Criminal Investigation Department interrogated JVP MP Vijitha Herath and Mr. Ramalingam Chandrasekaran around a hour yesterday morning (07).
The questioning was based on appointing Kanagasabai Devadasan as a director of National Film Corporation when Mr. Herath was the Minister of National Heritages.
Mr. Herath said to 'Lanka-e-News' that he was summoned to CID and he was interrogated on his knowledge about the suspect Jesudasan. He said that he informed CID that he appointed the person to director board based on a suggestion of the artists and it was the base of appointing other directors as well.
Mr. Devadasan was arrested based on information provided by a person arrested from Kotahena area on suspicion for terrorist activities.
Tuesday, 8 July 2008
Sri Lanka's failure to end conflict is dangerous: rights group
New Delhi, July 8 (IANS) Sri Lanka's inability to resolve the ethnic conflict poses dangers, a rights group has said, adding that Tamils firmly believe in the 'justice of the liberation struggle' even if they don't admire the Tamil Tigers.
In its latest bulletin, the University Teachers for Human Rights (UTHR) has painted a grim picture of life in Vanni, the vast region in the island's north that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) controls.
'The prospect of a (political) settlement is now prisoner to the government's obsession with its Sinhalese extremist agenda as the only means of prolonging its hold on power,' it said.
'So strong is this link that it is prepared to risk economic collapse and social unrest in the south (of Sri Lanka) by people ridiculously unable to make ends meet.
'The LTTE sees this as its best hope and would use any means, including likely an open use of child soldiers, to prolong the war until the south plunges into chaos.'
The independent rights body added: 'The Sinhalese polity's inability to bring about an equitable settlement poses other dangers. Tamils everywhere, whether or not they support the LTTE, believe in the justice of the Tamil liberation struggle.
'The LTTE uses the resulting dilemma to conscript raw, unwilling youths and turn them around into determined fighters because although the people are disillusioned with the LTTE, they detest the government and see the two as separate issues.'
Referring to the relentless air bombing of Tamil areas held by the LTTE, it said: 'There is no doubt that the government is bombing and shelling people who are prisoners of the LTTE...
'The object of this war is not to bring peace by giving dignity to the Tamils. It is prosecuted on the premise that every Tamil killed is a gain. It is a racist war that uses the LTTE as a pretext.'
The latest UTHR reports comes amid heavy fighting in Sri Lanka's north where the military is trying to advance into the LTTE region after driving away the Tigers from the east. The violence, including terror attacks, has left thousands dead.
The report said that many of the Tamils dying on the frontlines 'are the new conscripts - those who join voluntarily are now exceptional'.
From 2007, it said, the LTTE was conscripting those who had reached 17 years of age. 'Presently, they are appealing to those who are 16 to join voluntarily but have not begun conscripting them.'
It said: 'Even when people do not believe in the LTTE, they know and feel that the Tamil struggle is legitimate. This is enough for the LTTE to work on the young.'
It said that when people in LTTE areas hear of attacks against civilians in Sri Lanka's south blamed on the Tigers, they prepare for reprisal air force attacks.
'All functions over the next three days are cancelled. If there is an unexpected bombing raid while a function is going on, unless it is too close, the function proceeds amidst explosions.'
UTHR said that only those who have taken 'home-defence training' from the Tigers are allowed to work in LTTE areas. As the LTTE controls most work, only those from families whose members have died fighting for the LTTE get full salaries.
'Life is thus made almost unbearable for those who do not fall in line... Consequently, the extreme bitterness against the LTTE also expresses itself in willingness to act as saboteurs and to set off landmines provided by the Sri Lankan Army.'
Growing support to the strike; bomb threat in coming 24 hours is a conspiracy
The Chairman of the National Trade Union Center, JVP MP K.D. Lal Kantha says that the strike on July 10 will be launched despite all sorts of false propaganda against it and the workers’ action cannot be hampered without granting the demands.
Mr. Lal Kantha made these observations in a statement identifying the propaganda of a possible bomb attacks in the upcoming 24 hours as a part of the government’s conspiracy against the strike.
Meanwhile, five media organizations including Working Journalists’ Association issued a press statement expressing support to the July 10 strike. Stating that the demands of Rs. 5000 pay hike and the demand seeking the pledged cost of living allowance without hindrance were fair, the media organizations urged the government to grant them without attempting to suppress the democratic right to protest, organize and bargain.
The Executive Committee of the Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya (JSS) also decided to pledge support to the strike and Mr. Lal Perera, the Media Secretary of the JSS announced that the union would ask all its members to strike work on July 10.
Mr. Lal Kantha made these observations in a statement identifying the propaganda of a possible bomb attacks in the upcoming 24 hours as a part of the government’s conspiracy against the strike.
Meanwhile, five media organizations including Working Journalists’ Association issued a press statement expressing support to the July 10 strike. Stating that the demands of Rs. 5000 pay hike and the demand seeking the pledged cost of living allowance without hindrance were fair, the media organizations urged the government to grant them without attempting to suppress the democratic right to protest, organize and bargain.
The Executive Committee of the Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya (JSS) also decided to pledge support to the strike and Mr. Lal Perera, the Media Secretary of the JSS announced that the union would ask all its members to strike work on July 10.
SLAF attacks paddy fields again, civilian wounded
A 24-year-old father of two was wounded Tuesday at 10:05 a.m. when two Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) bombers attacked Kugnchup-paranthan and the adjacent paddy fields along Paranthan - Poonakari (Pooneryn) road. TamilNet correspondent who visited the attack site said that the bombardment has caused extensive damage to the agricultural lands in the 5th canal. The road was also damaged in the attack. The SLAF bombers came again at 1:20 p.m. and attacked the same area with deep bombs leaving large craters. 5th Canal Overseer Junction is located 175 meters near the attack site. Paranthan Hindu Viththiyalayam school is located 3 km away from the attack site. 550 students at the school were forced to seek refuge in bunkers during the first attack.
The wounded person was identified as Sellaththurai Kamal by the residents in the area. The SLAF fighter jets dropped bombs while he was watering his paddy field. Medical sources at Ki'linochchi hospital said the doctors were struggling to avoid amputation of his left leg as he was badly wounded below the knee.
Sunday, 6 July 2008
Tigers target SLAF bomber over Vanni
A Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) MiG-27 fighter jet was forced to return after it sustained damage in anti-aircraft fire over Ki'linochchi area in Vanni Sunday afternoon, LTTE officials told media in Vanni. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) officials in Colombo, admitting that an aircraft had a troubled landing at Katunayaka military airbase in Colombo after carrying out an air strike, said that the fighter jet had 'skidded off' the runway while landing.
Independent TamilNet sources in Vaddakkachchi area confirmed that there was anti-aircraft gunfire that targeted the SLAF bombers, which engaged in the bombardment and that the bombers avoided circling over the area due to the attack from the ground.
Four persons were wounded in the air raid in Vaddakkachchi near Ki'linochchi. The wounded have been admitted to Ki'linochchi hospital.
Independent TamilNet sources in Vaddakkachchi area confirmed that there was anti-aircraft gunfire that targeted the SLAF bombers, which engaged in the bombardment and that the bombers avoided circling over the area due to the attack from the ground.
Four persons were wounded in the air raid in Vaddakkachchi near Ki'linochchi. The wounded have been admitted to Ki'linochchi hospital.
Wednesday, 2 July 2008
800 Colombo Tamils woken up from sleep & videoed
Once there, each of them had been asked to clearly tell the name, address and other personal details, while being videoed.
When 'Lanka Dissent' inquired about this from Military Spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara around 6.15 pm, he first said he was unaware of such a happening and asked us to call him again.
Later, he admitted the area police had conducted a routine search this morning.
The army had assisted in the search, but no videoing had taken place, Brig. Nanayakkara said.
How the Govt. that cannot arrest the culprits who attacked the journalists will provide security to the SAARC summit?
Defense Spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella promised the media persons today that he would look into the suspicion of them that there was hidden paw that the ministerial subcommittee cannot control behind the attacks on the journalists.Media persons repeatedly questioned the Minister and the police spokesman SSP Ranjith Gunasekara over the lack of productivity of the police investigations on intimidation of 12 media persons before Namal Perera incident.
A foreign journalist asked if the government had taken the incident of attacking officials of the Sri Lanka Press Institute and the UK High Commission in the heart of Colombo city as a joke. He pointed out that no arrests have been made after three days. Media persons were not satisfied over the Minister’s and police spokesman’s assurances that the investigations were successfully proceeding. Commenting on Keith Noir incident they said that the victim party did not corporate with the investigation.
The police spokesman’s statement that some people lodge such complaints expecting political asylum in foreign countries, the press conference became hot again. They asked to name at least one such journalist but neither the Minister nor the police spokesman named them.
The police spokesman’s statement that some people lodge such complaints expecting political asylum in foreign countries, the press conference became hot again. They asked to name at least one such journalist but neither the Minister nor the police spokesman named them.
The Hindu Journalist questioned how the government could provide security to the SAARC summit in a context police failed to arrest the culprits who attacked and attempted to abduct two journalists in the heart of Colombo city.
Minister Rambukwella said that such problems are in other countries as well and full security would be provided to the SAARC summit.
The Minister and the police spokesman appeared to have no idea on those who level attacks on media.
Another journalist pointed out that media persons had doubts that the Defense Ministry website that disseminated threats to the journalists who criticized the security forces was behind these attacks. He said that an outbreak of such incidents preceded the President’s official foreign tours and it was for the good of the government to identify the hidden paws.
Media persons pointed out that they believed that the ministerial subcommittee was incapable to control the powers that handle these incidents and an alternative action was needed.
Minister Rambukwella said that such problems are in other countries as well and full security would be provided to the SAARC summit.
The Minister and the police spokesman appeared to have no idea on those who level attacks on media.
Another journalist pointed out that media persons had doubts that the Defense Ministry website that disseminated threats to the journalists who criticized the security forces was behind these attacks. He said that an outbreak of such incidents preceded the President’s official foreign tours and it was for the good of the government to identify the hidden paws.
Media persons pointed out that they believed that the ministerial subcommittee was incapable to control the powers that handle these incidents and an alternative action was needed.
Sri Lanka Army chief says victory date now mid-2009
Sri Lanka Army chief Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka this week again revised his timetable for defeating the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam; to mid-2009, from an earlier estimate of June 2008. Saying that the LTTE had lost its conventional fighting capacity, he told international correspondents Monday that, within a year, most of the remaining Tigers would be dead. Saying that the objective of the LTTE was to capture the entire island and wipe out the majority Sinhalese community, he vowed: "we will not allow that at any cost, we will fight them."
Lt. Gen. Fonseka made his comments, which were carried in reports by AFP, Reuters, the BBC, IANS and The Hindu, amongst others, to the Colombo-based Foreign Correspondents Association on Monday.
The Tigers would be reduced to nothing more than a “rag-tag terrorist outfit” in a year’s time, the Army chief said, in response to questions on the assertion he made in December last year that the military would “wipe out” the LTTE by June 2008.
The Sri Lankan government had earlier revised that deadline to a new one of the year’s end.
The BBC said the timescale is important because President Mahinda Rajapaksa's popular support is largely based on his claim he can militarily defeat the Tamil Tigers and thereby bring peace to Sri Lanka.
Moreover, the Army chief’s comments come two months after one of Sri Lanka’s most celebrated Army officers criticized the Rajapakse government’s war strategy.
Saying that the government’s self-imposed deadlines “were not realistic”, Maj Gen. (retd) Janaka Perera questioned the wisdom of waging protracted war against the LTTE and warned that battle fatigue would set in and sap the military’s will to fight.
Maj. Gen. (retd) Perera also questioned the veracity of the massive claims of LTTE casualties being made by the defence establishment.
Lt. Gen. Fonseka insisted Monday that the government was on its way to destroying the LTTE, which he said was “wilting.”
"From about the beginning of the year, the LTTE has lost its conventional capability," Fonseka told Colombo-based foreign correspondents. "They are no longer fighting as a conventional army."
"You can see they are weakening. They don't have the same capacity and the willpower to fight now," he said.
"We have already defeated them (as a conventional army). They have lost that capability. Although they are fighting with us, it is not in the same manner."
"I'm sure in...less than one year, the LTTE will totally lose even their present territory. Then they will resort to totally different type of tactics."
"They should not be able to maintain their present control over the population, to be able to resist the army in the way they are resisting now. They would have to lose all that capability."
Lt. Gen. Fonseka said the military had killed over 9,000 Tigers since August 2006 and had gained much territory. He said 1,700 soldiers had also died, but that LTTE resistance was crumbling.
Asked about the present LTTE strength, Lt. Gen. Fonseka said: “as per the intelligence reports, the current cadre of the LTTE in the worst-case scenario is 5,000.”
“Most of the new recruits in the past two years are underage conscripts,” he said.
The Army chief’s comments contradicted the US State Department’s 2007 Human Rights report which suggested: “by year end most sources indicated that the ‘one family, one fighter’ policy targeted those 18 years or older. The UNICEF noted a significant reduction in reported child recruitment by the LTTE. … the trend indicated that the LTTE was eliminating the recruitment and use of child soldiers.”
The Army Chief admitted that previous military estimates of the Tiger strength had been too low. Lt. Gen. Fonseka was quoted by state media in December as saying there were only 3,000 Tigers left.
Claiming that government troops fighting the LTTE in the Vanni jungles over the past one year had become “one of the best jungle fighters in the world,” Fonseka said his men “are now working on the overall plan of completely defeating the LTTE militarily,” not just capturing fresh territories.
'We do not just go for terrains, but we go for the kill. This is the difference between the military operations in the past and the present,' he said.
He added that the military had got 'the right guidance and leadership' from President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his government. Fonseka was named the army chief in December 2005, a month after Rajapaksa took power.
“Even if the army finished the war and captured the whole of north, the LTTE still might survive as long as there are people who believe in Tamil nationalism and with Tamil diaspora who are supporting them.”
“The LTTE might survive another even two decades with about 1,000 cadres. But we will not be fighting in the same manner. It might continue as an insurgency forever.”
The Tamil Tigers have not commented directly on Gen Fonseka's claims to have defeated them as a conventional force.
But earlier they rubbished the military's reports of battlefield successes and said the casualty figures being put out by the government were false, intended to retain support for the war in the Sinhala south, the BBC reported.
Lt. Gen. Fonseka’s upbeat reading of Sri Lanka’s war progress comes as spiraling inflation (28% up from last year) is starting to erode at hitherto very strong support amongst the majority Sinhalese for the military destruction of the LTTE.
The governor of the Central Bank, Ajith Nivard Cabraal, told the BBC the main reason for high inflation in Sri Lanka was the global rise in oil prices, combined with the government reducing fuel subsidies.
In an interview to The Sunday Leader newspaper on March 16 this year, retired Army General Janaka Perera pointed out that though military offensives against LTTE-held Vanni began in July 2007, there had been little tangible progress.
“If [the fighting] drags on and spreads over a year, the soldier suffers both mental fatigue and physical exhaustion. Both these factors combined with his home problems are going to impact on him. If he continues to remain in the battlefront, it is difficult to get the quality of a focused soldier from a fatigued and pressurised man,” Maj. Gen. Perera said.
Lt. Gen. Fonseka admitted the fighting had been intense in Mannar, which the government claimed to have captured entirely on Sunday – and which was later contradicted by the military spokesman.
“It took nine months to capture Mannar district, the so called ‘rice bowl’. The terrain was open and for two months it was flooded,” he explained.
Meanwhile, last week the Army launched a campaign to track down and arrest up to 12,000 deserters who failed to take advantage of a government amnesty – about 5,000 returned in the month long amnesty in May.
Sri Lanka’s armed forces officially number over 200,000.
In recent weeks, there have been persistent reports of low morale, especially amongst young recruits in Jaffna amongst whom several suspected suicides have been reported.
According to the Maj. Gen. Perera, the LTTE is engaged in a protracted campaign: “the LTTE’s strategy is to drag it on and play for time. Delays work in their favour.”
“Just put yourself into the soldier’s position. You don’t see a tangible goal being achieved making things really tough. Then you lose concentration and the will to fight.”
“Come September, the northeast monsoon will set in. Then, added to the physical and mental exhaustion, the weather will also conspire to keep the troops down. That means, the sick rates will go up with malaria and fever attacks,” he said.
“It is going to be a nightmare if the war drags on.”
Lt. Gen. Fonseka made his comments, which were carried in reports by AFP, Reuters, the BBC, IANS and The Hindu, amongst others, to the Colombo-based Foreign Correspondents Association on Monday.
The Tigers would be reduced to nothing more than a “rag-tag terrorist outfit” in a year’s time, the Army chief said, in response to questions on the assertion he made in December last year that the military would “wipe out” the LTTE by June 2008.
The Sri Lankan government had earlier revised that deadline to a new one of the year’s end.
The BBC said the timescale is important because President Mahinda Rajapaksa's popular support is largely based on his claim he can militarily defeat the Tamil Tigers and thereby bring peace to Sri Lanka.
Moreover, the Army chief’s comments come two months after one of Sri Lanka’s most celebrated Army officers criticized the Rajapakse government’s war strategy.
Saying that the government’s self-imposed deadlines “were not realistic”, Maj Gen. (retd) Janaka Perera questioned the wisdom of waging protracted war against the LTTE and warned that battle fatigue would set in and sap the military’s will to fight.
Maj. Gen. (retd) Perera also questioned the veracity of the massive claims of LTTE casualties being made by the defence establishment.
Lt. Gen. Fonseka insisted Monday that the government was on its way to destroying the LTTE, which he said was “wilting.”
"From about the beginning of the year, the LTTE has lost its conventional capability," Fonseka told Colombo-based foreign correspondents. "They are no longer fighting as a conventional army."
"You can see they are weakening. They don't have the same capacity and the willpower to fight now," he said.
"We have already defeated them (as a conventional army). They have lost that capability. Although they are fighting with us, it is not in the same manner."
"I'm sure in...less than one year, the LTTE will totally lose even their present territory. Then they will resort to totally different type of tactics."
"They should not be able to maintain their present control over the population, to be able to resist the army in the way they are resisting now. They would have to lose all that capability."
Lt. Gen. Fonseka said the military had killed over 9,000 Tigers since August 2006 and had gained much territory. He said 1,700 soldiers had also died, but that LTTE resistance was crumbling.
Asked about the present LTTE strength, Lt. Gen. Fonseka said: “as per the intelligence reports, the current cadre of the LTTE in the worst-case scenario is 5,000.”
“Most of the new recruits in the past two years are underage conscripts,” he said.
The Army chief’s comments contradicted the US State Department’s 2007 Human Rights report which suggested: “by year end most sources indicated that the ‘one family, one fighter’ policy targeted those 18 years or older. The UNICEF noted a significant reduction in reported child recruitment by the LTTE. … the trend indicated that the LTTE was eliminating the recruitment and use of child soldiers.”
The Army Chief admitted that previous military estimates of the Tiger strength had been too low. Lt. Gen. Fonseka was quoted by state media in December as saying there were only 3,000 Tigers left.
Claiming that government troops fighting the LTTE in the Vanni jungles over the past one year had become “one of the best jungle fighters in the world,” Fonseka said his men “are now working on the overall plan of completely defeating the LTTE militarily,” not just capturing fresh territories.
'We do not just go for terrains, but we go for the kill. This is the difference between the military operations in the past and the present,' he said.
He added that the military had got 'the right guidance and leadership' from President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his government. Fonseka was named the army chief in December 2005, a month after Rajapaksa took power.
“Even if the army finished the war and captured the whole of north, the LTTE still might survive as long as there are people who believe in Tamil nationalism and with Tamil diaspora who are supporting them.”
“The LTTE might survive another even two decades with about 1,000 cadres. But we will not be fighting in the same manner. It might continue as an insurgency forever.”
The Tamil Tigers have not commented directly on Gen Fonseka's claims to have defeated them as a conventional force.
But earlier they rubbished the military's reports of battlefield successes and said the casualty figures being put out by the government were false, intended to retain support for the war in the Sinhala south, the BBC reported.
Lt. Gen. Fonseka’s upbeat reading of Sri Lanka’s war progress comes as spiraling inflation (28% up from last year) is starting to erode at hitherto very strong support amongst the majority Sinhalese for the military destruction of the LTTE.
The governor of the Central Bank, Ajith Nivard Cabraal, told the BBC the main reason for high inflation in Sri Lanka was the global rise in oil prices, combined with the government reducing fuel subsidies.
In an interview to The Sunday Leader newspaper on March 16 this year, retired Army General Janaka Perera pointed out that though military offensives against LTTE-held Vanni began in July 2007, there had been little tangible progress.
“If [the fighting] drags on and spreads over a year, the soldier suffers both mental fatigue and physical exhaustion. Both these factors combined with his home problems are going to impact on him. If he continues to remain in the battlefront, it is difficult to get the quality of a focused soldier from a fatigued and pressurised man,” Maj. Gen. Perera said.
Lt. Gen. Fonseka admitted the fighting had been intense in Mannar, which the government claimed to have captured entirely on Sunday – and which was later contradicted by the military spokesman.
“It took nine months to capture Mannar district, the so called ‘rice bowl’. The terrain was open and for two months it was flooded,” he explained.
Meanwhile, last week the Army launched a campaign to track down and arrest up to 12,000 deserters who failed to take advantage of a government amnesty – about 5,000 returned in the month long amnesty in May.
Sri Lanka’s armed forces officially number over 200,000.
In recent weeks, there have been persistent reports of low morale, especially amongst young recruits in Jaffna amongst whom several suspected suicides have been reported.
According to the Maj. Gen. Perera, the LTTE is engaged in a protracted campaign: “the LTTE’s strategy is to drag it on and play for time. Delays work in their favour.”
“Just put yourself into the soldier’s position. You don’t see a tangible goal being achieved making things really tough. Then you lose concentration and the will to fight.”
“Come September, the northeast monsoon will set in. Then, added to the physical and mental exhaustion, the weather will also conspire to keep the troops down. That means, the sick rates will go up with malaria and fever attacks,” he said.
“It is going to be a nightmare if the war drags on.”
Monday, 2 June 2008
13 killed in floods; 2,25,440 displaced
Disaster Relief Center says that 13 people have been killed and 225,440 persons belonging to 53,000 families have been displaced due to floods and landslides.
As the floods are receding in Rathnapura district, the risk in Kaluthara is on the increase.
Gampaha, Kegalle, Galle, Mathara districs and Kaduwela and Kolonnawa divisions in Colombo district have been affected by the floods.
The numbers of families & persons displaced district wise are as follows:
Gampaha, Kegalle, Galle, Mathara districs and Kaduwela and Kolonnawa divisions in Colombo district have been affected by the floods.
The numbers of families & persons displaced district wise are as follows:
Rathnapura - 6781:Families - 28868:Persons
Kaluthara - 16,176:Families - 62719:Persons
Galle - 2752:Families - 12386:Persons
Mathara - 1954:Families - 9028:Persons
Colombo - 8714:Families - 40105:Persons
Gampaha - 16334:Families - 75179:Persons
NuwaraEliya - 41:Families - 185:Persons
Kegalle - 100
This is the worst flood in Kaluthara district in recent history. A landslide has occurred in Palindanuwara division and further details are to come.
Electricity and telecommunication has broken down in many affected areas making the relief teams difficult to approach the victims. Navy and police divers have arrived for the relief of the flood victims.
Disaster Relief Center has allocated Rs. 22 million for basic relief needs such as cooked food and dry rations.
However, our reporters say that the majority of the affected have not received any relief yet.
Kaluthara - 16,176:Families - 62719:Persons
Galle - 2752:Families - 12386:Persons
Mathara - 1954:Families - 9028:Persons
Colombo - 8714:Families - 40105:Persons
Gampaha - 16334:Families - 75179:Persons
NuwaraEliya - 41:Families - 185:Persons
Kegalle - 100
This is the worst flood in Kaluthara district in recent history. A landslide has occurred in Palindanuwara division and further details are to come.
Electricity and telecommunication has broken down in many affected areas making the relief teams difficult to approach the victims. Navy and police divers have arrived for the relief of the flood victims.
Disaster Relief Center has allocated Rs. 22 million for basic relief needs such as cooked food and dry rations.
However, our reporters say that the majority of the affected have not received any relief yet.
6 civilians killed in SLA claymore attack - LTTE
Six devotees including two children on their way to Naakathampiraan Temple in Maangku'lam were killed and 4 wounded, including 2 children, in a claymore mine explosion in Vanni Monday night. LTTE's Director of Peace Secretariat S. Puleedevan blamed the Deep Penetration Unit operated by the Sri Lanka Army for the attack on civilian target.
The attack took place at Puthoor, located between Kanakaraayanku'lam and Pu'liyangku'lam at 8:00 p.m., Mr. Puleedevan said.
The devotees were on their way from Mu'l'livaaykkaal in Mullaiththeevu to Naakathampiraan temple to attend the annual festival at the temple, Mr. Puleedevan told TamilNet, identifying the registration number of the civilian van as 8-SRI-6109.
The dead were identified as Vasanthakumar from Mu'l'livaaykkaal, Murugathaas from Ampalavan Pokka'nai, Thanusan (son of Murugathaas), Ganesh (Brother of Murugathaas), Ms Yogamalar, and Ganga (daughter of Yogamalar), officials of the NorthEast Secretariat on Human Rights (NESoHR).
Chithra 26, wife of Vasanthakumar, Sujithan (son of Vasanthakumar, 18 months old child), 9-year-old Janani (daughter of Murugathaas), and Vinojini were seriously injured and have been admitted to Mullaiththeevu hospital.
The attack took place at Puthoor, located between Kanakaraayanku'lam and Pu'liyangku'lam at 8:00 p.m., Mr. Puleedevan said.
The devotees were on their way from Mu'l'livaaykkaal in Mullaiththeevu to Naakathampiraan temple to attend the annual festival at the temple, Mr. Puleedevan told TamilNet, identifying the registration number of the civilian van as 8-SRI-6109.
The dead were identified as Vasanthakumar from Mu'l'livaaykkaal, Murugathaas from Ampalavan Pokka'nai, Thanusan (son of Murugathaas), Ganesh (Brother of Murugathaas), Ms Yogamalar, and Ganga (daughter of Yogamalar), officials of the NorthEast Secretariat on Human Rights (NESoHR).
Chithra 26, wife of Vasanthakumar, Sujithan (son of Vasanthakumar, 18 months old child), 9-year-old Janani (daughter of Murugathaas), and Vinojini were seriously injured and have been admitted to Mullaiththeevu hospital.
Friday, 30 May 2008
Sea Tigers raid SLN camp close to Jaffna city
Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) Sea Tigers naval wing launched a raid in the early hours of Thursday on the Sri Lanka Navy camp located at Chi'ruththeevu islet, close to Ma'ndaitheevu island and Jaffna city, LTTE officials in Vanni told TamilNet. At least 13 Sri Lanka Navy personnel were killed and many sailors wounded in the raid carried out by a special marine wing of the Sea Tigers, the Tiger officials said adding that they have seized weapons including a 50-caliber machine gun, a mortar, two LMGs and military equipments including a radar from the strategic SLN camp situated at the islet facing Jaffna. 3 SLN bodies were also recovered by the Tigers and they identified one sailor.
The raid was launched at 1:25 a.m. and the camp was brought under the LTTE control at 2:00 a.m.
One 50 caliber machine gun, one radar equipment, one RPD LMG, one AK LMG, one 60 mm mortar, one 40 mm Rocket Launcher, four T-56 type-2 assault rifles were seized by the Sea Tigers.
141 shells for 60 mm mortar, 06 rockets for 40 mm Rocket Launcher, 930 rounds for 50 caliber machine gun, 430 linked 50 caliber rounds, an extra barrel for the 50 caliber gun, extra barrel for RPD LMG, 795 rounds for RPD LMG, and 1,380 linked 7.62 mm rounds were among the ammunitions. 10 masks, a solar panel with battery and a binocular were among the accessories seized by the Tigers.
Three dead bodies of the Sri Lanka Navy sailors were recovered by the Tigers.
There were no LTTE casualties in the operation, the Tigers said adding that their marines safely returned to their base in Vanni mainland after destroying the SLN camp.
The LTTE, on Thursday morning, displayed the weapons and military equipments seized in the attack to media in Vanni.
The Tigers also identified one of the SLN sailor killed in action as Ranasingha Aaarachchige Saman Pushpa Kumara from Bangalavaththa with Sri Lankan national identity card number 841912462 V.
The raid was launched at 1:25 a.m. and the camp was brought under the LTTE control at 2:00 a.m.
One 50 caliber machine gun, one radar equipment, one RPD LMG, one AK LMG, one 60 mm mortar, one 40 mm Rocket Launcher, four T-56 type-2 assault rifles were seized by the Sea Tigers.
141 shells for 60 mm mortar, 06 rockets for 40 mm Rocket Launcher, 930 rounds for 50 caliber machine gun, 430 linked 50 caliber rounds, an extra barrel for the 50 caliber gun, extra barrel for RPD LMG, 795 rounds for RPD LMG, and 1,380 linked 7.62 mm rounds were among the ammunitions. 10 masks, a solar panel with battery and a binocular were among the accessories seized by the Tigers.
Three dead bodies of the Sri Lanka Navy sailors were recovered by the Tigers.
There were no LTTE casualties in the operation, the Tigers said adding that their marines safely returned to their base in Vanni mainland after destroying the SLN camp.
The LTTE, on Thursday morning, displayed the weapons and military equipments seized in the attack to media in Vanni.
The Tigers also identified one of the SLN sailor killed in action as Ranasingha Aaarachchige Saman Pushpa Kumara from Bangalavaththa with Sri Lankan national identity card number 841912462 V.
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