Four terrorists killed in clashes at Northern defences

At least four LTTE terrorists were killed this evening (December 29) ahead of Northern defences at Muhamalai, SLA sources say.Troops launched a pre-emptive strike at LTTE bunker lines, at around 3p.m, according to sources.No damages were caused to own troops during the confrontation, military sources said.

SLAF jet attack LTTE strategic location

Sri Lanka Air Force supersonic fighter jets pounded on LTTE strategic location in the Mullaittiuvu area this noon, December 28.Air sorties have launched around 12.00 noon and the target was the LTTE's coordinating centre for international activities, a well identified LTTE strategic location through the series of ground and air surveillances conducted for long period, Air forces sources said.

Meanwhile, the intelligence sources said that the details of the targets have been obtained on real-time ground information received through reliable sources. The targeted location was identified as a key LTTE location where most of the LTTE top leaders used to visit regularly to discuss international activities of the outfit, sources added.

Sri Lanka Air Force raided this same place few months back on 18th April 2007 and the 2nd In-Command of the LTTE's coordinating centre for international activities, who was given a self-styled "Lt Colonal" rank, Kalaialagan was killed due to this air raid.

Army hold out at Jaffna FDL

Reports from Jaffna Forward Defence Line (FDL) indicate that two LTTE bunkers and a hut were destroyed and five terrorists were killed in today's clashes between army and LTTE (December 27). In addition, two army soldiers were killed, one went missing and four injured in the same incidents.

On the Kilaly front, troops undertook a surprise attack at an LTTE bunker around 2.40.a.m. Ground troops have confirmed that the bunker was destroyed and two terrorists were killed in the incident.

At Ponnar, on the same Kilaly front troops confronted with LTTE terrorists around 6.12 this morning. Troops advanced unto the terrorists' first line of defence and attacked two LTTE bunkers and a hut located in the area. Ground troops have claimed that three LTTE cadres were killed and one bunker and the hut were destroyed in the incident.

In a similar incident on the same Kilaly front, troops confronted with a group of terrorist around 6.45.a.m. One soldier has been killed and another was reported missing in the incident. Further four soldiers have suffered injuries. The injured were rushed to the military hospital at Palaly. Terrorists' casualties are not known.

Four killed including child in LTTE claymore attack

LTTE terrorists triggered off another claymore mine killing four people including a 12 year old at Vavuniya, within hours following the separate claymore attack took place this morning (December 27) at Kalavanchchikuddi, Batticaloa.

According to Vavuniya Police, LTTE elements have detonated the mine targeting a paper distribution vehicle at Kurumankadu, along the Vavuniya- Mannar road, at around 2.p.m. An EPDP member (Wasanthan), the driver (Liyanage) and a Police constable (Rathnayake) were among the wounded, initial reports said. Latest reports from Vavuniya state, that total casualty figures have increased to seven.

The innocent child killed was identified as Sivanadan Sujikaran, 12, at No: 36, 4th lane - Kurumankadu.Informed sources said, the vehicle was distributing a local Tamil news paper of EPDP. The news paper has been severely criticizing LTTE's tribal ideologies and serving a news window to Tamils in the area. The injured were rushed to the general hospital at Vavuniya, Police said. Meantime, the slain EPDP members were identified as Kandan, Saravanan and Regie.

One MSD guard cuffed and taken away

Minutes ago one MSD guard of Mervyn Silva was handcuffed and taken away by police. Mervyn Silva is yet to come out of the chairman’s room.

Non-Cabinet Media Minister, Lakshman Yapa was seen pleading with the staff of Rupavahini to let the police take Mervyn Silva out of the building. Yapa upon entering the scene condemned the assault on the News Director by the minister. Meanwhile the staff had brutally beaten the MSD guard of Mervyn.

Mervyn held hostage at Rupavahini

After the tense situation following the assault on the News Director, Mervyn Silva has taken refuge in the Chairman’s room, sources informed. The infuriated staff has surrounded the room and threatened to cause harm if the minister steps out of the room. The police are trying to infiltrate the chairman’s room but the staff has prevented the police from entering.