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11 SLA killed in Mannaar - LTTE[TamilNet, Friday, 29 February 2008, 17:41 GMT]Liberation Tigers Operations Command in Mannaar said Friday that 11 Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers were killed and many wounded when Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) recaptured a position at Pa'ndivirichchaan Friday morning between 5:00 and 6:30 a.m. Meanwhlie, an SLA Deep Penetration Unit (DPU) was confronted by the Tigers at Mu'l'likku'lam around 2:00 p.m. 2 Claymore mines were seized, the Tigers said. Full story >> Ganesan charges SL Embassy for misinformation campaign[TamilNet, Friday, 29 February 2008, 15:33 GMT]Mano Ganesan, leader of Western Peoples Front (WPF) and convener of Civil Monitoring Commission (CMC), in a press release issued Friday, charged the Counselor for Sri Lanka Embassy in France misrepresenting the strength of security provided to him. The actual number of security personnel assigned is eight, and not eighteen as the Embassy official had said, the press release said. "[T]his too had come after the Lankan Court of Appeal’s intervention in this legal battle...," the release added. Full story >> SLRC journalists' lives under threat from SL Minister's goons- FMM[TamilNet, Friday, 29 February 2008, 15:13 GMT]Free Media Movement (FMM), a media rights watchdog in Colombo, in a press release issued Thursday said, four confirmed incidents have been reported of journalists attached to Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) either being assaulted or threatened by thugs working for Sri Lanka's Minister of Labor Mervyn Silva, after the staff video taped Mr Silva attempting to wreck havoc inside SLRC on 27 December. "Not a single thug who accompanied MP Mervyn Silva has been brought to book. Not a single investigation or disciplinary hearing on MP Mervyn Silva has been conducted," the FMM said in the release. Full story >> LTTE, SLA clash in 2 fronts in Mannaar district[TamilNet, Friday, 29 February 2008, 15:07 GMT]Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) fighters fought against Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troops and foiled an SLA attempt to enter LTTE territory Thursday around 11:00 a.m at Mui’l’likku’lam in Mannaar district, after 45 minutes of fierce fighting, Mannaar LTTE Operation Command said. Full story >> SLA arrests 25 Tamil youths in Ea’raavoor[TamilNet, Friday, 29 February 2008, 13:20 GMT]Sri Lanka Army (SLA) arrested twenty five Tamil youths in Tha’lavaai coastal jungle area in Ea’ravoor police division in Batticaloa district in a cordon and search conducted Thursday evening in the area. The arrestees have been handed over to Ea’raavoor police Friday morning, sources in Ea’raavoor said. Full story >> Abducted Tamil youth found dead at Anpuvazhipuram[TamilNet, Friday, 29 February 2008, 09:38 GMT]The bullet-ridden body of a 20-year-old Tamil youth, Devuda Christopher, abducted by unknown persons on February 4 in Trincomalee was found Friday morning at Anpuvazhipuram, a suburb located about 3 km off along Trincomalee-Kandy road from east port city. Full story >> 2 Sinhala traders shot dead in Paandiruppu[TamilNet, Friday, 29 February 2008, 03:30 GMT]Unknown armed persons shot dead two Sinhala traders in Paandiruppu in Kalmunai division Thursday night around 7 p.m, sources in Batticaloa said. The traders, 51 year-old Nimal Sripala, and 40 year-old Premalal Fernando, both natives of Moratuwa, had gone to Paandiruppu to sell furniture. Full story >> Bomb blast in Colombo, 7 wounded[TamilNet, Friday, 29 February 2008, 01:28 GMT] An unidentified attacker triggered a bomb killing himself and wounding seven persons, including 3 policemen and two women, when police attempted to enter a room of a 2-storied building Friday morning around 6:30 on Wall's Lane, Aluthmawatte in Kotahena in Colombo, Police said. Full story >> Court expresses concern over escalating abductions[TamilNet, Thursday, 28 February 2008, 17:11 GMT]Vavuniyaa District Judge and Magistrate, Mr.M.Ilancheliyan, expressed his serious concern over the increase of abduction of civilians in the district to the army and police top officials in charge of Vavuniyaa and Chettikulam, during a meeting held in the court premises this week. Three women were abducted since February 17 in Vavuniyaa, media reports said. Full story >> MP objects to SLA video-filming residents during cordon, search[TamilNet, Thursday, 28 February 2008, 16:54 GMT]Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian for Ampaa'rai district K. Pathmanathan sent an appeal to Defence Secretary Gothabaya Rajapakse and Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapakse protesting against the video taping of residents by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers during cordon and search operation conducted 20 February in Aalayadiveampu area in Akkaraipattu. People were also harrassed during the interrogation and these are violations of basic human rights, the MP said in the appeal. Full story >> Changkilian Force threatens officials to stop Jaffna census activity[TamilNet, Thursday, 28 February 2008, 15:53 GMT]Jaffna Government Agent (GA), Regional and Divisional Secretaries and officials involved in taking census in Jaffna peninsula have received warning notices signed by Changkilian Padai (Force) asking them to stop all census taking immediately, sources in Jaffna said. The note said that the census effort was launched by the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) with hidden military motives, and warned that failure to comply will result in drastic actions. Full story >> International institutions turn sour to Colombo government[TamilNet, Thursday, 28 February 2008, 13:18 GMT]The Sri Lankan state, which was gleefully making use of some of the International NGOs and the Colombo based intellectuals associated with them, as long as their activities were serving its interests in weakening the Tamil cause, now frowns at them and seeks for their disintegration. The latest story is the government's hand in the disruptions faced by the International Centre for Ethnic Studies (ICES) in Colombo. According to informed circles, there is a clear message from the Rajapaksa government that it would not tolerate any agenda of the International Community through such NGOs, when it comes to interference with the genocidal programme of the Sri Lankan state. Full story >> Sea travel from KKS to cost more[TamilNet, Thursday, 28 February 2008, 12:22 GMT]The cost for sea transport by passenger ship from Kankesanturai (KKS) to Trincomalee is to increase from the current rate of Rs.3162.50 to Rs.3300.00 effective Saturday March 01, R.Sivaswamy, Additional Government Agent (AGA), announced in a communiqué issued to the media Tuesday night. Full story >> Bruce Fein: Independence promotes stability[TamilNet, Thursday, 28 February 2008, 02:33 GMT] "The reason why the Kosovo independence is so significant is because it addresses an issue that's prevalent throughout the world, for example Sri Lanka, where you have a minority that has been oppressed by the majority. And we’ve always had rather blurry lines in knowing, well, when does the oppression reach a sufficiently intense and egregious level that you're entitled to walk away from a sovereign and establish your separate statehood?" asks Bruce Fein in a video commentary on the global significance of Kosovo independence given to U.S-based Real News Network Sunday.Full story >> 8 civilians killed in SLA DPU attacks in Vanni[TamilNet, Wednesday, 27 February 2008, 18:01 GMT]Eight innocent civilians riding in tractors were killed in two different Claymore attacks carried out by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) Deep Penetration Unit teams that had infiltrated into Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) controlled areas on either sides of the A9 road, north of Vavuniyaa on Wednesday. The first attack, in which four civilians were killed, was reported at Panangkaamam in Moon'ru Mu'rippu GS area of Maanthai East division in Mullaiththeevu district at 1:50 p.m. The second attack was reported at 8:30 p.m. in which another four civilians were slain while they were riding in a tractor from Maruthoadai to Olumadu. Full story >> 3 SLA troops killed, 6 injured in Paalamoaddai - LTTE[TamilNet, Wednesday, 27 February 2008, 16:45 GMT]Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) fighters killed three Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troopers and injured six in a confrontation at Paalamoaddai in Vavuniya district Wednesday from 11:00 a.m to 11.40 a.m, Vavuniyaa LTTE Operations Command said. Full story >> White van armed men abduct 2 youths in Jaffna peninsula[TamilNet, Wednesday, 27 February 2008, 14:21 GMT]Unidentified armed men arriving in a white van at a school in Kaithadi in Thenmaraadchi Wednesday around 7:00 a.m forcibly abducted the office assistant of the school in the presence of students, according to a complaint lodged by his wife with Human Rights Commission (HRC) Jaffna. In a separate incident, unidentified armed men abducted an auto-rickshaw driver at gun point Wednesday around 9:00 a.m at Aadiyapaatham Veethi in Kokkuvil, Jaffna, the victim's grandfather complained to HRC Jaffna. Full story >> UPFA, TMVP alliance implicates GoSL complicity, collusion with armed group - CPA[TamilNet, Wednesday, 27 February 2008, 13:37 GMT]Centre for Policy Alternatives, a Colombo based think-tank that undertook a fact finding mission to Batticaloa district between February 8 and 11, said Sri Lanka's ruling United Peoples Freedom Allilance (UPFA) government, by opting for the alliance with the armed TMVP group in Batticaloa municipal council election, finds itself in a position where it is increasingly difficult for the GoSL to deny the charges of "complicity and collusion with the TMVP." The CPA's statement has warned that there was a clear sense of inevitability that the elections will result in a TMVP "victory" as it is the only "political actor" allowed to move around in recently resettled areas. Full story >> 27 civilians arrested at Veappamadu[TamilNet, Wednesday, 27 February 2008, 12:17 GMT]Twenty seven civilians, majority of them Tamils, were taken into custody by the Sri Lanka police in a cordon and search operation conducted at Veappamadu village along Puththa'lam-Mannaar road Wednesday from dawn for about five hours, media sources said. Full story >> 10 building workers arrested at Wellampitya[TamilNet, Wednesday, 27 February 2008, 12:14 GMT]Ten civilians including 8 plantation Tamil youths were taken into custody by the police on Monday at a house construction site in Kumaradasa Place at Wellampitya in Colombo district, and are still being detained in the police station, police sources said. Full story >> Faulty transformer triggers bomb panic in Wellawatte[TamilNet, Wednesday, 27 February 2008, 12:09 GMT]Tension prevailed in Wellawatte bus stand area in Colombo city Tuesday morning around 9:00 a.m. when some noticed smoke coming out of a transformer located in the area. People fled from the area shouting that a bomb had been kept inside the transformer, sources in Wellawatte said. Full story >> Court advises Police to release PTA detainees held without charges[TamilNet, Wednesday, 27 February 2008, 12:04 GMT]The Supreme Court Tuesday in a fundamental right violation application inquiry advised the law enforcement authority to take steps to release without further delay all suspects detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) for a longer periods without any evidence against them, and to file indictments against suspects if evidence against them is available, legal sources said. Full story >> Fact finding civil groups want elections stopped in Batticaloa[TamilNet, Wednesday, 27 February 2008, 10:55 GMT] "Batticaloa elections seem to be about legitimizing brutality through forced political authority and participation," said a group of 9 civil society organisations that undertook a fact finding mission to the district between February 16 and 18. The mission, issuing a report titled "Afraid to even say the word: Elections in Batticaloa," in a press conference held in Renuka hotel on Wednesday, said despite the possibility of International and independent election monitors generally having a positive influence on the electoral process, the presence of monitors inherently risks legitimizing elections despite sincere efforts to expose any violations. Full story >> Auto-rickshaw driver shot dead in Uppuve'li[TamilNet, Wednesday, 27 February 2008, 06:00 GMT]Unidentified men shot and killed a Tamil auto-rickshaw driver at Selvanaayakapuram in Uppuve'li division in Trincomalee district, around 7 p.m., Tuesday, police said. Full story >> Fishing restrictions to remain- SLA commander[TamilNet, Wednesday, 27 February 2008, 01:54 GMT]Major General G.A.Chandrasiri, commander of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) in Jaffna at a meeting held Monday afternoon within High Security Zone (HSZ) in Palaly addressing the representatives of various civil groups said that until security in seas surrounding the peninsula improves, fishing restrictions in Jaffna will not be lifted, but added that he will take steps to ease travel for the sick to obtain medical treatment in Colombo. Full story >> Extortion by SLA suspected in release of Jaffna youths- MP[TamilNet, Wednesday, 27 February 2008, 00:27 GMT]Family members of 44 youths who were recently allowed to leave Jaffna prison have complained to a Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian that they had paid sums of up to Rs.70,000 to brokers acting as intermediaries between the relatives and the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) personnel in Jaffna, to obtain the youths' release. Meanwhile, Major. Gen. G. A. Chandrasiri, claimed that the youths had confessed to being members of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and had accepted to undergo rehabilitation at the Reformation and Rehabilitation Centre in Thellippa’lai, under SLA supervision. Full story >> Jaffna Tamil youth reported missing[TamilNet, Tuesday, 26 February 2008, 19:09 GMT]A Tamil youth Sathasivam Yogendran of Ward No: 4, Ve'lanai East in Jaffna district has been reported missing since February 16, according to a complaint lodged with the Jaffna regional office of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) by his mother on Monday. Full story >> Bishop appeals for violence free elections in Batticaloa[TamilNet, Tuesday, 26 February 2008, 14:10 GMT]Rt.Rev.Dr.Kingsley Swampillai, Bishop of Trincomalee-Batticaloa, appealed to all political parties to extend their cooperation to help conduct a violence free election, when he addressed a meeting held in the auditorium of Batticaloa public library Tuesday morning attended by a number of Sri Lanka officials. Full story >> Ganesan protests Kane's failure to meet Tamil, Muslim party leaders[TamilNet, Tuesday, 26 February 2008, 12:31 GMT]Civil Monitoring Commission Convener and Western People Front leader Mano Ganesan expressed his protest over the failure of United Nation's Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs, Ms Angela Kane to meet with Tamil or Muslim party leaders during her week long visit to Sri Lanka. Ganesan said the visit, where she met only Sri Lanka Government officials, opposition party leaders, and the extremist JVP leaders, was a "one-sided affair" and "too political." Full story >> Failure to publish voters list in Tamil, violation of Languge Act- Workers Front[TamilNet, Tuesday, 26 February 2008, 12:11 GMT]The Ceylon Workers United Front (CWUF) Monday filed a Fundamental Rights petition in the Sri Lanka's Supreme Court for not publishing voters list in Tamil language. The petitioner trade union has cited the Commissioner of Elections and several government officers as respondents. Full story >> STF shoots dead 2 fishmongers in Akkaraipattu[TamilNet, Tuesday, 26 February 2008, 11:45 GMT]Masked Special Task Force (STF) commandos shot and killed two fishmongers at Akkaraipattu in Ampaa’rai district Monday around 4:30 p.m as the two were returning on a motorbike after selling fish in Akkaraipattu town, sources in Akkaraipattu said. STF handed the victims’ bodies to Akkaraipattu Base Hospital claiming that the two killed were Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) members, the sources added. Full story >> Tyronne Fernando passes away[TamilNet, Tuesday, 26 February 2008, 07:41 GMT] Tyronne Fernando, an advisor to the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and a former Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka under the United National Party (UNP) government earlier, passed away in a private hospital in Colombo Tuesday morning, according to Sri Lankan presidential secretariat officials. Mr. Tyronne Fernando served as the governor of North-East Province Council (NEPC) from December 2004 till January 2006. Full story >> LTTE, SLA clash in Jaffna lagoon[TamilNet, Tuesday, 26 February 2008, 05:29 GMT]A clash between Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) erupted Tuesday around 7:45 a.m. in Jaffna lagoon near Kozhumpuththu'rai when SLA troops in their Forward Defence Line positions along the lagoon shore attacked Sea Tiger patrol boats, sources in Jaffna said. LTTE retaliated from their vessels and the fighting lasted for nearly fifteen minutes, the sources said. Full story >> New Auxillary Bishop appointed for East[TamilNet, Tuesday, 26 February 2008, 02:56 GMT]Pope Benedict XVI appointed Rev.Fr.Joseph Ponniah as auxiliary Bishop of Trincomalee-Batticaloa diocese, where he was already serving as Vicar General. The announcement was made on 19 February according to Church officials in Trincomalee. Full story >> Kurunakar parents approach Colombo HRC to file complaints[TamilNet, Tuesday, 26 February 2008, 02:51 GMT]The relatives of the two school students from Kurunagar, Jaffna arrested recently by Jaffna police have lodged a complaint at the National Head office of Human Rights Commission (HRC), Colombo stating that the office of Jaffna HRC has refused to accept their complaint. Full story >> Moves afoot to convince reluctant Allaippiddi IDPs to return[TamilNet, Monday, 25 February 2008, 14:23 GMT]The Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Allaippiddi from the islets of Jaffna who were displaced due to Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) offensives in Allaippiddi in August 2006 and presently staying in Jaffna, are reluctant to return to their villages according to arrangements made by Jaffna Secretariat because fishing, their main means of living, in their areas is banned by Sri Lanka Navy (SLN), IDP related welfare organization sources in Jaffna said. Full story >> Runaway SLA soldier arrested in Jaffna[TamilNet, Monday, 25 February 2008, 13:40 GMT]A Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldier who ran away Friday noon from his camp in Neerveali-Irupaalai area in Valikaamam East was caught two days later, hiding in the shrub jungle in the same area, in an extensive search operation launched by the SLA. The said soldier had run away in protest against the order transferring him to Colombo SLA Head Quarters, SLA authorities told Jaffna Additional Magistrate Mr. Vasanthasenan when he was produced before the magistrate Monday. Full story >> 30 civilians arrested in Colombo, Embilipitia[TamilNet, Monday, 25 February 2008, 11:34 GMT]Thirty civilians, majority of them Tamils, were arrested in cordon and search operations conducted in the western province and Embilipitya since Sunday. Thirteen persons were taken into custody in house-to-house search conducted in the western province, and seventeen were arrested in Embilipitya, media sources said. Full story >> Second Tamil abducted in Bandarawela[TamilNet, Monday, 25 February 2008, 11:26 GMT]Unknown persons abducted a a 27-year old Tamil employee of the Bandarawela Urban Council Monday increasing the number of Tamil civilians abducted in Bandarawela since Sunday night to two, sources in Bandarawela said. Full story >> Ex-LTTE cadres forced to join TMVP[TamilNet, Monday, 25 February 2008, 11:24 GMT]Pillaiyan group Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) members are alleged to be forcing former members of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Batticaloa district who had opted to leave the LTTE and lead a normal life after Sri Lanka Army (SLA) took LTTE area in Paduvaankarai last year, to join the TMVP, sources in Batticaloa said. Full story >> FMM condemns Police Inspector for attack on TV journalist[TamilNet, Monday, 25 February 2008, 08:32 GMT]A Senior Police Inspector of the Sri Lankan Police in Mount Lavinia, Mahesh Perera, abused and assaulted a news producer of the Sinhala language Derana TV, Sugath Dharmapriya, who was filming the bomb blast Saturday. When the journalist, thrown out on to the street by the police inspector, went to the Mount Lavina police station to lodge a complaint the Police officials there told the journalist that they do not entertain complaints against their superior officers. The same police inspector had verbally abused another TV journalist, Aravinda Sri Nissanka, a month ago, the Free Media Movement, a Colombo based media watchdog, said condemning the episode. Full story >> Sri Lanka sliding into humanitarian nightmare- Geneva Group[TamilNet, Monday, 25 February 2008, 04:37 GMT] Pointing out that the number of civilian deaths has jumped sharply after the election of Rajapakse Government and that "the present government displays little appetite for peace," Director of Small Arms Survey in Geneva, Robert Muggah, in an article appearing in Canada's The Star, recommends that if Sri Lanka rebuffs pressure to abandon military solution "U.S. and the EU could consider withdrawing the country from the General System of Preferences," U.N. should appoint a special envoy to start documenting under-reported armed violence, and U.N. should use article-99 to take up the issue in U.N. security council.Full story >> SLA cordons, searches Dambulla town areas[TamilNet, Monday, 25 February 2008, 02:38 GMT]The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and police launched a cordon and search operation Sunday night in Dambulla town and its surroundings. The police said the operation was initiated after the discovery of parcel of explosives near a public telephone booth in the town around 10:00 p.m Sunday night, media sources in Colombo said. Full story >> Tamil youth abducted in Bandarawela[TamilNet, Monday, 25 February 2008, 02:36 GMT]A 20-year old Tamil youth has been abducted by a group of unidentified persons Sunday night around 7 p.m. He was forcibly taken in a white colored vehicle by the abductors, media sources in Colombo said. Full story >> 11 SLA killed in Paalaikkuzhi, Mannaar - LTTE[TamilNet, Sunday, 24 February 2008, 17:45 GMT]Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) Operations Command in Mannaar said Sunday that 11 Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers were killed and 23 SLA soldiers wounded in a five-hour fighting erupted in Paalaikkuzhi Sunday. The SLA withdrew its forces at 10:00 a.m., the Tigers said. Full story >> Tampoe: Sri Lanka is a virtual Police, Military dictatorship[TamilNet, Sunday, 24 February 2008, 16:42 GMT] Prominent Trade Union leader, Bala Tampoe, says Rajapakse Government falsely states that their military objective is to defeat terrorism. The main objective is to wrest control from the LTTE the areas of North and east. "...[Colombo] can never achieve a proper political settlement till and until they recognise the right of self-determination, which is a democratic right, of the Tamil people and the Muslim people in the North and East, Tampoe says in an interview to Vikalpa, a citizen journalism initiative in Sri Lanka built on the effort pioneered by the Centre for Policy Alternatives, a Colombo-based think-tank. Full story >> Pavement trader files FR petition on right to trade[TamilNet, Sunday, 24 February 2008, 13:13 GMT]One of the owners of pavement stalls demolished or forcibly removed in Colombo city citing security reason by the police, has filed a fundamental rights application in the Supreme Court Friday against the demolition of his stall. The petitioner Werehera Arachchige Palitha of Ragama has cited the Inspector General of Police, Officer in Charge of the Pettah police station, and the Attorney General as respondents, legal sources said. Full story >> Sinhala cattle breeder arrested in Buttala[TamilNet, Sunday, 24 February 2008, 13:04 GMT]A Sinhalese villager was arrested Friday by the police on a report that he had supplied meals and cigarettes to unknown persons hiding in Buttala jungle. He is to be produced in Buttala court on Monday, media sources said. Full story >> 7 Tamils arrested in Mount Lavinia[TamilNet, Sunday, 24 February 2008, 13:00 GMT]Seven civilians said to be Tamils were taken into custody Sunday in the continuing cordon and search operation in Mount Lavinia area that started on Saturday following the explosion that took place on Saturday morning at Mt. Lavinia junction. The suspects are being detained in the police station and interrogated. Several Tamil civilians were questioned and released after preliminary investigations, media sources said. Full story >> Suicide attacker kills 2 paramilitary men in Batticaloa - Police[TamilNet, Sunday, 24 February 2008, 06:46 GMT]An unknown attacker with a hidden explosive triggered the device killing himself and two Pillayan Group paramilitary personnel, when he was blocked by the paramilitary personnel near the place of an election-campaign meeting by the Pillayan Group in Ka'luvaagnchchikkudi Sunday morning at 9:30. Police characterized the attack as the first attempted "suicide attack," possibly planned to target a key paramilitary operative after the Sri Lankan forces had brought the district under their military control. A cordon and search operation launched by the Sri Lankan Special Task Force (STF) commandos lead to a total traffic standstill between Kalmunai and Batticaloa, following the explosion. Full story >> Body found dumped in I'lavaalai, Jaffna[TamilNet, Sunday, 24 February 2008, 05:33 GMT]The body of a middle aged family man who left his home last Wednesday in Aavarangkaal, Puththoor to visit his relatives, was recovered Saturday from an abandoned well located in an isolated area at Maareesankoodal, I'lavaalai, 30 km from his residence, in a highly decomposed state by I'lavaalai police acting on information provided by the public residing in the vicinity. Full story >> SLAF air strike victim succumbs to injuries[TamilNet, Sunday, 24 February 2008, 04:32 GMT]A 68-year-old woman, one of 12 civilians being treated for injuries they sustained in the indiscriminate air attack carried out by the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Friday in Kiraagnchi in the Poonakari (Pooneryn) division, succumbed to her injuries Saturday night. Nine civilians, including five women and 3 children, were killed. 11 civilians, including four children are being treated for their injuries. Full story >> Jaffna peninsula Demining activities stall[TamilNet, Sunday, 24 February 2008, 02:34 GMT]Increased frequency in clashes between Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the Forward Defence lines (FDL) has resulted in humanitarian demining activities in the peninsula slowing down with the possibility of all related activities coming to a complete halt in the near future, representatives of various Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Jaffna said Saturday. Full story >> Details of mine safe areas in Jaffna released[TamilNet, Sunday, 24 February 2008, 00:17 GMT]The coordinating office for the removal of land mines in Jaffna peninsula, situated in Jaffna secretariat, in a communiqué issued Saturday, said mine clearing activities in areas permitted by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) is nearing completion and released details concerning the areas cleared of land mines. Full story >> Fein challenges SL Ambassador on "right to secession"[TamilNet, Saturday, 23 February 2008, 18:01 GMT] "A debate between us would enlighten the American people,
Congress, and the White House over a question central to the foreign policy of the United States: when should a right to secession from an existing sovereign be recognized? Tamil statehood, which would end a grisly conflict that has killed
tens of thousands in Sri Lanka, is too important to be left to sophistry," challenged Bruce Fein in a letter addressed to Sri Lanka's Ambassador to U.S., Bernard Goonetilleke, following the Ambassador's 25th speech in Washington, and 17th February article titled "Tamil homeland fantasy" in Washington Times. Full story >> UN envoy visits Batticaloa[TamilNet, Saturday, 23 February 2008, 16:59 GMT]Ms. Angela Kane, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs who is on a seven day visit to Sri Lanka, visited Batticaloa Saturday afternoon 2:00p.m. and met various dignitaries at the Batticaloa secretariat and learnt about the current situation prevailing in the district. Full story >> SLA conducts search operation in Ratota, Kandy[TamilNet, Saturday, 23 February 2008, 16:12 GMT]The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and police conducted a cordon and search operation in Ratota town in Kandy district Saturday and questioned several Tamil civilians. Police said they launched the operation on the recovery of a bomb weighing 2 kg buried in a home garden. Full story >> SLA arrests several Tamils in Mt. Lavinia[TamilNet, Saturday, 23 February 2008, 16:07 GMT]The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and police launched a combined cordon and search operation Saturday in Mount Lavinia and surroundings in Colombo, and took several persons for questioning following the bus explosion that took place in the morning. Majority of the arrested are said to be Tamil civilians working shops and other offices in the locality, media sources said. Full story >> Hand grenade attack on candidate house in Ea'raavoor[TamilNet, Saturday, 23 February 2008, 14:05 GMT]Unknown assailants threw a hand grenade Wednesday night around 11 p.m. on the house of an independent candidate contesting the forthcoming election to Ea'raavoor Pradesiya Saba, one of the eight Pradesiya Saba and the Batticaloa Municipal Council which go to polls on March 10, sources said. Full story >> Sri Lanka C.I.D., Police treat Tamils like stray dogs- Mano Ganesan[TamilNet, Saturday, 23 February 2008, 13:50 GMT] Mano Ganesan, Leader of Western People’s Front (WPF) Convener of Civil Monitoring Commission (CMC), in a press release issued Saturday, said that "[T]he Criminal Investigation Division (CID) has very clearly contravened the accepted norms, rules and regulations in conducting this arrest [of two tamils] let alone the civility and decency. They have failed to inform the police of the area where the ‘arrested’ persons were living at the time of ‘arrest,' and questioned whether the arrests were "deliberately done on purpose to put fear into the minds of Tamil Citizens."Full story >> 3 SLA killed in Vavuniyaa FDL - LTTE[TamilNet, Saturday, 23 February 2008, 12:54 GMT]A 3-member-team of a patrol unit of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) in no-go zone between the Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) and the SLA at Naavatku'lam in Vavuniyaa were killed in an attack carried out by the Tigers Saturday around 10:15 a.m. The SLA is yet to recover the dead bodies of their soldiers lying near their Forward Defence Line, the Tigers said. Full story >> Two Tamil youths arrested in Kandy town[TamilNet, Saturday, 23 February 2008, 08:38 GMT]Two Tamil youths were taken into custody in a cordon and search operation conducted in Kandy town from Thursday night till Friday morning. They are being detained in Kandy police station and being interrogated. Police said they were arrested when they failed to provide satisfactory reason for the stay in the location and also to prove their identity. Full story >> 18 wounded in bus explosion in Colombo[TamilNet, Saturday, 23 February 2008, 07:07 GMT] Eighteen civilians were injured in a bomb blast inside a bus in Colombo Mount Laviniya Saturday around 10:45 a.m. Most of the victims were bystanders. The passengers had a providential escape as a woman traveler alerted the conductor and the driver of the bus about an unattended parcel underneath a seat in the Colombo bound bus coming from Morattuwa. The explosion took place after the passengers have got off the bus and while the driver was taking it to a safe location, police said. The blast in Colombo has taken place a day after the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) aerial bombardment on civilians in Vanni took the lives of 8 and injured 14, which included many children.
Full story >> International bias contributes to 'vicious cycle of violence', says Jaffna MP[TamilNet, Saturday, 23 February 2008, 02:37 GMT] “The International Community and India, which provide tacit support to Sri Lanka's belligerency, fail to stop or condemn attacks on civilians by Sri Lanka armed forces. But, whenever an attack takes place in the South it gets the prominence of news and International response is prompt. Then, as an occasional passing reference, the antecedents are cited. There is a definite pattern in the international behaviour related to events in Sri Lanka. By such one sided approach, do they encourage retaliations to take place in the South?” asks Jaffna district parliamentarian K. Sivanesan. Full story >> Body of election candidate's brother recovered in Kiraan[TamilNet, Saturday, 23 February 2008, 01:02 GMT]Civilians recovered a male body washed ashore in in the coastal area near Sinnaveambu, Kiraan in Batticaloa, district Friday afternoon 5:00 p.m.in Batticaloa. Thiyagarajah, a father of 2 children, was abducted on his way to Vaazhaichcheanai from his house in Chinnaveampu and a complaint was lodged Friday morning at Vaazhaichcheanai police station, Eastern Province Deputy Police Commissioner, H. M. P. Herath said. Full story >> SLA occupation eats into Jaffna paddy cultivation[TamilNet, Friday, 22 February 2008, 15:45 GMT]Only around 65% of arable paddy fields in Jaffna peninsula was cultivated in 2007 while the rest remained fallow, turned into High Security Zones (HSZ) of Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and war zones, according to Jaffna Agricultural Department statistics. Though the 2007 paddy yield was more than the expected quantity, the yield only barely meets the needs of Jaffna peninsula, according to the officials. Full story >> SLA trooper assaults NGO staffer in Jaffna[TamilNet, Friday, 22 February 2008, 15:03 GMT]A female Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldier denuded and assaulted a female Non-government Organization (NGO) staffer coming from the islets of Jaffna at the SLA check post at Pa’n’nai Bridge entry point early this week, according to a complaint made to the SLA High Command in Jaffna. The staffer from World Vision was on her way to participate in an NGO work-shop and had photos and an article related to tsunami disaster in Allaipiddy in her possession when the said female SLA troop checked her. Full story >> Local election candidate's brother abducted in Vaazhaichcheanai[TamilNet, Friday, 22 February 2008, 08:25 GMT]A brother of a local council election candidate for Vaazhaichcheanai regional council was abducted Friday around 6:30 a.m by Pillayan Group (TMVP) on his way to Vaazhaichcheanai from his house in Kiraan in Batticaloa district, Eelavar Democratic Front (EDF) Secretary and its chief contestant for Batticaloa Municipal Council, Pirapakaran said. Full story >> 8 civilians killed in SLAF bombardment in Poonakari, children among victims[TamilNet, Friday, 22 February 2008, 05:37 GMT] Eight civilians including a 6-month-old infant, a 4-year-old boy, their mother, a 8-year-old girl and an English teacher were killed, 14 including four children and another teacher were wounded in a Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) aerial bombardment of a civilian settlement at Kiraagnchi in the Poonakari division of Ki'linochchi district Friday at 8:10 a.m. Three houses were fully destroyed and many houses have sustained damage in the indiscriminate aerial bombardment in which more than 20 bombs were dropped by four bombers. Meanwhile, Sri Lankan ministry of defence in Colombo claimed that the SLAF had attacked "an inland sea tiger base" at Kiraagnchi. Full story >> NE Bishops scheduled to meet UN special envoy[TamilNet, Friday, 22 February 2008, 00:33 GMT]A delegation of bishops from Northeast are scheduled to meet Angela Kane, UN Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs who arrived in Colombo Wednesday morning for a week-long fact finding mission in the island, sources close to the Bishops said. Full story >> Large scale SLA search operation in Vadamaraadchi[TamilNet, Thursday, 21 February 2008, 14:03 GMT]Thousands of SLA troops including soldiers in armoured personnel carrier and Field Bike units forced all residents in Valveddiththu’rai, Udupiddi, Kamparmalai and Naavaladi areas in Vadamaraadchi out of their houses on to the roads in a cordon and search operation launched Thursday around 1:00 p.m, sources in Vadamaraadchi said. Nearly a hundred youths were led to temples and public places for interrogation, and it is not known whether they had been detained, eyewitnesses said. Full story >> Shutdown paralyses Kaaththaankudi[TamilNet, Thursday, 21 February 2008, 13:28 GMT]A shutdown launched Thursday in Kaaththaankudi in Batticaloa district in protest against activities of Suffi sect Muslims by orthodox Muslims paralyzed Kaaththaankudi, with all private and public institutions closed, sources in Kaaththaankudi said. The protest was triggered by the return of Sufi sect Muslims who visited their head quarters in Kaaththaankudi with heavy police escort, following the verdict of Colombo Supreme Court in favour of their writ application requesting rights to engage in their religious activities in Kaaththaankudi, the sources added. Full story >> Election violences escalate in Ea’raavoor[TamilNet, Thursday, 21 February 2008, 13:25 GMT]Two incidents of election related violence, one involving a hand grenade and the other altercation during an election meeting, occurred Wednesday night 11:00 p.m.in Ea’raavoor within Batticaloa District, Ea’raavoor police said. Full story >> CPA withdraws from monitoring Batticaloa elections[TamilNet, Thursday, 21 February 2008, 12:56 GMT]Pointing out that armed groups are allowed to participate in the forthcoming local council elections in Batticaloa, Colombo based Centre for Policy Alternative(CPA) headed by Dr.Pakyasothy Saravanamuthu announced Thursday that it is withdrawing from monitoring election related acts of violence in the district, civil society sources in Colombo said. Full story >> STF arrests Tamil police constable, brother-in-law[TamilNet, Thursday, 21 February 2008, 12:17 GMT]In a joint search operation conducted by Special Task Force (STF) commandos and police Thursday in the Mochchimunai village within Kaththaankudy police division, a police constable and his brother-in-law were arrested, Kaththaankudi police said. Full story >> Reggie Ranatunge sworn in as new MP[TamilNet, Thursday, 21 February 2008, 12:00 GMT]Mr. Reggie Ranatunge was sworn in as new parliamentarian when the Sri Lanka parliament resumed its sitting Thursday morning. Speaker W.J.M.Lokkubandara administered oaths to Mr. Reggie Ranatunge who relinquished his post of Governor of Sabragamuwa Provincial Council to accept the new position, parliamentary sources said. Full story >> Domestic air-liner forced to land due to engine fire[TamilNet, Thursday, 21 February 2008, 11:55 GMT]A domestic airline EXPO-AIR which took off at 7.30 a.m. from Ratmalana to Palaali on Thursday with 30 passengers was forced to land shortly after it took off due to the fire developed in one of the engines, Civil Aviation sources said. Full story >> SLA launches fresh search operation in Buttala[TamilNet, Thursday, 21 February 2008, 08:31 GMT]The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) Thursday launched a fresh cordon and search operation in areas surrounding Buttala-Kathirkaamam (Kataragama) road and other suburbs following the killing of three SLA soldiers by an unidentified group of persons. Full story >> GoSL imposes restrictions on food supplies to Vanni[TamilNet, Thursday, 21 February 2008, 08:29 GMT]New restrictions imposed by the Government of Sri Lanka on transport of goods from Vavuniyaa to Ki’linochchi via Oamanthai Sri Lanka Army (SLA) check post will severely hamper distribution of food and other essential commodities to Vanni, Vavuniyaa Secretariat sources said. SLA is directed to allow only 30% of the food supplies required to support Vanni needs, Ki’linochchi district Government Agent, Mr. Vethanayagam said. Meanwhile, a controlled price for bread is to be fixed in Jaffna peninsula with effect from Sunday, Jaffna Government Agent (GA), K. Ganesh said. Full story >> Delay in issue of text books affects education in Jaffna[TamilNet, Thursday, 21 February 2008, 05:47 GMT]Nearly half the student population in Jaffna peninsula schools is yet to receive their free text books from the Sri Lanka government although nearly two months of the first school term have elapsed, educational society sources in Jaffna said. The Jaffna Department of Education has requested the Northern Province Governor to take steps to expedite distribution of free text books. Full story >> UN envoy arrives in Colombo[TamilNet, Thursday, 21 February 2008, 04:20 GMT]Ms. Angela Kane, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs arrived in Colombo Wednesday morning for a week long visit to Sri Lanka. Her visit is under the direction of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and Kane is expected to have consultations in the areas of her responsibility that covers review of the work of United Nations Country Team in Sri Lanka, UN High Commission in Colombo said. Full story >> Dry fish Trader shot dead in Negombo[TamilNet, Thursday, 21 February 2008, 03:39 GMT]Unidentified men operating in a white van shot and killed a dry fish trader Tuesday night 10:00p.m. in Negombo, Negombo police said. Full story >> Norway to recognise Kosovo's UDI[TamilNet, Wednesday, 20 February 2008, 13:10 GMT]Announcing the decision of Norway to recognise Kosovo's Unilateral Declaration of Independence from Serbia, as an independent state, Norway's Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, on Wednesday said: "Unfortunately, there is no reason to believe that further negotiations would lead to a mutually agreed solution to the status issue. At the same time, the status quo is no longer viable. There is a need to clarify Kosovo’s future status so that it can continue its economic and political development. In the current situation, it is important that the members of the international community as far as possible take a common position. This in itself would contribute to clarity and stability." Full story >> 3 SLA soldiers gunned down in Buttala[TamilNet, Wednesday, 20 February 2008, 12:23 GMT]A group of attackers opened fire on a Sri Lanka Army vehicle on Buttala - Kathirkaamam (Kataragama) Road Wednesday around 11:00 a.m., killing three SLA troopers on the spot, Police said. Meanwhile, Brigadier Sudantha Ranasinghe, Hambantota SLA Commander, has been removed from his post with immediate effect. Col. Devendra Perera is appointed in place of Brigadier Sudantha Ranasinghe Full story >> Tamil youth missing in Ea’raavoor[TamilNet, Wednesday, 20 February 2008, 08:34 GMT]A Tamil youth from Mu'rakkoddaagncheanai in Ea’raavoor police division in Batticaloa district has been missing since 11 February after leaving his home around 10:30 a.m, the youth's relatives said. The youth is mentally ill, and his relatives believe that he may have travelled to Vavuniyaa or Colombo. Full story >> Policeman shot dead in Akkaraippattu[TamilNet, Wednesday, 20 February 2008, 08:08 GMT]Unidentified gunmen shot and killed Tuesday morning a Tamil policeman on his way to Batticaloa from Akkaraippattu in Akkaraippattu area in Ampaa’rai district. Sri Lanka police and Special Task Force (STF) jointly launched a cordon and search operation Tuesday around 10:00 a.m until 2:00 p.m in the area arresting more than 200 persons on suspicion, sources in Akkaraippattu said. Full story >> Keerimalai Nakuleasvara temple festival begins Friday[TamilNet, Wednesday, 20 February 2008, 05:27 GMT]The annual festival of the historical Keerimalai Nakuleasvara Saiva temple located in Sri Lanka Army (SLA) High Security Zone (HSZ) will begin on Friday and continue until 7 March, and the SLA command in Jaffna will allow devotees to go through its check posts in Cheanthaangku’lam and Thellippazhai SLA Front Defence Line (FDL) area in Valikaamam north, the chief priest of the temple, Rajaraja Sri K. Nakuleaswara Kurukkal said. Full story >> Vavuniyaa residents appeal for resumption of train service[TamilNet, Wednesday, 20 February 2008, 01:35 GMT]A memorandum signed by more than one thousand civilians appealing to the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse to remove the obstacles faced by people in the north at the various check points including the one at Madawaachchi, and to recommence the services up to Vavuniyaa, was forwarded to Colombo Tuesday. Full story >> Expression of support to LTTE not an offence: Karunanidhi[TamilNet, Tuesday, 19 February 2008, 16:55 GMT]Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on Monday reiterated that mere expression of support to the LTTE was not an offence as per an observation of the Indian Supreme Court. He admonished Opposition leader Jayalalithaa for misleading the people on this issue. Full story >> SLA hands over 7 dead bodies to Mannaar hospital[TamilNet, Tuesday, 19 February 2008, 11:18 GMT]Sri Lanka Army on Monday handed over seven dead bodies, of four females and 3 males, to Mannaar hospital through the Police. The killed were LTTE cadres in the heavy fighting that ensued in Mannaar on three fronts on Monday, according to the SLA. Four of the dead bodies were to be transported to LTTE controlled area by the ICRC via Oamanthai in Vavuniyaa, sources in Mannaar said. Both the LTTE and the SLA have claimed to have inflicted heavy casualties to the other side as clashes intensified on Monday. Full story >> 3 arrested in Ampaa'rai priest murder[TamilNet, Tuesday, 19 February 2008, 03:56 GMT]Two members of the civil protection committee established by the Sri Lanka government and a trader were taken into custody by the Ampaarai Police in connection with the killing of a Christian clergy Rev Neil Samson at Ampaarai town on Sunday night, media sources reported. Full story >> Tamil civilian abducted in Colombo[TamilNet, Tuesday, 19 February 2008, 01:08 GMT]A 39 year-old Tamil civilian was abducted by unidentified persons who arrived in a white colored van along Muhathurvaaram Road in Muhathurvaaram in Colombo Monday night around 8.30 p.m., media sources in Colombo said. Full story >> SLA blocked in three fronts in Mannaar - LTTE[TamilNet, Monday, 18 February 2008, 17:47 GMT]Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam on Monday confronted Sri Lanka Army on three fronts in Maanaar from 4:00 a.m. Heavy fighting lasted till 7:30 p.m. when SLA movement was successfully blocked by the Tigers at Paalaikkuzhi, Kaddukkarai and Ka'rukkaayk-ku'lam according to LTTE's Operations Command in Mannaar. The SLA has suffered heavy casualties, the Tigers said. Atleast 10 SLA soldiers were killed by Tiger snipers. Sri Lanka Air Force Kfir fighter jets and MI-24 gunships were also engaged, providing support fire to the SLA forces. Meanwhile, sources in Mannaar city said tension prevailed in Tha'l'laadi as LTTE fired artillery shells fell inside the military garrison. Full story >> SLAF jets bomb LTTE territory in Poonakari[TamilNet, Monday, 18 February 2008, 17:17 GMT]Two Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) fighter jets dropped more than three bombs Monday around 2:30 p.m on Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) territory in Poonakari (Pooneryn) in Jaffna after flying low over Jaffna peninsula prior to the air strike, sources in Jaffna said. Full story >> Death threats force NGO staff from meeting UN official in Jaffna[TamilNet, Monday, 18 February 2008, 17:00 GMT]A section of representatives of the Jaffna District Non-governmental Organizations Federation (NGOF) walked-out Monday from a meeting at NGOF office in Jaffna in protest against the NGOF for not meeting the United Nations Development (UNDP) Residence Representative in Sri Lanka, Mr. Neil Buhne, on his official visit to Jaffna Friday, sources in Jaffna said. The representatives of Jaffna District NGOF and other Civil Society Organizations (CSO) in Jaffna peninsula had avoided meeting the UNDP Coordinator due to continuous death threats issued by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and SLA-backed paramilitaries, the sources added. Full story >> Violence, paramilitary activity on upward trend- CMEV[TamilNet, Monday, 18 February 2008, 16:54 GMT]The Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) in a report issued Monday on the ground situation in the east in relation to the forthcoming local elections, expressed concerns of "continuing trend of paramilitary activity, reports of abduction, extra-judicial execution, intimidation and extortion attributed to 'unidentified armed men' and the inability of the law enforcement agencies to pursue investigations." Full story >> 4 civilians seek protection with Jaffna HRC[TamilNet, Monday, 18 February 2008, 16:02 GMT]Four civilians, including a young woman, 28, and her six-year-old daughter, sought protection Monday with Human Rights Commission (HRC) Jaffna due to death threats from Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troops and SLA-backed paramilitaries. The young woman's husband is already in protective custody in Jaffna prison, and the SLA has been forcing her to get her husband out of protective custody and to have him surrender at the SLA camp, according to the complaints she lodged with HRC Monday. Full story >> Colombo TV news editor fears for his life[TamilNet, Monday, 18 February 2008, 15:11 GMT]International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), a media rights watchdog, in a press release issued Monday, condemned "all attempts to intimidate, harm and harass journalists," including a news editor at Sirasa, the Sinhala language channel of MTV-MBC network, "and any acts by public officials or members of the public to undermine the safety and security of journalists and media personnel who dare to report the country’s inconvenient truths." Kedelpitiya, editor at Sirasa, complained of stalkers, and threats, following his work on the Action TV news program, which recently aired several reports on corruption allegedly involving powerful figures. Full story >> Plantation Tamil youth missing in Moneragala[TamilNet, Monday, 18 February 2008, 14:49 GMT]A plantation Tamil youth employed as a three wheel driver in Moneragala town in the south has been reported missing since 13 February. 24 year-old Maruthan Dineshkumar was last seen driving his three-wheeler to Okkampitya, and has not returned to his residence with his vehicle, according to complaints lodged with the Moneragala police. Full story >> 29 Tamils arrested in Gampaha[TamilNet, Monday, 18 February 2008, 13:45 GMT]Thirty four civilians were taken into custody in a cordon and search operation conducted by the government security forces at Gampaha town from Saturday night till Sunday morning. Twenty nine of those arrested are Tamils, majority of them plantation workers. Three are Muslims and 2 are Sinhalese, media sources said quoting police. Full story >> Abductions on rise in Colombo[TamilNet, Monday, 18 February 2008, 10:35 GMT]Colombo based Civil Monitoring Committee (CMC) has reported that it has received 115 complaints regarding missing persons in the year 2007 in Colombo alone. There was a decline in the number of abductions in beginning of the New Year but it has increased in February. A 22-year-old youth has been reported missing since Saturday according to a complaint made to the Grandpass Police. Full story >> Medical supplies for Ki'linochchi district arrive in Vavuniyaa[TamilNet, Monday, 18 February 2008, 04:56 GMT]A portion of the consignment of Medical Supplies dispatched by Ministry of Health for Ki'linochchi district, held up at Anuradhapura railway station for more than two weeks, has been brought to Vavuniyaa Friday, Dr.Sathiyamoorthy, Ki’linochchi district Deputy Director of health services (DDHS), said Sunday. Full story >> Two abducted Tamils in police custody[TamilNet, Monday, 18 February 2008, 02:26 GMT]Two of the three Tamil civilians abducted by unknown persons in Dehiwala and Grandpass last week are reported to be in the custody of the police for interrogation. The whereabouts of the third person, Asirwatham Sooriyakumar, 22, who was abducted from Grandpass is still not known, according to civil sources. Full story >> Priest shot dead in Ampaa’rai[TamilNet, Monday, 18 February 2008, 00:12 GMT]Unidentified armed men on motor cycle shot and killed Sunday around 9:30 p.m a Christian clergy at his house in Ampaa’rai town in Ampaa’rai district, sources in Ampaa’rai said. His wife, seriously injured in the shooting, was rushed to Ampaa’rai government hospital. Full story >> Ministry reshuffle impacts relief supplies for Jaffna IDPs[TamilNet, Sunday, 17 February 2008, 16:46 GMT]The distribution of relief supplies for Internally Displaced People (IDPs) within Jaffna peninsula has been seriously affected due to shifting of the responsibility from the Ministry of Nation Building to the Ministry of Resettlement and Disaster Relief services, Jaffna Government Agent (GA) K.Ganesh said, Sunday. Full story >> LTTE attacks SLA FDL in Vavuniyaa[TamilNet, Sunday, 17 February 2008, 14:13 GMT]Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) Sunday attacked a Sri Lanka Army Forward Defence post at Naavatku'lam in Vavuniyaa district, killing a SLA soldier and wounding two. The SLA soldiers withdrew from the checkpost following the LTTE attack that lasted for 30 minutes from 11:10 a.m., according to LTTE Operations Command in Vavuniyaa. Meanwhile, shelling duel continued in Paalamoaddai throughout the night till Sunday 10:00 a.m. Full story >> Colombo banks demand police certificate to open accounts[TamilNet, Sunday, 17 February 2008, 12:46 GMT]Managements of some private sector banks are demanding Jaffna based Tamil civilians residing in Colombo district to produce police registration certificate in addition to other documents usually required to open current or saving accounts in their branches located in Colombo, civil society sources in Colombo said. Full story >> Fishing restrictions affect Trincomalee fishermen[TamilNet, Sunday, 17 February 2008, 12:43 GMT]The livelihood of Trincomalee fishermen, majority of them Tamil or Muslim, have been badly affected due to the restriction imposed by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) on fishing now in force for more than one year. One third of the population in Kinniya town, second densely populated town in the district is engaged in fishing, and many have been driven to abject poverty, according to Kinniya Division Fisheries Co-operative Society sources. Full story >> SLMC complains violence against candidates, supporters[TamilNet, Sunday, 17 February 2008, 12:38 GMT]The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) leadership Sunday alleged that there has been increasing number of violence incidents against its candidates contesting local elections in the Batticaloa district by the Sri Lanka government parties, especially in Vaazhaichcheanai area, according to media reports quoting SLMC Batticaloa district Co-ordinator Mr.M.L.A.M.Hisbullah. Full story >> 3 Tamils abducted in Colombo[TamilNet, Sunday, 17 February 2008, 10:06 GMT]Three Tamils have been abducted by unidentified men who came in white van in Colombo and its suburbs, Saturday night, according to complaints made with the police by their relatives. Full story >> SLA trooper killed in grenade blast[TamilNet, Sunday, 17 February 2008, 09:31 GMT]A Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldier was killed in a grenade blast at a sentry post in Mu'l'li in the Vadamaraadchi Division of the Jaffna peninusla, around 2.45 a.m., Saturday, SLA sources said. Full story >> Kosovo's parliament declares Independence[TamilNet, Sunday, 17 February 2008, 01:47 GMT] Kosovo's parliament has unanimously endorsed a declaration of independence from Serbia, in an historic session Sunday amid growing excitement among its ethnic Albanians, anger from its Serbs, and the launch of an EU mission to ease the birth of the world's newest state, AFP reported from Pristina, Kosovo. Tens of thousands of people had thronged the streets of Kosovo's capital, Pristina, since the morning. When news came of the declaration in parliament, the centre of the city erupted with fireworks, firecrackers and celebratory gunfire, BBC reported.Full story >> SLA closes segments of two key roads in Jaffna peninsula[TamilNet, Sunday, 17 February 2008, 00:16 GMT]Citing security reasons, Sri Lanka Army (SLA) announced the closure of a section of two major roads in Jaffna peninsula, a 400 meter stretch of Dutch road from Chaavakachcheari town to Ramalingam road in Thenmaraadchi, and another 400 metre stretch of road from Vallai junction up to Udupiddy road in Vadamaraadchi, for public transport with effect from Friday, sources said. Full story >> SLA push fails in Paalaikkuzhi, SLAF bombs Madu area- LTTE[TamilNet, Saturday, 16 February 2008, 22:05 GMT]Attempts by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers to push forward in Paalaikkuzhi, Mannaar Saturday morning 7:00 a.m. was foiled according to Mannaar Operations Command of the Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE). Full story >> 7 SLA killed, 14 injured in Paalamoaddai, Vavuniyaa - LTTE[TamilNet, Saturday, 16 February 2008, 20:09 GMT]Seven Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers were killed and fourteen were injured when SLA, supported by artillery fire and using heavy weapons tried to advance towards Liberation Tigers Forward Defence Lines (FDLs) in Paalamoaddai at noon around 12:45 p.m. Saturday, LTTE command in Vavuniyaa said. Full story >> 4 SLA killed, 9 injured in Pa'ndivirichchaan - LTTE[TamilNet, Saturday, 16 February 2008, 19:54 GMT]During an attempt at 10:00 a.m. and a subsequent attempt at 3:20 p.m Saturday by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) to advance towards Liberation Tigers Forward Defence Lines (FDLs), the LTTE fighters beat back the advance killing four SLA troopers and injuring nine, LTTE military command in Mannaar said. Full story >> Justification for Tamil statehood compelling under international law- Fein[TamilNet, Saturday, 16 February 2008, 15:10 GMT] Accusing a Sri Lanka website of "surrender[ing] the honorable
role of scrutinizing and criticizing [Sri Lanka] government to become an obsequious courtier daily genuflecting to the GOSL and the Tamil quislings Karuna and Pillaiyan group," Bruce Fein, an attorney based in Washington D.C, in responding to questions posed by the website, challenged the site to publish a list of Americans killed or threatened by the LTTE, saying "[O]ne statutory requirement is proof that an organization threatens Americans or impairs the national security of the United States." Full story >> Abducted Wellawatte Tamil trader released in Wattala[TamilNet, Saturday, 16 February 2008, 14:52 GMT]The 49-year old Tamil trader abducted by a group of six persons who arrived in white colored van in front of a hotel located in Wellawatte, Colombo Thursday night around 8:00 p.m., was released Saturday morning around 4.40 a.m. at Wattala, in sources in Colombo said. The victim was forced into the van and the abductors drove away from the scene while hotel employees and several pedestrians witnessed the incident. Full story >> 24 Village-divisions in Trincomalee deserted due to conflict[TamilNet, Saturday, 16 February 2008, 14:47 GMT]A preliminary report released by the Department of Census and Statistics in Colombo revealed that villages in 24 grama niladhari (village level) divisions in the Trincomalee district have been deserted due to the displacement of residents following the conflict. 20 GN divisions are Tamil areas. Other four are Sinhala divisions, media sources said. Full story >> Ma'nalaaru schools still not re-opened[TamilNet, Saturday, 16 February 2008, 14:44 GMT]Five government schools in Ma'nalaaru (Welioya) are still being closed due to continuing conflict in the area between the warring parties, according to North Central Provincial Education Ministry sources. Full story >> Sri Lanka bans pavement trade in southern towns[TamilNet, Saturday, 16 February 2008, 14:41 GMT]The ban on pavement trade in the towns of Kurunagala, Polonnaruwa and Matale in the south to ensure security has thrown out hundreds of pavement traders out of their livelihood. The police with the assistance of local authorities concerned have removed all pavement shops, sources said. Full story >> Memorial services for Maheswaran held in Jaffna[TamilNet, Saturday, 16 February 2008, 14:12 GMT]A number of memorial services, alms giving and blood donation events were organized Friday throughout Jaffna peninsula to pay homage to the slain former parliamentarian and cabinet minister Thiyagarajah Maheswaran. The various events to mark the 45th day of his death was held in a number of Hindu temples in the peninsula including all Hindu temples in his birth place Kaarainakar. Full story >> Search operation in Munthal village[TamilNet, Saturday, 16 February 2008, 14:09 GMT]Sri Lanka Government security forces Saturday morning launched a cordon and search operation in and around Munthal village in Puththalam district. Every house in the area was searched and all residents were subjected to severe interrogation during the operation, media reports said. Full story >> SLN imposes restrictions on NGOs assisting Allaipiddy IDPs[TamilNet, Saturday, 16 February 2008, 13:29 GMT]Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) stationed in the Jaffna islets has imposed severe travel restrictions for Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) assisting the residents of Allaipiddy to resettle in their own village, civil society sources in Jaffna said. Full story >> 2 SLA killed, 7 wounded in Paalaikkuzhi, Mannaar - LTTE[TamilNet, Saturday, 16 February 2008, 10:33 GMT]Two Sri Lanka Army soldiers were killed and seven wounded Friday when Liberation Tigers attacked SLA positions at Paalaikkuzhi, according to Mannaar Operations Command of the LTTE. Full story >> Tamil youth arrested at Avissawella[TamilNet, Saturday, 16 February 2008, 07:06 GMT]Avissawella police arrested a Tamil youth while he was traveling in a bus from Colombo to Bandarawela Thursday, Police sources said. The youth was taken into custody and is still being detained at the Avissawella police station. Full story >> TMVP threatens Muslim journalist in Colombo[TamilNet, Saturday, 16 February 2008, 00:53 GMT]A Muslim, Parliamentary Journalist attached to Thinakkural Tamil daily office in Colombo, received Friday threats from Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) paramilitary group in a letter to his office address, warning him not to write news against their organization and that they will kill him if he does not heed the warning, the journalist said. Full story >> 2 Tamils arrested at Matale estate[TamilNet, Friday, 15 February 2008, 12:28 GMT]Two Tamils arrested on Thursday at Ethuwatte estate in Matale in the north central province are being detained in the Matale police station and are being interrogated by the Terrorist Intelligence Division. One is a resident of Batticaloa Krishnamoorthy, 25, and had been employed at a shop located in Ethuwatte estate and the other is a plantation laborer Rajendran, 45. Full story >> Suspects remanded in attempted murder of Sarath Fonseka[TamilNet, Friday, 15 February 2008, 12:27 GMT]Colombo Fort Magistrate Mr.Namal Bandara Thursday ordered further remand till February 27 for two suspects in the suicide attack attempt made on Sri Lanka Army Commander Sarath Fonseka on August 25, 2006 near the headquarters of the Sri Lanka Army. The army commander escaped. But 11 soldiers of the SLA were killed and 25 injured, legal sources said. Full story >> SLA ID cards will facilitate mass scale voting fraud- SLMC[TamilNet, Friday, 15 February 2008, 12:22 GMT]A delegation of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) led by its leader Mr.Rauf Hakeem told a leading election monitoring institution PAFFREL that the decision of the Election Commissioner to allow the identity cards issued by the defense establishment to voters to cast their votes in Batticaloa local election would lead to mass scale polling fraud. SLMC said that identity cards issued by government security establishment would only help the supporters of the government and its allies. Voters with only national identity should be allowed to cast their votes, the delegation said. Full story >> Court orders enhanced security to Mano Ganeshan[TamilNet, Friday, 15 February 2008, 11:57 GMT]Sri Lanka's Court of Appeal Thursday made an interim order directing the defense authority to immediately provide at least eight security personnel with a back-up vehicle to Mr.Mano Ganeshan, Colombo district parliamentarian and leader of Western Peoples Front. The petitioner was directed by the court to report and confirm on March 3 whether he had been provided with the security as ordered by the court. Full story >> Man injured in bomb blast dies in Jaffna Hospital[TamilNet, Friday, 15 February 2008, 06:17 GMT]An employee of Nalloor Regional Secretariat injured in the bomb explosion 31 January at Aadiyapaatham Road in Thirunelveali succumbed to his injuries Thursday after two weeks of treatment in the Intensive Care Unit at Jaffna Teaching Hospital. Full story >> Producers of documentary on Women Tigers showcase new film[TamilNet, Friday, 15 February 2008, 05:00 GMT] Sabiha Sumar's "Dinner with the President: A Nation's Journey," which she made with her husband, political columnist Sachithanandam Sathananthan, is the story not only of an unusual and intimate dinner with Pervez Musharraf but chronicles a series of gatherings with the constituencies of modern Pakistan, reports Salt Lake Tribune, citing the showing of the documentary at Sundance festival, Utah held 17-27 January. Sri Lanka born Dr Sathananthan, currently in self-exile in India, and his Pakistani wife Sabiha Sumar, produced a 1996 documentary "Suicide Warriors" based on the lives of women cadre amongst the LTTE's women's brigade, some of whom belong to the elite Black Tigers.Full story >> Two bodies found on Ninthavoor beach[TamilNet, Friday, 15 February 2008, 03:32 GMT]Akkaraipattu police recovered two male bodies with gunshot wounds Thursday around 2:00 p.m on Ninthavoor beach in Ampaa’rai district. Three gunshot wounds are found on each body and the victims may have been shot killed Thursday early morning, Ampaa’rai district Senior Police Commissioner, Ananda Balasuriya said. Full story >> India, Sri Lanka sign agreement on Trinco Thermal power plant[TamilNet, Thursday, 14 February 2008, 16:01 GMT]National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), India’s largest power producer, and Sri Lanka’s Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) officially agreed Wednesday in Colombo that Vealoor in Trincomalee north will be the site for the establishment of the coal-fired power plant, sources in Colombo said. Although a Memorandum of Agreement was signed between the two parties in December 2006, the proposed project had stalled for nearly a year due to India’s disinclination to agree on Champoor in Trincomalee district, the site originally selected by Sri Lanka, diplomatic circles in Colombo said. Full story >> Forensic report to Court on Friday on Sripathi death[TamilNet, Thursday, 14 February 2008, 11:27 GMT]Government Analyst is to submit the forensic report conducted at the site of accident in regard to the death of Mr.Sripathi Sooriyarachchi, Gampaha district parliamentarian, to the Colombo magistrate court Friday, legal sources in Colombo said. Full story >> Tamil youth, girl arrested at Aluthgama[TamilNet, Thursday, 14 February 2008, 11:25 GMT]A Tamil youth, resident of Jaffna, and a Tamil girl of plantation sector were taken into custody between Angulana and Aluthgama in the south when they were traveling in a van Wednesday night. Police said they are being detained in Aluthgama police station and are being interrogated by the Terrorist Intelligence Division to find out their purpose of the visit. Full story >> SLAF bombs Visuvamadu, 3 civilians wounded[TamilNet, Thursday, 14 February 2008, 08:06 GMT]Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) bombers attacked Eazhaalaik Kudiyiriuppu in Visuvamadu in Mullaiththeevu district Thursday around 10:30 a.m., wounding 3 civilians and destroying two houses of a settlement of IDPs. Full story >> Deputy IGP appointed for Eastern Province[TamilNet, Thursday, 14 February 2008, 05:42 GMT]The present Senior Police Commissioner for Batticaloa district, Mr. H. M. P. Herath has been appointed as Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) Wednesday. He will be responsible for the security forthcoming Local Government elections, sources in Batticaloa said. Full story >> IDP abducted in Batticaloa[TamilNet, Thursday, 14 February 2008, 05:40 GMT]Unidentified armed men arriving in a white van at a camp for Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) in Chavukkadi area in Batticaloa district forcibly abducted an IDP from the camp Wednesday around 3:00 p.m, Batticaloa police said. Full story >> Tamil civilian shot dead in Akkaraippattu[TamilNet, Thursday, 14 February 2008, 02:16 GMT]Two unidentified men riding a motorbike shot and killed a middle aged man riding a bicycle in Naavatkaadu, Akkaraippattu in Ampaa'rai district Wednesday afternoon at 12:30, Akkaraippattu police said. Full story >> Tamil civilian from Ratnapura reported missing in Colombo[TamilNet, Thursday, 14 February 2008, 01:59 GMT]A familied man from Happugastanne, Ratnapura, who moved to Colombo five months ago to Colombo and living in Grandpass has gone missing since Sunday, the victim’s relatives reported to Deputy minister Rathakrishnan Wednesday morning. Full story >> Youth abducted in Ki'n'niyaa[TamilNet, Thursday, 14 February 2008, 01:45 GMT]Unidentified men operating from a white van abducted a 23-year old youth Tuesday morning 10:00a.m. at Ke'luththi-oadaip-paalam, Aalangkea'ni in Trincomalee district, sources in Trincomalee said. Full story >> Jayalalitha to Centre: Take action against Karunanidhi for LTTE support[TamilNet, Wednesday, 13 February 2008, 16:57 GMT]Jayalalitha, leader of All India Anna Dravida Munnetta Kazhakam (AIADMK), the major opposition party in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday urged the Centre to take action against Chief Minister M Karunanidhi for his "support" to the LTTE. A resolution adopted at the party's General Council said that Mr. Karunanidhi, after coming back to power, not only remained silent over LTTE supporters, but also went a step ahead and eulogized the death of S P Thamilchelvan, LTTE's former political head. It labeled Karunanidhi's elegy "an act of treason" and alleged that it would pave way for secessionism. Full story >> Sri Lanka breaches Tamil residential, monetary rights in Colombo[TamilNet, Wednesday, 13 February 2008, 16:38 GMT]Sri Lanka Police in Maradana, Colombo, is embarked upon issuing time stipulated temporary residential 'visas' to all Tamils living in their police jurisdiction while Mukaththuvaram police insists the Tamil residents in their area to provide their personal bank account details in addition to other information, Attorney-at-Law Sumanthiran told the panel of Judges of the Colombo High Court Wednesday. Appearing on behalf of Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC), the Attorney pointed out that it was against the Sri Lankan law for the police to collect such particulars or to limit the time of residence. He added that the procedure will be counted as a gross violation of human rights. Full story >> 4 Thenmaraadchi civilians seek protection, IDP reported missing[TamilNet, Wednesday, 13 February 2008, 16:31 GMT]Three persons from the same family and a driver from Thenmaraadchi sought protection with Human Rights Commission (HRC) Jaffna due to death threats from Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troops and SLA-backed paramilitaries. Meanwhile, an Internally Displaced Person (IDP) from Thellippazhai Cheeriyam Pu'liyadi IDP refugee camp is feared to have disappeared after entering the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) check point in Thellippa'lai, according to a complaint made with HRC Jaffna Wednesday. Full story >> Abducted man shot dead in Akkaraippattu[TamilNet, Wednesday, 13 February 2008, 15:49 GMT]Unidentified armed men shot and killed a mason Tuesday around 8:30 p.m and dumped his body near Chinnakku’lam Kaa’li Koayil in Akkaraippattu in Ampaa’rai district, Akkaraippattu police said. The killers had abducted the mason Sunday and had interrogated him before killing him. Full story >> Germany wants sanctions if Sri Lanka continues war[TamilNet, Wednesday, 13 February 2008, 13:40 GMT] Unless Sri Lanka’s hardline government abandons its militarist path, the EU should impose sanctions, Germany said this week, adding that an EU-Troika will travel to Sri Lanka in early March to assess the situation. In an interview with the Tages Speigel newspaper published on February 9, German Economic Cooperation and Development Minister Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul also said Germany had frozen new development cooperation projects with Sri Lanka and, because of the deteriorating security situation, was withdrawing half their development personnel from the island as well as closing the German Development Bank in Sri Lanka. Full story >> Appalling rights violations no bar to contain rebellion- RSF[TamilNet, Wednesday, 13 February 2008, 12:24 GMT]"The government and the military have intensified the war against the Tamil Tigers and President Mahinda Rajapakse has sworn to stamp out the rebellion, at the price of appalling human rights violations if necessary. Both the Sinhala and English-language press came under even greater pressure from the authorities in 2007. On their side, the Tamil Tigers allow no dissident voices in the areas they control," said Reporters Sans Frontiers (RSF) in the annual report issued Wednesday. "Some ministers behave like gang leaders," the report further described the deteriorating state of governance in Sri Lanka. Full story >> Court directs AG to look into grievances of Tamils in Colombo[TamilNet, Wednesday, 13 February 2008, 12:01 GMT]Sri Lanka's Supreme Court Wednesday directed the Attorney General (AG) to appoint a committee to look into the grievances, harassment and hardships suffered by Tamil people in Colombo and its suburbs due to the arrest and checks carried out by the government security forces, legal sources said. The Court issued the directive when a Fundamental Rights violation petition filed by the Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) came up for inquiry. Full story >> 2 SLA killed in Claymore ambush in Vavuniyaa[TamilNet, Wednesday, 13 February 2008, 09:51 GMT]Two Sri Lanka Army soldiers were killed in a Claymore ambush at Thangkapuram in Cheddiku'lam Wednesday around 7:00 a.m., Police said. Full story >> Priests deny SLA's "Shramadana" story[TamilNet, Wednesday, 13 February 2008, 08:22 GMT]Rev. Fr. S.K. Devarajah, the parish priest of St. Sebastian Cathedral in Mannaar in a statement issued Thursday, said that "the Sri Lankan Army occupied this church premises on their own," and added that his visit to the St. Anthony’s Shrine on the 11th of February 2008 was to ask the SLA permission to hold Lenten Pilgrimage in the shrine, and not to request the SLA command to conduct Shramadana (voluntary work). Colombo media and SLA had earlier reported that the SLA troopers were in the church compound cleaning the premises on the Priest's request when LTTE shells fell on the premises. Full story >> Government analyst visits Sripathi accident site[TamilNet, Tuesday, 12 February 2008, 18:22 GMT]A team of forensic experts led by a Government Analyst Tuesday afternoon visited the site where Gampaha district parliamentarian Mr. Sripathi Sooriyarachchi was killed in an automobile accident, and conducted examinations, sources said. Full story >> 4 Tamil passengers arrested at Habarana[TamilNet, Tuesday, 12 February 2008, 18:19 GMT]Four Tamil passengers were taken into custody Tuesday afternoon when they were traveling in a van from Trincomalee to Colombo at Habarana, a town located close to Dambulla in the north central province along Trincomalee-Kandy highway, police sources said. Full story >> LTTE, SLA exchange artillery fire across Jaffna lagoon.[TamilNet, Tuesday, 12 February 2008, 16:57 GMT]Sri Lanka Army (SLA) launched heavy artillery and mortar fire towards Jaffna lagoon in Ariyaalai east, an area close to Thanangki’lappu and Koayilaakka’ndi in Thenmaraadchi, Tuesday around 8:30 p.m. targeting boats that were crossing the lagoon, sources in Jaffna said. Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) retaliated, and the artillery duel lasted nearly ten minutes, according to Thenmaraadchi residents. Full story >> 42 SLA killed in Mannaar clashes - LTTE[TamilNet, Tuesday, 12 February 2008, 14:15 GMT]20 Sri Lanka Army soldiers were killed in an intensive counter-attack launched by the Tigers on SLA units that attempted to move through Paalaikkuzhi targeting Adampan on Tuesday, the Tigers said. The direct clash intensified after LTTE mounted artillery attack on Tha'l'laadi garrison and the fighting lasted till 12:30 p.m. Meanwhile, a unit of SLA troops that advanced was trapped, unable to pull back, in an open area along Paalaikkuzhi - Adampan road at 1:30 p.m. LTTE's long range snipers, who engaged the unit, gunned down 22 SLA soldiers between 4:30 and 6:00 p.m., Mannaar Operations Command of the LTTE told media. Full story >> Police harass journalists in Batticaloa[TamilNet, Tuesday, 12 February 2008, 14:02 GMT]Policemen posted at the entrance of Batticaloa Secretariat stopped two Muslim journalists from entering the Secretariat premise Tuesday around 10:30 a.m, according to a complaint made by the journalists to Batticaloa Senior Police Commissioner, H. M. P. Hearath. Full story >> Jaffna Local councils face financial crisis[TamilNet, Tuesday, 12 February 2008, 13:28 GMT]Acute shortage of funds has crippled functioning of the local government authorities in the Jaffna Peninsula, and the Municipal and Pradeshya Sabhas face uncertain future, local administrative officials said. Development activities have been curtailed, and the security situation prevailing in the North has further impacted the day-to-day activities of the local councils, officials added. Full story >> Tamil civilian reported missing in Mannaar[TamilNet, Tuesday, 12 February 2008, 12:08 GMT]A 32-year old Tamil civilian has been reported missing since Saturday night around 8 p.m. after he was seen walking along Thaalvupaadu Veethi in Mannaar, according to complaints lodged with the Mannaar Police, Mannaar District Citizen Committee, and International Committee of Red Cross. Full story >> Dambulla court remands Tamil, Muslim youths[TamilNet, Tuesday, 12 February 2008, 12:07 GMT]Dambulla Magistrate Nimal Ranaweera Monday ordered remand till February 19 for a Tamil youth, Armugam Sivanathan, a resident of Uduvil in Jaffna district, and a Muslim Abdul Munaf Hazaly. The Muslim person was produced in court for giving accommodation to the Tamil youth in his house without checking latter's identity, legal sources said. Full story >> Outgoing artillery fire rocks Mannaar city[TamilNet, Tuesday, 12 February 2008, 04:04 GMT]Normalcy was disturbed in Mannaar city Tuesday from 8:10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. as Sri Lanka Army mounted an artillery barrage simultaneously from all its camps in Mannaar towards Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam territories, after an artillery box barrage carried out by the Tigers targeting the Tha'l'laadi garrison. LTTE shells hit a mini-camp causing casualties among SLA soldiers. Clouds of smoke were observed in the area where at least 3 of the SLA positions attached to the mini camp took fire. According to SLA reports, the LTTE shelling caused damage to St. Antony's church and killed 6 soldiers staying in the premises. The church shares a common fence with the mini-camp. Full story >> Three pronged SLA push thwarted in Pa'ndivirichchaan - LTTE[TamilNet, Monday, 11 February 2008, 20:47 GMT]Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) Operations Command in Mannaar Monday said the Tigers thwarted a three-pronged ground push by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) along Pa'ndivirichchaan - Madu Road. The movement by the SLA, launched at 1:30 a.m. was defeated at one of the fronts within an hour. Heavy fighting was reported at the remaining two fronts on either sides of the road till the SLA was pushed back at 3:45 p.m., the Tigers said. Full story >> Karunanidhi condemns Sri Lanka Navy for killing Tamil Nadu fisherman[TamilNet, Monday, 11 February 2008, 14:42 GMT]Sri Lanka Navy personnel shot and killed a fisherman from Tamil Nadu by firing on his boat on the Palk Strait on Sunday. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi was the first to condemn the "indiscriminate firing" by the SLN. The Chief Minister has "taken steps to draw Sri Lankan Government's attention to the issue through the Centre," according to an official press release from Chennai. Full story >> SLA soldier injured in Chengkaladi grenade attack[TamilNet, Monday, 11 February 2008, 13:35 GMT]An unidentified person lobbed a hand grenade Saturday around 8:15 p.m on a Sri Lanka Army (SLA) road clearance unit at Chengkaladi area in Ea'raavoor police division in Batticaloa district, seriously injuring a soldier. Full story >> Boy shot dead, STF troop injured, in Akkaraipattu[TamilNet, Monday, 11 February 2008, 13:20 GMT]Akkaraipattu police claimed that an unidentified gunman lying in ambush opened fire Monday around 12:00 noon on a Special Task Force (STF) road patrol unit killing a 15-year-old boy and injuring an STF troop at Koa’laavil area in Akkaraipattu police division in Ampaa’rai district.Residents in Koa’laavil said that the boy was shot and killed by the STF troops. Full story >> Fire destroys businesses in Akkaraippatu[TamilNet, Monday, 11 February 2008, 12:35 GMT]A pre dawn fire that began 3:00 a.m. Monday in Akkaraippattu town in Ampaa'rai district rapidly spread, completely engulfing and destroying at least 10 business establishments, sources in Ampaa'rai said. Full story >> SL Police arrests 7 commuters in Colombo bound train[TamilNet, Monday, 11 February 2008, 11:09 GMT]Seven commuters were taken into custody by the Sri Lankan Police Sunday night at the Lunuwila station from the Colombo bound from Puththa'lam. Majority of them are said to be Tamil civilians. Full story >> Indian Marxist party shuts door on JVP[TamilNet, Monday, 11 February 2008, 08:31 GMT]The Communist Party of India (Marxist), the key ally of the ruling Congress, has not invited the JVP to its 19th Annual Meet to be held in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. The boycott of the extreme Sinhala nationalist party, that has been a regular attendee of CPI-M meetings since the 1970s, comes in the wake of heightened Tamil sentiments prevailing in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu where the CPI-M looks forward to consolidating its base. Full story >> India imparts secret training to SLA[TamilNet, Monday, 11 February 2008, 08:25 GMT]According to a report in the 'Times of India', a high-level team from the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and Sri Lanka Military Intelligence Corps (MIC) were "brought stealthily into Pune five days ago for advanced intelligence training at Indian Army's various high-security institutions." The team is expected to be briefed on advanced electronic warfare, command, control, communications and computer intelligence at the Military Intelligence Training School and Depot (MITSD), the only institution of the Indian Army which imparts training in all aspects of intelligence. Full story >> Police Units established to curb Batticaloa Election violence[TamilNet, Sunday, 10 February 2008, 23:52 GMT]A number of Special units have been established in Batticaloa district to curb election related violence and to enable the affected parties to lodge complaints against such incidences, police sources in Batticaloa said. Full story >> Sooriyaarachi to be laid to rest Wednesday[TamilNet, Sunday, 10 February 2008, 21:51 GMT]The remains of former Port Development Minister and Sri Lanka Freedom Party-Mahayana Wing (SLFP) (M) Coordinator Sripathi Sooriyarachchi, who was killed in a car accident Saturday at Thambuththegama, Anuradhapura was kept in Jayaratne Funeral Parlour in Borella Sunday morning for viewing by public to pay their homage, and was later taken to his residence in Kandana, sources in Colombo said. Full story >> 430 Moothoor IDP families resettled[TamilNet, Sunday, 10 February 2008, 19:33 GMT]The members of 430 families internally displaced from areas under the administration of Moothoor District Secretary (DS) due to clashes between Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and living in various welfare centres in Batticaloa District were transported back to their original areas of residence, Batticaloa District Government Agent (GA) Suntharam Arumainayagam, said Sunday. Full story >> SLA soldier injured in grenade attack in Chengkaladi[TamilNet, Sunday, 10 February 2008, 19:23 GMT]An unidentified person lobbed a hand grenade Saturday around 8:15 p.m on a Sri Lanka Army (SLA) road clearance unit at Chengkaladi area in Ea’raavoor police division in Batticaloa district, seriously injuring a soldier. Full story >> Election related violence escalate in Batticaloa[TamilNet, Sunday, 10 February 2008, 19:03 GMT]Thirteen election related incidents of violence have been reported from the date of submission of nominations by candidates for Batticaloa local council elections until Sunday 10 February, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) Vasantha Nanayaskkara in charge of the security of Eastern province, said Sunday. Full story >> 16 SLA troopers lose their limbs in Mannaar FDLs[TamilNet, Sunday, 10 February 2008, 14:17 GMT]More than sixteen Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troops have lost their legs caught in booby traps at the Front Defence Line (FDL) positions in Pa’ndivirichchaan, Mu’l’likku’lam and Vi’laaththikku’lam in Mannaar district, since Friday, Mannaar LTTE Operations Command said. Full story >> Tiger snipers kill 4 SLA troops in Paa'laikuzhi[TamilNet, Sunday, 10 February 2008, 13:49 GMT]Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) snipers killed four Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troopers Saturday at Paalaikuzhi in Mannaar district, Mannaar LTTE Operation Command said. Full story >> Muslim trader robbed, attacked in Ea’raavoor[TamilNet, Sunday, 10 February 2008, 13:37 GMT]A gang of robbers waylaid a Muslim trader Saturday and robbed his money and bicycle at Fifth Ku’richchi area in Ea’raavoor in Batticaloa district. The robbers slashed the trader with a sharp knife injuring him, Ea’raavoor police said. Full story >> Masked armed men rob house in Aiyangkea’ni[TamilNet, Sunday, 10 February 2008, 13:35 GMT]Masked armed men forcibly entered a house in Aiyangkea’ni in Ea’raavoor police division in Batticaloa district Friday night, and robbed cash and jewelry after threatening the housewife and her mother, Ea’raavoor police said. Full story >> Reggie Ranatunge to succeed Sooriyaarachchi in SL parliament[TamilNet, Sunday, 10 February 2008, 13:23 GMT]Reggie Ranatunge, father of the present Member of Parliament and the former captain of the Sri Lanka Cricket Arjuna Ranatunge, is to be appointed to the post of Member of Parliament representing the Gampaha district which fell vacant Saturday with the death of Mr.Sripathi Sooriyarachchi. Full story >> LTTE, SLA clash in Mannaar[TamilNet, Sunday, 10 February 2008, 11:05 GMT]Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) drove Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troops back to their positions in a fight at Pa’ndivirihchchaan in Mannar district Saturday which began at 5:30 a.m Saturday and lasted till 4:20 p.m, Mannaar LTTE Operations Command said. The SLA troops fled back carrying the dead and wounded, LTTE said. Full story >> Minneriya police arrest 8 passengers[TamilNet, Sunday, 10 February 2008, 10:53 GMT]Eight persons, including 3 women who were travelling in a van from Batticaloa to Colombo were arrested by Sri Lanka Police at Minneriya, around 10 a.m., Sunday, police sources said. Full story >> Paramilitary personnel shot dead in Akkaraippattu[TamilNet, Saturday, 09 February 2008, 16:23 GMT]Unidentified armed men shot and killed a paramilitary personnel belonging to Pillaiyan group of Thamil Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP) Saturday noon in Thirukkoavil area in Akkaraippattu police division in Ampaarai district, sources in Ampaarai said. Full story >> LTTE, STF clash in Ka’luvaagnchchikudi[TamilNet, Saturday, 09 February 2008, 15:48 GMT]Special Task Force (STF) commandos of Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eeelam (LTTE) fighters had a direct encounter Saturday morning 4:30a.m near Ka’luvaagnchchikudi in Batticaloa District. During the exchange of gunfire which lasted 15 minutes, there were no STF casualties. No details were available about LTTE casualties, police added. Full story >> 79 displaced Tamil families to be resettled in Moothoor[TamilNet, Saturday, 09 February 2008, 09:15 GMT]A group of displaced Tamil families from the divisions of Moothoor east and Eachchilampathu in Trincomalee district, currently living in shelters and welfare centers in Aarayampathi, Kaluwaanchikgudi and Chenkgalady in Batticaloa district, are being transported Saturday, sources said. Full story >> Sooriyaarachchi killed in accident[TamilNet, Saturday, 09 February 2008, 08:38 GMT] Sripathi Sooriyaarachchi, former Sri Lankan Port Development Minister and Chief Co-ordinator of Sri Lanka Freedom Party's (SLFP) Mahajana faction, a splinter group of SL President Mahinda Rajapaksa's SLFP, was killed Saturday at 1:40 p.m. when his vehicle met with an accident at Madegama on Anuradhapura Galgamuwa road, Police said. The driver of the vehicle and two of his personal guards were also killed in the accident when his vehicle, while speeding, slipped off the road and crashed against a tree, according to initial reports. Full story >> Sinhala officers posted to resettled Tamil villages in Moothoor[TamilNet, Saturday, 09 February 2008, 04:05 GMT]Sri Lanka Home Affairs Ministry has been posting Sinhala and Muslim grama niladhari (GN) officers (village level officers) to traditional Tamil villages in the divisions of Moothoor and Eachchilampathu in the Trincomalee district. The offices are located in Sinhala dominated areas, and the Tamil families unable to obtain the allocated assistance provided by the Sri Lanka Government and the necessary social support from these officials, residents said. Full story >> 15 Tamils, 5 Muslims arrested in Gampaha[TamilNet, Saturday, 09 February 2008, 02:00 GMT]Nineteen Tamils and five Muslims were taken into custody by the police in a cordon and search operation conducted in Gampaha town in the Colombo district from Thursday evening till Friday morning. The arrested are being detained in Gampaha police station and are being interrogated by the Terrorist Intelligence Division, Police sources in Gampaha said. Full story >> Tigers attack SLA Claymore team in Ma'nalaa'ru[TamilNet, Friday, 08 February 2008, 20:20 GMT]An SLA Claymore team that infiltrated into Vedivaiththa Kallu area in Ma'nalaa'ru (Weli Oya) Friday noon was attacked by the Liberation Tigers. The SLA team withdrew, leaving behind three Claymore mines, detonators and batteries. Full story >> 22 SLA killed in Paalaikkuzhi fighting - LTTE[TamilNet, Friday, 08 February 2008, 18:12 GMT]Liberation Tigers Operations Command in Mannaar Friday said at least 22 Sri Lanka Army soldiers were killed in two separate counter-attacks in Paalaikkuzhi, thwarting a fresh drive by the SLA in its attempt to move towards Adampan. More than 11 SLA soldiers were killed in direct combat which lasted for almost 8 hours. Later, the Tigers launched another attack on the SLA troops that had pulled back, killing 11 more soldiers in sniper fire in no-man area. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Air Force helicopter landed at least six times to airlift the wounded soldiers. Full story >> Tamil businessman shot dead in Colombo[TamilNet, Friday, 08 February 2008, 16:17 GMT]Two unknown men riding in a motorbike shot and killed a Tamil businessman, Pulendran Weerasubramaniam, in front of St. Lucias Church in Kotahena Police area Firday around 7:00 p.m. The businessman who hails from Pungkudutheevu in Jaffna was a friend of late Maheswaran MP who was assassinated inside Ponnampala Va'neasvarar temple while attending New Year eve prayers. Mr. Pulendran was shot dead while riding in a car. His wife, Umadevi was wounded and rushed to Colombo National hospital, Police said. Full story >> Veeramunai NGO employees continue to be detained[TamilNet, Friday, 08 February 2008, 13:54 GMT]Six female employees at the Veeramunai office of a Non Governmental Organization (NGO) Social Welfare Organization of Ampaa'rai District (SWOAD), arrested by Sammanthurai police Tuesday afternoon are continued to be detained, civil society sources in Ampaa'rai said. Full story >> Policemen interdicted for failing to carry out checks[TamilNet, Friday, 08 February 2008, 12:59 GMT]One inspector and three constables of the Sri Lanka Police have been interdicted on a complaint that they had failed to check buses and other vehicles at Mathavaachchi checkpoint to ensure that no explosives and other banned items are taken, according to instructions. Full story >> Wasgamuwa sanctuary to be opened day time[TamilNet, Friday, 08 February 2008, 12:51 GMT]Wasgamuwa national sanctuary in the Matale district is to be re-opened for tourists during day time from Monday. Necessary security measures have been taken to ensure protection to tourists and others, according to Tourist Ministry media sources. Full story >> Two bodies of youths found in Welikanda[TamilNet, Friday, 08 February 2008, 12:45 GMT]Bodies of two youths, estimated to be between 18 to 20 years old, with hands and legs tied, were found at Karapola in Welikanda in Polonnaruwa division Friday morning near an abandoned three wheeler. Initial investigations revealed that one of the youth is from Batticaloa, and the other from Karapola, according to local media sources. Full story >> Sinhala woman arrested in Dambulla[TamilNet, Friday, 08 February 2008, 12:24 GMT]The Dambulla Police has detained a Sinhala woman and two Tamil youths in connection with the passenger bus claymore explosion that took place 2nd February. Police said the woman and her mother had been traveling in the same bus with her mother. The daughter escaped injuries but her mother sustained injuries in the explosion and being treated in the Kurunagala general hospital. Her mother would also be arrested shortly, according to the Police. Full story >> SLA suffers casualties in Mannaar clashes - LTTE[TamilNet, Friday, 08 February 2008, 09:23 GMT]At least 13 Sri Lanka Army soldiers were killed and 28 wounded in the last 3-days clashes in Mannaar district and the border areas of Vavuniyaa, according to LTTE's Operations Commands in the region. On Tuesday, 6 SLA soldiers were killed when the SLA launched a ground push, attempting to advance towards Adampan, Tigers said. At least 26 SLA soldiers were wounded in direct clashes that lasted for almost for 4 hours. Seven SLA soldiers were gunned down by Tiger snipers on Wednesday and Thursday in Paalaikkuzhi area. In the meantime, two covert operations by SLA infiltration teams were thwarted while they were engaged in placing Claymore bombs in Valaiyankaddu and Pa'ndivirichchaan areas. Full story >> Maheswaran killing inquiry resumes[TamilNet, Thursday, 07 February 2008, 16:20 GMT]The Colombo Magistrate Mr.Ravindra Premaratne Thursday directed the police to submit the full report of the investigation into the killing of Colombo district United National Party (UNP) parliamentarian Mr.T.Maheswaran to the Attorney General without delay. The Magistrate issued the directive to Criminal Investigation Department Senior Superintendent of Police Mr. Anura Senanayake when the latter informed court that his department is in possession of vital evidence against the sole suspect in the murder and also intends to record a statement from Mr.Keheliya Rambukwella, Defense Ministry Spokesman, legal sources said. Full story >> Tigers seize SLA weapons in Naakarkoayil clash[TamilNet, Thursday, 07 February 2008, 15:57 GMT] Heavy fighting erupted between the Sri Lanka Army and the Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam Thursday morning at 5:00 a.m. when an SLA unit, using tanks with artillery support fire, attempted to move towards LTTE Forward Defence Line at Naakarkoayil in Jaffna. The SLA sustained heavy casualties in the one-hour fighting, LTTE's Northern Forces Operations Command told reporters who were taken on a tour to Naakarkoayil FDL where the Tigers displayed ammunition and an assault rifle seized by them.Full story >> GOSL pays compensation to Ma'nalaa'ru injured[TamilNet, Thursday, 07 February 2008, 13:18 GMT]Rishad Bathiyutheen, Minister of Resettlement & Disaster Relief Services, on the directions of Mahinda Rajapakse, President of Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL), forwarded compensation funds Tuesday to senior officials for distribution to the victims of Monday bomb blast in Ma'nalaa'ru . Full story >> 4 civilians seek protection with HRC Jaffna[TamilNet, Thursday, 07 February 2008, 11:04 GMT]A young mother and her two children from Thenmaraadchi sought protection with the Human Rights Commission (HRC) offices in Jaffna Thursday due to death threats by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troops and SLA-backed paramilitaries, HRC officials said. A neighbour of the family also sought protection with the HRC Thursday for the same reason. Full story >> Two siblings abducted, one shot dead, in Jaffna[TamilNet, Thursday, 07 February 2008, 10:47 GMT]Unidentified armed men in a white van abducted a brother and sister Wednesday night, while Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troopers shot and killed another brother who tried to escape from the abductors near Chunnaakam Railway Station, according to a complaint registered with Human Rights Commission (HRC) Jaffna by the parents Thursday. Full story >> Security beefed up in Moneragala[TamilNet, Thursday, 07 February 2008, 01:12 GMT]Local officials have intensified security measures in the plantation sector in Moneragala, Buttala and Wokkapitiya following recent bomb blasts in these areas, residents said. Tension and fear still prevails in Moneragala district, civil society sources said. Full story >> Five employees of Social Welfare Organization Arrested[TamilNet, Thursday, 07 February 2008, 00:01 GMT]Sammanthurai police arrested Tuesday afternoon five female employees at the Veeramunai office of a Non Governmental Organization (NGO) Social Welfare Organization of Ampaa'rai District (SWOAD), civil society sources in Ampaa'rai said. Full story >> Stop military aid to Sri Lanka: PDK submits one million signatures to Indian defence minister[TamilNet, Wednesday, 06 February 2008, 19:57 GMT] Several hundred activists of the Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam (PDK) marched towards the Indian Parliament Wednesday morning demanding the Indian Government to immediately stop military aid and assistance to the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL). As a part of the protest, the activists, including 100 women and children, dressed as wounded Tamils marched from Jantar Mantar to Parliament Street and submitted a memorandum at the Prime Minister's office. PDK leaders on Thursday met Indian Defence Minister A K Antony at his residence and submitted a petition signed by one million Indian Tamils demanding that India stop all military aid to Sri Lanka.Full story >> Tiger artillery barrage destroys SLA bulldozers[TamilNet, Wednesday, 06 February 2008, 18:58 GMT]Sri Lanka Army bulldozers in Naakarkoayil Forward Defence Line, engaged in reconstructing damaged bunkers were smashed and destroyed in a targeted artillery barrage, LTTE Northern Forces Operations Command told media in Ki'linochchi Wednesday. Full story >> Courts activities in Jaffna stall[TamilNet, Wednesday, 06 February 2008, 17:48 GMT]Cases in Jaffna peninsula courts are stalling due to the insecure situation as plaintiffs and witnesses fail to show up for inquires in fear of reprisals from members of the armed forces of Sri Lanka government and the paramilitaries who operate with them, legal society sources in Jaffna said. Full story >> GoSL, TMVP partnership complicates east elections- PAFFREL[TamilNet, Wednesday, 06 February 2008, 14:25 GMT]People's Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), a citizen-based Election watch organization in Sri Lanka, in a Press Communiqué issued Wednesday said that "[T]here was general agreement that the security situation had improved, particularly with reference to the levels of violence," but added that "[I]t is possible that violence and election malpractices will surface as the election campaign gathers momentum, as the armed groups have not been disarmed. PAFFREL noted that "further complicating factor is that the government has apparently decided that its partner in the east would be the TMVP, which is the breakaway LTTE group in the east and which retains its arms." Full story >> Sri Lanka parliament debates emergency extension motion[TamilNet, Wednesday, 06 February 2008, 12:12 GMT]Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Mr.Ratnasiri Wickremanayake Wednesday moved a motion in parliament to extend the State of Emergency for another month. The State of Emergency is in force in the island since August, 2005. Full story >> Tamil farmer shot dead in Vavuniyaa[TamilNet, Wednesday, 06 February 2008, 09:24 GMT]A 46-year-old Tamil farmer who went to his agricultural land in Kekkaddippulavu, 10 km northwest of Vavuniyaa town, was shot and killed by unknown attackers Tuesday night, Police said. Full story >> 2 SLA soldiers killed in Northern Front - LTTE[TamilNet, Wednesday, 06 February 2008, 08:33 GMT]Sri Lanka Army and Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam clashed Wednesday in all the four fronts of Northern Front, Ki'laali, Ka'ndal, Mukamaalai and Naakarkoayil, for one hour from 5:00 a.m. Two SLA soldiers were killed when LTTE fighters confronted the SLA, Northern Operations Command of the Tigers told media in Ki'linochchi. Full story >> PLOTE shuts down Vavuniyaa[TamilNet, Wednesday, 06 February 2008, 08:23 GMT]Vavuniyaa came to a standstill Wednesday when all public and private institutions were instructed by paramilitary operatives of PLOTE to protest against escalating Claymore attacks and blasts. There was no traffic or people on the roads except a few on push bikes and motor bicycles. Armed men who were on the look out for persons defying the shut down warned persons who were on the roads. Full story >> Two civilians injured in SLAF air attack[TamilNet, Wednesday, 06 February 2008, 05:37 GMT] Two civilians, including a school girl, were injured and two houses were destroyed in renewed air attack by Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) jets in Ki'linochchi, about 300 metres from Thiruvaiyaa'ru Mahavidyalayam (school), between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, Ki'linochchi hospital sources said.Full story >> 2 civilians abducted, 4 seek protection with Jaffna HRC[TamilNet, Wednesday, 06 February 2008, 01:03 GMT]Within the past five days, two familied men were abducted in the peninsula while four civilians, including a mother and her two children, sought protection with the Jaffna office of Human Rights Commission (HRC), civila society sources in Jaffna said. Full story >> Muslim men detained in Zoo bomb blast[TamilNet, Wednesday, 06 February 2008, 00:15 GMT]Three Muslim men have been arrested on suspicion of the Sunday bomb blast in Dehiwela Zoo and are being kept in detention, sources said. Full story >> British Tamils mark Sri Lanka's '60 years of Oppression'[TamilNet, Tuesday, 05 February 2008, 22:42 GMT] Tamil expatriates in Britain marked Sri Lanka's independence day with protests and publicity campaigns highlighting '60 years of oppression'. Hundreds of Tamils participated in a lively demonstration outside 10 Downing Street, the Prime Minister's official residence. Another group of expatriates hosted a major photo exhibition of Sri Lanka's post-independence history highlighting the state's repression of the Tamils.Full story >> SLA, LTTE clash in Ma'nalaa'ru[TamilNet, Tuesday, 05 February 2008, 18:30 GMT]Sri Lanka Army and Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam clashed for around 6 hours in no-man zone in Ma'nki'ndi Malai in Ma'nalaa'ru Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. The SLA unit that attempted to advance was withdrawn after stiff resistance by the Tigers, according to LTTE's Ma'nalaa'ru Operations Command. Full story >> Ma'nalaa'ru, Padaviyaa schools closed indefinitely[TamilNet, Tuesday, 05 February 2008, 14:13 GMT]Schools in Weli Oya (Ma'nalaa'ru) educational Zones in North Central province (NCP) region will be closed indefinitely in response to requests of parents of students attending these schools, Bertie Premlal Dissanayake, Chief Minister (CM) of NCP said Tuesday. The schools will be reopened after the security of the region is tightened, Mr Dissanayake added. Full story >> TNA MP’s residence attacked, 2 youths shot dead[TamilNet, Tuesday, 05 February 2008, 13:35 GMT]Unidentified men hurled a hand grenade Monday night 7:30p.m, near the residence of Kishore Sivananthan, Vanni district Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian, but no one was injured, Vavuniyaa police said. Meanwhile, two youths have been shot dead in Vavuniyaa in two separate incidents. Full story >> Two Muslim traders shot, injured at Akkaraippattu[TamilNet, Tuesday, 05 February 2008, 12:43 GMT]Special Task Force (STF) elite troopers lying in ambush shot and injured two Muslim traders riding on a motorbike at Akkaraippattu in Ampaa'rai district, around 10:00 p.m., Monday, according to police and hospital sources. Full story >> Sri Lanka Air Force strikes UN compounds, environs in Ki'linochchi[TamilNet, Tuesday, 05 February 2008, 12:38 GMT] Two civilians were killed and two wounded Tuesday evening when Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) bombed a suburb of Ki'linochchi town, firing air burst bombs over the UN compounds area with civilian settlements, 300 meters from UNICEF office near Kandasamy temple. A hostel used by UNDP and UNHCR staff workers was damaged in the attack.
Full story >> New TNA, UPFA parliamentarians take oaths[TamilNet, Tuesday, 05 February 2008, 12:38 GMT]Mr.Raseen Mohamed Imam,60, was sworn in as the new national list parliamentarian of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) by the Speaker Mr.W.J.M.Lokkubandara in the parliament when it resumed its sittings Tuesday, A lawyer by profession 60 year-old Mr. Imam filled the vacancy created by the continuous absence of the Mr.M.K.Eelavventhan for more than three months, parliamentary sources said. Full story >> SLN Dvora missing in the seas off Mannaar[TamilNet, Tuesday, 05 February 2008, 05:50 GMT]A Sri Lanka Navy Dvora Fast Attack Craft (FAC), with seven navy personnel on board, has been reported missing in the seas north of Mannaar, according to informed military sources. The last contact with the FAC was made at 6:30 p.m. Monday. However, official sources of the SLN said an Indian trawler had opened fire at the SLN Dvora when it went to help Indian fishermen who were seeking help from the attack craft. Full story >> Communist Party of India urges Centre to remove SLN sea mines[TamilNet, Monday, 04 February 2008, 23:00 GMT]D Pandian, Tamil Nadu State Secretary of the Communist Party of India (CPI), addressing the press on Sunday, urged the Indian Government to take suitable action to remove sea mines planted by the Sri Lanka Navy in order to protect the life of Indian fishermen who ventured into the sea. The CPI is a key ally of the ruling Indian National Congress. Full story >> Karunanidhi offers to step down, challenging false allegations over Tiger issue[TamilNet, Monday, 04 February 2008, 18:03 GMT]Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi hit back at Congress leaders and announced on Sunday that he was even ready to face a change of power in the state over false allegations of supporting the LTTE. Speaking at a marriage function at the DMK headquarters, well-attended by several Congress leaders, Mr. Karunanidhi alleged that some people were trying to topple his government by indulging in a 'conspiracy' and requested Congressmen not to become a party to it. Full story >> 4 SLA, 10 civilians killed in Ma'nalaa'ru bus attack[TamilNet, Monday, 04 February 2008, 11:20 GMT]14 persons, including four Sri Lanka Army soldiers and 10 Sinhala civilians were killed when a Claymore attack targeted a bus carrying soldiers and civilians at Kobbekaduwa junction in Ma'nalaa'ru (Weli Oya) colonisation scheme Monday around 3:40 pm. At least 17 wounded in the blast. Full story >> 4 SLA soldiers killed in Buttala ambush[TamilNet, Monday, 04 February 2008, 10:47 GMT]Four Sri Lanka Army soldiers were killed and three wounded in a Claymore ambush that targeted their tractor at Galge, 25 km southeast of Bhuttala town in Uva Province around 1:50 p.m., informed military sources in Colombo said. The attackers detonated a Claymore mine and opened fire at the tractor on Buttala - Kathirkaamam (Kataragama) Road. Full story >> 4 homeguards killed in Yala jungles[TamilNet, Monday, 04 February 2008, 06:53 GMT]Four members of the home guards, an auxiliary force of the Sri Lanka armed forces, were killed in an attack allegedly by the Liberation Tigers in the Yala jungles in the south-east of the island, around 3.30 p.m. Sunday, according to police sources. Full story >> Bakmityawa STF camp attacked[TamilNet, Monday, 04 February 2008, 06:11 GMT]The Liberation Tigers have attacked and destroyed a Special Task Force (STC) camp in Bakmityawa in the Ampara District in the early hours of Monday, according to initial reports from the south eastern town. Full story >> 17 Tamils arrested in Nugegoda[TamilNet, Monday, 04 February 2008, 02:50 GMT]Seventeen Tamil civilians, majority of them workers at business establishments and staying in lodges, were taken into custody in a cordon and search operation conducted by the Sri Lanka government security forces at Nugegoda, a suburb in Colombo, from Sunday evening till early morning Monday, sources said. Full story >> LTTE, SLA DPU unit clash in Vavuniyaa[TamilNet, Sunday, 03 February 2008, 19:55 GMT]Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) fighters confronted SLA troopers of Deep Penetration Unit (DPU) infiltrating Sunday morning 11:10 a.m. through Paalamoaddai Forward Defence lines (FDL)of LTTE in Vavuniyaa and forced them to flee from the area, Vavuniyaa operations command of Tigers said. Full story >> APRC collaborated in a deception game: Kumar David[TamilNet, Sunday, 03 February 2008, 16:49 GMT]"The Interim Report is a sham for two reasons; the Committee set aside its pervious 18 months and 63 meetings of deliberations and trotted out the Presidential diktat pretending it was its own finding, and secondly the APRC is collaborating in a deception game since this interim palliative is all that the government will ever want out of these worthies; the government will sell this interim hogwash to India and the Co-Chairs," says Prof. Kumar David in an opinion column that appeared in "Island" weekend edition. Full story >> U.S. condemns bomb attacks in South[TamilNet, Sunday, 03 February 2008, 16:36 GMT]The United States Embassy in Colombo has condemned the bomb attacks at Fort Railway Station and Dehiwala zoo in Colombo and in Dambulla on Saturday. Stating that the attacks bear "all the hallmarks of the LTTE," the U.S. press release said the attacks targeted innocent civilians to foster an atmosphere of fear prior to Sri Lanka's Independence Day celebrations. Full story >> Jaffna to Colombo flights suspended[TamilNet, Sunday, 03 February 2008, 15:40 GMT]Sri Lanka Army (SLA) in Jaffna suspended all six daily flights to Colombo from Palaali air base in Jaffna until Tuesday, sources in Jaffna said. Meanwhile, SLA Jaffna requested Jaffna peninsula residents to celebrate the 60th Independence Day, hoisting the Sri Lanka's national Lion flag in all public, private institutions, the sources added. Full story >> Trincomalee security tightened[TamilNet, Sunday, 03 February 2008, 14:25 GMT]The security in the Trincomalee town and its suburbs has been tightened following bomb explosions in Colombo. All vehicles including bicycles and other mode of transport are being thoroughly checked by the security personnel at all key junctions in the town. Additional troops have been deployed at strategic points in the east port town, residents said. Full story >> 16 arrested in Matale following Dambulla explosion[TamilNet, Sunday, 03 February 2008, 14:21 GMT]Sixteen persons, majority of them Tamils, were taken into custody by the Sri Lanka government security forces in a cordon and search operation conducted at Matale and Naula area from Saturday evening till Sunday morning following the bus explosion at Dambulla Saturday morning. Full story >> Tamil youth abducted in Paalaiyoottu[TamilNet, Sunday, 03 February 2008, 13:14 GMT]A Tamil youth, resident of Paalaiyoottu, a suburb in Trincomalee city, was abducted from his house Saturday night 10 p.m. by unknown armed persons arrived in a vehicle. A complaint to this effect was lodged with the Trincomalee police by his relatives. Full story >> 14 killed, 103 wounded in Colombo train blast[TamilNet, Sunday, 03 February 2008, 08:45 GMT] Fourteen civilians, including 6 students of D.S. Senayakaye vidyalaya and a baseball teacher were killed and around 100 people wounded in a bomb explosion at the platform of Colombo Fort Railway station while Matara-Vavuniyaa train reached the 3rd platform the station, situated in the High Security Zone in Sri Lanka's capital Sunday at 2:10 p.m. All train services have been suspended, the Fort station was cordoned off and a search operation by the Sri Lankan armed forces was launched. The blast comes a day before Sri Lanka's 60th Independence Day celebrations amid speculations of Colombo embarking on a full fledged war on Vanni, stepping up aerial bombardment and artillery barrage. Full story >> Travel between North, South suspended[TamilNet, Sunday, 03 February 2008, 07:55 GMT]Sri Lanka police in Vavuniya Sunday early morning suspended all passenger services between south and north until further notice due to security reasons. All trains from Colombo to Vavuniya Saturday night were stopped at Madawaachchi while all travel services from Vavuniya to north were stopped at Vavuniya. Full story >> Explosion in Dehiwala zoo, 6 wounded[TamilNet, Sunday, 03 February 2008, 05:15 GMT] Unknown attackers detonated a bomb inside the Dehiwala zoo in Colombo Sunday around 10:30 a.m., according to Sri Lanka Army sources. Six persons, including a pregnant mother, sustained minor injuries and were taken to Kalubowila hospital. The blast in Dehiwala zoo, one of the major attractions in Colombo, comes in the wake of a number of blasts and killings in Sri Lanka's most popular wildlife sanctuaries.Full story >> Mannaar resident arrested in Puththa'lam[TamilNet, Sunday, 03 February 2008, 03:54 GMT]The Puththa'lam police Saturday evening took into custody a Mannaar resident who was visiting Puththa'lam, sources in Puththa'lam said. The suspect is being detained in the Puththa'lam police station and interrogated by the Terrorist Intelligence Division, police sources said. Full story >> Colombo-Vavuniyaa train services suspended[TamilNet, Sunday, 03 February 2008, 03:52 GMT]Train services from Colombo to Vavuniyaa have been suspended at Madawaachchi until further notice due to security reasons. Trains leave from Colombo Fort from Sunday will stop at Madawaachchi, Sri Lanka Railways sources said Sunday. Full story >> Public Transport crisis looms in Jaffna peninsula[TamilNet, Sunday, 03 February 2008, 00:09 GMT]Shortage of tires for buses operated by Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) in the North has reached a critical situation and may soon cripple the services on many routes in the peninsula, a high official of SLTB Point Pedro bus depot said Saturday. Full story >> Youth shot dead in Koappaay[TamilNet, Saturday, 02 February 2008, 23:47 GMT]Unidentified gunmen riding a motorbike pursuing a Tamil youth riding another motorbike along Raja Veethi, Koappaay, towards Jaffna town Saturday night, sprayed the youth with bullets near Heroes Cemetary in Koappaay and fled from the scene. The youth succumbed to his injuries, sources said. Full story >> PAFFREL to file action against carrying arms during elections[TamilNet, Saturday, 02 February 2008, 22:13 GMT]Kingsley Rodrigo, Chairman of People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), a local election monitoring group addressing a conference attended by Government Agent (GA) Batticaloa, representatives of civil society, election candidate and representatives from Sri Lanka Army (SLA) held Saturday in Lions Club Hall in Batticaloa announced that he file court action against carrying of arms by representatives of political parties and independent groups in Batticaloa district. Full story >> Hakeem doubtful of just, fair elections in Batticaloa[TamilNet, Saturday, 02 February 2008, 21:25 GMT]Rauf Hakeem, leader of Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) and parliamentarian, addressing the party candidates contesting in the forthcoming local government elections in Batticaloa Friday afternoon in Daru Salaam Hall in Ea’raavoor, raised doubts whether fairness and justice will prevail during the elections, political sources in Batticaloa said. Full story >> 100,000 signatures against Indian military aid[TamilNet, Saturday, 02 February 2008, 20:32 GMT] As a part of its signature campaign against Indian military aid to Sri Lanka, the Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam (PDK) held a public meeting in Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu Friday, to hand over one hundred thousand signatures that have been collected so far.
Full story >> Thirumavalavan urges Center to hold referendum on extending LTTE ban[TamilNet, Saturday, 02 February 2008, 20:18 GMT] Viduthalai Chiruththaikal Kadchi (VCK, Liberation Panthers Party) President Thol. Thirumavalavan on Friday urged the Indian Government to conduct a referendum among the sixty five million people of Tamil Nadu on the extension of LTTE ban. He was speaking at a demonstration organized by his party to pressure the Indian Government to wage war against Sri Lanka for planting mines in the sea waters of Kadchatheevu and for arbitrarily arresting Tamil Nadu fishermen.Full story >> East elections, perversion of democracy, says Tamil Arasu Kadchi[TamilNet, Saturday, 02 February 2008, 04:19 GMT]Outlining the reasons for not participating in the forthcoming local elections in the east, a press release issued by Mavai Senathirajah, General Secretary, Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) in Colombo Wednesday, said: TMVP, an armed paramilitary group which is aligning with the ruling party in the forthcoming elections is openly brandishing weapons and has a strong presence in Batticalo district. The release added that in this climate of fear, elections will be a perversion of democracy, and ITAK has decided not to participate. Full story >> 20 civilians killed, bomb attack on bus in Dambulla[TamilNet, Saturday, 02 February 2008, 01:54 GMT] A bomb exploded in Dambulla in Matale district, targeting a bus bound to Anuradhapura from Kandy Saturday at 7:05 a.m., initial reports said. 20 civilians were killed and 72 wounded. Most of the victims were pilgrims to Ruwanwelisaya, a Buddhist stupa in Anuradhapura, Police said. 16 females and four males were killed. 46 wounded have been admitted at Dambulla hospital and 26 at Matale hospital. Full story >> Two Muslims wounded in Akkaraippattu attack[TamilNet, Saturday, 02 February 2008, 00:47 GMT]Unidentified armed men shot and severely wounded two Muslim men Friday night 7:00 p.m. in Akkaraippattu division in Ampaa'rai district. Election rivalries prevailing in the area for the past several days were the likely cause for the attack, according to local residents. Full story >> SLA beaten back in Ma'nalaa'ru[TamilNet, Saturday, 02 February 2008, 00:42 GMT]A three pronged attack by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troopers Friday afternoon 12:15 p.m. in Ma'nalaa'ru battle front through Ma'nalaa'ru and Kokkuththoduvaay aimed at infiltrating into Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) controlled areas was beaten back by LTTE fighters forcing to the SLA troopers to withdraw from the battle zone, Ma'nalaa'ru operations command of Tigers said. Full story >> Tamil man abducted in Kotahena[TamilNet, Friday, 01 February 2008, 18:34 GMT]A Tamil person was abducted by unidentified men who came in a black color van Friday morning around 10 a.m. while he was walking along Sivanantha Mawatte in Kotahena, a suburb in Colombo. Full story >> Court releases SLAF officials charged with abduction, extortion[TamilNet, Friday, 01 February 2008, 18:31 GMT]The Colombo Chief Magistrate Friday discharged all the three officials of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), including Nishantha Gajanayake, from the charges of abduction and extortion. The court made the order accepting the submission of the Attorney General (AG) that there was no evidence to support the charges, legal sources in Colombo said. Full story >> Tamil civilian shot dead in Naavithanvea’li[TamilNet, Friday, 01 February 2008, 17:00 GMT]Unidentified armed men shot and killed a Tamil civilian at Cemetery road New Housing Scheme in Naavithanvea’li in Batticaloa district Friday around 3:00 p.m, police said. The victim was on his way from Annamalai to his relative’s house in Paa’ndirippu when he was shot. Full story >> SLA intensifies security in Jaffna[TamilNet, Friday, 01 February 2008, 16:32 GMT]Sri Lanka Army (SLA), following the bomb blast Thursday in Thirunelveali, Jaffna, has intensified security measures, suspending traffic for hours Friday when SLA convoys used the main roads in Jaffna peninsula, sources in Jaffna said. The death toll in the bomb blast has risen to five from four when a man injured died in Jaffna Teaching hospital Thursday night. Meanwhile, the youth and young woman shot and killed in Thenmaraadchi Friday morning have been identified. Full story >> 3 SLA killed in Paalamoaddai clash - LTTE[TamilNet, Friday, 01 February 2008, 14:30 GMT]3 Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers were killed and 7 wounded Friday when Liberation Tigers beat back a ground push by the SLA amid heavy artillery barrage in Paalampiddi in Vavuniyaa - Mannaar border, according to LTTE Operations Command in Vavuniyaa. Heavy fighting was also reported in Pa'ndivirichchaan area in Mannaar. Full story >> Tamil man shot dead in Trincomalee[TamilNet, Friday, 01 February 2008, 11:06 GMT]Unknown armed men Thursday night abducted a Tamil youth in Anpuvazhipuram, a suburb of Trincomalee city, and shot him dead, Police said. The victim, identified as Subatheeswaran, was found dead with gunshot injuries Friday morning at Jinna Nakar located in Uppuve'li police division. Full story >> Court recommends additional security to Mano Ganeshan[TamilNet, Friday, 01 February 2008, 10:54 GMT]The Colombo High Court Wednesday recommended to the Attorney General to provide at least eight police personnel and a back-up vehicle to Mr.Mano Ganeshan, Colombo district parliamentarian. The two-member bench of the court, K.Sripavan and Ms Shiranee Kulathunge, gave time till February 7 to the Attorney General to consider its recommendation, legal sources said. Full story >> SLA, police conduct search in Inginiagala[TamilNet, Friday, 01 February 2008, 09:54 GMT]Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and police jointly conducted a cordon and search operation in the area near the police guard post at 17th mile in Inginiagala in Ampaa’rai district following reports of a group of armed men on the move in the area, Ampaa’rai police said. Full story >> Woman shot, killed in Poththuvil[TamilNet, Friday, 01 February 2008, 09:39 GMT]Unidentified armed men shot and killed a 40-year-old mother of three children in Koamaari Chelvapuram area in Poththuvil police division in Ampaa’rai district Thursday around 7:00 p.m. Full story >> Killings escalate in Thenmaraadchi, Jaffna[TamilNet, Friday, 01 February 2008, 09:27 GMT]Unidentified armed men Friday morning shot and killed two civilians in Kodikaamam unleashing panic among the people in Thenmaraadchi which on Thursday witnessed a massacre of three siblings by a motorbike squad allegedly operated by Sri Lanka Army. Friday morning around 7:30 a.m, a 24-year-old female was shot and killed at her house located on Jaffna-Point Pedro-Kachchaay road and a 26-year-old male was gunned down, 1 km away, around 10:00 a.m on Allarai-Kachchaay road in Kodikaamam. Full story >> LTTE, SLA clash in Vavuniyaa, Mannaar, Ma'nalaa'ru[TamilNet, Friday, 01 February 2008, 01:41 GMT]Attempts by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troopers to attack Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE) bases in the southern Forward Defense Lines (FDLs) in Mannaar, Vavuniyaa and Ma'nlaa'ru were defeated in counter attacks by the LTTE, Mannaar operations command of Tigers said Thursday. Full story >>
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