Bomb blast @ Anuradhapura updates

22 people were killed (Maj General Janaka Perera and his wife, Doc Jhon pulle and his wife, Lawyer) and 80 people admit to anuradapura hospital.

The bomb blast occurred around 8.45 a,m in a function held to declare open the new UNP office in Anuradhapura, sources added.

Bomb blast update.

LTTE terrorists carried out a suicide attack near the old Bus stand in Anuradhapura. more than 30 people admit to Anuradhapura general hospital. Janaka perera, Jhon pulle and His wife, and meny more people.

The opposition leader of the North-Central provincial council, Maj General Janaka Perera and many others were killed when an LTTE suicide cadre blown himself inside the United National Party (UNP)office near the Old Bus Stand in Auradhapura this morning

Bomb blast @ Anuradhapura

LTTE terrorists carried out a suicide attack near the old Bus stand in Anuradhapura.

‘No Fire’ zones for civilians in Mullaitivu

With the war entering a crucial stage, the Army has established two ‘No Fire Zones’ in Mullativu, to provide safety to civilians, Army Commander Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka announced in Anuradhapura yesterday.

The two ‘No Fire Zones’ in Oththukudai and Vishhamadu in Mullaitivu, encompassing 10 sq.km, have been designated safe zones for all civilians. Gen. Fonseka made these comments at the Flag Blessing ceremony to celebrate the Army’s 59th anniversary at the Sri Maha Bodhi yesterday. The Government Agents have been ordered to notify all the people in the area, who have not already evacuated, to leave immediately for the zones. Humanitarian assistance will be given within these zones.

The Army Commander also announced that the recruitment drive launched at the start of this month, would see the current Army of 160,000 soldiers rise to 200,000, and with the “imminent take over of Kilinochchi,” it would be expanded to 300,000. The extra soldiers would be needed to monitor the large land masses taken over in recent offensives by government forces, according to the Commander. The government has already approved the Force expansion to 200,000. This would also mean that around four to five new Divisions would be formed to absorb the fresh intake of recruits.

“Almost all civilians have left the Kilinochchi area and we are only 2km from the town. The LTTE casualties in the hospital have been removed and we are confident that the LTTE is gearing up for their last battle. Intelligence sources have indicated that even the most senior LTTE cadres have been summoned to the front and every sign points to a final battle,” he reiterated.

Key members of the LTTE hierarchy have been notified through Army intelligence to hand themselves over, and the Army is confident that they will be able to prevail, Fonseka maintained. He also remarked that a gun used to launch CS gas canisters has been recovered by the Army and that they were taking steps to counter the attacks.

“We have taken over the stretch of A9 Road spanning Mankulam, Iranamadu and Kokavil, so that the LTTE would find it almost impossible to infiltrate that area or launch attacks along the A9 Road. Both LTTE runways are covered by us, thus negating any possibility of an air attack,” he said.

Meanwhile, Air Force MI-24 helicopter gunships carried out a precise air sortie on an LTTE bunker line situated 3.5 km northeast of the dam of Akkarayankulam tank bund around 9:15 a.m. yesterday. The Air Force stated that the air raid was carried in support of ground troops of the 57 Division engaged in operations in the area.

Gotabhaya says ZOA PM had LTTE links

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa confirmed that the Kilinochchi Project Manager of Zoa, who was ordered out of the country last week, had been working for the LTTE.

Rajapaksa said Zoa PM’s LTTE connections had become patently clear from his decision to stay in Kilinochchi with the LTTE in defiance of the Defence Ministry order for INGO’s to shift to Vavuniya.

The Defence Secretary said Zoa had forwarded its PM’s letter stating his decision to stay back in Kilinochchci to the Defence Ministry.

He said the Zoa official holding an Italian passport may have reconsidered his decision to be with the LTTE.

However Rajapaksa said, the Defence Ministry was convinced that the Zoa PM had links with the LTTE.

ZOA project manager to be deported immediately

The government has decided to deport with immediate effect ZOA Project Manager in Kilinochchiwho had refused to accede to the request by the government to leave Kilinochchi, Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights Mahinda Samarasinghe said yesterday (3).

At a press conference at his ministry, he said the Italian INGO official had refused to leave Kilinochchi for Vavuniya when all other foreign NGO personnel obliged.

It would be dangerous to allow persons like him who did not follow government orders to operate in the country, the Minister said.

Steps would be taken to cancel his visa and deport him immediately, the Minister said.

A stock of 650 tons of food had been dispatched to the Vanni for the benefit of the displaced civilians of the region and in the next few days a further stock of 5,020 tons of food will be dispatched to Kilinochchi and Mulaitivu Districts from Vavuniya. The policy of the government was to ensure that the civilians even in the terrorist controlled areas were supplied with adequate stocks of food Samarasinghe said.