Ten Killed and over 86 injured by suicide motor cyclist

A total of ten (10) which included eight Police constables and two civilians were killed and over (86) others were reported injured, some seriously, when a suicide bomber on a motor cycle crashed into a parked Police vehicle on Lotus road around 12.00 noon today (16) near the check point barrier close to Sambuddhaloka Viharaya, in Colombo, Fort. Among these 86 injured there were 30 policemen, Six Army personals and fifty innocent civilians.

Usually the city is busy at this hour on week days. Today, the roads were busier than usual as traffic was trying to leave Colombo before the rush hour to get away for the weekend especially as Monday and Tuesday also being holidays for the Wesak festival.

At the time of the incident there had been three vehicles belonging to the Police Riot Squad. One vehicle was a Police Bus with a contingent of constables and a few officers most of whom drawn for Duty from the Peliyagoda Police Station. The two other vehicles were equipped with water cannon. The contingents of Police were on 'stand by' duties at the time to meet any emergency. Most of the casualties were Policemen from the Peliyagoda Police station.

Read more,
http://www.nationalsecurity.lk/fullnews.php?id=12500
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www.defence.lk and www.army.lk

Terrorist base west of Nayaru lagoon destroyed in air attack

An LTTE military base engaged in intensified activities located west of Nayaru lagoon came under Sri Lanka Air Force Fighter Jet attack last night, after it had been constantly observed by the air and ground surveillances for a long period, defense sources said yesterday (15).

Air Force spokesperson, Wing Commander Andrew Wijesooriya, said that the air sorties were carried out around 7.30 p.m targeting the LTTE base located in a jungle patch in Mullaittivu area.

The target was accurately hit causing maximum damage to the enemy base, he further said.

Extracted from,
http://www.news.lk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5853&Itemid=44

JVP not in tune with new challenges - Wimal

The current JVP leadership has failed to respond to issues created by new challenges or accept those challenges other than merely being an alternative to the traditional Left, leader of the newly-established National Freedom Front (Jathika Nidahas Peramuna) Wimal Weerawansa said yesterday addressing the party's first general summit at the BMICH, Colombo.

Weerawansa recalled that the JVP was created by the late Rohana Wijeweera with the noble objective of fighting imperialism 43 years ago on May 14, 1965 while offering solutions to identified issues.

The Eastern provincial council election result has clearly showed the present deterioration of the JVP whereas the party could win with a clear majority at earlier elections. But as the result of weakness of the party leadership the JVP has failed to identify the pulse of the ordinary masses, he added.

"The adamant party leadership and some high rankers within it were not ready to accept the present day challenges even though we tried to steer the party on the correct path," Weerawansa said.

Read more,
http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/05/15/pol03.asp
Photo,
http://www.dinamina.lk/2008/05/15/mainpic.asp?pic=mainpic_L.jpg

Patil expresses concern over LTTE’s ‘air capability’

Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil has expressed concern over the reported air capability of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) that could be a threat to the vital installations in South India.

Stressing the need to synergise the efforts of all key partners for a safer and more efficient functioning of the installations in various sectors, he said the government would take all steps to protect the atomic energy installations and ports.

Inaugurating a “Security of Installations in Key Sectors” conference on Monday, Mr. Patil said the government was aware of the need to provide foolproof, multi-tier security to key atomic plants, establishments of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and other set-ups in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. The conference was attended by heads of installations along with their security chiefs.

“There is a need to pool our efforts, have better coordination and upgrade our technological skills to secure our installations, which are critical to our country,” he said.

Read more,
http://www.hindu.com/2008/05/14/stories/2008051459781700.htm

If Sri Lanka Fails Against LTTE the World Fails Fight Against Terrorism-Rajapaksa Tells Oxford Union

Calling it the plain truth President Mahinda Rajapaksa said if Sri Lanka failed in her war against the LTTE the world will fail in its fight against terrorism and democracy will be victim addressing the Oxford University Student Union.

“The LTTE is the most brutal terror outfit the world has ever seen and defeating them requires global support. What Sri Lanka is doing..is fighting the terror outfit single handed to ensure that democracy and respect for human life prevail in the world,” the President said .

Calling the LTTE the main obstacle to development in Sri lanka the President said, it is time the world raising its united voice express its utter revulsion of the barbaric practice of suicide bombings and that form of political expression , if it could be described as such is utterly unacceptable in the civilized world.
Speaking to a packed house of Britishers and expatriate Sri Lankans the President pointed out at the Oxonians like the late S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike whose wife was the first woman Prime Minister of the world and the late Laxman Kadirgamar who was brutally assassinated by the LTTE.

Sri Lankan Society President Dilan Fernando and his members were joined by Pakistani, Palestine, Indian Socociety members in felicitating the President. Thai Society also sent their delegation to the audience.

The following is the unedited full text of the President’s speech:
#“It is with much pleasure that I address you in these hallowed surroundings tonight. I must thank the Oxford Union and Mr Dilan Fernando for this opportunity. Many renowned speakers have addressed you from here before me. I do not seek to match them in their eloquence but I do wish to speak to you on a subject of much interest to my country at the present time.

Read more,
http://www.sinhalaya.com/news/english/wmview.php?ArtID=15276

Air Force bombs key terror training facility - Kilinochchi

Sri Lanka Air Force fighter jets bombed a key LTTE training facility located at Kollanvillu, 4 Km South of Mulankavil in the Kilinochchi district this morning (May 14).

According to the Air Force sources, few air sorties were carried out between 7.15 - 7.30 am targeting the LTTE camp. The sources said that the target has been registered by the defence intelligence authorities after thorough ground surveillance. The target was effectively acquired, the sources added.

Extracted from,
http://defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080514_06

Sri Lankan PM says no more truce with Tamil rebels

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake said here Tuesday the government would never enter into any more cease-fire agreements with the Tamil Tiger rebels.

Wickramanayake said the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) had exploited cease-fire agreements with the government in the past.

"I will tell you one thing for sure. There will never be anymore cease-fire agreements in the future with the LTTE", the prime minister said.

Wickramanayake's government in January this year unilaterally withdrew from the February 2002 cease-fire.

The Norwegian backed cease-fire held until the end of 2005 when violence escalated. The new wave of violence in the island's long drawn out separatist armed conflict has so far cost over 7,000 lives since December 2005.

Read more,
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-05/14/content_8164083.htm

Sacred Tears in Anuradhapura Sri Maha Bodhi Remembered

EXACTLY 23 YEARS AGO on a sunny day (14th May 1985) like this Wednesday (14), Sri Lankans as well as the Buddhist world were traumatized to hear one of their most venerated Buddhist places of worship, Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi at Anuradhapura has been desecrated by a bunch of barbaric Tiger terrorists who went on a killing spree firing on meditating devotees.

Brainwashed blood thirsty fanatics on a snatched state bus on that ill-fated day first stormed the central bus stand in the old town and splashed those present there with a rain of gunfire indiscriminately. As unarmed affected civilians in the town began running in all directions hysterically, many lay dead or bleeding with no knowledge of what was going around, as the terrorists made their way towards the sacred Bo Tree for another heinous crime.

Those armed terrorists then sprayed both the upper layer (Uda Maluwa) and the lower layer (Pahala Maluwa) with bullets, causing the entire sacred place splattered with blood, as scores of meditating and worshiping Buddhist nuns, white-clad observers of eight precepts and other devotees lay dead or unconscious after struck by terrorist bullets.

Read more,
http://www.army.lk/morenews.php?id=13220
Photo,
http://www.army.lk/editor/images/2008-01/3_4.jpg

EPDP Political Advisor Maheswary Velayutham shot and killed by LTTE gunmen

Maheswary Velayutham, Political Advisor of the Eelam People Democratic Party and an Attorney – at – Law was shot and killed at 7.45 PM this evening at her house, located at Karaveddy, in the Jaffna district, by suspected Tiger gunmen.

She joined the EPDP led by Minister Douglas Devananda in 1992. She is aged 53 years and remained a spinster.

According to available reports, she went from Colombo to her house in Karaveddy as her mother was lying on her sick bed.

According to EPDP sources, three pistol wielding Tiger gunmen arrived at her house in Army uniform, shot and killed her on point blank range and vanished from the scene.

Extracted from,
http://www.asiantribune.com/?q=node/11142
Photo,
http://www.epdpnews.com/Thirukethees.JPG

Pakistan back in Commonwealth; appreciates Sri Lanka's support

Pakistan has been re-admitted to the Councils of the Commonwealth with immediate effect, a decision following Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama's call at the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) meeting in London yesterday, when he made the opening statement and strongly urged the nine member body to immediately lift Pakistan's suspension.

The Minister stated that following the full restoration of democracy in the country, Pakistan has complied with all conditions and requirements set down by the CMAG, and emphasised that the issue should no longer remain on the CMAG agenda. The CMAG unanimously adopted the Foreign Minister's proposal.

Sri Lanka, spearheaded by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, had earlier opposed vigorously the decision to suspend Pakistan from Commonwealth in London and Kampala last November.

Read more,
http://www.news.lk/index.php?

LTTE’s investment business closed down - London

The massive wholesale cash & carry business of the LTTE operating from Unit 7 & 8 Commerce Park, Commerce Way, Croydon CRO 4ZS is said to have been closed down. The operators have abandoned the business and have run into hiding. A private limited company Valvai Holdings Ltd was running the business under the trading name of Valvai Cash & Carry since 2003.

Millions of pounds have been invested in the business which was run by the LTTE men. According to reliable sources, the business had obtained work permits for some of the LTTE activists to work in the cash and carry business. The company was operating a large warehouse at its registered address.

The reason for the closure of the business is not known yet. But sources in South London said that LTTE was compelled to close down due to fear of police intervention.

Read more,
http://www.srilankawatch.com/index.php?

Cyclone-hit Myanmar to supply rice to Sri Lanka

With India and Pakistan showing their reluctance to supply rice to Sri Lanka, cyclone hit Myanmar has agreed to go ahead with its contractual rice export obligations that will benefit the island nation to meet its requirements.

Myanmar had agreed to export one lakh metric tones of the food grain of which 20,000 tonnes have already arrived in Sri Lanka.

According to Sri Lankan officials, the consignment of rice of about 50,000 tons from Myanmar has not been hampered by the cyclone and will arrive in the island as committed. Myanmar, a major rice exporting country, is facing criticism on its reported decision to go ahead with exports of the food grain despite thousands of cyclone hit people in its country needing food and other assistance.

Read more,
http://www.financialexpress.com/news/

Congress calls for ban on pro-LTTE outfits

Congress, a key ally of Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK, on Monday demanded a ban on pro-LTTE organisations in the state and asked the state government to deal with "scourge of terrorism with iron hand."

"Terrorism of any kind, whether it be from Sri Lanka or within the state (Maoists) or communal, should be dealt with an iron hand," senior Congress leader D Sudarshanam told the state assembly while participating in the debate on the demand for grants to the Home Department held by Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.

Without naming any organisation or political party, he demanded a ban on all outfits in the state openly supporting the proscribed LTTE.

"The Tamil Nadu Government should also urge the Centre to extend the ban on the LTTE", he said.

The Centre had first banned the LTTE in 1992 and last extended it on May 14, 2004. The organisation had been banned under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

Read more,
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200805121840.htm

Panel probing Rajiv's killing gets extension

The government has decided to extend the term of the high-profile Multi-Disciplinary Monitoring Agency (MDMA), set up under the CBI in 1998 to probe the conspiracy aspect of the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, by another year — till May 31, 2009.

The term of MDMA, which is probing the role of controversial godman Chandraswami and others — including some LTTE leaders in the conspiracy — was to expire on May 31, 2008. The decision for extension was taken after reviewing the demand of the CBI in this regard following the meeting of agency chief Vijay Shanker with home minister Shivraj Patil last week.

"The home ministry has agreed in principle to give MDMA another extension and a required notification in this regard will be issued shortly,” said a senior home ministry official, adding the agency has, however, been asked to speed up its probe as it has already taken a lot of time since 1998.

The MDMA, comprising officials from the Intelligence Bureau (IB), Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and Enforcement Directorate (ED), has, on its part, asked the government to use diplomatic channels to ensure help from different countries in locating the conspirators and their financial network.

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