Third shooting in Jaffna injures youth

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 31 July 2007, 15:56 GMT]
Two unidentified gunmen on motorcycles shot and seriously injured a youth along the road at Mudamaavadi between Kalviyangkaadu and Aadiyapaatham roads, in Jaffna Tuesday evening, sources in Jaffna said. In two separate shooting incidents earlier Tuesday two civilians were killed.
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For Peace to prevail Sinhala Buddhist chauvinism should subside -Bishop

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 31 July 2007, 12:50 GMT]
"It is extremely difficult for the people to enjoy their rights and dignity as equal citizens of a country as long as Sinhala Buddhist chauvinism prevails here," said the Bishop of Jaffna, Rev. Dr. Thomas Saundaranayagam Tuesday, addressing a gathering to mark the tenth year completion of the service in providing nutrition feeding to schoolchildren in Vanni by the Human Development Centre (HUDEC-Caritas), the social arm of the Catholic Church of Jaffna, sources in Vanni said.
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Street name changed from Tamil to Sinhala in Batticaloa

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 31 July 2007, 11:08 GMT]
Veappavedduan Road located north of Iluppadichcheanai junction along Chenkaladi-Badulla road in Batticaloa has been renamed as Rajapathirana Mawatte, Saturday, civil society sources in Batticaloa said. Sri Lanka's Defense Secretary, Gothabaya Rajapakse, who visited Kudumpimalai (named Thoppigala in Sinhala) area ceremonially declared open the new name board, sources said.
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Court to reject FR petitions on Champoor HSZ

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 31 July 2007, 10:59 GMT]
The Sri Lanka's Supreme Court Monday directed the Registrar not to entertain any Fundamental Rights (FR) application against the gazette notification declaring Champoor and Moothoor east division as high security zones (HSZs). The three-member bench of the Supreme Court chaired by the Chief Justice Sarath Silva that heard submissions on the matter, issued this directive. Justices Rajah Fernando and Jagath Balapattebendi were other members of the bench, legal sources said.
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Civilian shot dead in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 31 July 2007, 10:49 GMT]
In the second killing inside Jaffna Municipal boundaries Tuesday, a 42-year old father of two was shot dead by unknown gunmen at his home located along Maanippaay Road in Koddadi, Koanaamalaiththoddam at 10:30 a.m., sources in Jaffna said.
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Paduvaankarai resettled fleeing SLA harassment- MP

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 31 July 2007, 10:31 GMT]
In a letter addressed to the Minister of Resettlement and Disaster Relief, Abdul Risath Badiyudeen, Monday Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian for Batticaloa district, Ms T. Thangeswary, appealed for assistance to allow the civilians resettled in Paduvaankarai to live peacefully without being harassed by Sri Lanka Army (SLA).
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Family man reported missing in Jaffna town

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 31 July 2007, 10:29 GMT]
An employee of a business establishment in Jaffna town had gone missing after reporting for work Sunday morning, according to a complaint registered with Human Rights Commission (HRC) Jaffna office by his wife. His friends had seen him last Sunday noon in the business area in Jaffna town, his wife said.
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Auto-rickshaw driver shot dead in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 31 July 2007, 08:08 GMT]
Two unidentified gunmen on motorcycle shot dead a three-wheeler owner in front of Aero Lanka office located at Naavalar road, Kantharmadam, around 11:30 a.m., Tuesday. The victim was waiting to transport passengers from the private travel agency located in an area inside Sri Lanka Army (SLA) High Security Zone (HSZ) in Jaffna.
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Fishermen in South protest against fuel price hike, fishing restrictions

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 31 July 2007, 05:08 GMT]
Around two thousand fishermen took to the streets of Negombo Monday to protest against the price hike of kerosene oil, horsepower restrictions on fishing boats and against the military High Security Zones that limit fishing in the Northeastern and Southwestern seas. "The government is slowly and subtly trying to sell our sea and our fishing industry to the multi-nationals," charged a press release issued by the All Ceylon Fisherfolk Trade Union (ACFTU), which had called for demonstrations in Chilaapam (Chilaw), Negombo and Galle.
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SLN shells fishing settlements on Mullaiththeevu coast

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 31 July 2007, 01:24 GMT]
More than 245 students taking examinations in Mullaiththeevu Maha Vithiyaalayam fled from the school when Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) started shelling the coast Monday around 11:30 a.m from Mullaitheevu seas, 250 meters from the school, school officials said. Members of fisher families working on the shore cleaning and drying fish scattered in fear seeking safety as SLN Dvora gun boats fired shells continually for 10 minutes.
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Tigers help A'lampil student victim

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 31 July 2007, 01:14 GMT]
In an event held last week in Mullaitheevu district by Fisheries Co-operative Federation, T. Vinayagam, the Commanding Officer of Sea Tigers gave Rs.100,000 towards medical expenses to the student who lost both legs in the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) bombing on fishing hamlet in A'lampil July 11, sources in Vanni said. The SLAF air raid also killed two others, and injured more than twelve.
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SLA shells A9 near Pu'liyangku'lam

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 31 July 2007, 00:06 GMT]
The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) stationed in Oamanthai heavily shelled Pu'liyangku'lam area along the A9 highway twice on Monday from 12:30 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. and then 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Local residents fled the area and sought safety in villages north of Pu'liyangku'lam, civil sources said.
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Claymore attack in Chu'ndikkuzhi, police say no casualties

[TamilNet, Monday, 30 July 2007, 17:18 GMT]
Unidentified persons triggered a claymore device Monday around 4:00 p.m., along Old Park Road, Chu'ndikkuzhi in Jaffna when a Sri Lanka Army (SLA) vehicle and another government vehicle were passing through, sources in Jaffna said. Sources close to SLA said there were no casualties, while Jaffna police said both vehicles had escaped the blast. A 12-year-old girl student, passing by, sustained minor injury and was admitted to Jaffna Teaching hospital, the sources added.
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Shortage of medical supplies hampers treatment to A'lampil wounded

[TamilNet, Monday, 30 July 2007, 11:59 GMT]
The prevailing shortage of essential medical supplies is a serious threat preventing proper treatment to patients admitted to Mullaiththeevu Government Hospital, according to the Medical Superintendent (MS) of the hospital, V.Shanmugarajah.
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Jaffna youth disappears after reporting at SLA camp

[TamilNet, Monday, 30 July 2007, 11:17 GMT]
A 24-year youth from Thondamaanaaru, Vadamaraadchy, has disappeared after he reported to Sri Lanka Army (SLA) camp at 3:00 p.m Sunday to get back his National Identity card confiscated by the SLA the previous day, his parents said in a complaint to the Jaffna Human Rights Commission Monday.
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21 Tamils, 6 Muslims arrested in Rajagiriya

[TamilNet, Monday, 30 July 2007, 11:04 GMT]
The police took 21 Tamils and 6 Muslims into custody at Rajagiriya in Colombo district in a cordon and search operation conducted on Saturday early morning. Six of them are Muslim undergraduates staying in a house of their relative. Three of them are studying in Colombo University, two at Peradeniya University and one at Ruhuna University. The other 21 are Tamils working in business houses and factories, and staying with relatives in Rajagiriya, sources said.
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4 Tamil youths arrested in Kadugannawa

[TamilNet, Monday, 30 July 2007, 11:02 GMT]
The Kadugannawa police arrested four Tamil youths said to be residents of Ki'linochchi when they were travelling in a train from Colombo to Badulla Saturday evening. The youths are being detained at Kadugannawa police station and interrogated by the Terrorist Intelligence Division (TID), sources said.
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NESOHR records details of State violence against Tamils 1956-2001

[TamilNet, Monday, 30 July 2007, 02:25 GMT]
NorthEast Secretariat on Human Rights (NESHOR) has documented details of State inflicted violence against Tamils between the years 1956 and until the signing of the CeaseFire Agreement (CFA) in 2002, in a 305-page document, the English version of which was released this week. The data collection was co-ordinated by Jaffna Campus graduates and was assisted by Grama Sevakas of areas. The report is claimed to be only partial and lists nearly 115 different incidents of killings and large scale massacres.
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Top UN humanitarian official to visit Sri Lanka

[TamilNet, Monday, 30 July 2007, 01:53 GMT]
Mr.John Holmes, United Nations Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Co-ordination, will be in Colombo from 6th to 9th August. Media reports quoting UN office in Colombo said Mr Holmes is visiting Sri Lanka on invitation by the Sri Lanka Government and is intended as a familiarization visit of humanitarian issues.
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Moothoor Muslims oppose construction of Buddhist vihare

[TamilNet, Monday, 30 July 2007, 01:45 GMT]
Muslim residents living close to the metal quarry located at third milepost in Moothoor division are taking action against the construction of a Buddhist Vihare in their village, and Dr.A.M.Thoufeek, Chairman of the Moothoor Pradesya Sabaha, said that the Muslim people consider the attempt to build the Buddhist temple an act of aggression, media reports in Moothoor said.
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Supreme Court to hear appeals against CFA

[TamilNet, Monday, 30 July 2007, 01:16 GMT]
The Sri Lanka Supreme Court Friday granted leave to three petitioners to proceed with their appeals against the order of Court of Appeal rejecting their applications challenging the legality and constitutionality of the Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) signed by the then Prime Minister Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe and Mr.Velupillai Pirapaharan, leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on 22nd February 2002, legal sources in Colombo said.
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UNP to challenge fuel price increase in courts

[TamilNet, Sunday, 29 July 2007, 22:07 GMT]
The main opposition United National Party (UNP) Sunday announced that it has decided to file suit against the SLFP government for increasing the price of fuel for the second time in a month causing tremendous hardship to people, political sources in Colombo said. Meanwhile, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) also issued a statement criticising the government for the fuel price increase.
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I'raalkulzhi resettled families suffer without basic facilities

[TamilNet, Sunday, 29 July 2007, 21:52 GMT]
Resettled families in I'raalkulzhi in Moothoor division in Trincomalee district are still sheltered in makeshift structures without basic facilities, civil society sources in Moothoor said. 208 members of about 100 families were resettled in the village three weeks ago from Kinniya division. The houses owned by the returnees have been completely destroyed during the Sri Lanka military offensives that resulted in large-scale displacement of civilians.
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Abducted Colombo youth found shot dead in Avissawella

[TamilNet, Sunday, 29 July 2007, 21:44 GMT]
The Tamil youth abducted from Kotahena in Colombo on July 15 was found to shot to death at an estate in Avissawella in Hill country Sunday morning. The victim's hands were tied tied behind his back and his body had several gun shot injuries. The victim was identified as Ignatius Mahotharar aged 24, an engineer by profession, Police sources said.
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SLN attacks fishermen in the seas off A'lampil, 2 wounded

[TamilNet, Sunday, 29 July 2007, 15:01 GMT]
Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) gunboats fired at a fishing vessel Saturday night and seriously wounded a 22-year-old fisherman and his brother in the seas off Chemmalai, 2 km east of A'lampil in Mullaiththeevu district. Both the brothers are admitted at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Mullaiththeevu District hospital, medical sources said.
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Diaspora Tamils commemorate Black July, support struggle

[TamilNet, Sunday, 29 July 2007, 12:39 GMT]
Thousands of diaspora Tamils joined protests in several world capitals to commemorate 24th anniversary of Black July and to express support and to continue the struggle "to establish self-rule in the territories Tamil people have made their home for centuries..until the goal is achieved."
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Bombing forces Tsunami refugees to seek shelter under trees

[TamilNet, Sunday, 29 July 2007, 12:11 GMT]
Tsunami refugees and Internally displaced Persons (IDPs), including children, aged, women and pregnant mothers of 232 families staying in interim refugee camps located in A'lampil in Mullaitheevu district in Vanni sought shelter under trees and public buildings to escape sustained aerial bombardment by SLAF's Kfir jets. Mullaitheevu district Additional Government Agent (AGA) Parthipan said that the IDPs do not go out fishing due to Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) harassment, and are facing severe economic hardships. He added that Village Officers have been directed to collect data to begin supplying dry rations.
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Body with gunshot wounds recovered in Ea'raavoor

[TamilNet, Sunday, 29 July 2007, 12:08 GMT]
Ea'raavoor police recovered the body of a man with gunshot wounds on the head and burnt injuries to his body, Saturday around 10:00 a.m., near Aiyankea'ni cemetery in Ea'raavoor, Batticaloa, sources in Batticaloa said.
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Family man shot, injured in Kaaththaankudi

[TamilNet, Sunday, 29 July 2007, 12:02 GMT]
Unidentified armed men entered the Magnchchanthoduvaay refugee camp in Kaaththaankudi police division shot and seriously injured a man Friday around 8:00 p.m. and escaped from the site, the police said.
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SLMM inspects A'lampil air attack site

[TamilNet, Sunday, 29 July 2007, 09:58 GMT]
A Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) official visited A'lampil in Mullaiththeevu Saturday noon and inspected the areas affected by Friday's aerial attack by Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Kfir fighters. Steinar Holm, the representative of the SLMM observed the damages suffered by civilian settlements, the nearby Roman catholic school and church.
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Muslim girl shot dead in Vaazhaichcheanai

[TamilNet, Sunday, 29 July 2007, 08:37 GMT]
Unknown person shot dead a 16 year old Muslim girl Saturday around 2:00 a.m. at at Oaddamaavadi in Vaazhaichcheanai police division. Police recovered the girl's body bearing 2 gunshot wounds on the head Saturday around 7:45 a.m. from Oaddamaavadi School Road.
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SLA launches artillery barrage in Northern FDL

[TamilNet, Sunday, 29 July 2007, 04:00 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) in Jaffna has launched a barrage of artillery shells Sunday early morning into Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) territory across the Northern Forward Defence Line of the Tigers. The artillery barrage continued for more than 4 hours.
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Black July remembered in Brussels, Melbourne, Switzerland

[TamilNet, Sunday, 29 July 2007, 00:03 GMT]
Belgian, Australian, and Swiss Tamils joined other expatriate Tamil communities worldwide in remembering the Black July event. Swiss Tamils assembled in front of the United Nations Building in Geneva on the 25th Wednesday, Australian Tamils in Melbourne convened in Melbourne City Square and Belgian Tamils assembled in front of the European Parliament in Brussels on Wednesday between 2:00 p.m and 5:00 p.m to pay respect for the Tamils who perished during the 1983 July State sponsored violence and to highlight the current human right abuses against Tamils in Colombo and across NorthEast.
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South African Tamils observe Black July

[TamilNet, Saturday, 28 July 2007, 17:25 GMT]
Several hundred South African Tamils filled the Bayview Arutpa Kazhagam Hall in Chatsworth in Durban Friday evening to express solidarity with the NorthEast Tamils, and to pay respect for the victims of the pogroms against Tamils in Sri Lanka in July 1983.
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JVP-backed plantation workers union to fight for wage increase

[TamilNet, Saturday, 28 July 2007, 12:34 GMT]
All Ceylon Upcountry Workers Union (ACUWU), a trade union supported by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), has announced that it would launch a struggle from 1st August demanding increased salary and other benefits to plantation workers to cushion the rise of cost of living due to price increases, sources in Hill country said.
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North Tamil Literary Festival to be held in Mannaar

[TamilNet, Saturday, 28 July 2007, 12:30 GMT]
North Provincial Council (NPC) is to hold its first Tamil Literary Festival on October 3 and 4 in Mannaar town hall after being de-merged from the North East Provincial Council (NEPC). This decision was taken at an advisory meeting held in Mannaar district secretariat Saturday morning.
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IDPs seek permission to resettle in Champoor, Moothoor east

[TamilNet, Saturday, 28 July 2007, 12:20 GMT]
Moothoor Displaced Welfare Association (MDWA) has sought permission from the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) Eastern Regional commander Major General Parakrama Pannipitya to resettle in their houses and lands located in Moothoor east and Champoor which have been declared high security zones by the government. More than 1800 displaced now sheltered in several temporary structures in Batticaloa district have signed the memorandum sent to the SLA, sources said.
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SLAF bombs A'lampil, 12-year-old girl wounded

[TamilNet, Saturday, 28 July 2007, 09:09 GMT]
80 students who were writing examinations Friday noon narrowly escaped death in A'lampil in Mullaiththeevu while a 12 year old girl among them was injured on her head, when Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) dropped bombs 75 meters near the Roman Catholic School. The shady trees behind the school and the marshy land on which the bombs fell and exploded, saved the students from the deadly attack. Two Isreali-built Kfir fighter jets bombed civilian areas twice, causing panic among the students and internally displaced families in A'lampil.
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British deportations continue as hunger strikers weaken

[TamilNet, Friday, 27 July 2007, 12:45 GMT]
The health of several of the dozens of Tamil asylum seekers on hunger strike at British detention centers is deteriorating rapidly with some being rushed to hospital, detainees and lawyers said Friday. However, enforced deportations from the centers are continuing regardless of the now weeklong protest, they said. Pointing out that Britain has cautioned her citizens against traveling to Sri Lanka, the hunger strikers want the authorities to halt forcible returns of asylum applicants. They also want Tamils to be taken off Britain’s asylum processing ‘fast track’ so as to allow sufficient time for appeals against deportations to be conducted.
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Court orders police to produce Tamil trader under normal law

[TamilNet, Friday, 27 July 2007, 11:54 GMT]
Three –member bench of the Supreme Court chaired by the Chief Justice Sarath Silva Thursday directed the law enforcement authority to produce a Tamil trader, now in remand, under the ordinary law in Colombo magistrate's court. Currently the Terrorist Intelligence Division (TID) on the orders of the defence ministry has detained the suspect, Kanthasamy Chandrakumaran, 24, under the Emergency Regulations. Justices Nihal Gamini Amaratunge and Andrew Somawanse were other members of the bench, legal sources said.
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8 Tamil civilians file FR petitions against forceful eviction

[TamilNet, Friday, 27 July 2007, 11:47 GMT]
The Sri Lanka's Supreme Court granted leave to proceed with the fundamental violation petitions filed by eight Tamil civilians against the forceful eviction from Colombo lodges on June 6 and 7 by the Sri Lanka government security forces. Three-member bench of the Supreme Court comprised Justices Nimal Dissanayake, chairman, Nihal Gamini Amaratunge and Andrew Somawanse heard the submissions on behalf of petitioners Thursday and fixed the inquiry for November 28, legal sources said.
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Abducted Tamil civilian detained at Boosa camp

[TamilNet, Friday, 27 July 2007, 11:37 GMT]
A Tamil civilian abducted in a blue colour van by a four-member gang on May 6 in Colombo was found at Boosa detention camp in Galle last weekend. He has been identified as Rajaretnam Ilankeswaran, 34, a resident of Sivanantha Road in Kotahena.
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Skeletal remains found in Mukamaalai

[TamilNet, Friday, 27 July 2007, 03:34 GMT]
Skeletal remains found Thursday near a deserted Sri Lanka Army (SLA) checkpoint close to Mukamaalai Forward Defence Lines (FDLs) are suspected to belong to an SLA soldier feared disappeared after the breakout of violence between the Liberation Tigers and the SLA on 11 August, sources close to Kodikaamam Police said.
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World Vision magazine hails ‘liberation’ of eastern province

[TamilNet, Friday, 27 July 2007, 03:31 GMT]
In an editorial in its bi-monthly magazine, the Sri Lanka section of one of the world’s largest Christian relief and development organizations this week endorsed the government’s military campaign against the Tamil Tigers. Hailing the government’s impending capture of the east the June edition of ‘Kathika,’ World Vision’s local magazine, argued: “liberating the [local] community from the clutches of terrorism will give them the freedom to resume their lives, which were severely hampered by the conflict for nearly two decades.”
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Welikade survivor addresses Black July ceremony in Canada

[TamilNet, Friday, 27 July 2007, 00:52 GMT]
More than 5000 Tamils attended the Markham Civic Centre, Wednesday evening at 6:00 p.m. to attend a rally to commemorate the pogrom of July 1983 and to pay homage to the hundreds of Tamils who lost their lives during the state sponsored violence. Mr.Anton Philip Sinnarasa, a survivor of the 1983 Welikada prison massacre, said that 53 Tamils killed during orgies of violence on 25th and 27th of July, lived for their conviction and their dream, and died in pursuit of a just cause.
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Men in police uniform rob Colombo jewellery shop of Rs.20m

[TamilNet, Friday, 27 July 2007, 00:22 GMT]
Four unidentified men, including two in Police uniform, got away with Rs.20m after shooting at, and injuring a shop assistant at a Tamil owned jewellery shop in Wellawatte, Colombo, at 6:45 p.m. Thursday, sources in Colombo said. The robbers entered the shop near closing time pretending they have come to search the business premises. Eye witnesses told TamilNet that the shop, named Prasanna, was also engaged in legal money-transfer business.
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SLAF bombardment disturbs examinations in Mullaiththeevu

[TamilNet, Thursday, 26 July 2007, 20:14 GMT]
Students attending second term examinations in the schools at Puthukkudiyiruppu, Mullaiththeevu and Mangku'lam in Vanni were disturbed by the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) bombers that flew at low altitude and bombed two villages in Mullaiththeevu district, twice Thursday. The SLAF bombardment, causing panic to the students, comes as Vanni prepares to mark the first death-anniversary of 51 schoolgirls, killed in SLAF bombing last August at Vallipunam in Mullaiththeevu.
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Thousands march against Rajapaksa govt. in Colombo

[TamilNet, Thursday, 26 July 2007, 09:25 GMT]
Around 100,000 people marched in Colombo Thursday in the first main rally jointly organised by Sri Lanka's opposition United National Party (UNP) and the breakaway Sri Lanka Freedom Party's (SLFP) Mahajana faction, headed by former SL foreign minister Mangala Samaraweera. The campaigners used Samaraweera's charge against President Mahinda Rajapakse that he had a "secret deal" with the Tigers, to discredit Mr Rajapakse. "The Great Betrayal of the Great Buddhist," was the main slogan of the march where Mangala Samaraweera invited the JVP to join hands with him, in the agitation against Rajapaksa regime.
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SLAF Kfirs bomb Pooneryn

[TamilNet, Thursday, 26 July 2007, 01:55 GMT]
Kfir fast attack crafts belonging to Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) conducted two separate bombing raids on Liberation Tigers controlled areas of Pooneryn (Poonakari) and surrounding villages Wednesday afternoon, according to residents of villages on southern shores of Jaffna lagoon.
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Men arrested for trespassing Valikaamam HSZ released on bail

[TamilNet, Thursday, 26 July 2007, 01:39 GMT]
Three civilians arrested for trespassing into prohibited High Security Zone (HSZ) in Valikaamam near Maathakal and Cheanthanku'lam area on 16 June and kept in detention at the Jaffna prison were released on bail by Magistrate, Mrs.Sarojni Ilangovan, at Mallaakam district court, Wednesday, legal sources in Jaffna said.
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SLN attacks aimed at tightening food embargo, says Fisheries official

[TamilNet, Thursday, 26 July 2007, 00:02 GMT]
While the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) attacks fishing vessels blocking fishermen from fishing in the high seas, the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) was bombing fishermen fishing close to the shores along the A'lampil coast, charged the President of Mullaiththeevu Fisheries Co-operatives Federation, K. Kunasingharajah, Wednesday. "The targeted attacks against the fishermen have one motive, to deprive the livelihood of fisher folks and thereby deprive the much needed fish protein to the population in Vanni, already reeling under Colombo's food embargo," he said.
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Court lists FR petition by residents on Sampoor HSZ for inquiry

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 25 July 2007, 10:47 GMT]
The fundamental rights violation petition filed by four residents of Moothoor division challenging the gazette notification declaring Sampoor and other areas in the Moothoor east as high security zone (HSZ) has been listed for inquiry on July 30. Three-member bench of the Supreme Court comprising Justices Nihal Jayasinghe, Nimal Dissanayake and Raja Fernando that heard the submissions by the counsel of the petitioners Tuesday decided that the petition should be supported before the Bench consisting the Chief Justice Sarath N.Silva, legal sources said.
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SLN intimidates Mullaiththeevu fishermen

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 25 July 2007, 04:04 GMT]
Six Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) Dvora ships patrolling the sea Tuesday morning between 6:30 a.m close to Mullaiththeevu approached two groups of fishermen fishing less than 2km from the coast and forced them to flee, affected fishermen said.
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SLA soldier commits suicide in Ea'raavoor

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 25 July 2007, 03:47 GMT]
A Sri Lanka Army (SLA) trooper on duty at a watch tower in Iluppaiyadichcheanai in North West Batticaloa shot himself to death Monday afternoon, Ea'raavoor police said.
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Youths corroborate SLA complicity in abductions

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 25 July 2007, 00:02 GMT]
Youths recently released after being abducted corroborated the alleged involvement of Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers in the recent wave of abductions of youth in the Jaffna peninsula using Buffel Armoured Personnel Carriers. The abductions are carried out at night by armed men operating in white vans. The abductees are then taken to SLA military bases in the area, and later transported in Buffel APCs to the High Security Zone (HSZ) garrison in Palaali, blind folded and with hands and legs tied, according to the youths who were released after torture.
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Court rejects FR petition against USA-GOSL defence agreement

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 24 July 2007, 11:24 GMT]
Sri Lanka's Supreme Court unanimously refused to inquire into a fundamental rights violation petition filed by Mr.Vasudeva Nanayakkara, a veteran leftist leader, challenging the Defence Agreement signed by the governments of United States of America (USA) and Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL), legal sources in Colombo said. The petition came up before a three member bench of the Supreme Council chaired by Chief Justice Sarath N.Silva Monday. Justices Shiranee Bandaranaike and Nihal Gamini Amaratunge were other members of the panel.
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160 IDP families return to Moothoor

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 24 July 2007, 11:18 GMT]
570 members of 160 families which fled from their villages Eachchilampattu, Mukaththuvaaram and Kalladi in Moothoor division following Sri Lanka Army's (SLA's) military offensives last year were brought from Batticaloa district Monday to temporary shelters located in Karadiyanaaru, Aayiththiyamalai, Chengkaladi, Kiraan and Koa'ra'laippattu. Twenty buses were deployed to transport them, civil sources said.
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11 SLA killed in ambush, civilians wounded in blast

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 24 July 2007, 08:27 GMT]
A bus carrying Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers from Mannaar to Mathavaachchi was ambushed by attackers who triggered a Claymore mine on the vehicle, killing 10 SLA personnel on the spot and wounding 8 around 1:00 p.m. Tuesday at Cheddikku'lam, Police in Vavuniyaa said. Following the attack, 9 wounded civilians were admitted at the nearby hospital and transferred to Vavuniyaa hospital, medical sources said. Three civilians, wounded in the blast, have sustained serious injuries.
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Four home-guards killed in Aluthgama, Vavuniyaa

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 24 July 2007, 04:03 GMT]
Four home-guards were killed in a pre-dawn attack by Liberation Tigers on a security post in Aluthgama in Vavuniyaa Tuesday, Vavuniyaa Police said. Police added LTTE cadres used grenades followed by gunfire and all four guards were killed on the spot. The bodies have been transferred to the Vavuniyaa General Hospital, according to hospital sources.
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"Struggle to achieve self-rule will continue"- American Tamils

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 24 July 2007, 00:53 GMT]
In the peace rally attended by nearly one thousand American Tamils from several states across the United States in front of the Capitol Building, in Washington D.C. Monday from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m., the participants said: "We, the Tamil Americans, hereby proclaim that Eelam Tamils constitute a Nation. We resolve that our struggle to establish the right of Tamil people to Self-Determination, and to establish self-rule in the territories Tamil people have made their home for centuries will continue until our goal is achieved," in a declaration released to the press at the conclusion of the rally.
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Family man seeks protection at Jaffna HRC

[TamilNet, Monday, 23 July 2007, 21:18 GMT]
A 34-year-old family man, ordered by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troopers to report at the Madduvil camp, sought protection with the Human Rights Commission (HRC) Jaffna office Monday, expressing fears that his life was in danger. HRC arranged for him to be placed in the protective custody of Jaffna prison through Jaffna courts, HRC officials said.
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NGO worker shot dead in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Monday, 23 July 2007, 08:48 GMT]
Unidentified gunmen shot dead a field officer of Danish Refugee Council (DRC), an International humanitarian organization in Jaffna, at Aanaikoaddai Monday around 8:30 a.m, when the victim was on his way to work at DRC Jaffna office, sources in Jaffna said.
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SLN imposes fishing ban in Valikaamam

[TamilNet, Monday, 23 July 2007, 05:07 GMT]
Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) announced Sunday that effective immediately they are banning fishing in the seas around Valigaamam West and Valikaamam South West, from Ponnaalai, Maathakal up to Cheanthaangku'lam, in Jaffna peninsula. The fishermen who set out to the sea Sunday this morning were turned back by the SLN vessels guarding the coast in these areas.
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Two pronged SLA operation thwarted - LTTE

[TamilNet, Sunday, 22 July 2007, 14:34 GMT]
Liberation Tigers put up stiff resistance against the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) causing heavy losses to the SLA units that launched a two-pronged offensive near Mu'l'likku'lam along the Forward Defence Line in Mannaar, according to LTTE Military Spokesman Irasiah Ilanthirayan. Five LTTE fighters were killed in action.
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American Tamils to demonstrate in Washington DC

[TamilNet, Sunday, 22 July 2007, 14:21 GMT]
Tamil Americans and Friends for Peace is organizing a Peace Rally in support of Tamil people's right to national self-determination in the island of Sri Lanka, a press release posted at the PRWeb website said.
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TNA urges Tamils to protest against Moothoor HSZ

[TamilNet, Sunday, 22 July 2007, 14:19 GMT]
The Sri Lanka government's attempt to develop the region after evicting the residents from their ancestral homes by sustained bombing needs to be unequivocally condemned, said Tamil National Alliance (TNA), in a media release Saturday. The TNA appealed to Tamil speaking people in the East and North of Sri Lanka and the expatriate Tamils to condemn GoSL for declaring Moothoor east as a High Security Zone (HSZ), and to draw the attention of the International Community to the violation of human rights.
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Court orders remand for 24 suspects under ER

[TamilNet, Sunday, 22 July 2007, 13:31 GMT]
The Colombo Additional Magistrate Friday ordered further remand till August 03 when 20 Tamils and 04 Sinhalese were produced in court. The suspects were arrested by the police under the Emergency Regulations (ER) on allegation that they were preparing to form a revolutionary organisation after obtaining military training from the Liberation Tigers. Five of the arrested are members of the New Democratic Party (NDP) and four of them are Sinhalese.
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Court fixes 2001 Katunayake attack hearing

[TamilNet, Sunday, 22 July 2007, 13:12 GMT]
The Colombo High Court fixed for 25 July the inquiry into the case filed against five accused in the Katunayake International Airport (KIA) attack of 24 July 2001. Thirteen air crafts including two Kfir jet fighters, one MI-24 Helicopter gun ship and one MIG-27- jet fighter were destroyed in the predawn attack on the Katunayake air base, about 35 km. north of Colombo. The Attorney General has indicted five Tamils on 311 counts for aiding and abetting the attack on KIA, legal sources in Colombo said.
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Bill to provide for 48 hour-detention of suspects

[TamilNet, Sunday, 22 July 2007, 12:35 GMT]
A modified Code of Criminal Procedure (Special Provisions) Bill to provide for the extension of the period of detention up to 48 hours of persons arrested without a warrant, to facilitate the conduct of investigations was presented in Parliament last Friday. This Bill is to be taken up for debate at the next session of the parliament, parliamentary sources said.
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Bodies of 2 Tamil youths recovered in Batticaloa

[TamilNet, Saturday, 21 July 2007, 19:59 GMT]
Batticaloa police recovered Friday evening, bodies of two youths with gunshot injuries and in decomposed state, at Paavatkodicheanai area, Unnichchai in Batticaloa district, Batticaloa police said.
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Claymore attack injures two SLA troopers in Vavuniyaa

[TamilNet, Saturday, 21 July 2007, 15:46 GMT]
Two Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troopers on road patrol were seriously injured when unknown assailants triggered a claymore mine targetted at the foot patrol Saturday afternoon along Vavuniyaa-Mannaar Road in 8th Mile post in Thaalikku'lam, Vavuniyaa, regional sources from Vavuniyaa said.
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SLA fire injures Mandaitheevu fisherman

[TamilNet, Saturday, 21 July 2007, 12:52 GMT]
A fisherman fishing in Mandaitheevu seas inside the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) demarcated fishing zone near Mandaitheevu islet was shot and seriously injured when SLA soldiers stationed along Mandaitheevu shores opened fire indiscriminately on fishermen at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, fisheries sources in Jaffna said.
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Decapitated body found in Valikaamam East

[TamilNet, Saturday, 21 July 2007, 12:39 GMT]
Decapitated body of a family man abducted from his home located in Atchealu Colony in Neerveali in Jaffna was recovered along Maruthanaamadam-Urumpirai Road Saturday morning, sources in Jaffna said. The man was abducted by two unidentified men riding in motorbikes Friday morning, relatives said.
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Moothoor East children's education suffers

[TamilNet, Saturday, 21 July 2007, 11:35 GMT]
Education of children of resettled Tamil families in Eachchilampattu-Verukal division in Trincomalee district has been adversely affected by shortage of teachers, shortage of learning materials, and lack of basic educational facilities aggravated by damaged school buildings resulting from the military operation of Sri Lanka Army (SLA), civil society sources said. Of the several thousand Tamil families which fled last year from Moothoor East, Eachchilampattu and Verukal division due to SLA's military offensive and sought refuge in Batticaloa district, only a few hundred families have been resettled in villages in Eachchilampattu-Verukal areas with minimal facilities.
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SLA closes Uyilangkulam checkpoint

[TamilNet, Saturday, 21 July 2007, 11:35 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) closed Friday Uyilangku'lam checkpoint to Vanni in Mannaar district following the attack Friday around 3:30 a.m on the Kaddaiyadampan SLA camp by Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Mannaar International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) officially informed Mannar Government Agent A.Nicholaspillai of this closure.
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Mullaiththeevu students condemn Sri Lanka aerial attacks

[TamilNet, Saturday, 21 July 2007, 04:06 GMT]
The students and members of the educational community in Oddusuddaan in Mullaiththeevu district demonstrated Friday condemning the atrocities against the Tamil student community perpetrated by the Sri Lankan government and its armed forces. The demonstration started in front of the Oddusuddaan Divisional Education Office around 10:00 a.m. and ended at Divisional Secretariat where memoranda to the Secretary of the United Nations and to the Government agent, Mullaiththeevu were handed over to Mrs. P. Thiyagarajah, the Administrative Officer by Miss. P. Yasotha, student of Oddusuddaan Maha Vidyalayam.
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Leading businessman shot dead in Jaffna city

[TamilNet, Friday, 20 July 2007, 22:03 GMT]
Two gunmen, riding a motorbike, shot and killed a leading businessman in Jaffna city Friday around 4:30 p.m., Police said. Tension prevailed among the business community in Jaffna peninsula following the slaying of Sellaththurai Shanmugarajah, 56, the owner of Aldi Electronics. The motive behind the killing is believed to be vengeance for his son's alleged involvement with the Tigers, sources in Jaffna said.
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Body of male recovered in Ea'raavoor

[TamilNet, Friday, 20 July 2007, 16:42 GMT]
Ea'raavoor police recovered the body of a male Thursday around 8:00 a.m. near the Children's school in Ka'luvangkearni area in Batticaloa-Ea'raavoor police division in Batticaloa district, on information received from residents in the area, police sources said.
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2 Tamil civilians arrested in Hatton

[TamilNet, Friday, 20 July 2007, 16:41 GMT]
Police arrested two Tamil civilians who were travelling by van Thursday night in Hatton, Nuwara Eliya district, sources in Hill country said. The arrested are being detained at Hatton Police station.
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2 civilians injured in grenade explosion in Maanippaay

[TamilNet, Friday, 20 July 2007, 16:07 GMT]
Two civilians were injured when a hand grenade, accidentally dropped by a Sri Lanka Army (SLA) road patrol unit member, exploded Friday around 10:30 a.m. in front of a bank building located along the Main Road in Maanippaay, Valikaamam, residents in the area said.
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Students protest A'lampil air attack

[TamilNet, Friday, 20 July 2007, 12:03 GMT]
Students of Karaithu'raippattu Educational Zone in Mullaiththeevu district demonstrated on Thursday condemning the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) aerial bombing in A'lampil that killed two civilians and injured six students on 11 July. They also burnt the effigies of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse, the Army Chief Sarath Fonseka and Gotabhaya Rajapakse, sources in Mullaitheevu said.
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Rising prices of essentials burden Vanni poor families- TRO

[TamilNet, Friday, 20 July 2007, 11:48 GMT]
Water levels in several irrigation tanks in Vanni have reached low levels due to shortage of rain and prices of essential foods including milkpowder and kerosene have increased to levels not affordable to the poorer sections of the population in Vanni, said Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) in a situation report covering the first half of July released Thursday.
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Youth shot dead in Kokkuvil

[TamilNet, Friday, 20 July 2007, 11:38 GMT]
Two armed unidentified men riding in a motorbike shot dead a youth near Aadiyapaatham Junction in Kokuvil east, Jaffna, early morning Friday, sources in Jaffna said.
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12 Tamil civilians arrested inside Katunayake airport premises

[TamilNet, Friday, 20 July 2007, 11:34 GMT]
Twelve Tamil civilians were arrested Friday early morning around 3:00 a.m. for allegedly straying into the compound of the Katunayake International Airport in Colombo without permission. Air Force security personnel took them into custody and handed over the Terrorist Intelligence Division (TID) of the Police for questioning, police sources said.
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SLA strengthening defences around Palaali airbase

[TamilNet, Friday, 20 July 2007, 11:21 GMT]
Jaffna Sri Lanka Army (SLA) high command, anticipating attacks by the Liberation Tigers, is reinforcing defences against Palaali military airbase, located in the heart of the Northern High Security Zone, sources close to the SLA said. The SLA soldiers are also building an additional protective fence around the runways including a new runway that is being constructed with Indian financial assistance.
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Batticaloa journalist, 2 youths reported missing in Colombo

[TamilNet, Friday, 20 July 2007, 11:07 GMT]
A Tamil journalist from Batticaloa, and two youths disappeared from Colombo last week, sources in Colombo said. P. Rathakrishnan, deputy minister and Upcountry People's Front (UPF) parliamentarian Thursday, meeting with the parents of the missing persons from Upcountry, said: "abductions and extortions appear to have resumed again in Colombo and this is an issue of great danger to our people." Mr. Rathakrishnan has received 124 complaints of abductions.
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One-year-old baby, mother wounded in SLA shelling in Mannaar

[TamilNet, Friday, 20 July 2007, 05:36 GMT]
A mother and her one-year-old baby were wounded in artilery fire by the Sri Lanka Army from Tha'l'laadi SLA camp, Tamileelam Police officials in Liberation Tigers controlled territory in Mannaar said.
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10 SLA killed in raid on minicamp in Mannar - LTTE

[TamilNet, Friday, 20 July 2007, 04:24 GMT]
Liberation Tigers launched a pre-dawn raid Friday on a Sri Lanka Army (SLA) minicamp at Neelachcheanai in Mannar, killing 10 SLA soldiers and seizing all the weapons from the camp, located near Uyilangku'lam entry/exit point. Four LTTE fighters were killed in action. A Medium Machine Gun (MMG), a Light Machine Gun (LMG), a 60 mm mortar, four automatic rifles, 25 hand grenades and an ammunition cache were seized by the Tigers, according to LTTE's Military Spokesman Irasiah Ilanthirayan. Meanwhile, military officials in Colombo put their casualty figures lower and claimed 9 Tamil Tigers were killed in the attack.
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Abu Dhabi Airline quits amid tourist slump, but SriLankan profitable

[TamilNet, Friday, 20 July 2007, 02:19 GMT]
Abu Dhabi's Etihad Airways said that it was pulling out of Sri Lanka, citing a sharp drop in tourist traffic to the island due to the renewed conflict. Etihad will discontinue its services to Colombo from 9 September and will instead offer flights to Colombo through it’s interline partner, Sri Lankan Airlines. Meanwhile, SriLankan Airlines Group, parent of the namesake airline and SriLankan Catering, posted a net profit of Rs. 862.2 million ($7.7 million) in the financial year ended March 31, marking its fifth consecutive profitable year but a 50% plunge from the prior 12-month period.
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East election bill passes in SL Parliament

[TamilNet, Thursday, 19 July 2007, 22:35 GMT]
A Bill to conduct local government elections in East was passed in the Parliament with 56 more votes on Thursday, parliamentary sources said. Janake Bandara Tennakkon, the Minister of Local Government and Provincial Councils, submitted the Local Government Election Special Provision Act at the Parliament. Ruling and Opposition Parliamentarians took part in the debate.
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Jaffna mute to 'Dawn of the East'

[TamilNet, Thursday, 19 July 2007, 20:07 GMT]
While 'Dawn of the East' day celebrations held in Colombo failed to evoke public excitement in the capital, Sri Lankan government's efforts to celebrate the event in the Jaffna peninsula met similar fate, as Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and Government institutions displayed low enthusiasm in carrying out the government's instructions to celebrate, sources in Jaffna said. The National flag, with the lion bearing the sword, hoisted at the Jaffna Government Secretariat Thursday early morning, was also lowered after a few hours, the sources added.
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Poththuvil SLFP Organizer escapes grenade attack

[TamilNet, Thursday, 19 July 2007, 18:03 GMT]
Unidentified persons hurled a grenade attack Wednesday around 9:30 p.m on the residence of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Poththuvil electorate Organizer in Ampaa'rai district, Ahamed Lebbai Abdul Majeed, causing heavy damage to his house, Ampaa'rai police said. Abdul Majeed's wife and children narrowly escaped death.
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Tortured student said critical

[TamilNet, Thursday, 19 July 2007, 16:06 GMT]
A student abducted by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) Tuesday night, and released near his home Thursday in Kaithaddy south, after torture, has been admitted to the Jaffna Teaching Hospital in critical condition, sources in Jaffna said.
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UNP and SLFP(M) tie up, vow to ‘eradicate terrorism’

[TamilNet, Thursday, 19 July 2007, 14:20 GMT]
Announcing a tie-up Thursday, Sri Lanka’s main opposition United National Party (UNP) and the SLFP-M, a splinter of the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party promised to solve the island’s protracted ethnic conflict “within 9 months” of coming to power. The UNP and SLFP-M also vowed “a major offensive will be launched with the support of all people who honour peace and with the support of the international community to eradicate terrorism and separatism from Sri Lanka if any party refuses to accept the solution that safe guards the integrity of all, enforced on a majority decision of the public.”
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Rajapaksa slams International Community at 'Thoppigala' ceremony

[TamilNet, Thursday, 19 July 2007, 12:22 GMT]
The SL President Mahinda Rajapaksa warned the International Community "not to obstruct this New Dawn of the East by raising false slogans, and not engage in globe-trotting to betray the Sri Lankan State." The Sri Lankan Capital City of Colombo was dull Thursday despite Sri Lankan government's ceremonial celebration at Sri Lanka's Independence Square in the morning. Few vehicles plied the streets of Colombo, where celebration flags were rarely seen. The day, tagged to celebrate the 'Dawn of the East,' was obscured by the marked shift in public opinion, showing displeasure against the increasing cost of living caused by the war.
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Kallady displaced families to be resettled

[TamilNet, Thursday, 19 July 2007, 09:44 GMT]
More than four hundred families who fled from Moothoor last year to Batticaloa district following military operation launched by the Sri Lanka Army are to be resettled in their lands in Kallady, a fishing hamlet located in Eachchilampathu division in Trincomalee district, Monday.
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SLA artillery barrage destroys A9 entry point to Vanni amid celebrations in Colombo

[TamilNet, Thursday, 19 July 2007, 03:31 GMT]
The main entry point to Vanni, located on A9 route at Pu'lyangku'lam, was destroyed in targeted artillery and Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) fire by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) Wednesday night, LTTE's Vavuniya District Political Head, S. Gnanam told TamilNet Thursday. The attack on the entry point to Vanni comes as the Sri Lankan establishment in Colombo was projecting a celebration in the wake of Tiger forces discarding conventional confrontations with the Sri Lankan forces at Kudumpimalai, a hat shaped hill in the middle of the Vadamunai region, surrounded by large swathes of forest, northwest of Batticaloa.
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Court orders compensation to Tamil woman journalist

[TamilNet, Thursday, 19 July 2007, 00:44 GMT]
Sri Lanka Supreme Court Monday instructed the Police officers and other officials cited as respondents in a fundamental rights violation case Monday to pay Rs.50,000 to Tamil woman journalist Ms Sivanathan Sivaramya, legal sources in Colombo said.
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SLA shoots at civilians in Meesaalai

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 18 July 2007, 17:39 GMT]
A youth was killed and family man was seriously injured when Sri Lanka Army (SLA) Field Bike Squad (FBS) troops opened fire on civilians, following the exchange of fire between SLA road patrol unit and a group of unidentified armed men Tuesday around 6:00 p.m., near Arasadi junction along Dutch Road in Meesaalai in Thenmaraadchi. Chaavakachcheari police recovered the body of the youth killed in the incident and handed the body over to Jaffna Teaching hospital Wednesday for identification.
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SLA fires artillery shells in Vadamaraadchy east

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 18 July 2007, 15:58 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) fired artillery and multi-barrel rockets from Wednesday morning from 5:00a.m. till 8:55 a.m towards Poonakari, Ki'laali, and Mukamaalai areas from the eastern FDLs, sources in North said. Fishermen in many coastal villages in Vadamaraadchy east were prevented from going out to sea because of the shelling, civil society sources in Vadamaraadchy said.
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23 Tamils arrested over East Chief Secretary's killing

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 18 July 2007, 13:15 GMT]
Twenty-three Tamils have been taken into custody so far by the police in connection with the killing of East Provincial Chief Secretary Mr.H.M.Herat Abeyeweera. Twelve of them, including three women, were employees at the East Provincial Secretariat located along Inner Harbour Road in Trincomalee town, sources in east port town said.
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3 abducted, 2 reported missing in 4 days in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 18 July 2007, 11:14 GMT]
Three civilians from different areas in Jaffna have been reported abducted by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troops in separate incidents, Tuesday night and Wednesday noon, according to complaints registered with the Human Rights Commission (HRC) Jaffna office by relatives, sources in Jaffna said. Meanwhile, two persons have been reported missing in Jaffna since Saturday.
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Police introduce new bus pass system for Kathirkaamam devotees

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 18 July 2007, 11:05 GMT]
Thousands of devotees going to Kathirkaamam temple festival using Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) buses, are encountering delays and other difficulties as Iginiyagala police authority has directed all SLTB depots in the Eastern province to obtain passes for the Kahirkaamam bound buses at the police stations in Kalmunai and Ampaa'rai in the Ampaa'rai district.
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Decomposed body of disappeared youth found in Kayts

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 18 July 2007, 10:54 GMT]
The remains of a highly decomposed body of a 22year-old youth disappeared from Kayts in Jaffna district about six months ago discovered by civilians Wednesday in a well located behind the church in Sinnamadu, Naranthanai has now been positively identified by the victims father and sister.
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Youth found dead in Valikaamam

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 18 July 2007, 09:51 GMT]
Koapaay police, notified by Neerveli village officer, recovered the body of a youth with gunshot wounds from Cheeyaakkaadu Hindu cemetery at Neerveali in Valikaamam east Wednesday and handed it over to Jaffna Teaching hospital.
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GOSL should exert dominance in North- Weerawanse

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 18 July 2007, 05:24 GMT]
The propaganda secretary of Jathika Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and the leader of parliamentary group of JVP, Wimal Weerawansa demanded that the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) should take immediate steps to completely uproot the dominance and power of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Northern Province, in a special communiqué released when the parliament resumed sittings Tuesday, parliamentary sources said.
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SLA, armed group exchange fire in Meesaalai

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 17 July 2007, 20:56 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) road patrol squad and a group of unidentified armed men exchanged fire near Arasadi junction along Dutch Road at Meesaalai in Thenmaraadchi Tuesday around 6:00 p.m., sources in Jaffna said. The fire fight lasted for more than ten minutes. Two men, including one youth from the armed group were killed and 2 SLA soldiers were wounded, according to unconfirmed sources.
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Death threats force HRC official to seek transfer

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 17 July 2007, 20:55 GMT]
Surenthirarajah, Co-ordinating officer at the Jaffna Human Rights Commission (HRC) has been transferred to the Colombo Head office after he complained of threats against his life, civil society sources in Jaffna said. Mr. Sivarajasingham, a retired government servant, who has been working as the Investigation Officer, has been appointed as his replacement.
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Three Tamils arrested in Poonduloya

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 17 July 2007, 17:17 GMT]
The Police arrested three Tamils in Poonduloya in the Nuwara Eliya district Tuesday when they were travelling in a van from Wattala, Colombo district. They were taken into custody as they failed to provide a satisfactory explaination regarding the purpose of their visit to the upcountry area, sources said.
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SLA shelling of Pu'liyangku'lam area continues

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 17 July 2007, 17:15 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) resumed heavy artillery and rocket fire targeting civilian villages of Pu'liyangku'lam, Paalamoaddai, Kugnchukku'lam, and Navvi, in the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) held Vavuniyaa district from Monday 7:20 p.m until 00:40 a.m, sources in Vanni said.
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Eight Tamils arrested over East Chief Secretary's killing

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 17 July 2007, 17:11 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and police, on Tuesday morning, launched a combined cordon and search operation in selected areas in Trincomalee town close to the East Provincial Secretariat located along Inner Harbour Road, following the killing of Mr.H.M.Herat Abeyeweera, Chief Secretary Monday evening. Eight Tamils were taken into custody.
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Tamil civilian shot dead in Thampalakaamam

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 17 July 2007, 17:10 GMT]
Unidentified men Tuesday evening shot dead a Tamil civilian, Saamithamby Jeevan, 35, at Jaya Nagar in Thampalakaamam division in Trincomalee district, sources in the area said.
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Court rejects FR petition against Champoor HSZ

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 17 July 2007, 17:06 GMT]
The Supreme Court Tuesday rejected the fundamental rights violation petitions filed by the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) and its Chairman Dr.Pakkiyasothy Saravanamuthu challenging the gazette notification by the government declaring CHampoor in Moothoor division as high security zone. The three-member bench chaired by the Chief Justice Mr.Sarath N.Silva dismissed the FR petitions without taking it for consideration, legal sources said.
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Postman shot dead in Kantha'laay

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 17 July 2007, 14:35 GMT]
Two unidentified armed men on motorcycle shot dead a postman Tuesday around 9:00 a.m., in front of Kantha'laay Akrabothi Vihara, a Buddhist place of worship, in Trincomalee district, Kantha'laay police said.
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Australia Court grants bail to 3 arrested on terrorism charges

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 17 July 2007, 11:37 GMT]
Victoria state Supreme Court Judge Bernard Bongiorno, telling the court that if the "principle [normal presumption of innocence] is abandoned or even modified for political expediency, that risks the whole foundation of our criminal justice system," Tuesday released Aruran Vinayagamoorthy, 33, and Sivarajah Yathavan, 36, on bail, Associated Press reported. Bongiorno pointed out that the Australian government has not declared the Tamil Tigers a terrorist group. The two were arrested in May charged with "raising money for Liberation Tigers."
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4 youths seek protection at HRC Jaffna

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 17 July 2007, 09:03 GMT]
Four Tamil youths, including two from Viyapaarimoolai in Point Pedro, have sought protection within last week at the Human Rights Commission (HRC) Jaffna office out of fear to their lives from Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and SLA-backed paramilitaries, Jaffna sources said. The youths were produced before the Jaffna District Magistrate and placed in protective custody in Jaffna prison.
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Gunmen abduct 2 Tamil fishermen in Mannaar

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 17 July 2007, 07:06 GMT]
Unidentified gunmen abducted two Tamil fishermen Sunday night around 7:00 p.m. in Mannaar town, according to complaints lodged with the Mannaar regional office of the Human Rights Commission (HRC), and Mannar police station, by their relatives Tuesday.
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SLMM Inspects damages at Pu'liyangku'lam Hospital

[TamilNet, Monday, 16 July 2007, 21:44 GMT]
Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) Head of Northern Region, Hans Jorgen Coldewin visited Pu'liyangku'lam Monday between 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. and inspected the damages at Pu'liyangku'lam Hospital and the neighboring civilian residences from the rocket fire launched by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) Sunday noon and night, sources in Vanni said. The SLMM team also talked to the doctors and nurses.
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Eastern Provincial Chief Secretary shot dead in Trincomalee

[TamilNet, Monday, 16 July 2007, 13:59 GMT]
H.M.Herat Abeyeweera, Chief Secretary of East Provincial Council was shot dead Monday around 6.15 p.m. by an unidentified man when he was coming out of his office which is located along Inner Harbour Road in Trincomalee town. Mr. Abeyeweera, retired Government Agent of Ampaarai district had been appointed Chief Secretary to the East Provincial Council after the de-merger of the northeast provincial council following an order by the Supreme Court on a petition filed by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU).
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4 SLA elite soldiers killed, 6 wounded in Mannaar border - LTTE

[TamilNet, Monday, 16 July 2007, 13:29 GMT]
Liberation Tigers confronted a team of the 2nd Battalion of Sri Lanka Army Special Forces (SF), killing four and wounding 6 when the SLA SF team attempted to breach into LTTE territory in Paalamoaddai in Mannaar-Vavuniyaa border, Monday around 4:00 p.m., according to the military spokesman of the Tigers. A body of a SF soldier was recovered by the Tigers together with 3 T-56 rifles, explosives and military hardware including a night-vision equipment.
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SLA shells explode in Pu'liyangku'lam hospital

[TamilNet, Monday, 16 July 2007, 08:33 GMT]
Patients and staff of Pu'liyangku'lam hospital in Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) held area in Vavuniyaa district fled to save their lives when Sri Lanka Army (SLA) launched heavy, sustained rocket fire, on the hospital twice on Sunday noon and Sunday night around 00:30 a.m., sources in Vanni said. The SLA rocket fire caused severe damage to the hospital buildings while completely destroying the electricity generator of the hospital and the transformer located in front of the hospital.
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Thousands of British Tamils back independent Eelam

[TamilNet, Sunday, 15 July 2007, 15:30 GMT]
Nearly five thousand British Tamils demonstrated Saturday in central London calling on the UK to apply pressure to halt human rights abuses by Sri Lanka’s security forces and to recognize the right to self-determination of the Tamil people. The rally in Trafalgar square was organized by councilors of Tamil origin in the London area. The protestors were addressed by two UK parliamentarians, Mr. Keith Vaz (Labour) and Mr. Simon Hughes (Liberal Democrats) and two MPs of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), Mr. K. Sivajilingam and Mr. Chandrakanthan Chandra Nehru, as well as some of the organizing councilors.
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DPU soldier killed along LTTE Defence Line

[TamilNet, Sunday, 15 July 2007, 13:41 GMT]
A soldier belonging to Sri Lanka Army's (SLA's) Deep Penetration Unit (DPU) was killed Sunday noon at Paalamoaddai, and unknown number of soliders injured during a clash along Liberation Tigers Forward Defence Line (FDL) in Vavuniyaa-Mannaar border, LTTE field officials told media. The DPU team withdrew, leaving behind soldier's body and a T56-2 rifle.
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Young father shot dead along Naavalar Road, Jaffna

[TamilNet, Sunday, 15 July 2007, 12:33 GMT]
A 31-year-old father of a young child was shot dead by unknown gunmen along Naavalar Road area near Jaffna town at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, sources in Jaffna said. The victim was riding his bicycle on way to his mother's house when he was killed.
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SLFP calls for explanation from Samaraweera

[TamilNet, Sunday, 15 July 2007, 12:26 GMT]
The Disciplinary Committee of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), main constituent of the ruling United peoples freedom Alliance (UPFA), has called Mr. Mangala Samaraweera for his written explanation as to why he should not be subjected to inquiry for violating party discipline, political sources in Colombo said.
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Sri Lanka Parliament area to be declared HSZ

[TamilNet, Sunday, 15 July 2007, 12:23 GMT]
The area surrounding the Sri Lanka Parliamentary complex located in Sri Jayawardanapura is to be gazetted as high security zone (HSZ) due to heightened threats of attacks, parliamentary sources in Colombo said. A report that would facilitate the process is to be submitted to the Speaker Mr.W.J.M.Lokkubandara.
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Vanni faces creeping embargo, SLA blamed

[TamilNet, Sunday, 15 July 2007, 02:43 GMT]
New regulations and checking procedures introduced by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) officials on vehicles transporting essentials to Vanni through the Oamanthai checkpoint, under SLA's expressed objective of increased security, have severely restricted the flow of goods into the Liberation Tigers controlled region, civil society sources in Vanni said. Administrative officals inside Vanni said that the district residents face severe shortage of essentials such as sugar and flour if stocks are not replenished within two weeks.
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26 Akkaraayan poor students receive free bicycles

[TamilNet, Saturday, 14 July 2007, 16:29 GMT]
Twenty six selected students, 16 girls and 10 boys, from Akkaraayan Maha Viththiyaalayam received free bicycles sponsored by the local Akkaraayan Development Organization and the Zoa Foundation, an NGO, to facilitate children from economically deprived families to improve attendence to middle and high schools, sources in Ki'linochchi said.
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SLA troopers feared killed in Thenmaraadchi artillery exchange

[TamilNet, Saturday, 14 July 2007, 14:49 GMT]
Several Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers are feared killed and many injured during sustained exchanges of artillery fire across Thenmaraadchi Forward Defence Lines (FDLs) between the Liberation Tigers and the SLA during Thursday, Friday and Saturday, informed sources in Jaffna said. Sri Lanka Military has not officially released casualty figures but sources said many bodies have been transferred from Palaali to Colombo during the three days, and several troops have been admitted to the Palaali Military hospital.
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Two civilians shot dead in Thenmaraadchi

[TamilNet, Saturday, 14 July 2007, 13:49 GMT]
Two civilians, a 25-year-old woman and a 30-year-old man, were shot to death by unknown gunmen in Chaavakachcheari in Thenmaraadchi district Saturday, sources in Jaffna said.
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16 SLA killed, 45 wounded, 4 bodies recovered in Mannaar - LTTE

[TamilNet, Saturday, 14 July 2007, 13:29 GMT]
Sixteen Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers were killed and 45 wounded when the Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) forces put up stiff resistance against a two-pronged offensive by the SLA in Mannaar-Vavuniyaa border area, LTTE's Military Spokesman Irasiah Ilanthirayan told media in Ki'linochchi. Four dead bodies of SLA soldiers were recovered by the Tigers. The moves by two SLA units that attempted to move into LTTE territory from Piramanaalangku'lam towards Thampanai and from Ira'nai Iluppaikku'lam towards Mu'l'likku'lam, backed by heavy artillery fire, MBRL rocket fire and air-attacks, were successfully thwarted by the Tigers, he said. Three LTTE fighters were killed in action.
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SLA soldier killed, 15 amputated after fresh offensive in Mannaar

[TamilNet, Saturday, 14 July 2007, 08:54 GMT]
At least one Sri Lanka Army soldier was killed and 20 seriously wounded when SLA soldiers attempted to move into Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) controlled territory in Mannaar-Vavuniyaa border Saturday morning. 15 of the wounded soliders were amputated, according to military sources. "The soldiers were locked into heavy fighting along a Forward Defence Line, which they believed was a crack in enemy lines," a SLA official in Vavuniyaa, who did not wished to be named, was quoted by the sources as saying.
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Victims of aerial bombing buried in Mullaiththeevu

[TamilNet, Saturday, 14 July 2007, 07:58 GMT]
The last rituals of the two civilians killed in the aerial bombing of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Kfir jets on Thursday at A'lampil in Mullaiththeevu district, were held with a large number of local residents in attendance, Thursday. A 16-year-old boy and an old woman were killed in the attack.
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Father of five disappears in Batticaloa

[TamilNet, Saturday, 14 July 2007, 06:33 GMT]
A 40-year-old father of five children from a recently resettled village in Manmunai South West (Paddippalai) division in Batticaloa district has gone missing after going to fish in Puzhukunaavai Tank, an irrigation tank located in Paddippalai, P. Ariyaneththiran, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Parliamentarian for Batticaloa district, said.
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TNA condemns killing of TELO Member

[TamilNet, Saturday, 14 July 2007, 05:14 GMT]
In a communiqué issued Friday, the parliamentary group of Tamil National Alliance (TNA) condemned the killing of Thiyagarajah, a member of Tamil Eelam Liberation Organisation (TELO), by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers and policemen Thursday in the district office located in Pa'ndaarikku'lam, Vavuniyaa.
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GoSL prepares to celebrate capture of Kudumpimalai

[TamilNet, Saturday, 14 July 2007, 01:34 GMT]
The Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) is making preparations to celebrate the capture of Kudumpimalai region in the east, media reports from Colombo said. The Ministry of Education is reported to be joining the celebration by directing the schools in selected regions in Sri Lanka to hoist the Sri Lankan flag. A circular signed by an anonymous Officer in Colombo Education Zone was sent to Sinhala schools on Friday with procedures to be adopted during the event.
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Abducted students released, allege SLA involvement

[TamilNet, Friday, 13 July 2007, 19:30 GMT]
Three students studying Advanced Level in two prominent high schools in Jaffna forcibly abducted 4 May night during curfew from their homes by armed men were released Wednesday night near their homes, civil society sources in Jaffna said. The abducted students were kept in captivity for the past 69 days were brought to their homes in a white van before their release.
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Civilian's body found with torture marks in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Friday, 13 July 2007, 14:59 GMT]
The body of civilian with gunshot wounds was discovered Wednesday night in Kalviyangkaadu, Jaffna on Aadiyapaatham road, close to Naayanmaarkaadu junction, sources in Jaffna said. The body bore several injuries which medical officers at the Jaffna Teaching hospital confirmed as inflicted due to torture.
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Police constable killed in accidental fire in Kalmunai

[TamilNet, Friday, 13 July 2007, 12:26 GMT]
A police constable attached to Kaaraitheevu Special Task Force (STF) in Ampaa'rai district died accidentally Thursday around 5:30 p.m., when his gun went off while he was cleaning it, Kalmunai police said. The police constable succumbed to the gunshot at Kalmunai hospital where he was rushed to, police said.
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Youth released from HRC protection shot dead inside Jaffna HSZ

[TamilNet, Friday, 13 July 2007, 10:54 GMT]
A 19-year-old youth was shot dead by unknown gunmen along Martin Road, inside the High Security Zone of Jaffna town Friday morning. The victim, Subramaniam Jeyanthiran, had earlier received death threats from the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and was held in protective custody of Jaffna prison through the Jaffn Human Rights office. He was released from custody on his own request only recently, sources in Jaffna said.
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Wickremesinghe briefs Islamic envoys

[TamilNet, Friday, 13 July 2007, 10:30 GMT]
Mr. Ranil Wickremasinghe, leader of the main opposition United National Party (UNP), Friday briefed the envoys of Islamic countries including Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Maldives about the current political and human rights situations in the island. The briefing was held at the Cambridge Terrace residence of Mr.Wickremasinghe, political sources in Colombo said.
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700 IDP families to be resettled in Chooranakar

[TamilNet, Friday, 13 July 2007, 10:20 GMT]
About seven hundred Tamil families displaced from Chooranakar in Eachchilampathu division in Trincomalee district are to be resettled back in their villages Monday, civil society sources in Trincomalee said. The IDP families fled in 2006 from their homes due to the military operation launched by the Sri Lanka Army and are now sheltered in temporary structures in several villages in Batticaloa district.
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Local elections to be held in east - Minister

[TamilNet, Friday, 13 July 2007, 10:15 GMT]
Mr.Janaka Bandara Tennekone, Minister of Local Authorities and Provincial Councils, at a press briefing held Friday said that amendment to Local Government Election Ordinance would be tabled in parliament on July 19 to call for fresh nomination to ten local authorities in the Batticaloa district, political sources in Colombo said.
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SLA officer injured, a teacher dead in claymore attack in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Friday, 13 July 2007, 08:10 GMT]
Unidentified persons triggered a claymore device Thursday around 6:30 p.m., targeting a high officer of Sri Lanka Army (SLA) 52nd Division, travelling in a pick-up through Thumpa'lai area in Point Pedro in Vadamaraadchi. The officer, seriously injured, was rushed to Palaali Military hospital, where he is said to be fighting for his life. A teacher, returning after prayers at the temple, happened to be passing the site of attack on bicycle, died due to shock, local residents said.
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More than 100 IDP families resettled in I'raalkuzhi

[TamilNet, Friday, 13 July 2007, 00:02 GMT]
Families displaced from I'raalkuzhi village in Moothoor division in Trincomalee district due to military offensives by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) in 2006 were transported by seven buses back to their village Thursday for resettlement. Buses carrying 264 members of 103 families left Aalangkea'ni and Eachchantheevu villages in Kinniya division Thursday morning, division secretariat sources said.
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Co-chairs have failed to address key humanitarian issues, LTTE tells Brattskar

[TamilNet, Thursday, 12 July 2007, 15:31 GMT]
Tamil people are disillusioned with the Donor Co-Chairs for not in exerting pressure on Colombo to address the fundamental humanitarian issues that are critically affecting the day-to-day lives of the Tamil people, LTTE told the visiting Norwegian Ambassador, Mr Hans Brattskar, during a meeting held at the LTTE Peace Secretariat Wednesday. Denial of basic humanitarian needs requires equal and urgent attention, besides addressing selected Human Rights violations by the Sri Lankan state, Thamilchelvan further told the Mr Brattskar. The Ambassador was on a two-day visit to Ki'linochchi Wednesday and Thursday, according to LTTE's Peace Secretariat officials.
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SLAF Kfir crashlands after anti aircraft fire - LTTE

[TamilNet, Thursday, 12 July 2007, 12:47 GMT]
A Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Kfir bomber was damaged in Liberation Tigers anti-aircraft cannon fire over Vavuniyaa Forward Defence Line (FDL) around 3:30 p.m. Thursday. LTTE's Military Spokesman Irasiah Ilanthirayan said that the bomber was damaged in the cannon fire by the Tigers and parts of the damaged aircraft fell inside the Tiger territory. The SLAF aircraft crashlanded into the SLA territory. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Air Force officials in Colombo said all their aircrafts were safe.
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SLA shoots dead TELO member, ransacks Vavuniyaa office

[TamilNet, Thursday, 12 July 2007, 09:29 GMT]
Hundreds of Sri Lanka Army soldiers and Policemen rounded up and entered the premises of Tamileelam Liberation Organisation (TELO) district office located in Pa'ndaarikku'lam in Vavuniyaa Thursday morning around 8:30, shot and killed a TELO member, Thiyaaku, a father of two, and alleged that the victim was attempting a lob a grenade at them. The TELO is a member party of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) with 4 elected Members of Parliament. TELO officials in Vavuniyaa said that the ransack operation was a calculated move to discredit the organisation and terrorize the members of TELO.
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2 civilians injured in grenade attack in Kaaththaankudi

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 11 July 2007, 21:14 GMT]
Two Muslim civilians were injured when unknown persons hurled a hand grenade around 8:45 p.m. Wednesday while they were standing near the Kaaththaankudi Police station in Batticaloa district. Muhammad Mahroof, 40, and Hachchi Muhammad Gaffoor, 38, both residents of Kaaththaankudi, were admitted to the Kaaththaankudi District hospital for treatment.
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Kokkadichcholai resettlers displaced again

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 11 July 2007, 19:00 GMT]
Nearly 100 families recently resettled in Kokkaddichcholai area in Batticaloa district have started relocating to safer areas due to recent killings and disappearances, said Ariyanarenthiran, Batticaloa district Tamil National Alliance(TNA) parliamentarian, speaking to the media Wednesday.
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TRO condemns SLAF bombing of IDP fisher community

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 11 July 2007, 18:33 GMT]
Pointing out that the fisher community hit by death and injuries by Wednesday bombing raid by Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Kfir fast attack crafts was one that was receiving assistance from the Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO), TRO in a press release issued Wednesday, condemned the attack on civilians and urged the "International humanitarian community to pressure the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) to ensure that civilians are not [made] targets of their attacks."
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Resettled Vavu'natheevu IDPs lack basic amenities

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 11 July 2007, 14:47 GMT]
Tamil residents of Vavu'natheevu division in Batticaloa district, displaced due to Sri Lanka Army (SLA) offensives and recently resettled in their villages, continue to suffer as basic facilities are yet to be restored, according to Vavu'natheevu Divisional Secretary K. Vimalanathan. Besides lack of food and adequate shelters the villagers are unable to resume agricultural activities due to lack of funds.
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2 civilians killed, 11 wounded, SLAF bombs A'lampil

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 11 July 2007, 11:39 GMT]
A 15-year-old boy and a 51-year-old woman were killed and 11 civilians, including a one-year-old baby, were wounded when a Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Kfir fighter jet bombed fishermen on shore near the Church of Vealangkanni in A'lampil Wednesday around 3:30 p.m. Five children below 16 years of age were wounded in the SLAF bombardment. The Kfir bomber flew at low altitude, targeted the fishermen families who were sorting fish on the shore and dropped two bombs on them. A 15-year-old victim, P. Premkumar, has lost both of his legs in the attack. The SLAF bombardment on civilian target comes while the Norwegian Ambassador is on a visit to Ki'linochchi to meet with the LTTE Political Head.
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Police arrests 18 civilians in Kathirkaamam

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 11 July 2007, 11:23 GMT]
Sri Lanka Police, in a cordon and search operation conducted Tuesday from 1:00 p.m to 4:00 p.m in Kathirkaamam area in Uva Province, arrested 18 civilians, including 14 Tamils staying in Kathirkaamam, for not having valid documents to establish their identity, police said.
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SLA harasses campus students in Urumpiraay

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 11 July 2007, 10:44 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers cordoned off and searched areas in I'nuvil and Maruthanaamadam Wednesday morning, sources in Jaffna said. Undergraduates from the Jaffna Campus on their way to attend lectures at the Fine Arts Faculty locate along Urumpiraay Road were subjected to intense questioning and body search, affected students said.
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SLA cordons, searches Paasaiyoor area

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 11 July 2007, 10:33 GMT]
Several hundred Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers trucked to the coastal villages south of Jaffna, cordoned off and searched Paasaiyoor, Kurunakar, Thirunakar, Koyyaaththoaddam and surrounding areas from early morning Wednesday, local residents said.
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Young father shot dead in Koappaay, Jaffna

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 11 July 2007, 10:16 GMT]
A young family man was shot dead at his house in Koappay by armed men alleged to be members of Sri Lanka Army (SLA) intelligence wing and SLA-backed paramilitaries at 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, sources in Jaffna said. The intruders forced open the front entrance to the house and shot the man, according to sources.
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Canadian MP raises concern on Sri Lanka's Human rights situation

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 11 July 2007, 01:30 GMT]
Mr Mark Holland, Liberal Member of Parliament for Ajax-Pickering in a communication to Canadian Prime Minister Harper, expressed his "deepest concern about the deteriorating human rights situation in Sri Lanka," and supported fellow parliamentarian Dan McTeague's call to "opening a consulate in Jaffna that is capable of providing immigration services."
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SLAF cadets to obtain training in US

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 10 July 2007, 17:48 GMT]
Two Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) cadets were selected for a four-year program designed to develop leadership skills and motivational training at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado, a US Embassy press release said. Mr. James Moore, the U.S. Embassy's Deputy Chief of Missions, while presenting the documents to the selected cadets, said that the appointments "signify the close training relationship between our two militaries."
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SLA, armed group exchange fire in Karaveddi

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 10 July 2007, 17:10 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) road patrol unit and a group of unidentified men exchanged fire near Arasadi junction on Point Pedro-Kodikaamam road in Karaveddi, Vadamaraadchi at 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, sources in Jaffna said. The firefight lasted for more than 10 minutes. Details of injuries or casualties are not known.
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Police arrests 9 civilians in Kandy, Nugegoda

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 10 July 2007, 16:10 GMT]
Sri Lanka Police in a search operation carried out on Monday night in Polgolla, Kandy arrested four Tamil youths for not having valid documents to prove their identity and for failing to provide valid reasons for their stay in Kandy, police said.
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Muslim boy shot dead in Western Province

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 10 July 2007, 12:38 GMT]
A Sri Lanka Army (SLA) deserter leading a Sinhala mob, shot dead an 18-year-old Muslim boy, and seriously injured two other Muslim youths Monday night around 8:30 in the Muslim Western Province village of Ambalanduwa. The mob attacked the Muslims when they opposed a group of extremists attempting to place a Buddha statue close to a Mosque in their village, located in the Panadura division of Kalutara district, Police said.
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Indian fishermen accused of poaching in Vadamaraadchi seas

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 10 July 2007, 10:42 GMT]
Vadamaraadchi fisheries union officials said Monday that fishing trawlers belonging to Tamil Naadu fishermen have again started poaching in seas off Vadamaraadchi and northern coastal areas. While local fishermen are barred from fishing at night and only allowed to fish during daytime within 1 km from the coast, the Indian trawlers are using night lights to fish, local fishermen complained. Fisheries officials said that poaching is possible only with tacit permission frm Sri Lanka Navy (SLN).
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Samaraweera, Sooriyarachchi to visit India

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 10 July 2007, 10:32 GMT]
Sri Lanka's former Foreign Minister Mr.Mangala Samaraweera is scheduled to pay a two-day visit to India. He leaves Colombo on Wednesday accompanied by his colleague and former minister Mr.Sripathi Sooriyarachchi, media sources said in Colombo.
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I'raalkuzhi IDPs to be resettled

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 10 July 2007, 10:27 GMT]
Officials of the Kinniya and Moothoor Divisional Secretariats are jointly taking steps to resettle about 126 Tamil families in I'raalkuzhi village in Moothoor division, civil society sources said. The villagers fled last year following military operation launched by the Sri Lanka Army.
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5 killed, DPU mine targets health service vehicle

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 10 July 2007, 07:25 GMT]
Five persons, inclduing Tamileelam Health Service personnel and civilians were killed in a Claymore mine attack by a Deep Penetration Unit (DPU) of the Sri Lanka Army inside Vanni near Mangku'lam around 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, according to initial reports by the Liberatin Tigers officials in Ki'linochchi. A worker from the Road Development Department, on road construction work along the A9 road, was wounded in the attack. Civil Health Service vehicles have been targeted by the Deep Penetration Units that infiltrate into LTTE controlled Vanni, in violation of rules of war, LTTE officials added.
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SLA artillery destroys civilian properties in Vavuniyaa north

[TamilNet, Monday, 09 July 2007, 22:42 GMT]
Civilians living in the areas close to the Forward Defence Line of the Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) controlled territory in Vavuniyaa were relocating to safer areaa out of fear from further attacks after Sri Lanka Army (SLA) launched sustained artillery barrage Sunday on LTTE controlled territories in Vavuniyaa, causing widespread damage to civilian properties.
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Youth shot dead in Thenmaraadchi

[TamilNet, Monday, 09 July 2007, 15:36 GMT]
Unidentified armed men dressed in black and green took a rheumatic youth away for interrogation from his house at Madduvil south in Thenmaraadchi Sunday around 5:45 p.m., and shot him dead, sources in Madduvil said. Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troopers had searched the youth's house just around two hours before the killing.
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Police arrests 39 civilians in Colombo

[TamilNet, Monday, 09 July 2007, 00:14 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and Police, in a joint pre-dawn cordon and search operation, arrested 39 civilians, many of them Sinhalese, in Mount Lavinia, a suburb of Colombo on Sunday. The operation covering more than 250 houses began at 3:00 a.m. and lasted for three hours, local residents said.
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SLA shoots dead Tamil youth in Chiththaa'ndi

[TamilNet, Monday, 09 July 2007, 00:01 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) shot dead a Tamil youth at Chiththaa'ndi Murugan Koayil Road in Ea'raavoor Police division in Batticaloa district at 11:10 p.m. on Saturday, civil sources said. Ea'raavoor Police recovered the body of the victim, Konamalai Rajikumar, 18, of Kaali Koayil Road, Chiththaa'ndi, at 1:00 p.m. Sunday.
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Kfir bomb explodes under loading, 4 airmen wounded in Katunayake airbase

[TamilNet, Sunday, 08 July 2007, 11:37 GMT]
Four Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) airmen were wounded while they were fixing bombs to a Israeli-built Kfir fighter aircraft inside the Katunayake airbase in Colombo around 2:45 p.m., Sunday. Intial reports said the bomber aircraft, preparing for its mission on Kudumpimalai jungles in Batticaloa district, was damaged in the mishap and another fighter jet parked in the airbase was also sustained damage due to the mpact of the blast. However, the SLAF spokesman, Group Captain Ajantha de Silva, declined to comment on the damage to the bombers.
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SLN crafts stage war exercise in Maathakal sea

[TamilNet, Sunday, 08 July 2007, 09:15 GMT]
A large number of recently acquired Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) vessels participated in an training exercise Saturday night in Maathakal Sea in Valigaamam North in the vicinity of Kaangkeasanthu'rai (KKS) naval base. The rehearsal commenced at 7:00 p.m. and lasted an hour causing tension in the neighbouring coastal villages.
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SLN, Sea Tigers clash in the seas off Pulmoaddai

[TamilNet, Sunday, 08 July 2007, 01:19 GMT]
A 3-hour long sea-fight ensued between the Sea Tigers and the Sri Lanka Navy in the seas off Pulmoaddai after SLN Fast Attack Crafts (FACs) attempted to intrude into the waters south of Mullaiththeevu Saturday midnight, LTTE officials in Ki'linochchi told media Sunday. 3 Dvora FACs were damaged in the clash. Two Sea Tigers were killed in action. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Army along the Northern Front in Jaffna peninsula continued intensive artillery and Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) fire towards the LTTE controlled areas for more than 12 hours from 4:00 p.m. Saturday.
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Missing youth found shot dead in Chaavakachcheari

[TamilNet, Saturday, 07 July 2007, 17:53 GMT]
The body of a youth who disappeared Friday afternoon from a hotel in Pu'liyadi junction in Chaavakachcheari was discovered Friday night with gunshot wounds and hands tied behind his back, close to Dutch Road in Chaavakachcheari, sources in Thenmaraadchi said.
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SLA trooper found dead in Ezhuthumadduvaa'l

[TamilNet, Saturday, 07 July 2007, 13:35 GMT]
The unidentified body of a 24 year old Sri Lanka Army (SLA) trooper was discovered Friday afternoon near the Forward Defense Lines (FDL) at Ezhuthumadduvaa'l. The body did not have any gunshot injuries but blood was found coming out of his nose and ears, leading to speculation that trauma due to extended physical training had cause the death, informed sources in Thenmaraadchi said.
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Fuel rationed in Mannaar

[TamilNet, Saturday, 07 July 2007, 10:38 GMT]
Ration system is to be introduced to sell fuel to all vehicles in the Sri Lanka Army controlled territory in Mannaar district with effect from Monday. Vehicles registered with the divisional secretariat offices in Musali, Mannaar and Naanaaddaan, with registered authorisation are eligible to buy fuel needed for a week.
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4 Tamils arrested in Gampaha

[TamilNet, Friday, 06 July 2007, 20:37 GMT]
The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) arrested three Tamil civilians in a cordon and search operation conducted in Gampaha town Thursday and have detained them at the Gampaha police station. Police said the arrested men failed to provide valid reasons for staying in Gampaha. The detainees arebeing questioned by the Terrorist Intelligence Division of the Police.
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Armed men open fire on SLA in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Friday, 06 July 2007, 20:32 GMT]
Unidentified armed men opened rapid fire on a Sri Lanka Army (SLA) road patrol team Friday around noon, along the road between Thirunelveali and Ka'l'liyangkaadu at Thirunelveali in Jaffna city, sources in Jaffna said. The SLA said none of its men were hurt.
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Father shot dead, son abducted in Valikaamam

[TamilNet, Friday, 06 July 2007, 18:28 GMT]
Unidentified gunmen on motor cycle followed a civilian riding his motor cycle with his son, shot him dead and abducted the son Friday evening at Aavarangkaal area along Jaffna-Point Pedro road, an area in the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) High Security Zone (HSZ) where troopers are always present, sources in Jaffna said.
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Judge criticizes abduction investigations by Kayts police

[TamilNet, Friday, 06 July 2007, 13:39 GMT]
The Magistrate of Kayts courts Mr. Jeyaraman Trotsky commenting Thursday on the progress into the investigations of a postal employee and a staffer Sri Lanka Transport board (SLTB), who disappeared on June 07 between Madaththuve'li , Pungkudutheevu and Veala'nai, said he was dissatisfied with the handling of the case by Kayts police, legal sources in Jaffna said.
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SLA Major, 5 soldiers killed in Kudumpimalai

[TamilNet, Friday, 06 July 2007, 08:51 GMT]
A Sri Lanka Army Major and five soldiers were killed and seven wounded Friday morning in Kudumpimalai (Thoppikkal) jungle when SLA troops confronted fighters of the Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE), according to military sources in the Eastern city of Batticaloa. In the North, 3 soldiers were killed on Thursday when fighting erupted in Vavuniyaa-Mannaar border.
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Minister's brother CID probe impartiality questioned

[TamilNet, Friday, 06 July 2007, 08:19 GMT]
Investigation by Criminal Investigation Department (CID) into alleged involvement of Mr. Nisantha Gajatheera, the brother of Minister Chandrasiri Gajatheeera, in recent abductions will not be conducted in a transparent and impartial manner, said United National Party (UNP) Member of parliament from Kandy District Laxman Seneviratne, speaking at the emergency debate in parliament on Thursday, parliamentary sources said.
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Thondaman meets Samaraweera

[TamilNet, Friday, 06 July 2007, 01:20 GMT]
Senior Party members of the Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) and Peoples Wing of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) met Thursday morning at Sawmiya Bawan, headquarters of the CWC in Colombo, for discussions on matters related to the uncertainties in political alliances in Sri Lanka parliament.
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SLA blocks key roads, reinforces security in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Thursday, 05 July 2007, 22:22 GMT]
Anticipating attacks by the Liberation Tigers during "Black July" Sri Lanka Army (SLA) has increased cordon and search operations in Jaffna peninsula and has begun closing several key roads in Jaffna town for public use causing difficulties to people, sources in Jaffna said. The few main access roads to Human Rights Commission (HRC) Jaffna office located at 4th Cross Street have been closed for public use following the shooting incident in front of Jaffna Courts also located in the 4h Cross street Tuesday, the sources added.
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STF shoots dead 2 Tamil youths in Poththuvil

[TamilNet, Thursday, 05 July 2007, 22:19 GMT]
Two Tamil youths were shot dead by Special Task Force (STF) in Mukalikkadai in Poththuvil Police division in Amparai district on Thursday early morning. Police claimed that STF laid an ambush on a tip off that LTTE cadres were moving from Kaagnchirangkudaa through Mukalikkadai.
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Pirapaharan addresses Black Tigers in Vanni

[TamilNet, Thursday, 05 July 2007, 16:55 GMT]
V. Pirapaharan, leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) participated in a special commemoration event marking Black Tigers Day with several hundred Black Tiger cadres attending at the event in Vanni on Thursday, LTTE officials told media in Ki'linochchi. LTTE leader addressed the Black Tigers after lighting the flame of sacrifice at 7:05 p.m. the time of the death of first Black Tiger, Captain Miller. A total of 322 Black Tigers have been killed in action from Captain Miller´s death in 1987 until 30th June 2007, according to the Tamileelam Heroes Secretariat in Vanni.
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Hindu priest missing in Thirukkoayil

[TamilNet, Thursday, 05 July 2007, 14:33 GMT]
A Hindu priest is reported missing since Wednesday 7:00 p.m., after having gone to Pi'l'aiyaar temple in Vinaayakapuram in Thirukkoayil in Akkaraipattu, sources in Thirukkoayil said.
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Missing youth's father files FR petition in Supreme Court

[TamilNet, Thursday, 05 July 2007, 09:39 GMT]
The father of a youth arrested by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) has filed a fundamental rights (FR) petition in the supreme court Tuesday regarding his missing son .The petitioner Velayutham Selvarajah of Meesaalai, Chaavakachcheari North in his application pointed out that his son Selvarajah Thusyanthan, a married man, arrested on May 30 by SLA troopers from the 12th Wijeyabhahu Regiment camp located in Puththoor has gone missing.
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Kaaththaankudi Police arrests Tamil man, woman

[TamilNet, Thursday, 05 July 2007, 08:39 GMT]
Kaaththaankudi Police on Tuesday arrested two Tamils, a married woman and a married man, around 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, at Naavatkudaa, situated within the Batticaloa municipal limits, under the charge of possession of detonators and wires. Both the persons are living in Mariyamman Kovil Road, Naavatkudaa, the Police said.
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Paramilitaries clash in Kommaathu'rai SLA base

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 04 July 2007, 16:52 GMT]
A Karuna Group paramilitary member was killed and two Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP) pararmilitary personnel were wounded when the two groups, attached to the Kommaathu'rai Sri Lanka Army (SLA) base in Chengkaladi in Batticaloa, clashed Wednesday evening around 5:00 p.m., Ea'raavoor Police said. The Karuna group has been harassing the EPDP, the only paramilitary group established in SLA controlled areas of both North and East, against carrying out campaign activities in Batticaloa district for the last two months.
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SLA orders termination of 17 Halo Trust employees

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 04 July 2007, 14:02 GMT]
Seventeen employees of Halo Trust demining group in Jaffna were terminated from their position on the orders of Palaly Sri Lanka Military High Command, sources close to the NGO said. Affected employees said that they have been employed with the Group for more than four years and have had no blemishes on their employment record.
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Grenade attack on civilian home in Vavuniya

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 04 July 2007, 12:17 GMT]
Unknown assailants hurled a hand grenade at the house belonging to a Vavuniyaa trader located in Goodshed Road at 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, Police said. The explosion did not cause injuries or damage to any property, police added.
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Bakery owner in Mannaar abducted

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 04 July 2007, 11:48 GMT]
Unidentified men abducted the owner of a bakery located at Thaaraapuram in Mannaar town Wednesday early morning around 5:30 a.m., sources in Mannar said. Michael Rajan, a father of three children, was transporting morning stock of bread in his motorbike from Thaarapuram when he was abducted.
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Harper urged to locate Canadian Embassy branch in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 04 July 2007, 05:04 GMT]
Citing difficulties faced by relatives of Tamil constituents of Pickering- Scarborough East in accessing Canadian Embassy located in Colombo, Mr. Dan McTeague, Canadian parliamentarian, in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Harper, urged him to consider locating an Canadian Embassy branch in Jaffna. The MP also pointed out to the Prime Minister that Colombo is engaged in "ethnic cleansing," and continues to "marginalize the Tamil population."
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Jaffna elderly woman alleges SLA torture

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 03 July 2007, 21:28 GMT]
A sixty year old mother, living close to Jaffna campus, complained Tuesday to the Jaffna Human Rights Commission (HRC)that she was tortured by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troopers who forcibly entered her house at Maariyamman Koayilady in Thirunelveali Tuesday around 5:00 a.m., civil sources in Jaffna said. The complaint was also filed with the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) and International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) offices in Jaffna.
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Woman reported missing in Thenmaraadchi

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 03 July 2007, 17:03 GMT]
A mother of four children from Allaarai north in Meesaalai in Thenmaraadchi is reported missing since February 24, while she was returning home after medical treatment at Jaffna Teaching hospital, according to the complaint made by her mother Tuesday to Human Rights Commission (HRC) Jaffna office. The complainant said that she suspects her daughter being arrested or abducted on the way home in a bus along Jaffna-Kandy road.
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Stranded teachers from Vanni demand salary arrears

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 03 July 2007, 15:37 GMT]
More than 150 teachers from Vanni district, stranded outside districts after last year’s closure of A9 highway, and temporarily appointed in Western province, have reported to Sri Lanka Teachers Union (SLTU) that they have not been paid their salary for the past ten months. The teachers allege that the Northern Province Education department had provided all the required documents for processing their salary payments and yet the office of the Western province Education department has failed to take any action.
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3 SLA troopers killed in Vavuniya Claymore attack

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 03 July 2007, 11:54 GMT]
Three Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troopers were killed when unknown assailants triggered a Claymore mine in Kalvi Road Vavuniya at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, sources in Vavuniya said. The soldiers were attached to the newly established SLA camp in Mathakuvaiththa Ku'lam.
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US Congressmen urge increased US efforts in Sri Lanka

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 03 July 2007, 11:28 GMT]
Fifty Congressmen and women in a letter to US President, urged him "to increase U.S. diplomatic engagement and high-level political contact in Sri Lanka to work toward achieving a lasting peace." They also urged the President to "increase U.S. efforts to promote strong human rights protections for civilians, urge the Government of Sri Lanka to take active measures to end extrajudicial killings and disappearances in government-controlled areas, [and] enhance Treasury Department efforts to disrupt LTTE financing."
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SLA clearance required to use new cellular service in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 03 July 2007, 11:18 GMT]
Code-Division Multiple Access (CDMA)-based digital cellular network, not deployed in Jaffna peninsula due to security reasons by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) administration, was made available from Monday to a limited number of subscribers who have obtained clearance from the SLA, according to Sri Lanka Tele Communication (SLTC) announcement in the media.
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Police constable shot, injured in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 03 July 2007, 07:24 GMT]
Unidentified men armed with pistols shot and injured a police constable Tuesday around 8:30 a.m., in front of Jaffna courts, located at Fourth Cross street in Jaffna town, as he and a fellow policeman reported for duty in the Courts premises, sources in Jaffna said. The injured policeman was rushed to Jaffna Teaching hospital.
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Civilian shot dead in Ea'raavoor

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 03 July 2007, 01:15 GMT]
Unidentified armed men shot dead a married man Monday at 7:30 a.m. in Ka'luva'nke'ni area in Batticaloa- Ea'raavoor Police division in Batticaloa district, sources in Batticaloa said.
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4 Tamils arrested in Kandy, Gampaha

[TamilNet, Monday, 02 July 2007, 21:36 GMT]
Four Tamil civilians, all residents of upcountry towns, were arrested by the Sri Lanka forces and police Sunday in Kandy and Gampaha in two separate cordon and search operations. The arrested were handed over to the respective police station and are being subjected to interrogation by the Terrorist Intelligence Division (TID).
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25 civilians arrested in plantation districts

[TamilNet, Monday, 02 July 2007, 15:57 GMT]
In a large scale cordon and search operation jointly conducted by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and police Monday in plantation districts in predominantly Tamil areas of Talawakelle and Bogawanthalawa, more than 100 people were investigated and 25 of them were taken into custody, Bogawanthalawa police said.
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CID summons UNP parliamentarian for inquiry

[TamilNet, Monday, 02 July 2007, 15:55 GMT]
Dr.Jayalath Jayawardene, parliamentarian of the main opposition United National Party (UNP) representing the Gampaha district in Western province, was summoned by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to its office Monday at about 1:00 p.m. to record his statement, sources in Colombo said.
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Youth reported missing in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Monday, 02 July 2007, 11:52 GMT]
A young fisherman from Naavalar Veethi in Naavaanthu'rai, a suburb of Jaffna town, has been missing since going to Jaffna Teaching hospital for treatment Saturday, according to complaints made by his family members to Human Rights Commission and to International Committee of Red Cross, Jaffna offices, civil society sources in Jaffna said.
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SLA cordon, searches Valikaamam West areas

[TamilNet, Monday, 02 July 2007, 10:13 GMT]
Several hundred Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troopers, brought to the Changkaanai Piratheasa Chapai (Pradeshya Sabha) areas during early morning hours of curfew, conducted a cordon and search operation in areas the covering Vaddukkoaddai, Chiththangkea'ni, Maavadi and Chuzhipuram, sources in Jaffna said.
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Youth attempts suicide after torture

[TamilNet, Monday, 02 July 2007, 09:59 GMT]
A youth from Sivan Koayiladi Chaavakachcheari was admitted to Jaffna Teaching Hospital in serious condition Monday after he attempted suicide taking poison, residents said. The youth was arrested by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) Saturday and was subjected to severe torture. He was ordered by the SLA to report to the Chaavakachcheari camp again Monday morning.
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Kilinochchi faces critical shortage of essentials – GA

[TamilNet, Monday, 02 July 2007, 05:25 GMT]
“Transport facilities along the main land route to Vanni limited to only three days a week has created a serious crisis in Ki’linochchi and a more critical shortage of essential items is about to develop in the near future,” said N.Vethanayagam, Government Agent (GA) of Ki’linochchi, said Friday during a briefing to the media on the changes in the district after the collapse of the peace process.
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Police to record statement from UNP Parliamentarian

[TamilNet, Sunday, 01 July 2007, 18:12 GMT]
Terrorist Intelligence Division (TID) of the Sri Lanka Police has summoned Dr.Jayalath Jayawardene, parliamentarian of the main opposition United National Party (UNP) representing the Gampaha district of the Western Province, to its office on Monday July 2 to record his statement, political sources in Colombo said.
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SLA arrests three after Maasiyappiddi claymore attack

[TamilNet, Sunday, 01 July 2007, 12:48 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) arrested three civilians, including an employee at the Mallaakam Co-operative society, following the claymore attack Friday on the SLA near Maasiyapiddi junction, 11 km northwest of Jaffna city, where several SLA soldiers were reported seriously injured or dead, sources in Jaffna said.
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SLA cordon, searches A'laveddi

[TamilNet, Sunday, 01 July 2007, 12:31 GMT]
Several hundred Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers trucked to Valikaamam north A'laveddi conducted a large scale cordon and search operation in a large area surrounding villages of Ka'lamangkal, A'lukkai and Viththakapuram starting from early Sunday morning 4:00 a.m, sources in Jaffna said.
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SLA mistook Muslim villagers for LTTE cadres, say escapees

[TamilNet, Sunday, 01 July 2007, 11:50 GMT]
Four Muslim villagers were shot dead by Special Forces of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) in Maavilaaru at Serunuwara on Friday around 2:00 p.m., were mistaken for cadres of Liberation Tigers, two villagers who escaped the slaying told media Saturday. Sources in the east said SLA has been counducting search operations in Maavilaaru area to prevent LTTE cadre movement in Kudumpimalai (Thoppikkal) jungles.
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