300 kiols of explosives recovered from Nuwera Eliya

A large haul of TNT explosives were recovered yesterday morning around 10.am, concealed in a tea estate in Mahagastota located in Nuwera Eliya. According to a report, this was for the first time; the police have recovered such a huge amount of explosives from upcountry.

The Defence sources revealed that, on information received from general public, the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) of the Sri Lanka Police, recovered TNT explosives weighing 300 kilos, C4 explosives 16 Kilos, 2 numbers of T 56 assault rifles with 2 magazines, and 45 detonators in one of the tea estates in Mahagastota.

Sources revealed that the explosives and weapons were recovered from an underground storage in that estate. They further said that the underground storage pit was cemented and covered by cement slab.

The TID detectives arrested four suspected LTTE cadres. According to an arrested cadre, the LTTE had dispatched these explosives from Vanni during the Ceasefire period. He added that they were ordered to bury the explosives for future use.

Defence sources refused to reveal the name of the tea estate as investigation are still continuing.

Second air raid launched at Terror FDL

Sri Lanka Air Force launched its second air raid at selected targets on the LTTE forward defence line (FDL) around 3 this evening (June 10). According to Air Force spokesperson Wing Commander Janaka Nanaykkara , the raid was undertaken by fighter jets, following thorough air surveillance.

Government troops captured 14 base in Mullaitievu

The security forces have entered Mullaitievu and they have already taken control of the One Four Base Camp where the LTTE leader at one time was hiding. The forces captured the camp yesterday after the sudden attack. The troops are in complete control of the area.

Meanwhile defence sources say the Sri Lanka Air Force attacked a LTTE bunker in the North of Alankumala area in this morning. Air Force Media Spokesman Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara says the attack was launched around 11 AM today using MI 24 fighter craft. Air force pilots have confirmed that the attack was successful.

The Media Centre for National Security says 17 LTTE terrorists were killed in clashes with the security forces in the past 24 hours in Jaffna, Vavuniya and Welioya. The Army has recovered a corpse of terrorist and several military equipments.

Helicopter gunships raid terror bunker line

Sri Lanka Air Force MI 24 helicopter gunships have raided an LTTE bunker defence located in the North of Alankumala area this morning (June 9). Air Force spokesperson, Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said that air raid has been launched at 11 am in support of troops of 58 divisions.

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Pulidevan under house arrest?

The Sri Lankan Defence Ministry claimed here that on the basis of “intelligence reports” on Monday that senior LTTE leader Seevaratnam Prabaharan alias Pulidevan is under “house arrest on charges of treachery” against the outfit.

To buttress its claim, the Ministry said Mr. Pulidevan was not seen at the funeral of Balraj, a senior LTTE leader who died of a heart attack recently.

There was no response from the Tigers to the claim. Usually the LTTE does not respond to the military’s claims on the ground situation and suggestions of “power struggle” within the outfit.

Mr. Pulidevan is the chief of “LTTE Peace Secretariat,” a body created after the recently abrogated 2002 Cease Fire Agreement (CFA) between the government and the Tigers, and was also a member of the LTTE negotiating team in the peace talks.

In a statement here, the Defence Ministry claimed that the “arrest” had been made as a result of a “worsening internal dispute” among key LTTE figures. “An armed gang led by LTTE’s intelligence wing leader Pottu Amman had made the arrest few days back.”

It said Pottu Amman “framed charges against Pulidevan for treachery against the outfit. The bitter power struggle fought among the LTTE leaders has led to bloody violence even in European countries where the loyalists of different leaders fight internecine battles.”

Five suicide jackets found

Police acting on an information received from intelligence sources found 5 jackets designed for the LTTE suicide bombers from Maina Doopatha (an islet) in the Chilaw area this evening (May 30). According to the police sources, only four out of the five jackets were filled with high explosives.

Police said the jackets were unearthed from a location close to an abandoned Hindu Temple around 6.30 pm. A person was also detained for further inquiries, the sources added.

Tamil Tigers in Paris commemorate Balraj

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) put up posters urging the Tamil community to defy the ban on LTTE activities and participate in the meeting to commemorate the late military leader self styled ‘Brigadier’ Balraj. While the LTTE activists pasted posters in Tamil owned shops at La Chapelle in the French Capital, the police did not take any action as the traders were too scared to lodge complaints with the police.

Some moderate Tamils said that although, the police prevented the pasting of posters of EPDP social worker Ms Maheswary Velautham who was killed by the LTTE earlier this month, there was no action against the posters of Balraj.


According to legal sources, the police could not intervene without a complaint from the shop owners. When the posters of Ms Velauthan were displayed at public places in La Chapelle, pro-LTTE traders complained to the police, following which police ordered the EPDP activists not to display posters at public places without prior permission from the municipality.

21 Terrorists killed

Troops engaged in offensive march in Wanni and Jaffna theatres killed 21 terrorists and injured 21 in yesterday's (22 May) clashes. More 12 terrorists were reportedly killed or wounded as the report reached from the warfront stated.

On Wanni front, in Vavuniya front, troops attacked fortified LTTE defences in general area Periyamadu killing 5 terrorists and injuring 3 others during day hours yesterday. 2 soldiers also suffered injuries due to LTTE's retaliation. Meanwhile, troops ambushed an LTTE movement in general area Mundimurippu. Intercepting terror transmission it is leant that 4 terrorists were killed while 7 others injured. An army soldier also suffered injuries and he was rushed to Ampara hospital.

Security News

An LTTE terrorist was reported killed by SL Army snipers deployed ahead of enemy defences in general area Alanakulama, Mannar yesterday(May 16), security sources said.

Eight LTTE terrorists were reported killed during intermittent clashes erupted between troops and LTTE ahead of the Wanni and Northern battle fronts on Thursday (May 15), security sources report. On the Jaffna theater of battle, a terrorist was reported killed sniped in general area Muhamalai. A soldier was also injured due to an AP mine explosion in the same area, in addition to another who sustained injuries in a similar explosion at Kilaly.

The Sri Lankan Air Force fighter craft made precision air sorties at the Iranamadu runway yesterday evening in Mullaittiuvu, Air Force sources said.

Child soldier turned Chief Minister to build harmonious relationship with Muslims and Sinhalese

“All necessary measures will be taken to bring about peace and harmony in the East. I will take all required steps to embrace Muslims and Sinhalese living in the East and ensure their security. As a first step, I will be making arrangements to meet the Muslim leaders of the East to dispel if and any doubts that loom in their hearts and minds about my genuine love and brotherly affection towards them, especially of those in the East, said Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan, the just sworn-in Chief Minister for the Eastern Province.

The child soldier turned provincial Chief Minister was speaking to News-Lanka just after he was sworn in as the Chief Minister of the Eastern Provincial Council. Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, 33 years old youngest Chief Minister, was earlier a child soldier, abducted at his tender age of 14 years and given arms training by Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and trained as another killing machine.

In 2004 March, he along with V. Muralitharan, also known as Col. Karuna left the LTTE and was one of the founder members of TamilEela Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal. Later the outfit got rid of the word ‘Eelam’ and renamed it as Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal.

Chanthirakanthan led many successful battles against the LTTE in the Eastern Province and fought standing shoulder to shoulder with the Sri Lankan security forces to liberate the East.

He took over the leadership of the TMVP after Muralitharan left the country. As a first step he registered TMVP as a political party and successfully contested in the Local Government elections held in the Batticaloa district. Subsequently under Chanthirakanthan’s leadership, TMVP entered as one of the coalition partners with the ruling United Peoples Freedom Alliance and contested East Provincial Council election.

After swearing in as the Chief Minister of the Eastern Provincial Council, he spoke with News-Lanka.

He said, I want to bring about a good and sustainable relationship between the Tamils and the Muslims. To do that, he added, I have decided to meet the Muslim leaders and dispel their suspicion about the East Tamils and build cordial and brotherly relationship with them.

Therefore as a first step, I wish to meet these Muslim leaders. Almost all Muslim leaders are Ministers and if one of the leaders arranges a meeting in their Ministry office, inviting other Muslim leaders also for a discussion, I am prepared to participate and listen to them and to assure that I care to work with them.

Chanthirakanthan said as far as TMVP is concerned, we have already handed over all the underage children who were with us. As far as I am aware, there are no more underage children with us. If anyone points out as we have still underage children with us, then I am prepared to investigate and do the needful.

I want to provide opportunities for unemployed youths of the province to find for themselves suitable livelihood arrangements, Chanthirakanthan said.

Also he said that still there are thousands of Internally Displaced Persons in our midst. We will try our best to see that they are resettled in their respective villages and they have roof over their heads.

Chanthirakanthan said that he is thankful to President Mahinda Rajapakse and other Government leaders for the confidence they had on him by making him the Chief Minister of the East. He assured, I will try my best to live up to their expectations by dedicating fully and working for the well-being of the people of the East.

He said, my appointment as the Chief Minister is an eye opener for our Tamils brothers in the North. I think by now it will dawn on them that to undertake their day today business with the Government they have an option available for them. They have to come up to openly resist the Vanni Tigers and live peacefully. Eastern brothers are always there to assist them in their battle for freedom against the ruthless Prabakaran and his killing machinery.

He thanked the Buddhist clergies and the leaders of the Jathika Heela Urumiya for the support and the trust they had on him and for openly supporting him in his bid for the Chief Ministership.

Chanthirakanthan said that he was very sad to hear of the Colombo bomb blast and the death and injury of Police personnel and civilians. He said that he wishes to convey his condolence to the bereaved families and assured he will work with the Sri Lankan security forces and ensure the security of the Easterners.

The newly sworn in Chief Minister reiterated that with the help of the people of the East, he was able to defeat the Vanni Tigers democratically. He further said that he along with TMVP has entered the mainstream of politics and there is no turning back from the democratic mainstream.

When asked about MLAM Hisbullah’s statements before and after his swearing in as Chief Minister, Chanthirakanthan said he is not prepared to response to the accusations made by Hisbullah. He said Hisbullah is a person and not an organization and he is not the voice of the Muslims of the East. He said, there are many respected and well trusted Muslim leaders in the East. He also said I wanted to live peacefully and harmoniously with my Muslim brothers of the East and by responding to the unsubstantiated allegations, it would definitely create a provocative situation in the east. This is what Rauff Hakeem and UNP wanted and longing for. I can only appeal to Hisbullah not to fall into the trap of Rauff Hakeem and UNP and not to be provocative with communal speeches.

Tamil Chief Minister for East, Just and Fair Decision

The Chief Ministership stakes are now being fought in the East. To any impartial observer, it is crystal clear that any attempt to bypass a Tamil for the post of Chief Minister would be a travesty of justice. What is of paramount importance is that the government must not give the impression that the support it got from the Tamil voters who were earlier in the clutches of the LTTE, were not taken for granted. Pillaiyan received the highest number of preferential votes far more than that of HisbullahPillaiyan received the highest number of preferential votes far more than that of Hisbullah

Tamils boycotted the 2005 Presidential election under life threatening orders from Prabhakaran. Now they have rallied to the President’s call for unity. They must not be denied their due. Muslims who also threw in their lot with the government could wait a little longer.

How much the TMVP vote meant for the future of the East is a major consideration. More importantly the battle in the North where the armed forces are winning a fiercely fought war will ultimately be an indication that they can look with great satisfaction at the elections results in the East. Already a top level Presidential Committee headed by Minister Devananda is planning to get the people to participate in a democratic process very much like what the East did. It is imperative that the Chief Minister has to be a Tamil in the East.

It was obvious that the East was won with the massive support that the TMVP gave to the UPFA coalition. Of the 308,886 votes that were received by the UPFA, more than half or 160,000 came from the TMVP supporters. It would be a historical blunder to ignore the contribution of the TMVP to the liberation of the East from the LTTE as well a democratic revival in the region. They joined the Muslims and the Sinhalese to show the world that the Sri Lanka Government led by Mahinda Rajapaksa had the interest of all ethnic groups at heart. They wanted to defeat terrorism and bring about national unity in the country. The sense of togetherness was tremendous. To forget that fact is a colossal rejection of the ground realities that emerged in the East. M L A Hisbullah can afford to wait in the interest of Tamil Muslim unityM L A Hisbullah can afford to wait in the interest of Tamil Muslim unity

The TMVP worked with the Muslims and Sinhalese during the elections. The Muslim members of Parliament from the region are holding key positions in the government. Almost all the Muslim parliamentarians from this region are holding ministerial posts. There is adequate representative for this group. The Tamils in the East do not have that luxury.

In the 2005 Presidential elections the Tamils did not participate fully due to the LTTE forcing a boycott on them. The situation has changed today. In Batticaloa 48 percent of the people voted for the UPFA at the Provincial Council elections. The actual votes were as follows: Pillaiyan 38,718, J S Mohammed 34,782 and M L A M Hisbullah 34,581.

To deny the Chief Ministership to a Tamil due to the proposition that the Muslim candidates number 8 versus the TMVP’s 6 is a fallacy. It is a denial of what is a just demand by the TMVP that their contribution to bring about a change in the dynamics of the eastern politics be recognized.

Muslims have key representation with Mrs. Ferial Ash raff, ALM Athauulolah, A R Risath Bathiyutheen and M N Andul Majeed holding ministerial posts in the government. M.L.A.M Hisbullah, who crossed over from the SLMC just one day before the Eastern Province nominations can be asked to wait a little longer, to serve the people of the East before he gets into higher gear.

The President announced that the East answered his call for unity and gave the UPFA a good victory. The time is ripe to show the world that the Chief Ministership should be given to a Tamil as they fully deserve this honor.

LTTE Claymore Explodes

Police personnel in route clearing petrol in general area Thambalagamuwa have narrowly escaped from an LTTE claymore explosion took place this morning (19 Apr).
The police personnel were returning after completing a duty in a vulnerable area where an electricity transformer located in Thambalabamuwa along Pokurani - Kinniya road, when the terrorists activated the claymore around 6.15 am, sources said.

A Bomb has exploded in Weli Ara

A bomb has exploded in a CTB bus in Weli Ara in Okkampitiya, in the Buttala police division. The total number of deaths due to the blast in a CTB bus in Okkampitiya has risen to 23.


Defence.lk:

LTTE terrorists have carried out a cowardly bomb blast targeting innocent school children at Okkampitiya, Monaragala this morning (16 January).According to the available information the bus belongs to Wellavaya depot which was plying from Buttala to Okkampitiya with large number of school children has been targeted in the explosion.

Police sources said that the terrorists have exploded claymore mine targeting the bus and subsequently opened fire at the survivors. The explosion has taken place around 7.40 am at a location close to the 3rd mile post at Weliara, Okkampitiya. Over 67 casualties have been taken to the Monaragala hospital, the sources added. According to the Hospital sources more than 23 people have been killed in the incident. These figures can be increased, sources further added. Thirteen females and 10 males are among the deaths.

LTTE is a ruthless terrorist outfit notorious for crimes against women and children. In its pursuit for a mono ethnic separate homeland for Tamils, the outfit has killed and maimed over tens and thousands innocent children in ethnic cleansing raids, indiscriminate bomb attacks and by using child soldiers at the battle fronts. FBI in a recent report called LTTE the most dangerous terrorist outfit in the world.

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.

Wanni liberation in progress

Sri Lanka security forces continue to beat in terrorists' defences of Wanni causing heavy damages to LTTE. As per the latest reports from the battlefronts troops had dislodged 6 LTTE bunkers and killed over 28 terrorists in yesterday's (December 23) clashes.

In the Jaffna theatre of battle, troops deployed at Ponnar on the Kilaly front, attacked LTTE bunker line around 6.15 last evening. Ground troops have claimed that three terrorists were killed and two bunkers destroyed in the incident. No casualties reported to own troops.On the Muhamalai front, SL army soldiers manning the defence line opened fire at a group of LTTE terrorists stalking towards the own defence. Ground troops confirmed that one LTTE cadre was killed in the incident that took place around 11.45 a.m.

Earlier on the same day morning, army claimed that eight terrorists were killed and four LTTE bunkers destroyed when troops attacked LTTE bunker line at Nagarkovil.Meanwhile, Sri Lanka navy sailors uncovered four suicide belts and a military pack at 12.p.m. yesterday. The sailors acting on information provided by the civilians made this recovery at Velani, in the Kaytes Island.In the Wanni theatre of battle, troops moving ahead from the Vavuniya front attacked an LTTE stronghold in the Vilathikulama area around 9.40, last morning. Troops having located the terrorists' gun and radar positions called in artillery fire on the same. Also, the terrorists responded using heavy mortars. Army radio monitoring elements have revealed that three terrorist were killed and 10 others were injured in the incident. One soldier was also killed and nine sustained injuries in the same incident.

At Kuduruvitankulama, troops laid an ambush at terrorists' movement around 2.15, last afternoon. Monitored radio transmissions have revealed that two terrorist were killed and one injured in the incident. No casualties reported to own troops.At Kallikkulama, troops confronted with a group of LTTE cadres around 2 on the same day afternoon. Ground troops claimed that three terrorists were killed in the incident.Meanwhile, four soldiers suffered injuries due to anti personnel mine explosions occurred in Thampanai and Kuduruvitankulama area during yesterday's clearing operations. The injured were admitted to Anuradhapura hospital.

In the Mannar theatre of battle, troops confronted with LTTE terrorists at three separate incidents. Reports indicate that eight terrorists and one soldier were killed in the incidents that occurred in the Narikkulama, Palaikkuli, and Tettakkuli areas yesterday.

Prabhakaran injured in air attack

Acting on reliable intelligence, the Air Force carried out a successful air strike targeting the leader of the LTTE, Velupillai Prabhakaran on 26th November 2007. Intelligence sources confirmed that Velupillai Prabhakaran had sustained injuries in the air strikes carried out by four attack aircraft of the Sri Lanka Air Force on a bunker complex in Jayanthinagar, Kilinochchi around 5.25 p.m. on 26th November 2007. Intelligence had confirmed that the bunker complex was frequented by the LTTE leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran.

Attack aircraft of the Air Force carried out another air strike on the same target on 28th November 2007. The Air Force confirms that the target was successfully destroyed amidst heavy LTTE ground to air fire towards the Sri Lanka Air Force aircraft. Subsequent to the attack, the Air Force monitored movements around the target trying to clear the debris.

Though the Air Force believed that Velupillai Prabhakaran had been hit in this attack, non availability of ground information to confirm such at that time prevented the Government from releasing this information to the media.

Prabhakaran injured in air attack

Acting on reliable intelligence, the Air Force carried out a successful air strike targeting the leader of the LTTE, Velupillai Prabhakaran on 26th November 2007. Intelligence sources confirmed that Velupillai Prabhakaran had sustained injuries in the air strikes carried out by four attack aircraft of the Sri Lanka Air Force on a bunker complex in Jayanthinagar, Kilinochchi around 5.25 p.m. on 26th November 2007. Intelligence had confirmed that the bunker complex was frequented by the LTTE leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran.

Attack aircraft of the Air Force carried out another air strike on the same target on 28th November 2007. The Air Force confirms that the target was successfully destroyed amidst heavy LTTE ground to air fire towards the Sri Lanka Air Force aircraft. Subsequent to the attack, the Air Force monitored movements around the target trying to clear the debris.

Though the Air Force believed that Velupillai Prabhakaran had been hit in this attack, non availability of ground information to confirm such at that time prevented the Government from releasing this information to the media.

Six LTTE terrorists killed in confrontations - Jaffna

Six LTTE terrorists were killed in two separate pre-emptive attacks launched by the security forces in Jaffna defences this morning, December 18, sources in Jaffna said.An LTTE bunker was destroyed killing 3 LTTE terrorists when the troops confronted with the enemy ahead of the security forces defence line at Nagarakovil in Jaffna.

Meanwhile, 3 LTTE terrorists were killed in another confrontation erupted at Muhamalai in Jaffna around 10.40 this morning, defence sources further added.

LTTE offensive bids thwarted: 10 terrorists killed

Ten terrorists were killed yesterday(16) at Jaffna and Vavuniya defences, as security forces continued to pound LTTE bunker positions, security sources said.During a pre-emptive strike launched at LTTE positions ahead of Muhamalai FDLs at around 6.10p.m, troops destroyed an LTTE bunker killing three terrorists, Northern military sources report.

At Vilathikulam in Vavuniya, SLA repulsed two successive LTTE offensive bids killing at least seven terrorists in heavy resistance attacks, yesterday evening security sources said.According to ground sources, no damages were cause to own forces.

‘Murali’- Highest Wicket Taker in Test Cricket

Sri Lanka’s spin wizard, Muttiah Muralitharan became the highest wicket-taker in test cricket this morning when he bowled Paul Collinwood for 45 on the third day of the first test between Sri Lanka and England at Asgiriya.

Braking Shane Warne’s 708 wicket record. Murali got 709 wickets in his 116th Test while Warne played 145 matches to get his 708.