Alleged Tamil gunman arrested

An alleged Tamil gunman was arrested today morning(January 01) following the assassination of UNP Colombo district parliamentarian and his body guard, at the Kotahena Sivam Kovil, defence sources reveal.

The alleged gunman was wounded in return fire from a personal security officer of Mr. Maheswaran, Kotahena Police said. The suspect, identified as a resident at general area Gurunagar in Jaffna, is under close custody of Police and receiving treatment at the National hospital- Colombo, sources further added.

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LTTE looking at Tamil Nadu as a base

Indian politician J Jayalalithaa has alleged that an alarming situation was now developing as the banned LTTE was now looking at Tamil Nadu as a base and all political parties, except hers, was prepared to roll out a red carpet welcoming to the outfit

T. Maheswaran shot dead

UNP parliamentarian T. Maheswaran was shot this morning (January 01) by an unknown gunman, news sources report. According to Colombo national hospital sources, Mr. Maheswaran has received serious gunshot injuries.

Speaking exclusively to defence.lk, Director of Nation Hospital - Colombo, Dr. Hector Weerasinghe said, the medical staff is at full thrust attending to save the parliamentarian. Nine other people also injured during the incident were admitted along with the Mr. Maheswaran, hospital sources reveal.

Latest information revealed that Mr. Maheswaran has succumbed to wounds while undergoing intensive medical treatment few minutes ago, at around 10.35a.m. Two other people have also succumbed to injuries, hospital sources said.

According to available information, an unknown gunman have shot Mr. Maheswaran inside the Kotehena Sivam Kovil, at around 9.30a.m.

Terrorists target security forces personnel going on leave

LTTE terrorists have triggered off a claymore mine targeting security forces' convoy of busses around 12.30 this afternoon (December 31). According to the available information the explosion has taken place close to the Kallai Aru Bridge on the Mannar-Madavachchiya road.

Four security forces' personnel including three navy sailors and one army soldier have suffered injuries in the explosion. The injured have been rushed to the Anuradhapura hospital. Hospital sources say one victim is in critical condition.

Defence official in Mannar said that the convoy of busses were carrying unarmed security forces personnel going on leave for the New Year.

More information will follow.

Air Force pounds LTTE training camp

The Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) says that Sri Lanka Air Force have bombed a terrorists' training camp located in Mulaithiuvu this morning (December 31). The fighter jets launched from Katunayake air base have bombed the terrorist camp around 7.15.a.m, the sources added.

The target has been identified as a training base which conducts both recruit and refresher training for the LTTE cadres. Air force says the target has been accurately hit.

Two cops for Rupavahini News Director

Rupavahini News Director T.M.G. Chandrasekara who was assaulted by the goons of Minister Mervyn Silva has been given two policemen for his security, Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa told Daily Mirror.