8:24 AM

Foreign Minister invites Pakistan Prime Minister to attend SAARC Summit

Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama arrived in Pakistan on 2nd July to invite the Prime Minister of Pakistan on behalf of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to attend the 15th SAARC Summit in Colombo. The Minister handed over the invitations to the Prime Minister of Pakistan Yousuf Raza Gilani , and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

The Pakistan Prime Minister underlined the need for the Colombo Summit to focus on global issues such as energy and food crises which have severely affected the region and called for a comprehensive action plan to address them effectively. The Prime Minister said that he is looking forward to a very useful engagement in SAARC under the leadership of Sri Lanka.

The meeting between the two Foreign Ministers focused on a range of issues on SAARC and bilateral cooperation. Minister Bogollagama also paid a courtesy call on the President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf.

Foreign Minister Bogollagama has already handed over the invitations from President Rajapaksa to the SAARC Heads of State of Government of India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal. With his visit to the Maldives on 10th July, the Foreign Minister's customary visits to SAARC capitals for this purpose will be completed.

8:12 AM

Karuna and Pillaiyan - shirkers and movers of East

Sivanesathurai Chanthirakanthan, popularly called Pillaiyan told News-Lanka that Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan, alias Karuna Amman contacted him after he arrived in Colombo on Thursday afternoon. He said that Karuna Amman, the former leader of the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal was brought to Sri Lanka on an escorted service by the British police and handed over to the Sri Lanka Police.

In Sri Lanka, though Muralitharan was deported by the British immigration authorities, he was allowed to leave the airport without any let or hindrance. The Chief Minister of the Eastern Province told Asian Tribune that Muralitharan contacted him over the telephone and indicated his desire for a meeting. He also said that after returning back to Sri Lanka, it seems he has contacted almost everyone over the telephone.

7:23 AM

LTTE's Michael Base falls to Army

Troops operating under Army 59 division yesterday (July 4) captured an LTTE base called "Michael Base", said the defence sources on the Welioya front. According to the sources, the LTTE camp is one of the strategic satellite bases of the LTTE's main "One Four Base" Complex situated inside the Mulaithiuvu jungle.

Troops marching northwards in the Mulaithiuvu jungle from the area North of Janakapura made this capture after 3 days fierce fighting. Soldiers entered into the camp after beating off the enemy last morning and declared the area secured by afternoon. The structure of the base extends over 200 square meters that includes several underground defences. Troops believe at least 17 LTTE cadres were killed in this operation.

Earlier, soldiers of army 59 division captured the Munagam Base, the strategic transit base between LTTE's main bastions in Mulaithiuvu and the Southern parts of the country. The Michael Base is located about 7 Km from Janakapura, inside the jungle and about 3 Km northwards from the Munagam Base.