Thirty LTTE bunkers destroyed,12 terrorists killed

Thirty LTTE bunkers were completely destroyed this morning (06). When Army troops launched an attack between 5.50 a.m. and 6.30 a.m.

Four LTTE bunkers in NAGARKOVIL ten in the North of A - 9 route, and 16 in KILALI were destroyed.

Troops used T 55 tanks in the NAGARKOVIL attack. Twelve terrorists were killed and a large number were injured in the encounter. Five soldiers were injured.

During Search operations, troops recovered a MPMG weapon, T 56 Weapon, 5 Magazines and some military equipments.

Extracted from,
http://www.nationalsecurity.lk/fullnews.php?id=10518

LTTE rocks Congress-DMK boat again

Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger guerrillas are once again at the heart of a row between Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK party and the Congress.

Chief Minister and DMK patriarch M. Karunanidhi has expressed his disgust over the stand of the Congress, some of whose leaders have accused him of going soft on those in Tamil Nadu allegedly sympathetic to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) .

In an unusual outburst, Karunanidhi Sunday described as 'untrue' allegations that his government was allowing the LTTE to have a free run in Tamil Nadu. He asserted that 92 people linked to the LTTE had been arrested in the past 20 months that the DMK has ruled the state that is separated from Sri Lanka by a strip of sea.

Alleging he 'suspected a conspiracy' to destabilise his regime, he reacted angrily: 'Our self-respect is dearer than the crown of thorns that denotes power. We are ready to lose power if (our self-respect) is under threat.'

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http://www.indiaenews.com/politics/20080206/95912.htm

Respect umpiring decisions: Sangakkara

Sri Lankan wicket-keeper batsman Kumar Sangakkara said umpiring decisions in cricket should be respected.

He was responding to a question on his appeal for a caught behind decision against Rohit Sharma which was upheld by Umpire Rudi Koerzten. But the replays indicated the Indian batsman had not got a touch to the ball at the ’Gabba on Tuesday.

Sangakkara said: “We have some of the best umpires in the business and we should accept their decisions graciously. The beauty of the game lies in the human element.”

The Lankan said umpiring decisions could go either way. He was referring to his own dismissal in the Hobart Test against Australia this season. Umpire Koertzen had wrongly ruled Sangakkara out when he was leading Sri Lanka’s heroic pursuit in the last innings. His dismissal had ended Lanka’s hopes.

Read more,
http://www.hindu.com/2008/02/06/stories/2008020659692100.htm

Their silence on tiger atrocities disrobes human rights mongers! – Wimal Weerawansa

The silence of those who clamour for human rights regarding atrocities committed by tiger terrorists vividly display their partiality to tiger terrorism says Information Secretary of the JVP Wimal Weerawansa.

Making a special statement in the Parliament yesterday regarding the attacks carried out by tiger terrorists targeting innocent civilians during the past few days Mr. Weerawansa said, “Though we have questions to ask from human rights mongers who keep mum regarding atrocities carried out by tiger terrorists against innocent civilians, we’ll keep them for a latter time.

Read more,
http://www.lankatruth.com/full_story/2008/February/06/200800206_01.htm

Navy Radars detect a large number of Indian fishing boats engaged in poaching in the Sri Lankan waters off Thalaimannar

Sri Lanka Navy concluded the search operation conducted today morning in the seas off Thalaimannar. The Navy launched the search operation when two of its small fibre glass boats were fired upon by two Indian fishing craft engaged in illegal fishing north of Thalaimannar close to Iranathivu yesterday (4th February 2008).

It is now suspected that LTTE sea tigers may have been involved in the incident. LTTE sea tigers often use the cover of Indian fishing boats to launch attacks on SLN vessels and craft. They mingle with Indian fishing boats to avoid detection and launch attacks endangering the lives of the Indian fishermen in the ensuing retaliatory fire. LTTE sea tigers have a track record of highjacking Indian trawlers and boats to be used in attacks against the Navy and to run clandestine arms smuggling activities across the Gulf of Mannar.


The Navy’s radars had detected approximately 400 Indian fishing trawlers in the Sri Lankan territorial waters north of Thalaimannar close to Iranathivu yesterday (04th February 2008) around 6.00 p.m.

Read more,
http://www.navy.lk/index.php?id=682
Photos,
http://www.navy.lk/index.php?id=682

Sri Lanka air force fighter jets carried out their second sortie for the day

Sri Lanka air force fighter jets carried out their second sortie for the day at an LTTE communication relaying station located half kilometers south of Karadipokku junction, north of Kilinochchi town, this evening (February 5), defence sources said.

According to sources, the target was engaged around 3.25 p.m., after having observed the terrorists' response to the earlier air raid on the terror strategic nerve centre in Kaivelikulam, Puthukudiriuppu. Defence intelligence sources said that, the target indicated intense activity and also the possible presence of high profile terrorists.

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http://defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080205_06

Air Force fighter jets raid LTTE's strategic nerve centre - Kaivelikulama

Sri Lanka air force fighter jets raided one of the main strategic command and control centres of the LTTE terrorists located at Kaivelikulama, Northwest of Puthukudiruppu this morning (February 5).

According to the defence intelligence source, the target was engaged on the real-time ground information that indicated intensified terror activity at the target. Also, it has been kept under thorough ground and air surveillance for considerable period, the sources added.

Fighter pilots have confirmed that the target was accurately hit.

Extracted from,
http://defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080205_01

Indian fishing boats open fire on SLN vessels

Two fast attack craft (FAC) of the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) came under small arms fire from a number of smaller Indian fishing boats in Thalaimannar area yesterday at around 6PM.

Two FACs on routine patrol in Mannar region were sent to investigate reports of a large number of vessels docked in Thalaimannar area. When SLN crafts first approached the suspicious boats, the fishermen had requested help from navy citing technical problems. However the fishing boats had opened fire on SLN vessels when the naval personnel tried to investigate the legality of their docking.

Read more,
http://defencenet.blogspot.com/2008/02/indian-fishing-boats-open-fire-on-sln.html

Government appeals for utmost vigilance to thwart terrorists

GOVERNMENT STATEMENT

The LTTE having suffered defeat after defeat in the face of the relentless advance of the security forces and facing imminent annihilation have resorted to targeting unarmed, helpless and innocent civilians. The LTTE, thereby, has proved once again that they are terrorists and therefore to identify them in any other terms would not only be erroneous but ethically reprehensible.

The Government, while condemning in the strongest possible terms these cowardly attacks over the past few days, emphasizes the fact that the people, Government and the nation cannot and will not be intimidated by terrorism.

The Government is of the view that nothing short of the total defeat of the terrorists can put a stop to such attacks and expresses confidence that the commitment of the heroic armed forces will achieve this end soon. In the meantime, the Government reiterates that each and every citizen has a responsibility to support these efforts by exercising utmost vigilance regarding their surroundings and all suspicious persons.

The Government and the people were largely undeterred by the numerous threats to disrupt the celebrations associated with the 60th anniversary of Independence. It must be understood that the aim of the LTTE is to disrupt normal life and this is exactly what should be avoided. The 60th anniversary of Independence was celebrated with the pride and pomp appropriate for such a momentous occasion and this itself is a victory for the people’s democratic spirit and their will to be free from all shackles, including fear of terrorist attacks.

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http://www.news.lk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4804&Itemid=44

LTTE carnage continues ; 13 civilians killed 16 injured in a claymore blast - Ethawatunwewa

LTTE terrorists have carried out a cowardly claymore blast targeting a civilian bus at Ethawatunuwewa around 3.50, this evening. According to the defence sources in the area, the terrorists have targeted a state owned public transport bus that was playing from Anudradhapura to Janakapura at a location close to "Kobbakaduwa Junction".

13 civilians have been killed and 16 others including children injured in the explosion. According to the hospital sources the victims have been initially taken to Padaviya hospital. Six out of them, including two children have been transferred to the Anuradhapura Hospital. Two among the dead are women, the sources added.

LTTE is a ruthless terrorist outfit fighting for a mono ethnic separate homeland for the Tamils living in Sri Lanka since 1983. Led by its psychopathic leader, V.Prabhakaran, the outfit routinely carryout civilian massacres in pursuit of its utopian state of Tamil Eelam.

LTTE is infamous for attacking soft target such as infants, schoolchildren, pregnant women, elderly persons etc in its regular genocides. Yesterday, it massacred six students of a school base ball team when one of its brainwashed suicide bomber exploded herself at the Colombo railway station.

Extracted from,
http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080204_07

Rajapaksa praises security forces for success against LTTE

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa today asserted that the LTTE was facing "unprecedented defeat" at the hands of the security forces as the island nation marked its 60th anniversary of independence today.

"Terrorism is receiving an unprecedented defeat," Rajapaksa said in an address to the nation from Colombo's Galle Face road.

"The move to eradicate terrorism from the North is still under way with good expectations for success. We owe a heavy debt of gratitude to the security forces for their exemplary work in the battle against terror," he said.

The diamond jubilee celebrations came despite threats from the LTTE and the two weekend bomb attacks that killed 34 civilians and nearly 200 injured.

"As we complete sixty years of freedom, there are two main challenges before us. One is the challenge of eradicating terrorism and the other is that of eradicating poverty.

"With regard to the first there is cause for satisfaction that the entire Eastern Province has now been cleared of terrorism," Rajapaksa said.

The President said as one of the first developing countries to promote universal healthcare and education, gender equality and social mobility, Sri Lanka has been able to achieve exceptional socio-economic indicators.

The country was moving towards achieving or surpassing many of the Millennium Development Goals, he added.

Read more,
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200802041440.htm

Sri Lanka president vows to crush LTTE

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse vowed on Monday to continue his present military thrust against Tamil Tiger rebels in the embattled north while offering a political solution to end grievances of the Tamil minority.

Addressing the 60th anniversary of independence, Rajapakse said" we will liberate the north from the clutches of terrorism and also provide a political solution and bring political freedom to the people."

Rajapakse said over a half of Sri Lanka's 60 years since independence from Britain had been spent while grappling with terrorism, which was a reference to the armed separatist campaign carried out by Tamil Tigers on behalf of the Tamil minority in the north and east.

The president was addressing a ceremony held under tight security level never seen in the capital for such a ceremony.

Read more,
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-02/04/content_7565959.htm

Rajapaksa claims international support for fight against LTTE

President Mahinda Rjapaksa Monday said Sri Lanka enjoys the trust of its neighbours and unflinching support of the international community in its fight against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) terrorist group.

In his speech at the main function to celebrate the island nation's 60th Independence Day here Monday, Rajapaksa said: 'Our neighbours trust us and the international community's confidence in us has not been reduced one iota.'

This was in answer to criticism that his no-holds-barred fight against the Tamil Tigers had given rise to serious human rights abuses against the minority Tamils and that because of this, Sri Lanka had got isolated from the rights-conscious international community.

It was also said that India was displeased with the slow progress of his efforts to find a political solution to the conflict between the majority Sinhalese and the minority Tamils.

Read more,
http://www.indiaenews.com/srilanka/20080204/95483.htm

UAE leaders greet Lanka president

The President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has sent a cable of greetings to Mahinda Rajapakse, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, on Sri Lanka’s Independence Day.

A similar cable was sent to the Sri Lankan leader by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum,Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai

Extracted from,
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/theuae/