32 LTTE terrorists killed

The LTTE suffered heavy defeats with soaring casualties as the outfit lost almost all the bases within the Mannar 'Rice bowl' area with the fall of Andankulama in Mannar to security forces yesterday(June 27), military sources report. According to Military Spokesperson Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara, 11 terrorists were killed in addition to 3 soldiers who were said wounded during the confrontations at Andankulama.

Troops have also gained full control over 13 square kilometers surrounding the Andankulma area, sources further said.

Also, the advancing Army battle formations have inflicted decisive blows to LTTE during multi-pronged attacks launched at LTTE fortified defence lines in general area Papamoddai, as troops confirmed at least 21 terrorists were killed in the confrontations. According to defence sources, pitched fighting were reported in Papamoddai and Neduvarampu general areas since 8a.m., which lasted till 4p.m, on Friday.

3 soldiers have received injuries, while military claimed to have uncovered another slain LTTE body along with a T-56 assault riffle following a search operation conducted in the area.

Appoint a commission to investigate into the killings of 37 members

Pressure is mounting on the Government of Sri Lanka to appoint a commission to investigate into the killings of 37 elected members of Parliament of Sri Lanka, starting from the murder of Alfred Duraiyappah on 27 July 1975, up to that of the slaying of Minister Jeayaraj Fernandopulle on 06 April 2008, in a bomb blast in Welliweriya.

Alfred Duaraiyappah, who was a Member of Sri Lanka Parliament and Mayor of Jaffna was the first MP to be killed by the suspected Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. Though the case regarding the killing of Alfred Duraiyappah was taken up for hearing and judgment was delivered, it is suspected that the actual killer was not brought before any court of law in Sri Lanka.

In fact, V.Prabakaran, the leader of the LTTE, proudly claimed that he was the one who killed Alfred Duraiyappah, and he remains at large. Unfortunately up to now, there is no way either to confirm or dismiss the claim of the Tiger leader about the killing of Alfred Duaraiyappah.

Dr. Keheliya Rambukwella when talking to Asian Tribune said that he intends to take up this issue with the Government of Sri Lanka for the setting up of a Presidential Investigative Commission to go into the killings of 37 former Members of Parliament who represented the people of this country one time or more in their life time.

National Freedom Front invites JVP parliamentarians

National Freedom Front, newly setup political party of Wimal Weerawansa could attract more JVP parliamentarians.Anjan Umma MP is the new member who obtained her membership in the party today morning at the NFF headquarters, Pelawatta.

Wimal Weerawansa General Secretary of the NFF said he invites all JVP parliamentarians to join with the NFF to make a good political culture. At present 12 JVP parliamentarians are with Wimal’s group and another few MPs are expected to join with them, said political sources. NFF is the forth largest party at the Parliament today and Wimal Weerawansa could attract more members for the party, said a political analyst. Meanwhile JVP Leader Somawansa Amarasinghe said Anjan Umma’s case is second stage of one episode.

LTTE receives heavy beating

The Sri Lankan Army infantry and armour divisions stepped up ground advances backed by heavy artillery into South of Papamoddai and areas East of Marattikannnaddi and Minnaniranchan in Mannar since 6 a:m last(June 26), morning.
According to latest reports 12 LTTE terrorists were killed during the fighting ensued between troops and LTTE. Further, 1.7Km stretch between Chalampan and Marattikannadal along the Andankulam- Vidattalativu road was brought under full control of the army troops, the report said.
SLAF striker helicopters have also supported with tactical fire support during precision raids launched North of Andankulama this morning at identified LTTE positions ahead of the existing FDLs.
Papamoddai is located 12 km. south of Vidathaltheevu and 8 km north of Mannar, on the Mannar-Pooneryn road. According to available information heavy fighting was reported between troops and LTTE in separate locations South of Papamoddai as ground troops claimed to have chased off LTTE flanks sent to defends its last lines of defences in the area, which is said strategically important considering its proximity to LTTE's coastal stronghold Veddithaltivu.

Sri Lankan in Panel to probe deadly attack on UN in Algiers

Sinha Basnayake, a former Director of Legal Affairs at the United Nations, has been named as part of a panel to examine whether any United Nations staff should be held individually accountable over last December’s deadly terrorist attack on the world body’s premises in Algiers.

UN Secrertary-General Ban Ki-moon told UN staff that he was establishing the follow-up group in response to a recommendation issued by the Independent Panel on Safety and Security of UN Personnel and Premises Worldwide, itself created in the wake of the Algiers bombings, which killed 17 staff members and targeted UN offices in the Algerian capital.

Ralph Zacklin, a former Assistant Secretary-General for Legal Affairs, will head the group, and he will be assisted by Jean Jacques Graisse, Sinha Basanayake, Zelda Holtzman and Marisela Padron. The team will work out of UN Headquarters in New York and is slated to report back to Mr. Ban within six weeks.

In his letter to staff, the Secretary-General stressed that he has not forgotten the sacrifice of those who lost their lives in the Algerian capital, or the suffering of the many other victims or their families.

"I would like to reiterate my firm commitment to ensuring full accountability on the part of my senior managers, as well as all those at other levels of responsible decision-making," he said.

"But, combating security threats from terrorists and other detractors of the United Nations and ensuring the safety and well-being of staff and dependents, national or international, makes it incumbent that host governments and Member States also realize their responsibilities more strongly so that fuller and more concrete cooperation of security matters can be elicited from them. This factor cannot remain under-emphasized."

The Independent Panel, led by Lakhdar Brahimi and comprised of international experts in the field, presented its report to Ban earlier this month, and the report was released today with some redactions to avoid revealing details that may pose further threats to the personnel and premises of the Organization.

Twin air raids destroy LTTE training base

Sri Lanka Air Force fighter jets and MI 24 helicopter Gunships carried out two air raids targeting LTTE camps located in the North Mannar this morning (June 26).

According to the Air Force sources, the first raid was carried out by MI 24 helicopters at 6 am targeting a Forward Operating Base (FOB) of LTTE located at Marattikannadi , 2 km North of Andankulama. The air raid was carried out to support the ground advance of Army 58 division on the Mannar front, said the sources. Ground troops have confirmed that the attack was effective, the sources added.

The second air raid was carried out by Air Force fighter jets around 6.10 am targeting a training base located in the Vellankulama area , 20 km North of Vidattaltivu. According to the sources the target was accurately taken. Exact damage caused to the enemy in this attack is yet to be verified, said the sources.