The Sri Lanka navy outpost at Erukkalampiddi in the Mannar Island has come under a predawn attack by the LTTE terrorists. According to defence sources, a group of LTTE terrorists had come in 6 boats and launched the attack around 2.15 am.
The sailors have defended their post effectively causing the terrorists to withdraw with their casualties. According to available information, 4 terrorists including their leader Sirimaran have died in the battle. Also, 3 sailors have been killed and few others wounded during the confrontation.
Meanwhile , Sri Lanka Air Force MI 24 helicopters pounded withdrawing terror boats in the Gulf of Mannar . According to the Air Force sources , the air assault has been launched around 4.45 a.m., targeting the terror boats fleeing towards Veddithalthievu area.
Defence observers are in the view that the terrorists have carried out this attack with the intention of stopping the people in Wanni escaping to the cleared areas. On 5th June , 13 civilians belonging to 3 families sought refuge from the Navy personnel at the Erukkulampiddi navy detachment. The refugees who resident of Silavanthei in Mullaithivu had told the navy personnel that 1000s are waiting to escape the terror clutches at a given opportunity. Therefore, the terrorist might wanted to remove the closest place of refuge to the Tamil people held hostage in the Wanni, they further said.

Senator Barrack Obama Clinches Democratic Nomination

Senator Barrack Obama has effectively clinched the Democratic presidential nomination even if he were to lose both S. Dakota and Montana as many super delegates have just expressed their endorsements of Obama-he may win both primaries tonight. Based on a tally of convention delegates, both pledged and super delegates Obama has exceed the required 2,118 delegate count now. He becomes the first black candidate ever to lead his party into a fall campaign for the White House. He had greater sustaining power than his gamey contender Hillary Clinton who fought to the last primary.

Both Obama and Clinton drew historic voter turnout primary after primary. It looked somewhat racially polarizing towards the end as Texas, Pennsylvania, Illinois and Virginia rallied behind Clinton. Obama is certain of getting more than the 2,118 delegates for clinching the party nomination at the Convention in August. The 46-year-old first term senator will face Sen. John McCain of Arizona in the fall campaign to become the 44th president.

The anatomy of the Obama win was described as a combination of unstoppable prodigious fundraising, ultra modern organizing skills delivered meticulously and his theme of change that motivated an electorate opposed to the Iraq war and worried about the economy. These were harnessed to his own innate gifts as an orator and a campaigner.

Clinton campaigned from the beginning as the candidate of experience ready to be president from day one, a former first lady and second-term senator of repute. It may have overstated the position so much as to sound like a scolding voice of a seasoned veteran jostling against a charismatic and audacious charmer,

But after a somewhat shaky year on the trail, Obama won the first Iowa caucuses on January. 3, 2008. Suddenly, the 46 year-old upstart had become acceptable currency-in fact, sovereign gold

His acceptance speech after winning Iowa was ''We came together as Democrats, as Republicans and independents, to stand up and say we are one nation, we are one people and our time for change has come.” A video built around Obama's ''Yes, we can'' rallying cry quickly went ballistic. It drew its one millionth hit within a few days of being posted,

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.

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.

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.

Accidental mine explosion at Ratmalana

A mine placed outside the perimeter of the Ratmalana air port accidentally exploded this morning but caused no damaged or injuries.

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.

Security News

• Micro pistol found in Jaffna

On information received from the civilians, security forces who were conducting a search operation uncovered a micro pistol from Manalkadu area in Point Pedro in early hours today, December 18.The recovery was made at 5.45 a.m and a micro pistol and its magazine had been buried in an abandoned land in the area, defence sources in Jaffna said.

• LTTE Continuously receiving losses; 19 terrorists killed, 13 wounded

Nineteen LTTE terrorists were killed and 13 were injured during clashes erupted at Jaffna and Mannar defences this morning, December 17, defence sources said.In four separate incidents reported in Mannar defences, at least 12 LTTE terrorists were killed while 9 were injured sources in Mannar said.

Troops on foot patrol confronted with a group of LTTE terrorists at North of Uilankulam in Mannar around 9.30 a.m today. Ground troops said four LTTE cadres were killed while 5 others were injured in this clash.Meanwhile 2 LTTE cadres were killed in a confrontation erupted at North of Neelachchanai in Mannar around 9.35 a.m. today, defence sources added.

• T-56 weapon, warlike items uncovered

On information received from the civilian sources, security forces uncovered a T-56 weapon and some other warlike items from Madukarai in Mannar testerday, December 17.According to the available information the recovery was made around 12 noon and 60 T-56 ammunition, 2 magazines, 2 detonators and 1M length detonator code were also among the recoveries.

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.

Security increased for first test in Kandy

An additional police force of 400 has been deployed in the vicinity of Asgiriya international cricket grounds and the Kandy town to ensure security for the first test between Sri Lanka and England tomorrow. Extra security has also been given to the hotels where the players are staying according to police sources.

Liberty Plaza searched for bombs

Police conducted a search operation inside the Liberty Plaza shopping complex in Colpetty, following a bomb scare, but police sources confirmed that the complex was safe.