Palampiddy Falls to Army’s Hand

LTTE TERRORISTS met another humiliating defeat in their battle with the troops to defend PALAMPIDDY, one of LTTE major strongholds in MANNAR, which fell into the hands of the Army by Saturday (17) afternoon.

Army had to face severe resistance by the terrorists and inched forward nearly for six days to reach PALAMPIDDY, about 8 km north of MADHU. PALAMPIDDY junction connects VIDATTALTIVU in northwest, MADHU in south, MULLIKULAM in southeast and NEDUNKANDAL in northeast. Fall of this former LTTE stronghold cripples administrative work and supplies to the terrorists.

Troops have so far recovered thirteen LTTE dead bodies, eleven T-56 weapons, one MPMG (Multi Purpose Machine Gun) and four communication sets from the area.

Troops after consolidating their positions in and around PALAMPIDDY are now conducting search and clear operations.

Extracted from,
http://www.army.lk/morenews.php?id=13297

Lankan navy detains 19 Indian fishermen

The Sri Lankan Navy has arrested 19 Indian fishermen on charges of poaching in Sri Lanka’s territorial waters.

The authorities here suspect the fishermen have also “smuggled in something” for the Tamil Tigers, a military spokesperson said.

“We have arrested 19 Indian fishermen with three dhows off Thalaimannar on Thursday. This time the issue is very serious because they were arrested while returning from the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) held territories such as Devil Point and Palaitivu,” said navy spokesperson Commander D K P Dassanayake.

Pointing out that India had banned fishing “during this breeding season”, he said the fishermen had “violated rules and regulations of their own land”.
“We strongly suspect that they might have smuggled in something for the LTTE,” Dassanayake told IANS.

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http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?

17 innocent civilians injured in LTTE hand grenade attack - Vavuniya

Seventeen innocent civilians including two children suffered injuries when an LTTE terrorist exploded a hand grenade in Vavuniya town this afternoon, May 17.

An LTTE terrorist has lobbed a hand grenade targeting a STF (Special Task Force) buffle carrying security forces personnel and it dropped back missing it's target, Vavuniya police sources said. The explosion took place at 12.10 p.m in a densely populated area in Vavuniya town, sources further said.

Seventeen civilians who suffered injuries were rushed to the Vavuniya hospital immediately. Nine males, six females and two children were among the victims, hospital sources said. Four victims who received severe injuries have already been transferred to Anuradhapura hospital, sources further said.

Extracted from,
http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080517_05
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www.defence.lk, www.army.lk and www.nationalsecurity.lk

Take LTTE to Task Now, Anandasangaree Urges International Community

V. Anandasangaree,President of the President TULF strongly condemned the bomb attack on innocent civilians in Colombo by the terrorist LTTE. He called upon international community to take the ruthless terrorists to task for this barbaric act. Hhe pointed out that that within two days of the assassination of Ms. Maheswary Velauthan of the EPDP, the LTTE has once again shown its atrocious feat in the heart of Colombo.

As usual Prabaharan has selected an innocent family to provide a suicide bomber for the game he plays off and on and thoroughly enjoys the killings of the innocents. He added, once again it is somebody else’s brainwashed child had sacrificed himself without any known protest neither from the suicide-bomber’s parents nor from any one of the TNA Members of Parliament who are although proxies of the LTTE, in name elected by the people.

I am not asking the TNA Members to sacrifice their own children. My only worry is as to why they can’t lodge a strong protest against human sacrifices by the LTTE. That is all I am asking. I strongly condemn the LTTE for playing with human lives."

He said that Ten innocent people some of whom are police officers, have died and over eighty-five seriously injured. How many more will die will not be known for a few days and by the time the exact figure is made known, more similar incidents would have taken place.

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http://www.asiantribune.com/?q=node/11236

Sri Lankan president expresses condolence to China over earthquake

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has extended his deepest sympathies to the bereaved families and the victims of earthquake that struck China on May 12,the Sri Lankan government said Friday.

In his letter to the Chinese President Hu Jintao, Rajapaksa said "I was deeply saddened to hear of the death and destruction caused by the earthquake that struck western China on May 12."

"Having gone through the fury of nature ourselves in 2004 December due to the unprecedented tsunami that struck our country, the government and the people of Sri Lanka extend their sympathies to the bereaved families and the victims of this calamity.

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http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-05/16/content_8189162.htm

SLAF raids Iranamadu runway - Mullaittiuvu

The Sri Lankan Air Force fighter craft made precision air sorties at the Iranamadu runway this evening in Mullaittiuvu, Air Force sources said.

According to available information the target was engaged on receiving intensified LTTE activities at the location, at around 8.p.m., sources further added.

More information will follow.

Extracted from,
http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080516_09

Pilleyan' sworn in as Chief Minister

Leader of the TMVP, Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pilleyan was sworn in as the Chief Minister of the Eastern Provincial Council before President Mahinda Rajapaksa today (May 16).

Chandrakantha obtained the highest number of preferential votes from the Batticaloa District in the recently concluded Provincial Council elections.

Extracted from,
http://www.news.lk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5871&Itemid=44
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http://www.dinamina.lk/2008/05/17/mainpic.asp?pic=mainpic_L.jpg

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.

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http://www.nationalsecurity.lk/fullnews.php?id=12500
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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.

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http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/05/15/pol03.asp
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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.

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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.

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