SLA, LTTE clash in Welioya

The SLA and the LTTE clashed in general area Nikawewa - Kambiliwewa, Welioya yesterday (March 14) according to Wanni military sources.

Ground sources said that troops engaged in a limited fire-fight with the LTTE who were attempting to breach the SLA forward defences in the area, on Friday evening.

A LTTE terrorist was reported killed and body recovered by troops who later conducted extensive search operations in the area. Troops also found 4 anti-personnel (AP) mines, 2 claymore mines weighing 10 kg and a 2kg weighing claymore during the search operations.

UNESCO withdraws patronage to RSF

UNESCO has withdrawn its patronage of the Online Free Expression Day, organized by the non-governmental organization, Reporters Sans frontiers (RSF).

UNESCO reiterates its support for freedom of expression on the internet but felt compelled to withdraw patronage following the publication of information by RSF which did not follow the arrangements agreed upon between the two organizations concerning the event, said a press release issued by the UNESCO Secretariat in Paris on Wednesday(12)

The statement said that UNESCO could not endorse material published by RSF concerning a number of its Member States. Further, it objected to the use of UNESCO's logo along with the above material.

sound mines at Ratmalana base

Two sound mines were exploded this morning making a huge noise at the Ratmalana Air Force base when a stray animal entered the mine field of the Air base.

.

TMVP appoints Padmini as Batti Mayor

SRI LANKA-The TMVP has decided to appoint Padmini Prabahakaran as the Mayor of the Batticaloa Municipal Council and Pradeep Master as the Deputy Mayor.''I am not help to the LTTE in past and future padmini said to the local media.

Wanni liberating operation

According to the military reports reached from the Wanni and Jaffna defences 35 LTTE terrorists were killed while another 6 were wounded during the clashes sparked between security forces and LTTE yesterday, March 11. One soldier has made his utmost sacrifice while another 7 received injuries in this humanitarian mission launched to liberate the Tamil civilians in Wanni region from LTTE terror clutches.

In Jaffna theatre of battle, army snipers deployed in Muhamalai front gunned down an LTTE terrorists around 5.10 p.m yesterday. Separately, army troops ambushed an LTTE movement in general area Killay in early hours yesterday. Ground troops confirmed that one terrorist was killed in this attack.

Meanwhile, troops have launched an attack targeting LTTE bunker defnces in general area Muhamalai and 3 soldiers sustained injuries due to LTTE retaliation. The damages to the terrorist not reported yet. Troops uncovered a claymore mine from general area Sarasalai 5.30 p.m yesterday. According to the information, the claymore mine was weighing of 7kg.

Twenty Tamil civilians seek Government Protection

Twenty Tamil civilians belonging to five families, fleeing LTTE-controlled areas by a boat, sought the government protection at Pallimunai and Pesalai in Mannar yesterday (11th March 2008).

In one incident, two Tamil families consisting eight (08) persons sought refuge of the government security forces at the Pallimunai Fishing Marshalling Point jointly manned by the Sri Lanka Navy and the Police, yesterday morning around 7.30 a.m.

They had fled LTTE-dominated Vedithaltievu in two "Wallams" (locally made fishing craft) yesterday (10th March 2008) around 9.30 p.m. One Wallam had been fitted with an 8 Horse Power Out Board Motor (OBM) and the other Wallam had been on tow, tied to it. The Wallam which was on tow did not have an engine; yet it had four persons on board.

One family consists of a father of 28, a mother of 27 and two daughters aged 4 and 2. The other family consists of four persons with a father of 26, a mother of 22 and two daughters aged 3 years and just 2 months. The heads of the families are fishermen by profession and one had not forgotten to sneak his precious motor cycle too on board his wallam though it added additional weight slowing down their escapade.