An LTTE suicide bomber has exploded himself when a group of police officers tried to check a room of a three story lodge down Aluth Mawatha at Ibbanwala Watta, in Modara this morning (February 29). According to the available information 4 police personnel, including 3 women police personnel and 3 civilians have suffered injuries in the explosion. defence.lk special reporter in the area said one women police officer has suffered serious injuries.
According to the sources, the explosion has taken place around 6.05 a.m. when police acting on information has tried to check the room. The body of the bomber has destroyed into an unidentifiable condition and the walls of the room show lot of damages caused by iron balls, the sources added.
A senior defence official speaking to defence.lk noted that unless for the vigilant civilians in the area and for the police personnel who acted swiftly to the civilian information, the suicide bomber could have committed another civilian massacre in the South. Therefore, he said due to commitment and the bravery of the police officers who involved in this incident, a large number of civilian lives have been spared from a possible disaster.
LTTE is a ruthless terrorists outfit that pioneered the techniques of suicide bombing using brainwashed individuals. The outfit has made a unique contribution development of terrorist tactics by introducing innovative brainwashing techniques and also techniques such as the use of suicide belts, jackets, breast bombs and placing bombs under female under garments, etc that are now being widely copied by all other terror organization in the world.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Seven injured in when attempt to search house in Kotahena.
29 Feb 2008 - 08:10
COLOMBO: The Police have reported that there was an explosion when attempting to search a house in ALUTHMAWATHA ROAD, KOTAHENA, around 6.00 in the morning today (29). Seven (07) persons including three (03) policemen have so far been admitted to hospital.
COLOMBO: The Police have reported that there was an explosion when attempting to search a house in ALUTHMAWATHA ROAD, KOTAHENA, around 6.00 in the morning today (29). Seven (07) persons including three (03) policemen have so far been admitted to hospital.
India takes steps to check Tamil rebels
NEW DELHI, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- India said it is taking new measures to check the activities of Sri Lankan Tamil rebels in the south of the country.
"The government has taken various new steps to check the activities of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in southern part of the country. The government has declared LTTE as a terrorist organization under the provisions of the unlawful activities (prevention) act," junior Interior Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal told Indian Parliament Wednesday.
He said a three-tier system of coastal patrolling and protection by the Indian navy, coast guard and Coastal Security Group of Tamil Nadu state was operating to check possible intrusion of militants and smuggling of contraband by the LTTE.
"The federal government has approved a coastal security scheme for coastal areas, including southern parts of the country, to strengthen the infrastructure for patrolling and surveillance of close coastal waters," Jaiswal said.
He said continued vigil was being maintained within the mainland to check possible activities of the LTTE and cases were being registered against the group.
© 2008 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
"The government has taken various new steps to check the activities of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in southern part of the country. The government has declared LTTE as a terrorist organization under the provisions of the unlawful activities (prevention) act," junior Interior Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal told Indian Parliament Wednesday.
He said a three-tier system of coastal patrolling and protection by the Indian navy, coast guard and Coastal Security Group of Tamil Nadu state was operating to check possible intrusion of militants and smuggling of contraband by the LTTE.
"The federal government has approved a coastal security scheme for coastal areas, including southern parts of the country, to strengthen the infrastructure for patrolling and surveillance of close coastal waters," Jaiswal said.
He said continued vigil was being maintained within the mainland to check possible activities of the LTTE and cases were being registered against the group.
© 2008 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
Terrorist killed by STF
The Special Task Forces (STF) recovered a body of a terrorist after an attack around 5.00 in the morning today (28) in the VELLAWELI area, BATTICALOA. The items given below were also recovered.
Suicide attack team in Batticaloa; searches all over the city
Security forces began to search all over Baticaloa town yesterday afternoon (27) following reports that a suicide squad had entered to the town aiming to sabotage the local government election scheduled to be held in the district on March 10.
Two TMVP supporters travelling in a motorcycle were killed a few days ago in a suicide attack.
Police investigations revealed that the target of the suicide attacker was a election rally of TMVP the party leaders were to take part. However, he committed suicide ahead of schedule when the two TMVP supporters suspicious of him attempted to check him.
Two TMVP supporters travelling in a motorcycle were killed a few days ago in a suicide attack.
Police investigations revealed that the target of the suicide attacker was a election rally of TMVP the party leaders were to take part. However, he committed suicide ahead of schedule when the two TMVP supporters suspicious of him attempted to check him.
UNP again in turmoil; Ranil attempts to cut throat Thissa
new crisis is building up in United National Party (UNP) ranks due to a conflict between party leader Ranil Wickramasinghe and General Secretary Thissa Aththanayaka.
Mr. Wickramasinghe reportedly alienated Mr. Aththanayaka from the discussions on the implementation of the 13th amendment to the constitution held day before yesterday (26) evening at Temple Trees under the patronage of the President.
SLFP General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena, Treasurer Jeyaraj Fernandopulle and Prof. Viswa Warnapala representing the SLFP committee appointed to seek solutions for the ethnic problem participated in the discussion from the President's party while UNP delegation comprised of party leader Ranil Wickramasinghe, Chairman Rukman Senanayaka and veteran President's Counsel K.N. Choxy. The General Secretary Thissa Aththanayaka was a notable absentee in the discussion
Mr. Aththanayaka said that he was not aware of a discussion with the President and denied to comment further.
Mr. Wickramasinghe reportedly alienated Mr. Aththanayaka from the discussions on the implementation of the 13th amendment to the constitution held day before yesterday (26) evening at Temple Trees under the patronage of the President.
SLFP General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena, Treasurer Jeyaraj Fernandopulle and Prof. Viswa Warnapala representing the SLFP committee appointed to seek solutions for the ethnic problem participated in the discussion from the President's party while UNP delegation comprised of party leader Ranil Wickramasinghe, Chairman Rukman Senanayaka and veteran President's Counsel K.N. Choxy. The General Secretary Thissa Aththanayaka was a notable absentee in the discussion
Mr. Aththanayaka said that he was not aware of a discussion with the President and denied to comment further.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Security Council must act now on LTTE - Human Rights Watch
US: An international human rights watchdog yesterday asked the United Nations Security Council to impose sanctions on armed groups in Sri Lanka for using children in their ranks.
The UN Security Council’s Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict met yesterday for the second time since February 2007 to consider violations against children committed by the LTTE and the Karuna group, an armed group that split from the LTTE in 2004.
“The LTTE and the Karuna group continue to use children to fight their battles in clear violation of international law and Security Council resolutions,” Jo Becker, children’s rights advocate at Human Rights Watch said, adding the Security Council should punish their brazen violations with concrete action.
The rights group has also called upon the UN Security Council to urge the Sri Lankan Government to investigate cases of child abduction and recruitment.
“The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam have ignored repeated appeals to end its use of child soldiers,” said Becker, adding, “The time for Security Council action is now.”
In a report on children and armed conflict worldwide made public in January, the UN Secretary-General listed the LTTE for the fifth consecutive time since 2002 for violating international standards regarding the recruitment and use of child soldiers.
Human Rights Watch is recommending Security Council sanctions against the Karuna group for the first time, due to its continual violations of international standards.
“The UN has put the Karuna group on notice, but the Karuna group has refused to end its recruitment and use of child soldiers,” said Becker. “It must be held accountable for these continuing violations.”
HRW urged the UN to give the LTTE and the Karuna group 30 days to release all child soldiers. If the two groups refuse, the UN should impose arms embargoes and travel bans on their leaders and freeze their assets, HRW added.
The UN Security Council’s Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict met yesterday for the second time since February 2007 to consider violations against children committed by the LTTE and the Karuna group, an armed group that split from the LTTE in 2004.
“The LTTE and the Karuna group continue to use children to fight their battles in clear violation of international law and Security Council resolutions,” Jo Becker, children’s rights advocate at Human Rights Watch said, adding the Security Council should punish their brazen violations with concrete action.
The rights group has also called upon the UN Security Council to urge the Sri Lankan Government to investigate cases of child abduction and recruitment.
“The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam have ignored repeated appeals to end its use of child soldiers,” said Becker, adding, “The time for Security Council action is now.”
In a report on children and armed conflict worldwide made public in January, the UN Secretary-General listed the LTTE for the fifth consecutive time since 2002 for violating international standards regarding the recruitment and use of child soldiers.
Human Rights Watch is recommending Security Council sanctions against the Karuna group for the first time, due to its continual violations of international standards.
“The UN has put the Karuna group on notice, but the Karuna group has refused to end its recruitment and use of child soldiers,” said Becker. “It must be held accountable for these continuing violations.”
HRW urged the UN to give the LTTE and the Karuna group 30 days to release all child soldiers. If the two groups refuse, the UN should impose arms embargoes and travel bans on their leaders and freeze their assets, HRW added.
Defence Updates
Air raid on LTTE boat manufacturing storage
SLA reported that an air raid was carried out on an LTTE boat manufacturing storage and a main inland sea tiger camp in Kiranchi which is situated West of Killinochchi, South of Devil's Point.
Explosives found at Wattala
Troops of S. L. Navy have been able to discover a stock of explosives concealed near the Katunayake – Colombo Highway. The explosives had been buried in the sand near the highway at Kerawalapitiya in Wattala area.
Among the explosives discovered is 20 kg of C-4 explosives and 23 detonators. A search operation is being conducted in the area.
The Security Forces have continued to conduct search operations in the MANNAR and VAVUNIYA AREA on Thursday (21) . Five terrorists were killed in two confrontations reported from the MANNAR AREA . Three of the terrorists were killed in the first incident when they attempted to infiltrate into the PARAPPAKANDAL AREA early morning around 6.30. The bodies as well as a radio set belonging to the terrorists have been recovered.
The second incident in MANNAR was around 6.00 in the morning in the MANTHOTTAM area where two terrorists were killed in a confrontation . The items recovered during a search operations which followed are given below.
Booby traps 06
Anti- personnel mines 44
The Army also recovered a large stock of fuel packed in cans as given below from the KONDAMPIDI AREA, MANNAR to be transported to the un-cleared areas.
Petrol 75 liters
Diesel 45 liters
A total of Nine terrorists were killed in two confrontations with the Army on Thursday (21) in the VAVUNIYA AREA on Thursday(21).
Eight of the terrorist were killed around 3.15 in the afternoon in the WEST MULLIKULAM AREA , VAVUNIYA in the confrontation while three soldiers were also reported injured . Troops also recovered the items given below.
T56 assault rifles 03
Radio sets 01
Meanwhile a terrorist was killed when the Army attacked and destroyed a LTTE bunker in the VILAYATHIKULAM area, VAVUNIYA around 5.40 in the evening on Thursday (21). The items given below were also recovered.
Claymore mines 01( 05 kg )
Claymore mines 01(2.5 kg)
Hand grenades 05
Booby traps 01
Anti- personnel mines 04
320 anti- personnel mines in a search operation conducted by the Army in the MANDARAMILLUPPAI AREA , VAVUNIYA around 10.00 am .
SLA reported that an air raid was carried out on an LTTE boat manufacturing storage and a main inland sea tiger camp in Kiranchi which is situated West of Killinochchi, South of Devil's Point.
Explosives found at Wattala
Troops of S. L. Navy have been able to discover a stock of explosives concealed near the Katunayake – Colombo Highway. The explosives had been buried in the sand near the highway at Kerawalapitiya in Wattala area.
Among the explosives discovered is 20 kg of C-4 explosives and 23 detonators. A search operation is being conducted in the area.
The Security Forces have continued to conduct search operations in the MANNAR and VAVUNIYA AREA on Thursday (21) . Five terrorists were killed in two confrontations reported from the MANNAR AREA . Three of the terrorists were killed in the first incident when they attempted to infiltrate into the PARAPPAKANDAL AREA early morning around 6.30. The bodies as well as a radio set belonging to the terrorists have been recovered.
The second incident in MANNAR was around 6.00 in the morning in the MANTHOTTAM area where two terrorists were killed in a confrontation . The items recovered during a search operations which followed are given below.
Booby traps 06
Anti- personnel mines 44
The Army also recovered a large stock of fuel packed in cans as given below from the KONDAMPIDI AREA, MANNAR to be transported to the un-cleared areas.
Petrol 75 liters
Diesel 45 liters
A total of Nine terrorists were killed in two confrontations with the Army on Thursday (21) in the VAVUNIYA AREA on Thursday(21).
Eight of the terrorist were killed around 3.15 in the afternoon in the WEST MULLIKULAM AREA , VAVUNIYA in the confrontation while three soldiers were also reported injured . Troops also recovered the items given below.
T56 assault rifles 03
Radio sets 01
Meanwhile a terrorist was killed when the Army attacked and destroyed a LTTE bunker in the VILAYATHIKULAM area, VAVUNIYA around 5.40 in the evening on Thursday (21). The items given below were also recovered.
Claymore mines 01( 05 kg )
Claymore mines 01(2.5 kg)
Hand grenades 05
Booby traps 01
Anti- personnel mines 04
320 anti- personnel mines in a search operation conducted by the Army in the MANDARAMILLUPPAI AREA , VAVUNIYA around 10.00 am .
woman principal ் nabbed by Bribery Commission
The woman principal of a girls’ school in Nugegoda was nabbed by Bribery Commission officials yesterday, while allegedly taking a bribe of Rs. 15,000 to admit a to child grade one.
The Commission’s Director Investigations, SSP Neville Guruge, said that the principal was arrested when she took the money at her office yesterday from two officials of the Commission.
He said that the complainants -- husband and wife, both of the Sri Lanka Army -- had gone to the school in order to admit their child to grade one. The school principal had demanded a sum of Rs. 20,000 to admit the child, and asked them to come with the money on the 21st. The couple had bargained and got the principal to reduce the amount to Rs. 15,000.
The couple had agreed to pay the money and then complained to the Bribery Commission, which had sent two officers to the school along with them.
“The suspect was arrested by the officials when the principal’s female peon took the money and left it on the principal’s table,” SSP Guruge said.
He said that the principal was to be produced in the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today
The Commission’s Director Investigations, SSP Neville Guruge, said that the principal was arrested when she took the money at her office yesterday from two officials of the Commission.
He said that the complainants -- husband and wife, both of the Sri Lanka Army -- had gone to the school in order to admit their child to grade one. The school principal had demanded a sum of Rs. 20,000 to admit the child, and asked them to come with the money on the 21st. The couple had bargained and got the principal to reduce the amount to Rs. 15,000.
The couple had agreed to pay the money and then complained to the Bribery Commission, which had sent two officers to the school along with them.
“The suspect was arrested by the officials when the principal’s female peon took the money and left it on the principal’s table,” SSP Guruge said.
He said that the principal was to be produced in the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today
Sri Lanka fight to stay in series
Australia v Sri Lanka, CB Series, 9th match, Melbourne
Sri Lanka's match against Australia at the MCG on Friday is not technically a must-win game for the visitors but Mahela Jayawardene knows another defeat could be as good as fatal to their CB Series. Australia are all but into the deciders - a victory on Friday will confirm it - and they are taking the opportunity to again rest their spearhead Brett Lee.
However, Jayawardene said with several Australia batsmen out of form the hosts would be keen to regain their touch ahead of the finals. "I've played Australia quite a few times," Jayawardene said. "They don't take any game lightly. Even without Brett they've done pretty well, they've shown that they can control things out there in the middle."
Ricky Ponting has been one of Australia's struggling batsmen, with 53 runs at 10.60 during the series, and he said it was time for the top order to pull its weight. Ponting was preparing to speak to his batsmen at their team meeting on Thursday but he conceded it was difficult to be inspiring when he was a chief culprit.
"It's pretty hard to go and talk to the rest of the guys and tell them to get their head down when I can't get it myself," he said. "We haven't played anywhere near our best cricket just yet, as a team.
"We've managed to fight and kick and scratch and win some games - and some have been pretty entertaining games - but they've all been low-scoring ones. Our bowling so far right through the tournament has been outstanding. If we've ever been in any trouble in any game so far it's been as a result of our batting."
Sri Lanka's top order is a concern as well, and they have not enjoyed a 50-run opening stand throughout the tournament. Jayawardene said they had not decided on their final line-up but they would need to consider whether to keep Tillakaratne Dilshan at the top after he failed in his past two starts following a match-winning 62 against India in Canberra.
A victory in Melbourne will keep Sri Lanka's hopes alive and Jayawardene said his batsmen in particular had to improve. "The picture is very clear," he said. "We need to at least win two more out of our three games. We've made some mistakes and we deserve to be where we are."
One of the keys for both teams will be to put the Indian Premier League out of their minds after several players from each side fetched around the million-dollar mark on Wednesday. Andrew Symonds was sold for $1.35m, while his more experienced team-mates Ponting and Matthew Hayden went for less than $400,000 each, and Ponting was keen for the players to forget about the money.
"We'll have to talk about it today at training," he said. "We'll all get together and probably just clear the air a little bit. I'm pretty sure the coach will make sure that happens. For me and a few other batsmen it's about time we put all this stuff behind us and moved on and played some good cricket."
Australia (likely) 1 Adam Gilchrist (wk), 2 Matthew Hayden, 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Michael Clarke, 5 Andrew Symonds, 6 Michael Hussey, 7 James Hopes, 8 Brad Hogg, 9 Mitchell Johnson, 10 Nathan Bracken, 11 Stuart Clark.
Sri Lanka (likely) 1 Sanath Jayasuriya, 2 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 3 Kumar Sangakkara (wk), 4 Mahela Jayawardene (capt), 5 Chamara Silva, 6 Chamara Kapugedera, 7 Farveez Maharoof, 8 Chaminda Vaas, 9 Ishara Amerasinghe, 10 Lasith Malinga, 11 Muttiah Muralitharan.
Sri Lanka's match against Australia at the MCG on Friday is not technically a must-win game for the visitors but Mahela Jayawardene knows another defeat could be as good as fatal to their CB Series. Australia are all but into the deciders - a victory on Friday will confirm it - and they are taking the opportunity to again rest their spearhead Brett Lee.
However, Jayawardene said with several Australia batsmen out of form the hosts would be keen to regain their touch ahead of the finals. "I've played Australia quite a few times," Jayawardene said. "They don't take any game lightly. Even without Brett they've done pretty well, they've shown that they can control things out there in the middle."
Ricky Ponting has been one of Australia's struggling batsmen, with 53 runs at 10.60 during the series, and he said it was time for the top order to pull its weight. Ponting was preparing to speak to his batsmen at their team meeting on Thursday but he conceded it was difficult to be inspiring when he was a chief culprit.
"It's pretty hard to go and talk to the rest of the guys and tell them to get their head down when I can't get it myself," he said. "We haven't played anywhere near our best cricket just yet, as a team.
"We've managed to fight and kick and scratch and win some games - and some have been pretty entertaining games - but they've all been low-scoring ones. Our bowling so far right through the tournament has been outstanding. If we've ever been in any trouble in any game so far it's been as a result of our batting."
Sri Lanka's top order is a concern as well, and they have not enjoyed a 50-run opening stand throughout the tournament. Jayawardene said they had not decided on their final line-up but they would need to consider whether to keep Tillakaratne Dilshan at the top after he failed in his past two starts following a match-winning 62 against India in Canberra.
A victory in Melbourne will keep Sri Lanka's hopes alive and Jayawardene said his batsmen in particular had to improve. "The picture is very clear," he said. "We need to at least win two more out of our three games. We've made some mistakes and we deserve to be where we are."
One of the keys for both teams will be to put the Indian Premier League out of their minds after several players from each side fetched around the million-dollar mark on Wednesday. Andrew Symonds was sold for $1.35m, while his more experienced team-mates Ponting and Matthew Hayden went for less than $400,000 each, and Ponting was keen for the players to forget about the money.
"We'll have to talk about it today at training," he said. "We'll all get together and probably just clear the air a little bit. I'm pretty sure the coach will make sure that happens. For me and a few other batsmen it's about time we put all this stuff behind us and moved on and played some good cricket."
Australia (likely) 1 Adam Gilchrist (wk), 2 Matthew Hayden, 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Michael Clarke, 5 Andrew Symonds, 6 Michael Hussey, 7 James Hopes, 8 Brad Hogg, 9 Mitchell Johnson, 10 Nathan Bracken, 11 Stuart Clark.
Sri Lanka (likely) 1 Sanath Jayasuriya, 2 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 3 Kumar Sangakkara (wk), 4 Mahela Jayawardene (capt), 5 Chamara Silva, 6 Chamara Kapugedera, 7 Farveez Maharoof, 8 Chaminda Vaas, 9 Ishara Amerasinghe, 10 Lasith Malinga, 11 Muttiah Muralitharan.
LTTE Arms & Ammunition Uncovered
A LARGE STOCK of LTTE weapons, ammunition rounds and other explosive items, kept hidden in the general area of SIVAPURAM, VAVUNIYA were recovered during a combined search operation of the Army, Police and STF (Special Task Force) Tuesday (19) at about 1.00 p.m..
Thirty-five pistol rounds, five pistol magazines, one hand grenade, one cyanide capsule, two dog tags, two mobile phones, two detonators, two 9 v batteries, one remote control devices, three wire clips and a damaged T-56 weapon were among the recoveries.
Meanwhile, during three separate search operations conducted in VARIKUTTURUWA, UDAYANTHANKULAM, PERIYAPANTRICHURICHCHAN and VENKALACHEDDIKULAM, areas, troops found two 9V batteries, two remote control devices, two detonators, three wire clips, five hand grenades, four combat dresses, six hundred T–56 ammunition rounds, three hundred and nineteen terrorist anti personnel mines and one 81 mm mortar trap Wednesday (20). Some of these items were found from the inside of an abandoned LTTE bunker at UDAYANTHANKULAM.
Meanwhile, on information received from a civilian, the MUTUR Police recovered three hand grenades from the general area of ALINCHENA, TRINCOMALEEon Wednesday (20) at about 11.00 a.m..
Similarly, troops on clearing operations at SADDM HUSSAIN village in BATTICALOA recovered two hand grenades hidden in an abandoned shop in the area the same day (20) at about 7.45 a.m..
Thirty-five pistol rounds, five pistol magazines, one hand grenade, one cyanide capsule, two dog tags, two mobile phones, two detonators, two 9 v batteries, one remote control devices, three wire clips and a damaged T-56 weapon were among the recoveries.
Meanwhile, during three separate search operations conducted in VARIKUTTURUWA, UDAYANTHANKULAM, PERIYAPANTRICHURICHCHAN and VENKALACHEDDIKULAM, areas, troops found two 9V batteries, two remote control devices, two detonators, three wire clips, five hand grenades, four combat dresses, six hundred T–56 ammunition rounds, three hundred and nineteen terrorist anti personnel mines and one 81 mm mortar trap Wednesday (20). Some of these items were found from the inside of an abandoned LTTE bunker at UDAYANTHANKULAM.
Meanwhile, on information received from a civilian, the MUTUR Police recovered three hand grenades from the general area of ALINCHENA, TRINCOMALEEon Wednesday (20) at about 11.00 a.m..
Similarly, troops on clearing operations at SADDM HUSSAIN village in BATTICALOA recovered two hand grenades hidden in an abandoned shop in the area the same day (20) at about 7.45 a.m..
Air Force Destroys Two LTTE Artillery Centers
Yesterday 21, at 12.00p.m and 1.00p.m in MANNAR and MULLATIVUE areas air force Fighter Jets carried out air strikes on LTTE artillery Gun position .
These centers were used by the LTTE terrorists to fire artillery at troops on the Forward Defence Line.
These centers were used by the LTTE terrorists to fire artillery at troops on the Forward Defence Line.
Air force confirms that the air strike was a total success.
Villagers of 6 Ela ,Buttala shoked to see a group of LTTE cadres
After yesterday's (20th) attack and killing of 3 Army soldiers at Dambakotte on Buttala-Sella Kataragama Road, today villagers of Haye Ela, Buttala have seen LTTE cadres hanging around the same area. The shocked villagers have left their homes and come closer to Buttala town for security.
Recently, there were number of incidents happened around this area including a Claymore Bomb explosion in a But, but, so far, not a single LTTE cadre is captured.
Even though it stated that the 3 soldiers killed yesterday during a road seach, villagers say that they were coming to have their lunch.
One of the villagers told 'Lanka-e-news' that peasants from Helagama, Dambakotte Yaya, Gonaganara, Haye Ela and Alugalla - boardering to Yala - have come to their friend's and relative's places seeking security. According to the villagers, there were about 15 LTTE cadres were in the area.
Recently, there were number of incidents happened around this area including a Claymore Bomb explosion in a But, but, so far, not a single LTTE cadre is captured.
Even though it stated that the 3 soldiers killed yesterday during a road seach, villagers say that they were coming to have their lunch.
One of the villagers told 'Lanka-e-news' that peasants from Helagama, Dambakotte Yaya, Gonaganara, Haye Ela and Alugalla - boardering to Yala - have come to their friend's and relative's places seeking security. According to the villagers, there were about 15 LTTE cadres were in the area.
JVP warns of ‘big explosion’
The JVP yesterday warned that there would be a ‘massive explosion’ unless the Rajapaksa administration stopped all of its corruption, waste and irregularities that had directly contributed the rising cost of living over the past two years.
Addressing a press conference at the National Library Services Board, JVP heavyweight Lal Kantha asserted that such an eventuality would be inevitable and would lead to the downfall of the government which the JVP helped to form. "President Rajapaksa will not survive," he said.
The Anuradhapura district MP said that the ongoing combined security forces campaign against the LTTE had forced them not to go all out against the government. He said that they were in a tight spot as the ground situation wasn’t conducive for a cohesive political campaign to force the government to its knees primarily due to the successful military campaign
The JVP has asked the government to withdraw the decision to increase electricity tariffs immediately. JVP Parliamentarian Lal Kanthe addressing a media briefing held in Colombo today said the decision taken by the government would never be approved.
Speaking further Mr. Lal Kanthe said, “The government has already made the people aware through advertisements and media that electricity charges have to be increased by a big margin. The reason they indicate for this increase is the increase of fuel prices in the world market and non availability of the subsidy made available to the Petroleum Corporation until recently. These are not reasons that can be accepted. The government, in order not to increase electricity charges, is levying an extra tax of Rs.9.00 from each liter of petrol. This was announced through the ministry. This tax is levied even from consumers who don’t use electricity. As such, this decision of the government to increase electricity charges cannot be accepted.”
“This tax for petrol is collected from petrol issued by Indian Oil Company (IOC) as well, but the government does not get this money from IOC. In a situation where IOC is involved in 1/3rd share of fuel market in Sri Lanka the Indian company gets a very large profit by not returning the levied tax.
Also, the government increases electricity charges at a time when all other consumer goods and services have been increased while no increase had taken place in people’s incomes. The prices of goods and services, under this government, have increased more than at any other time. During the two year period of this government the price of Rice has increased by Rs.33.00, potatoes by Rs.43.00, dhal by Rs.49.00 and coconut by Rs.20.00. The living index that was 4555.5 in 2005 has increased to 6302.5 – an increase of 2247. However, the income of state employees has not increased since 2005.”
Speaking further Mr. Lal Kanthe said, “Electricity Board has been running at a loss since 1995. Non implementing of the electricity generating plan, no action being taken against fraud and corruption (As revealed by COPE report) in the board and inefficiency have been identified as the main causes for the loss the board has subjected to. However, the government, instead of finding solutions for these issues, is trying to burden the people. He said there was information that the plan is to increase the electricity charges by a big margin and when people start opposing it to bring it down to the expected level.
This increase of electricity charges cannot be accepted in a situation when there are a lot that the government should do and also when the burden of fraud and corruption of the ruling class is put on people’s shoulders. Hence, we demand that the government should withdraw the decision to increase electricity charges. If the government fails to do so the JVP would not hesitate to come down to the streets with the masses. If masses turn out to campaign against the government at a time when Security Forces are engaged in defeating terrorism, the government will have to bear the consequences of such a situation,” said Mr. Lal Kanthe.
JVP Parliamentarians Piyasiri Wijenayake and Wasanthe Samarasinghe too were present.
.
longest tunnel in Sri Lanka and suicide bombers
This is the longest tunnel in Sri Lanka which is 225 meters Long was constructed at a cost of Rs. 2 billion will be open on Sunday.
One of the important point is its situated closer to Nuwara Eliya a place in which Sri Lankan army captured few suicide bomber kits and a person who is connected with. therefore it is worth the president of Sri Lanka to take all precautionary actions if he is going to open the tunnel.
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