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)
Action with a heart Headline Animator
Sunday, September 21, 2008
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.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
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)
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.
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.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
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.
"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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
