5 fishermen questioned for smuggling contraband to LTTE- Rameshwaram (Tamil Nadu)

At least five of the 24 fishermen handed over to Indian Coast Guard officials by the Sri Lankan Navy are being interrogated for allegedly smuggling contraband to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), police said Wednesday.

The five fishermen belong to three inland districts of Tamil Nadu. The Indian fishermen had been jailed in Sri Lanka May 14 following their arrest in Palk Bay by the Sri Lankan Navy, an official press communiqué said.

Sri Lankan officials claimed that the fishermen were supplying contraband to the banned LTTE, a charge denied by the Indian fishermen who alleged wrongdoing by the isle's navy, Indian Navy sources said.

During the last two years, 96 cases have been registered against illegal traffic across the Palk Straits - the narrow expanse of water separating India and Sri Lanka.

Extracted from,
http://www.newkerala.com/one.php?action=fullnews&id=68965

5 fishermen questioned for smuggling contraband to LTTE- Rameshwaram (Tamil Nadu)

At least five of the 24 fishermen handed over to Indian Coast Guard officials by the Sri Lankan Navy are being interrogated for allegedly smuggling contraband to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), police said Wednesday.

The five fishermen belong to three inland districts of Tamil Nadu. The Indian fishermen had been jailed in Sri Lanka May 14 following their arrest in Palk Bay by the Sri Lankan Navy, an official press communiqué said.

Sri Lankan officials claimed that the fishermen were supplying contraband to the banned LTTE, a charge denied by the Indian fishermen who alleged wrongdoing by the isle's navy, Indian Navy sources said.

During the last two years, 96 cases have been registered against illegal traffic across the Palk Straits - the narrow expanse of water separating India and Sri Lanka.

Extracted from,
http://www.newkerala.com/one.php?action=fullnews&id=68965

“India’s naval surveillance a big help to Sri Lanka”

India’s maritime “surveillance” has “helped” Sri Lanka in “a big way” in facing the challenge from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. Emphasising this, Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollogama told The Hindu that his country would continue to “advocate” that the international community take steps to dry up the sources of funding and other forms of support for the LTTE.

Outlining Sri Lanka’s diplomatic offensive in East Asia, Mr. Bogollogama, who was here to attend the ‘Shangri-La Dialogue,’ cited Australia for its efforts in moving against suspected pro-LTTE fund-raisers and front-men.

Asked whether the LTTE’s nucleus still remained intact, he said external assistance was needed to prevent “the supply of energy” to this core particle. While Canada, the United States, India, the United Kingdom, and the European Union had already proscribed the LTTE, Sri Lanka would not relent in its campaign for further actions by the international community.

“The navies of India and Sri Lanka are cooperating to the extent at which the interests of both countries are safeguarded vis-À-vis the threat that can emanate from the [maritime] movement of terrorists led by the LTTE.” He would not, however, describe this naval cooperation in any politically-sensitive terminology.

Read more,
http://www.hindu.com/2008/06/04/stories/2008060455721300.htm

NORWAY: Talking Peace, Exporting Weapons

Peace builder Norway is the world's seventh largest exporter of weapons and ammunition, according to recent figures.

There are estimated to be about 639 million small arms and light weapons in the world today, according to the Control Arms campaign coordinated by Amnesty International, Oxfam and the London-based International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA). These often end up in the wrong hands, contributing both to wars and violent crime, and hindering development.

Norway, a country which prides itself on its peace building credentials, was the world's seventh largest exporter of weapons components, ammunition and tanks in 2006, according to recent figures based on earnings from Norway's Central Statistics Bureau (SSB).

In 2007 Norwegian weapons exporters earned 425 million dollars -- an 18 percent increase on the previous year, and the largest in Norwegian history. This was 3.5 percent of the global weapons trade, although the secretiveness of the global weapons industry and the illegal weapons trade makes exact measurements impossible.

According to the Norwegian foreign department's legal guidelines, weapons should not be exported to countries at war, where there is a threat of war, or where there is a civil war. But a recent report from the NGO Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) lists a series of controversial arms and ammunitions transfers from Norway in the past two decades.

read more,
http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=42650

No talks without Norway – LTTE

LTTE Peace Secretariat Head, S. Pulidevan said while the organization had been in close contact with key Norwegian figures such as Erik Solheim and the Norwegian Ambassador, it would wait for the facilitators to be granted access to Kilinochchi to further discuss issues relating to future peace talks with the government.

“There are several issues we want to discuss with the Norwegian facilitators before discussing peace with the Sri Lankan government. We want to hold a meeting with the Norwegians. However the facilitators are not being granted access to enter Kilinochchi by the Sri Lankan government,” Mr. Pulidevan told the Daily Mirror in a telephone interview from Kilinochchi.

Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona had told the media in Singapore, where he is on a visit with the Foreign Minister, the government was looking for a

negotiated end to the conflict but stressed that so far the LTTE had not shown an interest to enter into such constructive dialogue.

“The LTTE is free to come back to the negotiating table but it must do so genuinely with a commitment to negotiating a sustainable peace and for that it must also leave aside its weaponry,” he said.

Read more,
http://www.keralanext.com/news/?id=134265406

Tamil Nationalism becomes The Ethno-Suicide of Sri Lankan Tamils

The German-Swedish academic Peter Shalk has come forward to present us "Quotes by Veluppillai Pirapakaram", in an article published in the Sri Lanka Guardian ( May 29, http://www.srilankaguardian.org/2008/05/ quotes-by-veluppillai-pirapakaran.html ). It is a known fact that Dr. Shalk has become totally mesmerized by the macabre madness of the "suicidal Black Tigers".

So here we see him rehashing the words of Prabhakaran with the reverence of a true devotee. Shalk is not alone in getting religiously misled by the poisonous, violent mono-ethnic nationalism of Prabhakaran. Shalk should know all that from the National-Socialist mesmerism of the 1930s in Germany.

Shalk's Faustian preamble totally fails to reveal the ghoulish, sanguinary sadism of Prabakaran's words, and their terrible consequence on the Tamil people as well as on Muslims, Singhalese and others who have anything to do with Sr Lanka. V. Prabhakaran (VP)'s words reveal how a call for "self-determination for the Tamils" has transformed into its dialectical opposite.

VP's talk of education and culture has ended in the suppression of Tamil freedom, killing of leading academics and the closure of schools and universities. His celebration of blood and death as the seed of Eelam for a pure Tamil land, and his celebration of the "unwavering aim for Eelam" and the consequent "short-lived cease fires" are seen as assets in the "Tamil struggle". This struggle is supposed to have arisen, (in the eyes of Shalk as well?) "to achieve violently a state formation as protection and last refuge from the Lankan Government's attacks".

read more,
http://www.lankaweb.com/news/items08/030608-2.html

Police seeks public assistance to arrest terror suspect

Police investigation units seek public assistance to arrest the terror suspect who has detonated an IED slightly damaging a rail track injuring 18 civilians between Wellawattha and Dehiwala this morning (June 4).

The Police while commending the public for their awareness, which had made it possible to avert tragedy, issued a photo of the suspect with following details.

Available details are as follows:

Name: Jatheesan Balasubramaniyam
Date of Birth: 1978.08.28
Passport No: N 1898438
NIC No: 782413538 V
Address: Wattala (general area)

Inform details to following Police emergency numbers:
118
119
0112421111
0112327711

Extracted from,
http://defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080604_07

Air Strikes On Two LTTE Artillery Points and One Sea Tiger Base

Today (04) Air Force fighter jets pounded three areas occupied by the LTTE terrorists.

KILINOCHCHI: Today around 1.30pm in KALMUNEI point Air-Force fighter jets carried out air strikes on a LTTE Artillery Point.

MUHAMALAI: Meanwhile around 1.35pm in SORANPATTU area 10km south of the MUHAMALAI Forward Defence Line another LTTE Artillery Point was engaged by AirForce fighter jets.

MULATHEIV: Another air-strike was carried out in a Sea Tiger Base located 1km southeast of NAYARU lagoon today (04) around 11.40 a.m.

Air Force pilots confirmed that the air strike was a total success.

Extracted from,
http://www.nationalsecurity.lk/fullnews.php?id=12932

LTTE’s Target on Office Train Misses; Seventeen Civilians Affected

AN ATTEMPT to cause another bloodbath by blowing up a passing COLOMBO bound office train this morning (4) around 7.20 a.m. near a railway bridge close to ASELA MAWATHA, WELLAWATTA failed as the powerful explosive device detonated seconds after the last compartment of the train passed the spot.

A length of about 1 ft of the railway track was split and damaged as a result of the explosion, believed to have been triggered by Tamil Tigers or their aides.

Seventeen civilians, reported to have been in the last compartment of the train received shrapnel injuries as the train slowed down to pass through the bridge. It is believed some bystanders were also among the wounded in the explosion.

read more,
http://www.army.lk/morenews.php?id=13726
Photos,
http://www.army.lk/morenews.php?id=13726,
http://www.news.lk/index.php and
http://defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080604_03

Dead children named

Two children found stabbed to death in their Carshalton home have been officially named.

Shanjayan Navaneethan, five, and his four-year-old sister Sharani were attacked at their home Park Lane, Carshalton home on Friday night.

Their mum, Sasikala Navaneethan has been detained under the Mental Health Act.

The 35-year-old's six-month old baby daughter, also found stabbed, is in a serious condition in hospital.

Despite all three children being rushed to hospital, Shanjayan and Sharani died within 15 minutes of each other shortly after arrival.

Mrs Navaneethan is due to be transferred to a secure psychiatric hospital according to police.
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"She will go to a secure mental health facility where she will undergo further assessment and receive any treatment that might be needed.

Read more,
http://www.wimbledonguardian.co.uk/news

Sri Lanka government winds-up the Ministry of Special Projects

Reducing the size of its jumbo cabinet the government of Sri Lanka has disclosed its plans to close-down the Ministry of Special Projects with effect from June 6, 2008.

The decision to close down the Ministry headed by Mahinda Wijesekara was published in the Gazette Extraordinary 1552/7 issued on June 2, 2008.

The Ministry of Special Projects has made little contribution to the country’s development during the past. The Minister Mahinda Wijesekara is scheduled to take over as the Minister of Posts and Telecommunication.

Mahinda Wijesekara is one of the 17 members of the Karu Jayasuriya faction crossed over to the government side from the opposition UNP.

extracted from,
http://www.colombopage.com/archive_08/June4170256SL.html

Sri Lanka hosts 1st National Scout Youth Forum

For the first time, Sri Lanka Scouts Association (SLSA) organized the National Scout Youth Forum and elected six young people to represent themselves.

The event gathered 34 young people, including five from Sri Lanka Girl Guides Association, who camped together at the Lee Dassanayake Scout Centre, in Mirigama, Sri Lanka from 21st to 23rd May 2008.

Out of 34 Scout districts, 14 were represented in this Youth Forum.

Resource speakers made an input on Communications, Skills and Conflict Resolution (Peace Skills), while regional office representatives Mr Syd Castillo presented an input on World Scouting and Youth Involvement.

Some of the recommendations made by the participants to SLSA is to develop a proper and relevant Scout leader training programme and to promote awareness among the community on the importance of the B.-P. Award and other Rover activities.

Extracted from,
http://www.scout.org/around_the_world

Lankans Tamils arrested with fake currency

Two Sri Lankan Tamils were jailed Tuesday evening for depositing fake Rs.1,000 notes amounting to Rs.200,000 in a private bank here, police said. The suspects were identified as K. Parameswaran, 22, and J. Prince, 28, both from Jaffna, Sri Lanka. They were residing in Chennai’s southern suburb for over a year.

After they attempted to deposit a similar amount into one of their accounts in a different branch earlier in Rs.1,000 denomination notes, the bank’s cashier tipped off the police, leading to the arrests.

An official from Tamil Nadu police’s Q branch that probes offences by Lankan émigrés told IANS that the involvement of a gang was suspected as more fake notes were found lying scattered in another branch of the same bank situated in a suburb here by an alert local Tuesday.

Extracted from,
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal

Sri Lanka Says Intelligence Reveals Rebels Divided (Update1)

The leadership of the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam is divided, Sri Lanka's Defense Ministry said, citing intelligence reports that the head of the group's peace secretariat is under house arrest.

Seevaratnam Prabaharan, also known as Puleedevan, was detained recently on the orders of LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, the ministry said on its Web site.

``According to information received from defense intelligence authorities, the arrest has been made as a result of a worsening internal dispute among key LTTE figures,'' the ministry said. Telephone calls to the peace secretariat weren't answered today.

The Tamil Tigers, who have been fighting for a separate Tamil homeland in northern and eastern Sri Lanka for 25 years, hold their last remaining bases in the north after losing control of Eastern Province last July. Sri Lanka's army and air force have targeted LTTE leaders, killing the head of its political wing in November.

The LTTE's Peace Secretariat issued a statement late yesterday highlighting an army attack that it said killed six civilians near Mullaitivu in the north.

Read more,
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news

Mystery deepens on the death of Balaraj and on the selective leaks of LTTE leaders’ movements

The year 2008 so far has proved to be a bad year for the LTTE. In this year two prominent LTTE leaders and one of the most senior LTTE female leaders got killed in the battle within the LTTE control area.

The LTTE had announced that its number two or overall operations commander Balraj died of a heart attack.

However, well informed sources from Tiger territory said Balraj died in a clandestine claymore bomb attack at Pallamadu in north Mannar.

After the Sri Lanka Army advanced on three fronts from January this year to the LTTE controlled area, LTTE leader V. Prabhakaran is said to have appointed battle-hardened Balraj to supervise the three battle fronts in North Mannar, Vavuniya and Welioya.

On May 20 morning, Balraj is reported to have had a meeting with Banu in north Mannar to discuss the ongoing military advance of the SL Army and gave strategic advice to Banu on how to repulse the advance. Balraj had his breakfast and then proceeded to his next destination – the Vavuniya battle front to meet Luxman and Swarnam.

Read more,
http://www.asiantribune.com/?q=node/11566

LTTE rejects claims about Peace Secretary's house arrest

The LTTE has dismissed claims that the Director of its 'Peace Secretariat' has been put under house arrest on the direction of the outfit's chief V Prabhakaran, terming such reports as "propaganda" by the Sri Lankan government.

"This is a propaganda of the Sri Lankan government. (Seevaratnam) Pulidevan (LTTE Peace Secretariat director) continues to work in the same position," Tamil Tigers' political head B Nadesan was quoted as saying in a report.

He was reacting to a Defence Ministry report which cited sources in the rebel stronghold of Wanni to say that Pulidevan, the so called "peace secretary" of the LTTE, had been placed under house arrest "on direct orders" of Prabhakaran.

"According to information received from defence intelligence authorities, the arrest has been made as a result of a worsening internal dispute among key LTTE figures," the ministry report said.

It quoted sources as saying that an armed gang led by LTTE's intelligence wing leader Pottu Amman had made the arrest a few days back.

Extracted from,
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200806031760.htm

Sri Lankan envoy visits BEPZA

High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Bangladesh Vadivel Krishnamorthy along with some potential Sri Lankan investors visited the office of the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) here on Monday.

Their visit was followed by a discussion with executive chairman of BEPZA Brig. General Jamil Ahmed Khan, said a press release on Tuesday.

The BEPZA chairman apprised the envoy of the performance and present initiatives of the authority. They also discussed issues relating to mutual interest.

The Sri Lankan envoy appreciated the role and management of EPZs by the BEPZA and assured the BEPZA chairman of all possible cooperation in the development pursuit undertaken by the organisation.

Brig. General Jamil reiterated that the main attraction of the EPZs is peaceful investment climate and its success lies in uninterrupted production oriented working atmosphere and the congenial relationship existing between the workers and the investors. He sought cooperation for more investment from Sri Lanka.

Read more,
http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2008/06/04/news0450.htm

Post mortem to probe child stabbings

Pathologists were expected to carry out post mortem examinations on two young children who were stabbed to death in south London over the weekend, Scotland Yard said on Monday.

"A post-mortem examination is due to be carried out later today or tomorrow," a spokeswoman told AFP.

The two children, a five-year-old boy and his four-year-old sister were taken to hospital with stab wounds on Friday night but died shortly before midnight.

A six-month-old baby girl was also stabbed and remains in "critical but stable condition", the spokeswoman said.

Police said a 35-year-old woman, believed to be the children's mother, has been detained under the Mental Health Act and moved to a secure unit.

The woman was detained on Friday after police were called out to the family home in Carshalton in south London.

The woman's husband was also detained by police and released on bail on Sunday.

The family, believed to be from Sri Lanka, moved into the area last year.

Extracted from,
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iozy_eOBO-NlejHnOmrXyENowpmQ