SRILANKA TODAY

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Wednesday, April 29, 2009

India appeals to LTTE to surrender

India appeals to LTTE to surrender

India has appealed to the LTTE to surrender and negotiate with the government. Indian Home Minister P. Chidambaram, in an interview with NDTV a short while ago, also said India does not provide any military assistance to the Army which could be used for offensive purposes.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

100,000 civilians crossover


100,000 civilians crossover


Over 100,000 civilians have crossed over from LTTE controlled areas since Monday(20), Military sources confirmed.

Daya Master and George surrendered

Daya Master and George surrendered

Two top LTTE leaders, Velayuthan Thayanithi alias Daya Master and George have sought refuge with Sri Lanka Army.

According to defence sources, the two LTTE leaders along with their family members arrived at the army defence line at Puthumatha (Picture left-Daya master)

lan area this morning (Apr 22) and surrendered themselves to the Army officials.

Daya Master, a former private English tutor later joined the terrorists outfit is known to be one of the most senior member of the LTTE. He was the head of the LTTE media and propaganda machinery for years until he was sacked from his position.

George, a former postmaster in the government postal department is also known to be one of the most senior LTTE cadre. He is also a language translator of the outfit and once performed as the English translator to Thamiselvam, former LTTE "political head".

Picture-right-George

Little baby freedom…

Little baby
freedom...

The miraculous child birth in a moving IDP bus was reported yesterday. Army medical troops helped to deliver a baby to a pregnant mother, Mrs. Vashikaran Vandanadevi (32) in Puthukudirippu area while she was being taken to an IDP center on a bus last evening. Pics Courtesy Army

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

UN demands LTTE to lay down arms and free civilians immediately

UN demands LTTE to lay down arms and free civilians immediately

The United Nations Security Council has demanded LTTE terrorists to renounce violence, lay down arms and to stop using civilians as human shield immediately.
"The LTTE is a terrorist organization and should be condemned for its use of civilian as a human shield. The LTTE should immediately lay down arms and renounce its terror tactics", said Ambassador Claude Heller, the President of the UN Security Council summing up the views expressed by the Members of the Security Council at an informal briefing on Wednesday (April 22).
According to defence observers this is a strong message to the LTTE terrorists and a denial of any breather what so ever expected by its sympathizers and its paid henchmen.
The informal briefing to the Council was a follow-up to the visit of UN Under-Secretary General Vijey Nambiar to Sri Lanka earlier this week. The Security Council unanimously agreed that the LTTE's holding civilians hostage was unacceptable and welcomed the movement of large numbers of civilians out of harms way. They called on the international community to extend all assistance to the Sri Lankan Government to deal with the influx of civilians who are fleeing from the LTTE's hold.
Significantly, the Security Council did not call for a ceasefire or a humanitarian pause believing that this would only provide a breathing space for the LTTE and prolong the civilian suffering. They concluded that the quickest way to end this conflict was for LTTE to lay down arms, surrender and let the political process proceed as there was no military solution.
At this informal interactive session held yesterday, the members also urged the government to be cautious about the civilians when taking military action to secure a safe passage for civilians. They also called on the Government to work closely with the UN in providing humanitarian assistance to the displaced civilians including those in transit.
Sri Lanka's Permanent Representative to UN, Ambassador Palihakkara gave assurances to the Council Members that the military was not planning any final assault that could endanger the lives of civilians. He also recalled the assurances given by the Government that it was not firing heavy weapons into the safe zone
Declared by the government and stated that if these allegations were true the civilians would not have left in such large numbers seeking safety from the Government. He gave a detailed account of the steps taken by the Government to address the humanitarian situation in close collaboration with the UN and other humanitarian agencies on the Ground.
Meanwhile, China, Russia and other countries view that Sri Lanka's fight against terrorism as an internal problem rather than a situation for any international intervention.

UN demands LTTE to lay down arms and free civilians immediately


UN demands LTTE to lay down arms and free civilians immediately


The United Nations Security Council has demanded LTTE terrorists to

renounce violence, lay down arms and to stop using civilians as human shield immediately.
"The LTTE is a terrorist organization and should be condemned for its use of civilian as a human shield. The LTTE should immediately lay down arms and renounce its terror tactics", said Ambassador Claude Heller, the President of the UN Security Council summing up the views expressed by the Members of the Security Council at an informal briefing on Wednesday (April 22).
According to defence observers this is a strong message to the LTTE terrorists and a denial of any breather what so ever expected by its sympathizers and its paid henchmen.
The informal briefing to the Council was a follow-up to the visit of UN Under-Secretary General Vijey Nambiar to Sri Lanka earlier this week. The Security Council unanimously agreed that the LTTE's holding civilians hostage was unacceptable and welcomed the movement of large numbers of civilians out of harms way. They called on the international community to extend all assistance to the Sri Lankan Government to deal with the influx of civilians who are fleeing from the LTTE's hold.

'Prabhakaran cannot flee' - Navy

'Prabhakaran cannot flee' - Navy

The Navy will not leave any room for LTTE leader Prabhakaran and his associates to flee the country by sea. Highly fortified naval defence lines and a high tech system has been placed to monitor the LTTE movements, said Commander Karunarathne, acting Naval Spokesperson addressing a media briefing on Thursday (April 23.
Addressing the media yesterday, Commander Karunaratne said that the Navy had played a major role in preventing the LTTE activities and maritime operations during its last three decades.
"The Navy thwarted LTTE arms smuggling the operations and other activities in sea. This includes the destruction of more than 10 LTTE vessels in 2007. Naval troops have made a tremendous contribution in combating LTTE terrorism to-date," he added. He reiterated that the LTTE leader or any single leader will not grab an opportunity to leave the Island via sea.
The naval troops are on surveillance to track the LTTE movements round the clock.
"Using all sources and advanced technology, we have established a highly fortified defence line from the Trincomalee harbour to Kankesanthurai.
We also fixed high frequency radar to detect the LTTE cadres' movements in the Northeastern coastal belt. Therefore, the LTTE leader or his associates have 'NO' chance to flee by boat," he remarked. He further said that the naval troops on patrol are screening each and every displaced civilian coming from the uncleared areas by boat. "We know who is a terrorist and who are the innocent civilians. Once we identify the LTTE cadres, we destroy them," he added.
Around 500 boat loads of civilians who fled from LTTE captivity are under Navy custody

LTTE a terrorist outfit, no change in position - Manmohan

LTTE a terrorist outfit, no change in position - Manmohan


The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is “a terrorist organisation” and its chief Vellupillai Prabhakaran “a proclaimed offender”, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Tuesday.
Two days after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi’s contentious remarks about the LTTE chief being a “friend”, Manmohan Singh said: “The LTTE is a terrorist organisation. Prabhakran is a proclaimed offender. That position has not changed.”
“Tamil Nadu chief minister has clarified his position. The Congress party spokesperson (Kapil Sibal) has explained (the) Congress position,” the prime minister told Times Now television.
Manmohan Singh was reacting to the DMK chief’s controversial remarks in a television interview in which he described Prabhakaran as a “good friend”. Karunanidhi did a U turn Monday saying the LTTE was indeed a terrorist outfit and that his remarks were taken out of context.
Sibal Monday rejected Karunanidhi’s comments as his “personal opinion” and said the Congress views Prabhakaran as a terrorist and the LTTE as an extremist outfit.
The DMK is a key ally of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA).
IANS

Last police station and the hospital of the LTTE captured by Army; LTTE senior leader Jeyam killed

Last police station and the hospital of the LTTE captured by Army; LTTE senior leader Jeyam killed
State media said that the Army captured the last LTTE police station and the hospital in the no-fire zone as the military operations were restarted following the 24-hour time given to LTTE to surrender ended.LTTE shifted its police stations as it retreated and the station captured today was the last one they had. State media says that unconfirmed sources have reported that the LTTE senior cadre Jeyam has been killed in the battle.Army says that the 58 division that started advancing from Mannar in the west coast has reached the east coast in Puthumattalan now for the first time in the history of the Army.The photos show the civilians killed by an artillery attack of the LTTE that targeted the people escaped into the Army-controlled area. Four civilians were killed here. The photo below shows the people crossing the lagoon.

58 Div troops rescue fleeing civilians: destroy LTTE cab, 4 terrorists killed - Puthumathalan

58 Div troops rescue fleeing civilians: destroy LTTE cab, 4 terrorists killed - Puthumathalan
4 LTTE terrorists were reported killed and an armor plated cab vehicle destroyed when 58 Div troops raided an LTTE gathering position East of Puthumathalan this morning (April 21).
According to our Wanni correspondent, troops had lay siege after identifying a group of heavily armed terrorists who were indiscriminately firing at civilians fleeing the area from LTTE hostage. The terrorists were continuously harassing the civilians shooting at gun point, the sources said.
Meanwhile, ground sources citing intercepted enemy communication said that an LTTE area leader was also among the terrorists killed.

Army enters vacated areas of NFZ; save thousands of civilian lives under terror clutches

Army enters vacated areas of NFZ; save thousands of civilian lives under terror clutches
Sri Lanka Army 58 Division soldiers this morning (Apr 21) entered into those areas of Puthumanthalam and Amapalavanpokkanai in the No Fire Zone [NFZ] , where they had rescued over 31,000 civilians yesterday (Apr 20).
According to the sources, troops rescued nearly 3000 civilians early this morning and walked into the vacated areas. Now, troops have established their positions across the NFZ from Puthumathalan to the beachhead, said the sources. The maneuver has saved lives of several thousands of civilians trapped in the area extending from Puthumathalan North to the northern border of the NFZ, the sources added.
Aerial observation yesterday revealed that a small group of terrorists had been firing indiscriminately at a group consisting of several thousands of civilians attempting to cross over to the cleared areas through the northern borders of the NFZ. Troops of 55 Division manning their defences about one kilometer short of the northern border, yesterday received 5863 of these civilians who had managed to escape the terrorist grip.
"The civilians said they were fired upon by the terrorist as they crossed over to the cleared area. They brought 3 bodies with them along with several dozens of others having gunshot injuries. They said that they had to leave behind many others gunned down by the terrorists", the defence.lk special correspondent at Chalai said.
"These civilians curse not only the LTTE but also those who support the outfit. All they request from the soldiers is to beat the Tigers soon and to rescue their kith and kin still held hostage by the terrorists", he added.
Meanwhile, defence sources in the 58 Division area said that 17 civilians were killed and 373 others including 11 children were injured yesterday as the terrorist attacked the civilians with three suicide bomb blasts and machine gunfire. The injured were rushed to the nearest hospitals while some of them under serious conditions were airlifted.
Rescue mission is continuing.

View Video;http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20090421_05

Friday, April 17, 2009

UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon’s Chief of staff, Vijay Nambiar meets with President Rajapaksa

Ban Ki Moon’s Chief of staff, Vijay Nambiar meets President Rajapaksa



UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon’s Chief of staff, Vijay Nambiar met with President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogolagama today for talks. The situation in the Safe Zone and that of UN staff prevented from leaving IDP camps in Vavuniya was believed to have figured in the discussions



Nambiar meets Defernce secratary


Mr. Vijay Nambiar the Chief of Staff of the UN Secretary General had a discussion with Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa last evening. Mr. Nambiar was accompanied by Mr. Hitoki Den of the UN Department for Political affairs and the UN Resident Representative in Colombo Neil Buhne.

SAARC CULTURAL CENTRE GOVERING BOARD



SAARC CULTURAL CENTRE GOVERING BOARD
MEETS IN COLOMBO


The Governing Board of the SAARC Cultural Centre held its first meeting at Galadari Hotel in Colombo on 6-7 April 2009 with the participation of Members from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka and officials of the SAARC Secretariat.

The Meeting followed the ceremonial opening of the Office of the SAARC Cultural Centre in Colombo on 25 March by Minister of Foreign Affairs Rohitha Bogollagama.

The delegation of Sri Lanka to the Meeting made a presentation on the construction of the building in Nawimana, Matara which will be the eventual home of the SAARC Cultural Centre. The building is designed in line with traditional architecture in the region, especially the concept of ‘touching the ground lightly’ where construction is carried out in harmony with nature.

The Director of the Centre, G.L.W. Samarasinghe, presented the programmes that the Centre plans to undertake in its first year of operation in 2010 in keeping with the mandate of the Centre which is to promote the distinctive arts of South Asia and the SAARC Agenda for Culture which was approved by the Foreign Secretaries of SAARC at their meeting in New Delhi in 2007.

The activities approved by the Governing Board for implementation by the Centre in 2010 include a Symposium on Shared Heritage of Sculpture and Decorative Arts in South Asia and a Seminar on Rituals, Ethics and Societal Stability in the SAARC region.

The Meeting was chaired by Director of the Department of Culture of Bhutan Dorjee Tshering.

Presidents Visits Kilinochchi -Historic visit

Presidents Visits Kilinochchi
President mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday made a surprise visit to kilinochhchi.
This is the fi
rst visit by a Head of State to this part of Sri Lanka after the first Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Mahamanya D.S. Senanayake toured the area in early 1950s.



The President made this goodwill visit during the traditional Sinhala and Hindu New Year period to meet with the troops stationed there as well as IDPs and other civilians.During this historic visit President Rajapaksa praised the achievements of the security forces. the President said he was glad he was able to provide the proper political leadership[ to achieve the military victories.


"This was somthing the past governments could not do" he said.


Pictures by: SUDATH SILVA



Saturday, April 4, 2009

Sri Lankan peace rally in Australia attacked

Sri Lankan peace rally

in Australia attacked

An unruly situation em

erged when a group of LTTE activists in Australia tried to obs

truct a peace rally organized by a number of Sri Lankan residents in Melbourne on Saturday morning.

An association named Melbourne Lankan Students organized a peaceful demonstration in front of the Melbourne State Parliament displaying banners demanding the LTTE to Release the Human Shield, which about 2000 demonstrators took part.

The demonstration was staged for several hours before a group of LTTE activists in couple of dozen vehicles started parading the area with displaying Tiger flags, rally organizers told Daily Mirror.

A clash broke out when a group of activists in one of the vehicles came across with another group of peace rally participants which ended up in both attacking each other.

Several activists from both parties were reportedly injured whilst one of them were hospitalized. Melbourne State Police intervened and pacify the scene, eyewitnesses said. Sourse: Daily Mirror)

The High Commission of Pakistan in Srilanka celebrates Pakistan National Day

The High Commission of Pakistan in Srilanka celebrates Pakistan National Day

The people of Pakistan celebrate the 23rd of March as their National Day every year to commemorate the most outstanding achievement of the Muslims of South Asia who passed the historic “Pakistan Resolution” on this day at Lahore in 1940 which culminated in creation of our beloved country Pakistan after 7 years.

This year also The High commission of Pakistan in Sri Lanka and Pakistani community celebrated National Day of Pakistan with traditional fervor and resolve to make Pakistan a strong, dynamic progressive tolerant and democratic Islamic welfare state.

The High Commissioner of Pakistan to Sri Lanka, H.E. Mr. Shaheen A. Gilani hoisted the national flag in a ceremony held at the Pakistan High Commission here this morning to mark the occasion. Later, the messages of the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan were read out to the participants.

The High Commissioner in his message on the occasion said, it is a matter of great satisfaction that Pakistan and Sri Lanka continue to maintain their traditionally close and mutually beneficial relations in all fields. The process of bilateral cooperation has been greatly assisted by increased interaction both at the level of the people and the highest government functionaries of the two countries. We rejoice at the fact that the relationship between Sri Lanka and Pakistan is one of choice and not compulsion. It can serve as a shining example of cooperation at the bilateral, regional and international level.

The ceremony was attended by the members of the High Commission, Sri Lankan friends and Pakistani community in Sri Lanka from various walks of life including a large section of media.