Jayalalitha's convoy attacked by pro-LTTE group Within hours after the Tamil Nadu Former Chief Minister and AIADMK Chief Jayaram Jayalalitha received death threats from a Canada based LTTE front, her convoy was stoned near Madurai yesterday(Oct 30).
According to Indian News sources, Jayalalithaa had being escorted unhurt but, her car window was broken after stones were pelted as she was on her way from Madurai to Ramnad district.
Talking to journalists here, he said India could not wash its hands of the Sri Lankan Tamils issue on the pretext that it was an internal matter of another country.
“When human rights are violated, borders of a country cannot be a stumbling block. In the case of Sri Lanka we have a close relationship with the Tamils.”
Stating that people of Tamil Nadu were ready to donate food and medicine to the Sri Lankan Tamils, Mr. Pandian requested N. Ram, Editor-in-Chief of The Hindu, to get permission from Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to distribute the same.
Aid for Tamils; Karunanidhi contributes INR 10 lakhsAfter Karunanidhi had announced last evening that the state government wanted to meet the immediate need of the Lankan Tamils for food, clothes and medicines and appealed to the people to contribute generously, DMK Central Ministers and State Ministers made their contributions this morning.
No civilians in Killinochchi - Basil |
 |
MP Rajapaksa, who visited India as a special envoy of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, said that torrential rains and flooding had affected Tamils displaced by the fighting in the North and that India had pledged to provide food and medicine for them. He added that UN agencies would visit the war zone to assess the situation. “Both countries are proving to be genuine friends. This is true for the people of the two countries too,” Rajapaksa told IANS, a day after meeting External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and other officials. “India has really proved to be a real friend. They are friends of Sri Lanka,” said Rajapaksa. “We found they (India) have understood very well our problems.” “We also realise that we need to do everything we can do for the safety of civilians (in the war zone). We are discussing (this issue with India),” said Rajapaksa. “We want to ensure zero civilian casualties or at least keep it to the very minimum.” Providing a gist of his talks here, Rajapaksa told IANS: “There are certain hardships (to civilians). We agree. We want to minimise them. There are no civilians now in Kilinochchi. |
Karuna removed as TMVP political head- Spokesman
Pioneering musician Dr. Premasiri Khemadasa no more 
January 1937 at Thalpitiya in Wadduwa as the youngest in a family of 11, he was educated at Sri Sumangala Vidyalaya and St. John College in Panadura.
The government is working on a political solution parallel to the war offensives against terrorism, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has assured opposition leader, Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The assurance came during talks at the Presidential Secretariat today (Oct. 24th) following the President’s invitation to the opposition leader for discussions on several issues.
The topics that had come up included war offensives in north, protests in Tamil Nadu against same and the Central Indian government's stance on the issue.
Speaking to ‘Lanka Dissent’, a senior official of the opposition leader’s office said the President has emphasized that Kilinochchi would be liberated soon.
The President also agreed with Mr. Wickremesinghe on the necessity of a political solution for the ethnic crisis and the need of cooperation with India in terms of mutual understanding.
Taking up the issue of appointments to the Constitutional Council, Mr. Rajapaksa has agreed to call a meeting with the opposition leader as soon as Prime Minister Rathnasiri Wickremanayake returns from an overseas visit.
Leader of the House Nimal Siripala De Silva and Chief Government Whip Dinesh Gunawardena also attended the meeting.
Sourse : (www.lankadissent.com)
Deputy High Commissioner for Sri Lanka P.M. Amza told The Hindu that some youths attacked the security post and tried to forcibly enter the premises. They threw stones, one of which hit a staff member. “We have taken up the issue with the Indian authorities,” he said.
Seventeen students were arrested and later let on bail.
The Sri Lankan Tamils don’t depend on Prabakaran –Jayalalithaa
President's seiner consultant Basil Rajapaksa to leave for India
The senior presidential advisor will remain in the country for two-days, and will meet with Indian external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee on the final day of his stay.
Foreign Affairs Minister Rohitha Bogollagama announced Mr. Rajapaksa's Indian tour at a media briefing at Parliamentary Complex yesterday.
The FM has said Colombo has assured New Delhi of all steps for the protection and welfare of displaced in Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi.
An assurance has also been given the Sri Lanka Navy will not harass Indian fishermen who stray into the island's territorial waters, said Mr. Bogollagama.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa, in his recent telephone conversation with Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, has stressed his government's commitment for a political solution while eliminating terrorism, he added.
Vaiko remanded till Nov. 6South Indian politician Vaiko, arrested on charges of sedition, has been remanded till November 06th.
He is lodged in Puzhal Central Prison, reported 'The Hindu.'
Officials of ‘Q’ Branch CID of Tamil Nadu police yesterday (Oct. 23rd) arrested the MDMK party general secretary and its presidium chairman M. Kannappan on same charges.
Vaiko, who was arrested at his Chennai home, was produced in a city court and remanded to judicial custody.
The charges against them are based on their speeches at a party meeting on the Sri Lankan issue.
Vaiko warned that India extending help to protect Sri Lanka’s integrity would jeopardise India’s own unity and integrity.
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu opposition AIADMK staged a walkout from Rajya Sabha today demanding arrest of Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi over his alleged support to the LTTE.
The High Commissioner for Pakistan H.E. Shahzad A Chaudhry, as continuation of the same efforts donated 15 latest computers to the Central Cultural Fund, Government of Sri Lanka.
A small ceremony was held in the High Commission for handing over the computers, (on 9 October 2008)which were received by Prof. Sudharshan Seneviratnae, Chairman of the Fund. 
Highlighting the importance of closer cultural ties between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the High Commissioner underlined the need to make better use of the wealth of Buddhist Gandhara heritage so beautifully preserved in Pakistan. Prof. Sudharshan, endorsing the importance of the Gandhara heritage in Pakistan, expressed a strong desire on behalf of the Central Cultural Fund to work more closely with the Pakistan High Commission in this particular area.
The High Commissioner also donated six computers and 4 stitching machines to Mrs. Nawazia Farook, President of the Muslim Ladies Study Circle. Also present on this occasion were other office bearers of the Circle, which is doing useful work in vocational training in and around Colombo.
Political solution needed - India
COLOMBO (AFP) - Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels struck back against a major government offensive Wednesday with suicide attacks on merchant ships off the island's northern coast, defence officials said.
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rammed explosives-laden boats against the MV Ruhuna and MV Nimalawa which were supplying the besieged Jaffna peninsula, officials said.
The ethnic guerrillas also fought a sea battle with naval units defending the port of Kankesanthurai on the peninsula. At least six members of the elite Black Sea Tiger suicide squad may have perished in the attack, officials said.
"One of the merchant vessels -- MV Nimalawa -- was crippled and the other was damaged," said a defence official who declined to be named. He said a salvage operation was underway.
He said crew were rescued by the navy and there were no reports of casualties among the merchant sailors, who were escorted by heavily armed navy troops.
The guerrillas had used three suicide boats and one of them capsized and the navy managed to capture it without its occupants, who were believed to have been killed in the naval firing, the official said. Source AFP
Tamil film industry protests killings in Sri LankaRAMESWARAM: Even as a few leading Tamil actors stayed away from the protest rally, a large number of artistes and directors of the Tamil film industry staged a protest here on Sunday against the killing of innocent Tamils in Sri Lanka.
Picture( EXPRESSING SOLIDARITY: Vadivelu, Vijaya T. Rajender, Bharatiraaja, Rama Narayanan and S.A. Chandrasekaran at a protest by film personalities in Rameswaram on Sunday, against the killing of innocent Tamils in Sri Lanka. - PHOTO: S. JAMES)
Led by director Bharatiraaja and producer Rama Narayanan, they took out a rally from the Agnitheertha Kadarkarai to Kilakadu ground near the bus stand. Members of about 25 associations of the industry took part in the rally that went along the important roads of the island town amid tight security.
Agony of TamilsWearing black shirts, black badges, the protesters shouted slogans against the Sri Lankan government for waging a war against the Tamils. Many carried placards and banners highlighting the suffering and agony of Tamils in the island nation. A few placards urged Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to respect “human rights” and international conventions to be followed to protect citizens.
A group burnt the effigy of the Sri Lankan President at Thittakudi junction.
Later, they held a meeting at the Kilakadu ground in which most of the speakers urged the Central government to use its good offices to persuade Sri Lanka to stop the war immediately and put an end to the suffering of Tamils, majority of whom are of Indian origin.
India state elections announced
President discusses situation in the North with Indian Prime Minister
forces are under strict instructions to avoid causing any civilian casualties, during this operation. He also informed Dr. Singh that Sri Lanka is mindful and appreciative of the concerns of India regarding the situation in the North, and aware of the context in which these matters have been raised.
Unruly and illegal acts were an expression of intolerance of the newspaper's criticism of pro-LTTE and pro-Eelam chauvinism in the Tamil Nadu political arena"
N. Ram, Editor-in-Chief of Hindu The, has strongly condemned "the illegal acts of mischief and violence" by activists of the pro-LTTE fringe group, the Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam (PDK), along with a handful of anti-social elements, targeting the newspaper in three recent incidents at Coimbatore and Erode.
"These unruly and illegal acts were an expression of intolerance of the newspaper's criticism of pro-LTTE and pro-Eelam chauvinism in the Tamil Nadu political arena," he said in a statement, adding: "In our considered editorial assessment, these chauvinistic, pro-separatist tendencies are deeply inimical to the interests of the Indian people. Hearteningly, the overwhelming majority of the people of Tamil Nadu, who do not want a replay of the propaganda campaigns and violent activities of the terrorist Tamil Tigers in one of India's most peaceful States, firmly oppose these chauvinistic tendencies."
In his statement, Mr. Ram expressed satisfaction over the prompt response of the police in Coimbatore and Erode to these criminal acts, which constituted "a threat to the physical safety of our journalists, non-journalistic staff, and others working for us, and to freedom of expression, guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution."
He wanted the police and the Tamil Nadu Government to take stronger action under the law of the land against the extremist fringe outfits and the individuals, including lawyers, behind these illegal acts. "We expect the police and the State government," Mr. Ram said, "to monitor and pursue seriously the prosecution of these cases, so that exemplary punishment under the law of the land is meted out to those who menace freedom of expression in the cause of a banned terrorist organisation."
Courtesy: The Hindu
Fight not against Tamils, but against LTTE terrorism -Defence Secretary "More than for us, terrorism is a serious problem to India. Therefore, India should assist us more to defeat
LTTE terrorism", he said.
Excerpts of the interview:www.defence.lk
Urge LTTE to free Tamil civilians - TULF leader tells TN The Tamil United Liberation Front has appealed to governing officials in the Tamil Nadu (TN) to exert pressure on the LTTE to set free those Tamil civilians trapped in Kilinochchi so that they may go anywhere they want to.
The moment the LTTE opens its iron gate the displaced persons will move out in no time and get back to their respective homes, the president of TULF V.Anandasangaree has said in a letter addressed to Tamil Nadu, titled Appeal to the leaders of Political Parties and the People of Tamil Nadu.
The TULF President has said that if Tamil Nadu has any sympathy for the Tamil people who are suffering under the subjugation of the LTTE, it has a moral obligation to win them (the Tamil public) the fundamental right of being able to choose the place they wish to live.
In this war situation people who are living with fear and tension in Killinochchi should be rescued by Tamil Nadu by pressurizing the LTTE, compelling them to set the Tamil public trapped in their areas free , the letter said. .
The time has come for the leaders in Tamil Nadu to forget their differences and come together to help liberate the Tamils who have lost their rights, properties and self respect. The immediate task should be to save the innocent people who have been trapped in Killinochchi with no freedom to move out, the letter said.
It read: For more than quarter of a century the LTTE had taken Tamil people for a ride. The Tamils need liberation only from the LTTE. The government had already liberated large areas from the LTTE , the East in full and in the North well over 75 percent. Now only a small area is left.
It is here all the displaced persons from Mannar Mullaitivu, Killinochchi and Vavuniya are driven into. The LTTE had brought them here under compulsion for their own protection. They are now using them as a human shield.
Sangaree has said in his letter that he was shocked at the terminology used to describe the situation in Sri Lanka. The charge of the LTTE that the Government of Sri Lanka is engaged in genocide is a big farce, the letter said.
More than 50 percent of the Tamil people now live among the Sinhalese and Muslims. Most of them had fled from LTTE controlled areas. LTTE's repeated attempts to provoke a backlash in the Sinhalese areas had failed.
All their claymore mine attacks in the Sinhalese areas, targeting service personnel and civilians are done to spark off communal riots. Hardly one such incident takes place without taking a few civilian lives. There has not been any attempt as such to exterminate anyone deliberately or otherwise. A few deaths had taken place in the war zone but this cannot in anyway be classified as Genocide.
LTTE fires gas on troops
Batticaloa town shops, schools and transport have come to a standstill due to a hartal in protest of forced disappearances and abductions that have increased recently in the area. Police spokesperson SSP Ranjith Gunasekara said that the situation was calm and no cases of violence reported.
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.
Conference(APC) was due to meet at Presidential Secretariat, Colombo 10.30 am today (Oct. 11th) under the auspices of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
tation at the APC as well as the TMVP have been invited to attend.
TMVP leader Karuna Amman (MP) also attended 
the session.
ourse of action, the official said.
See tigers deputy ,Death of ‘Chelian’ yet to be confirmed
Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka's message on Army day & 59th anniversary of the ArmyRead full http://www.defence.lk
ion 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 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 careThe 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.
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.
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.
Sri Lanka inks historic agreement with the State of PalestineThe 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 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.
Mahinda Rajapaksa on his arrival at the airport.
|
Palestinian President  and Sri Lanka president |
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.
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.
