Secirity News

• Two LTTE terrorists commit suicide in Jaffna

Two LTTE terrorists committed suicide when army was about to arrest them at Kottadi in Jaffna this forenoon (January 6). The incident occurred when the troops were engaged in a cordon and search operation in the area around 11.30.a.m.

According to the defence sources in Jaffna 2 terrorists who were hiding themselves inside a toilet pit have thrown a hand grenade at troops. When the troops attempted to reach the location the terrorist have committed suicide detonating a bomb, sources added.

• Four terrorist and two soldiers killed in clashes

The Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) says that two LTTE bunkers were destroyed and four LTTE cadres were killed in clashes occurred between army and LTTE around 8.40 this morning (January 6) in the Muhamalai defence.Also two soldiers were killed in the same area in another confrontation took place around 6. 30.a.m sources added.

10 terrorists killed-Mannar

Security forces consolidating defences in the recently liberated Parappakandal area, this morning (January 05) engaged in heavy counter attacks at an LTTE offensive ahead of the established Parappakandal defences.

According to latest reports, ten terrorists were killed during the confrontation, at around 9a.m. Meanwhile, security forces have recovered three LTTE bodies, 02x T-56 assault riffles and over 200 anti-personnel (AP) mines.LTTE offensive elements were driven further into non-liberated areas, following stiff resistance attacks by security forces. According to security forces, intercepted enemy communication has revealed that many terrorists were injured during the clashes.

Meantime, at least ten terrorists were killed during separate clashes erupted at general area Adampan, Mannar since today morning, security source said. Troops destroyed two LTTE bunkers killing eight terrorists during a pre-emptive strike ahead of the Adampan defences.

Claymore/AP mines recovered in Thoppigala

Troops engaged in clearing operations in the general area of Meeyangolle in Thoppigala, today (January 05) recovered 20 claymore mines and 1057 AP mines, according to defence sources. The mines had apparently been buried and hidden inside barrels. Items recovered include shotgun cartridges (1112), anti-personnel (AP) mines (1057), AP mine fuses (805), claymore mines (08Kg x 01 and 05Kg x 19), detonator cord (12m x01), safety fuses (8m x 17) and M-16 ammunition (3380).


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CFA, SLMM cease to operate by Jan 16

President Mahinda Rajapaksa's government Thursday evening informed Norway of its decision to quit the CFA. Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama handed over the formal document to this effect to the Norwegian ambassador in Colombo Tore Hathrem. The government has now issued the mandatory 14 days notice, as per the agreement, that it was withdrawing from the pact signed in 2002. The Foreign Ministry has called a press conference for today (Friday) noon to spell out its position.

A senior Foreign Ministry official said that this notification was in terms of Article 4:4 of the agreement and would take effect 14 days from the date of this notice i.e. 16th January 2008.

Accordingly, the Status of Mission Agreement (SOMA) on the Establishment and the Management of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) dated 18th March 2002 between the Royal Norwegian Government and the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka would also stand terminated with effect from 16th January 2008, he said.

Secirity News

• 14 terrorists killed in yesterday's

Army troops continued to engage positions of LTTE terrorists in the Northern Province yesterday (January 2) killing over 14 terrorists, military reports indicate.

In the Jaffna theatre of battle, troops launched a pre-emptive strike at the LTTE bunker defence in the Kilaly around 10.40, last morning. Ground sources have confirmed that three terrorists' bunkers were destroyed and four terrorists were killed in the incident. Also, five soldiers were killed and six others suffered injuries as the terrorists too had retaliated using small arms and mortars. The injured were admitted to the military hospital, Palaly.

Separately, troops gunned down two more terrorists detected ahead of Nagarkovil and Ponnar defence lines on the same day. The first terrorist was gunned own at Ponnar in the Kilaly area around 7.45.a.m while the second was shot down at Nagarkovil around 5.15.p.m Besides , one soldier died due to an explosion of trapped mine in the Kilaly area around 8.40.a.m.In the Wanni theatre battle, troops continued to give heavy beating at the terrorists' location on Vavuniya and Mannar fronts during the daytime yesterday.

• LTTE terrorists fire mortars at Tamil villages in Mannar

LTTE terrorists fired mortar shells at Mannakulam Tamil village in Uilankuam - Mannar around 11.45 this forenoon (January 3). According to the civilian sources in the area a seven year old girl and a 50 year old mother have suffered serious injuries due to the attack.

The injured have been admitted to the Government Hospital in Mannar.The victims have been identified as Nagendran Jenarthana (7) and Pilippupille Reginamma (50) of Manakulam.

• Army overruns LTTE bunker defence at Pallaikuli, Mannar

ri Lanka army overran the bunker defence of LTTE terrorists, at Pallaikuli, North of Mannar after hours-long battle this morning (January 3). According to the defence sources in Wanni, troops destroyed six LTTE bunkers during the military offensive launched around 6.a.m.

Army Radio monitoring units have revealed that six LTTE cadres were killed and over 12 others suffered injuries in the incident. Also, one army soldier died and 6 sustained injuries in the same incident. The injured have been directed to immediate medical attention.

Bomb explosion at Slave Island

A bomb explosion has taken place opposite the Nippon Hotel at the Slave Island at 9.30 this morning (January 02). According to the available information the target of the bomb has been an Army bus carrying soldiers. Four people have been killed and around 20 more have suffered injuries in the explosion.