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.

LTTE's clandestine airstrip located by troops - Mullaittivu

LTTE's clandestine airstrip located by troops - Mullaittivu

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.

Defence.lk - now in Tamil

Defence.lk - now in Tamil

The official website of the Ministry of Defence, Public Security, Law and Order of Sri Lanka, defence.lk, has launched its Tamil page. Viewers can now get the latest news updates on the country's war on terror and other related issues in Tamil by logging to http://www.defence.lk/tamil

The Tamil language website was considered necessary by Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who is of the view that all citizens should be kept informed of issues related to the country's defence. The English language site was launched in April 2006 catering to both the local and international communities.

World news -India-Woman journalist shot dead in Delhi

New Delhi: A 26-year-old television journalist was shot dead in the Capital early on Tuesday morning.

Soumya Viswanathan was an employee of TV Today Network’s English news channel Headlines Today. Prior to joining Headlines Today, Soumya also worked with CNN-IBN.

She had stayed back in office on Monday night to bring you coverage of the blasts in Malegaon and Modasa. The incident occurred when she was driving from her Jhandewalan office to her Vasant Kunj residence at around 0330 hrs (IST).

Police say she was shot dead while on her way home. Her car was found rammed into the divider on Nelson Mandela road. Her body was still in the driver's seat and there was a bullet in her head. There were signs of a struggle in the car and one tyre was punctured from which a bullet was recovered.

The police rushed her to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences but doctors declared her brought dead.

Soumya last spoke to her father at 3:15 am, saying she'll reach home shortly.

Police have registered a case of murder under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code, but the motive for the killing has not yet been established.

"We received a call at about 3:55 am regarding a road accident. They responded by removing the injured to the hospital and this lady was subsequently declared as brought dead. During a post-mortem, it was revealed that a bullet was lodged in her skull. We registered a case of murder. At the moment preliminary investigation is in progress, we have called the experts to examine the scene of crime and the car. Further action will be taken as the investigations progress, it is not very clear if the second bullet was fired or not. But this is a very serious case and we are putting our best efforts forward," Joint Commissioner Southern Range, Delhi, Ajay Kashyap said.

Soumya's death raises questions about security of women in the Capital, specially those working in night shifts. But the Delhi Police was quick to say that women should themselves exercise precaution.

Ajay Kashyap said, "We advocate women should take busy, well-lit routes and drive with companions."

Working women have and will always be on their guard, but it's time for the police to make Delhi a safer place for professionals, by day and by night.

Go to again LTTE controlled areas.-Sri lanka Gov. decided

The Government has now decided to allow UN officials to escort food convoys to LTTE-controlled areas.
Two weeks ago The government ordered the UN and other humanitarian agencies out of the Wanni.

Human Rights activist lawyer’s home attacked

The home of leading human rights activist J.C. Weliamuna came under a grenade attack in the early hours of this morning (Sept. 28th).

Two grenades had been hurled at the premises at Kohuwala around 2.00 am, but only one had exploded.

No one has been injured, while there is minor damage to the house and the property.

Mr. Weliamuna, executive director of Transparency International Sri Lanka, has appeared in many HR cases in the Supreme Court and also is an activist against corruption in the state.

Sri Lanka's war entering tragic phase- Canadian MP

Sri Lanka's war entering tragic phase- Canadian MP

Canadian MP and Liberal Foreign Affairs Critic Bob Rae says Sri Lanka's war is entering a tragic new phase as the Sri Lankan government issues an official warning that the government can no longer 'guarantee' the safety of aid workers in the north and east, and encouraging them to leave the area.

"As violence between the government and the LTTE spirals out of control once again, the country's once admired democratic institutions are buckling under the strain. The number of deaths in the fighting is now estimated at 75,000...There is much that the warring parties in Sri Lanka can do to reverse this situation. A complete ceasefire and a return of the government, the LTTE and others to the negotiating table could reverse the escalating violence," Rae said on his website.

France says Sri lanka govt. has obligation to protect civilians

France says Sri lanka govt has obligation to protect civilians

The Presidency of the Council of the European Union, France, welcomed the meeting of the Co-Chairs of the 2003 Tokyo Conference held on 24 September in New York in relation to the current civil war in Sri Lanka.

This meeting, which brought together representatives from the European Union, United States, Japan and Norway, has enabled a broad consensus to be reached on the assessment of the situation on the ground, France said in a statement

LTTE attack TMVP camp

LTTE attack TMVP camp

The LTTE attacked a TMVP camp deep in the Batticaloa jungles this morning killing one TMVP cadre and injuring at least eight others.

Security forces continued advances in the combined Mullaittivu-Kilinochchi battlefront

6 LTTE terrorists killed, LTTE body recovered in Wanni fighting

Security forces continued advances in the combined Mullaittivu-Kilinochchi battlefront Saturday (Sep 27), reportedly killing 6 terrorists and recovering a terrorist body, according to military reports received.

4 terrorists were killed during fighting ensued between troops and LTTE, West of Mankulama, at around 1p.m. Subsequently, troops have recovered a slain LTTE body along with 2 T-56 assault riffles, sources said.

Also, a terrorist was reported killed and another injured in general area West of Akkarayankulama, when troops forced into an LTTE bunker defence.

Meanwhile, an LTTE terrorist was killed sniped in the same area .

Read more:www.defence.lk

Air Strikes at female 'black tiger' training facility- Kilinochchi

Air Strikes at female 'black tiger' training facility- Kilinochchi

Sri Lankan Air Force fighter jets have launched a precision air strike at the LTTE's main, female 'black tiger' training facility located at Rathnapuram, in Kilinochchi, Saturday (Sep 27), at around 12.15p.m.

according to defence.lk."The target was located 1.5km East of the A-9 trunk road and North of the Iranamadu Tank", Air Force Spokesperson Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said.

According to the Air Force Spokesperson, the target was acquired on real-time ground information received.

The site is known to be the main female black tiger training and coordinating facility and a most frequented location by LTTE's intelligence wing chief, Pottu Amman, military sources said.

Read more :

http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080927_05

But according to tamilnet.com a civilian was killed and at least two, including a child, were wounded in Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) attack in Iraththinapuram, a suburb of Ki'linochchi town, Saturday around 12:30 p.m.
tamilnet has repoted The ICRC office, which was recently relocated from Ira'naimadu junction, is situated around 150 meters away from the bombed locality. Meanwhile, Sri Lankan defence ministry claimed that the attack was a 'precision air strike' against an LTTE target.








Child wounded in SLAF attack at Ki'linochchi hospital(Pictures:Tamilnet)

Bomb hits India market shoppers

India -Delhi bomb blast, a boy dead 15 injured

A young boy has been killed and 15 people injured after an explosion ripped through a flower market in India's capital New Delhi.

The market, in the Mehrauli area, was packed with shoppers when, according to eyewitnesses, two men drove up in a motorcycle and dropped a package.

Police have described it as a low intensity explosive device.

Witnesses said blood and broken glass littered the streets, and one man said his brother had taken five people to hospital.

Some of the injured were in serious condition while six others had been admitted to hospital in critical condition, the Press Trust of India said.

Two weeks ago, five bombs ripped through busy shopping areas in Delhi, killing at least 20 people. Nearly 50 were killed in Ahmadabad in July.

Police say they have arrested the head of a group claiming the attacks.

Mohammed Arif Sheikh, described as the founder of the Indian Mujahideen (IM), was arrested along with four others, Mumbai (Bombay) police said on Thursday.

BOMB ATTACKS IN INDIA IN 2008

27 September: Bomb blasts kills one in Delhi

13 September: Five bomb blasts kill 18 in Delhi

26 July: At least 22 small bombs kill 49 in Ahmedabad

25 July: Seven bombs go off in Bangalore killing two people

13 May: Seven bomb hit markets and crowded streets in Jaipur killing 63

Central Bank names and shames six fraudulent finance operators

Central Bank names and shames six fraudulent finance operators

The Central Bank has deemed that the following six organizations and individuals are engaged in fraudulent financial operations: Okanda Finance (Private) Ltd, Sakwithi Ranasinghe (House Construction Pvt. Ltd) , Piyadasa Ratnayake, Nadini Finance (Pvt.) Ltd, D.K Udayasiri and Sriyawi Homes and Lands Investments.

According to the Central Bank notice these individuals and institutions are not authorized to conduct finance business by accepting money from the public as deposits or in any other form and the lending of money on interest and/or the investment of money in any manner.

Why did not take action to against these companies

These particular companies had been advertising through print and electronic media (TV and Radio) encourage people to invest the companies for a long period whereas the Central Bank of Sri Lanka did not take stringent action against these fraudulent companies .many people have been invested there hard earned money with these companies up to now. The people question why Central Bank did not take action to against these companies

President mahinda meets Nepali PM Pushpa kamal in New York

President mahinda meets Nepali PM Pushpa kamal in New York

The newly elected Prime Minister of Nepal, Pushpa Kamal Dahal met President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday (24), in New York on the sidelines of the 63rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly currently in progress at the UN headquarters. Prime Minister Dahal in his discussion with President Rajapaksa stated that the Government of Nepal is fully committed to working towards achieving the expected goals of the SAARC as arrived at during the recently concluded 15th SAARC Summit in Colombo. While both parties agreed on initiating an air route between Lumbini and Colombo, Sri Lanka also expressed willingness to help train Nepali students at Sri Lankan medical institutions and extending cooperation to the Government of Nepal in upgrading their health sector. Another decision was reached at the discussion to grant Nepali Bhikkus an opportunity to pursue their higher studies in Sri Lankan academic institutes.

India-US in last nuclear push

Indian PM Manmohan Singh is due to meet US President George Bush amid frantic efforts to win US Congressional support for the two countries' nuclear deal.

The controversial accord needs to be rushed through Congress before lawmakers conclude this year's session to campaign for November's elections.

Correspondents say its ratification will be a complicated process.

US officials hope Congress will approve the deal before the two leaders meet later on Thursday in Washington.

Congress goes into recess at the end of this week.

"We will not let the Tamil community be held hostage to terrorism" -- President Mahinda Rajapaksha tells UN

"We will not let the Tamil community be held hostage to terrorism" -- President Mahinda Rajapaksha tells UN

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, addressing the 63th Session of the United Nations in New York today (24), said "the Government would not and cannot let an illegal and armed terrorist group, the LTTE, to hold a fraction of the population, a part of the Tamil community, hostage to such terror in the northern part of Sri Lanka and deny those people their democratic rights of dissent and free elections."

The President, who pointed out that terrorism is a fast spreading phenomenon, observed that the United Nations has a grave responsibility to save today's and succeeding generations, from this new and continuing menace.