Air Force attacks LTTE leaders' meeting place - Puthukkudiyiruppu

Air Force attacks LTTE leaders' meeting place - Puthukkudiyiruppu

Sri Lanka Air Force fighter jets bombed an LTTE leaders' gathering place located in the Puthukkudiyiruppu area around 1.20 this afternoon (June 7). Air Force spokesman Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara speaking to defence.lk said that the targeted location was an identified command centre of the LTTE located 3km North East of the Puthukkudiyiruppu .

He further said that the Air Force had received reliable information that a meeting of LTTE leaders was taking place at the command centre at the time of the attack. The exact damage caused to the enemy is yet to be ascertained, he added.

The President condemns LTTE bomb attack

The President condemns LTTE bomb attack

Statement by President Mahinda Rajapaksa on the bomb explosion carried out by the LTTE at Katubedda in Moratuwa, today (June 06, 08).

Today's explosion at Katubedda once again shows the LTTE's brutality and lack of respect for human life.

I extend my sympathies to the families of those killed, and offer the blessings of the Noble Triple Gem and all deities for the speedy recovery of all injured.

While unreservedly condemning this repeated act of outrageous brutality by the LTTE, in its cowardly strategy of targeting innocent civilians, I note that this is further proof of the LTTE's frenzy at its major military setbacks in the North, and the loss its hold in the Eastern Province.

In the past weeks alert members of the public have shown commendable courage and responsibility in spotting bombs in vehicles and public places, helping to seize hidden explosives, and arrest persons believed to be associated with the LTTE's programme of terror.

The continued targeting of innocent civilians by the LTTE must earn the outrage and opprobrium of all civilized societies, who can now see the reality of the LTTE's unvarying commitment to violence and terror to achieve its narrow objectives.

This once again brings into focus the continuing battle Sri Lanka faces with the forces of terror in our efforts to safeguard democracy and civilized life.

This brutality also shows the efforts of the LTTE to provoke a backlash against the Tamil people, from which it hopes to gain, although the Tamil people themselves are held in thrall by the terror of its so-called liberator.

I call on the people to remain calm and not give in to deliberate provocations aimed at fanning communal hatred and violence, remain vigilant against the forces of terror, and continue to assist the Police and Security Forces in the task of eradicating terrorism from our country.

Policy Research & Information Presidential Secretariat Colombo

Nation Salutes Our Liberators on War Heroes Day

Nation Salutes Our Liberators on War Heroes Day

PAST MEMORIES of the ancient grandeur were recalled with respect, as beats of Ranabera (drums) rent the air when the Nation stood in silence at the dawn of Saturday (7th June), the much-revered "War Heroes Day". The national event was exclusively meant to pay tribute to brave soldiers of the tri-services (Army, Navy & Air Force) and the Police who continue to defend their motherland at the expense of their own lives.

The D-Day is also dedicated to the memory of thousands of War Heroes who have laid their lives while in action or gone missing. This year's main ceremony was to get underway at the Sri Jayawardenapura Parliament Ground this evening (7) where a special permanent War Hero monument, erected on behalf of them, was to be unveiled by President Mahinda Rajapaksa as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. for more details http//:www.defence.lk

Respect civilian life – AI tells LTTE

Respect civilian life – AI tells LTTE

The London based human rights group Amnesty International (AI) is calling on the LTTE and other armed groups to comply with the rules of international law and to respect civilian life. An Amnesty International statement said: "At least 23 people have been killed and many others injured in two bomb attacks in Sri Lanka. According to press reports, one bomb exploded on a busy commuter bus at Katubedda, near Colombo, on 6 June, killing 21 civilians, injuring at least 60 others. The second attack targeted a bus in the central Kandy district. Eyewitnesses at the scenes of carnage spoke of the growing fear of travelling just two days after another bomb in Colombo. The recent spate of attacks marks a pattern of deliberate and indiscriminate attacks in the south, as conflict intensifies in the north. The authorities blamed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for the attacks. While no group has publicly admitted responsibility for the attacks, they bear the hallmarks of LTTE attacks. Amnesty International has repeatedly condemned abuses by the LTTE, including killings of civilians, hostage-taking, torture and other abuses, and has called for an end to such abuses and for those responsible to be brought to justice in conformity with international law. As the conflict intensifies in the north, Amnesty International is calling on the Sri Lankan government to ensure that its security forces comply with Sri Lanka’s obligations under international human rights and humanitarian law, and in particular to ensure that the civilian population are protected at all times. Amnesty International is also calling on the LTTE and other armed groups to comply with the rules of international law and to respect civilian life. Amnesty International calls for an immediate end to attacks on civilians".

23 killed katubeda bomb blast

23 killed katubeda bomb blast

Now incress the dead toll for Katubedda bomb blast. 23 people died now.