AHFESL est le site web qui ramène que la vérité sur le Sri-Lanka

AHFESL is the Web site who bring only the truth on Sri-Lanka

2006 archives

Click here to translate the page in the language of your choice

How the association UNHCR covers the LTTE bunker with their equipment and without assistance from Norway?

UNHCR tents to cover tiger bunkers & heavy guns
[14th December 2006 - 05:00 S.L.T)

UNHCR (United Nations High Commission for Refugees) tents brought down to Sri Lanka to be given to tsunami refugees have ended up as shelter for tiger terrorists’ bunkers and camouflage for artillery and mortar positions.
When troops advanced to the tiger held areas in Wakare and Panichchankerny they had noticed tents with the logo of UNHCR being used to cover tiger bunkers and heavy gun positions.

Troops had to advance and chase away the terrorists as the terrorists were targeting many civil and military positions in Kallaru and Somapura areas.
Troops have consolidated their positions at Wakare and Panichchankerny. (LeN- 2006 Dec. 14. 12.00 pm)The Military yesterday accused the Tigers of using relief aid, including tents sent by United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to uncleared areas in Vakarai, for military purposes."Tigers are using relief aid sent for the displaced people in Vakarai and we have evidence to prove it," military Spokesman Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe said.He said that the security forces found evidence when last week they captured the LTTE Forward Defence Line (FDL) in Kaduwatte and Panichchankerni areas south of Vakarai."During the security forces' limited counter operation in these areas, we found tents and canopies with UNHCR markings, being used by the Tigers, as shelter for their bunkers. Some canopies were filled with sand to build bunkers," the spokesman claimed.He said the following assurances from the Cease fire monitors, the Government allowed food supplies through local and foreign NGOs for the displaced people in uncleared in Vakarai from Manerni.The spokesman said that they had also found a large stock of arms and ammunition in Kadjuwatta and Panichchankerni in abandoned bunkers, after the LTTE escape using human shields. "Already about 4,028 persons, including of 2,947 children, have entered Government controlled areas, seeking protection from the Security Forces," Brig Samarasinghe added.

==article===article===article===article===article===article====article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===

The friendship between Norway and the Tamils of the LTTE terrorists.

Massive Protest march Organized by the "United Front for the Protection of Motherland" forcing the Government to abolish the CFA and remove Norwegians from peace process

Effigy of Prabhakaran with Norway trying to cover his nudity with a loincloth

The Protestors burning the Effigy of Prabhakaran

Protestors flanked by their leaders arriving at Borella Junction

JVP Leader Somawansa Amarasinghe and General Secretary Tilvin Silva in the March with protestors

Riot Police in guard at the Norwegian Embassy blocking the marchers from proceeding to the Embassy

The section of crowed gathered at the Lipton Circus

==article===article===article===article===article===article====article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===

Tamil Tigers, Al-Qaeda links emerging-IISS
[20th October 2006 - 12:00 S.L.T]
The London based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in their report “Military Balance 2005/2006” referred to emerging links between the Tamil tigers and the Al-Qaeda movement.
The report was later exposed confidentially, by the editors to diplomatic sources, these links were in terms of commercial transactions including trafficking for financial gain and acquisition of technology rather than any ideological linkage. The anti terror experts are studying with interest links between the Tamil tigers and Al-Qaeda in its financial, commercial and arms dealing.
Moreover experts like Dominic Whiteman say “The funds which have collected by the Tamil tiger terrorists either smuggle into Sri Lanka through human carriers of in the form of weapon purchased in third countries”

 

==article===article===article===article===article===article====article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===

Asst. Secretary of State meets President
[20th October 2006 - 09:20 S.L.T]

Mr. Richard Baucher, Asst. Secretary of State Department of the USA for Southern and Eastern Asian Affairs met President Mahinda Rajapakse yesterday(19).
Mr. Baucher arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday and he is expected to have discussions regarding Geneva talks, prevailing conflict situation in the country and human rights.
The attacks carried out by wanni tiger organization were unhealthy for intended talks pointed out President Rajapakse and expressed hope that the terrorist acts would decrease.
Mr. Baucher condemned the suicide attacks carried out by tiger organization on the convoy of unarmed navy personnel at Digampotha, Sigiriya and the attack on the Galle Navy camp. He said aid to defeat terrorism would be supplied to Sri Lanka uninterrupted.

==article===article===article===article===article===article====article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===


[19th October 2006 - 15:35 S.L.T]

Washington Times news paper says in its editorial that the US government should understand that legitimate government and terrorist group cannot be considered equals, reminding that the US government has a firm policy not to negotiate with terrorists.
The full text of the Washington Times editorial is below

==article===article===article===article===article===article====article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===

Targeting the Tamil Tigers
TODAY'S EDITORIAL
October 18, 2006
Any hope that the militant Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam would respond to diplomatic pressure and renounce their terrorist tactics ahead of the cease-fire negotiations scheduled for the end of the month was murderously subverted by a suicide attack that killed more than 100 Sri Lankan sailors this week. Although the government is poised to enter peace talks backed by political consensus for the first time, its willingness to negotiate the end of violence in Sri Lanka is being undermined by the rebel group's continuing violence. The talks are still scheduled, but will only provide salvation for the war-torn South Asian nation if the Tamil Tigers can be forced into truly renouncing violence -- an unlikely prospect.
Legitimate cease-fire talks require the Tamil Tigers to match the government's level of commitment to peace. In the past two decades of peace efforts, however, this hasn't happened. The Tamil Tigers have entered negotiations and cease-fire agreements with a disingenuous promise of peace only to use the break in hostilities to secretly regroup, rearm and relaunch their offensive. The Tamil Tigers are not interested in peaceful coexistence; their only goal is to win substantial territorial concessions, which is a nonstarter for the Sri Lankan government, and justifiably so. The Tigers, furthermore, lack any real support of the Tamil people and intimidate their opposition into silence.
This is a negotiation between a state and the terrorist group that pioneered the use of suicide bombing. Under no circumstances can they be considered equals, and it's essential that the international community, as it works to put the country on the right track, pronounce this distinction ardently. (Indeed, the United States refuses to negotiate with any terrorist groups.)
Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher, who has rightly noted that the Tigers are a "terrorist group that needs to be treated accordingly," travels to Sri Lanka this week to meet with government officials and members of a Japanese envoy working in the country. While the trip should convey U.S. concern with the violence, the only effective way for the international community to pressure the Tamil Tigers is by targeting the group's world-wide fundraising network.
The recent arrests in Baltimore of six men accused of purchasing weapons, including Russian-made surface-to-air missiles, for the Tigers, which came only a few months after similar arrests were made in a sting operation in New York, are the first concrete actions taken since the United States classified the Tamil Tigers as a terrorist organization in 1997. These important arrests should be followed by forceful prosecution. This is precisely the kind of action that U.S. authorities need to take to disrupt the flow of money and weapons to the Sri Lankan terrorists, which is the only way to force the group into earnest negotiations.

==article===article===article===article===article===article====article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===


CONGRESSMAN FRANK PALLONE CONDEMNS THE LTTE FOR ITS SUICIDE ATTACK ON UNARMED SAILORS HEADING FOR VACATION

By Walter Jayawardhana


Democratic Congressman, Frank Pallone Jr. strongly condemned the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for its suicide attacks at Habarana in a statement issued to the press.
A much respected and senior Congressman for the 67th District of new Jersey he is the founder and co-chair of the Congressional Sri Lanka Caucus.
Very conversant on South Asian Affairs he was once given India’s Padma Bhushan honor for the service he has rendered to India serving in the Indian Congressional Caucus.
The following is the full text of his statement: "I strongly condemn the brutal attack on Monday near Habarana, Sri Lanka that killed more than 90 people, mostly Sri Lankan sailors. The navy personnel were unarmed and heading home for vacation. This act of terrorism is inexcusable. I extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and to the Government of Sri Lanka."
"The LTTE must denounce terrorism as a means to its political aspirations. Hostilities must end and violence must not be the means for resolving ethnic conflict. All efforts must be focused on restoring and sustaining peace and both parties must return to the negotiation process."

==article===article===article===article===article===article====article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===

Four INGOs baned in Sri Lanka over links with Tamil Terrorists


(SinhalaNet Saturday, September 30, 2006)
[COLOMBO , SinhalaNet 2006.09.30 07:32AM] The Government has decided to withdraw Visas issued to members of four International Non Governmental Organisations, which through their alleged clandestine dealings with the LTTE are posing a threat to National security.
The Parliamentary Select Committee, appointed to report on affairs of the NGOs and INGOs have, after their investigations, recommended the withdrawal of the visas issued to the four INGOs, identified as
· MSS France,
· MSS Spain,
· MDM France and
· Doctors of the World USA

as the members of these organizations had been found to be promoting LTTE Tamil Terrorist activities, thus endangering national security, head of the Committee, JVP Parliamentarian and former Minister of Cultural Affairs Vijitha Herath said yesterday. Defence Ministry sources confirmed that they had been warned by the select committee about the clandestine activities of these INGOS, who, under the pretext of engaging in rehabilitation work, particularly in the North and the East, had been supporting the Tigers.

==article===article===article===article===article===article====article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===

US charges six with shipping SAM missiles to LTTE

(LeN-Sep 30, 11.00pm)US authorities said Friday they had charged six Asian men with conspiracy to ship arms, including SAM missiles, submachine guns and sniper rifles, to Sri Lanka's Tamil Tigers and unnamed customers in Indonesia. The men, arrested in Guam, are accused of acting as brokers between weapons manufacturers and the Tigers, which is designated as a foreign terrorist organisation by the US government."We will not allow any such terrorist organisation and its middlemen to use the United States as a source of supply for weapons, technology and financial resources," said US Attorney Rod Rosenstein.Those charged were Haniffa bin Osman, 55, of Singapore; Erick Wotulo, 60 and Haji Subandi, 69 of Indonesia; Thirunavukarasu Varatharasa, 36 of Sri Lanka; Reinhard Rusli, 34 and Helmi Soedirdja of Indonesia. The indictment alleges that the first four defendents conspired to ship state of the art firearms and military equipment to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).In May, 2006, the complaint alleges that Subandi sent repeated requests to undercover customs and immigration agents for a host of weaponary, including special forces weapons, helicopter spare parts and sonar technology. Subandi also fired off a list of 53 military weapons, including SAM missiles machine guns and sniper rifles the Tigers wanted to acquire, the US Justice Department said.
According to officials, the men were snared by a sting operation in which undercover agents posed as arms brokers.If found guilty of conspiracy to export arms and munitions and of providing material support to a foreign terrorist group, the defendants face various sentences of up to 20 years in prison and half million dollar fines. Other defendants were accused of trying to set up meetings with undercover agents and discussing how weapons would be shipped from Guam to a destination in the Indian Ocean. In the alleged Indonesian plot, Rusli and Soedirdja were accused of acting as brokers to ship military equipment to unnamed individuals and entities in Indonesia.The six defendants had an initial appearance in court in Guam on Friday, and will be transferred to federal custody in Baltimore, MarylandMeanwhile The LTTE have denied that they tried to buy arms from US dealers. LTTE military spokesman Rasiah Ilanthirayan said that the organisation had 'nothing to do' with the men arrested in the US on charges of conspiring to buy missiles.

==article===article===article===article===article===article====article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article==

We'll do military exercise with SL in the near future, but not now - US Asst. Sec. of State

(LeN-Oct21, 1.00pm) "We will do military exercise with Sri Lanka in the near future, but we are not going to do right now for a variety of operational reasons," a top US official saidAssistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian affairs, Richard Boucher, said Washington was cooperating with Sri Lanka's military, but that a joint exercise had been put off."We have been talking about an exercise, especially on humanitarian aspects, but for the moment our plans have been deferred," Boucher told reporters here at the end of a two-day visit."We will do such an exercise in the near future, but we are not going to do right now for a variety of operational reasons," he added.A local press report had said the US was planning a joint naval exercise with Sri Lanka's military involving up to 1,000 US marines.
Boucher said the US was encouraging both the LTTE and the Sri Lankan government to "lower the temperature" and have a "new beginning" in their faltering peace process following weeks of spiralling violence.LTTE Wednesday staged a suicide attack against a naval base in the island's south, killing two people, two days after another suicide attack killed 115 people, mostly sailors, in the island's troubled north.Last week, the Tigers repulsed a military offensive, killing at least 133 soldiers.
During his previous visit to Sri Lanka in June, Boucher pledged "tangible military cooperation" but warned the government against a return to war with LTTE."It is important to be clear that the purpose of our (military) assistance is not to encourage a return to war," Boucher said during his earlier visit.Washington also offers medical training and study opportunities for Sri Lankan military officers.Answering a question raised by a journalist Mr. Boucher said there is no positive evidence to link LTTE with Al Quida.Mr. Boucher's talk is publish infull below."On the next round of discussions what sort of benchmarks to look for, I guess the basic bench mark is to make a new beginning. As I said it's time to reverse the negative momentum and said it's time to take a step in the right direction and said it's time for parties to come to the talks to make a new beginning.I to really begin a process and to begin a series of talks, and look to the future to start discussing all the serious issues, intended to be discussed; the grievances of the Tamil Community, the respect for the right of the Muslims in the country, the governing arrangements in different areas. A lot serious discussions need to be done and all that not going to held for once or in one session.But if this round makes a new beginning then I think we will be pleased. HR violations I think we need start with the basic fact that the democratically elected government here in Sri Lanka. And the democratically elected government's pledge personally and politically and constitutionally, should be respect and defend the Human Rights.And therefore that primary responsibility to respect and the defend Human Rights is with the government of Sri Lanka and we look to the government to carryout those responsibilities. We do believe that the International community can have a role in helping, whether with its with expertise such as the Australian forensic team who
are here now, helping with the investigation, or whether it is a sort of basic monitoring mechanism, some sort of observer, to observe situation where you can observe the progress, encourage the progress and look at how that progress can be made better.So that's a kind of commission they are talking about, particularly the government has suggested that the UNHRC have a role in this, they have suggested that some others including some of the co-chairs will have people on this commission. But we see this is sort of a group of people who have a strong interest in human rights, who know all about how it can be respected and pursued and can observe what the government is doing and how the government exercises it role and responsibility.I would really hope them to look at the situation throughout the island and make suggestions how best HR could be maintained, respected and improved.De-merger
On the SC decision on de-merger, I have to say that the timing is rather unfortunate, raised a lot of questions before the next round (of talk). I think is unfortunate. But the merger has for many years been the fundamental assumption of the peace process. It is one of the fundamental assumptions of the whole negotiations. Therefore, I agree it does some issues for all the parties. But how they are going to approach this both in
terms of court decision and also in terms of negotiations, I do not have any formula for that, but I think it is a very fundamental issue.In my discussions with various people, there is an understanding that how important it is and how fundamental it is to the negotiating process. I know they know what needs to be done it that context.Deterred military exerciseWe have a variety of -operative programmes, military assistance co-operative programmes with the government of Sri Lanka, we think it is import they will be able defend the island's territory and the people of Sri Lanka from all forms of attack.We have been talking about an exercise where we can co-operate with them and really exercise humanitarian capabilities above all others. Because, that's going to be an opportunity that the army has as well. At the moment out plans have been deferred and I am sure that will do such exercise in the future, but we are not going to do one right now. For variety of operational reasons we were reconsidering one. But it's been deferred at the moment. I am sure we will do one in the future. But we are having a very positive relationship with the Sri Lankan government and its military.?(END)

==article===article===article===article===article===article====article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===


Geneva talks run into agenda crisis

(LeN-Oct 26, 6.30 pm) It is reported that the scheduled talks between the government and the LTTE in Geneva are in serious crisis as the parties are unable to prepare an agenda for talks.When the government delegation left for Geneva, a definite agenda has not been declared. The object of the government was to compile an agenda and a time frame to discuss genuine grievances affecting the Tamil community unlike in the past where cease-fire agreement and activities of the monitoring mission were the common subjects to be discussed. This was repeatedly claimed by government defence spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella. It is also reported that the LTTE refuses to take up matters other than humanitarian issues such as the opening of the A-9 highway, the cease-fire agreement and the acute food shortage faced by the people of the North. Amidst this background, the government delegation has asked for three additional days to prepare an agenda but it is learnt that the LTTE was not agreeable to this proposal. This has also put the Norwegian facilitator in a spot of bother. Due to the agenda crisis, it is doubtful weather the talks could commence on 28th as scheduled.

==article===article===article===article===article===article====article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===

TNA Parliamentarian Nadarajah Raviraj shot dead near Military Police HQ

(LeN- Nov. 10, 2.30 pm) Two gunmen riding a motorcycle shot dead TNA parliamentarian Nadarajah Raviraj, when he was coming out of the Manning Town Housing Complex this morning. A person who has witnessed the killing speaking to 'Lanka E News' said the killer opened fire from a T 56 concealed in a bag and left behind the weapon and made the getaway. Military police HQ is situated opposite the Manning Town Housing Complex.Mr. Raviraj and his body guard who were critically injured in the attack succumbed to their injuries. When questioned by 'Lanka E News' the Doctor of the Accident Section Dr. Anil Jasinghe said that the body guard was found dead on admission.Mr. Raviraj who was forty four years old, entered politics in 1997 when he was elected Mayor of Jaffna. He was elected to parliament in December 2001 as a Jaffna district parliamentarian and was re elected in the 2004 election. Mr. Raviraj who was born at Thenmarachchi was a lawyer by profession.

==article===article===article===article===article===article====article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===

LANKATRUTH 08/10/2006

Sri Lanka soldiers inspect the remains of a truck used by Tamil Tigers to stage a suicide attack in Habarana. Tamil Tiger rebels staged a suicide attack against Sri Lanka's main southern naval base, killing at least two people and destroyingA sailor near Galle port. Suspected Tamil Tiger suicide bombers disguised as fishermen infiltrated a Sri Lankan port, destroying three gunboats and killing at least two people(AFP/File) Security personnel collect the weapons of sailors killed in a suicide bomb attack carried out by suspected Tamil Tiger rebels in the north-eastern Sri lankan town of Habarana. Sri Lankan peace broker Norway has launched a bid to

 

Sri Lankan sailors remove bloodied military equipment from the wreckage of buses in Habarana after the island's worst-ever suicide bombing. The United States condemned a suicide attack in Sri Lanka that left at least 103Sri Lankan sailors remove bloodied military equipment from the wreckage of buses in Habarana on Monday after the island's worst-ever suicide bombing in which at least 103 people were killed and 150 wounded.(AFP/Lakruwan Wanniarachchi) The worsening cycle of violence in Sri Lanka, where Tamil Tiger rebels this week launched their bloodiest-ever suicide attack, is a sign that neither side in the brutal ethnic conflict is ready to sit down for talks slated for next week, Security personnel at the site of a suicide attack against bus loads of sailors in the north-eastern town of Habarana. Sri Lankan peace broker Norway has launched a bid to salvage planned talks after the rebels' worst-ever suicide bombing

The worsening cycle of violence in Sri Lanka, where Tamil Tiger rebels this week launched their bloodiest-ever suicide attack, is a sign that neither side in the brutal ethnic conflict is ready to sit down for talks slated for next week,

==article===article===article===article===article===article====article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===


35 Soldiers killed over 300 injured - LTTE casualties high

(LeN- Oct. 11, 11.10 pm 2nd Edition) The Media Centre for National Security has revealed that 22 soldiers were killed and 113 have sustained injuries in the battle that have been raging in the forward defence lines of Muhamalai and Nagarkovil.Military sources of North reveal that 35 soldiers had been killed and more than 300 have sustained injuries.The LTTE has been mounting attacks from Palai area using mortar and artillery guns and the army too has retaliated with heavy fire. Army spokesman said that soldiers have observed bodies of LTTE cadres scattered all over. The army has obtained assistance of the Air force and consolidated its positions.The LTTE cadres have attempted to breach the forward defence line at several points last night and they have successfully driven away by the security forces the army spokesman said.The military spokesmen for the LTTE Rasiah Illantharian said that the government forces are engaged in an operation to enter LTTE controlled areas using artillery and multi barrel rockets. He said 75 soldiers died and that 10 of their fighters were killed and a soldier was captured by them and was identified as Samantha Weerasinghe of Gemunu watch.It is said that the security forces have imposed a curfew from 9.00 am today to 5.00 pm tomorrow in the coastal areas of Allari, Kachchai, Valakerni, Thanakillappu and Kovilkandi. The imposition of curfew without prior notice have severely inconvenienced the people. It is believed that search operations are being conducted in these villages.The army spokesman Brig. Prasad Samarasinghe said that this is not an offensive operation and only retaliating to LTTE attacks. He further said that he is not aware of any curfew imposed.


Government would not be strictly directed by CFA -Keheliya Rambukwella
[11th October 2006 - 12:00 S.L.T]

Minister Keheliya Rambukwella yesterday (10) said that the government would not be strictly directed by the Cease Fire Agreement (CFA), which was arranged by Norwegian Facilitators. He pointed out that the forthcoming talks could be held outside the CFA.
Answering to the question, the minister said that this should not be considered as an attempt to throw away the CFA.
Addressing the weekly defence press conference at the Media Centre for national Security the Minister Rambukwella said, “The government will not be strictly trapped in the CFA. We do not be 100 percent trapped in it. However, that does not mean that the government will abrogate it. President Mahinda Rajapaksha has indicated this to the peace negotiators.”
He further stressed, “There are seven points listed by President Rajapakse. These core issues are Democracy, Multi party system – the right to engage in politics by other Tamil parties, Pluralism, Human Rights, Child Recruitment, Development of North and East provinces and finally the Devolution of power. If the LTTE fails to respond positively, the Devolution of power will not be a subject in the discussions”
The minister further said that the ICRC was in a way indirectly helping the cause of the Tamil tigers by refusing to fly the ICRC flag on vessels transporting humanitarian aid to Jaffna, after the Tamil tigers refused to guarantee the safety of sea movements. He praised the SLN for carrying out the transportation of food and civilians despite Tamil tigers’ threats and added with effect from today a passenger vessel will operate between Trincomalee and KKS.
Furthermore, he said that the President directed authorities in Jaffna to re-open all school.
It is reported that more than 50percent of students had attend classes despite indirect threats from the Tamil tigers’ to boycott the school.

LTTE hands over 74 bodies

(LeN-Oct 12, 6.45 pm)

A spokesman for the Red Cross told 'Lanka e News' that the LTTE handed over bodies of 74 security force personnel killed in fighting during the last three days of the Muhamalai and Nagarkovil forward defence lines. The spokesman added that the 74 bodies loaded into 4 trucks were handed over this evening to the security forces at the Omanthai entry-exit point.LTTE military spokesman Ilantharian told 'Lanka e News' that they also have a soldier in their custody.

139 soldiers killed, 515 wounded

(LeN- Oct. 13, 1.00 pm)

'Lanka E News' has received the correct toll of the casualties of ground troops at the forward defence lines of Muhamalai and Nagarkovil during the last 4 days.Though both parties avoid giving true figures of the casualties, we present to our readers the grim picture of the situation.According to the news that has been released to the top of the administration 139 soldiers have lost their lives and another 515 have sustained injuries. While 4 officers and 77 solders have gone missing, bodies of 8 officers and 50 soldiers have been transferred to Colombo.The LTTE has handed over 74 bodies of soldiers who are considered missing, to the ICRC who in return have handed over to the Army at Omanthai.491 soldiers including 24 officers are believed to be wounded and out of this 200 are seriously wounded and will not be able to return to the front.5 armored fighting vehicles are damaged and 2 are damaged beyond repair. 3 armored fighting vehicles have been brought back to government controlled areas.Though actual figures of LTTE casualties are not known, government forces believe more 200 cadres have lost their lives. LTTE claims that it lost only 22 cadres.

==article===article===article===article===article===article====article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===

PAR LANKAENEWS

Eleven Muslim labourers hacked to death

(LeN- Sep.18, 10.15pm Second Edition) Eleven Muslims were brutally hacked to death near Panama in the Pottuvil police division this morning. One survivor with severe cut injuries was rushed to Pottuvil hospital.These Muslims have gone to repair a Tank called Radella as labourers in a tractor. Face and the hands of the dead were tied with cloth.The wounded man admitted to Pottuwil hospital has told that they were attacked by a Tamil speaking group. A spokesperson of the Pottuvil police told Lanka E News that some police personal in the company of Special Task Force visited the scene. Redella tank is situated in a remote area frequented by LTTE cadres very often.As a mark of protest to the killing of these Muslims, shops government offices and business establishments were closed today (18). A resident of Pottuvil said that a tense situation has arisen in the area due to these killing.

(Pix: Wasantha Chandrapala-Ampara)

==article===article===article===article===article===article====article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===


35 Soldiers killed over 300 injured - LTTE casualties high
(LeN- Oct. 11, 11.10 pm 2nd Edition) The Media Centre for National Security has revealed that 22 soldiers were killed and 113 have sustained injuries in the battle that have been raging in the forward defence lines of Muhamalai and Nagarkovil.Military sources of North reveal that 35 soldiers had been killed and more than 300 have sustained injuries.The LTTE has been mounting attacks from Palai area using mortar and artillery guns and the army too has retaliated with heavy fire. Army spokesman said that soldiers have observed bodies of LTTE cadres scattered all over. The army has obtained assistance of the Air force and consolidated its positions.The LTTE cadres have attempted to breach the forward defence line at several points last night and they have successfully driven away by the security forces the army spokesman said.The military spokesmen for the LTTE Rasiah Illantharian said that the government forces are engaged in an operation to enter LTTE controlled areas using artillery and multi barrel rockets. He said 75 soldiers died and that 10 of their fighters were killed and a soldier was captured by them and was identified as Samantha Weerasinghe of Gemunu watch.It is said that the security forces have imposed a curfew from 9.00 am today to 5.00 pm tomorrow in the coastal areas of Allari, Kachchai, Valakerni, Thanakillappu and Kovilkandi. The imposition of curfew without prior notice have severely inconvenienced the people. It is believed that search operations are being conducted in these villages.The army spokesman Brig. Prasad Samarasinghe said that this is not an offensive operation and only retaliating to LTTE attacks. He further said that he is not aware of any curfew imposed.

==article===article===article===article===article===article====article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===

Government would not be strictly directed by CFA -Keheliya Rambukwella
[11th October 2006 - 12:00 S.L.T]

Minister Keheliya Rambukwella yesterday (10) said that the government would not be strictly directed by the Cease Fire Agreement (CFA), which was arranged by Norwegian Facilitators. He pointed out that the forthcoming talks could be held outside the CFA.
Answering to the question, the minister said that this should not be considered as an attempt to throw away the CFA.
Addressing the weekly defence press conference at the Media Centre for national Security the Minister Rambukwella said, “The government will not be strictly trapped in the CFA. We do not be 100 percent trapped in it. However, that does not mean that the government will abrogate it. President Mahinda Rajapaksha has indicated this to the peace negotiators.”
He further stressed, “There are seven points listed by President Rajapakse. These core issues are Democracy, Multi party system – the right to engage in politics by other Tamil parties, Pluralism, Human Rights, Child Recruitment, Development of North and East provinces and finally the Devolution of power. If the LTTE fails to respond positively, the Devolution of power will not be a subject in the discussions”
The minister further said that the ICRC was in a way indirectly helping the cause of the Tamil tigers by refusing to fly the ICRC flag on vessels transporting humanitarian aid to Jaffna, after the Tamil tigers refused to guarantee the safety of sea movements. He praised the SLN for carrying out the transportation of food and civilians despite Tamil tigers’ threats and added with effect from today a passenger vessel will operate between Trincomalee and KKS.
Furthermore, he said that the President directed authorities in Jaffna to re-open all school.
It is reported that more than 50percent of students had attend classes despite indirect threats from the Tamil tigers’ to boycott the school.

LTTE hands over 74 bodies

(LeN-Oct 12, 6.45 pm) A spokesman for the Red Cross told 'Lanka e News' that the LTTE handed over bodies of 74 security force personnel killed in fighting during the last three days of the Muhamalai and Nagarkovil forward defence lines. The spokesman added that the 74 bodies loaded into 4 trucks were handed over this evening to the security forces at the Omanthai entry-exit point.LTTE military spokesman Ilantharian told 'Lanka e News' that they also have a soldier in their custody.

139 soldiers killed, 515 wounded

(LeN- Oct. 13, 1.00 pm) 'Lanka E News' has received the correct toll of the casualties of ground troops at the forward defence lines of Muhamalai and Nagarkovil during the last 4 days.Though both parties avoid giving true figures of the casualties, we present to our readers the grim picture of the situation.According to the news that has been released to the top of the administration 139 soldiers have lost their lives and another 515 have sustained injuries. While 4 officers and 77 solders have gone missing, bodies of 8 officers and 50 soldiers have been transferred to Colombo.The LTTE has handed over 74 bodies of soldiers who are considered missing, to the ICRC who in return have handed over to the Army at Omanthai.491 soldiers including 24 officers are believed to be wounded and out of this 200 are seriously wounded and will not be able to return to the front.5 armored fighting vehicles are damaged and 2 are damaged beyond repair. 3 armored fighting vehicles have been brought back to government controlled areas.Though actual figures of LTTE casualties are not known, government forces believe more 200 cadres have lost their lives. LTTE claims that it lost only 22 cadres.

==article===article===article===article===article===article====article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===

PAR LANKAENEWS
=====================================================================================================

Eleven Muslim labourers hacked to death

(LeN- Sep.18, 10.15pm Second Edition) Eleven Muslims were brutally hacked to death near Panama in the Pottuvil police division this morning. One survivor with severe cut injuries was rushed to Pottuvil hospital.These Muslims have gone to repair a Tank called Radella as labourers in a tractor. Face and the hands of the dead were tied with cloth.The wounded man admitted to Pottuwil hospital has told that they were attacked by a Tamil speaking group. A spokesperson of the Pottuvil police told Lanka E News that some police personal in the company of Special Task Force visited the scene. Redella tank is situated in a remote area frequented by LTTE cadres very often.As a mark of protest to the killing of these Muslims, shops government offices and business establishments were closed today (18). A resident of Pottuvil said that a tense situation has arisen in the area due to these killing.

(Pix: Wasantha Chandrapala-Ampara)

==article===article===article===article===article===article====article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===


35 Soldiers killed over 300 injured - LTTE casualties high


(LeN- Oct. 11, 11.10 pm 2nd Edition) The Media Centre for National Security has revealed that 22 soldiers were killed and 113 have sustained injuries in the battle that have been raging in the forward defence lines of Muhamalai and Nagarkovil.Military sources of North reveal that 35 soldiers had been killed and more than 300 have sustained injuries.The LTTE has been mounting attacks from Palai area using mortar and artillery guns and the army too has retaliated with heavy fire. Army spokesman said that soldiers have observed bodies of LTTE cadres scattered all over. The army has obtained assistance of the Air force and consolidated its positions.The LTTE cadres have attempted to breach the forward defence line at several points last night and they have successfully driven away by the security forces the army spokesman said.The military spokesmen for the LTTE Rasiah Illantharian said that the government forces are engaged in an operation to enter LTTE controlled areas using artillery and multi barrel rockets. He said 75 soldiers died and that 10 of their fighters were killed and a soldier was captured by them and was identified as Samantha Weerasinghe of Gemunu watch.It is said that the security forces have imposed a curfew from 9.00 am today to 5.00 pm tomorrow in the coastal areas of Allari, Kachchai, Valakerni, Thanakillappu and Kovilkandi. The imposition of curfew without prior notice have severely inconvenienced the people. It is believed that search operations are being conducted in these villages.The army spokesman Brig. Prasad Samarasinghe said that this is not an offensive operation and only retaliating to LTTE attacks. He further said that he is not aware of any curfew imposed.

==article===article===article===article===article===article====article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===


October 11th - Actually What Happened in Northern Battle Field ?

By D.B.S. Jeyaraj----------

(LeN- Oct 15, 10.00pm) Last Wednesday was the day of the tiger in the Northern theatre of war!

The "defensive" offensive launched on October 11th by the Sri Lankan armed forces of the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) headed by President Mahinda Rajapakse was repulsed by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) led by Velupillai Pirapakaran in a day of fierce fighting from dawn to dusk in the Kilaly - Puloppalai region of Jaffna peninsula.The Sri Lankan Army commanded by Lt. Gen Sarath Fonseka suffered what was easily the single biggest debacle in recent times after the GOSL began its series of "Defensive Offensives" against the Liberation Tigers. At least 133 soldiers were killed and 519 wounded while the LTTE suffered 23 deaths and 101 injured cadres. Both sides have now returned to their earlier positions and are engaged in sporadic, low - intensity artillery fire.

The military advance was not unexpected as preceding events pointed to a high military build - up in the area. There had been intermittent exchange of artillery fire for many days between both sides along the Forward Defence Line (FDL) axis of Kilaly - Eluthumattuvaal - Nagar Kovil axis in the lower peninsula. There was also aerial bombardment of areas described as LTTE positions by the GOSL for many days.

The past few days had also seen a massive increase in military preparations by the GOSL.The tigers protested at this visible military build - up to Norway. At the same time the LTTE also began strengthening its defences.The GOSL denied that it was planning an offensive. It re-iterated that the armed forces would only defend themselves or enhance defence by "neutralising" LTTE positions. Since this has been the usual excuse of the GOSL in justifying military operations it was a foregone conclusion that a "defensive offensive" was on the cards.The real aim of the GOSL security forces was Elephant Pass.

Originally the operation was to commence on Monday Oct 11th. Protests made by the LTTE of an imminent offensive were denied by the GOSL. So the planned offensive was delayed by two days to stave off possible international pressure. Another reason was heavy rain on Monday.
The night of Tuesday October 10th saw the intermittent artillery fire escalating. The morning saw military movement on ground. Troops first broke out before dawn from the Nagar Kovil camp in Vadamaratchy East along the Peninsula's eastern coast. Troops from Kilaly along the South - Western coast of the Peninsula commenced moving out at first light. Troops from the Eluthumadduvaal base in the Peninsula's South started out after daybreak. All advancing troops had a pre - dawn breakfast of rice, fish and dhal before breaking out.

By 6. 30 am there was forward movement by troops on all three fronts. K- fir jet bombers and Mi 24 helicopter gunships engaged in aerial bombardment to help facilitate troop movement on ground. The weather however turned nasty with heavy ,dark clouds proliferating. The Air Force could only fly one major sortie that morning due to climatic conditions.

Naval gunboats fired from the sea at coatal points between Nagar Kovil and Thalaiyaddy on the Eastern coastal sector.

The LTTE also began firing their artillery. By 7. 30 am the Nagar Kovil troops called it a day and turned back. It was an apparent manouevre to divide enemy attention. Naval gunboats however continued to patrol the coast along Vadamaratchy east and Pachilaipalli engaging in occasional shelling. The navy aim was to prevent reinforcements from Chundikulam and Challai tiger sea bases from landing inside the peninsula.

Troops moving out from Eluthumadduvaal did not focus on Muhamaalai and Pallai as expected. The army had already advanced about 800 metres into LTTE controlled Muhamaalai and reached the outer perimeter of LTTE lines. Instead of pressing home this advantage further the armed forces veered South - Westwards and continued their march.

The troops moving along the coast from Kilaly also changed course. These personnel moved inwards in a South - Eastern direction.

Both columns were now spreading out and advancing in the Puloppalai region between Muhamaalai and Kilaaly. If this advance was succesful the troops could circumvent Muhamaalai and Pallai . By adopting a semi - circular route they could reach the A- 9 highway or Jaffna - Kandy road at a point close to Puthukkaadu Santhi or junction. An east bound road from the junction through Massar and Soranpattru reaches Thalaiaddy on the east coast.

The Puthukkaadu junction on the A - 9 highway is between Pallai and the Iyakkachi road junction about 3 miles way from Elephant pass. If the troops reached Puthukkadu junction and then the Iyakkachi junction, it would have been only a "short, short way" from there to elephant pass.

There were about 5500 combat and logistical support troops involved.The Air mobile brigade as well as the 3rd infantry brigade of the 55th division (533) comprised the main assault force. The 533 brigade consisted mainly of Gemunu Watch battalions. The mechanized units were also deployed heavily. Troops from the 55th division provided logistical support.

The troops relied heavily on the mechanized personnel and were using a lot of battle tanks, armoured cars, armoured personnel carriers and heavy vehicles like bull dozers to clear the way. Three companies oh highly specialised commandos numbering about 250 - 260 were in the vanguard. They belonged to the Air Mobile brigade and were known as Special Infantry Oriented Teams (SIOT).

The SIOT function was essentially that of pathfinding and trail blazing. Being in the vanguard the SIOT was expected to monito enemy position and gauge artillery and machine gun emplacements. They were required to direct covering artillery and mortar fire extended by personnel to their rear.

After pathfinder troops advanced the tanks , armoured cars andAPC persnnel carriers would follow establishing a safe route through the underbrush . Then troops would dismount from APCs and other armoured vehicles and advance on ground.The main formations of infantry troops then advanced along ground cautiously. Once conditions were comparatively safe bull dozers cleared and flattened the area as far as possible to help consolidate captured areas.

The LTTE resistance to these rapidly advancing columns was carefully calculated. Initially tiger resistanceseemed feeble. The artillery fire seemingly lacked vigour. Earlier attempts to advance through Muhamaalai via the A - 9 axis had seen the LTTE deploying innumerable claymores and anti - personnel mines along the route. This time during the early hours of advance, the mines and booby traps were conspicuously scarce. LTTE cadres from the first and second lines of defence also fell back after a while.The troops were on the upbeat. It looked like the army was going to repeat its Maavilaaru, Muthur, Sampoor, Muhamaalai successes.

8.00 am was the H- hour for the army to commence a heavy onslaught of MBRL's, heavy artillery and field artillery. Even as the armed forces began this tiger artillery across the Jaffna lagoon in Poonagary began firing 122mm and 130mm artillery. There is also suspicion among military circles that 155mm guns were also used.

Despite LTTE artillery counter -fire the troops continued. With the 1st and 2nd LTTE defence lines having fallen back the troops backed by artillery went forward. the advance was slowed down to some extent by tiger artillery as well as mines. Two MBT's were hit by anti - tank "monster" mines. After the first tank was hit the second overtook it and proceeded to be hit in turn. A third moved in a different direction and fell into a well - camoflaged deep, pit. It was a tiger trap.

Despite these difficulties the army continued its advance as the LTTE had not offered stiff resistance, By 9. 30 am the GOSL troops seemed to have penetrated nearly 2 - 3 miles deep into tiger territory in the Puloppallai - Pallai region. Some vanguard SIOT troops were even further up from the main advancing body.

It was around this time (9.30 am) that the tiger roaring tiger pounced. The advancing troop formations were breached in three points.

The vanguard troops were was attacked at a certain point and pressured to retreat sideways. The troops found a chain of deadly mines being triggered like some gigantic firework. LTTE cadres virtually surrounded these troops and intensified firing.. A whole company was virtually wiped out while the other two sustained much damage.

The main advancing body was attacked frontally . Tigers also attacked the military in the rear. It was a virtual encirclement of GOSL troops.

The LTTE's Victor anti - tank and armoured unit went into action. Despite losing its founder - commander Lt. Col Akbar to a random army shell on Oct 7th members of the unit fought fiercely. In addition to the earlier losses of three tanks to 'monster' mines and an ambush a further three Armoured fighting vehicles (AFV) were hit by anti - tank RPG's and destroyed. Six AFV's comprising 5 Czhech built T - 55 's and two Russian built BMPs were put out of action.

The Victor anti - tank and armoured unit also fired at Chinese built Armoured Personnel carriers with success. Three APC's were totally destroyed while another three were partially damaged . The Victor unit had put six armoured fighting vehicles and six armoured personnel carriers out of action within a few hours of fighting.The armed forces have never sustained such massive losses in this manner before.

The infantry troops as well as the SIOT personnel to their credit did not turn around and run at the sight of strong tiger resistance. They tried to both hold on to territory and also advance. The fighting was intense from 9. 30 am to 11. 30 am. Troops found themselves attacked by tiny, mobile tiger groups who closed in and fired ruthlessly.

The LTTE also fired RPG's , mortars and 60mm portable artillery. Troops were forced at times to move sideways. Very opften they found themselves victims to well - laid Johnny anti - personnel and also claymore mines. It appeared that the LTTE had planted them carefully in select locations and allowed troops to advance up to those places easily.

Another problem for troops was the placement of LTTE machine - gunners in well concealed fox holes. Some of these foxholes were behind GOSL column lines. These tigers inflicted much damage from their foxholes. The LTTE also engaged in sniper fire from tree-top positions.

By 11. 30 GOSL troops abandoned the idea of proceeding to Elephant Pass via Puthukaadu and Iyakkachchi junctions. They began withdrawing taking back as many as possible of the dead and injured.The fighting too transformed itself into artillery and mortar firing. The LTTE kept up an intense barrage. The total withdrawal of GOSL troops was complete by 2.00 - 2. 30 pm.

The entire battle was over in about six to six and a half hours. The tigers had triumphed in beating back troops.

The Air Force which flew only one sortie in the morning could not help troops later. Weather conditions were bad for aerial attacks. Also the Pakistani and Ukrainian pilots flying the Air Force planes were unable to engage in customary indiscriminate aerial bombardment due to fear of hitting GOSL troops. Helicopter Gunships could have flown low and targetted tigers but were worried about getting hit by LTTEs surface to air missiles. Naval gumboats were off the peninsulas eastern coast and useless to fighting in the western sector.The army therefore was all alon at its hour of need..

There was practically no close combat or face to face fighting. The bulk of the fighting consisted of tank and anti - tank firing, artillery shelling and mortar fire. The GOSL usually fires artillery barrages indiscriminately and intensely against perceived LTTE positions. Superior firepower is used to its advantage.

This however did not work out in this instance as the GOSL troops had advanced and were widely scattered. It was not possible to fire from Kilaly or Eluthumadduvaal at random for fear of hitting their own troops. The army was therefore restricted intitially to field artillery and mortars. The LTTE apparently advanced to comparatively close quarters and fired RPGs and 60 mm shells from portable artillery.

The LTTE at one point advanced beyond original FDL's into army controlled areas. They turned back after a while and began clearing operations. The heavy fighting subsided after 2. 30 pm. Intermittent artillery fire of low intensity continued throughout the night. It continued even on Thursday 12th.

The armed forces had incurred heavy losses. About 20 privately owned vans and mini - buses were commandeered by the armed forces to supplement army vehicles in transporting dead and injured back from the frontlines. Troops suffering major injuries were taken to the Varany camp in the Thenmaratchy sector. Three helicopters then air lifted them to Palaly . Thereafter they were flown to Colombo and Anuradhapura for treatment. Vehicles also took those with minor injuries and dead bodies along the road in Jaffna to Palaly.

The military hospital in Palaly was already overflowing with patients recovering from injuries sustained in previous rounds of fighting along the Kilaly - Eluthumadduvaal - Nagar Kovil axis. The GOSL had kept as many injured as possible in Palaly to prevent the actual truth about army casualties emerging.

With troops sustaining heavy damage on Oct 11th the military hospital was unable to accommodate all victims. So a hangar at Palaly Airport was converted into a makeshift hospital.

Initially GOSL and defence services spokespersons tried to obscure the truth. They gave ridiculously low casualty figures. Later the various security force websites began increasing casualty figures. Different news agencies quoting unnamed defence sources began giving out comparatively accurate figures. By Oct 12th /13th an accurate picture began emerging.

At least 133 soldiers had been killed.Of these 55 bodies were retrieved by security forces themselves. 75 were retrieved by the LTTE. 74 of these bodies were handed over to the Red Cross at the Kilinochchi playground on Oct 12th by the LTTE's Paavannan who usually interacts with international organizations. One of the bodies retrieved by the LTTE was not given to the Red Cross on time due to a transport problem.

Later the LTTE said it was returning that body along with three other bodies of soldiers they had discovered later. According to LTTE defence affairs spokesperson Ilanthiraiyan there were 43 other bodies the tigers had located later. These were decayed and mangled. They were not in a condition to be transported and returned. The tigers themselves crenated them with military honours claimed Ilanthiraiyan.

The Defence ministry accepted the bodies returned through ICRC red Cross at Omanthai. But they refused to accept the LTTE claim that the 43 bodies found later by the LTTE were those of soldiers. The Defence ministry officially stated that three of the injured soldiers had died later. The official figure therefore was 133 dead.

The Defence ministry also said that all 78 persons first declared as missing in action were accounted for.Yet an internal Defence ministry circular stated that rwo officers and thirty - five men were yet "missing". 12 officers were among the dead.

The official figures for wounded soldiers was 283. Yet the truth was that of 519 soldiers being injured. Of these 323 were brought to Colombo and 54 to Anuradhapura. Colombo residents saw and heard ambulances and sirens throughout night and day. The rest of the injured soldiers, many of them walking wounded, are in the Palaly hospital.

LTTE's Ilanthiraiyan also said that there may be more dead soldiers whose bodies are yet to be located. Some of the injured soldiers also could succumb to their wounds. He said the final tally of dead soldiers could be over 200.

Interestingly enough some GOSL and Defence spokespersons are saying that the LTTE suffered more than 200 deaths. Defence spokesperson Brigadier Samarasinghe said that 196 tigers were killed and 312 wounded.

One newspaper has put the LTTE casualty figure at 400. One journal which usually goes to town with stories of security force victories remained silent. There were no stories from the battlefront. News Agencies which initially wrote about "contradictictory" claims of casualties on both sides had after 48 hours concluded that the armed forces had suffered a major debacle.

According to Ilanthiraiyan there were ten LTTE deaths at the end of October 11th. With some of the seriously injured dying the toll had risen to 22 on 12th and 23 on 13th. . There is a strong possibility that the tiger casualty figure could go up in the coming days. The number of injured LTTE was placed as above "muppathu" (thirty) by Ilanthiraiyan. It is learnt reliably that the number of LTTE injured is 101.

Among those killed the most senior tiger so far is a woman Capt. Isaichelvi. Of those killed at least four were from the auxiliary force known as "Makkal Sirappu padaiani".They are also given Great Hero or "Maaveerar" status. The LTTE's Imran - Pandian regiment. Sothia and Malathy womens brigades, Victor unit and auxiliary forces were engaged in the fighting.

At least one soldier was taken alive by the LTTE. Samantha Weerasinghe of the 4th Gemunu Watch is now undergoing treatment at the Kilinochchi hospital. The ICRC has inspected the 18 year old youth. According to Colombo based diplomatic sources about five to ten soldiers have been taken alive as unacknowledged prisoners of war by the LTTE.

At this point of time it is difficult to assess the exact number of losses and casualties on both sides. Perhaps the actual figures may never be known. There is however no doubt that in a conflict of see-saw fortunes the "victor" on Oct 11rh was the LTTE. It was truly the day of the tiger.

By
DBS Jeyaraj : djeyaraj2005@yahoo.com

==article===article===article===article===article===article====article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article==

Suicide attack on Navy convoy, 98 killed 116 injured

(Oct 16, 11.30 p.m, third edition) Ninety eight naval personnel were killed when LTTE suicide cadres rammed an explosive laden Canter lorry into a convoy of buses transporting Navy men at Diganpathana on the Dambulla-Habarana road around 1.45 this afternoon. Another 116 were injured in the blast.
Bodies of 88 naval personnel had been brought of the Dambulla Hospital and 3 others died while being transported to the Kurunegala Hospital, a spokesman of the Dambulla Hospital told 'Lanka e News'. According to him 72 of the injured had been transferred to the Kurunegala Hospital and three of them had succumbed to injuries on the way to the hospital. Several other wounded have been dispatched to the Polonnaruwa and Anradhapura Hospitals. Five of the injured receiving treatment at the Dambulla Hospital had bee discharged and nine others have undergone surgery, a doctor of the hospital said. He added that arrangements are underway to airlift several critically injured persons to the Colombo National Hospital. Diganpathana, where the suicide attack was carried out is a transit point for naval personnel coming home on leave and those returning to camps after leave. Around 15 Navy buses had been parked near Liyanage Hotel,Diganpathana when explosive filled lorry driven at high speed towards Dambulla from Habarana by suicide LTTE cadres crashed into the buses. All the buses had been severely damaged and some of them had caught fire with the explosion.The attack came amidst the visit of special Japanese peace envoy Yasushi Akashi who arrived last night was about to meet the President and senior government figures and the expected visit tomorrow of Norwegian peace envoy Hanssen Bauer. The government and the LTTE are scheduled to hold talks on the 28-29 of this month and today's suicide

==article===article===article===article===article===article====article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===
After the Suicide attack
(LeN-Dec. 01, 6.30 pm) It is suspected that the suicide bomber who attempted to kill the Defence Secretary. Mr. Ghotabhaya Rajapaksha used a three-wheeler with the vehicle no WPGH 0617

Seen here are some pictures following today's suicide bomb attackThe bullet proof vehicle that the Defence Secretary traveled in and the Defender jeep used by security staff.A burning vehicle that traveled on the road at the time of the attack.A beheaded body (believed to be that of the suicide bomber's) on top of a cab.Armed forces moving a destroyed vehicle out of the way.

==article===article===article===article===article===article====article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===
Students abducted for military training by the LTTE with shaven heads...

(LeN-2006 Dec 22, 5.00pm) Children who said they were abducted by LTTE talk to each other during police investigation at the Special Task Force police commando camp in Kanchanakuda Ampara, Sri Lanka, December 21, 2006. Seven Tamil school boys emerged from Tamil Tiger territory in eastern Sri Lanka on Thursday, saying LTTE threatened them with grenades and cut their hair in apparent preparation for military training.

(Photo Curtesy: Reuter)

==article===article===article===article===article===article====article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===


IDPs were relaxing in Serunuwara

(LeN-2006 Dec. 19, 6.30 pm) An army officer talks to a war-displaced ethnic Tamil family, who have fled from the LTTE's village of Vakarai in Batticaloa district, as they seek refuge in the government-controlled area in Serunuwara, Trincomalee December 18, 2006.

==article===article===article===article===article===article====article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===

LTTE fires shells at Somadevi School, One teacher killed, 9 students injured

(LeN-2006 Dec. 07, 5.00pm 2nd Edition) Today (07) around 11.30 a.m. one teacher killed and one teachers and nine students of Somadavi School in Kallaru Trincomalee were injured when LTTE fired artillery shells into the school.The injured teacher and students have been admitted to Kanthale hospital. Four of them were girls.Hospital sources revealed that the conditions of three students are very critical. They transfered to the Anuradhapura base hospital.LTTE had launched the artillery attack deploying guns in a densely populated civilian area. Meanwhile LTTE had launched the attack to the Mahindapura army camp and three soldiers were injured too. Mean while three civilians have died include a 10 years old child due to LTTE shelling at Kallaru village about 12.30 pm today.SLMM informed of the gross violation of the CFA by the LTTE.

==article===article===article===article===article===article====article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===

Slauatering of Action Against Hunger Members at Muttur

(LeN- Aug. 18, 7.00 pm) At the Muttur battle which displaced 45,000 peoples 17 members attached to the French NGO Action against Hunger were slaughtered. All were Tamils excepting one who was a Muslim. While LTTE points its finger at the government for their killing the government says that the LTTE is responsible for it.The Government had stated that it would get down experts from Australia to investigate the killing.The French government too had denounced this killing.The Action for Hunger was engaged in Tsunami relief work in the Eastern Province.

==article===article===article===article===article===article====article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===

Dividing and hugging of earth

(LeN- Sep, 15. 7.30pm) They fought to separate a part of the earth. At the end they fell dead on earth hugging it. The earth has provided enough space in its lap through thousands of years for such people to have the last sleep.The earth was not brought to this level by such men but by men who toiled to safeguard it.Only people like Prabakaran, Selvam, Balraj, Weerawansa, Ratana and SL could sing hosannas for a senseless war. The following pictures are for such warmongers.

==article===article===article===article===article===article====article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===
Guns For Tender Hands

(LeN-Aug. 18, 7.00 pm) The LTTE gave weapon training to civilians of North East and proclaimed that it was the civilians that underwent their training that attacked the government forces with claymore mines etc.Enlisting children and giving weapon training was a common occurrence. Girls carrying T 56 assault rifles are shown in this photograph undergoing weapon training.

==article===article===article===article===article===article====article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===
Prabhakaran burns in Colombo

(LeN- Nov 26, 10.00pm) A disabled Sri Lankan activist, demonstrating against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, burns a billboard featuring his image outside the Fort Railway Station in Colombo, 26 November 2006. Sri Lanka's elusive Tamil Tiger supremo marks his 52nd birthday, which falls on 26 November, with a self-imposed deadline to decide the course of Asia's longest-running ethnic conflict. The security measures come as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) observe "Heroes' Week" from November 21-27, in memory of the men and women who have perished since the first rebel fatality was recorded in November 1982

==article===article===article===article===article===article====article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===

How 12 armoured vehicals were crippled by LTTE Victor Unit

(By D.B.S. Jeyaraj)--------------------------(LeN-Oct19, 11.00pm) An important highlight of the fighting between Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on October 11th was the severe losses of armoured vehicles by the army At least twelve armoured fighter vehicles (AFV) and Armoured personnel carriers (APC) were put out of action by the tigers in three hours of fierce combat.Even as fighting progressed and GOSL troops backed by artillery went forward. the advance was slowed down to some extent by tiger artillery as well as mines. Two Main Battle Tanks (MBT) were hit by anti - tank "monster" mines. These mines were placed and triggered by the Victor unit of the LTTE which specialises in anti - tank and anti - armoured vehicle warfare.After the first MBT tank was hit and rendered non - operational the second MBT overtook it and proceeded ahead. This too was hit in turn by a "monster" anti - tank mine.A third armoured vehicle moved in a different direction and fell into a deep, waterlogged ditch. It was a pit dug and covered up with vegetation It was a well cqamouflaged tiger trap.This too was laid by the Victor unit and demonstrated that the LTTE excelled in both using modern weaponery as well as engaging in comparatively "primitive" yet effective warfare tactics.The LTTE's Victor anti - tank and armoured unit continued engaging in action during intensive fighting too. Despite losing its founder - commander Lt. Col Akbar to a random army shell on Oct 7th members of the unit fought fiercely. In addition to the earlier losses of two armoured vehicles to "monster" mines and another to a camouflaged pit - trap, three more Armoured fighting vehicles (AFV) were hit by anti - tank RPG s and destroyed.Six AFV's comprising 4 Czhech built T - 55's and two Russian built BMP's were put out of action by the Victor unit.The Victor anti - tank and armoured unit also fired at Chinese built Armoured Personnel carriers with success. Three APC's were totally destroyed while another three were partially damaged .Altogether the Victor unit had put six armoured fighting vehicles and six armoured personnel carriers out of action within a few hours of fighting. The armed forces have never sustained such massive losses in this manner before.Significantly the LTTE suffered a major loss before Wednesday's fighting. On Oct 7th Lt. Col Akbar of the LTTE was killed along the Muhamaalai FDL as a result of an army shell. Akbar who is a Batticaloa Tamil was the head of the Victor anti - armoured artillery unit which specialises in combatting tanks and armoured vehicles.Akbar who joined the LTTE in 1990 got married in 2003. He was from its inception the chief of the Victor unit.It was named after former Mannar tiger commander Victor.This unit known generally among LTTE cadres as the "RPG Commando" had its roots in the "Col" Kittu artillery unit and had its baptism of fire during "operation Sathjaya" in Kilinochchi. It then became a sub - division of the "Imran - Pandian" unit named after two of Prabakharan's trusted bodyguards.By 1997- 98 the anti - armoured artillery unit began functioning independently under Akbar.Members of this unit have vertical and not horizontal stripes on their uniforms. Though many stalwarts of this unit like Maj. Navachandran, Lt.Col Manivannan and Lt. Col Chutta are no more Akbar had survived despite being a veteran of many "Jayasikurui" and "Oyatha Alaigal" battles.Lt. Col Akbar's death at a critical time may very well have affected LTTE fortunes as the Victor unit was of crucial importance in countering army advances. His death however seems to have inspired his unit members to perform well during war. Instead of being a bad omen it seems to have become the "blood sacrifice" made to the Gods before war to ensure victory. This was a practice in the lost martial tradition of the Tamils that is now being revived by the Liberation Tigers.By
DBS Jeyaraj : djeyaraj2005@yahoo.com

==article===article===article===article===article===article====article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===

Freelance journalist Sampath Lakmal assassinated

(LeN-July 02, 7.35 pm second edition) Samapth Lakmal Silva who served as a freelance journalist was abducted and killed last night by an unidentified group. His body was found this morning at Jayawardane Road, Dehiwala. The 24 year old Lakmal worked at the Lakbima newspaper, TNL television and Sathdina newspaper and wrote extensively on defence matters. He was employed by the Sathdina until last April and at the time of his death he was attached to the media unit of Minister Rishard Badurdeen's Rehabilitation and Resettlement Ministry.He had left his home at Werahera, Boralesgamuwa last night after receiving a telephone call. According to his mother a person called Kumara had given the call and Lakmal had answered "OK, Sir I'll come now" and telling his mother that he was going to meet 'Kuara Sir' who he had said was coming from Wattala and his body was found this morning from Dehiwala.The Army Media Unit said that Lakmal had provided themwith information and on an earlier occasion as well he was assaulted by an unidentified group for writing on defence related issues.The convenor of the Free Media Movement Sunanda Deshapriya said such killings at a time of the country is sliding towards war could pose a serious threat to independent journalists and pointed out that during the past 16 months, 6 media personnel including 4 journalists were assassinated and those responsible had not been brought to book. He appealed the sae fate should not be allowed to happen to this killing as well.(The photograph shows Lakmal's body lying at Jaywardane Road, Dehiwala and its removal by police)

==article===article===article===article===article===article====article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===


PAR LANKATRUTH
==================================================================================================================
Sampur retaken after 9 day operation
[05th September 2006 - 05:00 S.L.T]

Government security forces took over Sampur from the terrorists yesterday(04) morning.
Sampur is situated to the south of Trincomalee harbour and was a threat as the tiger terrorists carried out attacks on the harbour and security camps from this area. Security forces launched a massive operation to liberate Sampur area on the 27th August using Army, Navy and Air Force personnel.
As tiger terrorists launched artillery, mortar and shell attacks from camps at Sampur and Ichchalampaththu maintained by them, security forces had to capture Sampur area and launch retaliatory attacks said Army spokesman Brig. Prasad Samarasinghe. He pointed out that tiger terrorists carried out attacks against Navy and Air Force camps around Trincomalee harbour and economic centers in the area. He said the operation was launched to free those places from terrorist attacks and to resettle Tamil and Muslim people who had left the areas due to atrocities of tiger terrorists. The security forces were able to drive away the tiger terrorists and completely liberate Sampur and other areas last morning said Brig. Samarasinghe.
Brig. Samarasinghe said the tiger terrorists who were driven out of Sampur and other areas have fled to Wakare and Werugal areas.
More than 100 tigers died and another 100 injured in the operation say reports. 15 soldiers of security forces laid down their lives in the operation and 97 were injured.
Brig. Prasad Samarasinghe further said land mines that have been laid by tiger terrorists are being cleared and security forces are preparing the areas to resettle the people who had to leave the areas due to tiger atrocities.
Might of tigers at Sampur was a Myth! - Lt. Col. Sarath Wijesinghe
[9th September,2006 - 18.30 S.L.T)

Local and foreign journalists who visited Sampur and other adjacent areas on the 7th of this month after the security forces liberated the area, which had never been liberated before, were able to witness the political ploys tiger terrorists had employed.
Tiger propaganda network, local and foreign NGOs which nurtured them and certain media had told the country that tiger terrorists had built an underground hospital, there were tiger police stations, courts and large scale camps in the area.
However, the journalists who toured the area were able to see only 20 small bunkers, 4 small underground tunnels and two tiger offices. One office had been used for activities of the tiger organization and the other had been maintained by Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO).
Journalists were not able to see any court or a tiger police station in the area. However, a parking place for vehicles ceased from Tamil people and a garage that repaired those vehicles had been maintained.
Lt. Col. Sarath Wijesinghe, Commander of 222nd Battalion at Ella, Kanthale said the military skill and heroism of tiger terrorists created by the tiger organization and certain parties sympathetic to it has been proved a myth.
By now tigers have been driven away from Kallar, Mavilaru, Kattaparichchan, Sampur, Muttur and adjacent areas and government administration has been established. The Tamils who live in those areas don’t support tiger terrorists but are interested in what is happening said Capt. Wijesinghe.
Tsunami aid in tiger camps!
[9th September,2006 - 18.30 S.L.T)

Local and foreign journalists who toured Sampur area on the 7th were able to see the truth of the information that tsunami aid distributed and were to be distributed to the people in un-cleared areas were seized by tiger organization.
This was confirmed when the offices maintained by tiger organization and Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) were observed.
On inquiry Army spokesman Brig. Prasad Samarasinghe said large loads of tsunami aid distributed to Northern and Eastern areas by the Government and NGOs were seized by the tiger organization. He also said the aid given to the people was snatched from people’s homes by the tiger organization. These were revealed to the world only when Sampur, Muttur, Kattaparichchan, Irudipanoor, Pachchanoor, Vavunativu and adjacent areas were liberated by security forces.
Also ‘Lankatruth’ was able to know from Tamil and Muslim civilians in the area that certain local and international NGOs had handed over tsunami aid to the tiger organization. The civilians said even when they begged for aid from the road side the NGOs had refused to hand over any aid to them but had asked them to get it from the tiger organization.
A large stock of medicines used in battle fronts were seen in tiger offices and bunkers. Clothes and various kinds of equipments too were seen in those places.
250 terrorists come for Kattaparichchan attack perish!
[9th September,2006 - 18.30 S.L.T)

The threat to Trincomalee harbour has ceased after the security forces chased away the terrorists and moved into Sampur area says Lt. Col. Sarath Wijesinghe, Commander of 222nd battalion.
Before Sampur was routed the terrorists launched attacks on security forces deployed at Kattaparichchan. The attack launched by more than 750 terrorists in early hours of 01.08.2006 was trounced by a group of 80 security personnel and more than 250 terrorists were killed said Capt. Vijithe Alexander, chief of the group that won the Kattaparichchan battle.
Terrorists at Kattaparichchan area were defeated after a battle of five days and the area was taken over by security forces. 4 soldiers laid down their lives in the battle and 3 others were injured. Capt. Alexander said the battle was won as the soldiers were trained in combating the enemy using the strategy used by terrorists.
16000 displaced families in Muttur return
[9th September,2006 - 18.30 S.L.T)

16000 families that had fled when tiger terrorists overran Muttur returned to their villages on Thursday.
Unofficial reports indicate more than 50 people were killed in the inhuman attack carried out by tiger terrorists in Muttur area say security chiefs and divisional secretaries in the area.
Journalists were able to see more than 16000 families resettling after the area came under government control.
Few displaced families are still staying at temporary houses at Potenkatuwa, Perakuli and Kanthale areas. Mr. Jayanthe Wijesekera, Trincomalee District Parliamentarian said many of them would be resettled in their homes soon.
All their necessities have been looked after by the District Secretary, Ministry of Health, security forces and Sri Lanka Red Cross Society.

==article===article===article===article===article===article====article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===


TNA Parliamentarian Nadarajah Raviraj was assassinated by an unknown gunman in the morning on 10.11.2006

Mr. Raviraj’s vehicle after the shooting
The bag which contained the firearm left behind by the gunmen who assassinated TNA MP Nadarajah Raviraj on 10.11.2006.

==article===article===article===article===article===article====article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===

Terrorists shoot a 1½ year old infant in Batticaloa

Relations mourned
The infant killed by wanni Tigers
Sri Lanka Navy Captured Huge amount of arms belong to Wanni Tigers in the office of Grama Sevaka. During the raid SLN killed five wanni tiger carders.

==article===article===article===article===article===article====article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===

French pounce on LTTE-linked Tamil Television Network
Sunday, 29 January 2006 - 2:45 AM SL Time

The French governmental TV watchdog authority Conseil superieur de l`audiovisuel (CSA) has revealed in its January 2006 report, published on Thursday that it had asked the French Public prosecutor`s office (the Procureur de la Republique) to look into the activities in France of Tamil Television Network, the Sri Lankan cable TV network broadcasting on French soil. According to French governmental sources familiar with the channel, Tamil Television is considered as close to the LTTE Tamil Tigers.

Although the channel had operated in France for several years, its activities came to light only a year ago when it was revealed, notably on French public television, that`A0 the Tamil Television Network had played an important role in the collection of funds for relief efforts following the Dec. 26, 2004 Tsunami.`A0

The channel is known to have collected significantly more funds than organizations close to the Sri Lankan majority population, the Sinhalese, and even the Sri Lankan embassy in France. According to one of the governmental sources close to the subject, if the CSA chose to bring to the attention of the Public prosecutor`s office the case of Tamil Television Network, it was largely because of a complaint filed by the Sri Lankan government, through its embassy in Paris.

This was a result of the wide publicity the cable channel had obtained last year when it mounted its own drive to raise funding for tsunami-related relief efforts, and, to this end, had repeatedly accused the Sri Lankan government and its embassy in Paris, of making use of funds it collected to fund relief projects on the country`s western and southern coasts, which are largely Sinhalese, and not those parts of the country, notably the Sri Lankan coast in and around Trincomalee in the east, which are dominated by Sri Lankan Tamils including areas largely controlled by the LTTE.

`A0`A0 The CSA`A0said that it had officially conveyed its decision to the Sri Lankan ambassador to France, as well as the French prime minister, justice minister, foreign minister, culture and communication minister, as well as the president of the Globecast France, which carries the Tamil Television Network signal into French, and European homes. According to the official terms of the CSA`s announcement, `The CSA has seized the Procureur de la Republique of the illegal broadcast of the Tamil Television Network, channel established in France but never having received the convention (i.e., authorization) of the CSA, and this contrary to the dispositions of Article 78 of the Law of 30 September 1986 as modified.`

In announcing, though belatedly, its decision to effectively initiate legal proceedings against the channel ' CSA says the channel which apparently has an important following in the country, has been operating illegally.

CSA has in this case used much the same terms utilized when it attempted, eventually successfully, to close down the broadcast activities in France of Al-Manar, the Beirut-based Hezbollah TV channel that was also popular with French cable television audiences but operating without proper authorization. This resulted in Al-Manar being banned in France and all 25 EU member states. This can eventually be the case with regard to the Tamil Television Network which the`A0Sri Lankan ambassador to Paris had also reportedly attempted repeatedly to have banned.

These efforts started to bear fruit only since 2002 with the arrival in power of a Center-Right governmental coalition ready and willing, apparently, to break with the ways of the preceding Left-Center government headed by Socialist prime minister Lionel Jospin, a man who had effectively tolerated the existence in France of the Tamil TV channel, although it was public knowledge that it`A0 had never received the appropriate TV broadcast licence.

As the news article says, it is a belated decision by the French government which is waging a war on terrorism.
It has found that the tigers are bent on unlawful activities within the sovereign state of SRI LANKA, by a deadly & ruthless arms struggle.
All democratic & peace loving states in the world have understood that the tigers were using many different and unlawful fund raising tactics such as money laundering, drug trafficking, extortion of innocent Tamil & non-Tamil in foreign countries.
According to the French government, illegal (clandestine) TV & radio broadcastings have put millions of Euros into the tiger arsenal coffers.
Banning illegal TV broadcasts from the French soil or air space is not all enough!
The French government must also look into the financial activities & banking activities of this ruthless, murderous gang operating in France.
It was reported sometime back that the Head Quarters of the LTTE is also based in Paris.
Let this French decision be an eye opener to the other democratic states of the civilized world, including the staunch supporters of the tiger terrorist outfit, the Norwegian government!!!
Edited By - nandalal - 28 Jan 2006 21:51:40 GMTSource(s)
• Associated Press
• Paul Michaud

==article===article===article===article===article===article====article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===

 

No change in Tiger stance

Anders Oljelund meeting Thamilselven


A Swedish diplomat has failed to persuade Tamil Tiger rebels to drop their demand for the withdrawal of European Union (EU) peace monitors from the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) by September 1, 2006.
Anders Oljelund’s visit to Kilinochchi came at a time when there was increasing silence about finding a peaceful solution to the country’s ethnic conflict.
The LTTE wanted EU member states removed from the SLMM following the EU ban on Tamil Tigers in May this year.
Although Oljelund met LTTE leaders including S.P. Thamilselvan, political head of the rebels and Seevaratnam Puleedevan, head of the rebels’ Peace Secretariat in Kilinochchi on Friday, he was not available for comment.
But, Thamilselvan told reporters there was no change in the rebels’ position that EU monitors should leave by September 1, 2006.
“There is no change in the stand of the Liberation Tigers, expressed in the post-EU ban scenario, with regards to the engagement of EU member states,” said Thamilselvan, who added that the Sri Lankan government should abstain from what he called as state-sponsored terrorism against Tamil civilians.
It was the LTTE contention that since Finland, Sweden and Denmark listed the LTTE as a terrorist group, monitors from these countries could no longer be neutral

(www.onlanka.com)

==article===article===article===article===article===article====article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===

AIDEZ-LES S'IL VOUS PLAÎT (PLEASE HELP TO THEM)

 

Photo by Reuters
Photo by Lakmal Wasantha - Lakbima
Photo of the day - Reuters

Top Stories
Sri Lanka evacuates 300 from Lebanon -- 92,700 to go

By Reuters
2006 Friday July 21, 12:35 PM
COLOMBO (Reuters) - Sri Lanka is facing a logistical nightmare in trying to contact around 93,000 nationals -- mostly housemaids -- working in Lebanon, and has so far managed to evacuate just 300, officials said on Friday.
Around 1.5 million Sri Lankans work abroad, most of them women working in the Middle East as domestic staff, and many are not registered with their local embassies -- which are small anyway and do not have the resources to reach so many people in times of crisis.
There are around 93,000 Sri Lankans currently working in Lebanon, 86,000 of them housemaids, said Jagath Wellawatta, Chairman of Sri Lanka's Foreign Employment Bureau.
"It is logistically very, very difficult to get in contact with that many people. We have under 500 people waiting to be evacuated, but we hope that number will increase," he said.
"We have very few officials in the Lebanon embassy ... We don't know where people are staying or if they are injured or not," Wellawatta added. "If it is necessary, we are ready to evacuate all Sri Lankan workers."
Sri Lanka has advised all of its nationals to leave Lebanon in the face of deepening conflict between Israel and Hizbollah. Aid groups including Caritas and the International Organisation for Migration are helping to evacuate those who have gathered at Sri Lanka's Lebanon mission to Damascus.


Three hundred to fly out

Three hundred Sri Lankans stranded in Lebanon will be airlifted to Colombo, Sri Lankan ambassador to Beirut said on Friday.
A.M. Farook, Sri Lanka’s ambassador to Lebanon said six buses transporting 300 displaced Sri Lankans have crossed the Lebanese-Syrian border up to now.
The first three buses, which transported 112 passengers, have left on Thursday and the rest of the displaced Sri Lankans have crossed the Lebanese-Syrian border a while ago.
“They will reach the Damascus International Airport in about two to three hours time and fly to Colombo in a Sri Lankan Airlines flight,” Farook told BBC Sinhala.
There has been a steady stream of Sri Lankans contacting the embassy in the hope of returning to Colombo, since the launch of Israeli air strikes, says the ambassador.
“The number depends on the areas they are coming from. There is an influx of persons from areas facing the most attacks. We are dealing with four to five hundred passport applications at the moment,” Ambassador Farook said.
Reports say travel between southern Lebanon and Beirut is becoming increasingly difficult due to the deteriorating security situation and lack of infrastructure facilities.
“Even Non Governmental organisations like Red Cross find it extremely difficult to reach southern Lebanon. So we are unable to send vehicles there to rescue Sri Lankans,” added Farook.
The Sri Lankan embassy in Lebanon estimates about 3,000 Sri Lankans live in southern Lebanon.
According to the embassy, most of them may have fled the area with their employers.
But the embassy advices those stranded to remain in the area until travel becomes possible.
Meanwhile, the embassy said today that it can only confirm one Sri Lankan death since the beginning of Israeli air strikes against Lebanon.
The last rites of the unnamed woman have been performed along with that of the Lebanese family of four she worked for.

==article===article===article===article===article===article====article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===

L'actualité Sri Lankaise par les médias nationaux et internationaux

LTTE refuse to cease violence: outgoing French Ambassador

Mr.Jean Bernard


France Friday asked the government and Tigers to resume peace negotiations amid an escalation of fighting and said a peace deal was still possible.
The outgoing French ambassador Jean Bernard de Vaivre said the LTTE must stop violence and enter negotiations with the government to end decades of ethnic bloodshed, Gulf Times reported on Saturday. "I believe a solution is still possible," the ambassador said in a message marking the French national day. "It is high time that pretexts sought in order to put off dialogue or to reject it are renounced."

"Violence and terrorism cannot solve anything. Those in favour of such an approach will never be supported and will never receive the backing either of France or the international community," the ambassador said. He said the LTTE was eventually added to the list of terrorist organisations because it consistently refused to change its behaviour despite repeated appeals over the years. "Equally, however, the state should not tolerate any reprehensible actions from any members of its representatives," the ambassador said in a reference to allegations of human rights abuses by security forces.
"Sri Lanka possesses so much potential talent, so many skills within each of its large communities that it is high time that they put an end to the quarrels of the past and turn towards the future," he said.

"The Island" Sri-Lanka (17.07.2006 )

_________________________________________________________________

LTTE qui refuse de cesser la violence : Ambassadeur français sortant

Ambassadeur français (sortant) au Sri Lanka a demandé vendredi, au gouvernement sri lankais et aux Tigres du LTTE, de reprendre les négociations de paix, il a indiqué qu'une affaire de paix était encore possible. L'Ambassadeur français sortant Jean Bernard de Vaivre a dit que le LTTE doit arrêter la violence et entrer en négociations avec le gouvernement pour finir des décennies du carnage ethnique, " Gulf Times" a rendu compte samedi. « Je crois qu'une solution est encore possible, » l'ambassadeur dit dans un message marquant le jour national français. « C'est un grand temps qui prétexte cherché afin de reporter le dialogue ou pour le rejeter sont renoncés. » La « violence et le terrorisme ne peuvent résoudre rien. Ceux en faveur d'une telle approche ne seront jamais soutenus et ne recevront jamais le support de la France ou de la communauté internationale, » l'ambassadeur dit. Il a dit que le LTTE a été par la suite ajouté à la liste d'organismes de terroriste parce qu'il a uniformément refusé de changer son comportement en dépit des appels répétés au cours des années. « Également, cependant, l'état ne devrait tolérer aucune actions répréhensibles d'aucun membre de ses représentants, » l'ambassadeur indiqué dans une référence aux allégations des abus de droits de l'homme par des forces de sécurité. Le « Sri Lanka possède tellement le talent potentiel, tant de qualifications chez chacune de ses grandes communautés qu'il est grand temps qu'elles mettent un terme aux querelles du passé et tournent vers le futur, » il a dit.

"The Island" Sri-Lanka (17.07.2006 )

==article===article===article===article===article===article====article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===

Sri Lanka Army commander to resume duties soon

Army Commander Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka is expected to resume his official duties in the coming weeks, Army Spokesman Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe said.
"Gen. Fonseka who continues to be treated at the Army Hospital may probably resume duties in another one to two weeks time. But I cannot make a clear indication, but this one to two weeks period is a possibility," Brigadier Samarasinghe noted. Despite his fast recovery, the Army Commander continued to be hospitalised owing to several of his wounds not being completely healed.
A 30-member medical team that comprised Specialists, Surgeons and Anaesthetists, in addition to over twenty nurses and assistants performed a three hour surgery at Colombo's national hospital after Gen. Fonseka was severely injured on April 25th following an attempt on his life by a LTTE female suicide bomber.

LankaEverything News Desk 06-06-2006

==article===article===article===article===article===article====article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===

 
 

Sri Lankans resident in European countries shouting slogans at a protest  demonstration against abduction of children, human rights violations and extortion of money by the Tigers, as Sri Lanka's Government and  Tiger delegations commenced their two-day talks in Geneva, Switzerlandon. This protest campaign was staged at 4.00pm Geneva time outside the human rights office downtown in Geneva  22.02.2006

 
 
 
 
   
   

==article===article===article===article===article===article====article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===

 

LONDRES/LONDON

 
A protest demonstration was held opposite the BBC on its jaundiced eye on the Wanni Tigers in which a large number of Sri Lankans living in foreign countries participated.
 
 
Manifestation contre les terroristes LTTE à Londres
 
 
 
Manifestation contre les terroristes LTTE à Londres
Manifestation contre les terroristes LTTE à Londres
Manifestation contre les terroristes LTTE à Londres
Manifestation contre les terroristes LTTE à Londres

CANADA

         
 
 
 
 
Manifestation contre les terroristes "LTTE" en Canada
 
Manifestation contre les terroristes "LTTE" en Canada
 
 
 
 
 
Manifestation contre les terroristes "LTTE" en Canada
 
Manifestation contre les terroristes "LTTE" en Canada
 
 
 
 
 
Manifestation contre les terroristes "LTTE" en Canada
 
Manifestation contre les terroristes "LTTE" en Canada
 
 
 
 
 
Manifestation contre les terroristes "LTTE" en Canada
 
Manifestation contre les terroristes "LTTE" en Canada
 
 
 
 
 
Manifestation contre les terroristes "LTTE" en Canada
 
Manifestation contre les terroristes "LTTE" en Canada
 
 
 
 
 
Manifestation contre les terroristes "LTTE" en Canada
 
Manifestation contre les terroristes "LTTE" en Canada
 

 

COLOMBO

 

A section of the large crowd that participated at a demonstration organized by Patriotic National Movement (PNM) under the theme “Norwegians, who sustain tiger terrorists, go home!” on 07.04.2006 opposite Norwegian Embassy in Colombo
Manifestation à Colombo
Manifestation in Colombo
Manifestation à Colombo
Manifestation in Colombo

==article===article===article===article===article===article====article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===article===

 

 

Summary

ASIANTRIBUNE

www.asiantribune.com

 

DAILYNEWS

www.dailynews.lk

ISLAND

LANKA TRUTH

www.lankatruth.com

THE SUNDAY LEADER

www.thesundayleader.lk

 

SUNDAY TIMES

www.sundaytimes.lk

 

"lK¡m"

http://www.lakbima.com

"lAk`Ùp"

http://www.lankadeepa.lk

"Øvûn"

http://www.divaina.com

"lAk` I ÎVS"

http://www.lankaenews.com

"âUÉz"

http://www.silumina.lk

Journal Tamouls

http://www.thinakural.com