Susanthika Jayasinghe 200M - Semi Final

Wanni offensive moves further northwards; 29 terrorists killed, 35 wounded

During fierce gun battles ensued in the Wanni theatre of battle yesterday, 19 August, 29 LTTE terrorists were killed and 35 others suffered injuries, according to finalized military reports received.
Troops of 56 Division operating in Vavuniya launched an attack targeting a group of LTTE terrorists in the Vedamakilam area. Intercepting terror communication channels, revealed an LTTE terrorist killed while another suffered injuries in this attack.
Heavy fighting ensued between troops and LTTE terrorists in Vavuniya-Mullaittivu battlefront as the troops of 57 Division killed at least 10 terrorists and injuring 4 others in series of clashes reported in south of Manniyakulam, west of Tunukkai and south of Mallavi areas. Five soldiers reportedly wounded due to these clashes. Meanwhile, 2 LTTE dead bodies along with 2 motor cycles and I-Com set were uncovered by the troops of 57 Division during a search operation conducted following a confrontation took place in general area south of Manniyakulam. Another LTTE body was uncovered with T-56 weapon and I-Com set by the troops in general area north of Vavunikulam.
Separately, 3 more LTTE terrorists were killed and another 3 suffered injuries when the troops of Task Force 2 confronted with terrorists in two separate occasions in Palaimoddai during day hours yesterday. One soldier also sustained injuries exploding an anti-personnel mine in the same area.
Troops of Task Force 1 operating in Kilinochchi District confronted with group of LTTE terrorists in general area east of Mannayakulam killing 9 terrorists. Further, intercepting terror communication it is revealed that 15 more terrorists have sustained injuries due to the effective fire launched by the troops. One soldier has laid his life for defending the motherland while another 15 suffered injuries due to terrorists' retaliation.
Troops of 59 Division of operating in Welioya front killed 6 terrorists and injured 12 others during series of clashes reported in general area Andankulam. One soldier has made his utmost sacrifice for the sake of motherland while another 6 suffered injuries, the report said.
Further, 104 anti-personnel mines have been unearthed by the troops of 59 division engaged in mine clearing operations in recently liberated areas in Andankulam in Welioya front. 8 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and a claymore mine weighing of 2.5Kg were also found in same search operation.( News from _ Deffence.lk)

Sri Lanka for international pressure on Tamil Tigers

The Sri Lankan government Wednesday urged the international community to put pressure on the Tamil Tigers to allow civilians to leave the conflict zones to safety.
A government release said the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was preventing thousands of families from moving to safe areas by imposing a strict pass system.
In some instances, the rebels were forcing people to stay behind to ensure the return of other members of their families.
Amnesty International has also criticised the LTTE for its refusal to allow civilians to migrate out of the conflict zones.
The government said the troops were on the verge of reaching the last two rebel strongholds of Kilinochchi and Mullaithivu districts in their current military thrust.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said last week that large-scale displacements were taking place due to the military action.
The government has said that it is committed to providing humanitarian assistance to the displaced with adequate food and water. ( News- Yahoo news)

Japan Prime Minister looks to restart Diet next month

Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda indicated Tuesday he is looking at a mid-September start for the extraordinary Diet session, during which the ruling bloc hopes to introduce emergency economic steps and continue Japan's contribution to antiterrorism efforts.
But Fukuda avoided mention of the exact starting date and length of the session, according to lawmakers who attended a meeting between government leaders and senior ruling coalition lawmakers.
Hiroyuki Hosoda, deputy secretary general of the Liberal Democratic Party, said Fukuda wants to focus on four points during the session — emergency economic measures against rising prices of oil and other items, international cooperation, comprehensive measures for consumers, and leftover bills from the previous Diet session.
Fukuda "did not go into detail, but it is my understanding that comprehensive measures for consumers include establishment of the consumer affairs agency, and international cooperation includes antiterrorism measures," Hosoda told a news conference.
A key issue in the session will be whether to extend the law to enable the Maritime Self-Defense Force to continue refueling multinational naval ships in the Indian Ocean. The law expires in mid-January.
Some LDP lawmakers had hoped to begin the session in late August to ensure enough time to ram the antiterrorism bill through the Diet even if the opposition-controlled Upper House rejects it. Fukuda had hinted previously that the session might begin before September.
But the LDP's coalition partner, New Komeito, backed by Soka Gakkai, Japan's largest lay Buddhist group and an advocate of peace, has repeatedly expressed reluctance to force the antiterrorism bill's passage and has been pushing for the session to start in late September. Fukuda's "mid-September" plan may be a compromise.
New Komeito leader Akihiro Ota stressed the importance of holding discussions between the ruling and opposition parties over various bills and measures, including the antiterrorism bill.
"Antiterrorism measures are necessary," Ota said after the meeting with Fukuda and other senior officials. "Considering the current situation in Afghanistan and Iraq, continuing these diplomatic affairs is a matter of extreme importance."
LDP Secretary General Taro Aso argued that the antiterrorism law's extension is necessary because 90 percent of Japan's oil comes through the Indian Ocean.
"The country as a whole must take responsibility, and both the ruling and opposition parties should thoroughly discuss the issue and cooperate," Aso said. "How could Japan (consider being) the only (country) to back out of international cooperation?" (news from - The Japan Times)

Tigers train civilians for combat

The training programmes that were a common phenomenon in 2006 and 2007, recommenced as tens of thousands of civilians converged on Kilinochchi, fleeing the fighting along the south western borders of the Wanni FDLs. The Tigers constituted their auxiliary force, the ‘Civilian Force’ or Makkal Paddi with the civilians who received basic military training.
Around 1000 civilians both men and women joined the first phase of the training session, which commenced on Monday in Kilinochchi, the Puthinam website reported yesterday.
It also reported that employees of government, non-governmental organisations, traders and cooperative employees were among those who ‘joined.’
The Sankathi website said that the civilians would be assisting cadres in con- ventional attacks as well as ambushes against government forces.
The LTTE political wing had made an urgent request to the civilians and former cadres to join the LTTE in order to protect and regain the Tamil homeland, the reports said.
Civilians who had undergone training in the past in handling weapons had also joined the current training programme. The programme had been held under slogan – "Annihilate Sinhala Forces and regain Tamil Homeland."