Sri Lankan soldiers of Army 58 Division now engaged in the final phase of the counter terrorist offensive in the Island's Northern province continues to give heavy beating to the terrorists, reveal defence sources in the Puthukkuddyiruppu.

According to the sources, the soldiers continued to battle the terrorists in the hinterlands of Puthukkuddyiruppu yesterday (Mar 13), liberating more territory and pushing the terrorists to their last standoff.

Soldiers collected 18 bodies of LTTE cadres, 17 T-56 riffles, one light machine gun, and two radio communication sets following the clashes erupted yesterday in the Irnapali North, and Kombavil East areas, in Puthukkuddyiruppu. The Army sniper shooters deployed in the forward areas confirmed acquisition of 12 terrorist targets.

Meanwhile, the soldiers rescued 58 civilians under terrorists clutches from the Kombavil East area. Among the civilians, there were several LTTE cadres who identified themselves as the members of Makkal Padai terrorist band, said the sources.

The surrendered LTTE cadres told the soldiers that LTTE leaders are now ready to throw whoever who can grab a hand grenade to the battlefront to save their lives. According their accounts, the bodyguards of senior LTTE leaders daily abduct hundreds of civilians and forcing them to crash military courses with the intension of saving their leaders' lives until the last moment. They added that all the civilians as well as majority of junior LTTE cadres were hoping that the soldiers would rescue them soon before they are being victims of the terrorists.

The latest updates on brutal terrorist attack at the national Milad Festival in Sri Lanka , indicates that 10 civilians were killed and at least 35 others , including a government minister were injured. An LTTE suicide bomber attacked the Jumma mosque at Godapitiya, in Akurassa , in the Matara district around 10.30 , this morning (Mar 10).

According to the defence sources , the LTTE terrorist has targeted the Islam devotees attending the national Milad-Un-Nabi celebration , held at the mosque. The Milad-un-Nabi , the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed is celebrated as a national festival in Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile , hospital sources say Minister Mahinda Wijesekara who was also attending the celebration has suffered injuries, in the explosion. The sources add that another 15 people with injuries have been admitted to the government hospital Matara.

The LTTE is a ruthless terrorist outfit fighting for a mono ethnic separate state for Tamils in Sri Lanka since 1983. Lead by its psychopathic chief V. Prabhakaran, the outfit has slaughtered tens of thousands of innocent civilians during its three decades of terror campaign against Sri Lankan citizens.

The LTTE has been engaged in a systematic and brutal ethnic cleansing campaign against Muslims and Sinhalese living in the North and Eastern Provinces in its fanatical attempt create an ethnically pure Tamil State in the Island nation.

Sri Lanka Air Force at all times safeguarded our motherland's unity, dignity and sovereignty in each and every adverse circumstance. And, the heroic forces, unassailable in high skies, undefeatable in the battlefield, and courageous in the task entrusted, totally demolished the much-feared air power of the LTTE terrorists President Mahinda Rajapaksa said.The President was addressing the annual colours awarding ceremony of the Sri Lanka Air Force held at the Trincomalee Air Force Base today (March 7).Thirty Air Force officers from No: 02 Fighter Airborne Squadron, No: 04 Helicopter Squadron, No: 09 Helicopter Squadron, No: 10 Fighter Jet Squadron and Air Force regiment have been awarded colours by the President."The Air Force officers, with an untarnished image and of unblemished characters, have always been flawless in their strategies safeguarding the accolades they earned in air as one of the most civilized and humanitarian forces in the battlefield. In spite of the relentless attacks at the enemy, they never targeted schools, churches, Hindu shrines, hospitals or orphanages. They were always accurate on their target and keen on mission," the President emphasized.Particularly, around the globe, traditional armies failed in their bids to outclass terrorist organizations. But our three service commanders have been different, and they were able to come out of their shell as a traditional army and turn the war into a humanitarian affair to defeat the world's number one terrorist organization, the LTTE. now the LTTE is on its knees, the president said.First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, Presidential Secretary Lalith Weerathunga, Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Air Force commander Roshan Gunathilaka, other service commanders, servicemen, their parents, spouses and relatives also participated in the event.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon Friday (March 6) called on the LTTE to remove its weapons and fighters from areas of civilian concentration to cooperate in all humanitarian efforts calculated to relieve the suffering of civilians and to immediately cease recruitment of children.The statement: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon is extremely concerned over the deteriorating situation for civilians trapped in Northern Sri Lanka.He strongly deplores the mounting death toll of civilians in the area of fighting, including a significant number of children.There is an urgent need to bring this conflict to a speedy end without further loss of civilian life.In this respect, the Secretary-General renews his call to the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to suspend hostilities for the purposes of allowing civilians to leave the conflict zone and allowing immediate humanitarian access to them.The Secretary-General calls on the LTTE to remove its weapons and fighters from areas of civilian concentration, to cooperate in all humanitarian efforts calculated to relieve the suffering of civilians and to immediately cease recruitment of children.The Secretary-General strongly urges the Government to begin serious efforts to resolve the underlying causes of conflict, the spokesperson added."

Troops of 55 and 58 Divisions have successfully averted LTTE infiltration attempt causing heavy loses for the LTTE terrorists in early hours this morning, 5 March.According to the available information terrorists have attempted to break the forward defence line linking 55 and 58 Divisions south of Chalai around 4.00 AM. LTTE terrorists have heavy loses due to retaliation launched by the troops, defence sources said.In a subsequent search operation conducted troops have found 33 bodies of LTTE terrorists killed during the hours long gun battle. 33 x T-56 weapons and many other warlike items were also among the recoveries.The recovered items are as follows.

Army snipers deployed in 591 Brigade in general area Mullaittivu have gunned down seven LTTE terrorist ahead of the own defence line right throughout the day, 4 March, military report received from the battlefront said.Troops of 59 Division continued their offensive march further shrinking LTTE area, defence sources said.

The UNICEF in a recent report has said that over 7,000 children were conscripted into the LTTE's fighting cadre and some have died while others are either injured or under LTTE custody, Media and Information Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said.Addressing the media in Colombo, the Minister said several UN agencies and International organisations drew extensive attention on child conscription being carried out by the LTTE violating international norms and practices.The Minister said these children are abducted and enlisted to the Tiger forces after initial weapon training. "The LTTE should take the responsibility for putting these children's lives in jeopardy by depriving their right of education," he said.The LTTE's child conscription drive was streamlined after the TRO was set up in the North. The European Union last week demanded the immediate halt of child and civilian conscription into the LTTE's fighting force.The EU said that the LTTE should allow civilians to enter liberated areas and disarm itself for the benefit of civilians.

According to the latest reports received from the battlefront troops are now continuing further search and clearing operations to hunt more LTTE infiltrators who have made a desperate attempt to breach the security forces defences during the early hours on Friday, 5 March.LTTE terrorists of "Radhan" band attempted to breach the security forces defences linking 55 and 58 Divisions at south of Chalai around 4 AM yesterday. The so called LTTE 'top level' commanders Swarnam and Loreance commanded the LTTE terrorists in this failed attempt losing over 35 LTTE cadres, defence sources said.LTTE terrorists were totally disorganized as troops launched an effective counter push on the terrorist infiltrators following early detection of enemy movements.Meanwhile, troops of 55 Division have found 3 bodies of LTTE cadres killed during the same confrontation on Thursday. 4 x T-56 weapons, 3 x I-Com sets, and ration packets were also uncovered during the search operation.

According to the latest reports received from the battlefront troops are now continuing further search and clearing operations to hunt more LTTE infiltrators who have made a desperate attempt to breach the security forces defences during the early hours on Friday, 5 March.LTTE terrorists of "Radhan" band attempted to breach the security forces defences linking 55 and 58 Divisions at south of Chalai around 4 AM yesterday. The so called LTTE 'top level' commanders Swarnam and Loreance commanded the LTTE terrorists in this failed attempt losing over 35 LTTE cadres, defence sources said.LTTE terrorists were totally disorganized as troops launched an effective counter push on the terrorist infiltrators following early detection of enemy movements.Meanwhile, troops of 55 Division have found 3 bodies of LTTE cadres killed during the same confrontation on Thursday. 4 x T-56 weapons, 3 x I-Com sets, and ration packets were also uncovered during the search operation.

Fierce confrontations reported in north of Kombavil as troops of 58 Division advanced further into the LTTE's last stronghold, Puthukudiyiruppu yesterday, 24 February, latest military report received from the battlefront said.According to the sources, LTTE cadres facing heavy defeat and retaliation from the Security Forces, fled the area leaving arms and bodies. Scores of LTTE cadres were killed and many wounded, military sources added.In subsequent search operations conducted troops have found 8 bodies of LTTE terrorists killed during the hours long confrontation. 8 x T-56 weapons, 1 x T-81 weapons and and 2 x I-Com sets were also found during the confrontation.Meanwhile, troops of 12 Gajaba Regiment (12 GR) conducting search and clear operations in general area Visuamadu uncovered 5 x T-56 weapons, 1 x RPG and 2 x large claymore mines during morning hours on the same day.Separately, army snipers deployed in general area north of Puthukkudiyiruppu gunned down 6 LTTE terrorists ahead of the defence line, military report received from the battlefront said.

A huge arms, ammunition and explosive consignment which had been buried secretly by the fleeing terrorists in general area Chalai in Mullaittivu was uncovered by the troops of 55 Division this morning, latest military sources said.Troops of 7 Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment (VIR) serving under 553 Brigade have uncovered the arms and ammunition consignment acting on intelligence information, defence sources said. This is the largest arms and ammunition consignment ever found from this area, military official said.Following list of items were also among the recoveries:

Test-Firing of the two LTTE 130 mm guns captured recently was conducted Wednesday (25) after they were repaired at the SLEME (Sri Lanka Electrical & Mechanical Engineers) workshop and the Artillery Brigade.The two artillery guns were found by the 5 VIR (Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment), attached to 533 Brigade on 16th February 2009 while they had been kept buried deep down in Puthukudiyirippu area.General Officer Commanding 53 Division Brigadier Kamal Gunaratne, Brigadier C P Gallage, Commander Task Force 2 Brigadier Rohana Bandara and a few Senior Officers were present on the occasion.

Troops of 621 and 622 Brigades serving under Task Force 2 (TF2) have found more warlike items left behind by the fleeing terrorists while conducting search and clear operations yesterday, 24 February, military report received from the battlefront said.01 x RPG round, 500 x T-56 Ammunition, 3 x hand grenades, 1 x tractor were uncovered by the troops of 7 Sri Lanka Signal Corps (7 SLSC) serving in 621 Brigade from general area Panainindankulam last morning.Meanwhile, troops of 18 Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment (18VIR) conducting clearing operation between second and third defence lines in general area west of Putthukkudiruppu uncovered motor cycle and two generators morning hours. One of the generators is 0.3KW while the other is 0.5KW.Same troops have found a T-56 weapon and a water pump from west of Putthukkudiruppu area while conducting a search operation in afternoon hours.

According to latest reports received the death toll at the LTTE village massacre at Kirimetiya has risen to 15 civilians, while 20 others including children had sustained serious injuries on Saturday (Feb 21).A group of LTTE terrorists stormed into the Kirimetiya village at Rathmalgaha Ella in Iginiyagala yesterday, opening indiscriminate small arms fire at civilians who were mainly Chena cultivators, Iginiyagala Police said. The Kirimetiya village is a predominantly Sinhalese village, located along the Bibila - Ampara main road. The injured civilians were evacuated to the general hospital at Ampara while Army, Police Special Task Force(STF) personnel are continuing with cordon and search operations to clamp on the perpetrators.LTTE terrorists committed the brutal village massacre within 24 hours after losing two of its stunt aircraft due to precision air defence fire at Colombo and Katunayake on Friday(20).LTTE is a ruthless terrorist outfit that has been fighting for a mono ethnic separate homeland for Tamils since 1983. The outfit led by its psychopathic leader V. Prbhakaran is notorious for crimes against women and children. During its three decades of terror campaign against Sri Lankan citizens the outfit has killed and maimed over tens and thousands innocent children in ethnic cleansing raids, indiscriminate bomb attacks and by using child soldiers at the battlefronts. More information will follow.

Now cornered in a mere 87sq.km land patch in the Mullaittivu district the psycho terror chief Prabakaran may have thought to showcase a stunt out of his sleeves on Friday (Feb 20) in the Colombo skies pushing for a turn of tables, drawing skeptical analysis from the 'Colombian elites' and draconian media stooges, while simultaneously bluffing out the war mongering diaspora community with an action package for consumption. All, to his dismay ended in a failed note due to the resilience of a combined effort from the Sri Lankan security forces.The two LTTE improvised Czech manufactured Zlin-143 aircraft were brought down within an hour from its initial detection at Puthukkudiyirippu around 8.40p.m., due to rapid and precision anti-air gun fire. The two LTTE craft were making a desperate flee, losing sight of the initially designated targets in total disarray under the flurry of anti-air attacks.

Well coordinated communication, early detection and the preparedness of the forces paid off, denying LTTE what defence observers viewed as an abortive attempt to disrupt the prevailing normalcy in South, despite the continuation of military operations in Wanni.In anticipation of air threat, the city of Colombo was plunged into darkness as security forces made contingency manoeuvres fortifying all vulnerable locations, with specially trained gunners taking on positions awaiting the sight of enemy aircraft.Prabakaran's waning of fortunes continue as the end game for him and his outlaws have neared after three decades. According to defence observers, the LTTE chief's, strategic calculations have gone haywire with LTTE finally losing its stunt craft during a failed seventh mission into the heart of Colombo. Sri Lankan security forces have made it clear; 'no escape this time', a very prominent feature in the present military surge.

Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa speaking to local media immediate to the destruction of the LTTE aircraft said, "We knew the LTTE was planning an attack, the moment the aircraft were airborne as troops in the area informed us of the air movement even before the radars had picked them up. LTTE may have used a straight road in their last stronghold for taking off as the outfit had lost all the airstrips to the troops during the past few months. "The Tiger craft flew over Mannar, Wilpattu and came to Colombo," he said adding that "it was their normal route.""The troops would have captured the LTTE planes within days and the LTTE had acted before they lost the craft on the ground."They would have lost the planes anyway," he was quoted further saying.

Though many LTTE sympathizers are seeing making constant efforts to substitute the failed LTTE air mission to a 'Kamikaze type' attack it has now come to light as a 'sabotage mission' that never prevailed. An LTTE craft was gunned down crashing into the rear of the Inland Revenue Department, while the other fell after its pilot lost total control under the flurry of anti-air attack at Katunayake. An LTTE pilot was killed as a craft crashed into the Inland Revenue building after catching fire with the activation of the Colombo air defence systems damaging three storeys of the building and injuring 45 others including two airmen. Two of the victims both civilians succumbed to their injuries at the National Hospital. The other pilot's body was recovered with burns in close proximity of the LTTE aircraft wreckage at Katunayake.

"It is interesting to note that terrorists have not been able to release any of its improvised bombs despite nearly an hour flight and what more, the planes were shot down on the retreat adding more humiliation for the LTTE", a senior defence official said speaking to defence.lk.

The security forces have put in the last nails on the LTTE's rudimentary air capability as the Mullaittivu battles enter its final phase during the next few days. LTTE terrorists are now in all dire straits and this loss underscores the inevitable overall.

Sri Lanka Army 58 Division troops have brought the entire Ampalavanpokkani area under their control this afternoon (Feb 20).According to the battlefield sources, troops of 10 SLLI (Sri Lanka Light Infantry) and 6 GW (Gamunu Watch) have crushed the last LTTE strongholds in the area in an offensive launched this morning. Troops have so far found seven bodies of LTTE cadres along with five T-56 riffles.Meanwhile, sources said that the terrorist have been firing 122mm artillery at troops from guns positioned in the no-fire-zone. Troops are now manoeuvring further south towards the northern borders of the Puthukkudiyiruppu built-up.Ampalavanpokkani is a remote village situated on the western banks of the Challai lagoon, about 8 km north of the Puthukkudiyiruppu junction .

The latest reports indicate that both LTTE aircraft entered into the Colombo aerospace were destroyed by the air defence system. One of the aircraft disabled by anti air gunfire reportedly crashed in the rear of the Inland Revenue Department building located on the Sir C.A. Gardiner road.the Two LTTE aircraft were detected in the air above the Colombo around 9.45 last night (Feb 20). Following the detection, air defence system was activated causing the two terrorist aircraft to abort their missions.Air Force sources said that the second aircraft that had been trying to escape from air defence system was shot down while flying over Negambo . Parts of the destroyed aircraft along with the body of the pilot were found close to the Katunayake Air Base.Due to the crash of the terrorist aircraft in Colombo 47 people have suffered injuries. According to the sources at the National Hospital Colombo, two of the injured were succumbed to their injuries.Meanwhile, another 6 civilians suffered injuries in the air craft crash in Katunayake were admitted to the Negambo hospital. One of the injured has been transferred to the national hospital , Colombo, hospital sources said.

Sri Lanka Air Force fighter jets destroyed a boat hideout of the LTTE terrorists located in the Vellamulla Vaikkal area in Mullaittivu this evening (Feb 14).Air Force spokesperson, Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara speaking to defence.lk said that the air raid was carried out by MIG 27 fighters around 4.20 PM. He said that the targeted location was a place where the LTTE terrorists had concealed their boats.

A mass demonstration organised by the Sri Lankans Against Terrorism (SLAT) in UK was held on the 14 of February 2009 opposite the British Prime Minister's residence No.10 Downing Street, London.The protest was mainly focused on exposing the LTTE's acts of human rights violations and the cowardly use of the human shield to the British forums. The gathering was attended by over 4000 peace lovers, according to metropolitan police sources and was quite energetic with Anti-LTTE slogans being shouted by the patriotic Sri Lankans.A petition which had several thousands of signatures was handed over to Prime Minister Gordon Brown's office by representatives of SLAT. Furthermore, two incidents took place, where LTTE supporters tried to disrupt the programme when one tried to set him self on fire. Quick actions by the Metropolitan Police resulted in the arrests of the culprits.This event was organised on very short notice and participation was from all walks of Sri Lankan diaspora in the UK was commendable, resulting in a huge success of the protest.

The LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran still in Vanni will continue to hold the innocent civilians until the military captures him the two LTTE Black Tiger suicide cadres, who have surrendered to Army revealed. In an exclusive interview with the Sunday Observer they said that Prabhakaran's son Charles Anthony was commanding their forces with other prominent LTTE leaders like Banu and Lakshman.The two Black Tigers in their twenties had surrendered to the troops of the 57 Division at Therumurukandy on Jan. 28, after they failed in their attempts to bomb the bund of the Iranamadu Tank which if succeeded could have caused immense disaster.Anthony and Soosai had briefed them on the mission, for an underwater demolition on Jan 20, but they, who were fed up with the 'behaviour' of the LTTE and its leadership had decided to surrender."The LTTE is abducting lots of children who are in their teens. They want to sacrifice civilians as common fodder. Sons and daughters of the LTTE leaders are living luxury lives," they charged. The two former Tiger cadres said that the innocent youth are being brain-washed and sent on suicide missions. According to them, with the battle hotting up, Prabhakaran had sent his wife and the youngest son 10-year-old, Balachandran to a safer location.

The 7 Sinha Regiment (SR) troops of the 58 Division now operating in general area Sugandirapuram in the Mullaittivu district, have found a clock depicting images of the architects of the controversial 2002 CFA.The clock was made in Thailand and surely unravels the dark secrets of the then regime and LTTE. "Had the 2002 CFA existed, we surely have ended with two separate nations which was signed with callous disregard of sovereignty and the coexistence of the Sri Lankan people", a defence observer stated. It is also a well known fact, how a welfare minister of the same regime sent some 1000 odd wheel chairs and medical equipment for the LTTE to be distributed among its wounded cadres, and how a senior defence official paid a private visit to a hospitalized LTTE leader in Colombo: the well known 'apple call'," he further stated."It is not surprising to see LTTE equipped with high tech communication equipment, materials for bomb manufacturing, workshops for building vessels including submersible craft and vehicles including 'pajeros' and heavy earthmoving machinery. It was during that time allegations were levelled against the same regime for sending some 40odd containers with cement into LTTE's former garrison townships at Kilinochchi and Mullaittivu, which were said, used to construct hideouts and operational bunker complexes of the LTTE", he added."It is also during this period Colombo was made a safe heaven for the LTTE and security forces confined into barracks, which later rose grave agitations island wide with the string of LTTE perpetrated assassinations and killings of the Sri Lankan military intelligence personnel", the observer recalled memories."It was also during the same regime LTTE used brute force and piled ballots in the most corrupt general elections ever reported in the island's history in the North and East, makingway for its proxies to infiltrate the Sri Lankan parliament", the observer said.Also recalling the anti-media atmosphere that prevailed during this regime, the observer stated that, the writer and defence analyst Paul Harris, who worked in Sri Lanka between 1996 ad 2002 as correspondent for Jane's Intelligence Review and the London Daily Telegraph, was forced to leave Sri Lanka in November 2002 at 24 hours notice after the government of Ranil Wickremesinghe pulled his journalist visa.Mr. Paul Harris was critical of the Cease Fire Agreement between the 2002 regime and the LTTE.

The plight of Sri Lankan Tamil citizens held in captive by the LTTE terrorists has been th [Click to magnify/shrink] e most discussed topic these days among local and international bodies in the country. Many foreign bodies and international media are continuing to make weird comments on the situation with an unconcealed effort to detach the LTTE terrorist from the plight of the civilians.They deny accepting the fact that LTTE is forcibly holding the civilians in Wanni as a human shield and killing and maiming those who brave to defy its orders. They called the terrorist, "the Rebels" when LTTE massacred tens and thousands of Sinhalase and Muslims, they called the same when it assassinated Tamil politicians and when it was proven beyond doubt that [Click to magnify/shrink] LTTE is using children as cannon fodder, and they are continuing to use the same term when it is committing mass murder against the Tamil civilians.Denying accepting the true face of the LTTE has been the fool's paradise for many of these foreign bodies trying to cover their hypocrisy with a veil of "impartiality". They devour any propaganda ploy of the LTTE and encourage the terrorists to make more stage managed events soaked with blood of the innocent. The condemnation over cold blooded crimes that they cannot find any other perpetrator but the LTTE come by like wringing water from a flint.Yet, the truth is not unknown to the public that had lost so much and [Click to magnify/shrink] suffered unimaginable horrors at the hands of the so- called rebels for over 25 years. With their blessings Sri Lanka armed forces are continuing to fight a noble but silent battle that has never fought on this planet earth before. Sri Lankan soldiers are dead set to wipe out the last terrorist from the Sri Lankan soil, but they always silence their guns, even in the face of showering terrorist fire to rescue innocent civilians fleeing from terror. They will continue to risk their lives, face death, until they rescue the last civilian under terrorist clutches.For those who killed millions in pursuit of mere economic gains, this kind of morality on the part of soldiers is unthinkable. Let them continue to suspect our effort; it bares nothing but their hypocrisy. There is no need of testimony for a noble deed.The following are the latest pictures showing the humanitarian efforts of our soldiers. No artillery barrage , suicide bomber, machine gun fire can shake their professionalism , neither the confidence placed on them by

Infantrymen of 641 and 642 Brigades serving under Task Force 4 (TF4) had several confrontations with LTTE terrorists in general area Puthukkudiyiruppu inflicting heavy damages to the enemy yesterday, 12 February.Snipers deployed in 641 Brigade have gunned down 4 LTTE terrorists ahead of the defence line in two separate occasions, military report received from the battlefront said.Meanwhile, troops of 14 Sri Lanka Singa Regiment (14 SLSR), 20 Sri Lanka Light Infantry (20 SLLI) and 18 Gemunu Watch (18 GW) serving under 642 Brigade operating in the Puthukkudiyiruppu area confronted with LTTE terrorists causing heavy damages to the enemy, the military report added.During a clearing operation, troops of 14 SLSR have uncovered a few weapons left away by the terrorists. 1 x G3A3 weapon, 1 x AK47 weapon, 1 x repeater weapon, 1 x G3A3 Light Machine Gun and 1 x shotgun were also among the recoveries, report said.Separately, troops of 18 GW have found a satellite antenna while conducting a search and clear operation in general area Puthukkudiyiruppu.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday asserted that along with the eradication of terrorism and the consequent expansion of the sea area, the nation's youth, inclusive of that of the LTTE, could now be fruitfully utilized for the uplift of the Motherland.President Rajapaksa made this assertion when he presided and addressed the second annual convocation ceremony of the National Institute of Fisheries and Nautical Engineering (the Ocean University), at the Presidential Secretariat.He said with the liberation of the North and the East from the ruthless terrorists, there has been a marked improvement in the fishing sector now. Due to security reasons, certain restrictions had been imposed on the fishing activities in the past.These restrictions undoubtedly did have a profound impact on the livelihoods of the fishing fraternity. Sailing even a 100 metres from coast in certain areas was strictly prohibited then.Now though the ocean area has been enhanced exponentially, 23 fold.We believe the Ocean University will play a vital role in harnessing the contributions of the nation's youth, including that of the LTTE, which unfortunately had been diverted elsewhere and deployed for the destruction of our motherland.Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Minister Felix Perera and the Chairman of the Ocean Institute Prof. Ranjith Senaratne also addressed the ceremony.

At least 29 people including 10 civilians were killed and 64 others including 40 civilians reported injured when an LTTE woman suicide bomber blew herself at an IDP rescue centre, North of Visuamadu in Mullaittivu this morning (Feb 9) at around 11.30 a.m. 3 woman soldiers were also among the military fatalities reported.According to defence observers, LTTE terrorists have perpetrated the attack targeting the civilians in reprisal, for defying LTTE's orders to take-up arms. Exact casualty figures are yet to be estimated as tension prevails in the area. Security forces immediately cordon off the area, while medical units were rushed to the site, the sources said. Women and children are said to be among the many reported killed and injured in the suicide bomb blast, security sources said. Ambulances carried the wounded to the Kilinochchi hospital.The female suicide bomber had arrived among the civilians who were seeking protection with security forces in guise. The bomber had blown herself before being screened, the reports further said.According to them, the LTTE in the face of an inevitable defeat is trying to score levels with the innocent civilians. On Sunday(8), a group of civilians escaping from the LTTE hellholes North of Visuamadu and Sugandirapuram have ramped an LTTE barricade assaulting a LTTE 'police' cadre and killing two female terrorists in the cause. Similarly civilians, who were forcibly armed and sent to the forefront by LTTE, have taken on the less numbered LTTE cadres beating the terrorists and tying them behind, on 7th February. The civilians had later managed to flee towards the security forces controlled area, the sources further said.[Click to magnify/shrink] Earlier, LTTE terrorists used a 13 year old child suicide bomber against the advancing 55 Division troops in Chalai on 4th Feb. Observers of LTTE activity have expressed concerns over the likelihood of the LTTE increasing such attacks targeting civilians to enact a large scale carnage instilling fear among the people who are entrapped in the non-liberated regions in Mullaittivu.LTTE is a ruthless terrorist outfit that has been fighting for a mono ethnic separate homeland for the Tamils in Sri Lanka since 1983. During its 3 decades of existence the outfit has pioneered a large number of terror tactics particularly in the field of suicide bombing, that have been soon copied by the other terror organizations in the world. Fuelled by extremist tribal ideologies held by their megalomaniac leader, V. Prabhakaran, and largely foreign funds generated through its false propaganda, LTTE terrorists have killed tens and thousands of innocent civilians in many village massacres, bus bombings, train bombings, ethnic cleansing raids, and etc. The outfit is also included in the UN list of shame for using children for terror attacks.

Washington, DC - The U.S. Department of the Treasury Wednesday (Feb 11), targeted the support network of the Sri Lanka-based designated terrorist group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) by designating the U.S.-based Tamil Foundation under Executive Order 13224. Executive Order 13224 targets terrorists and those providing support to terrorists or acts of terrorism."The LTTE, like other terrorist groups, has relied on so-called charities to raise funds and advance its violent aims," said Adam J. Szubin, Director of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control. "We will continue to aggressively target attempts by any terrorist group to hide behind charities, front companies, or name changes to propagate terror against innocents around the world."The head of the Tamil Foundation is also president of the Tamils Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) in the United States. The TRO was named a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) under Executive Order 13224 on November 15, 2007. Over the course of many years, the Tamil Foundation and the TRO have co-mingled funds and carried out coordinated financial actions. Additional information links the Tamil Foundation to the TRO through a matching gift program. The common leadership of the TRO and the Tamil Foundation has facilitated these activities.The TRO is a charitable organization that acts as a front to facilitate fundraising and procurement for the LTTE. Prior to its designation, Sri Lanka-based TRO operated offices in seventeen other countries worldwide, including the United States. In the U.S., TRO has raised funds for the LTTE through a network of individual representatives. According to sources within the organization, TRO is the preferred means for sending funds from the United States to the LTTE in Sri Lanka.The LTTE is a terrorist group that seeks an independent state in northeastern Sri Lanka, where most of Sri Lanka's minority ethnic Tamil population lives. For over two decades, the LTTE has employed conventional, guerrilla, and terror tactics in a war that has claimed over 60,000 lives. The U.S. Department of State designated the LTTE a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) on October 8, 1997. On November 2, 2001, the U.S. Department of State named the LTTE an SDGT under E.O. 13224.Under E.O. 13224, any assets the Tamil Foundation has under U.S. jurisdiction are frozen, and U.S. persons are prohibited from engaging in any transactions with the Tamil Foundation.

Hence her stress, even when a suicide bomber kills female as well as male soldiers and civilian women and children, on problems that might be created by the Sri Lankan forces. So the headline stresses the fact that 'Suicide bombing breaches international law' and goes on to say, as though that were the problem, not the actual murders, that 'such tactics violate the international legal prohibition on perfidious attacks and expose civilians to increased danger'.After that little excursus Yolanda really goes into action. Suicide bombing means in her book that 'Blurring the distinction between civilians and combatants means that thousands of ordinary people, desperate to flee the conflict area, are at greater risk of reprisals and getting caught in crossfire.' Since clearly the Tigers have shown (in a way that must be obvious to everyone through this suicide bombing, if it were not obvious before) that they do not particularly care if civilians are killed, this particular statement of Yolanda's is obviously intended, with its mention too of reprisals, to draw attention to what the Sri Lankan forces might do. Then AI engages in its usual ambiguity about the bombing itself.Though they have a history of using suicide bombers, AI notes that they 'have not assumed responsibility for the attack today.' Despite this Yolanda goes into finger wagging mode and asserts that "The Tamil Tigers must immediately and publicly disavow the use of tactics such as suicide bombers disguised as civilians".

That word 'still' implies that Yolanda understands that the security forces do direct their actions against military targets, but Yolanda's shaky command of the English language means that that sentence is at best a Freudian slip in her relentless targeting of the Sri Lankan forces. She ends by asserting, as though it was unquestionable, that both parties evince disregard for international humanitarian law" and it is 'the civilians who pay the price'.

The fact that there has been no evidence whatsoever for claiming that Sri Lankan forces violate such law (given that the Amnesty diatribe about cluster bombs turned out to be based on a mistaken long distance UN verbal identification that was subsequently withdrawn) is ignored in this blatant attempt to attack the Sri Lankan forces after the LTTE employs a suicide bomber.

It should also be noted that soldiers too should benefit from international law, and it is sad that Yolanda simply disregards the soldiers, including female soldiers, who were killed by the suicide bomber.

Sri Lanka has been assisting the civilians escaping from the clutches of the LTTE in increasing numbers, despite the efforts of Yolanda and her ilk to claim that abuse awaited them in government controlled territory.

They are coming in ever larger numbers, and the soldiers, in the midst of desperate assaults by the LTTE, are coping admirably. At the time the suicide bomb exploded, the Ministry of Resettlement was, as requested by the forces at the checkpoints, working overtime to ensure a supply of water for the civilians crossing over.

The checking was being performed with total regard for the dignity of those coming over, female soldiers checking on the women and children. It was in the midst of such commitment that the suicide bomber struck.

Yolanda may well believe, as we all do, that the lives of civilians should be sacrosanct, but her abject failure to spare a thought for the soldiers killed so unexpectedly in the midst of humanitarian work is also horrifying.

Sri Lanka Army 58 Division maneuvering north of the A-35 road (Paranthan- Mullaittivu) has been fighting pitched battles with the terrorists in the Kuppilankulam and Tamarankulam areas since last week. Battlefield reports indicate that troops have withstood heavy terrorist resistances while scoring significant victories against the terrorists.During yesterday's operations (Feb 11), troops of 9 Gemunu Watch (9GW) captured a highly fortified terrorist camp located in Sinna Villu area, northeast of Kuppilankulam in the afternoon hours. Troops during subsequent search found a body of an LTTE cadres, four 120 mm mortar guns, two 81 mm mortar guns, one 120 mm mortar tubes, four bipods of 120 mm mortar guns , six bipods of 81 mm mortar guns, six base plates of 81 mm mortar guns, one Light Machine Gun (LMG), one T-56 riffle, and another rifle . Ground sources confirmed that LTTE had suffered a heavy toll in this engagement.Meanwhile troops of 12GW, 7 Sinha Regiment (7SR), and 19 Vijayaba Infantry Regiment (19 VIR), had daylong clashes with the terrorists in the Tamarankulam area. Troops subsequently found four bodies of LTTE cadres, five T-56 riffles, two claymore mines, six electrically operated mines, and one radio communication set. Tamarankulam is a remote area located about 5 km north of A-35 and 3 km west of Chalai lagoon.The 58 Division victories for yesterday also include the capture of LTTE printing press and the mortar bomb-manufacturing factory as reported earlier.Snipers deployed in the forward areas confirmed shooting down of 23 terrorist at various locations during daytime.

Sri Lanka Army 58 Division maneuvering north of the A-35 road (Paranthan- Mullaittivu) has been fighting pitched battles with the terrorists in the Kuppilankulam and Tamarankulam areas since last week. Battlefield reports indicate that troops have withstood heavy terrorist resistances while scoring significant victories against the terrorists.During yesterday's operations (Feb 11), troops of 9 Gemunu Watch (9GW) captured a highly fortified terrorist camp located in Sinna Villu area, northeast of Kuppilankulam in the afternoon hours. Troops during subsequent search found a body of an LTTE cadres, four 120 mm mortar guns, two 81 mm mortar guns, one 120 mm mortar tubes, four bipods of 120 mm mortar guns , six bipods of 81 mm mortar guns, six base plates of 81 mm mortar guns, one Light Machine Gun (LMG), one T-56 riffle, and another rifle . Ground sources confirmed that LTTE had suffered a heavy toll in this engagement.Meanwhile troops of 12GW, 7 Sinha Regiment (7SR), and 19 Vijayaba Infantry Regiment (19 VIR), had daylong clashes with the terrorists in the Tamarankulam area. Troops subsequently found four bodies of LTTE cadres, five T-56 riffles, two claymore mines, six electrically operated mines, and one radio communication set. Tamarankulam is a remote area located about 5 km north of A-35 and 3 km west of Chalai lagoon.The 58 Division victories for yesterday also include the capture of LTTE printing press and the mortar bomb-manufacturing factory as reported earlier.Snipers deployed in the forward areas confirmed shooting down of 23 terrorist at various locations during daytime.

Sri Lanka Army 58 Division maneuvering north of the A-35 road (Paranthan- Mullaittivu) has been fighting pitched battles with the terrorists in the Kuppilankulam and Tamarankulam areas since last week. Battlefield reports indicate that troops have withstood heavy terrorist resistances while scoring significant victories against the terrorists.During yesterday's operations (Feb 11), troops of 9 Gemunu Watch (9GW) captured a highly fortified terrorist camp located in Sinna Villu area, northeast of Kuppilankulam in the afternoon hours. Troops during subsequent search found a body of an LTTE cadres, four 120 mm mortar guns, two 81 mm mortar guns, one 120 mm mortar tubes, four bipods of 120 mm mortar guns , six bipods of 81 mm mortar guns, six base plates of 81 mm mortar guns, one Light Machine Gun (LMG), one T-56 riffle, and another rifle . Ground sources confirmed that LTTE had suffered a heavy toll in this engagement.Meanwhile troops of 12GW, 7 Sinha Regiment (7SR), and 19 Vijayaba Infantry Regiment (19 VIR), had daylong clashes with the terrorists in the Tamarankulam area. Troops subsequently found four bodies of LTTE cadres, five T-56 riffles, two claymore mines, six electrically operated mines, and one radio communication set. Tamarankulam is a remote area located about 5 km north of A-35 and 3 km west of Chalai lagoon.The 58 Division victories for yesterday also include the capture of LTTE printing press and the mortar bomb-manufacturing factory as reported earlier.Snipers deployed in the forward areas confirmed shooting down of 23 terrorist at various locations during daytime.

Sri Lanka Navy destroyed two low profile LTTE boats in the Northern seas 10 Nautical Miles north east of Mulathivu today, 08 February, around 3.00 AM.Sri Lanka Navy's Fast Attack Craft deployed in the inner barrier in the surveillance and patrolling in the North - eastern seas, intercepted two low profile LTTE boats launched from Palamaththalan, Mullattivu and destroyed them completely directing heavy gun fire.Subsequently, two bodies of LTTE cadres were recovered and 06 other LTTE cadres believed to be killed due to the attack.Sri Lanka Navy maintains continuous naval surveillance and patrolling in the North - eastern seas Naval fortifications have been tightened with four (04) defence barriers consisting of Fast Attack Craft (FACs), Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), Gun Boats, the Rapid action boat squadron (RABS) and the Special Boat Squadron (SBS) to cut off the escape of LTTE cadres by sea and to prevent the unloading of warlike materials on the North - eastern coast.

The latest statistics on civilians rescued from the terror clutches in Wanni reveal that 10501 civilians belonging to more than 1500 families have given refuge since the first of this month.According to the defence sources in Wanni and Jaffna, over 10000 civilians have come to Kilinochchi while 139 others have come to Jaffna since the National Independence Day (Feb 4). Among the rescued civilians are over 2800 children and about 3000 women, the sources add.Arrangements have been made at the frontlines to provide immediate medical care and refreshments to the civilians seeking refuge with the security forces. Also, transportation of the patients to the hospitals and others to civilian welfare centers elsewhere is provided by the security forces.A senior defence official explaining about the sudden increase of civilians escaping the terrorist clutches in Wanni said it is a result of a well-planned rescue mission launched by the security forces."We have planned to meet these circumstances since the inception of the current phase of operations. We knew that the terrorists would resort to their cowardly tactic of hiding behind a human shield""Army maneuvers have been planned and executed with great care in order increase the opportunity of the civilians to get out of the human shield. Navy deployments have been changed with more boats assigned for search and rescue mission for those civilians taking see route to flee LTTE clutches. As a result the terrorist barricades against civilian movements have been weakening and more and mote escape routes have been opened for the civilians to come out of the human shield", he said."Like all our other maneuvers in this operation against terrorism, this rescue mission is also well planned and executed by the professionals. Indeed we have proven the zero civilians casualty policy of ours is not just another term but something that can be practiced...but it needs a great deal of professionalism on the part of the armed forces" , he added.

Sri Lanka Air Force Kfir and F-7 fighter jets yesterday (Feb 6) destroyed a hideout of senior LTTE leader Soosai located 1 Km northeast of Puthukudduyiruppu junction.Air Force spokesperson Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara speaking to defence.lk said that 11 LTTE cadres including a very senior LTTE leader were killed in the attack.He added that it has been revealed through unconfirmed sources that Soosai was at the targeted location at the time of the attack. However, he said it is impossible to confirm at the moment whether Soosai was killed or wounded in the attack.According to the Air Force spokesperson, the initial air strike was taken on the target at 1.45, last afternoon. The mission was to destroy an underground bunker and a luxury house of one of the LTTE's senior leader. Following the attack, it was observed that the terrorists were making a desperate attempt to dig out the location with three earth moving vehicles. The fighters again hit the target at 4.45 on the same day evening destroying the three terrorist vehicles.Meanwhile, the defence intelligence sources said that the target was registered after through analysis of intelligence obtained through technical and human sources. Positive identification had been made that the targeted location at Thiranapali in Puthukudduyiruppu as the main hideout of the terrorist band leader for the seagoing cadres Soosai, before the air strike was launched.

Sri Lanka Air Force fighter jets have raided identified LTTE positions in northeast and north of Puthukkudyiruppu junction this morning, 5 February.Air Force spokesperson, Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara, speaking to defence.lk said that SLAF Kfir jets raided two LTTE targets in a mission launched around 10.10 AM.An LTTE communication centre observed in 1.5Km northeast of Puthukkudyiruppu junction LTTE commander centre located 1.5Km north of Puthukkudyiruppu junction were the targets taken during the mission, spokesperson added.

The Sri Lanka Army does not use lethal munitions against innocent civilians in their war against terror. Cluster bombs are banned in the UN convention and Sri Lanka being a party to this convention, respects these laws.However the LTTE organization uses lethal weapons banned by the UN convention and this has been amplified by the recent recovery of thermo - baric weapons in the north, the Media Centre for National Security said.A release from the Media Centre for National Security said a UN representative has alleged that the Sri Lanka Army has bombed the Pudukuduerippu hospital using cluster bombs.The representative has stated that around 50 civilians have been killed during these attacks and that a number of UN officials are trapped in that area, the release added.The release said: "The Government wishes to clarify that the Sri Lanka Army does not use these cluster bombs nor do they have facilities to use them. The Sri Lanka Army does not use such lethal munitions against innocent civilians in their war against terror. Furthermore cluster bombs are banned in the UN convention and Sri Lanka being a party to this convention, respects these laws.However the LTTE organization uses lethal weapons banned by the UN convention and this has been amplified by the recent recovery of thermo baric weapons in the north.The Government of Sri Lanka also wishes to clarify that all UN and other respective aid organizations were informed to move out of those areas long before the Army launched the offensive in Mullaithivu.It was confirmed by all agencies that their staff members were moved out. Therefore no members of the UN organization were trapped in these areas.The Government has demarcated a safe zone of 35sq kms and the civilians have come into this area.The Government is looking after the welfare and supplying facilities for all these civilians. It should also be clarified that there are no hospitals or any other organizations functioning in these areas where there are LTTE activities."

Sri Lanka Air Force Mig-27 jets raided LTTE command center and senior LTTE leaders' hideout in general area Puthukkudiruppu this morning, 5 February.Air Force spokesperson, Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said that air sorties were launched around 11.00 AM targeting LTTE command center and senior LTTE leaders' hideout located 1.5Km north of Puthukkuddiruppu.The target was completely destroyed, air force spokesperson said.

Adding another huge setback for the LTTE terrorists in Wanni battlefront the Deputy LTTE sea tiger leader and three other sea tiger leaders were killed in a fierce confrontation took place in north of Chalai yesterday, 4 February, the latest military sources in battlefront said.According to the available information, LTTE sea tiger deputy leader known as Vinayagam was killed as troops of 55 Division on mission to capture LTTE's last sea tiger base, Chalai, launched an effective offensive thrust against LTTE resistance. The intense fighting reported between 1.45PM to 2.00 PM, defence sources said.By intercepting LTTE communication channels, it is revealed that terrorists were unable to locate the body of the killed deputy sea tiger leader so far as troops continued their offensive on remaining LTTE positions in the area.Meanwhile, In-charge of LTTE land fighting group known as Kader and sea tiger Pooneryn area leader know as Pahalawan were also killed during the confrontation, military sources further confirmed.Sea tiger special leader known as Sinna Kannan was killed in a separate confrontation reported in north of Chalai around 8.50 AM yesterday. He was later given the self-styled rank of 'Lt. Colonel', Electronic Warfare (EW) sources confirmed intercepting LTTE communication channels. Eight more sea tigers were also killed during the battle.Troops are now heading towards Chalai, the only remaining sea tiger base, gaining more LTTE hiding areas amidst stiff resistance given by the terrorists

Over 4,200 Security Forces personnel from the Tri Services, Police and Civil Security Force will display their military might as all arrangements have been finalised to celebrate the 61st Independence Day in a dignified and colourful manner under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Galle Face Green today at 8 am, organizers said yesterday.All arrangements have been made to celebrate this event giving top priority for the achievements of the Security Forces at a time they are engaged in the final phase of the battle against the LTTE in the North."One hundred eighty three officers and 4,252 other rankers from the three Forces, Police and the Civil Security Force are due to participate in the Independence Day parade whilst six officers and 105 men are due to accord the Tri -Service Guard of Honour at the celebrations," Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said.Officers and other rankers representing 25 Regiments, Regimental bands and the Colour Squad of the Army will participate in the Independence Day parade, he added."The President Guard will be the latest addition to the parade this year," the Brigadier added.In addition, 12 armoured vehicles, nine artillery guns, two Multi- Barrel Rocket Launchers, microwave radars, combat radar station, ground and coastal surveillance radars, direction finder and jammers mounted on vehicles will also be displayed in the parade.A 21 one gun salute to the President and another 21 gun salute to the Nation will also be accorded during the celebrations.The Tri Forces and Police personnel parading in the Galle Face Green the Air Force and Navy will display their latest air and sea capabilities in the air and sea in the surroundings of the Galle Face green today.A Navy spokesman said 500 Navy personnel seamen, mid seamen, special boat squadron women sailors and patrolmen will participate in the parade.The Navy's Offshore Patrol Craft Sayura, Samudura and Sagara, Fast Missile Craft Suranimala, two fast gun boats Edithara and Udara representing Fast Gun Boat Squadron -III, six Fast Attack Craft representing IV th Fast Attack Flotilla, two Wave Rider Craft, four Inshore Patrol Craft and 24 Arrow Boats or Navy's latest innovation Arrow boats Edithara and 500 Navy personnel will participate at a display of Naval might at sea by the side of the Galle Face Green.Air Force Spokesman Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara told the Daily News that aircraft and helicopters Bell 412 of the No.4 VIP Squadron, MI 17 of the No 6 Squadron, Y-12 aicraft of the No.8 Squadron, two C-30 aircraft and one AN-32 aircraft of the No.2 Squadron, three MI-24 Attack Helicopters of the No.9 Squadron, three F-7 jets representing No. 5 Squadron, three Kfirs from the No. 10 Squadron and three MiG 27 from the No.12 Squadron will participate at the air show during the Independence Day celebrations.

Secretary of Ministry of Healthcare and Nutrition has informed all heads of Diplomatic Missions and ICRC in Sri Lanka that he has instructed Regional Directors of Health in Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi to take their healthcare activities for the civilians in their areas to the Designated No Fire Zone in Vavuniya and Kilinochchi with the assistance of ICRC in order to avoid causing loss of life or injury to the civilians in Puddikkudiyiruppu, Vallipuram, Udayarkadu and Sudandiripuram hospitals.This followed a request for the advice from the Secretary by the two Regional Directors of Health of Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi as a result of the mounting hostilities and the risk of falling artillery shells in and around these hospitals as a result of fighting during the humanitarian relief operations in those areas and specifically in view of the reliable information received that the LTTE were mingling with the civilians while having active LTTE artillery gun positions operating in and around the hospitals, posing a serious threat to the patients, hospital staff and their relatives who are temporarily housed within the hospital premises for safety.

Sri Lankan Army troops of the 11th Light Infantry (SLLI) under the 58 Division led by Brigadier Shavendra Silva have captured a main LTTE hideout, what is believed to be a major residential site of the terror leader Prabakaran.The two storied underground built residential complex was located in a two acre coconut cultivated land which was well fortified, provided with all-round protection from adjacent gun positions and bunker locations. The entire area was brought under security forces control following heavy fighting that ensued between troops and LTTE since early this morning (Feb 2). At least 20 LTTE terrorists were killed during the confrontation that lasted for hours the sources further said.According to ground sources, the underground bunker runs 50ft deep, protected with a 3ft thick layer of concrete. The air force had bombed this location previously, which is in the center of cadjan houses 500m west of the Paranthan - Mullaititvu main road in general area Piramanthalkulama. The underground bunker was fully air conditioned which consisted of four furnished compartments and tiled floors, the sources said adding that surveillance cameras were also fitted at the entrance of the bunker complex.During further search operations conducted, troops have also found an oxygen plant inside a luxury compartment believed to be Prabakanran's room along with a M-16(new version) machine gun and an insulin container. Troops had also located a deep-freezer inside the compartment. "Four guard points were found located adjacent to the compartment which were manned by Prabakaran's personal bodyguards", a military official said. Three sound proof power generators were used to supply electricity to the residential site and the adjacent bunkers, the sources further said.Search operations are continuing .....