Gotabhaya says ZOA PM had LTTE links

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa confirmed that the Kilinochchi Project Manager of Zoa, who was ordered out of the country last week, had been working for the LTTE.

Rajapaksa said Zoa PM’s LTTE connections had become patently clear from his decision to stay in Kilinochchi with the LTTE in defiance of the Defence Ministry order for INGO’s to shift to Vavuniya.

The Defence Secretary said Zoa had forwarded its PM’s letter stating his decision to stay back in Kilinochchci to the Defence Ministry.

He said the Zoa official holding an Italian passport may have reconsidered his decision to be with the LTTE.

However Rajapaksa said, the Defence Ministry was convinced that the Zoa PM had links with the LTTE.

ZOA project manager to be deported immediately

The government has decided to deport with immediate effect ZOA Project Manager in Kilinochchiwho had refused to accede to the request by the government to leave Kilinochchi, Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights Mahinda Samarasinghe said yesterday (3).

At a press conference at his ministry, he said the Italian INGO official had refused to leave Kilinochchi for Vavuniya when all other foreign NGO personnel obliged.

It would be dangerous to allow persons like him who did not follow government orders to operate in the country, the Minister said.

Steps would be taken to cancel his visa and deport him immediately, the Minister said.

A stock of 650 tons of food had been dispatched to the Vanni for the benefit of the displaced civilians of the region and in the next few days a further stock of 5,020 tons of food will be dispatched to Kilinochchi and Mulaitivu Districts from Vavuniya. The policy of the government was to ensure that the civilians even in the terrorist controlled areas were supplied with adequate stocks of food Samarasinghe said.

25 LTTE Cadres killed in attacks

Twenty five LTTE cadres were killed 45 were injured due to the clashes between government Troops and LTTE in the areas of Vavuniya and Mullaitivu yesterday (30).

According to the Media Centre for National Security, Three Army personnel were killed 19 were injured in the same attack.

Fierce fighting erupted in Vavuniya Pallaimoddai Pandiyankulam,Mullaitivu Vannerikulam Aandankulam areas.

Air Force hits LTTE gathering point

In a predawn attack today (01), Sri Lanka Air Force fighter jets bombarded a prominent hideout of senior LTTE terrorists, Defence sources said.

The precise target was located 3kms north- east of Piramanthalkulama, Mullaittiuvu, Ministry of Defence said citing Air Force sources.

Explosives, batteries found in UN lorries

Security forces while making clearance on a convoy of Wanni bound lorries at the Omanthai Entry/ Exit point in Vavuniya, have found C-4 explosives and batteries in two lorries yesterday (Sep 30), evening.

According to military, a total of 60 lorries are expected to cross the Omanthai gateway by Thursday evening (Oct 2), with essential food items to displaced in Wanni. 30 lorries were hired by the Vavuniya District Secretariat, while the rest have been hired by the WFP.

The C-4 explosives weighing around 2.5kg were found concealed under the driver's seat, while a total cache of 28,880 batteries (a prohibited item under security concerns) were found laden in a makeshift false compartment. The compartment had been fixed after welding it thoroughly, military said.

The lorry drivers were taken into custody for interrogation and apparently, a suspect has admitted concealing the explosives, Vavuniya Police said.

LTTE's clandestine airstrip located by troops

Troops of the 57 Division operating North of Vannivilankulama have located a 500m long airstrip, believed used by LTTE for emergency landing, Tuesday (Sep 30) afternoon.

According to military the airstrip was located 7km Northwest of Mankulama and about 500m West of the A-9 trunk road in general area Pankikkankulama.

It is also believed the airstrip could have also been used as an open parking space or a hangar, in a way, Army sources were quoted saying.