150 LTTE cadres including child soldiers killed in one month - LTTE posters reveal

Three obituary posters found by troops operating in the Mannar battlefront have revealed details of 150 LTTE cadres, including more than 20 child soldiers, killed in one month. According to defence sources, the posters were found on a billboard at a recently captured office of an LTTE regional leader in the Karakakulam area.

The three posters contain details of 50 LTTE cadres on each, including their name, rank and the unit that they had been attached to. However, no ranks were mentioned against 30 cadres who appear very young in their early or mid-teens. According to the details mentioned on the posters, the LTTE cadres were killed at various locations in the Jaffna and Wanni theatre of operations from 17th February to 10th March this year.

A defence intelligence official speaking to defence.lk said that many of the LTTE cadres on the poster must have been those forcibly led into the battle by the terrorist leadership.

"The pictures of teenagers and children show the LTTE is still using child soldiers despite its attempts cover up the existence of its shameful baby brigade", he said.

"There were pictures of 5 self-styled "Lieutenant Colonels", 9 "Majors", 14 "Captains", 51 "Lieutenants", 41 "Second Lieutenants" and 30 others without any rank, on the posters", he added.

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http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080625_02
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http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080625_02

Wanni operations 24th June 2008

Source,
http://www.defence.lk/videos/2080624_SLRC.wmv

Army Springs Another Surprise, Opens New Front West of A9; Task Force 11 Advance on New Targets, Tigers Retreat

With the offensive on the Vanni front reaching a decisive stage, the army has opened a new front west of the Jaffna-Kandy road.

While the 57 Division stepped up pressure on the LTTE holding on to Periyamadhu, about 16 kilometres north of Madhu, the newly created Task Force 11 would advance northwards. Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said the Task Force 11 would be on the eastern flank of the 57 Division and west of the A9 road.

Fielding questions, Nanayakkara said that while the 57 Division and Task Force 11 would advance on the LTTE-held territory, the newly created 61 Division would be deployed on a holding role in areas captured by the 57 Division. The 57 Division had regained about 600 square kilometres since it launched operations last year.

Nanayakkara said troops had made significant progress on the Vanni and Weli Oya fronts. The operations conducted by Task Force 11 would hasten the collapse of the LTTE on the Vanni west, the official said, asserting the LTTE wouldn’t be able to resist the army on three different fronts in the area west of the A9 road.

The Task Force 1 on the Mannar front has advanced upto Adampan and on Tuesday (25) brought a further three square kilometre area in the general area Adampan under control. SLAF spokesman Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said Mi 24 helicopter gunships had engaged an LTTE bunker line north east of Anandakulam Tuesday at 6.30 pm. The Mi 24s struck in support of the Task Force 1 about 45 minutes after jets launched from Katunayake air base bombed an LTTE training facility north of Oddusudan, he said.

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http://www.army.lk/morenews.php?id=14141

Air strikes on LTTE line of bunkers and 3 LTTE artillery locations

WELIOYA: Air Force MI24 helicopters carried out air strikes on LTTE line of bunkers 3km north of MITHUKAIKULAM tank ahead in FDL today(25) around 1.15pm. These air strikes were made to support the ground troops in WELIOYA FDL. Air Force confirms that the air strikes were carried out effectively.

JAFFNA: Meantime today (25) around 1.45pm Air Force fighter jets bombed 3 LTTE artillery locations, 3km south of MUHAMALAI FDL. These air strikes too were made to support the ground troops in JAFFNA FDL. Air force confirms that the air strikes were carried out effectively.

Extracted from,
http://www.nationalsecurity.lk/fullnews.php?id=13422

M'sia releases Sri Lankan accused of nuclear links

MALAYSIA said on Monday that it had released a Sri Lankan man held for four years over alleged links with a nuclear black market run by Pakistan's Abdul Qadeer Khan, saying he did not pose any threat.

Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar said Buhary Syed Abu Tahir remained in the country and would be monitored.

'He is not a threat. The recommendation for him is to be released but he is a subject for us to watch over,' Mr Syed Hamid told reporters.

'Four years he has been inside, I think we have investigated what we need to investigate,' he said.

The Star newspaper said that Tahir, who has permanent residency status in Malaysia, was released on June 6 and is under restrictions including a ban on going out at night without permission. He must also report to police weekly.

Tahir was described by US President George W. Bush in 2004 as the 'chief financial officer and money launderer' for Pakistan's disgraced scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan.

Khan admitted passing nuclear secrets to Libya, Iran and North Korea in a televised confession in February 2004, placing him in the thick of a global atomic black market.

Tahir was arrested in May 2004 in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur under the controversial Internal Security Act, which provides for detention without trial.

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http://www.straitstimes.com/Latest%2BNews/S-E%2BAsia/STIStory_250828.html

Bodies of fire victims sent to Sri Lanka

Bodies of three Sri Lankans who were burnt to death in a fire last Wednesday were flown home last night.

Five of the nine occupants of a room were perished in the fire that destroyed everything in their dwelling. Two others had been admitted to the hospital with severe burns while two others escaped by jumping off the window.

The mortal remains of Thushitha Ananda Abeywickrama of Ambilipitiya; Roshan Thushitha Kumara of Akurassa and Niula Lakshman Ekanayaka alias Nimal from Chilaw were taken by a SriLankan flight (UL201), which left Doha at 9.40pm last night. It is scheduled to arrive in Colombo at 5am today.

The Sri Lankan embassy “managed to get the support of the relevant Qatari authorities and the media” to expedite matters with regard to the fire accident,” said charge d'affaires A Dharmakulasingham yesterday.
“The exceptional co-operation extended by the relevant Qatari authorities enabled this mission to despatch the bodies,” he said. The Qatari sponsor of the three Sri Lankans, who bore the expenses of sending the bodies, also donated money for the funeral rites.

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http://www.gulf-times.com/site/
Photo,
http://www.gulf-times.com/mritems/images/2008/6/25/2_226405_1_248.jpg

EPDP Eravur leader arrested in connection with abduction

Clarifying reports that claimed that an EPDP leader of Eravur was in Police custody, the OIC of the Eravur Police alleged that he was detained in connection with the abduction of a businessman.

Speaking to www.news.lk OIC S.B. Rathanayake said that a businessman named Devadas Suresh (31) has been abducted and later assaulted at the Eravur EPDP office.

Police investigating the complaint made by family members of Mr. Suresh has taken the suspected into custody for questioning, the OIC added.

According to Eravur Police the suspected, Darmalingam Illamaram alias Ravi, is alleged to have touched Mr. Suresh for ransom. Earlier the EPDP office has taken a motorbicycle owned by Mr. Suresh by force.

A second motorcycle had been demanded, apparently, and since this was not given, Mr. Suresh had been abducted along with the bike.

The suspect has also been accused of committing a murder at an earlier incident in Chenkaladi.

"The EPDP member is attached to the Eravur office of the party not to Vakarai," the OIC added, correcting earlier reports in certain media.

Extracted from,
http://www.news.lk/index.php

Afghan President Karzai to participate in SAARC summit in Colombo

President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan and Afghanistan delegation will be participating in the forthcoming SAARC summit to be held in Colombo in August.

Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama visited Kabul to formally to invite President Hamid Karzai and Afghanistan delegation on behalf of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, to the Colombo Summit

The call by Sri Lanka Foreign minister Rohitha Bogollagama on President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan in Kabul on 24th June, had as its outcome a clear meeting of minds on the need for SAARC to resolutely address the contemporary challenges facing the South Asian region. Towards this end the energy crisis, the rising food prices and the suppression of terrorism were identified as requiring a special focus during the forthcoming SAARC Summit in Colombo.

The Sri Lankan Foreign Minister while exchanging views with President Karzai and Foreign Minister Rangin Dadfar Spanta on SAARC issues, also addressed the further strengthening of bilateral relations with Afghanistan. Minister Bogollagama’s view was that the establishment of an effective sectoral delivery mechanism would significantly enhance the present levels of economic and commercial cooperation in the region was endorsed.

On the bilateral plane, it was resolved that better commercial links through the engagement of the respective trade chambers, would be facilitated. Collaboration in the fields of cultural relations and educational cooperation would also be stepped up.

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http://www.asiantribune.com/?q=node/11915

Jayawardene gears up for Asia Cup defense

Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene knows only too well the two best teams in the Asian Cup stand before his team and a title defense. If we have to win this tournament, we have to beat the best," Jayawardene said Tuesday _ a day before the 2004 champion takes on Bangladesh in its opening match of Group B, which also includes the United Arab Emirates.

It is very important for us as we are the defending champion of the Asia Cup and (also) the World Cup finalist," the veteran batsman said. Sri Lanka will be without injured fast bowlers Lasith Malinga and Farveez Maharoof, but Jayawardene maintains Sri Lanka still has enough firepower in its bowling attack to give Pakistan and India tough time, assume all three advance to the second round as expected. We are very passionate about playing cricket and winning matches for our country," Jayawardene said.

We have been working very hard in preparation for this tournament." Sri Lanka still has two world class bowlers who are sure to trouble the big teams in left-arm paceman Chaminda Vaas and prolific offspinner Muttiah Muralitharan. Despite its credentials in matching the world's top flight teams in limited-overs cricket, Sri Lanka has experienced a form slump since losing last year's World Cup final to Australia, winning just eight of its past 22 one dayers with three victories coming against lowly ranked Bangladesh.

It's not that we have been playing badly, we are not consistent with our game," Jayawardene said. There are some areas in which we needed improvement and hopefully we can get that all right in this tournament

Extracted from,
http://www.thefrontierpost.com/News.aspx?ncat=sn&nid=448

SriLankan Increases Flights To Woo Middle Eastern Tourists

SriLankan Airlines has increased its flights to the Middle East in an effort to woo more tourists from the region to Sri Lanka.

Working closely with the Sri Lankan government in this regard, the airline will now have 37 weekly connections to nine cities in the Middle East - Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Bahrain, Doha, Muscat, Dammam, Riyadh, Jeddah and Kuwait.

SriLankan said in a statement here Wednesday that the additional flights are to three cities - Doha from the present four to six, Bahrain from five to seven and Dammam from two to three.

"The government has identified the Middle East as one of four major tourist markets and has launched a series of marketing campaigns to raise awareness of the islands attractions," SriLankan said.

According to the airline, there has been an 80 percent increase in Middle Eastern tourist arrivals during the first quarter of 2008.

"Our focus is on leisure travellers and several holiday packages have been unveiled to cater specially for the Middle Eastern tourists," its regional manager for Middle East, Africa and CIS, Mohamed Fazeel said.

Extracted from,
http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news_lite.php?id=341854

Sri Lanka's Dhammika Perera buys more Hayleys

Sri Lanka stocks closed flat Wednesday with Dhammika Perera's Vallibel group buying more Hayleys shares and further increasing their stake in the conglomerate to 14.74 percent, brokers said.
The overall market was barely changed with the All Share Price Index down 0.06 percent (1.41 points) to end at 2,479.92 while the more liquid Milanka edged up 0.18 percent (5.33 points) to 3,009.96. Turnover was 550 million rupees.

The biggest trades were on Hayleys which closed up 1.75 at 133.75 following deals amounting to 2,753,000 shares that added 358.61 million rupees to the turnover, brokers said.

Vallibel Power Erathna, which saw its share price being pushed up on speculative trading during the week, was again traded with 2,015,000 changing hands. The share closed ten cents higher at 4.20 rupees.

John Keells Holdings closed 50 cents lower at 112.00 and adding 75.81 million rupees to turnover.

Brokers believe investors who have sold out of Hayleys may have changed their portfolio to include JKH.

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http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/fullstory.php?nid=396860606

Government of Sri Lanka upgrades to Jampro Antenna System for multi-frequency, full island coverage

Jampro Antennas announced that the national television network of Sri Lanka, the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC), is upgrading its mountain-top antenna system with a new Jampro panel antenna system.

The Jampro model JHD-HV4, a half wave space four dipole flat panel antenna was specially selected by SLRC for the tough multi-channel assignment. It will be mounted atop 2,500 metre high Mt. Pidurutalagala, the highest peak in Sri Lanka, and exposed to extreme weather conditions.

Constructed of heavy-duty, hot dipped galvanized steel, the JHD-H4V will be the prime antenna to feed all other SLRC transmissions throughout the country.
Utilizing a pressurized feed system, the JHD-HV4 is designed for high-band VHF (Ch 7-13) Band lll. It has proven to have excellent bandwidth and low VSWR.
SLRC made its first transmission in 1982.

It expanded its studio and transmission facilities in 1986 and transitioned to digital technology in 1998 under three grant aid projects from the Government of Japan. The studio complex is located in Colombo, the commercial capital of Sri Lanka.

Extracted from,
http://www.onscreenasia.com/article-3358

Air forces raids LTTE's training base - Oddusuddan

Sri Lanka Air Force launched air sorties targeting enemy positions in Oddusuddan and Andankulam areas this evening, June 24, Air Force spokesperson said.

SLAF fighters raided LTTE's training base located 3Km north of Muthiyankaddukulam Tank in Oddusuddan around 5.45 p.m.

Meanwhile, MI-24 helicopter gun ships attacked at an enemy bunker line located 2Km north-east of Andankulam area. The air attack was launched around 6.30 p.m in support of the ground troops in Mannar front.

Extracted from,
http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080624_07

Troops capture several areas in Mannar

The troops operating in the Mannar front yesterday captured several key locations in the North and North East of Adampan securing Mavilkandal, Minnanirachchan and Marattikannaddi areas, Military sources told the Daily News.

At least 10 LTTE cadres were killed in the battle that errupted from early hours of yesterday. Troops captured the Mavilkandal 2.4 Kilometres North of Adampan on the Mannar-Pooneryn road while capturing 700 metres long heavily fortified LTTE defence line in the West of Mavilkandal.

The troops captured nearly one kilometre stretch of this LTTE defence line in the North of Adampan few weeks back.

Meanwhile, troops also captured 500-metre to 600-metre area in Minnanirachchan three Kilometres North East of Adampan.

They also took control of Marattikannaddi in the North West of Andankulam which was used by the Tigers to reinforce cadres into the Mannar front when fighting is going on.

A school building complex and a church were also came under the Security Forces control yesterday.

"The fall of Marattikannaddi is a severe blow to the LTTE as all their operations in the Mannar 'Rice Bowl' area get affected due to this situation," a senior military official added.

Five soldiers also sustained injuries during these confrontations.

Extracted from,
http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/06/25/sec01.asp

“LTTE must lay down arms”

Sri Lanka’s President Mahinda Rajapaksa said on Tuesday his government would not “hesitate to work” with the LTTE if the Tigers were ready to lay down arms.

At a meeting with “religious dignitaries” who called on him, Mr. Rajapaksa has been quoted by his Secretariat as saying it was not his intention to go to war with the people of the country.

“The President assured that he was not at all prepared to compromise the security of the country and people and was not ready to hand over the country to a terrorist organisation,” said a statement by his Secretariat.

It said the gathering “commended the efforts” by the President to bring a lasting solution to the ethnic issue by setting up an All Party Representative Conference. It requested him to include religious and political leaders too in the conference.

The statement said the religious dignitaries told the President that certain groups were propagating “baseless allegations locally and internationally against the government and bringing disgrace” to the country.

Extracted from,
http://www.hindu.com/2008/06/25/stories/2008062556101600.htm

LTTE plan to launch air raids on city uncovered

An LTTE plan to launch air raids in Colombo by bringing in dismantled aircraft and assembling them in Yatiyantota in the Kegalle area has been uncovered by police.

SSP Yatiyantota Wilfred Mahanayake made this disclosure at a workshop held to educate the estate sector in the area on security. He also noted the air force had noticed some mysterious aircraft flying in the area before and asked people to report any such activity to the police. The workshop was jointly organized by the Police and Caritas SL, the social service arm of the Catholic Church.

Mr. Mahanayake also pointed out the Yatiyantota- Colombo road had become a key route used by the LTTE to bring explosives in to Colombo. He therefore requested estate workers to be vigilant and inform the police of any suspicious movement of strangers coming into the area and any suspicious objects. He said disasters come in many forms and people should be ready in order to avoid them.

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http://www.lankaeverything.com/vinews/srilanka/20080623012911.php