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.

Read more,
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.

Read more,
http://www.lankaeverything.com/vinews/srilanka/20080623012911.php

LTTE "mastermind" spills the beans

Information revealed during interrogations of a LTTE Black Tiger suicide terrorist cadre arrested by the Police in Colombo in the past few days has led to the recovery of an assortment of explosives and accessories as given below.

C4 explosives 9.5 Kg
Steel balls 1.5Kg
Detonators 08
Batteries

Further investigations had also led to the arrest of a person identified as a LTTE terrorist "mastermind" yesterday (20) who had with him the identity card of a film Director. He had been involved in gathering intelligence regarding VIP' locations and their movements including an invitation card to a function which was scheduled to be held at the BMICH yesterday (20).

He had also been involved in making explosive devices in one of his houses at KOTAHENA, COLOMBO.

A Special Police Team is conducting further interrogations.

Extracted from,
http://www.nationalsecurity.lk/fullnews.php?id=13319

Prabhakaran’s son credited with new devastating chemical bomb

Charles Anthony is proven to be a psychopathic megalomaniac like his father Velupillai Prabhakaran and the senior leaders of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) worry about the meteoritic rise of the son.

According to intelligence reports Charles Anthony has developed a new chemical weapon capable of such a shock wave that could kill, permanently damage vision and hearing and also make women barren.

"Now that the war is in the northern theatre, use of this lethal weapon could make the Tamil women barren and reduce the birth rate in a drastic manner," an analyst said. "Father used to kill the innocent Tamils and other civilians. The son has now gone a step further. He is determined to make the Tamil women – mothers, daughters and sisters barren. - Chip of the old block"

Sources revealed that Charles Anthony developed his crude Improvised Explosive Devise (IED) as answer to LTTE’s plan to stop the troops from marching into Vanni.

Latest military reports revealed that Sri Lankan Government forces have started surrounding the LTTE’s Vanni stronghold, and menacingly advancing into the Tiger power centre. This situation has made them to realize that the 122 MM big guns of theirs has become something of an inappropriate lethal weaponry to rely of, as the enemy is so close and near, unable to fire effectively with a firing range of 25 KM.

When the inability to stop the advancing forces became a life and death issue, heir-apparent Charles Anthony, it is said, has come up with two Improvised Explosive Devises Sandai 500 Kg– (Fight) and Samathanam 500 Kg (Peace).

Read more,
http://www.asiantribune.com/?q=node/11876

SLAF jets destroy key LTTE combat-logistic facility (15 June 2008)- Mullaittivu

Video Source,
http://defence.lk/videos/20080615_SLAF.wmv

Top Indian officials rush to Sri Lanka

Top officials from India have rushed to Sri Lanka with Lanka appearing to be hardening its position for a military settlement with the LTTE.

National security adviser, the Defence Secretary and the Foreign Secretary reached Colombo on Friday morning for talks with the Lankan government.

The officials met Sri Lankan Defence Secretary and are also meeting an important pro-LTTE leader. On Saturday, they will meet the Lankan president.

The visit comes just days after the Sri Lankan Army chief talked up a military solution, saying Sri Lankan Army will capture LTTE leader Prabhakaran alive.

extracted from,
http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx

A question Prabhakaran must be asked

The LTTE owes its existence to naivety of successive governments which sought to make war and peace according to its agenda. Whenever Prabhakaran landed himself in trouble, he managed to gain a breather simply by waving a white flag. He used the time so gained to regroup, rearm, infiltrate the southern areas and expand and step up its extortion operations.

Every ceasefire meant a new lease of life for the outfit since Operation Liberation (1987), which would have accounted for him, if not for India's intervention and the subsequent 'peace process' which resulted in humiliation for India and disaster for Sri Lanka, thanks to blunders committed on both sides of the Palk Straits.

A sure sign of the LTTE being in difficulty is its call for a ceasefire. When the roaring Tigers receive a thorough beating, they coo like doves and their minders go running to the international community seeking its intervention. One sees that happening at present.

Their campaign to secure a breather for the Tigers trapped in the Wanni has got into the Over Drive mode. They have suddenly realized the value of life and begun weeping buckets for civilians dying in terror attacks. It is a pity that they did nothing to prevent the LTTE from resuming war three years ago!

Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremenayake has told a newly accredited foreign envoy that talks are not possible unless and until the LTTE eschews violence and lays down arms. This will never happen. For, the LTTE has crossed the Rubicon in its terrorist war and its survival hinges upon remaining armed and unleashing violence. It may have done as the Prime Minister says within the first few years of its armed struggle but now it has become a prisoner of its own violence.

Or, it may be able to wean itself away from terrorism under a different leadership. With Prabhakaran and his cohorts at the helm, the LTTE will never be able to give up arms and violence. The LTTE cannot exist in a democratic environment.

Read more,
http://www.island.lk/2008/06/21/editorial.html

Italian newspapers reveal scope of anti-LTTE operation

A clandestine network of the Tigers was collecting money from their fellow countrymen resident in Italy to be destined to the subversive group. Those who refused to pay a certain amount every month risked retaliations against their family members in Sri Lanka, Italian newspapers reported on the arrest of 33 Tiger cadres in that country. The newspapers La Repubblica, Il Corrierr della Sera and Il Massaggero reported extensively on this massive operation conducted throughout Italy.

The report in the La Repubblica: “This is a distant war on which the investigators of the Special Police of Naples coordinated by the Anti-Terrorist Department of the Law Courts have focused their attention. The secrets of the mechanism of financing this war were kept by unsuspected immigrants, all with a regular stay permit and who have been living are working as domestics in Italy for many years.

Thirty Sri Lankan citizens of the Tamil ethnic group have been arrested with the accusation of association finalised to terrorism and extortion.

The operation took place in Naples, Rome, Palermo, Genoa, Bologna, Reggio Emilia, Mantova and Biella. The persons under investigations are accused to be members of the LTTE, the terrorist organisation that has caused so much bloodshed in Sri Lanka during the last 25 years and has provoked the death of over 8,000 civilians. In one year over Euro 3.5 million have been collected to be destined to the Tigers, often by blackmail.

Read more,
http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/06/21/sec02.asp

“LTTE will have no option but to negotiate”

Sarath Amunugama, Sri Lankan Minister for Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion, says the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, whose strength in the Eastern province now stands reduced, will have to hold negotiations with the government very soon.

On the lines of the provincial elections to the Eastern province held in May, polls would be conducted for the north if and when the province comes under the control of the government security forces. He was speaking to senior journalists at The-Hindu in Chennai on Wednesday. Excerpts.
Dr. Amunugama’s opening remarks:

We are now reaching a critical phase in the relationship between the government and the LTTE. Now, there has been the provincial council election in the east and Mr. Pillayan who was the assistant of Karuna has been made the Chief Minister. Pillayan [Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan] started as a child soldier, graduated through the LTTE. But when there was this conflict with the security forces, Karuna’s group joined hands with us.

The LTTE’s strength in the Eastern province has been largely reduced. Initially we had the local bodies election — elections of Batticaloa and one of the smaller villages. Both were won by Mr. Pillayan. Subsequently, there was the Eastern provincial election. The government and Mr. Pillayan [referring to the electoral pact between the Sri Lankan Freedom Party and Mr. Pillayan’s Thamil Makkal Viduthalai Puligal] won that election.

Now he is the Chief Minister. He is getting on famously with other Chief Ministers. Recently he has been appointed chairman of the Chief Ministers’ Council. That has led to a lot of consequences.

Read more,
http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/21/stories/2008062154991100.htm