High Priest of Thirukoneswaram Temple shot and killed

Unidentified gunmen shot and killed the High Priest of the Thirukoneswaram Hindu Temple, Sivasri Kugarajah Kurukkal in Trincomalee yesterday around 6.PM, in the evening .
The incident reported to have taken place at the Vidyalayam Road, located in the heart of the port city of Trincomalee.
Two bullets struck on priest's head and according to police report he died instantly.The Media Centre for National Security (MCNS), reported that the 43 year old priest was shot down while he was riding a motorbike around 6 pm, on 21st September.
Thirukoanesvaram Temple is located inside the Fort Frederick, where the Trincomalee Government Agent's office and the Gajaba Regiment of the Sri Lanka Army have been functioning.
Sivashri Kugaraja Kurrukal had been the High Priest of one of the oldest Saiva Temple, ThiruKonesvaram , for the last five years.
According to the Media Centre for National Security, the victim said to have been a highly respected personality among the Hindus as well as in the midst of the other religious communities living in the area, He had been maintaining a very cordial relationship with the law enforcement authorities in the district and had performed a great service in building peace and harmony among the different communities.
Police are conducting investigation on the death of the High Priest

Norwegian ‘aid’ for Tiger bunkers

According to Military sources, the bund cum trench, unlike other LTTE defence lines that the forces overran earlier, is a tried and tested defensive system used by both the Indian and Pakistani armies against each other.

To halt the advancing Army, the Tigers have built this formidable trench line for miles facing the south, using heavy equipment taken from the INGOs, while the Army and the Air Force were busy concentrating on engaging the enemy in earlier operations, to regain territory in their then immediate front. It had been built, first laying mines on its approaches, then a trench had been cut, especially to prevent crossing of armour and the earth removed from this trench had been used to build a bund above it to a height of eight to 10 feet.

Inside the bund are also a series of bunkers, from which vantage the Tigers are able to mow down the advancing Army and call in artillery support, with their clear view of the advancing forces.

In hindsight, it can now be said that, had the Air Force Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, had spotted the massive defence line being constructed in advance, and got the MI-24 attack helicopters or the jets, to take out the heavy machinery engaged in building the network, much of this misery could have been avoided.

It is easy for us to say this from the safety and comfort of Colombo now, but for the valiant forces fighting the most ruthless outfit on earth, with limited resources, in the heat of so many operations in their immediate front, it would have eluded them. Besides, the Norwegian People’s Aid only reported the removal of their heavy machinery long after the Tigers had done it.

LTTE explodes bus bomb targeting civilians

A bus bomb explosion was reported near the 'Horton place', Colombo a short while ago at around 1.50p.m.
According to available information, the bomb has exploded inside a public transportation bus(SLTB) plying from - Moratuwa - Mattakkuliya (Route No:155). No civilian fatalities were reported due to the explosion, Colombo National Hospital sources said, adding that 4 people have been admitted due to shock caused by the explosion.
Commuters are here advised to use alternative routes to avoid heavy traffic, Police said.
Passengers have immediately got-off the bus and reached safety distance after bomb fear raised of an unattended parcel inside the bus, our correspondent said citing civilian sources. "The bomb has exploded within minutes" the sources further said.

Bomb explosion near Horton place --- Update

Explosion inside the a bus near horton Place roundabout Colombo after passengers evacuated. Three minor injerd and admit to natinal hospital

Bomb explosion near Horton place

A bomb explosion was reported near the 'Horton place', Colombo a short while ago at around 1.50p.m. According to available information casualties are yet to be reported. Await more information.

Canadian Tamil Diaspora meets Dr Palitha Kohona

An exclusive meeting with Sri Lanka Foreign Secretary Dr. Palitha Kohona was arranged by the Canadian Democratic Tamil Cultural Association at Scarborough Civic Centre. President of the Association, Dr. Rajendran, in his welcome speech, made reference to the problems of the Tamil Diaspora, which has been threatened and intimidated by the LTTE.

He also brought out that the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) needs to address the problems of Tamils living in Sri Lanka and to find a solution acceptable to all communities living in Sri Lanka, within the framework of the Sri Lankan Constitution.

Dr. Kohona in his brief addres, said that the GoSL very clearly understands the plight of Sri Lankan Tamils and is taking all appropriate steps to find a amicable settlement to the Tamil issue. He also pointed out that we should also take account of this sensitive issue which has to get an approval from the majority community, so that it can be settled smoothly.

Dr. Kohona also said that the process for a settlement is on, and one should understand it needs time to settle a conflict that has been existing for 25 years. While referring to the Army’s advancement in the north, he said that the GoSL has taken every possible measure to avoid civilian causalities, which is also one of the reasons our military advance is so slow, just for the simple reason to safeguard its citizens.

He also noted that the Government followed the very same step in the Eastern province too and said that most of the displaced people in the East have returned and the rehabilitation process is in full swing.

After his speech, some of the participant raised questions about the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, to which Dr. Kohona said that it was already in the Constitution and was only a matter of implementation.

He also said that very soon the north will be also cleared of terrorists, so that the people of the north will be able to enjoy the same freedom and democracy which their eastern and southern brothers and sisters enjoy now. Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Toronto Bandula Jayasekara also participated in the event.