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).

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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.

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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

NFF to achieve a genuine national freedom

The National Freedom Front (NFF) is built with the objectives of achieving genuine national freedom and to build a satisfactory nation, President of the NFF, parliamentarian Wimal Weerawansa said at the opening ceremony of the NFF headquarters at Jayanthipura, Battaramulla this morning (19).

He also said that the NFF is confident to drive country towards a right direction and Maha Sangha and the educated people will strengthen the efforts taken by the NFF.

He further said that although other political parties are involved in constant attacks against NFF, the party does not hesitate at all in the face of such attacks and forward with confidence.

He stressed that even though the some previous governments achieved some victories over certain issues, no one has been able to build a correct and appropriate economic policy and that Sri Lanka is facing a critical economical situation. NFF is able to raise the country into the right position with maintaining appropriate Sri Lankan friendly policies.

Maha Sangha and many elite people were among the participants on this occasion.

Extracted from,
http://www.lankapuvath.lk/index.php
Photos,
http://www.island.lk/2008/06/20/p01111.jpg

LTTE must lay down arms before talks - PM

The Government will not enter into negotiations with the LTTE until and unless it lays down arms and renounces all forms of violence, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka has said.

Prime Minister Wickramanayaka has stated this at a meeting with New Zealand's new High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Rupert Hall on Tuesday.

The Prime Minister stated that the Government was fully committed to ensure the rights of the Tamil people, but the LTTE which claims to be the sole representative of Tamil people was destroying their rights. The Government will leave no room for terrorism, he added. The New Zealand High Commissioner said his country deplored all forms of terrorism.

Extracted from,
http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/06/20/sec20.asp

It’s very unrealistic to think of a ceasefire at this stage -Basil

Q: Analysts see the May Eastern victory as a triumph of war strategy and political consolidation. Is there a danger of you and Gotabhaya exercising more power in this scenario?

First you need to see that the East was not a favourable province for the PA. The President lost the East badly at the Presidential election. We lost over 168,000 votes. In this campaign the UNP used three SLMC leaders and a prominent Sinhala politician to defeat the govt. Then the TNA made a public appeal for the people to vote against us; then the LTTE created tension to dissuade voters. Even the JVP contested separately. All we had was the faith that we had genuinely done work to develop the East. We had that confidence when we went before the people.

But on strengthening myself and Gotabhaya I need to deny that belief because I haven’t even gone to the East after the elections. I used to visit there at least once a week before but now the people have spoken and there is an elected people’s representative there who can handle the development; we don’t need to get involved there. My involvement in the East is less now. Even in the military side more and more power is coming to the Provincial Councils. The military presence is much less there. Those days the centre had more power because we worked through the governor, but now there are ministers and the CM so our involvement is negligible. Politically, we have power because our presence is strengthened after the elections in the East.

Q: Although you say your involvement is minimal, there must be much left undone in the East?

There is a lot to be done. We have resettled at least 90% of the displaced. Our target is to leave none unsettled by end December. On livelihoods too we are progressing with the help of donor agencies. The infrastructure development too is continuing according to plan. The East must be having the largest number of bridges in the entire country as planned. Water, fisheries harbour and roads will take priority. Even the World Bank has cited the East as a priority in the recently pledged funds. Reconstruction of the irrigation canals is also underway. The Trincomalee industrial estate is already underway.

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http://www.nationalsecurity.lk/fullnews.php?id=13259

Five Lankans dead in Doha fire

Five Sri Lankan male migrant workers have died while two others sustained serious injuries in a fire in Doha in the wee hours of yesterday.

According to sources at the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment the fire had broken out in an apartment at Al Mayoom street in Doha City where nine Sri Lankans were staying.

They added that the Doha Police had confirmed their deaths.

They had died on the spot. However two other Lankans living in the same apartment had jumped out of a window to escape the raging blaze and were out of danger with only minor injuries sources said.

Meanwhile news reaching Sri Lanka says that the other two who have sustained serious injuries were being treated at a hospital in the city but was in a critical condition.

The SLBFE yesterday said the Sri Lankan embassy in Qatar was closely interacting with local Authorities in investigations and to help the affected migrant workers.

They also added that the Doha Police had launched an extensive investigation into the incident but the cause of the fire was not immediately known.

Chairman SLBFE Kingsley Ranawaka said the next of kin back home had already been notified and that all necessary measures would be taken to help the affected families including to bring back the remains and funeral matters.

He also added that Authorities in Doha was keeping a close eye on the two injured Lankans and the latest developments regarding the incident. The dead have been identified as Thusitha Ananda-Embilipitiya, Roshan Kumara-Akuressa, Nimal-Chilaw, Asela Madusanka-Bulathsinhala and Nalinda Kumara of Tambuttegama.

The two injured are Dulan Salika of Hatton and Vijitha Aluthgedarage of Ginigathhena.

Extracted from,
http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/06/20/news03.asp

Trincomalee LTTE Intelligence Leader Confirmed Killed

The Tiger (LTTE) terrorist, gunned down by the Army troops this morning (19) in MANACHCHENA, east of NEELAPOLA in TRINCOMALEE was confirmed to be the LTTE’s intelligence wing leader for TRINCOMALEE, named SOUNDRARAJAN alias THANGAN.

He had been entrusted the clandestine operation since January, this year after his predecessor, ARI CHELVAM was slain by the Army some time back.

He had infiltrated this crowded area to create chaos with the intention of disrupting normalcy in the peaceful areas in the east.

During a clearing operation in the east of NEELAPOLA, TRINCOMALEE on Thursday (19) morning at about 9.45 a.m. troops gunned down one terrorist and recovered one 9-mm pistol and two magazines from his possession.

Extracted from,
http://www.army.lk/morenews.php?id=14076

60kgs GELIGNITE RECOVERED

60kgs of Gelignite which were hidden under the load of coconut and salts were recovered, at the PANDULAGAMA Police/ Army combined road block while they were transporting in a lorry on the PUTTLEM- ANURADHAPURA route around 12.45pm today (19).. The driver and the cleaner of the lorry were arrested and handed over to the NOCHCHIYAGAMA Police for further investigations.

Extracted from,
http://www.nationalsecurity.lk/fullnews.php?id=13280

'LTTE aimed to collect 3.5 million pounds in Italy'

A group of 33 suspected LTTE activists arrested in Italy were engaged in collecting through extortion from ethnic Tamils a whopping 3.5 million pounds for funding the ethnic war in Sri Lanka, the Defence Ministry said here today.

Citing the Italian investigators, it said that the arrested people were "collecting more than 3.5 million British pounds worth of money to be deposited in Swiss Banks to bankroll a war in Sri Lanka." Eight of the suspects were arrested in Naples, 7 in Palermo, 3 in Genoa and the rest elsewhere in Italy, where the money was being collected by the Tigers through illegal activities of extortion and drug sales, the ministry quoted a report as saying.

The Sri Lankan embassy in Rome said it would coordinate with Italian authorities for further investigation into the matter.

According to the Italian police the "anti-terrorist" investigation was launched following a complaint that some Tamils living in Italy were being threatened, about two years ago, the ministry here said.

extracted from,
http://www.ptinews.com/