Thursday, November 27, 2008

Sri lanka Government unreservedly condemns terrorists attack in Mumbai...

Sri lanka Government unreservedly condemns terrorists attack in Mumbai

SRI LANKA-Media and Information Minister Anura priyadarsana Yapa has said that the Government of Sri Lanka unreservedly condemns the wanton attack on innocent

civilians by terrorists last night.The Government on behalf of the people of Sri Lanka offters its sympathy to the people of India in general and particular to the friends and families of those who fell victim to this horrendous crime against humanity in Mumbai last night.

Almost 90 killed in Mumbai rampage

Mumbai rocked by deadly attacks

Eyewitness reaction and local TV footage from the scene

BREAKING NEWS-Gunmen have carried out a series of co-ordinated attacks across the Indian city of Mumbai (Bombay), killing at least 80 people and injuring 200 more. bbc

12 civilians shot dead in Bati

12 civilians shot dead in Bati

SRI LANKA-Eastern province in Batticalo area,12 civilians were killed by gunshot police said.Eight civilians were among them in Kalawachikudi police division.Police investigation conducting.

LTTE suffers heavy beating, 5 bodies recovered- Mullaittivu

LTTE suffers heavy beating, 5 bodies recovered- Mullaittivu

SRI LANKA-Troops of the 59 Division, now consolidating positions North of Kumulamunai in the Mullaittivu battlefront today (Nov 26), have engaged with a group of terrorists in a fierce confrontation and have reportedly uncovered 5 slain bodies, Wanni security sources said. defence.lk

Troops encircle city from three directions: Kilinochchi fall imminent

SRI LANKA-The fall of Kilinochchi, the LTTE’s strategic bastion in the Wanni and its core administrative capital is imminent as troops had established positions in the outskirts of Kilinochchi district, Defence Affairs spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said. dailynews

We’re fighting LTTE, not Tamils: Rajapaksa

SRI LANKA-As diplomatic and political observers awaited the November 27 “Hero’s Day” annual speech of LTTE chief Velupillai Prabakaran, the Sri Lankan military said the fall of Kilinochchi is “imminent.” Also, Sri Lanka’s President Mahinda Rajapaksa reiterated the state is not waging a war against the Tamil community, but engaged in “humanitarian operation” to liberate the people from the LTTE. Minister and Defence spokesperson, Keheliya Rembukwella, said here on Wednesday that the soldiers are advancing in their campaign to capture Kilinochchi, the LTTE’s administrative headquarters, and said the town’s capture is “imminent.” Prabakaran, who turned 54 on Wednesday, is to deliver his annual address from an undisclosed location in Wanni’s jungles. November 27 is observed as “Hero’s Day” by the LTTE in honour of the first LTTE cadre who died during an operation. The annual address, a ritual followed since 1989, is considered a policy statement of the LTTE.

This year’s address acquires added importance in view of the ongoing war and the much-anticipated fall of Kilinochchi. At an interaction with foreign and local religious dignitaries at the Presidential Palace here, Mr. Rajapaksa asserted his government would not negotiate with the LTTE unless it laid down its weapons. He said after being voted to power in November 2005, for over seven months he did not take any action against the LTTE because he believed it would join the peace initiative. The LTTE, however, resorted to violence, killing soldiers and unarmed civilians. “It was the terror unleashed by the LTTE itself that necessitated the humanitarian operation,” he said. Separately, the military said 59th Division troops, now consolidating their positions north of Kumulamunai in Mullathivu, killed five LTTE cadre. “Terrorists have suffered serious damages in the fighting, which lasted for a few hours, since this morning. Unable to resist the military onslaught, terrorists have fled leaving the dead and a cache of weapons behind,” said a Defence Ministry statement. Citing LTTE communication, the military said demoralised and defeated LTTE cadre lashed out at their Mullathivu leadership for failing to send reinforcements. ‘Victimisation’ “The intense military assaults and the small-group operations have confined major movements of terrorists in the area.

The victimisation of Wanni’s youth by LTTE continues as the outfit is reportedly drawing more and more into its ranks, many underage and youth, forcibly and through coercion methods from the families detained under its tyranny in Mullathivu and Kilinochchi districts,” it said.-B. Muralidhar Reddy-The Hindu

Forces action not against Tamils, reiterates President.......

Forces action not against Tamils, reiterates President

SRI LANKA-Our Forces are not waging a war against the Tamil community. It is only a humanitarian operation to liberate them from LTTE terrorists.
We are not ready at all to negotiate with the LTTE until they lay down arms, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa at a discussion held with foreign and local religious dignitaries at the Temple Trees. dailynews-pix-Sudath Silva

More facilities for Wanni civilians entering cleared areas ....

More facilities for Wanni civilians entering cleared areas

SRI LANKA-The Resettlement and Diaster Relief Services Ministry will release Rs. 13 million to the District Secretary Vavuniya for provision of relief services to those entering Government controlled areas from uncleared areas of Killinochchi and Mullaitivu, Minister Rishad Bathiudeen said yesterday. defence.lk

Olumadu regained......

Olumadu regained

Major strategic location on Mankulam-Mullaitivu road, Tigers suffer heavy damage:

SRI LANKA-Army’s Task Force-3 operating on the Wanni front captured Olumadu, a major Tiger stronghold in the Mullaitivu district last afternoon. dailynews

Hasty retreat by LTTE supporters in Paris.......

Hasty retreat by LTTE supporters in Paris

SRI LANKA- Few dozens Tamil terrorists supporters who tried to disrupt a peaceful demonstration held by the Sri Lankans in Paris on Sunday had to make a hasty retreat under police protection. The supporters of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) started to shout pro-Tiger slogans when the demonstration began at 3.00 P.M. and some of the LTTE supporters made threatening gestures to the demonstrators, but when the young girls and boys started to shout slogans denouncing Tiger terrorists, the LTTE supporters had to roll up their Eelam flags and make a hasty retreat from the venue.

Braving the first snow fall of the winter, followed by rain and gusty cold wind, more than 1000 demonstrators shouted slogans denouncing Tamil Tigers and urging the French and the European Union to support Sri Lanka's fight against ruthless LTTE terrorists. The demonstration was held at Trocadero, under the shade of the most popular tourist attraction of the world, the Eiffel Tower. source-defence.lk

Govt eases fishing curbs in Jaffna.......

Govt eases fishing curbs in Jaffna

SRI LANKA- The Government has eased fishing restrictions in Jaffna in the aftermath of the regaining of Pooneryn, Military Spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said yesterday-dailynews

Lanka Tamils: Karuna calls all-party meet

CHENNAI: After a brief lull, parties in Tamil Nadu are set to raise the Sri Lankan Tamil issue in a big way once again. Chief minister M Karunanidhi will chair an urgent meeting of leaders of all political parties on Tuesday to discuss steps to put pressure on the Centre to intervene in the matter. Main opposition AIADMK, however, said it would boycott the meeting, slamming it as a move to hoodwink people. CPI, which has been strongly espousing the Tamil cause in recent months, said it would be unable to participate in the meeting, as it has already announced a picketing programme in front of the central government offices on the same day on the same issue.

MDMK, an ally of AIADMK, also said it would stay away from the meeting. As the Sri Lankan military claims victory after victory in the battlefield, the parties are expected to step up efforts to halt the Army's operations. "Every day, we are getting disturbing reports of Tamils losing their lives and possessions and survivors living in perpetual fear,'' Karunanidhi told reporters in Chennai on Monday. "The meeting will discuss the issues to be taken up with the Centre and further steps in this regard,'' he said. He appealed to all parties to send their president, general secretary or legislature party leader to offer their suggestions. This will be the second all-party meeting on the issue in recent weeks. The meeting has been convened in consultation with PMK, Karunanidhi said.

The close cooperation between the CM and the PMK leader is significant because it was only in June that PMK had been jettisoned from the DMK-led front in the state. The move is seen as a precursor to PMK being wooed back into the DMK-fold ahead of next year's Lok Sabha elections. In a statement, AIADMK leader J Jayalalithaa said her party's stand was that the CM should step down and dissolve the Assembly in protest against the Centre's failure to solve the Lankan problem. All MPs from the state should resign and withdraw their support to the UPA regime, she said.-The Time of India

A fearful end to Sri Lanka's war?.........

A fearful end to Sri Lanka's war?

SRI LANKA-Sri Lanka's government says it is nearing victory in its 25-year conflict with the Tamil Tigers, but as Roland Buerk explains the war will leave a bitter legacy.bbc

TTE suffers heavy damage :
More Tiger defences fall in Kilinochchi

SRI LANKA-The Army yesterday intensified its thrust on Kilinochchi, marching towards the city from three frontiers and smashing many defences including several points of an earth bund constructed by the LTTE , the Defence Ministry -dailynews

Indian police searching for injured LTTEers ........

Indian police searching for injured LTTEers

SRI LANKA-A massive search operation had been launched by the Indian police at a refugee camp after there were reports that a group of injured LTTE cadres may have entered the Ramanathapuram area in India by boats.dailymirror

Task Force 1 captures LTTE Airstrip – Pooneryn.......

Task Force 1 captures LTTE Airstrip – Pooneryn

SRI LANKA-Task Force 1 now marching towards Paranthan LTTE stronghold has captured one of the LTTE airstrips located in the Nivil area, Pooneryn this afternoon (Nov 20). According to the defence sources in the filed, the airstrip is about 200m in length.

The terrorists have demarcated a stretch of the B-69 Pooneryn-Parantan main road, which is also believed to be used as an emergency landing strip by the LTTE, military sources said. Troops have established their forward boundaries about 14 km west from Paranthan and engaged in clearing operations at present, the sources added. The LTTE terrorists are the first terror outfit to procure airpower introducing a new dimension to the global terrorist warfare.-defence.lk

LTTE holding Wanni civilians hostage - Strategy Page...........

LTTE holding Wanni civilians hostage - Strategy Page

SRI LANKA-The LTTE decides who works for the NGOs, and these aid organisations are persuaded, or coerced, to do what the LTTE wants.

The families of those who get NGO jobs via the LTTE, are obliged to provide one or more teenage or adult men or women for the LTTE combat units, and these "volunteers" are expected to be diligent soldiers, or else their families will suffer, the respected military website Strategy Page said yesterday(Nov 20).

Following are excerpts of the article from the Strategy Page.

All adult Tamils are now subject to involuntary military service. Most of these fighters barely know how to operate their weapons, but the LTTE has found a way to make them useful even if they are killed.

If some of these fighters are hit by an air strike or artillery, their weapons are taken away, and pictures taken to show "civilians killed by Sri Lankan military." Unable to stop the army advance, the LTTE is trying to manipulate public opinion in India, and throughout the world, to get the Sri Lankan government to accept a ceasefire. They do this by stressing the suffering of Tamil civilians living in territory controlled by the LTTE.

These civilians are basically hostages, with the LTTE threatening to kill anyone who tries to flee to government territory.

LTTE fighters at the front line have orders to keep the army out, and Tamil civilians in.

The LTTE also puts many military facilities in residential areas. So if the place get hit with artillery or air power, there will likely be civilian casualties that can be used to try and change Indian, and world, opinion against the Sri Lankans.

The LTTE wants a ceasefire badly, but the government is demanding that the LTTE surrender its weapons before that happens. The capture of the Pooneryn peninsula now allows the army to attack the heavily defended LTTE capital of Kilinochchi from three sides. Kilinochchi is heavily defended, and the army does not want to take a lot of casualties taking it by direct assault.

So the battle is proceeding like a siege, with the army wearing down defences and taking the defenders bunkers one at a time. Meanwhile, troops are beginning to take more LTTE territory on the east coast.

The LTTE is having a hard time maintaining the front lines across the island, and the army is pushing through in more and more places, especially to the sides of Kilinochchi. The army is seeking to open the A-9 highway, which goes from the Jaffna peninsula, south through the center of the island.defence.lk

TRO funds forfeited to the State............

TRO funds forfeited to the State.

SRI LANKA-A sum of approximately Rs. 71 million which was lying to the credit of the Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) at the time the funds of the TRO were frozen, have now been forfeited to the State, the Central Bank says in a press release.

The government in August 2006, suspended TRO accounts in Sri Lanka under the terms of the provisions of the Financial Transactions Reporting Act and the Convention on the Suppression of Terrorist Financing Act. L:desent

Troops advance in Kokavil area.........

Troops advance in Kokavil area

SRI LANKA-Troops attach- ed to the 574 Brigade advancing in the general area of Kokavil to the south of Kilinochchi by yesterday afternoon closed in on the Kokavil town centre perimeter where the famous Kokavil SLRC (Sri Lanka Rupavahini Cooperation) transmission tower stands.defence.lk

Amnesty in urgent Sri Lanka plea.......

Amnesty in urgent Sri Lanka plea

SRI LANKA-Amnesty International has appealed to Sri Lanka's government to allow aid to reach more than 300,000 people displaced by fighting in the north. bbc

Tissainayagam moved to Magazine Prison..

SRI LANKA-The Free Media Movement (FMM) has expressed concerns over the transfer of J.S. Tissainayagam, senior journalist J.S. Tissainayagam moved from the remand prison to the magazine prison in Colombo The Free Media Movement (FMM) has expressed concerns over the transfer of J.S.

Tissainayagam, senior journalist who is on trial before the High Court from the remand prison to the magazine prison in Colombo. Tissanayagama along with 70 other prisoners have been moved on Tuesday. No reasons have been given for this sudden move, FMM spokesman, Sunanda Deshapriya said. Neither Tissainayagam who appeared in courts on the 18th nor his lawyers were aware of this move, he said. Tissainayagam is now housed in a prison where there are convicted criminals, he said.

Deshapriya said that Tissainayagam has been threatened by the some prisoners and his dinner on the 18th was taken by the other prisoners. He was not provided with lunch on the 18th or breakfast on the 19th. Minster for Human Rights and Disaster Management Mahinda Samarasinghe, and the Attorney General Department should look into this matter and take steps to move him to a safe place as he has already been receiving threats, Deshapriya added-Lankadesent

Safe passage sought for civilians.

SRI LANKA- The Sri Lankan Air Force on Wednesday claimed it bombed an “LTTE strong point located in Oddusuddan” on Tuesday. A Defence Ministry statement said the 57th Division operating in Kilinochchi had “heavy confrontations” with LTTE cadre.

It said soldiers have ventured further into the LTTE-held areas northeast of Akkarayankulam and north of Therumurukanddi. “It is observed that LTTE terrorists have constructed another earth-bund across the Ponneryn-Paranthan (B-69) Road to resist the security forces movement into Kilinochchi. However, the troops are now on their way to dominate the earth-bund, which runs southwards of Paranthan covering Kilinochchi built-up area. Intercepting LTTE communication channels, it is revealed that the LTTE suffered heavy casualties in the confrontations,” it said. Separately, the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) said as a neutral intermediary enjoying the trust of both the government and the LTTE, it is facilitating their talks to find suitable arrangements for a crossing point between the territories controlled by them.

“Finding an arrangement for movement between government and LTTE-controlled territory is essential for the safe passage of civilians, ambulances and food convoys, and for the return of bodies of fallen fighters,” said Paul Castella, the ICRC’s head of delegation in Sri Lanka. Arrangements concerning crossing-point procedures, including location and opening hours, must be agreed to. The ICRC’s presence at the Omanthai crossing point has been temporarily suspended since November 18, as the organisation could not obtain all necessary guarantees for the safe passage of civilians and goods. “Until a clear arrangement is found, the ICRC will continue to approach both parties to the conflict on a case-by-case basis to facilitate the movement of ambulances and the transfer of dead bodies of security-force and LTTE fighters.

The ICRC’s role as a neutral intermediary between the two parties to the conflict is one of the most important it has had during almost 20 years in the country,” said Mr. Castella. Meanwhile, the military alleged that LTTE cadre killed a doctor, Palitha Pathmakumara, the only medical officer at the Rural Hospital, Vavunathivu, on Sunday.The Hindu-B. Muralidhar Reddy-Photo: AFP

Sri Lankan forces reclaim rebel town. (CNN) -- Sri Lankan security forces reclaimed a rebel-dominated town in the northern part of the island nation, a military commander announced Tuesday. An undated picture shows Tamil Tiger rebels in Kilinochchi during a confrontation with the army. An undated picture shows Tamil Tiger rebels in Kilinochchi during a confrontation with the army.

The town of Mankulam -- about 187 miles from the capital, Colombo -- sits along the highway to Kilinochchi, once the center of political power for the Tamil Tiger rebels. In Kilinochchi, rebels ran their own quasi-administration with a makeshift police force, court, tax system and prisons. Those institutions were dismantled after Sri Lankan forces launched a major military offensive to recapture rebel strongholds.

The takeover of Mankulam came less than a week after Sri Lankan troops recaptured the northern village of Pooneryn -- a significant strategic move that enabled troops to secure control of the west coast, preventing rebels importing supplies from the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, a military spokesman said. The Tamil Tigers were founded in 1976. The U.S. State Department designated the group a foreign terrorist organization in 1997.-From Iqbal Athas
CNN

LTTE is the main obstacle to freedom of Tamils -- Media Minister...

LTTE is the main obstacle to freedom of Tamils -- Media Minister

SRI LANKA-The LTTE is the main obstacle in bringing freedom to the Tamil community, Minister of Media Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said. Defeating terrorism is the first step of brining freedom to the Tamil community, he observed, adding that the present Government has taken a bold step in this regard under the guidance of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. "Terrorism has been wiped out from the Eastern Province and democracy has been restored; it is the due responsibility of the present Government to bring freedom to the Northern masses as well," he said.

Referring to the stipulations in the 2009-Budget, Minister Abeywardena noted that the increasing of cess was done to strengthen local industrialists and encourage local production. The Minister was of the view that this budget has all the features that are essential for an agriculture based economy. Courtesy : Government Information Department

Possibility of proscribing LTTE - PM

SRI LANKA- There is the possibility of the Government proscribing the LTTE, said Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka. The Government continued the humanitarian operation launched from Mavil Aru because the people requested it. Now the Government may even proscribe the LTTE before the people requested it, he said participating in the Subharathi discussion programme over the SLBC Sinhala Service yesterday. dailynews

Mankulam, Kumulamunai in Forces’ hands..........

Mankulam, Kumulamunai in Forces’ hands

58 Division troops heading to Paranthan:

SRI LANKA- The Security Forces engaged in the Wanni liberation operation in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts yesterday captured the strategically important Kumulamunai village south of Mullaitivu and the key junction town Mankulam on the A-9 road. dailynews

Yamuni -Most best Woman News Photographer in sri Lanka-2008

SRI LANKA-The Woman photojournalist in Sri Lanka, Yamuni Rashmika was selected as a Best Woman News Photojournalist in 2008 .National Media Foundation organized this ceremony in Hilton Hotel Colombo yesterday(17).Yamuni Rashmika is most experience photographer in News field.

TELO members shot dead in Vavuniya .....

TELO members shot dead in Vavuniya

SRI LANKA-Two members of the Tamil Ealam Liberation Organisation (TELO) were shot dead in Vavuniya by unidentified gunmen last night-dailymirror

Week-long felicitation to mark victories.

SRI LANKA- The Government has announced a week-long felicitation (Ranaviru Week) from today to mark the victories of the Security Forces, who captured Pooneryn, the last major Naval bastion of the Tigers in the North after nearly 15 years. dailynews

TF-3 troops close-in on Mankulama: LTTE faces major setback-

Mullaittivu SRI LANKA- Task Force -3 troops inducted west of the A-9 trunk road off Mankulama in the western Mullaittivu battlefront have commenced marching towards the strategically important Mankulama junction, since dawn today (Nov 16). defence.lk

Tamil people are my concern.......

Tamil people are my concern

SRI LANKA-President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday told Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh that the Government was ready to talk peace with the LTTE at any time if the latter lays down arms. dailynews

LTTE must disarm.......

Govt reiterates stand on CFA:
LTTE must disarm.

SRI LANKA-The Government’s firm stand on the Ceasefire Agreement is unchanged, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said adding there will not be peace negotiations with the LTTE unless it lays down arms and surrenders. dailynews

Captured Terrorist-turned English teacher narrates harrowing realities

Captured Terrorist-turned English teacher narrates harrowing realities

SRI LANKA-Task Force-I troops battling for supremacy with Tiger terrorists in Vallayarkuttirukkumoddai, about 4 km to the east of the 7th Mile Post on the A-32 Road, close to Palavi area just captured, were absolutely astounded to find that one of the Three female Tiger terrorists captured on Tuesday (11) after fierce clashes, happened to be a Government English Teacher of a reputed school. This captured Tiger terrorist-turned English teacher, Ms Nilaveli (28) was coaching students in grade 6-10 classes until she joined LTTE's "Saiver" Regiment to stop conscription of her beloved teenage brother and sister to the LTTE. Graduated from the reputed KOPAY College of Education (English Faculty), she has still been drawing her government salary and all other perks from the Department of Education in Kilinochchi as a trained English teacher. The other two captured female Tigers have been identified as Kilavedi (18) and Thuruveli (19), all four of them originally from Kilinochchi, Paranthan and Mallavi areas. Startling confessions made by the captured English teacher further admitted that more than one hundred (100) of her counterparts, some of who are also her own batch mates, still remain with the LTTE organization, either after they were conscripted or made to join it in fear of Tiger atrocities and reprisals. She has further gone on record saying that she was compelled to join the LTTE purely in order to save the lives of her beloved teenage brother and the sister from the notorious LTTE conscription, since the LTTE has strictly ordered the surrender of at least one family member to the outfit from each family. In the same manner, almost all officials, clerks, lower grade employees of the Department of Agriculture, several other government agencies as well as officials of Kilinochchi- based Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs), following LTTE diktats have been forced to serve the front lines whether they liked it or otherwise, she has disclosed. Explaining ground realities and the plight of other Tigers, trapped desperately in the battlefields, she has further told the investigators that they barely survive with one meal per day and the LTTE has not either left room for the disgusted to surrender or give up fighting and flee after pushing them, as canon-fodder to the fronts while senior Tiger men and women were taking cover behind them. She has also asserted that the Tigers would neither win this War nor would they be able to ever realize their Eelam dream. Those three LTTE females have now been detained for further investigations after providing them with their basic needs. defence.lk

Forgery racket with Lankan link in Malaysia busted .....

Forgery racket with Lankan link in Malaysia busted

KUALA LUMPUR: Mala- ysian immigration officers have arrested two Sri Lankan nationals, believed to be part of a syndicate issuing forged passports and personal identification documents to their fellow countrymen, news reports said yesterday. dailynews

Govt. rules out CFA, talks.........

.
Govt. rules out CFA, talks

SRI LANKA- The Government will not enter into a CFA or talks with the LTTE at this juncture unless it was prepared to lay down arms, Agriculture Development and Agrarian Services Minister Maithripala Sirisena told Parliament yesterday. dailynews

LTTE will not lay down arms - TNA ..........

LTTE will not lay down arms - TNA

SRI LANKA-TNA MP Senathiraja Jeyananthamoorthi stated in parliament today that there was no other alternative than a separate state for Tamils, adding that the LTTE would not lay down arms. He said that they had strategically withdrawn, and that they could not be militarily defeated.dailymirror

Tea Board to continue purchases at Auction:.........

Tea Board to continue purchases at Auction:

Major boost for tea industry

SRI LANKA-The direct participation of the Sri Lanka Tea Board at the Colombo Tea Auction has restored the buoyancy of the tea market and spurred a rejuvenation in the industry, financial sources said yesterday.-dailynews

LTTE wants a ceasefire............

LTTE wants a ceasefire

SRI LANKA-The LTTE has said it is ready for a ceasefire with the government but did not say if it will comply with the conditions of the government to lay down arms and surrender in order to recommence negotiations.

LTTE political head B. Nadesan, when contacted by TamilNet on Saturday, following reports of Tamil Nadu leaders seeking clarification on the LTTE's stand on a ceasefire has said "there is no hesitation on our side to reiterate our position that we have always wanted a ceasefire."dailymirror

Warn Sri Lanka, says Vaiko

Warn Sri Lanka, says Vaiko

MDMK general secretary Vaiko and M. Kannappan (in spectacles),
presidium chairman, coming out of a court in Chennai on Thursday.

CHENNAI: MDMK general secretary Vaiko and presidium chairman M. Kannappan, who were arrested on charges of sedition, were released on Thursday as the prosecution did not press for extension of their remand in judicial custody.

K. Ravi, VII Metropolitan Magistrate, said he was releasing the two since the prosecution submitted that investigation had been completed and further remand was not necessary. “Considering the submission of both sides and perusal of the case revealed that the investigation is completed and both the accused are let off,” the Magistrate said. He asked them to appear in the court on summons. “No justifiable ground” Mr. Vaiko earlier made a submission that there was no justifiable ground to order the extension of remand.

The two leaders were arrested on October 23 under Section 124(A) IPC (Whoever brings or attempts to bring in hatred or contempt or excites disaffection towards the government) and Section 13(1)(b) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (Whoever advocates, abets in, advises or incites the commission of any unlawful activity). Later addressing mediapersons, Mr. Vaiko said he and Mr. Kannappan had not committed any offence. Recalling the petition submitted in the court, Mr. Vaiko said the speeches were not supportive of any claim to bring about secession of a part of the territory of India from the Union. “It was only a caution made in the interest of the unity and integrity of India,” he added.

He said the MDMK was committed to the unity and the integrity of the country. “We don’t need a certificate of patriotism from anyone,” he said.Mr. Vaiko said India should warn Sri Lanka in no uncertain terms to stop the war. “If India decides to stop the war, it can achieve it in five minutes. India must talk in terms of imposing economic sanctions on Sri Lanka,” he said. The MDMK leader said: “Supply of arms to the perpetrators of the war against the Tamils will amount to betrayal of the Tamil race.”The Hindu

Intense fighting in northwest of Mankulam, LTTE suffers heavy beating.....

Intense fighting in northwest of Mankulam, LTTE suffers heavy beating

SRI LANKA-Troops of the newly formed military formation, Task Force 3, advancing from northwest of Mankulam towards A-9 main road dominating terror areas, confronted with LTTE terrorists causing heavy damage to the enemy yesterday, 06 November.

According to the sources, hours long fighting ensued in general area Panikkankulam leaving scores of terror cadres killed and many others injured. By intercepting terror communication, it is learnt that many terror cadres gone missing during the confrontation.

In a subsequent search operation conducted in the area, troops have fund 7 bodies of LTTE cadres killed during the intense battle. One GPMG (General Purpose Machine Gun), five T-56 riffles and one T-81 riffle were also found in the search operation.

Troops are continuing their march towards Mankulam with effective military thrust on LTTE. defence.lk

Budget thrust on development, welfare, local industry

SRI LANLKA-President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday presented the fourth budget of his Government introducing a wide range of people’s friendly proposals aiming to bring down the cost of living burden and achieving long term economic benefits to the country including the development of local industries-dailynews-pix-Sudath Silva

Let us march together towards peace - President

Let us march together towards peace - President

SRI LANKA-Cheers and applause greeted President Mahinda Rajapaksa when he arrived in the Chamber to present the fourth Budget of his Government .dailynews

SAARC to set up Food Bank

SAARC to set up Food Bank

India today pledged to contribute 1,53,000 tonnes of foodgrain to set up a Food Bank with an initial capacity of 243,000 tonnes for meeting the demand of SAARC countries during emergency-like situations.

The Food Bank, proposed at the Colombo Summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) meet in August, is expected to be operationalised next year. The proposal was today ratified at a meet of Agriculture Ministers of the region here.

"We have formalised the process for operationalisation of the Food Bank," India's Agriculture Minister and Chairman of the meet, Sharad Pawar, told reporters here. The capacity of the bank may be scaled up later depending on the situation, Pawar said. While India remains the largest contributor to the bank, both Pakistan and Bangladesh will offer 40,000 tonne each. Nepal and Sri Lanka will provide 4,000 tonne each followed by Afghanistan (1,420 tonne), Maldives (200 tonne) and Bhutan (180 tonne).

The foodgrain would be stored in different places in border areas of member nations, a top Indian Government official said, adding, a pricing formula has been agreed upon to supply the foodgrain in case of emergency. "We have not considered it yet... About 40 per cent of poor people live in this part of the world. Forming a cartel does not suit our purpose," Pawar said, while Bangladesh's adviser to the Ministry of Agriculture, C S Karim, nodded in agreement. dailynews

Troops overrun Akkarayankulam built-up in Kilinochchi SRI LANKA-The advancing infantry battalions of the 57 Division, led by Major General Jagath Dias have overrun the Akkarankulam built-up area, Wednesday (Nov 5), after days of heightened fighting with LTTE, leaving scores of terrorists killed and as many injured. According to latest military reports, troops flanking the western edge of the built-up have entered the area initially, followed by a swift incursion by the troops from south of the battlefront. The military forward dominations are still continuing in the eastern edge of the Akkarayankulam built-up at the time of reporting as terrorists were reported mounting intermittent resistances from distance positions, further north.

During subsequent search operations conducted in the area, troops have recovered two terror dead bodies,2 T-56 assault riffles and a I-com set, military sources said. The Akkarayankulam built-up area is considered to be the main LTTE concentration point located 9 kms Southwest of Kilinochchi town area. The latest triumph is expected to add momentum to the military surge towards the LTTE heartland, defence observers state.defence.lk

S Asia is 'worst for snake bites'

South Asia has the highest number of casualties from snake bites in the world, a new study suggests. It found that more than 400,000 people a year are poisoned by snake bites worldwide, with 20,000 deaths annually. The research published by the US based Public Library of Science Medicine involved data from 68 countries-bbc

Obama wins historic US election.....

Obama wins historic US election

Obama makes victory speech

Democratic Senator Barack Obama has been elected the first black president of the United States.-MORE READ-bbc

Obama leads in earliest vote US: Buoyed by a surge in support from young voters, Barack Obama could become the first Democrat to capture traditionally Republican Virginia in more than four decades Tuesday, helping him clinch the White House.

31 Tamil civilians including 3 infants escape LTTE held areas

31 Tamil civilians including 3 infants escape LTTE held areas

SRI LANKA- A group of 31 Tamil civilian including 3 infants who had escaped the LTTE held areas, sought protection with security forces reached to Jaffna last morning, 4 November. The naval patrol craft which detected two boats in northern seas immediately rushed to their assistance and accompanied them ashore under naval protection. defence.lk

Milk food packets should display chemical composition - President

SRI LANKA-President Mahinda Rajapaksa has directed health authorities to ensure that milk food importers clearly display the composition of the chemicals including melamine contained in the milk food in their packets to enable consumers select healthy food items for consumption.dailynews

Breakaway Tamil Tigers 'disarm'...............

Breakaway Tamil Tigers 'disarm'

SRI LANKA-A breakaway group of Sri Lanka's Tamil Tigers will be disarmed within months and integrated into the security forces, its leader has announced.

Vinayagamurthy Muralitharan, widely known as Colonel Karuna, said that the rehabilitation of former cadres under his command had already begun.

The former senior Tamil Tiger leader broke away from the rebels in 2004. BBC

The greatest political show on earth...........

The greatest political show on earth

USA-As the US prepares to vote, the BBC's North America editor looks back at some unforgettable moments from the campaign. It's been the most gruelling, most expensive and most fascinating contest in memory, he says.bbc

Indian Moon probe pictures Earth

The probe was launched on 22 October to embark on a two-year mission of exploration at the Moon. Ground controllers in Bangalore instructed the probe to take pictures with it Terrain Mapping Camera as the spacecraft made a pass of the Earth.

Chandrayaan also fired its engines for three minutes to carry out an orbit raising manoeuvre which takes the probe closer to the lunar body. That was the fourth manoeuvre of its type made by the spacecraft, extending its orbit to more than half the distance to the Moon. Just one more like it is required to take Chandrayaan into the Moon's vicinity, at a distance of 384,000km from Earth. BBC

Over 80 pc of war against LTTE complete - Army Chief

SRI LANKA- As troops reached just seven Kilometres south of Kilali lagoon which separates the Jaffna peninsula from the mainland, Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka yesterday declared that over 80 per cent of the war against the LTTE has been completed after regaining 80 per cent of the areas under them and killing over 12,000 of their cadres.sources-dailynews

13,000 Tigers killed - Gen Fonseka -BBC

Wanni Operation continues; terrorists at their last legs in Wanni west

SRI LANKA- The Army Task force 1 troops operating in the western half of the Kilinochchi battle frontage have reached to a decisive stage in their mission, as they have successfully sealed of over 90% of the 80 km long northwestern coast of the island. Following the recent liberation of Nachchikuda, the Task Force 1 now has continuous domination over 70 Km stretch of the strategically vital Mannar- Pooneryn (A-32) road. According to the battlefield reports received so far, the Task Force 1 are now on a accelerated march towards Poonaryn; crushing remaining terrorist footholds on the northwestern coast. Heavy confrontations were reported from the Palayillulam area throughout yesterday (Nov 3) as the terrorists were making a desperate attempt to slowdown the advancing soldiers. Troops following a confrontation occurred around 1 PM found one body of a slain LTTE cadre along with a T-56 riffle.

During the morning hours, Army Commandos attacked a group of LTTE cadres in the Ponnaveli area inflicting heavy damages to the terrorists. Meanwhile, Army Special Forces soldiers ambushed a group of LTTE cadres traveling on a tractor in the Uruthirapuram area in the afternoon hours, causing heavy damages to the terrorists. Separate clashes were also reported from the Mukkamvillu area during the day. Meanwhile , intercepted LTTE radio transmissions have revealed that senior terrorist leader , Iilakoon was killed during the confrontation in the Navalladi area , on Sunday (Nov 2).

The slain terrorist leader was a self styled "Lieutenant Colonel" of the LTTE and a member of the ground fighters of the Sea Tigers. Defence observers are in the view that the terrorists are fast loosing their hold in the northwestern coast of the island.www.defence.lk

Counter terrorists operations continue: LTTE suffers heavy beating at Wanni fronts

Counter terrorists operations continue: LTTE suffers heavy beating at Wanni fronts

SRI LANKA-Troops of the Task Force-1, plunged into an LTTE harbouring position located Northwest of Madam, today(Nov 2) forcing terrorists to flee further towards Pooneryn. The military assault comes within hours after the terrorists were heavily beaten off from general area Paddaruyalvillu, in the western Kilinochchi battlefront on Saturday(1). defence.lk

'No end till we get Prabhakaran' - President

SRI LANKA-The Government will declare a ceasefire only if the Tigers lay down weapons and surrender, President Mahinda Rajapaksa told India Today in an interview.

Speaking to India Today Managing Editor Raj Chengappa at Temple Trees, President Rajapaksa said the Forces have Prabhakaran cornered and he will be caught soon. "The day Prabhakaran is caught, military operations would be over. Soon after that we will give a political solution as we did in the East," the President said. defence.lk

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Obama wins historic US election

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