isitha.com: January 2009

Several LTTE war items recovered

(Colombo Lankapuvath January 31) In search operations conducted in the areas of Kilinochchi, Trincomalee and Mullaittivu yesterday (30) troops recovered several war items of the LTTE.

In search operations conducted by the troops of the Task Force IV in west Pudukuduirrippu from 06.00am to 06.00pm troops recovered 210 litres of kerosene oil in 10 barrels, a container filled with Urea, 10 water jets and 10000 candles.

According to the Media Centre for National Security (MCNS), troops of the Task Force II recovered 07 fishing boats, 01 T 56 weapon, a 2.5 kg claymore mine, 01 rifle grenade, 55 hand grenades, a national Identity Card, an ID used by LTTE cadres and a bottle of water. These items were recovered in search operations conducted in the Udayarkattukulam area.

Meanwhile 14 kg of C 4 explosives and 10 feet of detonator codes were found in the in Trincomalee while troops also recovered 03 12.5 kg claymore mines close to the Dharmapuram lagoon said the MCNS.

India welcomes Sri Lanka's offer on a safe passage

(Colombo Lankapuvath January 31) India lauded the Sri Lankan Government’s announcement of granting a safe passage to civilians trapped in the northern parts of the country on Tuesday (31). India also hopes that the condition of the civilians will improve in the future.

The Government of India welcomes this important announcement and hopes that with the implementation of these steps, the condition of the civilians caught up in the conflict, will improve,” said Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon on late Thursday night (29).

Reacting to the announcement made by President Mahinda Rajapkasa, urging the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to allow free movement of civilians trapped in northern areas to ensure their safety and security Menon said that they are happy to see the measures taken by the Sri Lankan Government.

Menon said that that the safety of civilians figured prominently in discussions between External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee with President Rajapaksa when the former visited Colombo this week.

President Rajapaksa has offered a safe passage to all the civilians trapped in the conflicted areas of the country and that vacating the LTTE-held areas will ensure their physical security and enable peace, freedom and rights for all citizen of the country, said the foreign Secretary.

We understand that necessary instructions to this effect, to enable the implementation of these steps, have been given,” he added
Menon’s remarks came amid concerns expressed after political parties in Tamil Nadu about the plight of Tamil civilians caught in the conflict between the government troops and the LTTE.

When Mukherjee visited Colombo on Tuesday, President Rajapaksa told him that he had invited Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and AIDMK leader J. Jayalalitha to Sri Lanka to persuade the Tigers to lay down their arms and enter into the democratic mainstream.

Mukherjee said the humanitarian situation in the northern war-zone came up for discussion and President Rajapaksa assured him that his Government would minimise civilian sufferings.
“In course of our discussions, President Rajapaksa agreed to expand the safe zones and also ensure that there is no shelling, firing in the safe zone,” Mukherjee told reporters in New Delhi soon after his return on Wednesday (28).

President Rajapaksa appealed to all concerned to allow the civilians to go to the safe zones so that food, shelter, medicine and safety could be provided to them,” he said.

We further requested and the President agreed to ensure that the relief material, which we are sending, reaches the persons who are affected by the impact of this conflict,” Mukherjee had said.

Sri Lanka's first disaster alert system launched today

(Colombo Lankapuvath January 30) The new network to inform the public about disasters was launched by the Disaster Management Centre in Sri Lanka today (30) at BMICH.

The Disaster Management Centre will inform the relevant district Disaster Management Centers and the relevant districts which will be affected by the disaster.

The network system will be set up in the populated areas. The system will release a signal indicating the disaster while a prior notice will be given.

Meanwhile a sms system to inform the public on the disaster will also begin through a GSM network called the “Cell Broadcast”.

At the beginning these alerts will only be received by the “Dialog” users.

The programme also receives the fullest cooperation of the Mobile Communication research laboratory of the Moratuwa University and the Micro Image Company.

‘Investor interest will improve if ‘war risk’ label is removed’

Investor interest will improve gradually in Sri Lanka if the “war risk” label is removed. If other countries remove the risk premium to the levels of Thailand, Indonesia and India it will help Sri Lanka to attract more investors, said Managing Director Ceylon Asset Management Dulindra Fernando.

“Despite a continued “terrorism risk” many analysts also expect Sri Lankan legislators to enact a power sharing proposal offering extensive devolution to the provinces during the year. This will help undermine support for militancy and create the conditions for long-term capital to enter the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE),” he told Daily News Business.

Dulindra Fernando

According to Fernando, the Stock Market can free itself from the ‘war risk’ and perform normally as other Asian markets during the latter part of 2009.

The current decline of global equity markets will create a drag on the CSE as foreign investors’ cash out profits to remit funds back home to cover losses and urgent bank commitments. Further, local exporters will also experience declining profitability during the year, he said.

“If Sri Lanka can manage the security risk effectively and develop national infrastructure, we have the opportunity to emerge as a unique success story for investors, while the entire world experiences a decline,” Fernando said.

He said the economy has several developed, world-class industries such as Tea, Tourism, Apparel, Ports and Logistics in addition to a mature banking sector and an agricultural base lead by the plantation sector.

Except for the apparel sector, all other sectors are well represented on the CSE. The Sri Lankan equity market has bolted off the blocks to become the Top performing equity market in the world, as at January 26, with a performance of 20.96% (ASPI). The Milanka Price Index has grown 24.01%. Chile’s IPSA Stock Market Select Index follows with 9.83% and the Shanghai SE Composite Index (China) is third with 9.33%.

The recent initiatives to introduce derivatives by the CSE and the SEC are indeed well timed, for Sri Lanka.

It will create a platform for several new products and risk management tools to enable Sri Lankan equity markets to develop rapidly.

Fernando said in the longer term, Sri Lanka has the opportunity to emerge as a regional shipping, leisure and investment hub for South Asia, as the only politically neutral country in a divided region.

Investment invariably contains risk but in the new reality of Sri Lanka, the long-term risk of not being invested in the Stock Market is greater than short-term risk of volatility for an equity investor.

Sri Lanka has all the ingredients of a compelling investment prospect this year, he said.

Ceylon Asset Management Co. Ltd, manages two funds (Unit Trusts), licensed by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC).

Nokia pledges more investments

Sri Lanka is one of the most lucrative markets for Nokia and the company continues to invest in the local market.

Sales and Channel Development Manager, Nokia EA Md. Mesbahuddin, said that Nokia will continue to invest in Sri Lanka as it is an important market compared to other markets in the region.

Customers take a close look at the latest devices at the Nokia store

The local telecommunication industry is equipped with 3G and 3.5G. The local industry is fast in adopting the latest technologies, which creates immense business opportunities for Nokia, he said.

Nokia will invest heavily on brand building, market research and improve the retail business in the Sri Lankan market.

Investing on market surveys is important to identify local customer needs and the latest trends in the market and Nokia will focus more on this, he said. Gray market exists in every market and it is difficult to eliminate the gray market completely.

However, the industry needs the assistance from the government to mitigate the gray market.

The local tax rate on mobile phones is still high and bringing the tax rate down will make mobile phones more affordable to customers where it will prevent customers moving towards the gray market, he said. Nokia launched its first branded store in Sri Lanka on Wednesday. This store offers an extensive range of Nokia devices and accessories with expert advice and the assurance of authenticity.

Retail Development Manager, Nokia EA Sajid Rizwan Matin said that during an economic downturn companies need to continue their investments. But they have to prioritise their investments.

Investing on retail business is important and the Nokia branded store is part of enhancing our retail business in Sri Lanka.

“We expect to invest more on Nokia stores in Sri Lanka and these stores will be located out of Colombo”, he said.

LTTE clamps on civilian outflow: Mounts artillery batteries inside No-fire zones - Mullaittivu [Click to magnify/shrink]

LTTE artillery gun positions with respective calibers, plotted through accurate information received from technical and intelligence sources: LTTE terrorists have positioned its artillery batteries in the government declared 'No Fire Zone'.

With more civilians erager to move out of LTTE held areas. the LTTE is ttemptingv to trigger a civilian crisis in Wanni. LTTE terrorists have reportedly drawn artillery batteries, heavy mortars and satellite bases inside civilian settlements and makeshift camps which were earlier declared as no-fire zones, military said citing civilian and ground sources.

Yesterday (29), the government along with the UN and ICRC facilitated transportation of more than 300 civilians including 165 patients who were forcibly held by LTTE as part of its human shield. 40 children were also among the group that had arrived at Omanthai, news sources reported. Meanwhile, the terrorists also released the UN aid workers who were detained by the outfit since 16 January, due to increasing local and international pressure. Two expatriates and 13 other local staff of the United Nations were held captive by LTTE at Puthukkuyirippu, a remaining terrorist fortification.

The LTTE is using the thousands entrapped as cannon fodder in its attempt to stall the multi-frontal military advance, now closing in on its remaining locations Northeast of Visuamadu, Puthukudiyirippu and Mullaittivu, defence observers state. Faced with an inevitable defeat by the security forces. LTTE terrorists have resorted to crude and violent tactics which has resulted in an outburst of civilian agitation against the outfit recently.

On 20th January, around 75,000 people lined up to enter the liberated areas at Kilinochchi were surrounded and beaten by an LTTE led mob. At least 10 people were killed when LTTE terrorists opened indiscriminate fire at the civilians, escapees from the tragic site revealed, speaking to security force officials at Kilinochchi. One of them, a medical student was tortured and exhibited around the populated areas and to make others learn the fate of attempted escapees from the area. A few managed to escape while the rest were dragged towards LTTE torture camps believed to be located at Visuamadu and Puthukudiryirippu. According to informed sources, the civilian exodus is mostly triggered from areas at Teravilkulam, Northeast of Visuamadu and North of Puthukudiyirippu.

LTTE terrorists have already located its artillery batteries, heavy mortar guns and rear operating positions inside the declared No-Fire Zones, defence sources said, citing both civilian and technical sources. Many people have fearlessly opposed the LTTE tactic and some have even confronted the terrorists, at times even blocking the movement of heavy gun carriers and trailers into the villages. In the face of a humiliating defeat LTTE terrorists are planning a major civilian tragedy at Wanni, defence observers stated, adding that the probability of "mass suicide" or execution of the civilians by the banned terrorist outfitalso cannot be ruled out.

The LTTE's attempt to provoke security forces into retaliatory fire towards the No Fire zone has proven a failure as troops showed xtreme concern for its Zero Civilian Casualty (ZCC) policy. Terrorists are continuing to take shelter among the people entrapped in the conflict zone with utmost contempt for the safety of civilians, defence observers state. With LTTE being deprived of territory and now surrounded, the outfit is resorting to brutal tactics, deserving unreserved condemnation,the official further said.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan Government continues to make effective initiatives for the implementation of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) in the conflict areas. The government also took measures to facilitate evacuation of stranded civilians in LTTE held areas, especially the sick and wounded. Though foreign news agencies and tribal media stooges of the 'Sri Lankan victim industry' make repetitive attempts to exaggerate the civilian numbers in the No Fire Zone as being over a quarter million, defence observers citing ground sources and reliable information assert that the true figure may fluctuate around 75000 - 100,000 people on a high estimate.

DMK flays LTTE for not responding to 48-hour ceasefire

The Ruling DMK yesterday sharply criticised the LTTE for not responding to the 48-hour ceasefire declared by the Sri Lankan Government in the Vanni region to evacuate civilians caught in the fighting between the Army and the Tigers.

The LTTE had not given any word on the safe passage of Tamils in the conflict zone, Tamil Nadu Finance Minister and DMK General Secretary K Anbazhagan said in the State Assembly.

Replying to a mention by Congress whip S.Peter Alphones in this regard, he said even after last night's (Thursday's) announcement of the ceasefire by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, LTTE leader V Prabhakaran and his cadres did not come forward to reciprocate it.

UN agencies had also welcomed the new move by the Sri Lankan government, said Anbhazhagan, who faced questions from the members on the issue for the second day in the absence of Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, who is indisposed. He wondered why the LTTE had not yet allowed the people a safe passage from the war zone.

Anbazhagan said the recent visit of External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee to Sri Lanka was the first step to save Tamils living there.

"This is the first step the Centre had taken to save Tamils in the island nation. We should try to take more such steps in bringing a sustained peace atmosphere for Tamils living there," he said.

To a question by PMK leader G.K.Mani that the war in Sri Lanka should be stopped, Anbazhagan replied that the fighting was not taking place in a particular zone.

"Even the Sri Lankan Government is not willing to disclose to us that there is a war in their country. Even if we ask them in this regard, they will say they are only fighting with terrorist group LTTE to stop terrorism," he added.

Courtesy : Daily News

Truce not a ceasefire

Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe yesterday said the 48-hour truce period granted by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to free civilians out of LTTE bondage was in no way a ceasefire.

Addressing a press conference, following a meeting and a presentation by the Army Commander Sarath Fonseka to the Diplomatic community in Sri Lanka, at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo Minister Samarasinghe told journalists that bilateral and multilateral discussions had been held with the diplomatic community pertaining to the current situation in the conflict region in the north.

"The talks centred on the performance of our war heroes in the north, were open, frank and transparent. They were also very comprehensive, informative and positive," Minister Samarasinghe said.

Responding to queries from journalists, Minister Samarasinghe categorically stated that the Government is determined not to have a Ceasefire.

This special measure had been taken to ensure the welfare and the security of the civilians in the north, he said.

The Government in this context, was urging the LTTE to let go innocent civilians, men, women and children within the next 48-hour, to the declared 'Safe Zone', the Minister said.

Armed Forces have detected that the LTTE were keeping heavy weaponry near to the 'Ceasefire Zone'. However, the Armed Forces would make sure that they strictly refrain from targeting the civilians, he said.

In relation to the ambiguity of civilian figures in Mullaitivu, the Minister said that according to statistics received from the Mullaitivu Government Ajent, there seems to be around 20,000 families. Nevertheless, the Nation Building Ministry figures reveal that there has been a duplication in the said lists.

Courtesy: Daily News

Allow free movement to the civilians in 48 hours- President urges LTTE

His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka has urged the LTTE to allow the civilians held as a human shield in Wanni to go for their safety. In statement issued yesterday (Jan 29) he further assures safer passage to a security environment.

Bloomberg: Sri Lanka Is The World's Best Performing Stock Market This Year

According to New York-based Bloomberg Finance, Sri Lanka's Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) is the world's best performing stock market so far this year. In the number two spot is China's Chile Stock Market.

Sri Lanka Navy destroys LTTE suicide boat - Mullaittivu

Sri Lanka Navy attack boats deployed in the Mullaittivu seas have destroyed an LTTE suicide boat around 3 this morning (Jan 30). According to the navy sources , the navy boats deployed in the sea blockade along the northeastern coast have intercepted the explosive laden boat launched from Mullaittivu coast and destroyed it by directing heavy gunfire at the incoming terrorist boat.

At present, Sri Lanka Navy has deployed 4 blockades along the northeastern coast of the island to prevent LTTE arms supplies and escaping LTTE cadres via sea routes. The Rapid Action Boat Squadron (RABS) and the Special Boat Squadron (SBS) units maintain their blockade closest to the coast while Fast Attack Flotilla 4 (FAF4) maintained the second barrier in the coastal waters. The third and the fourth barriers are maintained by the Gunboats and Offshore Patrol Vessels that extends from territorial waters to the blue waters.

Army 58 Division gain more ground; LTTE hold continue to recede in Wanni

Sri Lanka Army 58 Division soldiers thrusting into the remaining LTTE hiding areas stretching from the south of Kilaly lagoon to the A-35 road (Paranthan- Mullaittivu) are making a rapid progress on their march along the west - east axis, reveal battlefield sources.

Battlefield reports indicate that intense fighting had been taken place in Visuamadu and Piliyampokkanal areas yesterday (Jan 29).

Troops had daylong confrontations in the Visuamadu area and found 4 bodies of LTTE cadres and one T-56 riffle during search operations. Both ground sources and radio monitoring reports indicated heavy damages to the terrorist. Meanwhile, in a separate march troops captured 152 mm heavy artillery gun, two heavy earth moving vehicles, three heavy vehicles, 12 mini tractors, two busses and one double cab that had been used by the terrorists. Snipers deployed in the forward areas of Visuamadu claimed 8 successful shootings during the day.

In the Piliyampokkanal area , troops had intense fighting with the terrorists since last afternoon. Troops found 3 bodies of LTTE cadres, one T-56 riffle and three radio communication sets during subsequent search operations.

Meanwhile troops during their march liberated the Piliyampokkanal government hospital. Ground sources said that the hospital had been used by the terrorist to treat their wounded cadres. Large amount of medicines and equipment were also found in the hospital. The sources further said that the terrorist had taken most of the hospital items from the Government Hospital at Paranthan during their withdrawal.

Allow free movement to the civilians in 48 hours- President urges LTTE

UNICEF disowns vehicles found with its logo - Mullaittivu

UNICEF in a press release yesterday (Jan 29) said that the Toyota double cab found by the Sri Lanka army in Mullaittivu with UNICEF logo on it , did not belong to the organization.

The press release further said that UNICEF has no double cabs in its fleet and therefore, the Army website had erroneously claimed the vehicle belonged to UNICEF

Sri Lanka Army on Wednesday (Jan 28) said that the soldiers had found number of vehicles used by the LTTE terrorists including above mentioned double cab from the Visuamadu area.

Vehicle recovered from LTTE does not belong to UNICEF

Vehicle recovered from LTTE does not belong to UNICEF

29 Jan 2009, Colombo - UNICEF today said that "a Toyota double cab" which the Army says it has seized from the LTTE does not belong to UNICEF.

An Army website had erroneously claimed the vehicle belonged to UNICEF.

UNICEF does not have any double cabs in its fleet. However in the past years UNICEF has donated a large number of this type of vehicle to Government partners such as the Ministry of Healthcare and Nutrition, Ministry of Education, National Water Supply and Drainage Board and the Ministry of Social Services and Social Welfare to support their activities.

UNICEF said it is extremely regrettable that this donated vehicle might have been illegally taken away from a partner implementing programmes for women and children.

LTTE underwater vehicles found - Mullaittivu

Sri Lanka Army Task Force 3 found an LTTE underwater vehicle and along with 3 other suicide boats from the Udayarkattukulam area last morning (Jan 29). Military sources said that this was the most startling recovery made by troops so far during the on going counter terrorist operations against the LTTE.

With this discovery the LTTE will go down in the history as the first terrorist organization to develop underwater weapons. Also, the LTTE is the first terrorist outfit to introduce suicide bombers to the world and to develop naval and air arms.

Defence observers are in the view that the LTTE has been able to come this far in terrorism warfare because of the leeway given the outfit by the international community. Until recently, the LTTE sympathizers were given opportunity raise funds freely in the western countries to buy arms and ammo. The outfit has been able to operate a fleet of ships to smuggle arms, engage in drug trafficking and human smuggling to make money, etc, in many parts of the world. With hired hands in many international media, NGOs and various other front organizations the outfit has been able to portray itself as a liberation organization to the world and to put international pressure on the government when taking military action against it.

More Information

http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20090129_05

58 Div troops liberate Visuamadu Town; battles enter last phase at Mullaittivu [Updated]

Troops of the 58 Division after hours of fierce fighting that ensued with LTTE have reached the Visuamdu junction, this afternoon (Jan 28). According to latest reports received, troops have now gained total control over the Visuamadu town, following initial search and clearing operations conducted in the area, security sources said.

LTTE resistances were rattled during the multi-frontal military assault, ground sources said adding that scores of terrorists were killed and many injured during the fighting.

According to military sources, troops have also gained control over a 10km stretch of the road, running North of Visuamadu via Puliyampokkanai towards Chundikkulama. Troops are now engaged in mopping up the remaining LTTE resistances South of Visuamadu and Piramanthal kulama. LTTE terrorists unable to withstand the military onslaught have further fled towards the declared safer zones at Teravilkulam and Udayarkattukulama, military sources said. Meanwhile, LTTE terrorists have continued firing heavy artillery towards security forces from the declared civilian safety region. "This is an exhibit of utmost contempt to norms of humanity and the lives of the thousands entrapped", a military official said. Security forces have been resilient on securing the safety of the civilians held by LTTE, despite continuous provocations made by the outfit for a military retaliation towards the safe zone, the official further said.

According to available civilian and military ground information, terrorists are concentrating arsenal and fighting units among the civilians in light for what defence observe identify to trigger a 'last minute civilian tragedy.' Thousands of innocent Tamil civilians are held at gunpoint under unprecedented hardships by the LTTE at these safe regions until its senior ranks sketch out an escape route, defence observes further stated.

Meanwhile, during subsequent search operations conducted troops have also found a bus and a recovery vehicle which is believed used to trail artillery guns, security sources said.

58 Div troops reach Visuamadu Junction; battles enter last phase at Mullaittivu

Troops of the 58 Division after hours of fierce fighting that ensued with LTTE have reached the Visuamdu junction, this afternoon (Jan 28).

LTTE resistances were rattled during the multi-frontal military assault, ground sources said adding that scores of terrorists were killed and many injured during the fighting.

Meanwhile, during subsequent search operations conducted troops have also found a bus and a recovery vehicle which is believed used to trail artillery guns, security sources said.

58 Div troops reach Visuamadu Junction; battles enter last phase at Mullaittivu

Troops of the 58 Division after hours of fierce fighting that ensued with LTTE have reached the Visuamdu junction, this afternoon (Jan 28).

LTTE resistances were rattled during the multi-frontal military assault, ground sources said adding that scores of terrorists were killed and many injured during the fighting.

More information will follow.

Don't listen to the failed west

Don't listen to the failed west

The western diplomats, Akashi the Japanese special envoy on Sri Lankan matters and of course one or two Indians have visited Sri Lanka again in the last few weeks. They appear to come in procession. The Indians after a long time seem to have a good understanding of what Sri Lanka is doing at the moment. Sri Lanka unlike during the JR Jayewardene regime is not a threat to India directly or indirectly and India appears to be happy in respect of the present situation in the country. The Indian government may have to do some jugglery with respect to Karunanidhi who has to respond to some of the maverick Tamil Nadu politicians. However, RAW is a different kettle of fish altogether and the Sri Lankan government has to keep a watchful eye on it.

Neither RAW, Akashi nor the western powers should be allowed dictate terms to the Sri Lankan government. Akashi and the western powers are "committed" to a so called political solution and they apply pressure on the government? However, we do not see a problem to be solved and we do not have to come out with so called solutions for non existing problems. It is true that the westerners have a problem in this country in particular and in Asia in general. They have failed to Christianize the region religion wise after more than five hundred years. They were successful only in Philippines changing even the name of the country, and in that sense not efficient as the Muslim invaders. However we have to admit that though the west has failed to Christianize Asia religion wise they have created a section of the middle class throughout Asia, which is culturally Christian.

In Sri Lanka the situation is worse as far as the west is concerned. Even the middle class is in general not listening to what the west has to say these days. The west at least from the time of the Dutch was interested in weakening, if not destroying the Sinhala Buddhist culture and imposing their culture on us. Tamil racism was created and nurtured in the process and the British wanted to give the local political, cultural and economical leadership to non Sinhala Buddhists, and to Tamil Vellalas in general and Ponnamabalam Coomaraswamy family in particular. The west did not want to give the due place to Sinhala Buddhist culture in the country. They manoeuvred with Tamil Vellala leaders to make the Sinhala Buddhists a minority in the legislature from the very beginning. Their plans failed and they could not prevent the Sinhala Buddhist representatives becoming the majority first in the state council and then in the Parliament.

Having failed in their attempt to make Sinhala Buddhists a minority in the Parliament in connivance with the Tamil Vellala leaders, they created the so called injustices to the Tamils in the country. SJV Chelvanayakam who was the first Tamil Vellala to realize that even with the manoeuvrings by the British the Tamil leaders could not become the majority at the centre established his separatist party to create a so called Eelam in the northern and the eastern provinces created finally in 1889 by the British. In order to help Chelvanayakam achieve his ambition myths that had already been created on injustices to the Tamils were given publicity and new myths were added to the list. The so called Tamil kingdom that was supposed to have existed in the British created northern and the eastern provinces and in the western seaboard up to Puttlam from Jaffna was created based on an erroneous minute by one Leghorn and judicial (not even administrative- all these have been discussed in "An introduction to Tamil racism in Sri Lanka" which is a translation of "Prabhakaran ohuge seeyala baappala ha massinala" that can be downloaded free from the website http://www.kalaya.org/) districts created by the Dutch, and wide publicity was given to all these myths by the British. The official language act in 1956 (remember that Chelavanayakam had founded his separatist party calling it the Federal Party to mislead the Sinhalas way back in 1949 long before the official language act) was supposed to have deprived the status that had been given to the Tamil language (by whom? the British!) and world wide publicity was given to the so called injustices to the Tamils.

The injustices to the Tamils and the un-Buddhistic attitude of the Sinhala Buddhists became an industry and the western "intellectuals" with their Sri Lankan imitators came on the scene. With hindsight we may say that 1976 marked the beginning of the end of Tamil racism with the Tamil leaders declaring their ambition to establish an Eelam, through the so called Vadukkodai resolution. Tamil youth were taught of an Eelam that existed at least from the time of Vijaya and Sinhala Buddhist cruelty. The youth believed their political uncles and grand uncles and took up arms with the blessings of India and the west to establish the Eelam of their elders. Of the youths Prabhakaran was the most ruthless and anti Sinhala Buddhist, and with Chelvanayakam was the most influenced by the Church. Prabhakaran was given funds by the west through NGOs indirectly and through the special envoys directly. It was not only funds that were given but even weapons, boats, and light aircrafts which probably took off from other countries or ships.

The LTTE was nurtured by the west and various humanitarian organisations, human rights industrialists, media freedom people and other NGOs had a field day defending the terrorists. Solheim and others inflated Prabhakaran into a war genius and with others tried to create a public opinion that the LTTE was invincible. The so called peace councils of national council of churches and such organisations campaigned against "war", having interpreted operations against a terrorist organisation as a war. The local editors and others dubbed it the "Eelam war" and exposing their conceptual bankruptcy proceeded until Eelam war IV. Meanwhile the west with their "intellectuals" and other peace mongers went on to discredit the Army without forgetting to mention that the majority of the soldiers were Sinhala Buddhists. The idea was to disgrace the Sinhala Buddhists and the question was raised as to the appropriateness of war for the Buddhists. Some third rate Sociologists came out with hurriedly written equally rated books on "Buddhism Betrayed" forgetting that Gemunu, Vijayaba and other Sinhala Buddhist kings had fought against the invaders including the Christian Europeans who went round the world with the blessings of Pope. It was made to understand that while the Christians, Catholics, Muslims and others could engage in war the Buddhists had to observe sil even if they were attacked. All these third rate "intellectuals" were adequately answered and movements such as Sudu Nelum and Thavalams were defeated on a theoretical front. Though the west and their cohorts were defeated theoretically, at the military front the LTTE continued with their massacres. The Presidents and Prime Ministers were busy with peace talks and were eager to hear that the LTTE could not be defeated. A so called ceasefire agreement brokered by Norway and the other western countries was signed between Ranil Wickremesinghe and the terrorist fascist and wide publicity was given to it. In fact it was the west that was behind all the propaganda on behalf of Tamil racism in general and LTTE in particular and without their active involvement no propaganda would have been possible.

As long as the Presidents were produced by the British for Sri Lanka the west could engage in all the anti Sinhala Buddhist activities. Such Presidents only listened to what their masters in the west had to say and acted accordingly. In fact it is appropriate to say that they did not act. The Sinhala people decided "enough was enough" long before Ranil Wickremesinghe took up the slogan and defeated Wickremesinghe and with him the so called leaders produced by the west. Once we were able to elect a President with a backbone who was not a product of the west, the situation began to change rapidly. All that President Mahinda Rajapakshe had to do was not to listen to the west, and the rest followed. He was able to give political leadership to the able military leadership and the heroic soldiers and the armed forces, yes that Sinhala Buddhist army, has been able to turn tables. The armed forces have been very disciplined and have won not only the land but the hearts of the Tamil people as well. However, now no one is willing to give credit to the discipline, meththa and karuna that have been instilled in the soldiers by Sinhala Buddhism and the peace brigade is waiting for one mistake by the armed forces. Akashi has been happy about the way the development in the east but he has to be reminded that it would not have been possible if the government had followed their advice and continued with so called peace talks. The government had to engage in operations without any support or aid from the west (including) Japan and it was a victory for a government that did not listen to the west. The west with all those concepts of failed state has failed. Perhaps now they are waiting for a chance to intervene over the dead bodies of the journalists, under right to protect or some other scheme.

Now all the Akashis in the west are trying to advice the government on the so called political solution without clearly defining the problem. The government should not listen the west that has failed in so many ways and listen to the nationalist forces. It was by listening to the nationalist forces that the government has been successful in operations and it is the nationalist forces that know the problem and the solution. The west has its own agenda of not giving the due place to Sinhala Buddhist culture and the government should not succumb to the west under any pressure. Even if one assumes that there are injustices to the Tamils, by devolving power to the northern and eastern provinces, of course to the other provinces as well, the so called injustices to the Tamils living in the other provinces would not be solved. As the majority of the Tamils live outside the northern and the southern provinces it is clear that the so called problem of the Tamils is not solved by the "solution" that the west and their cohorts propose. The problem is that of accepting the significance of the Sinhala Buddhist culture in this country by the non Sinhala leaders and the Church (the ordinary Sinhala Christians and Catholics have no problem with that), and once it is done we may elect a non Sinhala Buddhist as the President of the country. We have to remember that Obama was elected as the President as an American belonging to the American Christian culture giving oath in the name of the Bible and not as a black or African American who went round the country criticizing the Judaic Christian culture and demanding devolution so that the injustices to blacks in the Southern states could be solved.

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Meeting between President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Indian Minister of External Affairs Pranab Mukherjee, in Colombo

Visiting Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee held detailed, useful and productive discussions with President Mahinda Rajapaksa last night (27 January). The visit of the Indian Minister followed an invitation for him to visit Sri Lanka, in keeping with the tradition of regular and constructive dialogue between India and Sri Lanka at the highest level. This visit followed the recent visit by Indian Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon.

The discussions, held at President's House, covered recent developments in Sri Lanka, the entire gamut of India-Sri Lanka relations and regional issues of mutual interest. It was agreed that India-Sri Lanka relations are developing strongly and has matured into an abiding friendship. It is particularly important at this time of transition and change that both sides should continue to strengthen ties.

President Rajapaksa expressed his hopes for future developments in Sri Lanka, and stressed that the present military victories offer a political opportunity to restore life to normalcy in the Northern Province and throughout Sri Lanka. The President assured the visiting Indian Minister of his intent for both countries to work together to enable Sri Lankans, and particularly the Tamil community in the North, to begin leading normal lives as soon as possible.

External Affairs Minister Mukherjee expressed India's readiness to participate in the reconstruction of northern Sri Lanka so as to overcome the ravages of armed conflict and also lay the economic and political foundations of a sustainable peace in which all communities in Sri Lanka feel comfortable. India will work together with Sri Lanka on a reconstruction plan for these areas which involves infrastructure development and other support.

President Rajapaksa assured Minister Mukherjee that it was his intention to move as quickly as possible to implement the 13th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution, which followed the India-Sri Lanka Agreement of 1987 and even explore the possibility to go further than these proposals.

Both sides reviewed the humanitarian situation arising as a result of the conflict. The Sri Lankan side reassured that it will respect the safe zones declared by the Security Forces to minimize the effect of conflict on Tamil civilians. The Indian side will continue to extend its relief supplies to civilians caught up in the zone of conflict.

During the discussions President Rajapaksa extended a personal invitation to an all party delegation from Tamil Nadu led by Chief Minister Karunanidhi and Ms. J. Jayalalitha, General Secretary of the AIADMK, to see for themselves the situation on the ground and to persuade the LTTE to lay down arms and join the democratic mainstream.

Both sides agreed that an early restoration of normal democratic life in the areas affected by the conflict would be a major contribution to peace and stability. The Indian side indicated that it will do all that is necessary to bring this about.

Financial donation for war heroes' welfare projects

Mr. Shehan De Silva, Managing Director of the Global Business Outsourcing company, has donated a sum of 15,000 rupees for the use of welfare projects underway to enhance the livelihood of the war heroes who have sacrificed their lives and limbs to safe the motherland.

The cheque was handed over to the chairperson of the Defence Ministry's Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs. Ioma Rajapaksha, at the function held at the Defence Ministry premises yesterday, 27 January.

Hilton Colombo donates 200 blankets for war heroes

Chairman of the Hilton Hotel Colombo, Mr. Nawaz Rajabdeen, has donated 200 blankets for the use of war heroes yesterday, 27 January.

The consignment of blankets was officially handed over to the chairperson of the Defence Ministry's Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs. Ioma Rajapaksa, in a charm function held at the Defence Ministry premises.

Director Operations of Hilton Colombo, Mr. Stefano A Ruzza, vice president of Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs. Indu Rathnayake, Director General of Media Center for National Security, Mr. Luxman Hulugalla and a few members of Seva Vanitha Unit were also present at the occasion.

Mobitel GSM and 3G Coverage

Mobitel, the 'National' mobile service provider in Sri Lanka, is constantly expanding service coverage across all major cities to provide continuous connectivity and clarity to its valued current as well as prospective customers around the country. We became the Network that deployed the fastest GSM network in Sri Lanka when we completed our 300th base station in August 2005, just 18 months after the launch.

Mobitel delivers enhanced solutions via introduction of new technologies and with a commitment to increasing network capacity. We are positioned to increase our base stations to 2000 by the end of the first quarter of 2009. With new base stations being built across the country, we're reaching more places, just so that you can count on Mobitel for quality services and maximized mobile coverage in Sri Lanka.

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About Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel

Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel, the National Mobile Services Provider, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sri Lanka Telecom. In January 2004, the company launched its full-fledged 2.5G GSM network that is EDGE/GPRS enabled and designed to operate on dual band. In December 2007 the company launched its 3.5G HSPA network which was the first Super 3.5G network in South Asia. Investments committed to date in its 3.5G/2.5G networks and service offering totals over US$ 300 mn and are set to increase
Its present 1000+ base stations to 1500 base stations by the end of 2008.

SLT rewarded for its Business Excellence in the Year 2008

Sri Lanka Telecom(SLT) was the proud winner of three prestigious awards at the National Business Excellence Awards 2008, which was held at the Colombo Hilton recently for the 5th consecutive year.

The National Business Excellence Awards, which is held annually, is a unique awards scheme introduced by the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka. It recognizes organizations that have succeeded in demonstrating the highest level of corporate excellence during the year, whilst making a significant contribution to the socio economic growth and development of the country through outstanding business practices. Applicants for the award are evaluated based on eight different criteria which include business and financial performance, global reach, knowledge integration, technological investment, capacity building, performance management, corporate governance and corporate social responsibility. Those who win these prestigious and coveted awards are those corporates who have performed exceptionally well to earn the highest accolades that can be nationally bestowed.

Sri Lanka Telecom was the Gold Winner of the Infrastructure and Utilities Sectorial Award, which is proof of the comprehensive world class infrastructure that SLT has built up over the years. With the company already laying down the giant infrastructure for international and domestic connectivity, SLT has the capability to serve the future demands of any corporate in Sri Lanka especially in terms of Internet Protocol (IP) services. Having been a catalyst for economic and social prosperity, the company has been responsible for impressive capital investments and initiatives to create the capacity for future growth of the industry. In return for the company’s outstanding efforts in this area, SLT became the Gold Winner of the award for Best Capacity Builder under the Best Performance Category. In addition to these two awards, SLT was also the Bronze winner in the Extra Large Category.

Today SLT provides facilities and services which are unmatched in scope. The range of services provided is extensive and includes domestic and international voice, advanced data transmission services which include internet services on leased lines, broadband [on ADSL] and dial up, data circuits, frame relay solutions to IP services such as IP-VPN based on IP-MPLS technology, total corporate solutions of multiple services, satellite uplink services as well as mobile telephony through its fully owned subsidiary Mobitel.

The awards bestowed on SLT at the National Business Excellence Awards is ample proof of the company’s ability to not simply “survive” even in times of turbulence but to perform exceedingly well and demonstrate the highest level of corporate excellence during the year whilst making a significant contribution to the development of the country.

SLAF MI-24 helicopters raids LTTE position - Visuamadukulam

Sri Lanka Air Force MI-24 Helicopter gunships have raided LTTE positions observed northeast of Visuamadukulam last afternoon, 25 January.

Air Force spokesperson, Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara, speaking to defence.lk said that air sorties were engaged around 4.30 PM to assist the ground troops of 57 Division on final phase of the offensive launched to liberate entire Wanni from terrorists.

The target was engaged accurately, spokesperson added.

LTTE resorts to cheap tactics: blasts off Kalmadukulam Tank bund - Mullaittivu

LTTE terrorists have blasted off the Kalmadukulam Tank bund this morning (Jan 24) in a desperate attempt to stall the multi-frontal military surge towards Visuamdu area, latest reports from the Mullaittivu battlefront said.

Terrorists have used high explosives and triggered the detonation flooding a section of the A-35 Pranthan -Pooneryn main road, Dharmapuram and Visuamdu. LTTE terrorists had resorted to this cheap tactic after suffering heavy beating by the security forces during intense fighting that erupted since Friday(23), Northeast of Kalmadu and Nethiliaru, security sources said. Terrorist resistances were beaten comprehensively in the ground battles, which left its fighting formations in total disarray, security sources said.

According to defence observers, the floods will also worsen the LTTE orchestrated humanitarian crisis at Mullaittivu with hundreds confined to small land patches and deprived of relief or aid supplies. Earlier, LTTE terrorists made a similar attempt to destroy the Iranamadukulam Tank bund to dismantle the multi-pronged military advance during the battle for Kilinochchi.

LTTE receives heavy beating at Kalmadu: retreat with heavy damages- Mullaittivu

Fierce fighting was reported between troops and LTTE terrorists in general areas, Northeast of Kalmadu and Nethiliaru, South of the A-35 Paranthan-Pooneryn main road since yesterday (Jan 23), which left scores of terrorists killed and many injured, Wanni security sources said.

Fighting broke out with terrorists when 58 Division infantry and armour battalions forced into remaining LTTE defences at the battle frontier, security sources said. Terrorists suffered heavy damages as the military onslaught rattled tightly fortified LTTE defences causing terrorists to flee, the sources added.

Nugegoda flyover opened

Nugegoda flyover opened
The pre-fabricated flyover at Nugegoda to lesser traffic jams was opened on Friday (Jan 23) at 10 am. The flyover built at the Nugegoda High Level Road junction is expected to reduce the existing traffic jam along the busy highway. The work on the flyover was commenced in October last year and completed within three and half months.

Construction work commenced on a concept of the President Mahinda Rajapaksa and a plan of the late Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle. This is the 2nd flyover built and vested upon public under the "Mahinda Chinthana."

The Nugegoda flyover currently has two lanes and is 261 metres long and 8.5 metres wide. It is expected to be expanded to four lanes. The cost of the British Government funded project is 878 million Rupees.

The next two flyovers will be built at Dehiwala and Rajagiriya junctions. More flyovers have been planned to build in Kohuwela, Boralesgamuwa, Armour Street, the Hilton Roundabout, the Lipton Circus, Maradana, Kirulapone and Slave Island as well as in Mahawa, Polgahawela, Ja-Ela and Veyangoda.

Army Task Force 4 captures two terror camps - Puthukkudiyiruppu

Sri Lanka Army Task Force 4 operating in the Puthukkudiyiruppu south yesterday (Jan 23) captured two LTTE camps located in the area.

According to the battlefield reports, troops initially captured a camp with 700m x 500m area and 8 buildings. Troops suspect that the camp was a hideout of a senior LTTE cadre as it was provided with luxury lodging and sanitary facilities.

Troops captured the second camp in a separate location after beating off the terrorists in a confrontation. The camp comprised of 4 buildings , 2 improvised containers , 1 water pump , and few petrol and kerosene barrels.

Shared interests in combating terrorism - President sends good wishes to Obama

Sri Lanka and the US share common democratic values and perspectives on a broad range of political issues, particularly in combating terrorism said President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a message of good wishes to Barack Obama, President of the United States of America.

"The Government and people of Sri Lanka deeply appreciate the principled stand taken by Government of United States that the integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka is non-negotiable. The role the United States is playing in achieving peace in Sri Lanka through the consolidation of democratic institutions and promoting economic development has earned our admiration and gratitude," President Rajapaksa further said.

Air Force jets, helicopter gunships continue raids at LTTE positions- Mullaittivu

Air Force jets, helicopter gunships continue raids at LTTE positions- Mullaittivu

SLAF jets and MI-24 helicopter gunships continued air sorties at identified LTTE resistance positions in support of the advancing 59 Div, 57 Div and TF-3 troops at Mullaittivu, today (Jan 23).

Multiple air attacks were carried out South of Mullaittivu, East of Visuamadu and Northeast of the Kalmadukulam Tank since 6.30 this morning, Air Force sources said. According to Air Force Spokesperson Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara, the initial raid was conducted by fighter jets in support of the 59 Division troops, at an LTTE resistance position located South of Mullaittivu at around 6.30a.m. A similar raid was conducted Northeast of the Kalmadukulam Tank Bund in support of the 57 Division troops at 12.20a.m., the sources said.

Earlier, at around 9.45a.m., MI-24 helicopter gunships launched close combat air assaults at an identified LTTE resistance position and defence line East of Visuamadu. The air assault was conducted in support of the Task Force -3 troops, the sources further said.

Malaysia orders a countrywide alert on fleeing tiger supremo Prabhakaran

(By Walter Jayawardhana)

Malaysian Inspector General of Police Musa Hassan told Kula Lumpur's Strait Times that he has ordered a country wide alert to be on the watch out for Tamil Tiger leader Velupillai Prabhakaran.

The alert was issued on the suspicion that he may have escaped to Malaysia after Sri Lankan troops surrounded his last stronghold, Mulaitivu in a 50,000 strong force.

The Malaysian Police Chief told the newspaper that there was a suspicion that Prabhakaran might have escaped to Malaysia or the neighbouring Thailand.

There is a strong Sri Lankan Tamil minority in Malaysia and it is alleged that a strongly pro-LTTE politician in India has been maintaining coordinating activities between the rebel outfit and the Malaysian Tamils.

"We are also using our local intelligence network to ascertain if he is already in the country," Musa was quoted as saying to the Strait Times. "My men will be monitoring all entry points into the country to ensure he does not enter the country," he added.

There had been many speculations in the press about the whereabouts of Prabhakaran after Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka, the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army , last Saturday said, that Prabhakaran might have already escaped Mulaitivu. He has said that the only possible withdrawal of the Tigers could be to the sea in reply to a supporting politician of the Tamil Tigers that they had withdrawn as a tactical strategy to Mulaitivu.

Military analysts have predicted that all camps of the Tigers could be overrun within the matter of few weeks by the Sri Lanka forces.

UN calls on LTTE to meet their responsibilities- Statement from the UN in Sri Lanka

The United Nations in Sri Lanka has issued its strongest possible protest to the LTTE for their refusal to allow UN national staff and dependents to return from the Vanni with the present UN convoy.

The staffs are part of a UN convoy which traveled to the Vanni on Friday 16 January delivering urgent food and emergency supplies to displaced populations.

Due to fighting between the LTTE and Government forces, this convoy has only been able to move safely today

The UN calls on the LTTE to meet their responsibilities and immediately permit all UN staff and dependents to freely move from this area. The LTTE's denial of safe passage is a clear abrogation of their obligations under international humanitarian law.

The present convoy is the eleventh to take supplies to those people trapped in the midst of fighting in the Vanni. Since early October UN convoys have brought approximately 7,000 tons of vital food and relief supplies to displaced populations.

Courtesy: United Nations Office of the Resident / Humanitarian Coordinator for Sri Lanka

James Elder

UN Spokesman (Acting)

Sri Lankan Army provides opportunities for children of the Eastern Province

Despite the military operations underway in the North and the need to keep the hard won peace in the East, the Sri Lankan Army often finds time for other activities of benefit to the people. These include everything from sports festivals and cultural shows to trade fairs and industrial exhibitions. One regular programme includes the organisation of trips to Colombo for schoolchildren from the East.

More than 1,300 children from 26 schools participated during 2007 and 2008, and the Army hopes to continue its work in 2009 and beyond. They include Tamil, Sinhala and English medium students, providing an opportunity for all ethnicities to mingle together and learn from experience the lessons of harmonious coexistence.

The trips are educational as well as enjoyable, because for most of the children it is the first time they are embarking on such a long journey and the first time they are visiting the city. It is a new and well deserved experience after suffering from the impact of decades of war in the East.

Dehiwela Zoo, Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, State Museum, Lake House, Milco Institute, Planetarium, Government Department of Information and Leisure World are amongst the places generally visited. Groups of 60 students come with teachers and parents, and they stay in Colombo for three days. Even the adults enjoy themselves, with many of them also visiting the city for the first time.

Thanks to the Sri Lankan Army, the children have the opportunity to learn that there is a world beyond conflict and that people from all communities can live together in peace and enjoy the simple pleasures of life.

Courtesy: Policy Unit - Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP)

යුද මුක්ත කලාපය කොටින්ගේ බර අවි ස්ථාන ගත කිරීමට යොදා ගනී

මුලතිව් ප්‍රදේශයේ සිවිල් වැසියන්ට ආරක්ෂාව ලබා දීම සඳහා ප්‍රකාශයට පත් කළ යුද මුක්ත කලාපයට එල්.ටී.ටී.ඊ. ත්‍රස්තවාදීන් විසින් ඔවුන්ගේ බර අවි රැගෙන විත් අති බැව් ආරක්ෂක ආරංචි මාර්ග සඳහන් කරයි. මුලතිව් ප්‍රදේශයේ සිවිල් වැසියන් මුල්කොට ගෙන අර්බුදයක් නිර්මාණය කිරීමේ අරමුණින් ත්‍රස්තවාදීන් විසින් කාලතුවක්කු, මෝටාර් මෙන්ම ඔවුන්ගේ පරිවාර කඳවුරුද මෙම ප්‍රදේශ වලට මාරු කර ඇත.

විශ්වමඩු, පුතුකුඩිඉරුප්පු සහ මුලතිව් යන කොටි ත්‍රස්තවාදීන්ගේ අවසාන බලකොටු වෙත ආරක්ෂක හමුදාවන් ආසන්න වෙත්ම ත්‍රස්තවාදීන් මෙම පියවර ගෙන තිබේ. දහස් ගණනක් වූ අහිංසක දමිළ සිවිල් වැසියන් පිරිසක් කොටින්ගේ ග්‍රහණයේ පසු වන බව මේ වන විට තහවුරු වී තිබේ.

පසුගිය අඟහරුවාදා (ජන 20) කිලිනොච්චියේ මුදා ගත් ප්‍රදේශ වෙත පැමිණීමට උත්සාහ කළ 75000 කට අධික පිරිසකට එල්.ටී.ටී.ඊ. ත්‍රස්තවාදීන් විසින් වට කොටි පහර දී තිබේ. මෙහිදී ත්‍රස්තවාදීන් සිදු කළ වෙඩි තැබීම් වලින් සිවිල් වැසියන් 10 දෙනෙකු මිය ගිය බව එම අවස්ථාවේ ත්‍රස්ත ග්‍රහණයෙන් මිදී පලා ආ සිවිල් වැසියන් කිලිනොච්චියේ ආරක්ෂක අංශ වෙත පවසා ඇත.

මෙම පිරිසේ සිටි වෛද්‍ය සිසුවෙකු ඝාතනය කළ කොටි ත්‍රස්තවාදීන් ඔහුව එල්ලා තබා ප්‍රදර්ශණය කර පලා යාමට උත්සාහ කරන්නන්ට ලබා දෙන දඬුවම මෙය බව ප්‍රකාශ කර තිබේ. එම අවස්ථාවේ දී සුළු පිරිසක් ත්‍රස්තවාදීන්ගෙන් මිදී පලා ඒමට සමත්ව ඇති අතර ඉතිරි සියලු දෙනා එල්.ටී.ටී.ඊ. යේ වධකාගාර පවත්වාගෙන යනු ලබන විශ්වමඩු සහ පුතුකුඩිඉරුප්පු ප්‍රදේශ වෙත රැගෙන ගිය බැව් වාර්තා වේ. සමහර සිවිල් වැසියන් ත්‍රස්තවාදීන්ගේ මෙම වැඩ පිළිවෙළට විරුද්ධව නැගී සිටිමින් ත්‍රස්තවාදීන් සමග ගැටුම් ඇති කර ගැනීමට පෙළඹී ඇති බවද එම වාර්තා වැඩි දුරටත් සඳහන් කරයි.

57 වන සේනාංකයෙන් මෙහෙයුම් දැඩි කරයි, කොටින්ට බරපතල හානි

තම ඉදිරි ආරක්ෂක වළලු පුළුල් කරමින් ඉදිරියට ගමන් කරන යුද හමුදාවේ 57 වන සේනාංකයේ භට පිරිස් සහ එල්.ටී.ටි.ඊ. ත්‍රස්තවාදීන් අතර රාමනාදපුරම් සහ ධර්මපුරම් ප්‍රදේශ වලදී දරුණු ගැටුම් හට ගත් බව ආරක්ෂක ආරංචි මාර්ග සඳහන් කරයි. ඊයේ (ජන 20) දහවල් කාලයේ දී මෙම ගැටුම් හට ගෙන ඇත.

ධර්මපුරම් ප්‍රදේශයේ දී භට පිරිස් සහ ත්‍රස්තවාදීන් අතර ඇති වූ ගැටුම්ක දී ත්‍රස්තවාදීන්ට බරපතල හානි සිදු වී ඇතැයි වාර්තා වේ. ගැටුමින් පසුව ප්‍රදේශයේ සිදු කළ සෝදිසි මෙහෙයුමකදී මිය ගිය ත්‍රස්තවාදියෙකුගේ මළ සිරුරක් සහ ටී 56 ගිනි අවියක් සොයා ගැනීමට හැකි වී තිබේ. යුද හමුදාවට ද මෙම ගැටුමේ දී සුළු තුවාල සිදු වී ඇත.

තවද පුතුකුඩිඉරුප්පු නැගෙනහිර ප්‍රදේශයේ දී සහ මුල්ලියාවේලි සිට ඊසාන දෙසින් වූ ප්‍රදේශයේ දී දෙපාර්ශවය අතර අවස්ථා ගණනාවකදීම ගැටුම් හට ගෙන තිබේ. මේ අතර පුතුකුඩිඉරුප්පු ප්‍රදේශයේ සිදු කළ සෝදිසි මෙහෙයුමකදී මිය ගිය ත්‍රස්තවාදියෙකුගේ මළ සිරුරක් සහ යුද උපකරණ රැසක් සොයා ගැනීමට හැකි වූ බව ආරක්ෂක වාර්තා සඳහන් කරයි.

Housing project for Northern Province

The National Housing Development Authority (NHDA) will launch an accelerated housing development programme to provide 1,000 houses expeditiously to needy families in Northern Province during this year.

Housing and Common Amenities Minister Ferial Ashraff has given instructions to the NHDA to implement this accelerated housing development programme under the programme to be launched by the Government parallel to dawn of peaceful environment on completion of humanitarian operations.

This programme will be implemented to provide 1,000 housing units to families displaced by war in Jaffna, Vavuniya, Mannar, Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi districts. Cost for 500 houses will be met by the NHDA. This 500 houses programme will be implemented in line with the Gama Neguma housing development programme.

The total cost on this programme is Rs. 50 million. Rs. 25 million will be invested under the Gama Neguma housing development programme and the balance Rs. 25 million will be borne by recoveries of housing loans.

The high level of loan recovery in Northern Province in comparison to the other areas of the country amounting to over 80 per cent, is a positive factor to implement housing development programme successfully in Northern area.

Financial assistance for the balance 500 houses of the housing development programme for 1,000 families of Northern area will be borne by the proposed housing development programme planned by the Government for Northern area.

Construction of 500 houses will be implemented with the financial assistance of Northern rehabilitation housing development programme, Northern special housing and infrastructure development programme, provincial political leadership and various development programmes implemented under the guidance of district secretaries.

The above housing development programme covering all the districts of Northern Province will be implemented in three stages in 2009.

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With a strategy of 'value innovation', the Mobitel customer always wins. We believe that technology for its own sake is meaningless, and foster an organizational culture that focuses on Customer Centricity. This philosophy which is a way of life at Mobitel has enabled us to build long lasting relationships with our Customers, The 100% customer growth between 2005 and 2006 speaks for itself. The features and benefits built into the Innovative packages that we offer are all designed carefully with our customer's best interest at heart, because "We Care Always". This has enabled us to achieve phenomenal results.

Mobitel is now in a unique position as the 'National' mobile service provider and has positioned itself to be in the vanguard of the mobile telephony sector. From here, we will continue to offer even more value to the most important person on our horizon: our customer.

The Final Countdown

Sri Lanka Armed Forces have reached the final stage of their counter terrorist operation fought against Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for more than two and half decades . The mission of our armed forces is to free our nation from clutches of terrorism and to make it a country where all Sri Lankans can live in peace and harmony.

The ongoing phase of the battle commenced in August 2006 when terrorists closed down the Mavil Aru sluice gates denying water for more than 30,000 civilians. The terrorists initially had their domination over an area of 15000 square kilometers in the Northern and the Eastern Provinces. The LTTE terrorism was eradicated from the Eastern Province by August 2007.

Land operations were commenced in the Northern Province in March 2007 with the induction of the Army's 57 Division to the Vavuniya area. The second offensive division Task Force 1 was inducted to the battlefield from Mannar in September 2007. Army opened its 3rd battlefront from Welioya with the induction of the 59 Division in January 2008.

At present, the army has engaged 5 offensive Divisions and 3 Task Forces at remaining LTTE hiding areas in Wanni. LTTE terrorists are boxed in to a triangular shape land marked by A-9 road from the West, A-34 road from South and the Northeastern coast from the East. However, this area has been reduced to 562 square kilometers as the Army offensive divisions have already dominated this land mass on several frontiers. The below is a brief description of the operations carried out by the army offensive divisions engaged in the battlefield

57 Division

The 57th Division (57 Div) commanded by Major General Jagath Dias commenced its operations in March 2007 in Vavuniya. The Division was maneuvered directly at the LTTE's heartland Kilinochchi, cutting across the strategically vital northwestern coast and the A-9 road. Time Line

Serial No	Date	Area Liberated
01.	24 April 2008	Madhu church complex
02.	16 May 2008	Palampiddi Town
03.	23 May 2008	Mundumurippu village
04.	15 June 2008	Periyamadhu village
05.	11 July 2008	Naddankandal village
06.	13 Aug 2008	Kalvilan Village
07.	22 Aug 2008	Thunukkai and Uilankulam Towns
08.	02 Sept 2008	Mallavi Town
09.	29 Oct 2008	Akkarayankulam tank bund
10.	05 Nov 2008	Akkarayankulam built-up
11.	01 Dec 2008	Kokavil town
12.	10 Dec 2008	Terumurikandy junction
13.	02 Jan 2009	Kilinochchi town

58 Division

The Army 58th Division earlier known as the Task Force 1 commanded by Brigadier Shavendra Silva commenced its operations from Mannar in September 2007. This was the Division that maneuvered along the Northwestern coast of the Island and denied the LTTE of their vital lifeline that existed across the Palk Strait.

Timeline

Serial No	Date	Area Liberated
01.	09 May 2008	Adampan town
02.	24 June 2008	Mullikkandal, Minnaniranchan and Marattikannaddi villages
03.	29 June 2008	The Mannar Rice Bowl"- Alankulama, Andankulama, Alakaddiveli, Parappakandal, Parappukadatan, Papamoddai,Odupallam, Neduvarampu, Kannaputtukulama and Vannakulama, villages
04.	30 June 2008	Linked up with 57 Div -southwest of Periyamadhu
05.	16 July 2008	Vidattaltivu town
06.	02 Aug 2008	Illuppaikkadavai township
07.	12 Aug 2008	Vellankulam town
08.	12 Aug 2008	Mulankavil and Pallavarayankaddu areas
09.	21 Aug 2008	Nachchikudha
10.	16 Oct 2008	Maniyankulama
11.	20 Oct 2008	Vannerikkulama
12.	28 Oct 2008	Nochchimodai
13.	29 Oct 2008	Jeyapuram
14.	29 Oct 2008	Nachchikuda
15.	10 Nov 2008	Kiranchi
16.	13 Nov 2008	Devil's Point and Vallaipadu
17.	15 Nov 2008	Pooneryn
18.	23 Dec 2008	'Sinna-Paranthan'
19.	26 Dec 2008	Nalanawakulam village
20.	01 Jan 2009	Paranthan

59 Division

The Army 59th Division commanded by Brigadier Nandana Udawatte commenced its operations from the WeIioya area in January 2008. Troops of this division slowly but successfully marched across the Andankulam and Nagancholai forest reserves that stood as natural defences for the LTTE's main military bastion in Mullaittivu.

Timeline

Serial No	Date	Area Liberated
01.	30 May 2008	Munagam Base
02.	04 July 2008	Michael Base
03.	27 July 2008	'Sugandan' base
04.	16 Aug 2008	Jeevan Base
05.	21 Aug 2008	West of Nayaroo lagoon
06.	23 Oct 2008	Gajabapura
07.	11 Nov 2008	Kumulamunai village
08.	29 Nov 2008	Otiyamalai
09.	26 Dec 2008	Mulliyawalai

53 Division

The Army 53rd Division commanded by Brigadier Kamal Gunarathne was initially manning the forward defence line at Muhamalai in the Jaffna peninsula. The Division was deployed in the area south of A-9 road and was one of the two Army Divisions that defended the isolated Jaffna peninsula against LTTE infiltration over the past few years. The Division shifted its mode of operations from defensive to offensive in mid November 2008.

55 Divison

The Army 55th Division commanded by Brigadier Prasanna Silva was initially manning the forward defence line at Muhamalai in the Jaffna peninsula. The Division was deployed in the area north of A-9 road and was one of the two Army Divisions that defended the isolated Jaffna peninsula against LTTE infiltration over the past few years. The Division shifted its mode of operations from defensive to offensive in mid November 2008.

Task Force 2

The Army Task Force 2 commanded by Brigadier Rohana Bandara commenced its operations in June 2008 from the South of Palamoddai area. This was the first Army offensive element to maneuver along the west-east axis across A-9.

Timeline

Serial No	Date	Area Liberated
01.	11 July 2008	Navvi village
02.	04 Dec 2008	Puliyankulam
03.	05 Dec 2008	Kanakarayankulam

Task Force 3

The Army Task Force 3 commanded by Brigadier Sathyapirya Liyanage commenced its operations in November 2008 from the Vannivilankulam area. This was the second Army offensive element to maneuver along the west-east axis across A-9.

Timeline

Serial No	Date	Area Liberated
01.	17 Nov 2008	Mankulama
02.	25 Nov 2008	Olumadu
03.	15 Dec 2008	Ampakamam

Task Force 4

The Army Task Force 4 commanded by Brigadier Nishantha Wanniarachchi commenced its operations in December 2008 from the Nadunkerni area. This was the second offensive element inducted to the Mullaittivu battlefront after the Army 59 Div.

Serial No	Date	Area Liberated
01.	20 Dec 2008	Nadunkerni
02.	04 Jan 2009	Oddusuddan

My Blog

Sri Lanka Navy destroys LTTE suicide boat - Mullaittivu

Army 58 Division gain more ground; LTTE hold continue to recede in Wanni

Allow free movement to the civilians in 48 hours- President urges LTTE

UNICEF disowns vehicles found with its logo - Mullaittivu

LTTE underwater vehicles found - Mullaittivu

58 Div troops liberate Visuamadu Town; battles enter last phase at Mullaittivu [Updated]

58 Div troops reach Visuamadu Junction; battles enter last phase at Mullaittivu

58 Div troops reach Visuamadu Junction; battles enter last phase at Mullaittivu

Meeting between President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Indian Minister of External Affairs Pranab Mukherjee, in Colombo

Financial donation for war heroes' welfare projects

Hilton Colombo donates 200 blankets for war heroes

Mobitel GSM and 3G Coverage

SLAF MI-24 helicopters raids LTTE position - Visuamadukulam

LTTE resorts to cheap tactics: blasts off Kalmadukulam Tank bund - Mullaittivu

LTTE receives heavy beating at Kalmadu: retreat with heavy damages- Mullaittivu

Army Task Force 4 captures two terror camps - Puthukkudiyiruppu

Shared interests in combating terrorism - President sends good wishes to Obama

Malaysia orders a countrywide alert on fleeing tiger supremo Prabhakaran

UN calls on LTTE to meet their responsibilities- Statement from the UN in Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan Army provides opportunities for children of the Eastern Province

යුද මුක්ත කලාපය කොටින්ගේ බර අවි ස්ථාන ගත කිරීමට යොදා ගනී

57 වන සේනාංකයෙන් මෙහෙයුම් දැඩි කරයි, කොටින්ට බරපතල හානි

Housing project for Northern Province

A Partner for Life. Why Mobitel?

The Final Countdown

58 Division

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59 Division

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53 Division

55 Divison

Task Force 2

Timeline

Task Force 3

Timeline

Task Force 4

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