Capture Prabhakaran alive, India urges Sri Lanka

Capture Prabhakaran alive, India urges Sri Lanka

India has reiterated that Sri Lanka capture Tamil Tigers chief Velupillai Prabhakaran alive and extradite him to India, sources in the external affairs ministry said on Tuesday.
"India will continue to request that Prabhakaran be caught alive," a ministry source said.
At the same time, New Delhi is aware that Colombo will hand him over only after trying him in Sri Lanka for the crimes he has committed in that country, the source pointed out.
Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa said on Monday Colombo would extradite Prabhakaran, if caught alive, to India - but after first putting him through trial in his country.
In an interview to CNN IBN channel, Rajapaksa said it was "almost over" for the LTTE chief and he could be caught very soon.
Asked whether Prabhakaran would be extradited to India, Rajapaksa said: "First he will have to go through our trial... And then might send him to India."
"Why should I keep him... India has the right... a man who is responsible for killing Rajiv Gandhi (former Indian prime minister in 1991), one of the greatest leaders," he said.
A Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suicide bomber had blown up Gandhi during a poll rally in Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu in May 1991.
The sources also said that as the Sri Lanka military ceased its combat operations against the LTTE, its conventional capabilities had been hit but its command and control systems remained intact.
Thus, there was a possibility of suicide bombings in Sri Lanka in the wake of the operations against the Tigers.
The sources send two de-mining teams would be sent to clear the areas that have been recaptured from the rebels.
This apart, India will step up its humanitarian assistance to Tamil civilians in Sri Lanka who have been displaced by the military offensive against Tamil Tiger rebels, the sources said.
"India is still very concerned about the civilian population in the no-combat zone. We will step up our humanitarian assistance to the Tamil civilians by sending shipments of food, medicine and other essential supplies," the source said.
Hindustan times

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Surrender, Daya Master tells LTTE cadres

Surrender, Daya Master tells LTTE cadres

SRI LANKA-Two former LTTE leaders who surrendered to the military last week, made an open appeal to the remaining LTTE cadres to lay down their arms and surrender, calling the armed struggle as a meaningless effort.
Former LTTE Spokesman Velayudam Dayanidi alias Daya Master and V.K. Pencharatnam, known as George, a former aide to the late political chief Thamil Selvan in an interview with the ITN yesterday urged the remaining Tigers to heed the call of the President and surrender. They also accused the Tigers of keeping civilians as a 'human shield' and shooting scores of people who tried to escape the 'safe zone'.
They also accused the LTTE of forcibly recruiting children as young as 13.
They also blamed the Tigers for the plight of civilians in the North and accused them of plundering food and medicines sent by the Government. They both said that they were treated very well by both military and the authorities. -dailynews

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Britain, France fail to win Sri Lanka truce ..

Britain, France fail to win Sri Lanka truce

COLOMBO (AFP) — The foreign ministers of Britain and France said on Wednesday they had failed to persuade Sri Lanka to end its offensive against Tamil rebels and allow aid in for civilians trapped by the fighting.
"We tried very hard -- we insisted and we insisted -- but it is up to our friends to allow it or not," French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner told a news conference after talks with the Sri Lankan government.-
http://www.theacademic.org-

photo-Sudath Silva

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India appeals to LTTE to surrender......

India appealed LTTE surrender.

India has appealed to the LTTE to surrender and negotiate with the government. Indian Home Minister P. Chidambaram, in an interview with NDTV a short while ago, also said India does not provide any military assistance to the Army which could be used for offensive purposes.-dailymirror

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Humanitarian operations continue.......

Humanitarian operations continue: 53, 58 Div troops advance through mined earth

SRI LANKA-LTTE terrorists suffered double blows losing two heavily fortified defence positions as 53 and 58 Division troops made predawn incursions at identified terror strongpoints located South of Valayanmadam today (April 28).
According to ground reports, 58 and 53 Div infantrymen have respectively gained total control over two LTTE built earth bunds located South and Southwest of Valayanmadam. 58 Division troops advanced Southwards from Valayanmadam, and gained control over a 600m long LTTE built earth-bund running across the coast from West to East, the sources further said. During subsequent search operations conducted troops have also uncovered 9 LTTE bodies, 15x T-56 assault riffles, 01x sniper gun, 11x claymore mines, C-4 explosives 1kg, 75 detonators, 53 'Arul' bombs, 47x hand grenades and 2x I-com sets.
Meanwhile, 58 Div infantrymen have also seized a modified armor plated truck used by LTTE terrorists and a few other heavy earth moving vehicles.
Terrorists have put-up heavy resistance to stall the two frontal military advance before fleeing further South, towards Mullivaikkal, security sources said. "The earth bunds were heavily mined, made to restrict both flow of the remaining hostages and military advances", a defence official said. -defence.lk

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Sri Lanka to host 12 World Cup 2011 matches ..

Sri Lanka to host 12 World Cup 2011 matches

International Cricket Council (ICC) CEO Haroon Lorgat announced today that that Sri Lanka will host 12 matches in three venues of the 2011 World Cup matches adding that in all, 49 matches would be played at 13 venues in three countries.
India will get the lion’s share of the 2011 World Cup matches, given the unstable and precarious security and political situation in the three other host countries - Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
India will host 29 matches in eight venues, Sri Lanka would host 12 matches in three venues and Bnagladesh would host eight matches in two venues, adding that in all, 49 matches would be played at 13 venues in three countries.
Lorgat said that this decision has been taken in the wake of the ICC deciding to deny Pakistan the right to host the World Cup in wake of the March 2009 terror attack on Sri Lankan cricket players.
He told the media that the opening ceremony of the World Cup would be held in Dhaka, Bangladesh on February 18, 2011, while the first match of the tournament would be played in the same city on February 19, 2011.
Lorgat said that Bangladesh would host two quarterfinals, while India and Sri Lanka would host one each. India and Sri Lanka would host a semi final each, while India would host the final of the tournament.
He also said that the working groups of the World Cup Secretariat would henceforth operate from Mumbai till the conclusion of the tournament.
ANI

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Sri Lanka civilians' plight.....

Sri Lanka civilians' plight

SRI LANKA- The Sri Lankan government agreed Monday to stop firing heavy weapons into the war zone in the northeast to avoid injuring thousands of civilians trapped there, but resisted growing pressure for a cease-fire in its war with the Tamil Tiger rebels. A pro-rebel website immediately accused the government of violating its promise by launching airstrikes on a village in the densely populated area.

With a truce in the coming days appearing unlikely, here are some questions and answers concerning the plight of civilians in the war zone.-www.latimes.com-pix by-Sanath Priyantha/Associated Press

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The Under Secretary General of the UN Sir John Holmes.

UN -Sir John Homes visited the IDP welfare Camps

SRI LANKA-The Under Secretary General of the UN Sir John Holmes visited the IDP Welfare Camps (Menik Farm) in Vauniya yesterday and promised to donate 10 million US Dollars through UN agencies to facilitate Tamil civilians .photo-news.lk

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London based LTTE mobs attack Indian and Sri Lankan High...

London based LTTE mobs attack Indian and Sri Lankan High commission buildings

LTTE mobs during a protest demonstration have turned violent and smashed the windows of the Indian and Sri Lankan High Commission buildings in London today (April 27). By stone throwing two Metropolitan police officers have been injured at the Sri Lanka High Commission premises and admitted to hospital.
An LTTE mob engaged in a demonstration in Central London became violent and demolished windows of the Indian High Commission building at Aldwych in Central London. Meanwhile, a smaller mob demonstrating in front of the Sri Lanka High Commission in Hyde Park Gardens were also involved in stone throwing to break windows. Police said the mob at the Indian High Commission tried to enter the building through the reception area but were pushed back.

In their earlier demonstration, the London based LTTE mobs beheaded a Jawaharlal Nehru statue put up by the Westminster City Council close to the Indian high Commission about two weeks ago.
The second demonstration in front of the Indian High Commission saw a participation of about 150 hardcore LTTE supporters. The violent demonstration brought traffic to a standstill, with the mob throwing small missiles at the High Commission Building, situated in a busy spot in Central London. The mob reported to have smashed up eight windows on the ground floor.

The demonstration in front of the Sri Lanka High Commission at the Hyde Park Gardens was a smaller one with the participation of 30 odd LTTE supporters . The mob has reportedly smashed one window of the Sri Lanka High Commission .

The supporters of the LTTE think the survival of Prabhakaran is vital for movement to sustain and carry on with the separatist movement with terrorism, a political analyst said.
The Metropolitan Police said, "Three people have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage at the Indian High Commission, and at the Sri Lankan High Commission, one person has been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder, one on suspicion of criminal damage and one on suspicion of a public order offence. Two police officers, on duty outside the Sri Lankan embassy, have been taken to hospital with injuries-By Walter Jayawardana-defence.lk

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Another 3000 civilians rescued, LTTE intensifies violence against civilians....

Another 3000 civilians rescued, LTTE intensifies violence against civilians to win international sympathy


SRI LANKA-Sri Lankan soldiers engaged in the world's largest hostage rescue mission yesterday (Apr 26) freed 3254 civilians from LTTE clutches.
According to the defence.lk special correspondent on the field, troops of 58 Division rescued 3147 people when they liberated the Valayarmadam coastal village. The group included a large number of LTTE child soldiers. Separately another 107 civilians were rescued by 53 Division soldiers now operating in the Puthukudduyiruppu East area.
Civilians have told the soldiers that the terrorist are now forcibly pushing the rest of the hostages to the Vellamullivaikkal area, where their leaders are currently hiding.
"Tigers set fire to huts where the people have been sheltered, and lead them at gun point to the South before the Army comes", a rescued civilian told our correspondent.
"If you chose to stay, they (LTTE) fire shells at you, and then they take photographs of the bodies and blame Sri Lanka army for the crime... this is the game that they have been playing for long time", the civilian further said.
Citing the civilians our correspondent said that the terrorists have intensified violence against the civilians with a renewed hope of survival.
"When we asked them (LTTE) why were they killing their own people, they told us that some foreign countries are coming to rescue them. They said we have to die for them or else those countries might not help them", another civilian was cited.
Meanwhile, troops of 58 Division have continued their push towards the last LTTE hideout. Intercepted LTTE radio transmission revealed 12 terrorists had been killed and 27 others injured in yesterday's fighting-defence.lk

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UPFA takes Colombo with 68 members

UPFA takes Colombo with 68 members

SRI LANKA-The UPFA has won the Colombo District in the 2009 Western Provincial Council Polls (WPC). Colombo (Final District Results):UPFA 530,370(25 seats), UNP 327,571(15 seats), JVP 21,787(1 seat), SLMC 18,978(1 seat).

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UPFA gets Kalutara District in Full majority

UPFA gets Kalutara District in Full majority

SRI LANKA-Western Province Council Election Kalutara district final result won by UPFA gets 351215 votes. UNP gets 124 426 votes,PLF gets 13106 votes.register votes 801326.-Election depa

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Kalutara postal Votes.........

UPFA Kalutara won the postal votes
Kalutara postal Votes

POLITICAL PARTY/ INDEPENDENT GROUP VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE
UNITED PEOPLE'S FREEDOM ALLIANCE 7,898 76.81
UNITED NATIONAL PARTY 1,965 19.11
PEOPLE'S LIBERATION FRONT 378 3.68
SRI LANKA MUSLIM CONGRESS 22 0.21
DEMOCRATIC UNITY ALLIANCE 4 0.04
UNITED SOCIALIST PARTY 3 0.03
INDEPENDENT GROUP 2 3 0.03
EKSATH LANKA MAHA SABHA 2 0.02
SRI LANKA PROGRESSIVE FRONT 2 0.02
JATHIKA SANGWARDHENA PERAMUNA 1 0.01
PATRIOTIC NATIONAL FRONT 1 0.01
INDEPENDENT GROUP 1 1 0.01
INDEPENDENT GROUP 3 1 0.01
INDEPENDENT GROUP 4 1 0.01
INDEPENDENT GROUP 5 0
INDEPENDENT GROUP 6 0


Valid Votes 10,282 97.59
Rejected Votes 254 2.41
Total Polled 10,536
Regis. Postal Votes 10,926

Copy-Election Dep..

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Kalutara Distric Postal Votes won by UPFA

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS – 2009- Kalutara District postal Votes-

UPFA won the kalutara distric postal votes-7898
UNP-1965

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Gampaha Postal Votes

Gampaha Postal Votes


POLITICAL PARTY/ INDEPENDENT GROUP VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE
UNITED PEOPLE'S FREEDOM ALLIANCE 11,376 77.44
UNITED NATIONAL PARTY 2,700 18.38
PEOPLE'S LIBERATION FRONT 563 3.83
SRI LANKA MUSLIM CONGRESS 32 0.22
EKSATH LANKA MAHA SABHA 4 0.03
UNITED SOCIALIST PARTY 4 0.03
DEMOCRATIC UNITY ALLIANCE 3 0.02
SINHALAYE MAHA SAMMATHA BHOOMIPUTRA PAKSHAYA 3 0.02
INDEPENDENT GROUP 1 2 0.01
DEMOCRATIC UNITED NATIONAL FRONT 1 0.01
RUHUNU JANATHA PARTY 1 0.01
INDEPENDENT GROUP 3 1 0.01
JATHIKA SANGWARDHENA PERAMUNA 0
INDEPENDENT GROUP 2 0
INDEPENDENT GROUP 4 0


Valid Votes 14,690 97.41
Rejected Votes 391 2.59
Total Polled 15,081
Regis.Postal Votes 15,799

Election Dep-Sri Lanka

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Prabhakaran must responsible all killing-Karuna

Prabhakaran must responsible all killing-Karuna

SRI LANKA-The Sri Lankan government has urged him to surrender and end fighting in which thousands of civilians have died. But most generals and officials privately say that only the death of the Tigers' leader will end the island's long war "Sri Lanka lost so many fighters and civilians and Prabhakaran is responsible for all this," Colonel Karuna said. "I used to say to him, 'Why did you kill all those people?' He's a very horrible man. He has to be eliminated." Copy-www.telegraph.co.uk

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Firing incident in Mt. Lavinia

Firing incident in Mt. Lavinia

SRI LANKA-An intra-party rivalry among UPFA candidates got out hand when an 18 year old party supporter was shot a short while ago in Mt. Lavinia, his condition is unknown according to police.

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Prabhakaran cannot flee' - Navy...

Prabhakaran cannot flee' - Navy

SRI LANKA-The Navy will not leave any room for LTTE leader Prabhakaran and his associates to flee the country by sea. Highly fortified naval defence lines and a high tech system has been placed to monitor the LTTE movements, said Commander Karunarathne, acting Naval Spokesperson addressing a media briefing on Thursday (April 23.
Addressing the media yesterday, Commander Karunaratne said that the Navy had played a major role in preventing the LTTE activities and maritime operations during its last three decades.

"The Navy thwarted LTTE arms smuggling the operations and other activities in sea. This includes the destruction of more than 10 LTTE vessels in 2007. Naval troops have made a tremendous contribution in combating LTTE terrorism to-date," he added. He reiterated that the LTTE leader or any single leader will not grab an opportunity to leave the Island via sea.

The naval troops are on surveillance to track the LTTE movements round the clock.
"Using all sources and advanced technology, we have established a highly fortified defence line from the Trincomalee harbour to Kankesanthurai.

We also fixed high frequency radar to detect the LTTE cadres' movements in the Northeastern coastal belt. Therefore, the LTTE leader or his associates have 'NO' chance to flee by boat," he remarked. He further said that the naval troops on patrol are screening each and every displaced civilian coming from the uncleared areas by boat. "We know who is a terrorist and who are the innocent civilians. Once we identify the LTTE cadres, we destroy them," he added.
Around 500 boat loads of civilians who fled from LTTE captivity are under Navy custody.

Courtesy: Daily News

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UN demands LTTE to lay down arms and free civilians immediately ....

UN demands LTTE to lay down arms and free civilians immediately

SRI LANKA-The United Nations Security Council has demanded LTTE terrorists to renounce violence, lay down arms and to stop using civilians as human shield immediately.
"The LTTE is a terrorist organization and should be condemned for its use of civilian as a human shield. The LTTE should immediately lay down arms and renounce its terror tactics", said Ambassador Claude Heller, the President of the UN Security Council summing up the views expressed by the Members of the Security Council at an informal briefing on Wednesday (April 22).
According to defence observers this is a strong message to the LTTE terrorists and a denial of any breather what so ever expected by its sympathizers and its paid henchmen.

The informal briefing to the Council was a follow-up to the visit of UN Under-Secretary General Vijey Nambiar to Sri Lanka earlier this week. The Security Council unanimously agreed that the LTTE's holding civilians hostage was unacceptable and welcomed the movement of large numbers of civilians out of harms way. They called on the international community to extend all assistance to the Sri Lankan Government to deal with the influx of civilians who are fleeing from the LTTE's hold.
Significantly, the Security Council did not call for a ceasefire or a humanitarian pause believing that this would only provide a breathing space for the LTTE and prolong the civilian suffering. They concluded that the quickest way to end this conflict was for LTTE to lay down arms, surrender and let the political process proceed as there was no military solution.

At this informal interactive session held yesterday, the members also urged the government to be cautious about the civilians when taking military action to secure a safe passage for civilians. They also called on the Government to work closely with the UN in providing humanitarian assistance to the displaced civilians including those in transit.
Sri Lanka's Permanent Representative to UN, Ambassador Palihakkara gave assurances to the Council Members that the military was not planning any final assault that could endanger the lives of civilians. He also recalled the assurances given by the Government that it was not firing heavy weapons into the safe zone

Declared by the government and stated that if these allegations were true the civilians would not have left in such large numbers seeking safety from the Government. He gave a detailed account of the steps taken by the Government to address the humanitarian situation in close collaboration with the UN and other humanitarian agencies on the Ground.
Meanwhile, China, Russia and other countries view that Sri Lanka's fight against terrorism as an internal problem rather than a situation for any international intervention. -defence.lk

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Killing of Tamil civilians should end: India ....

Killing of Tamil civilians should end: India


New Delhi: India on Wednesday night voiced its unhappiness over the continued killing of innocent Tamils in Sri Lanka and asked the LTTE to stop its "barbaric" attempt to hold civilians hostage, even as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh reviewed the situation in the island nation.

A special meeting, attended also by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Defence Minister A.K. Antony, National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan and Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon was convened amid mounting pressure from Tamil Nadu parties on the Centre to stop the war in Sri Lanka.
"We are very unhappy at the continued killing of innocent Tamil civilians in Sri Lanka. These killings must stop," Mr. Mukherjee told journalists after the hour-long meeting called to discuss the situation in the light of Sri Lankan Army’s final push against the LTTE and the options available to India.

Mr. Mukherjee said the Sri Lankan government had a responsibility to protect its own citizens. At the same time, he said, "the LTTE must stop its barbaric attempt to hold civilians hostage."
The Minister underlined that there was "no military solution to this ongoing humanitarian crisis and all concerned should recognise this fact."

Mr. Mukherjee said: "The only lasting solution will come from political efforts to address the real concerns of the Tamil people, giving them a life of dignity within the Sri Lankan mainstream."
India, he said, would work to achieve this goal and do all it could to ameliorate the humanitarian crisis caused by the conflict. — PTI-

The Hindu

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U.N. council voices "deep concern" about Sri Lanka..

U.N. council voices "deep concern" about Sri Lanka


UNITED NATIONS - The U.N. Security Council expressed concern on Wednesday about the humanitarian situation in northern Sri Lanka, where tens of thousands of civilians trapped in rebel territory are in imminent danger.

"The Security Council members, we expressed our deep concern about the humanitarian situation ... and the plight of the civilians trapped within the conflict area," Mexican U.N. Ambassador Claude Heller told reporters after an informal meeting of the 15-nation council on Sri Lanka.
In a summary of the closed-door meeting, he said council members "strongly condemned" the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), who are apparently using civilians trapped in a 5 square mile (13 square km) strip of land as human shields.

Council diplomats said China, Russia and others had opposed the idea of a formal discussion of the Sri Lankan war, viewing it instead as an internal matter for the Sri Lankans.
That, they said, is why the council took no action apart from agreeing that Heller, the council's rotating president, would speak informally to the press about the meeting.-By Louis Charbonneau-Read More-Rueters -File photo

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Clinton says Sri Lanka is causing 'untold suffering'......

Clinton says Sri Lanka is causing 'untold suffering'

WASHINGTON- Sri Lanka has caused "untold suffering" as it fights Tamil Tiger rebels in what is believed to be the endgame of Asia's longest-running war, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Wednesday."I think that the Sri Lankan government knows that the entire world is very disappointed that in its efforts to end what it sees as 25 years of conflict, it is causing such untold suffering," Clinton told lawmakers, referring to the thousands of civilians trapped in the war zone.-Reuters

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Video: Sri Lankan civilians 'escape' rebel stronghold - 22 Apr 09

Video: Sri Lankan civilians 'escape' rebel stronghold - 22 Apr 09



Vedio-Al Jazeera

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Over 100,000 civilians freed.......

Since Monday :
Over 100,000 civilians freed
Total influx from Tiger zone 170,000:

SRI LANKA-The Security Forces engaged in the largest ever hostage rescue mission in the No Fire Zone are not using heavy arms to retaliate to LTTE attacks. Over 100,000 civilians had been rescued by the Security Forces since last Monday.dailynews-Photo Rukmal gamage

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Daya master surrended.....

Daya master surrended.

SRI LANKA-LTTE media spokesman Daya Master has just surrendered to the army along with George, the traslator of former political head Thamilchelvan, military Media center for national security sources confirmed. Daya Master is a senior member and second leader in the LTTE .From 22 to22 Ap at leat 90,097 civilians were rescued reported by defence.lk in Sri Lanka.

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Over 122,000 Wanni civilians .........

Over 122,000 Wanni civilians seek refuge in Government

SRI LANKA-The 58 Division troops backed by the Commando and Special Forces troops yesterday continued their humanitarian operation to rescue the civilians trapped inside the Safe Zone after reaching the Eastern beachfront dividing the Safe Zone into two enabling more civilians to arrive into the military controlled areas as huge influx of civilians continued till yesterday evening.
The Security Forces were able to rescue more than 62,000 within the last 48 hours ending midnight yesterday and more than 10,000 other civilians are awaiting to reach the Security Forces controlled areas. This brings the total number of civilians who fled the LTTE grip to over 122,000.
"More than 58,000 civilians have arrived in military controlled areas by land and another 4,000 by sea", Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka told the Daily News.
A huge influx of civilians were reported from the 58 Division area as more than one km long queue to enter Security Forces held areas was witnessed even by yesterday evening.
The Security Forces engaged in this humanitarian operation facilitated the arrival of tens of thousands of civilians into military controlled areas by providing them water and food as they reached the Security Forces controlled areas crossing the lagoon in Puthumattalan and Ampalavanpokkanai area. The Army Commander said the operation to rescue the civilians trapped inside the No Fire Zone was planned in such a way that civilians could reach the military controlled areas by land and also by sea as ground troops manned the beach fronts without enabling the LTTE to prevent the civilians fleeing by sea.
"The civilians fleeing from the No Fire Zone are arriving towards Navy operating some 20 km away from the Safe Zone in Chundikulam and Nayaru", the Army Commander said.
He said the troops engaged in the process of expanding their defences within the Safe Zone yesterday launched an attack on the last remaining Sea Tiger base in Puthumattalan compelling the Sea Tiger leaders to flee from that base.
The Army Commander said that the Security Forces are expecting another 10,000 civilians from the Safe Zone within the course of the next few hours leaving all the Tiger leaders there in the No Fire Zone. The 58 Division which started humanitarian operation from Mannar in the Western coast made a record yesterday reaching the Eastern coast of the No Fire Zone after a 175 km march from Mannar to Puthumattalan.
The 58 Division managed to expand their defences towards the eastern beach front after capturing the Puthumattalan hospital, Ampalavanpokkanai hospital complex by yesterday evening.
"The 58 Division troops backed by Commando and Special Forces troops further expanded their defences towards the North with the objective of the linking up with the 55 Division which is also heading towards the No Fire Zone from the Northern direction", 58 Division GOC brigadier Shavendra Silva told the Daily News.
He said that during their march towards the eastern coast the troops launched an attack on LTTE vehicle killing Batticaloa leader Ramanan and three of his body guards.
Courtesy : Daily News

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LTTE suicide bomb attack targets Tamil civilians - NFZ

LTTE suicide bomb attack targets Tamil civilians - NFZ

SRI LANKA-An LTTE suicide bomber has attacked thousands of Tamil civilians who are now trying to seek refuge with Sri Lankan Army, this morning (April 20). According to the latest information, about 10,000 civilians are now being rescued by troops from terrorist grip.
Battlefield sources said at least 17 civilians including women and children have been killed in the cowardly bomb blast. defence.lk

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24 hours for Praba to surrender - Keheliya ....

24 hours for Praba to surrender - Keheliya

SRI LANKA-The government has given LTTE leader V. Prabhakaran a warning of 24 hours beginning 12.00 noon today to surrender, says Defence spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella. source-dailymirror

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35,000 civilians escape, LTTE complete defeat imminent - President ........

35,000 civilians escape, LTTE complete defeat imminent - President

SRI LANKA-More than 35,000 civilians today fled the last area under the control of Sri Lanka’s cornered LTTE, President Mahinda Rajapakse said, adding that the rebels' "complete defeat" was imminent.
Showing aerial video from a military spy plane over the tiny area where the Tigers are staging a last stand, Rajapakse said 35,000 non-combatants had crossed the lines into government-held territory since early Monday morning.
"The footage clearly shows that the people are defying the rebels and escaping. They are running to safety," the president said.
The government has accused the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam of using trapped civilians as a human shield, and the president suggested that their escape removed a final obstacle to an all-out military assault.
"The process of the complete defeat of the LTTE has just begun," he told AFP. "It is now all over for the Tigers."
AFP

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Rescue mission becoming success, Several thousands of civilians rescued - Puthumathalan ......

Rescue mission becoming success, Several thousands of civilians rescued - Puthumathalan

SRI LANKA-Sri Lankan soldiers have been able to rescue several thousands of civilians held hostage by the LTTE terrorists in the government declared No Fire Zone this morning (Apr 20).
According to the defence sources , troops have been able to open up a safe route for the civilians to come out of the NFZ after the soldiers of 58 Division successfully destroyed the LTTE fortifications in the Puthumathalan area.
Troops of 11 Sri Lanka Light Infantry (11 SLLI), 9 Gemunu Watch (9 GW), 8 Gajaba Regiment (8 GR), Special Force (SF) and Army Commandos (CR) captured 2 1/2 Km long stretch of LTTE built earth bund in the Puthumathalan area early this morning destroying the terrorists' ability to attack the civilians seeking refuge with the armed force.
According to the latest information over 10,000 civilians are trying to seek refuge with soldiers.

sources-defence.lk

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3000 civilians cross over.....

3,000 civilians cross over to Gov't areas

SRI LANKA-Nearly 3,000 civilians escaped from Sri Lanka's war zone and sought shelter with security forces, the defence ministry said today as troops stepped up an offensive against cornered Tiger rebels.
The non-combatants escaped on Saturday evening from the remaining area under the control of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), the ministry said in a statement.
"The civilians started arriving in large groups since (Saturday) afternoon using the safe routes opened for them by troops," the ministry said.
The influx into government-held territory was in contrast to the trickle of civilians that came through when the military observed a unilateral two-day truce earlier in the week, the ministry noted.
Security forces kept up their offensive against Tamil Tiger rebels trapped in a government-declared "no-fire zone," ignoring international appeals for a ceasefire.
The United Nations says up to 100,000 civilians are trapped in the area in "dire humanitarian conditions."
Officials said the government had made it clear to a top UN envoy that Sri Lanka was not willing to extend its unilateral ceasefire and instead asked the international community to put pressure on the rebels to free the civilians.
The government has accused the Tigers of holding tens of thousands of civilians as a human shield, a charge denied by the guerrillas who are trying to prevent a total defeat after fighting for 37 years for a separate state.
UN chief Ban Ki-moon sent his chief of staff, Vijay Nambiar, last week for talks with Sri Lankan leaders to extend the ceasefire but was rebuffed, officials said.
(AFP)

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Put pressure on LTTE to free civilians - President Rajapaksa.......

Put pressure on LTTE to free civilians - President Rajapaksa

SRI LANKA-President Mahinda Rajapaksa called on all those pressuring his government, both locally and internationally for an extended "humanitarian pause" or a ceasefire, to instead appeal to the LTTE to give freedom of movement "just for one hour" to innocent civilians stranded in the No-Fire Zone (NFZ), in the North.
"If the LTTE gives such freedom was given to the Tamil civilians held back by it for nearly 30 years, no one could prevent them coming of their own free will to the government controlled areas", he said.
He was addressing a gathering of ayurvedic physicians, Justices of the Peace, and representatives of farmer organizations at Temple Trees, Colombo April 18.
Evan as he made this statement the military reported that more than 2,800 civilians crossed over from the NFZ, where the LTTE is still holding several thousand civilians, to government controlled Safe Zone. This is the largest number of civilians to cross over from the war zone on a single day in the last few months.
In contrast during the recent 48-hour pause of offensive for during the traditional New Year period - April 13 & 14, there were hardly any civilians who crossed over from the NFZ, which by then had 68,000 who had fled to freedom. This was so during the 48-hour pause announced by the President in January 2009, too.
President Rajapaksa said the operations of the government Armed Forces were not aimed at the Tamil people but against a terrorist group and they did not harass or put the Tamil people into any difficulties, although but some politicians were alleging violation of human rights against him, the Defence Secretary and the Army Commander. They would rather face the gallows than betray the country, he said.
He stressed that some decisions made for the sake of the country may not please some people but such decisions were necessary for the benefit of the people, especially the unborn generations, the President said.
Earlier on Friday (17), Mr. Rajapaksa maintained his government took crucial decisions on the basis of national interests and expected support from the international community without any hindrance or disruption.
Addressing workers of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), Mr. Rajapaksa maintained that the LTTE leaders trapped within a few square kilometres of the NFZ would meet their end soon
"They have only three alternatives. Either they have to surrender to our armed forces, eat the cyanide capsule and commit suicide, or plunge into the sea." Mr. Rajapaksa claimed that when the people accepted his Mahinda Chinthana policies and elected him as the President, they were not concerned about their hunger. "They were solely concerned about the future security of their country. They wanted their motherland to be free from terrorism, and fragmentation as per the agreements inked between the terrorists and the past governments."

Courtesy : Policy Research & Information Unit of the Presidential Secretariat

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filmmaker Tissa Abeysekara ........

The Great filmmaker Tissa Abesekara passedaway..

SRI LANKA-The remains of the late award-winning filmmaker Tissa Abeysekara now lie at No. 494/2, Rajagiriya Road, Rajagiriya till 10.30 pm on Monday. Afterwards the remains will lie at the Lanka Sama Samaja Party headquarters in Union Place till 2 pm on Tuesday. The remains will be moved to the Art Gallery at 2 pm on Tuesday till 3 pm on Wednesday – the day of the funeral.
Pix by Indraratne Balasuriya-dailymirror

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New Year ‘gift’ for Kilinochchi .

New Year 'gift' for Kilinochchi

It will not be wrong to say that Kilinochchi has received two New Year gifts in just four months. On January 2, 2009, Security Forces regained Kilinochchi, heralding a new era for this major Northern city that was dominated by the LTTE for around two decades.

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First visit by a head of state...........

First visit by a head of state:
President in Kilinochchi
Visits soldiers’ barracks and supervises facilities:

SRI LANKA-President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday made a historic visit to Kilinochchi, considered to be the first ever done by a Head of State. Kilinochchi, the so-called political headquarters of the LTTE fell on January 2, 2009 as the Security Forces brought the entire town and it’s immediate environs under their full control. dailynews

More Photos-www.defence.lk

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Care for IDPSs: ......

Care for IDPSs:
UN welcomes Govt plan

SRI LANKA-The United Nations advocate for displaced persons today called for urgent measures to save civilians trapped in a tiny pocket of northern Sri Lanka by fighting between the Government and the LTTE.
Following a four-day visit to the island nation Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Representative for the Human Rights of Displaced Persons Walter Kalin expressed concern for the lives of civilians trapped in the 14-square kilometre area of the Vanni declared by the Government of Sri Lanka as a no-fire zone and said that a series of humanitarian pauses must be initiated immediately to allow civilians to leave and humanitarian actors to provide life-saving relief to the remaining population.
He also reiterated his appeal to the LTTE and that of Mr. Ban and a raft of other UN officials to allow all civilians under its control to leave the zone, and called on the Government to scrupulously respect the no-fire zone for as long as a civilian population remains within it.
During his visit to Sri Lanka, Mr. K"lin spoke to Government officials concerned with the plight of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and visited transit sites and camps, according to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).To
Noting that more than 52,000 IDPs have arrived in the Vavuniya area since November, he welcomed the Government's acknowledgement of its responsibility to protect and assist these persons, and he recognized measures already taken in this regard. He also said that extraordinary efforts will be required of the Government, the UN, non-governmental organizations and donors to meet the needs of this population as well as those of the tens of thousands expected to arrive in the coming weeks and months.
He also welcomed the Government's commitment to create an action plan for screening IPDs for security, registering them and facilitating their return in accordance with international standards, according to OHCHR.
"Such a plan surely will be instrumental in building the confidence among all Sri Lankan citizens and restoring the trust among affected Tamil populations that will be prerequisites to consolidate a lasting peace," OHCHR said. un.org
Courtesy : Daily News

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Sri Lanka waiting to storm 'safe zone'......

Sri Lanka waiting to storm 'safe zone'


SRI LANKA-, (UPI) -- Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has called on the besieged Tamil Tigers to surrender.
"You have no option but to put down your arms and surrender with your brainwashed remaining cadres. It is now time for you to release all Tamil civilians and let them live in peace and harmony," Colombo Page reported the president as saying Sunday at a political gathering attended by about 2,500 supporters of the United National and Sri Lanka Freedom parties.
There was no reported response from rebel leader Velupillai Prabhakaran.
Colombo Page said three days of fighting between government troops and the Tamil Tigers had left 420 rebels dead. The army reportedly had taken the last rebel stronghold at Puthukkudiyiruppu and had cornered the Tigers in a no-fire zone.
The newspaper said another 2,127 civilians had fled the zone in search of government protection by Monday.
Sri Lankan military leaders say they were in no hurry to storm the civilian safe zone being used as a refuge by the rebels, the BBC reported Monday.
"We have no plans of going into the safe zone immediately," Sri Lankan Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse told the British broadcaster. "Our aim is to get the civilians safely out of the no-fire zone so we are watching at the moment."
More than 60,000 civilians have fled to government-run relief centers in recent days, the BBC said.-www.upi.com-(UPI Photo/Monika Graff

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Driven To Their Death In Vain ....

Driven To Their Death In Vain
For those mislead youth who suffered death to save the lives of cowards

SRI LANKA-They were brutal. They were trained from their childhood to hate, murder and to believe whatever said by their leader as the ultimate truth. They had started their bloody careers in the LTTE as its "baby killers". When they were lead to commit village massacres, they began with throwing infants to wells and drowned them, they next smashed babies on tree trunks while their mothers watched in horror and grief, they ripped open the wombs of pregnant mothers, clubbed and chopped women and the unborn to death without the least ruffle . Grown into the teens they were sent to the battlefield to fight with the Armed forces. Those who survived won favours of their seniors to rise up in the ranks and became "leaders", "experts", "special leaders", etc in the terror outfit. More-www.defence.lk

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2127 civilians flee LTTE tyranny: seek protection with security forces - Mullaittivu .....

2127 civilians flee LTTE tyranny: seek protection with security forces - Mullaittivu

SRI LANKA-A total of 2127 civilians including 919 children have fled from LTTE hostage and sought protection with 58 Division troops at Ampalavanpokkanai, Mullaittivu yesterday (April 5).
According to military, the civilians belonging to 503 families included 429 men, 779 women and 919 children. The civilian exodus triggered on Sunday (5) hours after security forces crushed last LTTE resistances at Puthukkudiyirippu, security sources said. defence.lk

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Tamils abroad urge LTTE leadership to release civilian hostages......

Tamils abroad urge LTTE leadership to release civilian hostages

SRI LANKA-One of the members of "Tamil Diaspora for Dialogue" Mrs Rajeswari Balasubramaniam yesterday (Apr 6) appealed to LTTE leader Prabhakaran for the release of innocent civilians trapped in the "No Fire Zone"
She was one of the 21 intellectuals who arrived in Sri Lanka last week.
Mrs Balasubramaniam is a writer by profession and Human Rights campaigner who lives in the UK. The other members of the team comprising lawyers, writers, doctors, professors, academics from UK, Denmark, Switzerland, France, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Germany Canada and Australia.
"This is the time for us, Tamils, to rethink anew whether war and destruction is the final solution for Tamils who have lost thousands of them when one looks back after almost 20 years", he said. "We Tamils who have borne the brunt of suppression, oppression, battered and bruised over the years must forget the past and think anew. We know that it is not easy to forget the past after what we went through was hell for many years it is not easy but you have to forget the past" she asserted.
"This message is especially for all those members of the 'Tamil Diaspora' who are especially beating the war drums from the cool comfort and safety of their homes in foreign capitals around the world. They must think anew and learn to live in a united Sri Lanka where all could enjoy equal rights", she said
They had met ministers Rohitha Bogollagama, Prof. Tissa Vitharna, Dew Gunasekera Senior Presidential Advisor MP Basil Rajapaksa Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga Secretary Justice Ministry Suhada Gamlath Foreign Secretary Dr. Palitha Kohonne, Secretary UDA Dr. Prathap Ramanujhan, Secretary Social Services Ministry Mrs Rajeswary Jegarajasingham and former IGP and Presidential advisor Chandra Fernando
Another member Dr. Rajasingham Narendiran said that the delegation members were highly impressed by Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa during his three hour presentation on Re-awakening of the East program of the Government "We found that through the Central Government they had done tremendous work which we would have preferred if it were implemented by the Provincial Government", he said
He further said they requested the government any surrendering LTTE cadre should be treated with humanity and rehabilitated
Mrs. Balasubramaniam said that it is time for LTTE leader to rethink how productively he could have used his abilities by creating a new Tamil community by entering the democratic path
Courtesy: The Island

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SP shot dead in Kalmunai

SP ,H.P. Jamaldeen shot dead in Kalmunai.

SI LANKA-Director of the Kalladi Police Training School - Superintendent of Police H.L.Jamaldeen was shot dead by unidentified gang while he was coming out of a Mosque in Kalmunai yesterday, police said.

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UN special envoy praises facilities at civilian welfare villages in Vavuniya ...

UN special envoy praises facilities at civilian welfare villages in Vavuniya

SRI LANKA-The Government sponsored infrastructure facilities and vocational training centres inside welfare villages in Vavuniya, has come in for high praise by visiting UN special envoy on Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons Prof. Walter Kaelin.
Specially, training facilities to equip IDPs for future employment has impressed Prof. Kaelin, who visited Vavuniya on Saturday (April 4) to personally witness relief and resettlement measures for IDPs from the north, sources said.
In a meeting with relevant authorities in Vavuniya on Saturday Prof. Kaelin had expressed his satisfaction over present efforts and also had made several constructive recommendations, a spokesman for the Ministry of Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services said. During the meeting Prof. Kaelin had been briefed on the ongoing efforts and about ones in the pipeline, by Minister Risath Bathyudeen and other relevant officials, sources added.
Prof. Walter Kaelin had visited the Kadirgamar welfare village, Arunachalam welfare village and other centres near Omanthai.
Meanwhile, authorities said yesterday (April 05) that the number of displaced who had sought refuge in non-liberated areas had risen to over 65,000.
Courtesy : Daily News

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Troops unshackle LTTE grip on Puthukkudiyirippu: Over 250 terrorists killed .............

Troops unshackle LTTE grip on Puthukkudiyirippu: Over 250 terrorists killed

SRI LANKA-Over 250 terrorists were reported killed including senior LTTE rankers Theepan(LTTE's former 'Northern region' chief), Ruben, Nagesh, Gadaphi (former body guard of Prabakaran), Vidusha ('Malathi' female wing head), Durga ('Soothiya' female wing head) and Kamalini following pitched battles that ensued between troops and LTTE, East of Puthukkudiyirippu since last night (April 4), military sources reported.
Troops have also gained total control over Puthukkudiyirippu considered LTTE's last stronghold at the Mullaittivu battlefront, neutralizing pockets of terrorist resistances military said adding that troops are now positioned to make further tactical moves into the remaining territory to free hundreds of civilians held hostage by LTTE.
According to latest information received, the 53 Division, Task Force -8 and 58 Division troops have forced into the remaining LTTE resistance positions killing scores and seizing a large haul of LTTE weaponry. Battlefield reports citing 53 Division infantrymen confirmed observing over 120 terrorist bodies scattered at the battle zone. A total of over 400 terrorists are believed killed since military began fresh advances towards the remaining LTTE defences on 1st April, security sources said.
Meanwhile, 58 Division have also located over 140 LTTE bodies scattered ahead of the battlefront East of Puthukkudiyirippu. LTTE's intelligence wing leader Pottu Amman, Theepan and Bhanu have led the LTTE fighting formations while, ground sources citing intercepted enemy communication said that Bhanu have sustained injuries during yesterday's fighting. defence.lk-more

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Sirasa TV reporter attacked

Sirasa TV reporter was assaulted in Kiribathgoda

SRI LANKA- Sirasa TV reporter was assaulted in Kiribathgoda today while he was about to cover a protest relating to an incident at a school, Sirasa News Director confirmed.

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Police Commandos ambush LTTE group; 13 terror bodies found - Panama

Police Commandos ambush LTTE group; 13 terror bodies found - Panama

SRI LANKA-Police Special Task Force (STF) personnel attacked a group of LTTE infiltrators detected in the Panama area this morning (Apr 3). According to the defence sources, 13 bodies of LTTE cadres have been found during the subsequent search. The sources also said that LTTE's explosive expert Paramanantha master is also among the dead
The police commandos launched a special operation in the area, on intelligence indicating possible LTTE presence. The attack took place close to the 10th Milepost at Lahugla around 10.30 AM.
Search operations are being continued.. defence.lk

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LTTE loses two battle hardened leaders Amuthab & Gobith..............

LTTE loses two battle hardened leaders Amuthab & Gobith

SRI LANKA-Defence Intelligence sources have revealed that leader of the "Charles Antony" band of the LTTE, Amuthab, and former leader of the same band Gobith were killed in recent fighting in Puthukkudyiruppu.
The civilians sought refuge with the armed forces yesterday (Apr 2) also confirmed the fact and told the soldiers that the junior and middle level cadres of the LTTE have lost their faith in the outfit and planning to surrender or seek refuge with the armed forces as civilians .
"Charles Antony" is known to be the elite band of the terrorist outfit that was there in almost all the major battles that the terrorists fought with the Army. The two slain LTTE leaders were known to be the most battle hardened fighters in the band. Unlike the corrupted LTTE top level leaders, they were also known to be treated with respect by the junior cadres, reveal the intelligence sources.
Gobith was replaced by Amuthab few months back as a result of a dispute he had with the LTTE leadership.-defence.lk

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U.N. sends more food to Sri Lanka.............

U.N. sends more food to Sri Lanka

SRI LANKA-A U.N. food agency said it shipped 1,000 metric tons of food aid to a safe zone in Sri Lanka, where fighting has displaced more than 100,000 people.
The items were sent aboard a ship chartered by the government of Sri Lanka, sailing under the flag of the International Committee of the Red Cross, The U.N. World Food Program said in a release.
WFP said the food would feed approximately 100,000 people for 20 days.
The world agency said it believes between 150,000 to 190,000 people are sheltered in a "no fire" zone in the northern Vanni region, where government forces and the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam have been fighting.
Since road convoys to the Vanni region halted in late January because of security concerns, the World Food Program has sent nearly 2,220 metric tons of food using the sea route, the U.N. said.
U.N. sends more food to Sri Lanka-sources-UPI.com

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Charles Anthony........

Charles Anthony injured - Military

SRI LANKA-LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran's eldest son was wounded in battle against Sri Lankan security forces, military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said on Wednesday.
Charles Anthony, 24, was injured during fighting last week in the northeast of the island where the rebels have been cornered, Nanayakkara said.
"Through technical sources we have confirmed that Prabhakaran's son Charles Anthony was wounded last week in a confrontation with ground troops," he said, adding no details of his injuries were known.
AFP

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Susanthika recieves her best Medal

Susanthika won her first Medal

SRI LANKA The motherhood is the most treasured moment for any woman, no matter what she had achieved in life before. One could go places and become a celebrity but the most cherished in a woman’s life is becoming a mother.

Her timing of 22.28 seconds to secure women’s 200m bronze medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games is the most precious moment in Sri Lanka’s sporting history. sources-dailynews

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LTTE confined to No Fire Zone:

LTTE confined to No Fire Zone:
Troops encircle over 200 Tigers

SRI LANKA-The entire Puthukudiyiruppu township and Iranapalai area came under Security Forces control last evening with 58 Division troops and 53 Division troops surrounding the last terrain controlled by the LTTE in the North East of Puthukudiyiruppu after capturing Pachchapulmudai junction the last supply route connected to the No Fire Zone from the mainland under 58 Division troops control. dailynews

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PANOS promotes terrorism in Sri Lanka - Defence spokesperson

PANOS promotes terrorism in Sri Lanka - Defence spokesperson

SRI LANKA-Sri Lanka's Defence Spokesperson, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella today (Apr 1) exposed another sleazy INGO directly supporting terrorism in Sri Lanka. Addressing the weekly media briefing at Media Centre for National Security, he revealed that an INGO named PANOS have been funding a project involved in propagating the LTTE's extremist ideologies locally and internationally.
According to the minister, evidence have been surfaced that the INGO has bought number of unscrupulous journalists to write articles supportive of tribalism and aimed at tarnishing the good image of the country and its armed forces. He said that, majority of these so- called journalists engaged in this sordid project are Sri Lankans , who have been writing under fake names to several local and international journals. The authorities have identified them and legal actions would be initiated against them, he added.
He highlighted that there are ample evidence to show that some of the INGOs and NGOs have been directly supporting the LTTE terrorism throughout its campaign against Sri Lankan citizens. It was these ground realities that the government has initiated action to regulate the operations of those organizations, he added. defence.lk

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Troops gain control over Pachchapulmuddai area - Puthukkudiyiruppu east.......

Troops gain control over Pachchapulmuddai area - Puthukkudiyiruppu east

SRI LANKA-Troops of 58 Division engaged in fierce fighting with LTTE terrorists in east of Puthukkudiyiruppu have gained control over the Pachchapulmuddai area by this afternoon, 1 April, latest military report said. defence.lk

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