Explosion in Malwatta Road, 2 injured

Explosion in Malwatta Road, Pettah. Several Vehicles damaged according to Police. Two people have been admitted to the Colombo General Hospital with minor injuries.

Sakvithi scam: Police record 1,023 complaints

The probe on the major financial scam involving English tutor Sakvithi Ranasinghe continued to bare more sordid details with fresh complaints received by yesterday raising the number of duped depositors to 1,000 with deposits alone accounting for more than Rs. 600 million.
Police Spokesman SSP Ranjith Gunesekera told the Daily News that by the end of Saturday, Police had recorded 1,023 complaints with the single biggest loss recorded during the day amounting to Rs.14 million.
Meanwhile, sources said other financial scams linked to the tutor who now believed to have been fled the country has recorded vast amounts putting the total loss beyond Rs.900 million.
Meanwhile, sources said Mirihana Police had to open an exclusive desk to handle complaints as affected people thronged the station to lodge complaints. The public outcry involving bogus financial institutions triggered by the Sakvithi scam continued to have a big impact with depositors throughout the island rushing to withdraw their investments.
Meanwhile, the Central Bank gave a deadline of 30 days for rogue finance companies to get properly registered with the authorities with legal action being initiated if the said institutions fail to meet the deadline.
An institution is expected to maintain a minimum deposit of Rs.200 million with the financial status of companies coming under scrutiny on a monthly basis.(Daily News)

Adequate food supplies for Wanni

COLOMBO: Dismissing certain reports about a shortage of food and other essential items in the Wanni, Essential Services Commissioner S.B.Divarathna said yesterday that there was enough stocks for six months stored in Vavuniya, and these would be delivered continuously to Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi.
According to Divarathna 75 to 80 lorries are already being loaded with stocks amounting to 1,000 tons expected to reach uncleared areas before next Saturday.
This is to be followed by another consignment of 4,000 tons of essential items in the coming weeks. According to Divarathna, UN representatives have been allowed to accompany the convoys to witness the distribution.
Divarathna added that this was the first time that such a large convoy would reach these areas as the normal practice was to send around 20 lorries at a time.
He added that 250 field trucks had been reserved to transport essential items without delay although Government Agents in the areas possessed enough stocks for the time being.
Authorities said moves are underway to make Vavuniya a humanitarian assistance hub to help an exodus of IDPs due to the military operations in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu.
Strict orders have been relayed to both Security Forces and authorities to make a safe passage for civilians fleeing from uncleared areas and make all arrangements for their safety and wellbeing, authorities said. ( Daily News)

Lanka: AIADMK, Left share platform

N Ravikumar CHENNAI, Sept. 28: In a swift and shrewd political move that will bring the AIADMK and Left leaders on a common platform and lay the foundation for a possible alliance, AIADMK supremo Ms Jayalalitha has conveyed that her party would support the CPI fast to condemn the “Centre's assistance to the Sri Lankan government's genocidal war against Tamils”. As the civil war in the island nation is slowly, but steadily moving to the centre stage of Tamil Nadu politics, after reports that two Indian technocrats were injured during air raids by the LTTE recently, the AIADMK chief in a letter written to CPI State secretary Mr D Pandian has said that she would depute a senior leader and a former minister in the MGR cabinet Mr S Muthusamy to attend the fast in Chennai, while AIADMK district secretaries would participate in the protests throughout the State. Ms Jayalalitha's move would severely embarrass the DMK leader Mr Karunanidhi, who is maintaining a deafening silence on the issue, since his government is relying on Congress support for survival. If Ms Jayalalitha, joins other parties and took up the issue seriously, that would damage Mr Karunanidhi's Tamil nationalist image and challenge his party's claim that he was the `sole leader of the Tamil race'. The AIADMK leader has certainly overtaken actor and DMDK actor Mr Vijaykanth, who is non-committal about an alliance with the Left, even after CPI-M State leaders met him and initiated a dialogue. Mr Vijaykanth, who admitted that the Left leaders had approached him for an alliance, has not come out with a positive response, while Ms Jayalalitha has already shown her keenness, by deciding to share a common platform with the Communists. Ms Jayalalitha's trusted ally and MDMK leader Mr Vaiko will be present in the 2 October 2 fast, keenly watched by the people and political observers, who see a change of current in State politics. The CPI-M leaders, who are often charged with adopting an `anti-Tamil stand’ in the Sri Lankan Tamils’ issue as well as the Mullaiperiyar and Salem railway division row with the neigbouring Kerala, are also attending the fast. Mr D Pandian, disclosed Ms Jayalalitha's decision while speaking at an indoor meeting of Tamil nationalist outfits at a marriage hall here. The CPI leader said that the UPA government was pursuing a `Sinhalese appeasement policy’ and ignoring the killings of Tamils in the island. The Sri Lankan government was not interested in a political settlement to the conflict and not ready to provide equal rights to Tamils. Instead, they had decided to carry out a genocidal war and annihilate the entire Tamil race. The UPA government, instead of pressurising the island government to stop the war, is providing military and economic assistance to the Sri Lankan government, he said.

President’s Speech in Tamil has made all the Sri Lankan Tamils happy and proud

Full text of the press statement released by the Canadian Tamils for Peace and Democracy (CatPad)
(September 28, Toronto, Sri Lanka Guardian) The recent visit by the Sri Lankan President, Mahinda Rajapakse to the United Nations and his speech in Tamil has made all the Sri Lankan Tamils happy and proud. There was a joy among the Tamil citizens of Sri Lanka at the way our President honored the Tamils, and every Sri Lankan Tamil is thankful to the President for the respect and fame he brought to the Tamil language and its people in the International Forum.
But before the President of Sri Lanka arrives back in our soil, there was a wave of shock created by his own higher authority in the Defense establishment Lt-Gen. Sarath Fonseka, saying “I strongly believe that this country belongs to the Sinhalese, but there are minority communities and we treat them like our people.” These words by a higher authority of a President, who honors Tamil Language and is sacrificing our forces to bring democracy to the people of North and East, will not bring honor but disgrace. If these words were said, we urge the Government to clarify and hope it does not reflect the views of the Government nor its Leader, whom the moderate Tamil community highly respect and trust. The Moderate Tamil Community backs the present Government and its Leader Mahinda Rajapakse, and believes that he would eradicate Terrorism and bring not only democracy and peace to the North and East but also a just political solution to the minority community.Lt. General Fonseka also has stated that “We are the majority community and have the right to protect the country” which is totally unacceptable and against the constitution of our country. Being a majority community is not a right to protect the country but every Sri Lankan citizen has the right to protect our Country. For his clarification, we have Douglas Devananda, a Tamil Cabinet Minister from the North, S. Chandrakanthan, the Chief Minister of the Eastern Province and Mr. Karuna Amman and hundreds of his carders who fought against LTTE, do not belong to the majority community. The moderate Tamils who support the Government and long for peace are being killed by the terrorist faction every day. They do not just belong to the majority community.We do accept his words saying “The national leadership basically is determined to solve this problem. The task given to us is to eradicate terrorism.” It is better for the defense forces to take care of the security of the country and eradicate terrorism and leave the rest to the political leadership of the country. We have great respect and honor for our soldiers protecting our Country and for their sacrifices, particularly Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka who is bravely leading our soldiers to victory.We the Canadian Democratic Tamil Cultural Association request the Government of Sri Lanka and President Mahinda Rajapakse to request our political and defense personals not to hurt the sentiments of Tamil community in future by issuing such harmful statements

President Wijetunga’s funeral today under State patronage

The funeral of former President D.B. Wijetunga will be held today at 3.00 p.m. at the Kandy Municipal Grounds in Getambe under State patronage.
The remains will be taken to the Parliament Complex from his residence in Pilimatalawa and will lie in- state there from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
The funeral and religious rites will be conducted under State patronage.
Liquor outlets and meat stalls in the Udunuwara, Gangawata Koralaya and Yatinuwara Divisional Secretariat Divisions will be closed today.
In all State institutions the national flag should be flown at half mast as a mark of respect for President Wijetunga.

President first world leader to address UN in Tamil

President Mahinda Rajapaksa created history yesterday at the United Nations by addressing the General Assembly briefly in Tamil. This is the first time that any world leader has spoken to the world body in Tamil.
Last year, he became the first Sri Lankan leader to address the UN General Assembly in Sinhala. This year, he addressed the forum in both Sinhala and Tamil.
“While my mother tongue is Sinhala, let me elaborate a few thoughts in Tamil. Sinhala and Tamil are the two languages of the people of Sri Lanka. Both these have been used through the centuries, are rich in literature, and are widely used in my country, with recognition as Official Languages. We will march towards a richer freedom and lasting unity that await us as a nation,” were the sentiments he expressed in Tamil.

Talks only when Tigers give up arms- President

President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the 63rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly today said that the government would only be ready to talk to the LTTE when it is ready to commit itself to decommissioning of its illicit weapons and dismantling of its military capacity, and return to the democratic fold.

Terror groups learning from LTTE - Defence Spokesman

The latest devastating suicide bombing in Pakistan shows that Al-Qaida has learnt bomb making from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), says a visiting Sri Lankan minister.
"The Pakistani bomb is very similar in style to Colombo's Central Bank truck bomb (of 1996)," said Foreign Employment Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, who is also Sri Lanka's defence spokesperson.
Rambukwella told a press conference that the massive bomb that killed 53 people at the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad on Saturday showed Al-Qaida learnt the technology from the LTTE.
Both the bombs - the one in Marriott and the other in Colombo's Central Bank - were powerful and laden in trucks driven by suicide bombers. The Colombo attack killed 91 people.
Rambukwella said terrorist groups constantly exchange technologies and he quoted anti-terror experts as saying that "suicide jackets" used by Al-Qaida may have been developed by the LTTE.
The Sri Lankan minister also made the claim that some Western politicians were on the "payroll of the LTTE". "One reason for the support of terrorism of the LTTE is the large number of Tamil voters available in certain Western world electorates that arouse political aspirations for politicians.
"The other reason is some Western world politicians are corrupted and are on the payroll of the LTTE," he said.
The press spokesperson for the Sri Lankan High Commission said Rambukwella made his comments in the context of "certain pro-LTTE elements" bringing "anti-Sri Lanka propaganda to the Labour Party convention in Manchester".
Courtesy : IANS

Army Hands over 13 LTTE bodies to ICRC

Sri Lanka Army officials handed over 13 bodies of slain LTTE cadres to the ICRC officials at the Omanthai entry/exit point yesterday (Sept 23). The bodies included 4 female and 9 male corpses.
According to the military sources, troops had found these bodies following recent clashes in the Mallavi and Akkarayankulam areas in the Kilinochchi battlefront.

Stop funding Tiger terror

TMVP Leader Vinayagamoorthi Muralitharan (Karuna) and his deputy, Eastern Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan yesterday appealed to Tamil expatriates in Canada and elsewhere to stop funding the Tiger war machine.

In separate exclusive interviews with Stewart Bell of the National Post of Canada, the duo said the funds remitted by expatriates are used for Tiger military procurements, not humanitarian assistance.
Muralitharan said money sent from abroad to help civilians in uncleared areas was routinely used to buy arms.
He called Canada the number one source of external income for the LTTE, followed by Switzerland. He said while Canadians might believe the money they send to uncleared areas is being used for humanitarian aid, Prabhakaran uses it all to buy military hardware instead.
“They use all the money for the war,” he said. “They didn’t give anything to the people.”
The money from overseas feeds not civilians but a procurement network that buys weapons and ships them to the island, he said.
“They have a lot of money. They bought many ships for smuggling arms,” he said. “Diaspora people, they don’t understand what is happening in Sri Lanka.”
In an interview at his ultra-secure headquarters on Trincomalee harbour, Chief Minister Chandrakanthan echoed his leader’s views. He said Tigers supporters in such countries as Canada are misguided and should stop sending money to the LTTE.
“A lot of these people who keep shouting, ‘We want a separate state’ are not aware of what the conditions are here,” said Chandrakanthan. Muralitharan, who spent 22 years in the Tigers, said he broke with Prabhakaran in a dispute over Norwegian-brokered peace talks. He thought there was a good deal on the table but Prabhakaran wanted to restart the war, he said.
“He got angry with me, but he’s a very angry person,” he said. “I told him, ‘I don’t want to fight with you. We are brothers and sisters.”
“Prabhakaran had no political vision,” Chandrakanthan said in an interview. “If the Sri Lankan Army hits, he wants to hit back. He really relished hitting back, fighting, rather than thinking politically, where do we go from here?”
He believes if he can succeed in the East, the Tigers will realize there is a better way, but he holds out no hope that Prabhakaran will surrender his dream of a Tamil homeland called Tamil Eelam.
“Prabhakaran will not give up his thought of a Tamil Eelam. So long as Prabhakaran is there, he will always want people to believe that he can deliver Tamil Eelam, and Tamil Eelam in his vision includes the east as well.” But he believes the Tigers are almost finished, bottled up in the north, having lost 60% of their territory and running out of fighting men and women.
“He can’t go on like this because there is a limit to the manpower that he commands,” Chandrakanthan said. “Just by shortage of manpower he will lose.”

Looted items returned- UN

The UN says that the equipment and supplies looted from its Kilinochchi offices last week have been returned at the behest of the LTTE. Last week the UN reiterated the importance of protecting humanitarian staff and assets, as one of the principles of International Humanitarian Law.

Rat Fever reaches epidemic proportions

Health authorities today warned the public and especially the paddy farmers to be extra vigilant when they attend to their farm work as the Leptospirosis widely known as Rat Fever has developed into epidemic proportions in the country claiming 33 lives in the last three weeks alone.

Air Force carries out multiple air strikes

Sri Lanka Air Force carried out 4 air raids targeting terrorist gatherings in the forward area on the Wanni battlefronts during last few hours (Sept 21).
Air Force spokesperson Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara speaking to defence.lk said the first of the air raids was launched by fighter jets at 11 AM targeting a terror gathering detected 5 km north of Nachchikudha. The attack was launched in support of Task Force 1 soldiers operating on the western half of the Kilinochchi front, he added.
The second air strike was also launched by jets around 12 noon targeting terror location identified 3 km North of Akkarayankulam area, said the spokesperson.
He further said, the other raids were launched as close air support missions in support of Army 57 division troops operating in eastern half of the Kilinochchi front. MI 24 helicopters attacked two terror resistance points, one located 1.5 km southwest of Akkarayankulam at 10 AM and the other located 2 km northeast of Akkarayankulam at 1 PM, he added.
According to the battlefield reports, troops of 57 division are currently engaged in a fierce battle against the terrorists in the Kokavil area. Available information reveal over a dozen of LTTE cadres have been killed so far during these clashes. (Defence Ministry)

Former president D.B. Wijetunga passes away

Former president D.B. Wijetunga has passed away after a prolonged illness. He was 86. Mr. Wijetunga died around 9.30 this morning (Sept. 21st) at Kandy General Hospital, said the hospital’s director. He was born on February 15th, 1922. Mr. Wijetunga was the third executive president of the country, from May 1st 1993 to November 12th 1994. He served as Prime Minister from March 3rd, 1989 to May 7th, 1993.

India upset over Lanka's lifting of ban on ICL players

The Indian cricket board is irked at its Sri Lankan counterpart's decision to allow rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) players turn out for domestic tournaments and will take up the matter with the International Cricket Council (ICC), an official said.
The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) decision has surprised the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which was instrumental in persuading the other cricket boards to ban ICL players.
"We have come to know about it (lifting of ban). It is very strange. We have not spoken to the Sri Lankan cricket board till now. But will take up this issue with the ICC," BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah told IANS on Friday.
SLC spokesman Shane Fernando said the decision to revoke the ban was taken at the interim committee meeting chaired by its chairman Arjuna Ranatunga in Colombo on Wednesday. However, the ban from international cricket will continue.
The decision comes close on the heels of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) banning 13 players for 10-years after they signed up with the ICL.
The previous interim committee of the SLC, led by Jayantha Dharmadasa, had imposed a total ban on all national cricketers playing the ICL tournament, preventing them from taking part in all forms of cricket and cricket related activities locally and internationally. (sify.com)

Two youths killed in Negambo and Kotahena

Two youths have been shot dead at separate incidents in Kotahena and Negambo today by unidentified gunmen, police said.

Sri Lanka battles kill 26 rebels, 1 soldier

Sri Lanka - Government soldiers and Tamil Tiger rebels fought a series of battles across Sri Lanka's war-ravaged northern region, killing 26 rebels and one soldier, the military said Saturday.
Fighting on the Indian Ocean island has escalated in recent weeks with government forces sweeping deep into rebel-held territory, capturing insurgent bases and threatening to overrun the Tamil Tigers' administrative capital at Kilinochchi.
The latest infantry clashes took place Friday along the front lines in Vavuniya, Kilinochchi, Welioya and Jaffna districts, a military statement said.
Soldiers killed 13 guerrillas in three separate clashes in Vavuniya, while in Kilinochchi nine rebels were killed, it said.
Troops destroyed a rebel bunker in Welioya after a clash that killed three insurgents and wounded 22 more, the military said.
A rebel mortar attack and booby trap explosions in Welioya killed one soldier and wounded five more.
Another rebel was killed in the northern Jaffna peninsula, the statement said.
With most communication with the northern areas cut, rebel military spokesman Rasiah Ilanthirayan could not be reached for comment.
Independent verification of the fighting and casualties was not possible because most journalists are banned from the war zone. Both sides have been accused of exaggerating enemy casualties and underreporting their own.
The rebels have been fighting for an independent state in the north and east since 1983, following decades of marginalization of ethnic Tamils by governments dominated by the Sinhalese majority. More than 70,000 people have been killed in the conflict.

Govt mechanism in place in Kilinochchi and Mullaittiuvu - Secretary Defence

The withdrawal of foreign aid workers and Non Governmental Organisations from Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu, the last of the LTTE territory, would not hinder humanitarian activities as a well organised government mechanism is operating in these areas through government agents, their staff and other state officials, Defence Secretary, Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa told the Sunday Observer. He said the government took this firm decision to avoid unfortunate incidents.
"The INGOs and NGOs were mainly involved in development projects in uncleared areas but under the prevailing situation they cannot carry out any development projects there. The other reason is that we cannot guarantee the safety of their lives as the military offensive has been intensified", he said.
The Defence Secretary said that these workers were given deadlines to reach government controlled areas but if they continue to remain defying instructions, the government could not take responsibility for their safety in future.
He said that the government is particularly keen about the safety of the UN staff and as the offensive is getting stronger, the government has instructed the UN to set up their offices in Vavuniya". The UN is engaged in humanitarian relief activities. They are allowed to operate from Vavuniya and hand over the relief to GAs", he said.
The Defence Secretary said that the government would follow the normal procedure as the government mechanism is fully active in the Wanni providing humanitarian assistance.
He said the government had successfully handled and resettled 170,000 IDPs after the liberation of the East and a similar number of displaced people is expected once the security forces liberate Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu. "We have already taken steps to provide facilities to them"he said.
The Defence Secretary also said that the IDPs' problems in the East had been well addressed within a short period of time.
Explaining how the government looked after the highest number of IDPs in the country in 1996 during 'Operation Riviresa' where over 400,000 IDPs fled to government controlled areas, he said the government has wide experience in providing facilities for the exodus of people fleeing non-liberated areas and it was proven with the successful resettlement in Mavil Aru, Vakarai, Sampur and Thoppigala, where civilians were being used as human shields by the LTTE prior to the Eastern liberation.

Five Blasts rocked Delhi - Indian Mujahideen claimed responsibility

Five bombs exploded in crowded markets in New Delhi on Saturday, September 13. At least 20 people have died and more than 100 people are injured. The Indian Mujahideen militant group has claimed the responsibility of the attack. Police and witnesses said two went off in dustbins in and around Connaught Place, a very popular shopping area in the centre of the city. Others exploded in busy markets around the city, within minutes of each other

LTTE in a move to hold officials of UN and NGO’s hostages in Kilinochchi

The Tamil Tigers, this time has gone with a new strategy of holding the remaining officials of the UN, International NGOs and NGOs as human shield along with hundreds and thousands of the internally displaced Tamils. This is said to be a clear ploy to hold the remaining officials of the UN, INGOs and NGOs as hostages for the safety of Velupillai Prabakaran – an evasive and aging LTTE leader. Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in its 25 years long mega serial, unleashed yesterday another episode of remote controlling the people to prevent the remaining officials of the UN, international NGOs and NGOs from leaving Kilinochchi.

President Bush Sends US-India Nuclear Agreement to Congress

On Wednesday, September 10th, President George Bush sent the text of a proposed US-India nuclear agreement to Congress for approval. Friday, September 12, in response to the President's actions, the US-India Business Alliance (USIBA) and the US Congressional Task Force on US-India Trade held a briefing on Capitol Hill with Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher regarding the deal's current status.

LTTE uses children for fund raising propaganda

The vast majority of Tamil diaspora members and Swiss nationals who attended a cultural festival in Thurgau in Switzerland were shocked to see schoolchildren as young as eight years enacting a drama dressed as child combatants using replicas of most lethal weapons.
The event, organised by the Tamilischer Kulter Verein Thurgau, an organisation purportedly for promotion of Tamil culture and art was held in Thoreau for fund-raising for ‘displaced persons in the North’.
However, the entire event turned out to be a down and out fundraiser of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Senior LTTE activists controlling the chain of Tamil schools under Thamilchollai administration in Europe have given explicit orders to all the teachers that the policy of “Eelam (Tamil separate state) first” should be incorporated into the school syllabus.
This event is believed to have been organised under the order of Thamilchollai administration.
What shocked the Tamil diaspora members, especially the women and the middle-aged and the elderly was that young school children were dressed in combat uniforms carrying replicas of most dangerous weapons from rocket launchers, missiles and machine guns with capacity to kill hundreds within seconds.
While a handful of young parents watched the dances of their children with pride in their hearts, the vast majority of Tamils in the audience were shocked and dismayed about this display and openly expressed apprehensions about the longterm psychological impact on young minds when such violent behaviour is glorified.
“Nobody should have a right to play games with such gullible children,” said a Swiss national who went to see the event with his Tamil friends. “This is a blatant violation of child rights and all international conventions against recruitment of child soldiers.
Swiss authorities should take action against the organisers of the event as the use of children for glorification of violence and subjecting children to such practices could lead them to grow up as social misfits who believe in violence,” he pointed out.
A leading member of the Swiss Tamil diaspora expressed dismay at the “sick minds of the people who stoop to such levels to raise funds for a militant movement”.
He added that only diehard militants and ignorant parents would approve such practices of brain-washing young gullible young minds.
He pointed out that the Child Soldiers Global Report 2008* *details how a near global consensus that children should not be used as soldiers and strenuous international efforts have failed to protect tens of thousands of children from war.
“It is very dangerous to play with child’s mind. Early years of child’s life is very important as that will have a lasting impact on his adult life,” Dr Carlton Moulin, a psychologist said. What the children see in tender years will touch the rest of their lives for good or for ill. Some children may live their lives in situations of peace and security.
For countless others war continues to be all too real. Over this aspect of the adult world they have little say and no control, he pointed out. He added that these children of Tamil diaspora will be influenced by the violent acts they are asked to perform although they have no experience at all about the theatre of war.
“They live in peaceful and prosperous Switzerland and as they are citizens of this country, the harm will be to the Swiss society,” he lamented.
The last Global Report was published by the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers (Coalition) in November 2004. Since then the movement to end the use of child soldiers has seen continued progress towards a universal consensus against their use in hostilities, witnessed by the fact that over three-quarters of states have now signed, ratified or acceded to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict.
A small number of militant groups like the LTTE persist not only in recruiting children but also in exposing them to the physical and psychological dangers of combat. Despite repeated denials by the LTTE spokesperson, there is evidence that the LTTE continues to recruit large numbers of children into its armed forces - often forcibly through intimidation, coercion and violence - and to use them in a range of combat and non-combat roles.
Sri Lankan soldiers found several bodies of young children in LTTE camouflage uniforms after a fierce battle in the north two months ago and the bodies were returned through the representatives of the ICRC. At LTTE training centres in Kilinochchi, there are unconfirmed reports that untrained children as young as 15 were given weapons and sent to the battlefront.
Under the intensive campaign for long-term recruitment drive, use of weapons and killing instincts are often inculcated in the educational and recreational settings where children’s physical and intellectual formation takes place.
In the schools in the uncleared areas, it is compulsory for all schools to include drills and other military training for young secondary-school students. For senior students from age 14 onwards, the LTTE has introduced military training.
The Optional Protocol permits the admission of under-18s into schools operated by or under the control of the military, but requires them to operate in accordance with Articles 28 and 29 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
However, in some military schools run by the LTTE proxy institutions, children wear military uniforms, live in military-style barracks and are subject to military discipline. Some offer a standard school curriculum, while others provide a narrow education involving hard physical drill and weapons handling.
Sri Lanka is aware of the dangers faced by the LTTE child combatants and the Defence Secretary has given strict instructions to protect the LTTE child combatants who surrender and hand them over to the nearest civil authorities for rehabilitation and care.

One Policeman killed and 4 others injured in Bati

Policeman Killed in LTTE attack on Police post at Tamilativu, Batticaloa; another 4 policemen injured in claymore blast at Wellavei, Batticaloa.

Air Force destroys massive LTTE complex

The Air Force says it destroyed a massive LTTE complex this morning built using concrete located inside a thick jungle in Iranamadu. There was no immediate reaction from the LTTE.

Explosion railway track, Slight damages

Police say explosion on railway track near ‘Kalupalama’ Slight damage to track. No casualties.

Foreign Minister of China met President Mahinda Rajapaksa

Foreign Minister of China Yang Jiechi met President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the President’s House yesterday. The Chinese Foreign Minister is here on an official visit. Picture by Sudath Silva

Seven bodies found in Monaragala

The bodies of seven unidentified people were found in Kotiyagala, Monaragala this afternoon, Police spokesman SSP Ranjith Gunasekera said.

API WEN WENA THARAMATA

Janaka summoned by CID

UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe says Janaka Perera has been summoned by the CID to question him over an alleged plot to assassinate President Mahinda Rajapaksa

Air Force pound Tiger intelligence base

The Air Force pounded the LTTE intelligence center located west of Killinochchi this morning. The center is known to be frequently visited by LTTE intelligence chief Pottu Amman.

Sri Lanka worlds Fastest Aging Population

In the latest indepth study report on Sri Lanka s aging population, the World Bank announced yesterday that country is rated as the fastest aging population in the south Asia and it s time for the policy makers take the matter seriously. In its report the world bank warned that Sri Lanka will face a massive social challenge to provide income, health and other types of support to its elderly population in just over two decades. The report entitled, Addressing the Needs of an Aging Population have predicted that the country s population will grow to be as old as Europe or Japans today, but will have a much lower level of income, posing a massive social challenge to provide services to its elderly population. Sri Lanka will need to take appropriate policy measures in advance so as not to slow down economic growth, minimize impact on public health and pension spending and reduce the burden on families, said Naoko Lshii, World Bank Country Director for Sri Lanka. Investing in healthy and productive aging is essential and specially, given the speed of population aging, inaction is not a viable alternative. Senior economist of the World Bank, Milan Vodopivec said that unlike other countries in the world, Sri Lankan holds strong traditional family ties. Sri Lankan families look after their elders well but the higher aging rate will affect the income of the family therefore women taking up jobs leaving the tradition of staying at home and looking after them, gives more demand for home for elders, he said. The report examines four key challenges and the related issues of how to reinforce traditional family support to old people how to improve formal old age income support program How to improve healthcare and long-term care to support an aging population and How to mitigate the slowdown of GDP growth when one of key production inputs labour will start shrinking in the coming years? The report uses a variety of data sources, but draws mainly from a special 2006 survey that the World Bank conducted to learn about the socioeconomic and health status of elderly in Sri Lanka. One of the key findings of the survey was that the demographic transition faced by Sri Lanka will be particularly dramatic. Not only is Sri Lanka s population among the oldest in the non-developed world, but the country is also one of the fastest aging countries in the world and the fastest in South Asia. Traditionally Sri Lankan families have taken good care of their elderly family members but the report finds some signs that this age old support system being under strain. For example, the women who are the primary caregivers report of considerable stress and difficulty in balancing their careers and working life and caring for both children and parents. Institutionalization of elderly is a last resort and there is also evidence that, as in higher income countries, those elderly who can afford to do so prefer to live alone with their spouse. Other support systems for elderly will become thus even more important. But the report finds that formal old age income support systems have limited coverage, inadequate benefits and are financially unsustainable. Thus currently most elderly must rely on family support or very low benefits from the social assistance programs. Health systems are also not ready to address the needs of an aging population. The treatment of non- communicable disease is outdated and relies on under-financing and under-treatment of cases, health systems do not provide continuous or integrated care for the elderly that allow systematic screening for illness or disability, and many elderly patients who require secondary prevention do not receive it. Labour market institutions too force many workers to withdraw from employment earlier than they want to. Key Policy Recommendations are to Support informal care arrangements of the most vulnerable of the aged Strengthen formal income support for elderly Re-orient the health system to respond to an aging population and Countering labor force declines by improving employment, productivity, and choice. Under the support for informal care arrangements the report suggests expanding social welfare and care services targeted to the most vulnerable, providing community-and home-based support services for the sick and frail old people, as well as increasing the capacity of nursing homes to care for old people. In strengthening formal income support for elderly, the recommendations are to improve social assistance programs (including Samurdhi) delivery to old people, integrating retirement schemes for private and public sector workers, as well as various schemes for informal sector workers, and encouraging the expansion of coverage by fiscal incentives such as targeted matching contributions. Re-orienting the health system to respond to an aging population will require developing a health system that enables Sri Lankans at all ages to achieve healthy aging, minimizing the costs of the health system, and reducing out-of-pocket catastrophic health expenditure. Detailed recommendations include strengthening health promotion and prevention to ensure better quality of remaining life of old people, using the maternal and child health network of the Ministry of Health for geriatric assessment, prevention, and rehabilitation, and improve, and increasing public healthcare expenditures to avoid patients shifting demand to the more expensive private sector.

Sri Lanka: UN agency concerned for over 10,000 families escaping violence

The United Nations refugee agency expressed concern today over the safety of thousands of families fleeing escalating violence in northern Sri Lanka between Government forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
“We call on both parties to take immediate steps to ensure the protection of those affected; to allow freedom of movement for those seeking safety from the ongoing operations; and to ensure that the internally displaced are neither targeted nor located near military targets,” Ron Redmond, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), told reporters in Geneva.
He warned that supplies of food, shelter, water and sanitation equipment and fuel to transport civilians are running “dangerously low.” Stringent restrictions on the movement of goods into the region are preventing aid workers from replenishing the stocks.
“UNHCR calls upon the authorities to allow unhindered passage for essential supplies as soon as possible,” Mr. Redmond stated.
Some 12,000 families are reported to have escaped the conflict in July alone, with people trying to keep ahead of the fighting’s moving frontlines to stay out of the crossfire. The UN’s access to most of the 10,000 internally displaced families in Karachchi has been cut off due to humanitarian workers’ security concerns.
“UNHCR is urging all parties to allow humanitarian access to the affected population so they can be provided with much-needed assistance in a timely manner and in line with international humanitarian law and practices,” said Mr. Redmond.
Most of the displaced families are staying out in the open, and some areas can no longer accommodate those forced to flee due to military operations are closing in on them. UNHCR, in concert with local authorities and other agencies, are trying to locate additional sites to shelter the internally displaced persons (IDPs).

Zardari sworn in as Pakistan's new president

Asif ali Zardari, left, takes oath of the president of Pakistan from Chief Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar, right, at the presidential palace in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Sept 9, 2008. (AP Photo/Press Information Department, HO)

Army fires at van failing to stop

Army motorcycle squad fired at a fleeing van that disobeyed orders to stop in Kottawa. Driver critical.

155 soldiers died in terrorist attacks in Aug

Prime Minister Rathnasiri Wickremanayake says 155 military personnel were killed and 983 others wounded in terrorist attacks during August this year.
Moving a motion to extend the state of emergency by a further month, Mr. Wickremanayake told the House today (Sept. 09th) that four civilians also died and 50 others sustained injuries in these attacks.
The military should have the legal backing to wipe out terrorism, he said, adding that it was capturing territory in the north, to which a minority in the south was displaying its opposition.

The target was Radar system – Army spokesman

The target of the tiger attack today (9th) morning had been the radar system deployed at the air base at Vavuniya says Army spokesman Brig. Udaya Nanayakkara.
At a media briefing held at Media Center for National Security (MCNS) today Brig. Nanayakkara said 10 bodies of terrorists including that of 5 female cadres were found in and around the Army, Air Force and Police camps complex after the attack.
About 70 rounds of artillery were aimed at the complex from 2.50 a.m.to about 5.45 a.m. said Brig. Nanayakkara adding that two bombs were dropped by two light air crafts of the terrorists at about 3.30 a.m. which fell on areas where the Army camps are located.
10 Army soldiers were killed in the attack and 15 others were injured. One police officer was killed and 7 Air Force personnel and 9 Police officers were injured in the dawn attack said Brig. Nanayakkara.

UN to begin pullout from Wanni

The UN says it is now evaluating its operations in the Wanni with a view to relocating humanitarian staff. A precise timetable for the complete withdrawal of all staff is yet to be determined, but relocations will begin this week.

The UN in Sri Lanka acknowledges the announcement by the Government of Sri Lanka that they can no longer ensure the safety of aid workers in the Vanni, and their request that UN and NGO staff should relocate to government-controlled territory. The UN notes that the Government recognizes it holds primary responsibility for ensuring the safety of humanitarian workers.
The UN remains fully committed to addressing the humanitarian needs of the civilian population in the affected areas, and will continuously monitor the situation to assess how this can be done under the circumstances, the UN said.

Security Forces crush major terror attack at Vavuniya

Latest military reports received from Vavuniya reveal that a major attack launched by LTTE terrorists at the security forces headquarters Wanni and Air Force Base Vavuniya early this morning (Sept 9) was completely foiled.
According to the reports, the terrorists launched a pre-dawn ground assault coordinated with artillery fire and an air raid with the intention of causing severe damage to the Air Force assets in the Vavuniya air base.
Defence sources in Vavuniya state, the terrorists launched artillery fire to the Army camp in order to prevent counter attack and directed their ground assault at the airbase. However, valiant soldiers moved forward amid heavy enemy artillery fire and crushed the terror ground assault completely. According to the available information 10 bodies of slain LTTE cadres have been found so far.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Air Force fighter jets intercepted two LTTE light aircraft fleeing after failed mission at Vavuniya Air force base and shot down one of the aircraft in the Mullaittivu skies.
10 soldiers laid down their lives and 15 others suffered injuries. One police constable was killed and 8 others sustained injuries due to the enemy artillery fire. Five Air Force personnel also suffered injuries.
More information will follow.. (News-SLDefence)

Electricity to entire Jaffna Peninsula

The Government will meet the electricity needs of the entire Jaffna District by November this year. Its desire is to supply power without a crisis after completing the work on the Chunnakam Power Plant.
According to the Miniter of Power and Energy W D J Senevirathna 24 mega watts of power is being provided to the Jaffna civilians at present. The Chunakkam power plant, which will be ready by end of November, can generate 36 megawatts, generating six megawatts from six generators. Thereafter it will be possible to supply power to factories of the District. 50 Chinese engineers and 50 constructors resident in Jaffna are engaged in this task. The Government of Sri Lanka in its effort in providing infrastructure facilities to the benefit of Jaffna civilians expected to provide electricity to the entire Jaffna Peninsula through Chunnakam power plant and much work is being done in the construction.

Karunanidhi fires letter to Manmohan against Lankan navy

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi Sunday shot off a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to ensure the safety of Indian fishermen and request the Sri Lankan Navy to exercise constraint and refrain from shooting innocent Indian fishermen.
In the letter a copy of which was issued to the press, Karunanidhi urged the Prime Minister to take steps to protect their lives and ensure their livelihood.
‘In spite of the assurances given by the government of India, the fishermen of the State feel insecure and reluctant to carry on fishing in the Indian water for fear of attack by Sri Lankan Navy without any warning’, he said. (News Today)

Sri Lanka - President changes law on retirement age limit

The president will hereafter be able to extend the retirement age of any public official for whom the law says he is "appointing authority" - including the attorney general, says Lalith Weeratunga, secretary to President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Last month, Rajapaksa issued an Extraordinary Gazette amending the rules of the Public and Judicial Officers (Retirement) Ordinance to state that: "…the President may if he considers it expedient extend the age of compulsory retirement of any Public Officer appointed by the President."When asked to clarify what public officials were eligible for extension under the new regulation, Weeratunga told LAKBIMAnEWS: "All public officials for whom the president is appointing authority, including the attorney general and secretaries." When it was noted such appointments were governed now under the 17th Amendment to the Constitution, Weeratunga replied: "The appointments have to be recommended by the Constitutional Council, that's a different story. The appointing authority is still the president." Rajapaksa's critics have accused him of having changed the law to extend the term of Attorney General C R de Silva so that he may be made Chief Justice on Sarath N Silva's retirement in June. Weeratunga denied this and said C R de Silva - whose term has already been extended by six months till February - will retire before Sarath Silva does. "The attorney general is due to retire in February while the chief justice steps down in June," he explained. He said the attorney general was "only given an extension at this point of time to ensure the smooth functioning of the attorney general's department". "We will have to find another attorney general in the interim," he added. Asked until what age the president could extend the retirement age of these public officials, Weeratunga said, "indefinite… there is no limit." He claimed it was not a new regulation. He also said President Chandrika Kumaratunga had extended the retirement age of IGP Chandra Fernando by a year (he retired at 61). "It's the same principle."Meanwhile, the proposal to extend the retirement age of all public sector workers to 63 is still before Cabinet. Weeratunga said such a move would save billions for the government in terms of pensions but added that it was up to the cabinet to decide

Sri Lanka: LTTE likely to carryout a series of morale boosting assassinations

Demoralize the enemy from within by surprise, terror, sabotage and assassination. This is the only way to win a seemingly unwinnable war - Anon
While most Sri Lankans buoyed by the continuous victories in the battlefield are not paying attention, the LTTE is likely to carryout a series of morale boosting assassinations to wipe-out the Southern leadership and thereby regain the upper-hand in this fight to the finish.
This devastating strategy may include a number of high profile assassinations between now and 26th November – LTTE leader Velupillai Prabakaran’s 54th birthday – Heroes Day, which will decapitate much of the political and military leadership of Sri Lanka and restore his standing at a time when many consider the destruction of the LTTE to be imminent.
The top targets of such a desperate strategy may include:
1. H.E. President Mahinda Rajapakasa (Commander in Chief), his family, including his Brother and Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapakase who narrowly survived a bomb attack on December 01, 2006;
2. Prime Minister Hon. Ratnasiri Wickremanayake (who was also previously targeted by the Tigers), and the Minister of Foreign Affairs;
3. Army commander Gen. Sarath Fonseka who on 25 April 2006, survived an LTTE suicide bomb attack in which he was seriously injured and nine others were killed;
4. All top commanders in the battlefront;
5. TMVP leader Col. Karuna (V. Muralitharan), and Eastern Province Chief Minister Pillayan (Hon. Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan);
5. Several other anti LTTE Tamil leaders (Hon. Douglas Devananda & Mr. V. Anandasangaree) and anti-LTTE journalists.
Media reports in the past have stated that there are at least six assassins shadowing top military and political leaders and as in the case of the suicide attack of Hon. Jeyaraj Fernandopulle on April 6, 2008, they will strike at the first lapse in security.
The weapon choice this time around may be the bullet not the bomb as snipers will find it easier than suicide bombers to acquire their targets. Also kamikaze aircraft may be used for dramatic effect. Last week the security around the President’s official residence Temple Trees was toughened.
The first such asymmetrical counterattack by the LTTE may be the with cyanide poisoning of over 200 soldiers at the Henanigala camp in Eastern Province last weekend. The fish were allegedly injected with the poison. Are the camps abandoned by the fleeing Tigers booby trapped?
The most shocking element of an asymmetrical counterattack will be the use of Sinhala Tigers know as the - Revolutionary Liberation Front or Viplawakari Vimukthi Peramuna, to execute these high profile assassinations. Many of them (including female Sinhala Tigers), may have by now successfully ingratiated themselves to the top brass of the government and their staff as was done by Tiger Babu - the killer of President Ranasinghe Premadasa.
Media reports state that the Tigers have also its trained upcountry youth to fight the government. Another dangerous development is the assistance provided by certain religious institutions to the LTTE to continue its murderous campaign.
If the LTTE is able to even target half the above mentioned leaders then it will demoralise the forces and the Tigers will find it easy to defeat them. The demoralized troops are likely to go on rampage and kill scores of Tamil civilians and there are likely to be anti-Tamil riots like 1983 but on a much larger scale and throughout the country. International humanitarian intervention will follow and Sri Lanka will become a UN colony which will then be split along ethnic lines. The UN will help Prabakaran to become leader of the state of Eelam. Think East Timor or Kosovo.
Through the above mentioned series of assassinations, Prabakaran, the master of misdirection, may once again show his supporters why is he a brilliant tactician as he did not have to fight a larger scale and costly war against the troops instead he achieved his objective with just a handful of bullets.
Other methods may include hijackings, kidnappings and blackmailing those trusted by the leadership to carryout these dastardly acts.
Needless to say the writer trusts that steps have been taken to avert such a national catastrophe. Sri Lanka cannot afford to lose its courageous and patriotic civilian and military leadership, especially since many leaders have been ruthlessly slain in the past 33 years starting with the assassination of Jaffna mayor Alfred Duraiappah in 1975 allegedly by Prabhakaran and most recently the killing of Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle in April on the orders of Prabakaran.
This writer appeals to the patriotic citizens of Sri Lanka to assist the law enforcement authorities to prevent the above mentioned scenario from becoming a reality.
While our leaders and brave soldiers are endangering their lives to bring peace to Mother Lanka by ridding it of the cancer of terrorism, we have a duty to keep them informed of the saboteurs in our midst who are trying their best to undermine this valiant effort.
May the present leadership of Sri Lanka be protected from harm.

Three arrested in Sri Lanka hill country for sending money to LTTE

Sri Lanka Police today arrested three persons who were involved in a large number of thefts and lootings in Nuwara Eliya and sending the money to the LTTE in North.

Heavy rains continue in Sri Lanka

As Sri Lanka would continue to experience the present rainy weather, the highest rainfall has been reported from Bandarawela today, the Meteorological Department said.

Sri Lanka says 24 rebels killed in new fighting

Sri Lanka - Sri Lankan soldiers captured three Tamil Tiger rebel bunkers and killed 24 guerrillas in fighting across the island's restive north, the military said Saturday.
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Troops captured the three bunkers and killed eight rebels in fighting Friday along the northeastern front of Welioya district, military spokesman Brig. Udaya Nanayakkara said.
Other fighting broke out Friday in Vavuniya district, where 14 rebels were killed, and in Kilinochchi district, where two guerrillas were killed, Nanayakkara said.
On Saturday, air force helicopters bombed rebel bunkers in the rebel-held Mullaittivu district to support advancing ground troops, the military said in a statement.
It did not give details of damage or casualties suffered by rebels in the raid.
With communication all but cut with the northern areas, rebel spokesman Rasiah Ilanthirayan could not be reached for comment.
Independent verification of the fighting and casualties was not possible because most journalists are banned from the war zone. Both sides have been accused of exaggerating enemy casualties and underreporting their own.
Fighting has escalated in recent weeks because of a government offensive deep into the jungles of the north, where the rebels control a de facto state. The government has pledged to crush the rebel group by the end of the year.
The rebels have admitted losing territory in recent battles but claim government soldiers are overextended and are walking into a trap.
Tamil Tiger rebels have fought since 1983 to create an independent homeland for Sri Lanka's ethnic minority Tamils, who have faced discrimination at the hands of successive governments controlled by ethnic Sinhalese.
More than 70,000 people have been killed in the violence.

North PC polls soon – President

The Northern Provincial Council will be established after holding PC polls for the province shortly- President Mahinda Rajapaksa said today.

Rebels, military report heavy Sri Lanka fighting

Battles between government forces and ethnic Tamil separatists raged across northern Sri Lanka, with the military saying Thursday that it killed 28 rebels and the rebels claiming 11 government troops died in the fighting.
Violence has spiked in recent weeks as government forces pushed deep into rebel-held territory in the north in a new offensive aimed at routing the Tamil Tigers after 25 years of civil war on this Indian Ocean island nation.
In new fighting Wednesday, the military said it killed 11 rebels in the Welioya region, while one soldier was reported missing. Another 17 rebels were killed in fighting in the Kilinochchi, Jaffna and Vavuniya regions, the military said.
With communication all but cut with the northern areas, rebel spokesman Rasiah Ilanthirayan could not be reached for comment.
However, the rebel-affiliated TamilNet Web site, citing unidentified rebel officials, reported that 11 government troops were killed Tuesday and Wednesday. Those deaths came in addition to earlier rebel reports that Tamil Tiger fighters killed 75 soldiers in recent days.

LTTE’s Mallavi Nerve Center Nearly Cleared & Captured

REACHING one more decisive phase of the ongoing humanitarian battle, meant to salvage people from the grips of LTTE terrorism, valiant soldiers of the 7 Sinha Regiment in 57 Division under the able command of Major General JAGATH DIAS, General Officer Commanding, 57 Division, brought more than three-fourth of the LTTE’s nerve center, MALLAVI, about 3.5 km to the east of TUNUKKAI under their control Monday (01) evening, Army Headquarters officially announced. Ending days of speculation, domination of the well-known MALLAVI town, said to be the native place of PRABHAKARAN’s wife, MADIVADINI, marked one more decisive and impressive phase of the “war for peace” in WANNI which has about 1 km long main street with boutiques and shops on both sides of the town center. A few more adjoining vulnerable areas are yet to be cleared, the Army said.

Japanese prime minister resigns

Japan's chronically unpopular prime minister abruptly resigned Monday after a yearlong struggle with a deadlocked parliament, leaving the weakened ruling party to grapple with a stalled economy and rising calls for snap elections.
The resignation of Yasuo Fukuda, 72, deepened a two-year stretch of political instability at the helm of the world's second-largest economy. It came only days after the government announced a stimulus package to counter flagging consumer spending.
Fukuda, who took office just under a year ago, said he was clearing the decks for a more popular successor to take over ahead of a tough special session in the parliament, where the ruling party controls the lower house and the opposition dominates the upper.
"We still have time before discussion of key policies starts in the upcoming parliamentary session, and this is the perfect timing not to cause people too much trouble," Fukuda said, explaining that he was exiting to avoid a "political vacuum."
Fukuda suffered throughout his term from anemic public backing — the latest poll showed him with only 29 percent support — and repeated embarrassment at the hands of the obstructionist opposition in parliament. ( News- Harald Tribune)

Humanitarian Corridor" set up for civilians to escape LTTE terror

The Ministry of Defence has taken swift measures to establish a "Safe Corridor" so that civilians trapped in uncleared areas can escape to safe ground. Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights, Mahinda Samarasinghe while welcoming the move of the MoD said that the overriding interest of the Government was to ensure the safety and security of conflict-affected civilians who were being invited to seek the protection of the security forces in cleared areas in Vavuniya.
"The Government of Sri Lanka has decided to further develop Vavuniya as a storage and logistic hub for humanitarian assistance including food and non-food items. The ongoing efforts of the Government in this connection are been complemented by international partners who have also commenced stockpiling food and humanitarian supplies for civilians escaping from or displaced by the armed conflict," the Ministry of Human Rights said in a statement issued today (01).
Minister Samarasinghe also added that work has commenced on the upgrading of a garment factory in close proximity to the current Vavuniya logistic hub for both inter-agency storage and office facilities. Civilians who escape to Vavuniya will thus be able to access the full gamut of humanitarian assistance that the Government, supplemented by its international partners, is providing.
He said that the Government was appreciative of the efforts of the UN agencies, International and local non-government organizations in supplementing the Government's initiative in caring for conflict affected communities in the entirety of the North, especially those persons displaced by the conflict.
The Minister called on all relevant parties to ensure that civilians are allowed to use the safe humanitarian corridor and assist them to travel to secure areas without any hindrance.
Minister Samarasinghe said that he would ensure all necessary facilitation and coordination among the Government, the donor community, UN and other international agencies and organizations, in the provision of humanitarian assistance and relief to civilians in the North through the Consultative Committee on Humanitarian Assistance (CCHA). ( News-SLDefence)

Shell gas increased by Rs.126/-

Shell Gas Company has decided to increase the price of a domestic cylinder of gas by Rs.126/- from tonight. Accordingly a domestic cylinder of Shell gas would be priced at Rs.1863/-
Laugfs too has indicated that it would increase gas prices in a few days. Though companies state the increase in prices is due to higher prices in the world market, prices of gas has fallen in the world market from the month of July.

Troops in pursuit of LTTE: at least 10 LTTE bodies found scattered - Padawiya

Army's elite Special Forces (SF) troops in pursuit of terrorists encircled at Konketiyawa, East of the Padawiya tank have reportedly observed at least 10 LTTE bodies scattered in the area, according to latest reports received, Sunday (Aug 31).
Intermittent gunfire exchanges were reported in the area since this morning our Welioya correspondent said, citing military, as troops further claimed to have sealed all 'way-routes' combined with the Civil Defence Force(CDF) personnel in the area. Details of the latest confrontations are not available our correspondent said, adding that the terrorists' chances of survival are minimum in the area, given the mobility and fire superiority of the Special Forces (SF).
Troops have already seized an LTTE body, a T-56 assault riffle and 3 belt orders in subsequent search operations conducted. The SF troopers were immediately reinforced after clashes broke out between CDF personnel and LTTE since 6.30 a.m, Saturday, when troops on patrol observed a group of terrorists in Army guise attempting to infiltrate into the area. A civilian was also reported wounded due to the indiscriminate LTTE gunfire attack and later transferred to the General Hospital at Anuradhapura.
According to military, the LTTE group may have been given specific orders to infiltrate into the liberate areas and cause destruction to both civilian and military targets triggering a slow down of the military advances into the last LTTE bastions at Kilinochchi and Mullaittivu Districts.
3 personnel were killed including a Civil Defence Force (CDF) trooper, while similar numbers were reported injured in yesterday's confrontation, according to reports received.
Meanwhile, Police have also reported killed a terrorist in general area Vahalkada and subsequently recovered the body, according to defence sources(News-SLDefence)

The Secretary of Defence visits and assesses security of Mannar

The Secretary of Defence, Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksha, accompanied by the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Donald Perera and the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda, visited Mannar yesterday-the 30th August 2008, in order to assess the security situation in the area.
The itinerary of the visit comprised of visiting and assessing security condition of the area under North Central Naval Command. They had visited the naval detachment at Irrukkalmpiddy- the naval installation closest to un-cleared areas, the naval base in Thalaimannar, Special Boat Squadron and the Rapid Action Boat Squadron. He also declare opened the newly constructed two-storied North Central Naval Command Headquarters in Mannar which was built by the naval personnel in the civil engineering branch of the navy within a short span of time like three months saving a large sum of money that would have incurred.
In his visit, the Secretary of Defence, Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapakshe, had inspected the Special Boat Squadron and the Rapid Action Boat Squadron which has been imposing a severe threat to the LTTE activities in the Mannar Sea and had also spoken to the troops. The boats and the craft used by the Special Boat Squadron and the rapid action Boat squadron, on board one out of which the Secretary Defence sailed around in his inspection tour, have been constructed by the personnel in the naval engineering branch utilizing indigenous material and expertise. The SBS and Rapid Action Boat Squadron very recently raided the Iranativu Island which was under the presence of LTTE cadres.
The naval troops deployed in the North Central Command have successfully been putting in a blockade on the sea route of smuggling weaponry and other war-like materials by LTTE from the narrow sea strip in the Gulf of Mannar. (News-sldefence)