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Panel admits media suspicions The new ministerial committee appointed to look into threats to media has admitted journalists are suspicious of the intentions of the panel. President Mahinda Rajapaksa has appointed a committee to look into maters pertaining to media freedom in Sri Lanka. (BBC Sinhala)  Government and UNICEF to tackle nutrition crisis For more than 20 years Sri Lanka has been grappling with high rates of under-nutrition among children younger than five, according to health experts. "For a country that has a very good health and educational system, the child nutrition levels are quite paradoxical to the overall situation," Phillippe Duamelle, the country representative for the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), told IRIN. (IRIN) Bomb attack kills three Police officers A bomb attack targeting Sri Lankan police killed three officers in the eastern Batticaloa region as clashes in the north left 21 rebels dead, the government said. One police officer was injured in the attack blamed on the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, the ministry said in a statement posted on its Web site. The explosion took place late yesterday near a lake where the officers went to bathe. (Bloomberg) Mutalif murder suspects acquitted The judiciary in Sri Lanka has acquitted four suspects arrested on suspicion of helping the murder of a senior Sri Lanka Army (SLA) office. The Colombo magistrate ordered the police to release four suspects remanded in custody for helping the murder of Major Thuvan Nizam Muthal. (BBC Sinhala) Sri Lanka ready to host SAARC summit Arrangements have been finalized to hold the 15th summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in Sri Lanka from July 27 to Aug. 3, the island 's official newspaper Daily News reported Tuesday. The heads of states and governments of SAARC countries have confirmed their participation in the summit, the newspaper quoted Foreign Ministry officials as saying. (China View) British firm sacks 3 Indian suppliers for Sri Lankan Tamil child labour By Walter Jayawardhana
In the program it was exposed the subcontractors for Primark’s suppliers were employing the refugee children as slave labour to complete embroidery work. “Those who practice or support terrorism has no place in Canada” says news paper By Walter Jayawardhana “Canada clearly cannot allow groups that use terrorism – or the organizations that support such groups – to operate legally in this country,” said Nova Scotia based Chronicle Herald supporting the Conservative government’s decision to ban the World Tamil Movement, a front organization of the terrorist group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The Halifax based newspaper known as Canada’s longest standing independently owned newspaper said. Kingfisher to fly to Colombo By Walter Jayawardhana India’s private air carrier the kingfisher Airlines announced that it will start daily flights to Colombo from September. The airline said it would operate two daily flights from Chennai and Bangalore. Weekend fighting kills 59, most rebels Sri Lankan troops killed 52 Tamil Tiger rebels in weekend fighting in the island's north while seven soldiers died, the military said on Monday, as the 25-year-old civil war escalates. The fighting in several northern districts came amid near daily land, sea and air attacks, as the government pursues a strategy to gradually retake the Tigers' northern stronghold and win the protracted civil war. (REUTERS) Sri Lankan opposition wants details of Indian delegation's visit Sri Lanka's opposition parties have urged the ruling coalition to disclose the reasons behind the 'sudden visit' to Colombo by a high-powered Indian delegation led by National Security Advisor M.K. Narayanan, a media report said Monday. The demand from the opposition parties has come as both the Indian and Sri Lankan governments remain tight-lipped on the visit, while implying that the officials came here for a routine consultative meeting ahead of the upcoming South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) summit in Colombo. (IANS/Yahoo News) EPDP admits Batticaloa 'abductions' A political ally of President Mahinda Rajapaksa has admitted abducting a businessman in Batticaloa leading to renewed tension in the region. Ealam Peoples Democratic Party (EPDP) admitted the party ‘arrested’ three people including the missing businessman, Devadasan Sureshkumar. (BBC sinhala) India seeks refuge in Sri Lanka Threatened by the expanding influence of China in its backyard, India has sought to bolster the sale of miltary hardware to Sri Lanka. India is apparently concerned with the growing reliance of Sri Lanka on Pakistan and China for its military requirements. (Times Now) Another tiger propaganda machinery closed down Tharishanam TV (exposure) a pay channel of the tiger terrorist organization operating from London is to be taken off the air from today. Tigers’ international propaganda arm will suffer a severe blow when this TV channel is ultimately closed down. (LankaTruth). TNA’s charge against India At least 15 LTTE cadres, two soldiers and two police personnel were killed in fighting in the north and the east in the last 24 hours, the military claimed on Sunday. The Defence Ministry said the “counter-terror offensives aimed at liberating” Wanni continued as troops moved further ahead, crushing “terror defences” in the Jaffna, Vavuniya, Welioya and Mannar battlefronts. (The Hindu). 16 rebels among 18 killed in Sri Lanka In clashes across embattled northern Sri Lanka, at least 16 LTTE rebels and two soldiers were killed, officials said here on Sunday. While two members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) were gunned down in Janakapura North in North-east Welioya on Saturday, another rebel was killed in Andankulam, the military said. (Times of India). Two Sri Lankan policeman killed in bomb blast Two Sri Lankan policemen were killed in a roadside bomb explosion in the island's east on Sunday, a day after 13 combatants died in clashes across the volatile north, the military said. It was the latest violence in Sri Lanka's intensifying civil war that has seen fierce battles between troops and Tamil rebels, plus stepped-up bombings blamed on the insurgents. (The Hindu). Sri Lanka in drive to arrest thousands of army deserters Sri Lanka's military has launched a campaign to track down and arrest up to 12,000 army deserters who failed to take advantage of a government amnesty, a spokesman said on Sunday. "About 5,000 responded to the general amnesty we had from May 2 to the 30th," Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said. (AFP). Poson Carol at the Temple Trees By Walter Jayawardhana
The festival of singing was held June 20th the Poson full moon day, the second most largest Buddhist celebration held in the country to celebrate the arrival of Buddhism , during the time of Emperor Asoka by the Buddhist saint or Arahant Mhainda believed to be the son of the Emperor himself. Sri Lanka mounts air strikes against Tiger rebels Sri Lanka launched air attacks in rebel-held territory in the island's north on Saturday as ground troops killed at least four guerrillas, the defence ministry said. The air force deployed helicopter gunships to bomb suspected positions of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Mannar district, the ministry said. (AFP). India against military solution to Sri Lankan ethnic strife Capping a closely-guarded visit by a high powered Indian delegation that met Sri Lankan Presiden Mahinda Rajapaksa, India on Saturday said it was not in favour of a military solution to the Tamil ethnic problem. "India hopes that Sri Lanka can find a peaceful solution to the (ethnic) conflict within the framework of a united Sri Lanka that is acceptable to all the communities. We hope there is no military solution to the conflict," a senior Indian official said at the end of the two-day visit here of the delegation led by National Security Adviser M K Narayanan. (The Hindu). Sri Lankan court rejects petitions on local elections The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka Friday rejected petitions filed by opposition parties against the government's move to hold elections for two provinces. The main opposition United National Party and the main left party JVP or the People's Liberation Front last week filed the petitions against the move to hold elections for the North Central Provincial Council and the southeastern Sabaragamuva Provincial Council. (China View). ont face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="4" color="#3333FF"> Narayanan-led delegation in Sri Lanka on two-day visit A high-level Indian delegation led by National Security Adviser M K Narayanan arrived here on Friday on a previously unannounced two-day visit to discuss with Sri Lankan leaders bilateral issues and security arrangements for the SAARC summit here in August. Besides Narayanan, the delegation's members are Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon and Defence Secretary Vijay Singh. (The Hindu). Sri Lanka's "missing" woman parliamentarian safe The Sri Lankan government said Friday that a female parliamentarian who was reported missing by her husband on Wednesday has reported safe to police. Anjan Umma, the parliamentarian from the main left party JVP, or the People's Liberation Front, was reported missing by her husband Tuan Dulapandan. (China View). Fr. Flavian Wilathgamuwa true patriot and great educator - President Sri Lanka has lost a true patriot and great educator who fought fearlessly to protect the good image of the country, and brought patriotism into teaching, says President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a message of condolence at the passing away of Rev. Fr. Flavian Wilathgamuwa, a former Director of St. Benedict’s College, Kotahena. The President recalled that: “Once when he was accused by the enemies of the country that he was more loyal to the leaders of Sri Lanka than the Catholic Church, he famously said, “I am a true patriot of Sri Lanka. There is no conflict between loyalty to my country and the loyalty to my church.” (Daily News). Dozens killed in Sri Lanka clashes At least 26 Tamil Tiger fighters and three government soldiers are reported to have been killed in clashes across Sri Lanka's northern regions. The Sri Lankan defence ministry said on Friday that the clashes took place on Thursday in the Vavuniya, Mannar and Jaffna regions bordering the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam (LTTE) de facto state in the north. (Aljazeera). Sri Lanka asks Lanka IOC to sell diesel at loss Sri Lanka's government has told Indian Oil Corp's (IOC.BO: Quote, Profile, Research) local arm to cut its diesel prices to bring them into line with those of state-owned Ceylon Petroleum Corp (CPC), a state official said on Friday. Lanka IOC LIOC.CM sells its diesel at 130 rupees ($1.2) a litre, 20 rupees more than CPC, but this has pushed up losses at CPC by 400 million rupees a month as drivers have flocked to its cheaper pumps, increasing its sales by 20 million litres (REUTERS). Father Flavian Wilathgamuwa; “An icon of courage” Declares “The Sri Lankan Patriots” By Lasantha Bogoda
A spokesman for the SLP mentioned that the Reverend Father’s commitment to church and to his motherland, Sri Lanka, was very honorable. “He gave his maximum to both and continued his good work to the end. ‘We the members of SLP consider it a great opportunity to have honored him with our utmost; the Patriotic award” at the Sri Lankan Independence celebration of 2007 organized by SLP. Fire kills five Sri Lankans in Qatar Five Sri Lankans have died in a fire that accidently triggered in the house they were living in Doha, Qatar. Chrishantha Herath, the Labour Officer of the Sri Lankan Embassy in Qatar confirmed the deaths. (BBC Sinhala). Sri Lanka kills a Tamil Tiger intelligence leader Sri Lankan troops killed the Tamil Tigers' intelligence chief for the country's Eastern Province, the Defense Ministry said. The soldiers gunned down the intelligence leader, identified by the military only as Soundarajan, during a ``cordon and search operation'' against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam today in the Trincomalee region, according to a statement on the ministry's Web site. His predecessor, Arichchellwam, was killed by troops in January, the military said. (Bloomberg). Lanka ready to revive talks with LTTE In an apparent softening of its stand, Sri Lanka has offered to hold talks with the LTTE after a two-year gap, saying the outfit does represent a "fair amount" of Tamils but ruled out immediate revival of the ceasefire scrapped in January. "The President has already announced that he is ready to talk (with the LTTE)," Basil Rajapaksa, the powerful Special Advisor to the President Mahinda Rajapaksa, said. (PTI). UNP calls for abolishing presidency The main opposition in Sri Lanka says the executive presidency should be abolished if the country to resolve many burning issues. United National Party (UNP) parliamentarian Dayasiri Jayasekara told BBC Sandeshaya that Sri Lanka urgently needs major reforms in presidency and the electoral system. (BBC Sinhala). Malaysia to probe link to Sri Lanka bomb plot Malaysia will help Sri Lanka track down a suspect believed to be involved in a Tamil Tiger bomb plot in Colombo, a report said Wednesday. Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar, who oversees internal security, said authorities would investigate a report about the arrest of six members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE) this week. (AFP/Yahoo News). Don't bring your wars to Canada Many immigrants come to Canada carrying with them the political baggage of their homeland. The more active ones tend to drift towards Canadian-based organizations that strive to help their countrymen and their causes. (SouthAsian Post/Editorial). Bernard Goonetilleke tells US TV asking 30 % land for 6% people not acceptable By Walter Jayawardhana
Ambassador Goonetilleke said, “Sri Lankan Tamils,” earlier known as “Ceylon Tamils,” today comprises less than 12% of the population……. more than 50% of this less than 12% Tamil population lives outside the North and the East. Then, you are talking about less than 6% of the population demanding 30% of the landmass, while ½ of that population would be elsewhere in the country….” Italy holds 'Tamil Tiger' members More than 30 suspected members of Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebel group have been arrested in Italy in a series of raids across the country, police say. They say all of them are Sri Lankan citizens suspected of extorting funds for the Tigers, who are banned as a terrorist group by the European Union. (BBC). Military says 31 killed in Sri Lanka violence Scattered fighting across Sri Lanka's restive north killed 25 Tamil Tiger rebels and six soldiers, the military said Wednesday. The latest clashes broke out Tuesday along the Jaffna, Vavuniya, Mannar and Welioya fronts, where government troops have been trying for the past months to break into the well-guarded rebel territory, the military said in a statement. (AP). Sri Lankan gun battles kill 25 rebels, 7 soldiers Twenty-five Tamil rebels and seven soldiers were killed during gun battles in Sri Lanka's Northern Province, the government said. Sri Lankan soldiers and members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam clashed in the regions of Mannar, Jaffna, Vavuniya and Welioya yesterday and early today, the Media Centre for National Security said in a statement on its Web site. Six soldiers and four rebels were injured in the battle, it said. (Bloomberg). Umbrellas to raise money for terror in Sri lanka By Walter Jayawardhana
The British Tamil Forum (BTF) members were seen promoting the multi-coloured umbrella at a recent rally against Sri Lanka. Moustachioed Tamil men were seen holding them, even though there was no rain, at the recent LTTE rally during the Commonwealth Mini Summit in London. Eastern election challenged in court Sri Lanka's Eastern Provincial Council election held on May 10 has been challenged in court for the second time in a row, officials said Tuesday. The Appeal Court last week decided to take up the hearing of a petition filed by the main opposition United National Party, challenging the legality of the election. (China View). Sri Lanka rebels reject laying down arms for talks Sri Lanka's Tamil rebels have rejected a request to lay down or decommission their weapons before peace talks, saying they can still win the war against government forces. In the worst fighting Monday, soldiers killed six rebels in the Mannar region bordering the rebels' de facto state, a Defense Ministry official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media. (REUTERS). Fighting kills 15 combatants Battles across Sri Lanka's volatile north killed 14 ethnic Tamil rebels and one government soldier, the military said Tuesday. In the worst fighting Monday, soldiers killed six rebels in the Mannar region bordering the rebels' de facto state, a Defense Ministry official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media. (AP). Lawyers protest 'language issue' Members of a lawyers association launched a strong protest against the decision to hold the final Law examinations at Colombo Law College in English language. The decision to hold examinations in English medium was taken by the Legal Education Council (LEC) headed by the Chief Justice, Sarath. N Silva. (BBC Sinhala) Four Tamil Gang members are sentenced in London By Walter Jayawardhana
The police said gangs of violent Sri Lankan Tamil men in South London area, where illegal fund raising activities of the liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) are quite rampant are "constantly tooled up" and "ready to go", for such crimes . Canada adds Tamil group to terror organization list Canada has added the World Tamil Movement to its list of terrorist groups, the federal public safety minister announced Monday. The organization is accused of facilitating or participating in a terrorist activity. Government officials say the group is a front organization for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Canada, otherwise known as the Tamil Tigers (CTV.CA). Sri Lanka allays concern over security for SAARC Summit Sri Lanka today sought to allay concerns over security for the upcoming SAARC Summit in the wake of upsurge in violence, saying "isolated" incidents will not be allowed to cast their shadow on the event in Colombo and it will ensure a smooth show. Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, who met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee here to invite them for the Summit, asserted that hosting of foreign dignitaries and big events was not unusual for Sri Lanka in the face of violence. (PTI). Suicide bomber kills at least a dozen police officers in Sri Lanka A suicide bomber on a motorbike blew himself up Monday outside a police complex in a town near the front lines of the civil war in Sri Lanka, killing 12 police officers and wounding 23 other people. The blast on a crowded street in Vavuniya, 210 kilometers, or 130 miles, north of the capital, Colombo, was the latest in a string of recent suicide attacks that have been blamed on the Tamil Tiger rebels. (Int.Herald Tribune). Police rule out foul play in Sri Lankan’s death Police have ruled out any foul play in the death of a Sri Lankan man whose partially charred body was found in his apartment in the southern city of Abha last month. Mohamed Imtisam Shamsudeen, 28, assistant manager of Home Center in Abha, was found dead on May 9. His family in Sri Lanka had alleged foul play and said he had experienced difficulties with colleagues prior to his death. (Arab News).  Norway to continue promoting peace in Sri Lanka The Norwegian government said on Sunday that its policy towards Sri Lanka remains unchanged and it will continue promoting the peace in Sri Lanka, according to reports reaching here from Oslo. "The policies guiding our engagement with Sri Lanka remain firm and will not change," Deputy Foreign Minister of Norway Raymond Johansen said in a statement. (China View). Two Sri Lanka provinces to go to polls in August Amid the raging war in the North, Sri Lanka will hold elections for the Sabaragamuwa and North Central Provinces in August. The Election Commission, late on Saturday, set the process in motion with the announcement that nominations will be accepted between June 27 and July 4. (The Hindu). Sri Lanka says 17 dead as troops take rebel territory Troops have wrested control of a key stretch of territory held by Tamil Tiger rebels in northern Sri Lanka after heavy clashes that killed 15 guerrillas and two soldiers, the defence ministry said. Security forces captured the area near the Periyamadu irrigation tank - the key source of water for residents of the rural farming area - following clashes on Saturday (local time) in the district of Mannar, the ministry said. (ABC news). Disarm TMVP - EPC minister A minister in the recently established Eastern Provincial Council (EPC) has urged the aurhorities to disarm Chief Minister’s paramilitary group. Minister Uduman Lebbe, a member of the ruling coalition in the ECP, told BBC Sandeshaya that the Tamil Makkal Vidutalai Puligal (TMVP), known as Pillayan group, should lay down arms. (BBC Sinhala). Sri Lankan FM arrives in India Sunday on two-day visit Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama will undertake a two-day visit to India beginning Sunday during which the current violence in the island nation would be discussed. Bogollagama will hold talks with External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here Monday during which the current situation in Sri Lanka will be discussed, a source in the Indian External Affairs Ministry told reporters here Saturday. (Khabrein Info). President in a messages says Father Flavian was a true patriot By Walter Jayawardhana
In a message issued in London he said, “With the passing away of Reverend Father Dr. Flavian Wilathgamuwa CMF in Duarte California, Sri Lanka has lost a true patriot who has fought fearlessly to protect the good image of the country against separatist vicious propaganda. Sri Lankan Educator and Patriot Father Flavian Wilathgamuwa Dies By Walter Jayawardhana
“He passed away at 1 a.m. June 11 in the hospital adjacent to St. Therasita Home Care and Convalescent Center where he lived for the last many years,” said long time friend and caretaker Vicky Lopez speaking from Carson, California. World divided over Lanka rights Newly appointed secretary to the ministry of Human Rights Rajiva Wijesinghe urged outside organisations and foreign nations to stop ‘finger wagging’ against the government of Sri Lanka over human rights violations. The Secretary was the leader of the government delegation at the final hearing of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the United Nations in Geneva. (BBC Sinhala). President Rajapaksa's interview in the London Times By Richard Beeston, Britain stands accused of applying double standards to its counter-terrorism policy because a banned Tamil militant group is being allowed to raise money among expatriates in London. President Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka said that supporters of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) were able to raise millions of pounds each year from the Tamil community in Britain, some of whom were coerced into donating the money. (The Times,London) Sri Lanka to probe policemen massacre The Sri Lanka government said Friday it will launch a probe into a massacre of some 400 policemen by the rebel Tamil Tigers 18 years ago. The National Security Media Center said in a statement that a probe would soon commence on the massacre of 401 policemen in the Eastern Province on June 11, 1990. (China View). Fighting in Sri Lanka kills 11 rebels, 4 soldiers A wave of battles broke out between government forces and Tamil Tiger separatists in Sri Lanka's north and east, killing 11 rebels and four soldiers, the military said Friday. Fighting erupted Friday in northern Vavuniya district when insurgents fired at a group of soldiers, killing two of them, the military said in a statement. (AP). Lankan Foreign Minister to visit India from Sunday The situation in Sri Lanka, which has been witnessing a spurt in violence recently, will come up for discussion here next week when Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama undertakes a visit here. The Indian side is expected to convey its worry over the situation in the island nation when Bogollagama holds talks with External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and meets Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday. (The Hindu). Sri Lanka's former rebel group holds up panel for political solution The Sri Lankan government said Friday that an all political party representatives' panel is delaying its proceedings until a minority Tamil ex-militant group named its representatives to the panel. Tissa Vitharana, the Minister of Science and Technology who heads the All Party Representatives' Committee (APRC) said that the panel had delayed its deliberations until the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP) named its representatives to the APRC. (China View). Sri Lanka gov't donates 1,000 tents to China's quake-hit areas Assistant Foreign Minister He Yafei, on behalf of the Chinese Government, received a shipment here on Friday of 1,000 tents from Sri Lanka, according to the Foreign Ministry. This was the second shipment of quake relief aid from Sri Lanka. (China View). Sri Lankan army says poised to capture Tiger leader Sri Lanka's military is poised to capture the leader of the Tamil Tigers and is surging towards his jungle hideout, the defence ministry said Thursday. Government forces were just 21 kilometres (13 miles) away from achieving their "final goal" of capturing rebel leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, the ministry said, quoting army chief Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka. (AFP). Sri Lanka says peace brokers can't visit rebel north Sri Lanka has refused requests by Norwegian peace mediators to visit rebel territory, and said fresh peace talks hinged on Tamil Tiger guarantees to lay down arms and stick to a negotiation timetable. Nordic ceasefire monitors quit the country this year after the six-year Norway brokered truce disintegrated. (REUTERS). Fighting kills 15 Government forces destroyed two Tamil Tiger rebel bunkers in Sri Lanka's embattled north while infantry clashes killed 13 rebels and two soldiers, the military said Thursday. The latest round of infantry clashes broke out Wednesday along the front lines bordering the rebels' de facto state, the Defense Ministry said in a statement. (AP). No role for India in Sri Lanka for now, says LTTE India cannot make "any healthy, fruitful contribution" to resolving Sri Lanka's ethnic conflict until it changes its mind on the Tamil Tigers' struggle for an independent state, a rebel leader has said. "Our regret is that the Indian policy makers are viewing (the) Tamil people's struggle through the lens of their country's political warfare," KV Balakumaran, a senior member of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), told an Australian Tamil radio. (Hindutan Times). Sri Lanka 'concerned' over UN statement on attacks Sri Lanka Wednesday 'called in' the acting UN resident coordinator here to the Foreign Office and 'expressed serious concerns' over a recent statement of UN Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs Sir John Holmes on a series of bomb attacks targeting civilians, blamed on Tamil Tiger rebels. A statement from the foreign ministry said that Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona during his interaction with Amin Awad, the acting UN resident coordinator, expressed Sri Lanka's concern for not identifying perpetrators for the bomb attack on civilians. (IANS/Yahoo News). EU warns of aid package The European Commission has expressed serious concerns over Sri Lanka's human rights record. A senior official - Joao Aguiar Machado - said the EU might withhold an aid package worth a hundred million dollars if the situation did not improve. (BBC Sinhala). “Sri Lanka Rana Viru Day” commemorated in Los Angeles By Lasantha Bogoda
A large crowd gathered at the temple to participate in the event. The participants lined themselves holding a lighted lamp in their hands and stood solemnly listening to the speeches and observing ritual Buddhist ceremonies. Sri Lanka giving India a run for it's money says Business Journal By Walter Jayawardhana Sri Lanka together with Kenya is giving India “a run for its money in tea export market “ said Bombay’s Business Standard newspaper. “While China might have overtaken India as the largest tea producer couple of years ago, it is now Sri Lanka and Kenya that seem to be giving India a run for its money in tea export market,” the financial journal reported in a story datelined Ahamedabad by its own reporter. Malloch Brown expresses sympathy to Mahinda Rajapaksa By Walter Jayawardhana The British Minister of State and Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with special responsibility for Asia, Lord Malloch Brown told President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Dorchester Hotel in London that they “feel huge sympathy for President Rajapaksa, people of Sri Lanka and the victims of terrorist bombs in the island nation.” “We wish that this type of violence would end soon,” he said. Tamil Tigers attack Sri Lanka navy post, kill 10 Tamil Tiger rebels overran a navy outpost in north-western Sri Lanka Wednesday, killing at least 10 sailors and losing four of their own, the guerrillas said. The rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) said they seized heavy weapons and radar equipment after hitting the Irukkulampiddi naval detachment in a pre-dawn commando-style raid. (AFP). UN should work with elected governments and not with NGO's says Rajapaksa By Walter Jayawardhana
The Sri Lanka President has reportedly made this remark during the executive sessions of the Commonwealth Mini Summit held in Malborough House in London. Hundreds converge in London to protest against LTTE By Walter Jayawardhana
Assembled in front of the meeting hall members of nearly ten organizations were waving noisy slogans , waving colourful lion flags, and holding placards greeting the Presidents anti-terrorist activities. Sri Lanka fighting kills another 20 Fighting across Sri Lanka's embattled northern region left at least 18 Tamil Tigers and two soldiers dead, the defence ministry said Tuesday. Monday's fighting in the regions of Mannar and Vavuniya also wounded 10 Tiger rebels and 18 government troopers, the ministry sa (AFP/Yahoo News). Rebel group claims bombing responsibility A little known Sri Lankan rebel group claimed responsibility on Tuesday for recent bomb attacks on transport vehicles . "We want to claim that we are responsible for the bomb attacks on the transport vehicles and other attacks," Ellalan Force, which the military says is a Tiger-linked group, said in an e-mail to Reuters. (REUTERS). Sri Lankan Minister claims LTTE open to talks India should play the role of a mediator to end the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan Minister for Community Development and Social Inequity Eradication P. Chandrasekaran has said. Claiming to be on a mission to meet political leaders in Tamil Nadu and New Delhi to create an atmosphere conducive for Indian intervention, Mr. Chandrasekaran said he had received positive signals from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to indicate that it would be open to talks. (The Hindu). Tamil Tigers warn Sri Lanka against new offensive The Sri Lankan army will face heavy losses if it launches an offensive into rebel territory to capture the Tamil Tigers northern stronghold, a rebel leader said on Tuesday "Sri Lanka armed forces are losing a lot of soldiers ... many more will come if they inched into the LTTE territory," S. Puleedeven, Secretary General of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam's Peace Secretariat, told Reuters in an interview. (REUTERS). Rajapaksa gets a rousing welcome at 10, Downing Street London By Walter Jayawardhana
The Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived at the official residence of the British Prime Minister accompanied by his Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama. President Rajapaksa Meets British Opposition Leader By Walter Jayawardhana
Sri Lanka’s terrorist menace and the country’s developmental activities in the Eastern Province after democracy has been re-introduced in to the area and Sri Lanka’s trade relations with the European Union were among issues of bilateral interests believed to have been discussed at the meeting. UN condemns Polgolla and Katubedda bus attacks By Walter Jayawardhana The Katubedde and Polgolla bus attacks blamed on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) are against all standards of international humanitarian law and all principles on which the United Nations is based, said the UN office for the coordination of Humanitarian Affairs(OCHA). "The targeting of non-combatants is a contravention of international humanitarian law, for which those responsible must be held accountable," OCHA’s news service IRIN quoting a UN official said. Heavy Sri Lanka weekend clashes At least seven Sri Lankan soldiers have been killed in fighting with Tamil Tiger rebels in the north of the island on Sunday, military officials say. The government said that 17 Tigers were killed in the fighting, which took place in the northern Welioya area. (BBC). Attacks on JVP condemned Media watchdogs and left-wing parties in Sri Lanka have strongly condemned continuous attacks on Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Protests organised by the JVP in Arachchikattuwa, Chilaw, against the increasing cost of living have come under attack on Sunday and Monday. (BBC Sinhala). Nation wide anti-mosquito drive in flood-hit Fearing a widespread malaria and chikungunya epidemic following the devastating floods that left over 3.5 lakh people homeless, Sri Lankan government will launch a nation-wide drive to clear mosquito breeding grounds. Sri Lanka has a vast stretch of green cover enhancing possibility of mosquito breeding in marshy and water clogged areas all over country. (PTI). 70000 Fishermen 'loose livelihood' The Sri Lankan government says that fishermen’s difficulties will continue till the war continues. The problems faced by the fishermen in the north will go on till the war in the country continues says Minister for Social Development and Member Douglas Devananda. (BBC Sinhala). Stop parties and help soldiers, mahathera tells Londoners By Walter Jayawardhana
“Our mother- Sri Lanka gave us free education , like no other country in the world that helped everyone living in the West more affluent than our own brothers and sisters back at home. Please remember we owe much to Sri Lanka , especially the soldiers who lay their lives to protect the country at this hour of crisis ,” Piyadassi Mahathera said addressing a large crowd assembled to commemorate the Ranaviru Day at the Saddhathissa Buddhist Centre in Kingsbury London. Military jets bomb meeting place of rebel leaders Sri Lankan military jets bombed a meeting place of Tamil Tiger leaders in the northern region as the South Asian nation's president urged the people to support the government's offensive against the rebels The bombing took place 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) northeast of Puthukkudiyiruppu yesterday and the location was a ``command centre'' of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, the Media Centre for National Security said in a statement posted on its Web site. ``A meeting of the LTTE leaders was taking place at the command centre at the time of attack,'' it said. The damage hasn't been ascertained. (Bloomberg). Weapons not enough to fight militancy in Sri Lanka, says President Acknowledging the contribution of Sri Lanka's armed forces in fighting "international terrorism", President Mahinda Rajapaksa has said giving democratic rights to the Tamils in LTTE strongholds was vital for ending militancy in the region. "Our War Heroes are fighting with sacrifice of their lives to mark a full stop in Sri Lanka to international terrorism," Rajapaksa said, adding it was not possible to win a war with weapons alone. (The Hindu). Gunbattles kill 17 Tamil rebels in north of country Government forces and separatist Tamil Tiger rebels fought a series of gunbattles that killed 17 rebels in Sri Lanka's volatile north, the military said Sunday. In the latest fighting, army troops launched an attack on insurgents along the front lines in the northern area of Welioya on Sunday morning and killed three guerillas, a defense ministry official said. There were no casualties among the government soldiers, he said, speaking on condition of anonymity due to government regulations. (Int.Herald Tribune). Sri Lankan War Heroes are fighters against International terrorism, says President By Walter Jayawardhana The Sri Lankan war heroes who are fighting to safeguard a parliamentary democracy from Fascist agents of terror will be also remembered as heroes fighting to put a stop to international terrorism said President Mahinda Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka. Celebrating the national War Heroes Day near the parliamentary complex in the historic Jayawardhanapura near Colombo, June 7, the President said, “. The importance of having this memorial near the legislature is understood when one realizes the service of our War Heroes to safeguard justice and fair play in a country that was about to be subjugated by terrorism and the law of the jungle, in place of democracy. Now, the representatives of the people will also have the opportunity to pay their respects to the heroes who are protecting democracy before they enter the shrine of democracy.” Cairn Energy PLC stocks jump in London and Bombay By Walter Jayawardhana After being picked over by Sri Lanka to grant a license over two other Indian Companies to explore offshore oil in Sri Lanka’s North Western Mannar basin India’s Cairn Energ PLC surged 8.45 per cent to Rs 286.25 , Indian Stock Market reports indicate. Since the announcement the Company’s London mother company , Cairn Energy PLC has also had its biggest gain in the stock market in months, the Bloomberg Financial Information Services reported. Sri Lanka detains over 50 a day after twin bus bombs Sri Lankan police detained more than 50 people for questioning following twin bomb attacks blamed on Tamil Tiger rebels that killed 23 civilians, the defence ministry said on Saturday. The suspects were rounded up near the town of Moratuwa, south of Colombo, where a crowded passenger bus hit a roadside mine during morning rush-hour on Friday, killing 21 civilians, military spokesman Udaya Nanayakkara said. (AFP). Thirteen Sri Lanka rebels killed Security forces in Sri Lanka killed at least 13 guerrillas in separate attacks in the north and bombed a rebel base, the military said Saturday. Air force fighter jets pounded a rebel base in Pooneryn late on Friday, hours after the guerrillas set off bombs in the southern suburb of Colombo and central district of Kandy, the defence ministry said. (AFP). JVP to take legal action against India being given land in Sampur The JVP has decided to take legal action against the government’s decision to give a large extent of land in Sampur to India said a spokesman for the party. The spokesman said the government is preparing to hand over thousands of acres of land to India while thousands of Tamil and Muslim people who lived in Sampur and displaced by war are suffering in refugee camps in Trincomalee and elsewhere. (LankaTruth). Sri Lanka issues media guidelines Amid growing concern in the media over what is perceived as high-handedness of the Defence Ministry towards journalists critical of the current war in the nation, the Sri Lanka Defence Ministry has formulated new guidelines for the media. The guidelines, in the form a lengthy advisory posted on the ministry’s website, come amid heated exchanges between the media and the Defence Ministry over the recent move by the Defence Secretary to summon representatives of the government-controlled media house to discuss matters related to coverage of defence matters. (The Hindu). President Rajapaksa says the blast aginst civilians shows true nature of LTTE By Walter Jayawardhana
“The continued targeting of innocent civilians by the LTTE must earn the outrage and opprobrium of all civilized societies, who can now see the reality of the LTTE’s unvarying commitment to violence and terror to achieve its narrow objectives” the president said. Explosion in Pollgolla: 2 dead, 12 injured An explosion occurred near the Youth Centre in Polgolla, Kandy a short while ago (June 6). It is reported that 2 people have died and 12 other injured as a result. This is the second explosion to occur today; 21 people were killed in a claymore explosion that targetted a bus earlier in the day in Katubedde, near the Moratuwa University. Both incidents carry the signature of the LTTE, an internationally condemned, ruthless terrorist outfit. (GofSL News). Sri Lanka bus blasts kill at least 23 Bombs ripped through two buses in separate attacks in Sri Lanka on Friday, including an attack during morning rush-hour traffic near the capital that killed 21 people and wounded 47, officials said. The second bombing occurred in central Sri Lanka's Kandy district within hours of the first attack and killed at least two people and wounded at least 20, said military spokesman Brig. Udaya Nanayakkara. (AP). Cairns shares jump in London after Sri Lanka license By Walter Jayawardhana Since winning a license to explore oil in Sri Lanka’s off shore Mannar basin by its Indian subsidiary , the Company’s London mother company , Cairn Energy PLC in the United Kingdom has had its biggest gain in the stock market in months, the Bloomberg Financial Information Services reported The financial information service said, “the U.K. explorer operating in India, Tunisia and Albania, had its biggest gain in a month in London trading after being awarded a license to explore for oil off the coast of Sri Lanka.” Sri Lankan opposition leader obstructed from attending parliament Sri Lanka's main opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe told parliament here Thursday that he was obstructed from attending parliament by a noisy demonstration Wickremesinghe made the announcement as the island's parliament resumed its sittings Thursday after its recess since early May. (China View). Sri Lanka vows secure SAARC Summit despite increasing Tamil Tiger attacks The 15th summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is scheduled to be held in less than two months, in the Sri Lankan capital. The government there is reassuring member countries it can provide adequate security for the attending heads of government, despite increasing attacks by the Tamil Tigers in and around Colombo. (VOA). Protesters call Ranil 'The Traitor' Government supporters protested near the Parliamant on Thursday against Opposition Leader, Ranil Wickremasinghe. A large number of supporters of the government participated in the protest calling Wickremasinghe "a traitor". (BBC Sinhala). New fighting kills 35 rebels, 1 soldier in embattled north A wave of new fighting between government forces and Tamil Tiger rebels across the Sri Lanka's war-ravaged northern region killed 35 guerrillas and one soldier, the military said Thursday. Military spokesman Brig. Udaya Nanayakkara said the latest battles took place Wednesday in the Vavuniya, Mannar, Welioya and Jaffna areas bordering the rebels' de facto state in the north. (Int.Herald Tribune). 15 killed in Lanka clashes, LTTE base under attack At least 13 Tamil Tigers and two soldiers were killed in fierce clashes in Sri Lanka's embattled northern region as air force jets pounded LTTE strongholds providing support to the ground forces, officials said today. According to the Air Force, MI 24 helicopter gunships attacked a rebel bunker line in Periyamadu area in Vavuniya this morning to provide support for ground troops to move ahead. (PTI). Gotabhaya the traitor : Ranil The leader of the opposition in Sri Lanka has described the powerful Defence Secretary as a traitor for leaving the country as war against the LTTE intensified. Ranil Wickramasinghe said Gotabhaya Rajapaksa left Sri Lanka Army (SLA) to live in the United States while the SLA engaged with the LTTE in the north and the east. (BBC Sinhala). Sri Lanka's defence ministry lashes out at war reporting Sri Lanka's defence ministry has launched scathing attacks against journalists critical of its war against Tamil rebels, labelling them "cowboy defence analysts" and "enemies of the state. In two commentaries published on its website, the ministry also railed against what it said was "crap" being written about its escalating effort to eject the Tamil Tigers from the island's north. (AFP/Yahoo News). Heavy toll in Sri Lanka violence, floods Flooding and fighting took a heavy toll in Sri Lanka where the military and Tamil rebels have been battling for months in the rebel areas in the north. In the latest round of fighting during the weekend and Monday, at least 19 Tamils rebels and one soldier died in various clashes, the Press Trust of India reported, quoting Sri Lankan officials. (UPI). Sri Lankan Air Force pounds rebel targets The military in Sri Lanka said the Air Force bombed three targets of Tamil Tiger rebels in the north on Wednesday, hours after 17 civilians were injured in an explosion in the capital Colombo. Officials from the Media Center for National Security said the first air strike was carried out around 11:40 a.m. (0610 GMT) on a Sea Tiger base located one km southeast of Nayaru lagoon in the Mullaitivu district. (China View). Sri Lanka commuters hit by bomb At least 18 people were injured when a packed commuter train in the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo, was hit by a bomb, the military says. The bomb exploded seconds after the last carriage of the train had passed by, according to the army website. (BBC). Wall Street journal Advocates Military Solution for Sri Lanka By Walter Jayawardhana
Written by Bret Stephens the powerful editorial board member of the paper who was also the former Editor in Chief of the Jerusalem Post, the editorial said, “In Sri Lanka , a military offensive by the government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa has wrested control of seven of the nine districts previously held by the rebel group LTTE, better known as the Tamil Tigers. Mr. Rajapaksa now promises victory by the end of the year, even as the Tigers continue to launch high-profile terrorist attacks.” Rajapaksha sees terrorism also a factor for food crisis By Walter Jayawardhana
He said, in Sri Lanka, “Much arable land has been neglected due to land mines being laid by terrorists over two decades.” Sri Lankan response to the report of Philip Alston The Eighth Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council is currently being held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. During the Interactive dialogue held today on the reports of the UN Special Rapporteurs, Sri Lanka responded to the report of Mr. Philip Alston, Special Rapporteur on Extra-Judicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions. Given below is the statement made on this occasion by Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha, Secretary-General of the Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace process (Lankamission.org). Elephants caught in Sri Lanka war "Gunshot wound, this is a gunshot wound, and this one, there are so many gunshot wounds," said Sri Lankan government vet, Doctor Chandana Jayasinghe. He was standing next to the huge, slumbering bull elephant in a clearing in the jungle, hypodermic syringe in hand. (BBC). Floods kill 17 in Sri Lanka The death toll from a week of torrential rain across Sri Lanka has risen to 17 and more than 253,000 people have been driven from their homes, the island's disaster management centre said Tuesday Heavy monsoon downpours have disrupted life in several districts but Kalutara on the south coast is worst affected with 11 deaths and more than 100,000 people displaced by floods. (AFP). 'Horn protest' against CoL The main opposition in Sri Lanka has accused President Rajapaksa of having ‘regular parties’ despite the ever increasing cost of living. Traffic in the capital, Colombo, was brought to a halt for few minutes as a result of protest organised by the United National Party (UNP) and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (M) (BBC Sinhala). Sri Lanka seeks aid for thousands of flood survivors Sri Lankan authorities appealed for canned food, drinking water and clothes on Tuesday for thousands of people forced from their homes because of flash floods in the west and south of the country. At least 18 people have been killed in the floods triggered by torrential rains and 225,780 people have been affected, many sheltered in schools and temples. (REUTERS). US agrees to expand trade and investments with Sri Lanka By Walter Jayawardhana The meeting between Sri Lanka and United States at the sixth US-Sri Lanka Trade and investment Framework Agreement Council meeting held in Washington deepened both countries’ commitment to expand bilateral trade and investment said John K. Veroneau. The US delegation was led by Deputy US Trade Representative John K. Veroneau. Gamini Lakshman (G.L.) Peiris, Minister for Export Development and International Trade, led the Sri Lankan delegation. Japan may export rice to Sri Lanka: official Japan is mulling a request from Sri Lanka to export up to 200,000 tonnes of its imported rice supplies to help Colombo ease acute food shortages, a Japanese foreign ministry official said Monday. "We are considering their request," said the official, who declined to be named. (AFP). In the latest rift in the LTTE Pottu Amman arrests Pulidevan By Walter Jayawardhana Seevaratnam Pulidevan , the Director of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Peace Secretariat has been arrested by the outfit’s intelligence service headed by the most feared Pottu Amman, the London based Tamil Broadcasting Corporation (TBC) revealed. “It is well confirmed and Pulidevan is suspected of leaking information to the government,” the TBC head Veeriah Ramraj said. UPDATED 4 Mother of children murdered in London sent to a Psychiatist hospital By Walter Jayawardhana Mother of two Sri Lankan Tamil children who were killed is scheduled to be sent to a secure mental health facility police sources said. “She was detained under the Mental Health Act during the night of June 1,”apolice spokesman added. Mahinda attending FAO summit Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa is in Rome to attend the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) summit which begins Tuesday 3rd June. The President arrived at the Leonardo Da Vinci International Airport on Monday with Minister Maithripala Sirisena, Minister CB Rathnayake and Secreatry to the President Lalith Weeratunga. (BBC Sinhala) Sri Lankans injured in Dhaka explosions At least 30 people have been injured in a series of explosions at a multi-storey hotel in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, police said. The blasts at the Orchard Plaza hotel in the city's Nayapaltal area set two upper floors on fire, they said. (BBC) Sri Lanka flash floods kill 9, displace thousands Floods triggered by torrential rain have killed at least nine and forced thousands of people from their homes in Sri Lanka, with some taking shelter in schools and temples, officials said on Monday Flooding, often fueled by monsoon rains, and ensuing mass displacement are common in Sri Lanka. (REUTERS). UPDATED 3 Mother detained under Mental Health Act by the police By Walter Jayawardhana
The 35 year old woman from Chunnakam in Jaffna District in Sri Lanka ,Sasikala Navaneethan was also treated for suspected self-inflicted minor injuries while her six month old baby daughter, remained in a South London Hospital after having undergone emergency surgery. Family hopes for Tamil's release from Lankan jail Nagamuthu Thangavel was 42 when he boarded a flight for Colombo from Chennai. A car driver who was the sole breadwinner of his family, Thangavel was offered a lucrative job overseas by a group of Sri Lankan Tamils who were his neighbours. "Three Sri Lankans residing near our house noticed our pathetic condition and offered to help us by getting my father a driver's job in Sri Lanka," (Times of India) UPDATED 2 Father released and mother in custody in London's double murder By Walter Jayawardhana
He has been also bailed out on a different matter and the police refused to comment on it. Death of Selvi-Another body blow to the LTTE military machine By Walter Jayawardhana The sudden death of the LTTE woman military leader whom they call Lt. Col. Selvi came as another body blow in weakening the already tottering military machine of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, immediately after the demise of “Brigadier Balraj” , military analysts said. Sri Lankan Tamil sources said the woman leader was so, important to the Tamil Tiger outfit , the usually elusive Madhivadini, the wife of LTTE Supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran was officially representing her husband at the funeral despite their security concerns for the first family of the Tigers. UPDATED Sri Lanka Tamil couple arrested for murder of children in London By Walter Jayawardhana A young Sri lankan Tamil couple were arrested by the New Scotland yard police for the suspected murder of their five year old boy , four year old girl and grievous hurt of a six month old baby girl , by cutting their throats the police said. “The matter is being investigated by our child abuse unit and not by the terrorist unit right at the moment,” a spokesman for the New Scotland Yard said. 17,000 detonators thought stolen by the LTTE By Walter Jayawardhana The Police in Tamil Nadu has confirmed that the 17,000 detonators missing from a Trichy Warehouse would have been stolen by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The LTTE also known as Tamil Tigers is facing the brunt of an offensive of the armed forces of Sri lanka and is allegedly increased its offenses against civilians in the South of the country. Two dead and nine injured in a grenade attack in Wellwatte By Walter Jayawardhana Two civilians were killed and nine others were grievously injured when suspected Tamil Tigers exploded a grenade at a crowded bus halt at Wellawatte on the busy Galle Road , Saturday night , Police said. Police said the hand grenade explosion occurred at 8 p.m. at the bus halt in front of the Arpico Show Rooms at Wellawatte. Sri Lanka soldiers capture rebel base Government troops have captured a Tamil Tiger rebel base in northern Sri Lanka after three days of fighting that killed seven rebels and one soldier, the military said Friday. Army troops captured the stronghold known as Munnagam Base on Thursday, said military spokesman Brig. Udaya Nanayakkara. He said the base, located four miles north of the front lines in Welioya region, had been used by the guerrillas as an operational center. (AP) Sri Lanka warns Western sanctions can stoke ethnic conflict Sri Lanka called on Western powers Thursday to be wary of imposing sanctions for its alleged human rights violations, warning that the action could worsen the island's long-running ethnic conflict. The United States and the European Union have withheld various aid programs and are debating whether to withdraw special trade benefits from Sri Lanka amid concerns the human rights situation has deteriorated since the government pulled out of a Norwegian-brokered truce with the Tamil Tigers in January. (AFP/Yahoo News) Sri Lanka sees cushion from India, diversification Sri Lanka's closer trade ties with neighbor India and value-added products like truck tires and flavored tea drinks should help it weather a global slowdown, Colombo's trade minister said on Wednesday. Minister of Export Development and International Trade G.L. Peiris said a "double-whammy in terms of food prices and oil prices" had hit the Indian Ocean island country, which is looking for ways to make up for shortages. (REUTERS) Canadian Liberal Party's Unholy Alliance with Tamil Tigers By Walter Jayawardhana Hardly a day passes these days in the Canadian press reminding the people of Liberal Party’s unholy alliance with the supporters of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. David Astor, replying to an alleged security scandal brought against the Canadian government by the country’s Liberal Party said that this was the same party who mollycoddled , Tamil Tigers who are “one of the most ruthless terrorist organizations in the world.”. 'LTTE shells' killed six civilians" - police Artillery shells fired by the LTTE killed at least six civilians and injured another 20 in Jaffna, says Jaffna police. Police said during the fighting between the LTTE and the Security Forces early morning Thrusday artillery shells fell into the villages of Pasiur, Kolombuthurai and Gurunagar. (BBC Sinhala) Two rebel boats destroyed in S.Lanka killing 5 Sri Lanka's military sank two Tamil Tiger boats killing at least five rebels before dawn on Thursday, and rebel artillery fire killed four civilians, the military said. The sea operation took place off the northern tip of Jaffna and came amid daily land, sea and air attacks in a new chapter of 25-year old civil war. (Int.Herald Tribune) Lankan citizenship for refugees As many as 28,500 'stateless' refugees from Sri Lanka living in camps in Tamil Nadu will soon get their Sri Lankan citizenship. The refugees are part of more than 95,000 Sri Lankans living in camps across the state since 1983 after fleeing the civil war in the island nation. Modalities are being finalised for the manner in which they will get their citizenship, Sri Lankan deputy high commissioner in Chennai P M Amza told The Times of India. "It is just a matter of time before citizenship is granted to them. (Times of India) WTM is an intergral part of the LTTE, say Canada Police By Walter Jayawardhana World Tamil Movement was so powerful and influential in Canada that even it helped host Canadian Federal Finance Minister Paul Martin and International Cooperation Minister Maria Minna both of the Liberal Party to a dinner to raise funds, May 6 2000. No doubt during Canada’s liberal rule, the organization had smoother sailing. TV journalist killed in Sri Lanka A journalist working for a private TV channel in Sri Lanka has been killed in the northern Jaffna peninsula, company officials say. The firm, Maharaja Television (MTV), says P Devakumaran and an associate died in the northern Navanthurai area of the peninsula. (BBC) They gave millions but not to the heart's content of Soosai By Walter Jayawardhana
According to documents released by the Canadian Federal government officials Soosai once told three Canadian Tigers, Mrs. Shakila, Mr. Xavier and Mr. Kathirvelupillai Sithamparanathan, President of the Montreal chapter of the World Tamil Movement, that there were "insufficient activities of the branches in Canada and England," but he was expecting, “a huge sum of money” and “most of the promises made by foreign supporters” “ended up as fiction.” Fighting kills 16 Tamil rebels Fighting between government soldiers and Tamil separatists along the northern front lines of Sri Lanka's civil war killed 16 rebels, the military said Wednesday. The latest battles broke out Tuesday in the Vavuniya, Mannar and Welioya regions bordering the Tamil Tiger rebels' de facto state in the north, military spokesman Brig. Udaya Nanayakkara said. (AP/Yahoo News) 'Impunity' for rights violators Impunity for serious human rights violators was the main characteristic of Sri Lanka’s rights record during the past year, Amnesty International (AI) said. The AI also criticised Sri Lanka authorities of failing to introduce a witness protections mechanism, an impediment to credibly probe rights violations. (BBC Sinhala) Kilinochchi Bomb that killed civilians could be LTTE work -Ananda Sangaree - By Walter Jayawardhana President of Sri Lanka’s oldest Tamil political party, Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) Leader V.Ananda Sangaree while condemning the Kilinochchi claymore mine attack and the Dehiwala train bomb attack that killed sixteen and nine civilians respectively queried how could the army or paid agents of the army strike so close to the LTTE headquarters in Kilinochchi , as claimed by some Tamil newspapers. Blaming the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) also for the Kilinochchi Claymore Mine explosion Sangaree said, “how is it possible for the armed forces to reach areas so close to their Head Quarters. Even if one assumes that it is the work of the paid agents of the armed forces, the LTTE must seriously consider winding up the fighting and come to terms with the Government, since their days are numbered. Secondly even if one accepts that army can reach these areas through their paid agents, it cannot be true all the time.” "I will not cow down," says President Rajapaksa By Walter Jayawardhana At a meeting with media heads to brief the government policy in the aftermath of the Colombo Panadura office train terrorist bomb attack President Mahinda Rajapaksa reiterated that he would not cow down to terrorists due to frenzied attacks on civilians by them. “My Government and I are committed to defeating terrorism. No one should have expectations that there will be a let up in the battle against terrorism because of the frenzied attacks by the LTTE. I will leave no room for terrorism in this country,” the Sri Lankan President said. Airstrike destroys rebel explosive stash, kills bomb expert Air force helicopters bombed and destroyed a Tamil Tiger rebel explosives storage depot in Sri Lanka's restive north and killed a guerrilla bomb-making expert, the military said Tuesday. The air force targeted the explosives stash in Mannar district's Andankulam village Monday, a military official said on condition of anonymity, citing government rules. (AOL) Dutch couple re-arrested in alleged Sri Lankan illegal adoption The Dutch prosecutor has arrested a Dutch couple on suspicion of falsifying adoption papers, a spokesman for the prosecutor in Zwolle-Lelystad said. The 25-year-old woman and the 44-year-old man were arrested on Monday and Tuesday respectively. (The Earth Times) Fundraiser for LTTE to be charged in Vancouver By Walter Jayawardhana Prapaharan Thambimuttu of Toronto Canada who was arrested last Friday was scheduled to be charged before a court in Vancouver for raising money for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the British Columbia area among Tamils. The Vancouver Sun newspaper said that this is the “first time in Canadian history , a man has been charged for financing terrorists..” UPDATED Atleast ten die when Tamil Tigers explode bomb in a civilian train By Walter Jayawardhana
“Among those who were killed was a pregnant mother and this was a crowded train carrying office workers home,” Defense Ministry sources said. LTTE journal says Balraj received his military training in India and attacked back India ferociously By Walter Jayawardhana Pro-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) fortnightly now published and printed at Watford in London hailed their deceased military commander “brigadier” Balraj as a military hero who received his combat training in India and in return attacked the Indian Peace Keeping Forces ferociously. Tamil Guardian formerly sold but now sustained by pro- LTTE advertisers and distributed free said , Balraj once led a ferocious attack against elite Gurkha troops and “the ferocity of the LTTE attack forced the elite commandos to scatter into deep into booby trapped jungle where they suffered heavy casualties.” Prabhakaran must give up demand for separate Tamil state: US The US has asked LTTE supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran to give up demand for a separate Tamil state saying the community wanted a solution to the over two-decade-old ethnic conflict within a "united" Sri Lanka. "...I think it would be very useful for Prabhakaran to give up this idea of seeking an independent Tamil state and agreeing to negotiate with a united Sri Lanka," US ambassador to Sri Lanka Robert Blake said. (The Hindu) 7 rebels, 2 soldiers killed in latest fighting New fighting killed seven Tamil separatists and two soldiers in Sri Lanka's restive north, the military said Sunday. The clashes against the Tamil Tiger rebels took place Saturday in Mannar, Vavuniya and Welioya, the military said in a statement. (Int.Herald Tribune) Sri Lanka sharply raises fuel prices Sri Lanka Sunday hiked the price of diesel and gasoline in a response to galloping world crude oil prices, the state-run Ceylon Petroleum Corporation said. Petrol at the pump goes up by 30 rupees to 157 rupees (1.47 dollars) while diesel is up by 30 rupees to 110 rupees (1.02 dollars) per litre, the state-run monopoly fuel supplier said. (AFP) Sri Lanka probing links between 2 diffused bombs The Sri Lankan police said Sunday that they are probing possible links between two bus bombs diffused at two different locations near the capital Colombo on Saturday. The first bomb was found at Ganemulla, about 38 km north of Colombo at 5:15 p.m. local time (1145 GMT) on a bus bound to the capital. (China View) Sri Lanka provides relief assistance to China Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rohitha Bogollagama, handed over the relief items to the earthquake victims of Sichuan Province of China to the Ambassador of China in Sri Lanka, Mr Ye Dabo, at the Colombo International Airport last night (May 24th) to be dispatched by a SriLankan Airlines Special Flight leaving to China. The relief items which amounted approximately SLRs 120 million, included of medical equipment and medicines worth in excess of SLRs 60 million. (Reliefweb) Sunil Edirisinghe and troupe leave for Sri Lanka |
