1:19 PM

This all what we have: Says Pilliyan

"The release of 41 children over these two weeks has brought the issue of child soldiers in the east come to an end, says Pilliyan". These were the children who were with this group for various reasons, but commonly known as the child soldiers. However the real child soldiers are still with the LTTE still in the north fighting against the government forces. They are the ones whom we need to focus now and get out of the mess they are in.Pillaiyan: "There are thousands of children who have being neglected by the governments in the past on education, growth and well being in the eastern province hence requested to those who carry those list to see the possibilities to provide better future through education and vocational training.”
Replying to the question of the UNICEF release on releasing child soldiers and their expectations on “release of third major release shortly’ Pilliyan said that “the numbers and the list may be provided by international and national groups, but we do not have any more underage children with us whom we are keeping by force, even those whom we released were with us happily as we looked after them and never sent to fight against the government forces’
Further, he added that “there are thousands of children who have being neglected by the governments in the past on education, growth and well being in the eastern province hence requested to those who carry those list to see the possibilities to provide better future through education and vocational training.” He urges the international and national groups who are talking and working on children’s rights to come up with good proposals, where he promised to gather thousands of marginalized and underprivileged children to benefit form.
“I my self a victim hence will not get back to any such acts but will do my utmost best to serve for the children”, he said with a great passion and conviction. On the question of young adults age between 18-30 who have lost their lives as child soldiers by serving the LTTE, he again requested the UNICEFF and other organization together with the government to come up with plans to provide them basic vocational and educational training to become better citizens thus prohibit them joining any groups in the future or being re recruited as sleeping carders to the LTTE. He raised the concerns of those children who went away with their parents as they were poor and also were stigmatized.
Responding to the question of further releases he assured, “these are the only underage that we have and as I said before I am concern of the thousands of children out there without any means of better life”.
“We are in the democratic process which as President Rajapaksha said is much more difficult than what we were; we have to listen to all the allegations, criticisms, but no one is there to appreciate what we do”. He further said that ‘these people are not satisfied with our answers they want us to tell them that they are right in their figures and numbers” I would like to invite UNICEFF and other officials to come with the lists that they have so that we can walk to those houses and look for these children as some of these children, we were told has already back with their parents.

1:18 PM

Wanni Operation

At least 18 LTTE were killed and similar numbers wounded as SLA infantry and armour battalions ripped through south most LTTE defences during multi-pronged assaults launched from Mannar, Vavuniya and Welioya yesterday (April 25).
According to the Wanni ground sources, troops made further strides into the non-liberated Wanni area after securing the sacred Madhu shrine from LTTE, in 2 fronts from Palampiddy and Thatchchanamarathamadu. In the Mannar theatre of battle, 3 LTTE were reported killed during confrontation with SLA at general area Palampiddy, while 3 more were killed separately in general area Thatchchanamarathamadu. A soldier also received injuries in the confrontation with LTTE, security sources said.

1:12 PM

Buddhist Temple in Oslo

According to media reports, United National Party (UNP) parliamentarian Dr. Jayalath Jayewardena has requested the assistance of the Royal Norwegian Government to establish a Buddhist temple in Oslo, Norway, for the benefit of Sri Lankan Buddhists living in Norway. In addition to the above proposal of Dr Jayawardanena, let us rush through some of his involvements for the ‘upliftment’ of Buddha Sasana, both in Sri Lanka and India, during the last few years.

10:15 AM

Piliyandala Bomb

Police say they have taken in eight people for questioning over the bombing of the passenger bus in Piliyandala last evening. The casualty toll was expected to rise further.