were not doing enough to support the fight.

Colonel Soosai, who commands the rebel navy wing known as the Sea Tigers, told three Canadian Tamil activists he was frustrated about the "insufficient activities of the branches in Canada and England," according to a 12-page report. He said he was "expecting a huge sum" of money and that Tamil activists should "act accordingly," says the document, written by the Tamil Tigers International Coordination Centre but seized by RCMP counter-terrorism officers in Toronto. The document is an account of a meeting that took place in a rebel-held region of northern Sri Lanka in 2004. Several senior guerrillas addressed the visiting delegation, including Col. Soosai, who complained that "most of the promises" made by foreign supporters "ended up as fictions."

Read more,
http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=541876

Rajapaksa assures full security for SAARC summit

In the backdrop of the spurt in attacks by the LTTE, Sri Lanka has said it will take all necessary security measures during the SAARC summit here from July 27 that is scheduled to be attended by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The assurance was given to SAARC Secretary General Sheel Kanta Sarma who called on Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Monday evening.

"The President Mahinda Rajapaksa told the SAARC Secretary General that all security will be available during the holding of the SAARC summit," an official said.

Security drills for the Indian premier are also being taken up with the Sri Lankan security officials.

Sri Lanka has witnessed a spurt in violence after the government scrapped a tattered 2002 ceasefire with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam thsi January. At least nine persons including five women, were killed and 71 others injured on Monday when a bomb, planted by suspected LTTE rebels, ripped through a packed train near here.

Read more,
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200805271421.htm

Sri Lankan police arrest 33 people over train blast

The police in Sri Lanka said Tuesday 33 people have been held on suspicion over the bomb blast which killed nine people and injured 86 more on Monday.

The blast on board a crowded train along the western coastal line hit the Colombo suburb of Dehiwala late Monday afternoon.

Officials said 72 of the 86 injured are still being treated in two hospitals.

A senior police officer said 15 people out of the 33 arrested on suspicion were released after questioning.

The authorities have alerted the commuters in public transport to be aware of attempts by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to explode bombs.

Read more,
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-05/27/content_8265233.htm

Sri Lankan president vows to crush Tamil rebels after deadly train blast

Sri Lanka's president vowed Tuesday to crush Tamil Tiger rebels after a rush-hour train bombing blamed on the insurgents killed eight passengers and wounded 70 others.

"I will not stop till terrorism is defeated," President Mahinda Rajapaksa told a meeting with media officials, according to a statement from his office.

The bomb blast took place inside a train during Monday evening's rush hour. The train was preparing to leave a railroad station in Dehiwala, just south of Colombo, when the blast tore through it.

Rajapaksa said the rebels had resorted to targeting civilians to divert the government's attention from its successful operations against them in the north.

The rebels did not immediately respond to the allegation.

Read more,
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/05/27/news/Sri-Lanka-Civil-War.php

An LTTE expert in explosive devices killed in air raid - Mannar

An expert in explosive devices of the LTTE in Mannar front identified as "Dhora" has been killed in a successful air raid carried out by the SLAF MI-24 helicopters this morning, May 26.

An explosive dump of the LTTE terrorists was also destroyed in this attack, sources further said.

The air raid was launched targeting LTTE stronghold located in general area Andankulam, 1.5 Km north of the security forces defence in Mannar front around 8.30 a.m. today.

Extracted from,
http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080526_08

Somawansa has become a puppet of JVP’s UNP sympathizers - Nandana

JVP leader Somawansa Amarasinghe has become a puppet in the hands of a powerful segment within the party which is fast becoming a crutch to the main Opposition UNP, General Secretary of the newly formed National Freedom Front and one time JVP Presidential candidate, parliamentarian Nandana Gunatilake said yesterday.

"In the issue of ousting Wimal Weerawansa and others, who dissented against this conspiracy, Comrade Amarasinghe was used to the hilt. He, who once led the campaign of rebuilding the party from ruins, came under the pressure of several conspirators and cracked. He let the conspirators take control and is now politically assassinated," Gunatilake told a media conference at the National Library and Documentation Center in Colombo.

The conspirators within the party had been bought over by the UNP to destroy the JVP, he said. "Comrade Amarasinghe, by giving into the conspirators is also partially responsible for the crisis the party faces today," he said.

Gunatilake said there was speculation in the media recently that Somawansa Amarasinghe would be replaced at the fifth JVP convention scheduled to be held today.

Read more,
http://www.island.lk/2008/05/27/news3.html

Health Minister new WHO Chairman

Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva was appointed the new Chairman of the World Health Organisation (WHO). Representatives from 123 countries voted for him. Minister de Silva is the first South Asian to hold this post which is a special honour for Sri Lanka, Ministry sources said.

Minister de Silva was first elected as a member of the Executive Committee in 1998 and later elected the Vice Chairman of the same committee.

He served in this position up to 2000. Minister de Silva was elected as the member of the Executive Committee representing the South East Asian Region in 2005.

During this time, Minister de Silva maintained a very close association and friendship with other Members and other Member States. Because of his efficiency and dedication he became popular and a distinguished figure among other members of the committee. During the same period he was elected Chairman of the B Committee of the WHO.

Read more,
http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/05/27/news03.asp