seven ministers resignation in Thamilnadu

seven ministers handover resignation in Thamilnadu

DMK continues to pressure Delhi with more resignations

The latest from Chennai says 04 more Rajya Sabha Members from the DMK has handed over their post dated resignation letters this morning (Oct 17) to party Chief M. Karunanidhi over the SL Tamil issue, the TN politicians say are facing genocide under the Rajapaksa government.
The day before Kanimozhi, daughter of Karunanidhi made the first token resignation from the Rajya Sabha.
Meanwhile reports from Chennai also confirm that 15 DMK MPs that includes 07 Ministers have also handed over their post dated letters of resignation to party Chief Karunanidhi, to be tendered on the right day, if the Manmohan Singh government keeps side stepping in checking the SL government that to date say the war would continue.
A senior Tamil Nadu minister has said that the seven ministers - cabinet ministers T R Baalu and A Raja, and ministers of state - S S Palanimanickam, Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan, S Regupathy, K Venkatapathy and Radhika Selvi - would hand over post-dated letters addressed to Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee to Karunanidhi for quitting their parliamentary seats.
Delhi sources say Prime Minister Sing has agreed to meet Karunanidhi tonight at 08.00 pm in Delhi to discuss the issue of the SL Tamil people in the Wanni.
Simultaneously, Karunanidhi yesterday announced a human chain protest in Chennai on October 21 to ask the Centre to act on an 'all-party' meeting's call that India take steps to halt the war in the island and dispatch humanitarian assistance to Tamil civilians affected by the conflict.

India says it will ensure goal is achieved

India says it will ensure goal is achieved

The Indian External Affairs Ministry said in a statement the Government of India will do all in its power to ensure s peacefully negotiated political settlement in Sri Lanka which allows each community to realize its own potential within the framework of a united Sri Lanka.

Statement by Indian External Aaffairs Ministry on situation in Sri Lanka:

The situation in Sri Lanka remains a matter of grave concern to us in India. We are particularly worried about the humanitarian effect of the continuing conflict on civilians who have been caught up in circumstances not of their making. It is essential that their rights be respected, that they be immune from attacks, and that food and other essential supplies be allowed to reach them. We have consistently made it clear that a return to normalcy cannot be brought about by military means or battle field victories. What is required in Sri Lanka is a peacefully negotiated political settlement which allows each community to realize its own potential within the framework of a united Sri Lanka.
2. Government of India will do all in its power to achieve this goal, to ameliorate the humanitarian conditions in Sri Lanka and has been making representations to the Government of Sri Lanka at several levels.
3. The other issue which is engaging Government’s effort is the harassment and killing of Indian fishermen in neighbouring areas which must cease forthwith. Government will be taking steps to ensure this.

Thamilnadu lawyers to boycott on Lanka Tamil's issue

Advocates in Tamil Nadu, South India will boycott court proceedings for two days from October 16th, to express their support to Sri Lankan Tamils.The General Body of the Madras High Court Advocate’s Association (MHAA) passed a resolution to this effect today (Oct. 16th).

In a statement, MHAA President R. Paul Kanagaraj said members of the Association would stage a demonstration at High Court Campus tomorrow to show their solidarity with the Sri Lankan Tamils.

They also urged the Centre to intervene in the matter and stop war between the army and the LTTE in Sri Lanka.

Australia concidering Tiger ban

Australia concidering Tiger ban
The Australian federal Government is considering listing the LTTE as a terror organisation, Foreign Minister Stephen Smith told reporters after meeting Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama today.

Karuna Amman attened the All party Conference

TMVP leader Karuna Amman (MP) attended the All Party Conference today.


The All Party Conference(APC) was due to meet at Presidential Secretariat, Colombo 10.30 am today (Oct. 11th) under the auspices of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Every party already having representation at the APC as well as the TMVP have been invited to attend.


President Mahinda Rajapaksa told the All Party Conference today, the LTTE must surrender and enter the democratic process.
TMVP leader Karuna Amman (MP) also attended the session.
he Conference will review progress made so far by itself as well as All Party Representative Committee, and discuss the future course of action, the official said.

However, the UNP said it would not participate in today's meeting, as it was busy preparing for the funerals of slain retired Maj. Gen. Janaka Perera and his wife Vajira in Colombo this afternoon.

Also, the JVP said it would boycott the conference as its deliberations have been a fruitless exercise.

LTTE Deputy See tigers Leader ‘Chelian’ died

See tigers deputy ,Death of ‘Chelian’ yet to be confirmed
Defence sources claimed this morning (Oct 11th) the second in command of the LTTE Sea Tigers, known as “Chelian” has died with two others, from a claymore attack in an uncleared area.
Later reports claimed three persons have died in the outskirts of Mullaitivu from a claymore blast past 6.30 in the morning, but no independent identification of the three dead persons has been made, says the same source.

Independent sourcing of information from the battlefront is not possible as no media person is allowed independent travel in war affected areas and beyond.

Army comander's message on Army day & 59th anniversary of the Army

Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka's message on Army day & 59th anniversary of the Army

Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka in his message on Army Day (October 10) and its 59th Anniversary paid a glittering tribute to all heroic soldiers who defend their beloved Motherland at the expense of their own lives.

Read full http://www.defence.lk

UNP meets Abbas but ‘intruder’ bugs talks

UNP meets Abbas but ‘intruder’ bugs talks
UNP delegation comprising opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, party’s international affairs secretary Ravi Karunanayake and former parliamentarian Imtiyaz Bakeer Markar called on Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for talks yesterday – but they were taken by surprise when Minister Athauda Seneviratne walked in and sat through the entirety of the discussion.

Opposition sources said Minister Athauda Seneviratne who was the Minister-in-attendance for the visiting dignitary had walked in unannounced while the talks were proceeding and his presence took the visiting delegation too by surprise.They said it was not the usual practice for Ministers-in-attendance to be present with visiting heads of state or governments.

The cordial discussion between Mr. Wickremesinghe and Mr. Abbas was based on the situation in the Palestinian territories and the developments in Sri Lanka. They met at the Colombo Hilton.

Lanka-Palestine joint front against terror

Lanka-Palestine joint front against terror

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama assured to work with the State of Palestine on a common ground to fight and defeat terrorism and restore democracy in both nations.

Minister Bogollagama told the media in Colombo that defeating terrorism and promoting democracy topped the agenda of Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas.

(Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas participating in Friday Jumma prayers at the mosque at Chatham Street, Colombo yesterday. Minister A.H.M. Fowzie, Western Province Governor Alavi Mowlana and Presidential Advisor A.H.M. Azwer are also in the picture.)

“During the discussion, we stressed the need for defeating terrorism to restore democracy,” he said.

Sri Lanka will be model for countering terrorism. “Terrorism is a global challenge and Sri Lanka is facing this grave challenge with a higher level of capacity.

The East was liberated from terrorism and democracy was restored in the region.

The Government is launching a humanitarian mission in the North to liberate the region and civilians engulfed by terrorism. Once the North is liberated, Northerners will enjoying democracy and freedom,” Minister Bogollagama remarked.

The Minister asserted that Sri Lanka and Palestine had inked bilateral agreements on Technical Cooperation and Practical training and several other sectors such as human resources, science, culture, education, tourism and health care

The Sri Lankan Government is willing to extend support and assistance to the Palestinian people in the broad spheres of development.

“President Mahinda Rajapaksa is a strong advocate of the Palestinian cause and the Sri Lanka- Palestine Solidarity Society will keep the relationship warm and unique.”
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki observed that both Sri Lanka and Palestine were facing terrorism.“Palestine is sharing three pillars with Sri Lanka and they are fighting terrorism, promoting democracy and economic development.

“On this basis the bilateral agreements will strengthen the relationship between the two nations”, he added. Minister Malki noted that the Palestine Government is glad for the support and cooperation extended by the Sri Lankan Government in the development process in Palestine.

Triple Air raids target LTTE dens in Kilinochchi

Triple Air raids target LTTE dens in Kilinochchi

Sri Lanka Air Force fighter jets launched 4 air strikes targeting 3 vital encampments of LTTE terrorists this morning (Oct 10), air force sources said.

Air Force spokesperson Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara speaking to defence.lk said that the first of the 3 air raids was taken at 6.30 AM targeting an LTTE communication centre located 3Km , northeast of Paranthan.

In addition, two air raids were taken at 7 AM targeting an LTTE leaders' hideout located 2km northeast of Kilinochchi town, he said.

At the same time, the third air strike was taken targeting a den of LTTE suicide bombers, also known as Black Tigers located 1.5 Km west of Paranthan, he added.

Speaking further, Wing Commander Nanayakkara said that all three targets were effectively engaged.More read.http://www.defence.lk

according to tamilnet.com web Two civilians, a 46-year-old teacher and her 11-year-old daughter were killed and seven including her 14-year-old son and another boy at the same age, were wounded at Kumarapuram. The wounded were rushed to Ki'linochchi hospital, still functioning at Ki'linochhci town. 12 houses were destroyed in the attack at Kumarapuram. A Saiva temple, Kumarapuram Murukan koayil, and a shop were also destroyed in the air-strike.
(Pix:Dead bodies of the teacher and her daughter killed in SLAF attack, photographed at Ki'linochchi hospital)

The teacher killed in the attack was identified as Arumainathan Chandrathevi, 46. She was a teacher at Pazhai Central College. After displacement, she was teaching at Hindu Maha Viththiyaalayam. Her 11-year-old daughter, Achchika, succumbed to her wounds at Ki'linochchi hospital. Her father, 52-year-old Thamotharampillai Arumainathan and a 14-year-old brother, A. Ajithan, sustained injuries. Mr. Armumainathan was rushed to Ki'inochchi hospital with serious injuries. Their house was fully destroyed.

tmilnet web has published some pictures.

Sri Lanka inks historic agreement with the State of Palestine

Sri Lanka inks historic agreement with the State of Palestine
Sri Lanka and the State of Palestine yesterday inked a historic agreement on Technical Co-operation and Practical Training at the Presidential Secretariat when the visiting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas held bilateral discussions with President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The two Foreign Ministers of Sri Lanka and the State of Palestine, Rohitha Bogollagama and Riad Malki sign the agreement on behalf of their respective governments.

President Abbas thanked the Sri Lankan President for establishing diplomatic links with the State of Palestine and extended an invitation for President Rajapaksa to visit the State of Palestine.

Jayalalitha recognizes Tamils' rights

Jayalalitha Jeyaram, leader of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, says her party fully recognizes Sri Lankan Tamils' right to self-determination.

The former chief minister of Tamil Nadu and leader of the state's major opposition party, in a press release, clarified AIADMK's stand.

She also said that her party accepted the demand for Tamil homeland with self-governance within a united framework of a Sri Lankan constitution.

The AIDMK supported the prolonged struggle of Sri Lankan Tamils for their right to self determination, declared Ms. Jayalalitha.

At the same time, she denounced terrorist activities that caused internal strife among Sri Lankan Tamils and disturbed the rule of law within India.

Ms. Jayalalitha was very careful in not allowing her statement to be interpreted as extending support to the LTTE, analysts in Chennai said.

However, they described her move as a landmark declaration as it recognised two important principles of Tamils' struggle, their right to self-determination and a solution based on self-governance in their traditional homeland.

Ms. Jayalalitha has sought to clarify her stand and the stand of her party and specified AIDMK's policy on four points:

1. Not Secondary Citizens: Tamils have equal rights as all other citizens of Sri Lanka. They are not secondary to anybody.

2. Equal Rights: We completely support the prolonged struggle of Tamils seeking equality before law and equal opportunities in education and employment.

3. Right to self-determination: We totally recognize their righteous struggle seeking the right of self-determination.

4. Self-governance within united Sri Lanka: We understand and accept the demand of Tamils that they shall create a Tamil homeland where they have the power of self-governance, under the framework of a Sri Lankan Constitution.

Palestine President, Mahamoud Abbas arrived in Sr Lanka

Palestine President, Mahamoud Abbas arrived in Sr Lanka

President of Palestine, Mahamoud Abbas arrived in the island a short while ago. He was warmly welcomed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa on his arrival at the airport.
The Palestinian President will hold talks with President Mahinda Rajapaksa and several ministers of the Government pertaining to issues of bilateral interest during his two day stay .
He will also be visiting Syria before returning home.
Warm Welcome-Pix By P. D. Ranjith




Mahmoud inspects a Guard of Honour on arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport. Picture by Saman Sri Wedage(Daily news)

Palestinian President and Sri Lanka president

Minister Maithripala escapes assassination

Minister Maithripala escapes assassination

Agriculture Minister and SLFP General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena escaped an assassination bid yesterday when a suspected LTTE female suicide bomber pounced on his convoy at Pirivena junction in Boralesgamuwa and blew herself up, killing one and injuring six others, including Deputy Minister Siripala Gamlath.

Seven others including Deputy Minister of Agrarian Services Siripala Gamlath have sustained injuries. According to the hospital sources , Minister Gamlath has suffered only minor injuries. Five of the injured have been admitted to the Teaching Hospital, Kalubowila, the sources added. One of the injured has succumbed to injuries, latest hospital reports stated.

The bomber, who was waiting for her target at the 7th milepost at Katuwawala, Pirivena junction jumped on the minister's convoy as it was returning after the launch of a paddy cultivation event in Bandaragama, but missed his car and instead struck two backup vehicles.

Al Jazeera TV Interviewed Sri Lanka President --This will be end of LTTE terrorism - President

Al Jazeera TV Interviewed Sri Lanka President

This will be end of LTTE terrorism - President

This will be end of LTTE terrorism - President

See Video clip

President Mahinda Rajapaksa told Al Jazeera television in an interview that this would be the end of the LTTE terrorists' battle for a separate State, adding that the terrorists should surrender to the military.

"LTTE cadres are willing to surrender to the Security Forces and many have done so," President Rajapaksa told the interviewer Tony Birtley.

He said that successive Governments in Sri Lanka had tried to persuade the LTTE to negotiate a political solution and failed, and that under the circumstances, the Government could not offer anything else to the terrorist group.

Heavy bomb blast in Pakistan

Heavy bomb blast in Pakistan

At least eight people have been wounded in a suicide bomb attack inside the main police complex in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, police have said.

Police said the attacker managed to drive into the Police Lines compound before blowing himself up inside an office of the anti-terrorist squad.

female suicide cadre attacked.six injured

Female suicide cadre attacked.six injured

Police media spokesman confirmed that a female suicide cadre had jumped at the convoy of Minister Maithripala Sirisena when he was returning from Bandaragama. The minister’s vehicle was not damaged. Two vehicles of his convoy sustained damages. Six persons were injured from the blast.

Minister Maithripala Sirisena escapes LTTE assassination attempt - Boralasgamuwa

Minister Maithripala Sirisena escapes LTTE assassination attempt - Boralasgamuwa

An LTTE suicide cadre blew up himself targeting the vehicle convoy of Minister Maithripala Sirisena at Privena Junction , Boralasgamuwa at 1.15pm.Police confirmed that the minister is unharmed.
That place about 15 Km far from Colombo city.

Karuna sworn as a MP

Karuna sworn as a MP

TMVP leader Vinayagamurthi Muralitharan alias Karuna Amman has been sworn in as a national list parliamentarian of the UPFA before the Speaker this morning (October 07th).

He was noKaruna Amman, in his maiden speech in parliament said that the time has come to forget the past and calls for support to develop the East.

Vinayagamoorthi Muralitharan was born in Kiran, a village in the Batticaloa district in 1966. He joined the LTTE in 1983 and became a top commander.

He participated in several rounds of peace talks as a member of the LTTE delegation after the Ceasefire Agreement was signed in 2002.

In March 2004, he broke away from the mainstream LTTE along with thousands of cadres loyal to him after alleging that the LTTE leadership was favouring Northern cadres and people and ignoring the interests of the Easterners who had made huge sacrifices for the organisation. He has alleged that Prabhakaran intentionally dragged out peace talks so that the LTTE could use the cessation in hostilities to re-arm and re-group.

He claimed that the LTTE has lost 70 per cent of its fighting capacity after his group separated from the LTTE.

He formed a political party named the TMVP which contested local government and provincial councils polls in the East. The TMVP's deputy leader Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan is now the Chief Minister of the Eastern Province.

Government responsible for the killing of general, says UNP

Government responsible for the killing of general, says UNP

United National Party (UNP) charges that the government and the Ministry of Defense must admit the responsibility of the killing of North Central Provincial Council Opposition Leader Retired Major General Janaka Perera.
At a special press briefing held in Colombo, denying this heinous act, the UNP stated that the government commenced to issue verdicts regarding the killers even before the warmth of the bodies of the victims died down proving that the government would not hold a fair investigation. Therefore, the UNP raised the need of an international investigation, said the UNP General Secretary Thissa Aththanayaka.

Govt. to blame for Janaka Perera killing – Mangala

Condemning this morning's bomb blast in Anuradhapura, leader of the SLFP Mahajana Wing Mangala Samaraweera says the Rajapaksa government should take full responsibility for the attack.
In a statement, he said whoever may have committed it, he strongly denounced the attack that killed 24, including opposition leader of the North Central Province retired Maj. Gen. Janaka Perera and UNP district manager Dr. A. Johnpulle, and injured 100 others.
The ex-military commander had been facing death threats since the moment he came forward to contest the recent provincial polls, but the government had completely disregarded his safety concerns, Mr. Samaraweera noted.

Since the beginning, the present regime had planned to make his life insecure and it had led to his murder, the SLFP (M) leader said.

During the election, popular UNP leader of the area Dr. A. Johnpulle had his home set on fire, over which he went to the Supreme Court to challenge police inaction.

In such a backdrop, the UNP appointed Maj. Gen. Perera as its defence spokesman and representative of the alternative defence information unit.

Mr. Samaraweera says the late politician had gathered information on serious irregularities in the military and about a handful of top defence officials who enjoy numerous privileges, about which the two had had extensive discussions a few days ago.

Maj. Gen. Perera had also planned to inquire into the problems of families of armed forces personnel.

The Rajapaksa brothers company and his henchmen in the military, who have made the war a political mirage, had found him a formidable challenge and people now had justifiable doubts as to whether they had acted to eliminate him from the political scene.

It is no secret that paramilitaries function under several government and military leaders, while Karuna Group also has a paramilitary unit with government patronage, Mr. Samaraweera said.

It is now known that these groups had been responsible for the spates of murders, abductions and extortions recently, and we believe their hands in several political killings, including those of Joseph Pararajasingham, Nadaraja Raviraj, T.Maheswaran as well as minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, he said.

It is a feature of the repressive Rajapaksa regime to maintain paramilitaries to strike at its opponents.

Suspicions of the public over the appointment of Karuna Amman as a MP on the very day Maj. Gen. Perera was murdered are not unfounded.

Under this state sponsored terrorism, even non-politicians are not spared - people who had had their human rights violated by police had been gunned down by unidentified gunmen and lawyers representing these victims threatened, with the latest being the grenade attack on senior lawyer J.C. Weliamuna.

In light of these developments, the government cannot just stop at condemning the bomb blast in Anuradhapura, Mr. Samaraweera said, adding that it should conduct all investigations into the incident impartially, under the supervision of international experts.

UNP wants int'l inquiry into Janaka Perera murder

The UNP is calling for an international level investigation into the bomb blast in Anuradhapura that killed North Central Province Opposition Leader retired Maj. Gen. Janaka Perera.

The attack this morning (Oct. 06th) left 27 UNP activists dead and 80 others wounded.

Speaking to the media in Colombo, General Secretary of the party Tissa Attanayake said they suspected foul play, adding that the investigation by the government could not be trusted.

The LTTE, Pillayan Group or any other group or politician may have killed Maj. Gen. Perera, but the foundation for his murder was laid by a top official in the Defence Ministry and the Rajapaksa regime, Mr. Attanayake alleged.Therefore the incident should be investigated at international level ,he said.

http://www.lankadissent.com

President condems the attack

President condems the attack

President Rajapaksa, condemning without reservation the cowardly terrorist attack earlier in the day that took the lives of over 25 persons including the Leader of the Opposition, North Central Provincial Council, called upon everyone to put aside all differences and join hands with the Government to eliminate the terrorist menace from the country.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, addressing a gathering at the occaion of distributing title under the Dhakshina Bhoomi programme, pointed out that it is the duty of everyone to support the heroic efforts of the security forces who have, contrary to all predictions and doubts, succeeded in cornering the most ruthless terrorist outfit in the world.

The ceremony was held to give land to the landless; 10479 persons in Matara, 4214 in Galle and 10,000 in Hambantota.

Ministers Maithripala Sirisena, Mervin Silva, Mahinda Wijesekera, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, Piyasena Gamage and other elected officials including those in the Southern Provincial Council and the Mayor of Matara, Upul Nishantha, were also present at the ceremony.
http://www.defence.lk

JVP will go to court to challenge the appointmentof Karuna Amman as a MP

JVP will go to court to challenge the appointmentof Karuna Amman as a MP

Mr. Muralitharan fills the vacancy created following the resignation of JVP's Wasantha Samarasinghe.

Meanwhile, JVP Propaganda Secretary Vijitha Herath says the party will go to court to challenge the appointment, which is a violation of the MoU signed for the formation of the UPFA.
Speaking to Lanka Dissent, he said clause 9 of the agreement gives five national list MP positions to the JVP.

Irrespective of whether the JVP remains a member of the UPFA or not, the party has the final say in the appointments to the five positions, Mr. Herath said.

Meanwhile, leader of the SLFP Mahajana Wing Mangala Samaraweera says it is unconstitutional to appoint persons who had not contested parliamentary polls or who are not in the national lists of political parties.

Mr. Samaraweerahas told Lanka Dissent news web that he would file a petition in the Supreme Court next week over this matter.

Karuna Amman to Parliament

TMVP leader, V. Muralidaran to enter Parliament

TMVP leader Vinayagamurthi Muralitharan alias Karuna Amman has been appointed an MP of the UPFA.

He is due to be sworn in tomorrow (Oct. 07th) before the speaker in Parliament.

Vinayagamoorthi Muralidaran, better known by the nom de guerre 'Colonel Karuna' he earned while in the LTTE, will be sworn in as a Member of Parliament representing the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA), according to a gazette notification under Article 64(5) of the Constitution.

Commissioner of Elections, Dayananda Dissanayake, in the said gazette notification, has, according to powers conferred on him by the Parliamentay Elections Act No.1 of 1981, has declared Mr. Mralidaran elected as a member of the Sixth Parliament.

Muralidaran will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of H.M. Wasantha Samarasinghe, who chose to contest the recently concluded North Central Provincial Council election on the JVP ticket.

Muralidaran, one time the LTTE's commander for the Eastern Province, broke away from the terrorist outfit citing differences with LTTE leader, V. Prabhakaran.

Major General Janaka Perera

Read about Major General Janaka Perera

Major General Janaka Perera was the former Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army and one of the most distinguished generals in Sri Lanka.

He was educated at St. Joseph’s College, Colombo and joined the Sri Lanka Army as an Officer Cadet and received his training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in England. After completing his training he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Sri Lanka Light Infantry, later he transferred to the newly formed Commando Regiment. Maj Gen Pererea is a graduate of the Royal College of Defence Studies.

As a Colonel, Janaka Pererea took a major role suppressing the JVP insurrection of 1987-89. He was the Provincial Commander of the North-Western Province as well as being in charge of the special operations of the ‘Operation Combine’ in Colombo which led to the capture of the JVP leader Rohana Wijeweera.

In the following years he played a significant role in safeguarding the defence of Sri Lanka. His contribution for the Sri Lankan military effort during the Eelam War III was exceptional. Brigadier Pererea was one of the key players of the Operation Riviresa which lead to the liberation of the Jaffna peninsula. During the operation he commanded the 53 Division which consisted of the Independent Brigade, Air Mobile Brigade, Armoured Brigade and an Infantry Brigade. Later he was promoted to the post of Deputy Chief of Staff and also had functioned as Commandant, Sri Lanka Army Command and Staff College.

Unlike Gotabhaya Rajapakse, who abandoned and ran away from Army in the most difficult times, Major General Janaka Perera never abandoned the forces, in spite of the immense risk he and the family had to undertake for his military activities.

He once again distinguished himself after the fall Elephant Pass in 2000 which forced the SL Army units in Jaffna to fall back. Undertaking the Operation Kinihira after being appointed Commander Security Forces Jaffna, Major General Perera launched an effective counter attack that halted the LTTE advance and succeeded in established the current defense line in the Jaffna peninsula. This prevented the SL Army from being forced to evacuated from the Jaffna peninsula or due to the lack of transport ships, the prospect of being cut off.

Major General Janaka Perera was made Chief of Staff of the army in 2000 but retired in 2001. Following his retirement he was made Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Australia and later Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Indonesia, but was recalled before his term ended.

Like most of the honorable military figures in Sri Lanka like Lieutenant General Denzil Kobbekaduwa and Former Air Force Chief Harry Gunatilake, Major General Janaka Perera is a firm believer of a political solution to ethnic issue and sees the military activities only to safeguard the country and a means for force LTTE to the negotiations.

After retiring from the army he served as a Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Australia & Ambassador to Indonesia. He was the opposition leader of the North Central Provincial Council^[1] till his death on October 6, 2008.

24 including Major Janaka Perera killed in suicide attack

Major
The opposition leader of the North-Central Provincial Council, retired Major General Janaka Perera and 23 others were killed in a bomb explosion near the old bus stand in Anuradhapura this morning, (October 06th).

The explosion has been a suicide attack, the defence ministry website says.

The wife of retired Maj. Gen. Janaka Perera, UNP Manager in Anuradhapura Dr John Pulle and his wife were among those killed, military spokesman, Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said.

Around 80 persons who were injured have been admitted to the Anuradhapura Hospital, he added.

The bomb blast occurred around 8.40 am at the opening of a UNP office near the Anuradhapura bus stand, reports say.

No fire zones for K’nochchi people

The military has declared ‘no-fire zones’ for civilians of Kilinochchi to crossover to cleared areas of the north.

According to military spokesman Brig. Udaya Nanayakkara, these zones are located at Oddusudan and Vishwamadu.

People could use these routes to leave areas under LTTE control without any harm, he said.

Bush approves law: LTTE, TMVP on notice

Bush approves law: LTTE, TMVP on notice

Under a new law signed yesterday by US President George W. Bush, leaders of military forces and armed groups in Sri Lanka who have recruited child soldiers may be arrested and prosecuted in the United States, Human Rights Watch said. The law could apply to leaders of forces that have recruited and used child soldiers in Sri Lanka’s armed conflict, including the Tamil Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE or Tamil Tigers) and the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP).

The Child Soldiers Accountability Act makes it a federal crime to recruit knowingly or to use soldiers under the age of 15 and permits the United States to prosecute any individual on US soil for the offense, even if the children were recruited or served as soldiers outside the United States. The law imposes penalties of up to 20 years, or up to life in prison if their action resulted in the child’s death. It also allows the United States to deport or deny entry to individuals who have knowingly recruited children as soldiers.

“The US is saying to the world that using child soldiers is a serious crime and that it will take action,” said Jo Becker, children’s rights advocate for Human Rights Watch. “Military commanders who use children can no longer come to the United States without the risk of ending up in jail.”

The Tamil Tigers have recruited thousands of children during the 25 years of Sri Lanka’s conflict. UNICEF has documented 6,284 cases between January 2002 and September 2008, with 1,426 cases outstanding. The majority of families do not report the recruitment of children, often because they are afraid. Field investigations by Human Rights Watch found that the LTTE threatened and coerced families that refused to give a son or daughter to the LTTE, and that in some cases, children were abducted.

The TMVP (Karuna group) has also recruited hundreds of children into its armed wing. UNICEF has documented 528 cases between April 2004 and September 2008, with 127 outstanding. Human Rights Watch investigations documented TMVP abduction of children from their homes, workplaces, playgrounds, public roads, and camps for the internally displaced. Human Rights Watch also found that government security forces have been complicit in the abductions, which have taken place in areas of strict government control.

Between 2002 and 2008, the UN secretary-general has cited the LTTE in five successive reports to the Security Council for violations of international law prohibiting the recruitment and use of child soldiers. He cited the TMVP in two reports since 2006.

The Child Soldiers Accountability Act was introduced by Senator Richard Durbin of Illinois and adopted unanimously by both the US House of Representatives and the US Senate in September 2008.

In a statement issued on October 3, Senator Durbin said: “The United States must not be a safe haven for those who exploit children as soldiers. Period. The use of children as combatants is one of the most despicable human rights violations in the world today and affects the lives of hundreds of thousands of boys and girls who are used as combatants, porters, human mine detectors and sex slaves. The power to prosecute and punish those who violate the law will send a clear signal that the U.S. will in no way tolerate this abhorrent practice” (http://durbin.senate.gov/showRelease.cfm?releaseId=304082 ).

The recruitment and use of children as soldiers was recognized in 1998 as a war crime under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court. In 2007, four former military commanders from Sierra Leone were convicted by the Special Court for Sierra Leone for recruiting and using children as soldiers. Rebel and military commanders from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda have also been charged under the International Criminal Court with recruiting and using child soldiers, though none have yet gone to trial.

“This new law is a breakthrough because it no longer leaves the prosecution of child recruiters to international tribunals and the national courts of conflict-affected countries,” Becker said. “The United States is stepping up to hold these war criminals accountable in its own courts.”

Children are currently used in armed conflicts in at least 17 countries. Countries and territories in which children are known to have been used in hostilities between 2004 and 2007 include: Afghanistan, Burma, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Occupied Palestinian Territories, Nepal, Philippines, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Thailand and Uganda.

SLAF pounds Nadeshan's office complex - Kilinochchi

SLAF pounds Nadeshan's office complex - Kilinochchi

Sri Lanka Air Force fighter jets pounded the office of LTTE's so-called Police Chief, P Nadesan around 9.20 am today(Oct.3rd), Air Force Spokesperson, Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara told www.news.lk a short while ago.

The office used by the senior LTTEer, was located 500m west of Tri Aru kulam tank. SLAF fighter jets are reported to have taken another LTTE target 1km north of this tank, in Kilinochchi, at the same time, Wing Commander Nanayakkara said.

LTTE military operation and administrative headquarters in Kilinochchi was destroyed in aerial attack.

LTTE military operation and administrative
headquarters in Kilinochchi was destroyed in aerial attack.

Air Force Spokesman Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara says that the LTTE military operation and administrative headquarters in Kilinochchi was destroyed in aerial attack.

Army spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said that the LTTE conducted its terrorist activities from this headquarters. It was located two kilometers northeast to the Kilinochchi town.

Wing Commander Nanayakkara denied LTTE allegation through their websites that their peace secretariat was destroyed by the aerial attack. He said to 'Lanka-e-News' that the administrative center was located away from the peace secretariat. He said that the pilots verified the target was achieved and they monitored destruction was caused.

He said that he believed that there was military gear including communication equipment.

Wing Commander Nanayakkara further said that the Air Force is continuing support operations destroying LTTE military strength. These attacks include decapitation operations also he said adding that Air Force patrolmen have also been deployed to guard the liberated areas in addition to day to day operations.

Former Minister Kingsley T. Wickremeratne passed away

Former Minister of Trade and Commerce and Southern Province Governor Kingsley T. Wickremeratne passed away lat night (01). He was 69 years old at the time of his death.

The late Government, Wickremaratne was born on October 3, 1939. He joined the SLFP in 1974.

Mr.Wickremaratne was elected to parliament in 1989 and was re-elected at the General election of 1994 representing the Colombo district. He was appointed Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food by former President Chandrika Kumaratunga.