05 terrorists killed

Security forces advanced into LTTE positions ahead of Welioya FDLs today (January 15), killing five terrorists and wounding four others, Wanni defences sources said, citing intercepted LTTE communication.

Military sources said that, one soldier laid his life while two other soldiers received wounds and was admitted to the general hospital at Vavuniya.

According to ground troops, three LTTE terrorists were killed and four wounded in two separate clashes between military and LTTE, North of Janakapura. Meanwhile, troops advanced towards enemy positions North of Kiriibbanwewa and destroyed an LTTE bunker position, killing two around 12 noon, today.

LTTE raising public funds in London

Calendars of the LTTE terrorist outfit were sold publicly by the LTTE activists in London, informed sources say. According to the sources, the calendars (A3 size cardboard) with the reddish sky background and a rising sun depicts the map of the mono ethnic 'Tamil Eelam', a Palmyra growth and a pinkish Gloriosa Lily (Botanical name - Liliaceae Glory lily) plant.

The writing on top states 'Thamil Thai Naalkaati' (Tamil mother Calendar) 2008. At the bottom it states: 'History of the Tamils, world history, and a calendar that reflects the religious and astrological matters relating to Tamils.'

The calendar (cardboard) also states publishers are: Publication Division, International Information Centre.The daily calendar sheets have come out with a coversheet. It states: Tamileelam national calendar, a primary calendar in Tamil.

The second page is editorial of the publishers. It starts by saying 'this calendar is a publication of motherland publications' and further states 'it includes our historical events'.

The third page states: 'this calendar is prepared specially for Britain' and has given the telephone number for Motherland Publishers as 00 33 134 69 96 86. In the fifth page the address of the Motherland Publishers is given: Thaimann Publications, 3 bis, Rue du Pont de Baillet, 95560 Montsoult, France. The contact email given is: thaimann@free.fr.

From the sixth page onwards the daily calendar sheets are produced. Each page consists of a section for history of the LTTE. This section is titles 'Pathivugal' (archives). When flicking through the pages, one could find pictures of dead cadres of the LTTE and descriptions of LTTE's terror activities with details.

The calendars were publicly sold on the New Years Day in front of Hindu temples in London. They were sold at œ5 to œ10 per calendar. The LTTE activists sold these calendars openly without any fear for the law that proscribed the LTTE in the UK.

40 terrorists killed

Sri Lankan security forces further advanced into LTTE defences in multi fronts from Jaffna, Mannar, Vavuniya and Welioya killing a total of 40 terrorists, including 22 alone in clashes North West of Parappakandal, yesterday (January 14).

According to SLA Jaffna sources, at least 10 terrorists were killed and two LTTE bunkers destroyed in clashes escalated along the defences at Averikadu, Muhamalai and Nagarkovil in Jaffna. Six soldiers were also wounded in separate incidents at the Northern defences including four, due to an IED explosion at Muhamalai, sources said.

Meanwhile, troops removed 7 anti-personnel (AP) mines laid in general area Ponnar, Jaffna security sources said. During clearing operations conducted in general area Marakayarkulama, Vavuniya troops defused 10 AP mines, Wanni sources said.

Military sources in Vavuniya front said that, eight more terrorists were killed yesterday (14) in clashes erupted at defences of Periyapantdivirichchan, Vilathikulama, Kattikkulama, Palaikkulai and Kokkuthuduvai. SLA said that, three soldiers received injuries due to an AP mine explosion at Kurisuddakulama, and were rushed to the general hospital at Vavuniya.

Intercepted LTTE communication revealed that many terrorists were badly wounded in the fighting, though exact figures were not available.

Meanwhile, during a search operation conducted at general area Palaikkuli, troops recovered 23 AP mines, 05 'Arul' type mortar shells, 08 hand grenades, a hoard of Multi Purpose Machine Gun (MPMG) ammunitions and 550x T-56 assault riffle rounds. Separately, in a search operation at Palaikkuli, yesterday evening, troops recovered 18 more AP mines, security sources added.

According to military, two soldiers laid their lives in confrontations yesterday (14), while 24 others were wounded.

LTTE heavy artillery gun damaged

Intercepted LTTE communication revealed that, an LTTE heavy artillery gun was damaged today (January 14), following an air raid carried out by SLAF jets, North of Parappakandal in Mannar, around 1.p.m.

According to reliable information, a 122mm artillery gun has been damaged in the aerial strike. Meanwhile, military sources citing intercepted enemy communication said that, an LTTE senior artillery coordinator identified as Mangalesh, is also believed to be among the terrorist casualties.

LTTE intelligence hideout

SLAF fighter jets led pinpoint air strikes at an LTTE intelligence' hideout this morning (January 14), North of Puthukkudiyiruppu in general area Kombavil, Mullaittivu.

The air sorties were made following real-time ground information, confirmed a LTTE gathering at 10.45.a.m, SLAF sources said.

According to defence sources, military has observed intensified terrorist activities in the area, obtained through ground and air reconnaissance information. Defence sources, citing 'intel' reports state that, the destroyed facility was a hideout of high profile LTTE intelligence wing cadres.

sniper weapon recovered in Vavuniya

Troops acting on reliable information this morning (January 13) at general area Sangaraapuram in Vavuniya, recovered a sniper weapon and accessories, security sources said.

The sniper gun, magazines and 9 sniper rounds were found dumped in an abandoned house around 9.a.m, sources said.Troops are conducting further search operations in the area.