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Clashes erupt in Mukamaalai FDL[TamilNet, Wednesday, 31 December 2008, 17:53 GMT]Clashes erupted between Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Tuesday night in Mukamaalai Forward Defence Line (FDL) area after a short lull, sources in Thenmaraadchi said. Artillery duels and gunfire exchange heard through out Tuesday night, and continued intermittently on Wednesday. Full story >> Second male body washed ashore in Vadamaraadchi[TamilNet, Wednesday, 31 December 2008, 17:32 GMT]Sri Lanka Army (SLA) coast guards found a male body washed ashore Wednesday near the light house at Point Pedro Munai area in Vadmaraadchi and informed Point Pedro police, sources in Vadamaraadchi said. Point Pedro magistrate, accompanied by the police, visited the site and conducted inquest into the death. Full story >> 65 Tamil youths arrested after Wattala attack[TamilNet, Wednesday, 31 December 2008, 13:11 GMT]Sixty five Tamil youths were arrested in cordon and search operations conducted by the Sri Lanka Police and Sri Lankan Army (SLA) on Monday and Tuesday following the suicide bomb attack at the Wattala on a camp of the Civil Volunteer Force (CVF). The arrested youths are being detained in several police stations in the Colombo district and are being interrogated, police sources said. Full story >> Negombo Saiva temple administrator shot dead[TamilNet, Wednesday, 31 December 2008, 13:06 GMT]The administrator of Kali Amman Temple in Negombo, who is a Tamil resident in Negombo, was shot Tuesday night around 9.30 p.m. while he was returning home in his motor bike by unidentified armed men. He later succumbed to gunshot injuries Wednesday morning at the Colombo National Hospital, police sources said. Full story >> Decomposed male body washed ashore, in Vadamaraadchi[TamilNet, Wednesday, 31 December 2008, 09:33 GMT]Local fishermen found Wednesday morning a male body washed ashore between Chakkoaddai and Thikkam in Vadamaraadchi in a highly decomposed state. Point Pedro police visited the site and conducted inquiries, sources in Point Pedro said. Full story >> 5 civilians killed, 16 wounded in air strikes, hospital reports blood shortage[TamilNet, Wednesday, 31 December 2008, 04:26 GMT] Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) bombers attacked a civilian settlement near Murugananda school in Murasumoaddai on Paranthan - Mullaiththeevu Road killing two females of a family and a male on the spot. Another man, who was seriously wounded, succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. 16 civilians, including a couple, were wounded. The attack has targeted three civilian settlements in Murasumoaddai Wednesday around 8:00 a.m. The indiscriminate bombardment on fleeing civilians, Internally Displaced Person's huts, close to the ICRC Karaichchi branch office, a school, temple and agricultural lands aims at instilling fear at the minds of the civilians in Vanni, observers said. Full story >> Batticaloa Muslim trader abducted in Colombo[TamilNet, Wednesday, 31 December 2008, 03:06 GMT]A Muslim trader was abducted in Colombo Sunday by unidentified armed persons while he was waiting near a mosque in Maradana. He has been identified as M.A.Abdul Majeed 59, a resident of Oaddamaavadi in Vaazhaichcheanai police division in Batticaloa district. Full story >> Jaffna SLA, GA accused of delaying HSZ resettlement[TamilNet, Tuesday, 30 December 2008, 19:03 GMT]Displaced residents in Jaffna and civil society organizations have accused the Government Agent (GA) of Jaffna and the Palaly Military High command of deliberately delaying implementation of Supreme Court’s order to begin resettlement inside designated areas within the High Security Zone (HSZ) in Valikaamam North, sources in Jaffna said. Full story >> 6 detainees allowed on bail, in Jaffna[TamilNet, Tuesday, 30 December 2008, 18:17 GMT]Mallaakam magistrate Ms. Sarojini Illankovan allowed bail on surety Tuesday for six persons detained by police arrested during a cordon and search conducted by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and police three months ago at the Saiva temples in Maasiyapiddi following a clash in the area, sources in Jaffna said. The eleven taken into custody during the search included Saiva priests, trustee board members and devotees. Five of these had been released on bail earlier, the sources added. Full story >> Ki'linochchi hospital attacked again[TamilNet, Tuesday, 30 December 2008, 15:30 GMT]Sri Lanka Army (SLA) fired artillery shells have again hit Ki'linochchi hospital Tuesday evening between 3:50 and 4:00 p.m., initial reports from the town said. Hospital building was damaged in the shelling. Meanwhile, close-exchange of gunfire was reported in Paranthan area. Full story >> 2 STF killed, 6 injured in Ampaa'rai attack[TamilNet, Tuesday, 30 December 2008, 13:31 GMT]Two Sri Lanka Special Task Force (STF) members were killed and six injured in an attack by Liberation Tigers at 7:40 a.m. Tuesday in the Ukanthai forest area in Poththuvil Police district when the Liberation Tigers ambushed an STF group deployed to conduct a large scale combing operation in the forest area, sources in Ampaa'rai said. Full story >> SLN harasses fishermen, confiscates boats, in Jaffna islet seas[TamilNet, Tuesday, 30 December 2008, 11:07 GMT]Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) troopers in Oorkaavattuirai (Kayts) arrested 12 fishermen fishing with Sri Lanka Army issued fishing pass Monday morning on Paalaitheevu seas close to the islets of Jaffna. The SLN confiscated the passes, 36 boats, fishing equipment and the catch from the 12 fishermen and took them to their base in Oorkaavattu’rai. Full story >> Teenage SLA soldier mysteriously shot dead in Thenmaraadchi, Jaffna[TamilNet, Tuesday, 30 December 2008, 11:03 GMT]Sri Lanka Army (SLA) in Mukamaalai informed Kodikaamam police that a soldier’s body with gunshot wounds was found in Mukamaalai area Saturday. Chaavakachcheari magistrate on being informed of the death visited the site and conducted the inquest into the death. The 18-year-old soldier had been sent to Mukamaalai FDL from the SLA 52nd Division located at Vara'ni in Thenmaraadchi. Full story >> Tamil trader abducted in Colombo[TamilNet, Tuesday, 30 December 2008, 02:24 GMT]A 62-year-old Tamil trader was abducted by unidentified persons Monday when the trader was returning to his shop in Pettah from his residence located in Dias Place in Colombo after lunch, according to complaints lodged with the Vaalaiththoddam Police by his relatives. Full story >> State takes over Seylan Bank to ‘protect entire financial sector’[TamilNet, Tuesday, 30 December 2008, 00:51 GMT]Sri Lanka's central bank Monday placed a troubled private bank in state custody, saying the move was aimed at preventing a collapse of the country's entire financial sector, The Daily Telegraph reported. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka exercised its regulatory powers to place the Seylan Bank in state custody and appointed state-owned Bank of Ceylon as the new manager of the private bank. Full story >> NGOs Consortium urges government for relief to affected in Jaffna[TamilNet, Monday, 29 December 2008, 18:12 GMT]“More than 250,000 people affected in the recent cyclone and floods have only been issued relief sufficient for a week costing less than Rs. 500 per family,“ the Consortium of Non-governmental Organizations in Jaffna district said in an appeal to the President of Sri Lanka submitted through the Government Agent (GA) Jaffna, sources in Jaffna said. Full story >> Police arrest Muslim armed gang in Ampaa’rai[TamilNet, Monday, 29 December 2008, 17:25 GMT]Kalmunai police arrested a Muslim armed gang of robbers Sunday night on information given by the public. The arrested gang was allegedly involved in the several robberies and killings in Chaainthamaruthu area in Ampaa’rai district, Kalmunai police said. Full story >> TMVP person shot dead, another injured, in Ampaa’rai[TamilNet, Monday, 29 December 2008, 14:30 GMT]Unidentified gunmen waylaid and opened fire on the person in charge of the TMVP Kaaraitheevu office seriously injuring him and killing the person travelling with him on a motorcycle, along Kaaraitheevu main street, in Kaaraitheevu police division, in Ampaa'rai district, Monday around 7:30 a.m, Kaaraitheevu police said. Full story >> Major General Chandrasiri to retire[TamilNet, Monday, 29 December 2008, 13:17 GMT]Major General Chandrasiri is to retire from his current position as Military Commander of the Northern district effective from 6th of January. Promotion to Sri Lanka's Highest Army post eluded Mr Chandrasiri due to the extensions provided to his friend Lt.Gen. Sarath Fonseka. Meanwhile, Maj.Gen. Mendega Samarasinghe is expected to become the new SLA commander for Jaffna, military sources in Jaffna said. Full story >> One STF killed, 3 injured in Chengkaladi[TamilNet, Sunday, 28 December 2008, 22:23 GMT]One Special Task Force (STF) member was killed and three sustained serious injuries when Liberation Tigers attacked the STF group which was lying in ambush in Karadiyanaaru, Batticaloa, along the Chengkalady-Badulla road at 1:30 a.m. Sunday, police sources said. Full story >> STF shoots dead youth in Batticaloa[TamilNet, Sunday, 28 December 2008, 20:52 GMT]Special Task Force (STF) commandos lying in ambush shot and killed a youth Sunday around 7:00 a.m in Kokkaddichchoalai police division at Maavadi Munmaari Nellikkaadu area in Batticaloa district, sources from Batticaloa said. The youth’s body remains unidentified in Batticaloa Teaching Hospital. Full story >> Tigers display weapons seized in Saturday's fighting in Mullaiththeevu[TamilNet, Sunday, 28 December 2008, 16:34 GMT] Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) Sunday displayed weapons seized by them in the clearing mission after heavy fighting in the frontiers of Mullaiththeevu district on Saturday. One of the weapons in the display together with four Rocket Propelled Grenade Launchers was an Anti-Bunker LAW. Among the ammunitions in the display was a grenade with a tag in Urdu, the language of Pakistan, which states: "the grenade is ready to charge". Full story >> 17-year-old SLA soldier killed in Vanni battlefront[TamilNet, Sunday, 28 December 2008, 16:14 GMT] One of the Identity Cards recovered with a dead body of a young Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldier revealed that the SLA trooper killed in the offensive forefront in Mullaiththeevu district on Saturday was a 17-year-old boy. LTTE officials displayed photos for reporters in Vanni on Sunday. According to the Article 1 of the the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict, signed and ratified by the Sri Lankan government, the government (State Party) should ensure that members of their armed forces who have not attained the age of 18 years do not take a direct part in hostilities.Full story >> White van gunmen abduct Tamil fish monger in Ampaa’rai[TamilNet, Sunday, 28 December 2008, 15:19 GMT]Unidentified gunmen in a white van abducted Monday a Tamil fish monger in Poththuvil police division in Ampaa’rai district, sources in Poththuvil said. Full story >> SLN seeks isolation of Delft, residents fear[TamilNet, Sunday, 28 December 2008, 15:03 GMT] Residents of Delft (Neduntheevu), the Jaffna islet which is under the command of Sri Lanka Navy (SLN), have accused the SLN military officials of attempting to curtail communication links with the rest of the Jaffna Peninsula, sources in Jaffna said. A 48-hour new pass system introduced to the visitors of the islet is a step towards keeping Delft isolated, civil society sources in the islet said.Full story >> Tamil youth shot dead in Vavuniyaa[TamilNet, Sunday, 28 December 2008, 13:04 GMT]Unidentified men shot dead a Tamil youth at Ganeshapuram in Vavuniyaa police division Friday night. Police recovered his body with hands tied behind and blindfolded Saturday morning along the main road in Ganeshapuram. The victim has not been identified yet, civil sources said. Full story >> Bomb blast in Colombo suburb kills SLA officer, 6 home guards[TamilNet, Sunday, 28 December 2008, 10:17 GMT]A Sri Lanka Army officer, six homeguards and a male whom the police alleged was a human bomb were killed in a bomb explosion at a military post at Wattala, a suburb of Colombo around 9:00 a.m. Sunday. More than 10 home guards and a few civilians sustained injuries in the explosion, Police said. The explosion has taken place in front of the Civil Defence Force (home guards office). Full story >> SLAF bombings kill woman, 10 injured, in Vanni[TamilNet, Sunday, 28 December 2008, 10:17 GMT]Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) kfir fighter jets bombed Saturday three civilian settlements killing a 24-year-old woman and seriously injuring ten persons, including an 18-year-old girl who lost both her legs, sources in Vanni said. The bombers first struck Iyakkachchi around 9:20 a.m and attacked the civilian settlements in Vaddakkachchi, Ira’naimadu, around 2:10 p.m. Sri Lanka Army (SLA) kept firing artillery shells on Iyakkachchi, Ira'naimadu and Vaddakkachchi, as the jets bombed the areas. Full story >> Tigers seize arms, recover 16 SLA bodies in A'lampil fighting[TamilNet, Sunday, 28 December 2008, 03:05 GMT] Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) officials said Sunday morning that at least 50 Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers were killed and 90 wounded in A'lampil area in Mullaiththeevu district on Saturday. The LTTE officials further said they seized more than 20 guns including 10 Light Machine Guns (LMGs) and 10 T-56 assault rifles, and recovered 16 SLA dead bodies in the clearing mission that followed. Full story >> Residents of remote Mannaar village protest against NGO removing soil[TamilNet, Saturday, 27 December 2008, 15:59 GMT]Civilians of Madukkarai, a remote village in Naanaaddaan division of Mannaar district, marched towards their Divisional Secretariat Friday after armed policemen from Murungkan Police beat up the protestors last Tuesday. Police interfered after the villagers held NGO workers of LEADS (Lanka Evangelical Alliance Development Service) as captives for almost one day alleging that the NGO workers were removing fertile soil from the premises of their housing scheme in Madukkarai for a long time despite their objection. Full story >> Abducted Muslim found dead with gunshot injuries[TamilNet, Saturday, 27 December 2008, 15:57 GMT]The body of a 45-year old Muslim farmer was recovered with gun shot wounds Saturday at Mulliyaddy located close to Sivappupaalam, sources in Trincomalee said. The farmer was abducted on December 24 in Thampalakaamam village by unidentifed armed men from the farmer's house, according to complaints lodged by his relatives. Full story >> Tamil principal shot, critically injured in Vavuniyaa[TamilNet, Saturday, 27 December 2008, 14:15 GMT]Unidentified armed persons shot and critically injured the principal of a government Tamil school located in Ganeshapuram in Vavuniyaa district Saturday night in his house. He was immediately admitted to the Vavuniyaa general hospital with serious injuries, police sources said. Full story >> Tamil civilian hacked to death in Mannaar[TamilNet, Saturday, 27 December 2008, 14:07 GMT]The body of a Tamil civilian with cut injuries was recovered Wednesday night in Keeri area along main road in Thaalvupaadu in Mannar district. The body has been handed over to the Mannaar general hospital for postmortem examination, sources said. Full story >> Large scale search in Colombo, several taken into custody[TamilNet, Saturday, 27 December 2008, 12:14 GMT]Sri Lanka Army (SLA), Sri Lanka Police and Special Task Force (STF) Thursday and Friday conducted cordon and search operations covering Muhathuwaaram, Kotahena, Wellawatte, Rajagiriya, Dehiwala, Kohuwela and Nugegoda in the western province. Several civilians, majority of them Tamil upcountry residents, were taken into custody. Police headquarters did not reveal till Friday evening the number of civilians under custody, civil sources said. Full story >> 2 students, child wounded in SLAF attack[TamilNet, Saturday, 27 December 2008, 10:22 GMT] Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) bombers Saturday noon bombed a locality, at 9th division in Puthukkudiyiruppu of Mullaiththeevu district, where refugees are settled with ICRC provided shelters, causing injuries to at least three civilians, initial reports from the medical authorities at Puthukkudiyiuruppu hospital said. Two teenage students and a 4-year-old child were the wounded victims rushed to the hospital. Full story >> 19 Tamils arrested in Gampaha[TamilNet, Saturday, 27 December 2008, 10:13 GMT]Nineteen Tamil civilians were taken into custody in cordon and search operations conducted from Friday morning for several hours in parts of Gampaha town in the Western province by the Sri Lanka Army and Sri Lanka Police with the assistance home guards units. Police said the arrested are being detained in police stations to ascertain their identity as they failed to provide the national identity cards and other legal documents. Full story >> Second Tamil youth shot dead in Moneragala[TamilNet, Saturday, 27 December 2008, 09:13 GMT]Unidentified armed men shot dead a young Tamil trader in a rubber estate located in Paalaaru in Buttala in Moneragala district Wednesday night. He was the second Tamil youth shot dead by unidentified men in Moneragala district within two days, civil sources said. Full story >> Accidental blast kills SLA soldier, injures 2 in Jaffna FDL[TamilNet, Saturday, 27 December 2008, 07:12 GMT]An accidental explosion occurring Wednesday in one of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) camps in Ki’laali in Notthern Front Defence Line (FDL) area killed a soldier and seriously injured two. Chaavakachcheari Acting Magistrate, S. Kanapathipillai, conducted the inquest into the death at the site. Full story >> Jaffna residents asked to shun Sri Lanka Govt organized tamashas[TamilNet, Saturday, 27 December 2008, 03:03 GMT]In a fax message sent to the media in Jaffna peninsula Friday night, an organization calling itself Ellaa’lan Force, requested the residents of Jaffna peninsula to shun 'carnival' type events organized in Jaffna by the Government of Sri Lanka. "These events, organized to reinforce a preception of prevailing normality, are mainly used as a cover to avoid international spotlight on the killing of Tamils," the message said, according to sources in Jaffna. Full story >> Boston Globe: Grant Tamils autonomy in homelands[TamilNet, Friday, 26 December 2008, 22:51 GMT]Boston Globe in an editorial published today warned that Sri Lanka’s military campaign will only produce “new phase of protracted guerrilla warfare,” and that lasting peace is possible only when Sri Lanka's government “grant[s] the Tamils meaningful autonomy in their homelands.” The paper also asserted a cautionary note to the Sri Lanka Government that “[e]thnic or nationalistic pride should not be allowed to inflict such suffering on civilians who committed no crime but to be trapped in a war zone.” Full story >> SLA strengthens security measures in Jaffna[TamilNet, Friday, 26 December 2008, 15:47 GMT]Sri Lanka Army (SLA) in Jaffna strengthened security arrangements in and around Jaffna town Friday due to the presence of V. Anandasangari, the leader of the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) and Minister Douglas Devananda in Jaffna and in view of the Industrial Exhibition that is to take place in Jaffna town from Saturday until Monday, organized by Government Commercial sector in Colombo, sources in Jaffna said. Full story >> Motor mechanic seeks protection with Jaffna HRC[TamilNet, Friday, 26 December 2008, 15:23 GMT]A 39-year-old motor mechanic from Koappaay sought protection to his life with Human Rights Commission (HRC) Jaffna office Friday due to death threats by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers and SLA-backed paramilitary men, according to his complaints to HRC officials. The officials are taking action to place him in the protective custody of Jaffna Prison through Jaffna court. Full story >> SLAF bombers attack Christian orphanage for girls[TamilNet, Friday, 26 December 2008, 13:31 GMT] Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) bombers targetted 'Karuna Nilayam', a Christian center and center for orphaned and disabled girls located close to the A9 highway in Ki'linochchi town, at 4:30 p.m. on Christmas day, sources in Ki'linochchi said. The resident girls have been relocated to a different building and no one was injured in the attack, the adminstrators said.Full story >> SLAF bombardment kills livestock[TamilNet, Friday, 26 December 2008, 13:08 GMT]Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Kfir fighter jets bombed Friday morning a locality on Ki'linochchi Paranthan Road killing another herd of cows. SLAF fighter jets continued bombardment on Thursday and Friday while the Sri Lanka Army stepped up artillery attacks on several fronts. SLAF bombers hit 4 times a civilian settlement in Mayilvaakanapuram in Visvumadu Friday around 5:30 p.m. Full story >> SLA artillery shells hit Ki'linochchi Hospital[TamilNet, Friday, 26 December 2008, 12:46 GMT] Two Sri Lanka Army (SLA) fired artillery shells landed within the compound of Ki'linochchi General Hospital at 7:30 p.m. on Christmas day damaging three hospital buildings and narrowly missing several hospital staff, including Medical Superintendent of Ki'linochchi, Dr Sathiyamoorthy, sources in Kilinochchi said. Glass panes of the New-born nursing section for mothers, Outpatients Department, and the Hospital Reception building were damaged in the attack, according to hospital sources.Full story >> Christmas observed in low key in Jaffna[TamilNet, Friday, 26 December 2008, 06:58 GMT]Though Sri Lanka Army (SLA) in Jaffna had lifted curfew on Christmas eve night in Jaffna peninsula the midnight mass and services in the churches in Jaffna peninsula did not draw many, sources in Jaffna said. Rt. Rev. Thomas Saundaranayagam, the Bishop of Jaffna attended midnight mass in Mother Mary’s church in Jaffna. Full story >> Tamil laborer shot dead in Vavuniyaa[TamilNet, Thursday, 25 December 2008, 16:16 GMT]Unidentified armed men shot dead Tuesday night a Tamil laborer working in the Vavuniyaa police station when he was returning home in Thonnikal in Vavuniyaa division after duty. His body was recovered from Ukkulangkulam junction blindfolded and hands tied from behind with gunshot injuries in his head, sources said. Full story >> Sri Lanka Police arrest 3 Tamil women in Kandy[TamilNet, Thursday, 25 December 2008, 16:10 GMT]Teldeniya Magistrate in Kandy district Wednesday ordered remand till December 30 for three Tamil women who were arrested during a cordon and search operation conducted in Wattegama division Tuesday, police sources said. The arrested women are residents of Verugal in Trincomalee district and had been traveling in a three-wheeler to Kandy town. Full story >> SLA soldier loses leg in Batticaloa mine blast[TamilNet, Thursday, 25 December 2008, 02:04 GMT]A Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldier lost his leg in a landmine blast Tuesday around 5:00 p.m at Colony 10 area, located on the boundary between Batticalao and Ampaa’rai districts, sources in Batticaloa said. Full story >> Slain ICRC worker’s funeral held in Vadamaraadchi[TamilNet, Thursday, 25 December 2008, 00:05 GMT]Sri Lanka International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) Jaffna closed the offices Wednesday to enable ICRC staff to participate in the funeral of Suntharalingam Gengatharan, their fellow staff slain Tuesday, sources in Vadamaraadchi said. Hundreds of people and employees of local SLRC attended the funeral to pay their last respects. Full story >> Tamil trader shot dead in Buttala[TamilNet, Wednesday, 24 December 2008, 13:06 GMT]Unidentified armed men arriving in a motorbike shot dead a young Tamil trader in Buttala in Moneragala district Monday night. The assassins shot the trader while the victim was inside his shop and fled from the scene, according to sources in Buttala. Full story >> Vadamaraadchi postal employee reported missing[TamilNet, Wednesday, 24 December 2008, 12:33 GMT]A postal employee attached to Nelliyadi Post Office in Vadamaraadchi is reported missing since 20 December after leaving his home in Kalikai, Thunnaalai, Vadamaraadchi, according to complaint lodged by his father with Human Rights Commission (HRC) Jaffna. Local witnesses had reportedly seen Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers taking away a youth on the same day during night and being interrogated by the SLA soldiers, the father said in the complaint. Full story >> STF abducts 2 Tamil civilians in Batticaloa[TamilNet, Wednesday, 24 December 2008, 10:59 GMT]Sri Lanka Special Task Force (STF) commandos abducted two family men who passed through their camp at Pearatheevu in Ka’lavaangchikuddi police division in Batticaloa district Saturday as they were returning from Ka’luvaangchikudi hospital to their homes in Thumpangkea’ni in Paduvaankarai area, according to the victims' relatives. Full story >> Heavy fighting erupts in Kugnchup-paranthan[TamilNet, Wednesday, 24 December 2008, 08:14 GMT]The Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) fighting formations were engaged in a heavy fighting with the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) in Kugnchup-paranthan, where the SLA suffered a debacle a few weeks ago, according to initial reports from the area. Full story >> Sri Lanka Air Force attacks convent in Vanni, deploys cluster bombs[TamilNet, Wednesday, 24 December 2008, 07:40 GMT] Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) bombed a convent named Holy Cross Convent, located on Paranthan Mullaiththevu Road, 600 meters away from Paranthan junction Tuesday night around 10:30 p.m., a day before Christmas. TamilNet correspondent who visited the site Wednesday morning witnessed that the attacked premises was marked with Red Cross on the roof. The nearby church also sustained damage. The SLAF deployed cluster munitions in the bombardment, residents who fled the site said. 85 cows of a herd a few meters away from the convent were killed in the attack. Full story >> Colombo instructs Vanni GAs to refrain from requesting aid from UN Agencies, INGOs[TamilNet, Wednesday, 24 December 2008, 05:55 GMT] The Sri Lankan Commissioner General of Essential Services, S.B. Divaratne, in a letter issued to the Government Agents of Vavuniyaa, Mullaiththeevu and Ki'linochchi last month has instructed the GAs to refrain from making any requests for food and non food assistance from INGOs and UN Agencies. "All your requirements should be processed throgh the Commissioner General of Essential Services, even in the event of any urgent necessity," the letter states. The content of the letter, which is interpreted as a threat to the Tamil GAs, is also document of evidence for how a structural genocide is being inflicted upon the Tamil people, an official serving under one of the GAs told TamilNet.Full story >> Tamil civilian reported missing in Colombo[TamilNet, Wednesday, 24 December 2008, 05:48 GMT]A 26-year-old Tamil civilian has been reported missing since he left home in Wellawatte to Fort in Colombo on business purpose on December 16, according to complaints lodged by his wife to the Wellawatte Police and human rights organizations. Full story >> Northbound train passengers face severe checks at Madawachchi[TamilNet, Wednesday, 24 December 2008, 05:43 GMT]Passengers traveling from Colombo to Vavuniyaa by Yaazhtheavi (Yaldevi) train are subjected to severe checks at Madawachchi railway station for more than an hour. Full story >> Rajapaksa government rejects UNP request to summon parliament[TamilNet, Wednesday, 24 December 2008, 05:39 GMT]The United Peoples Freedom Alliance government led by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa Tuesday rejected an appeal made by the main opposition United National Party (UNP) to summon the parliament immediately before the end of the year which is in recess to hold discussion on the current fuel crisis following the order of the SL Supreme Court. Full story >> Weapons seized, fighting continues in Ki'linochchi - LTTE[TamilNet, Tuesday, 23 December 2008, 14:45 GMT]The Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) officials in Vanni on Tuesday said there were one AK LMG, four Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) Launchers, one Light Anti-Tank Weapon (LAW), five T-56 assault rifles among the arms seized in the clearing mission that followed Monday's clashes in Ki'linochchi. Fighting continues in Pulikku'lam and Kugnchupparanthan on Wednesday. Full story >> Four seek humanitarian protection with HRC in Jaffna[TamilNet, Tuesday, 23 December 2008, 12:29 GMT]Four Tamil civilians in Jaffna have sought protection with the Human Rights Comission in Jaffna due to threats to their lives, especially after the worsening situation in Vara'ni in Thenmaraadchi following the recent abductions of two youths. Full story >> Abducted auto driver shot dead in Vavuniyaa[TamilNet, Tuesday, 23 December 2008, 12:25 GMT]The body of three-wheeler driver, who was abducted on December 13, was recovered Monday morning with gunshot injuries in his head along the tank bund of Pandaarikulam, sources in Vavuniyaa said. Inthirarasa Nanthakumar, 26, was a resident of Thonniakal in Vavuniyaa division. Unidentified armed men abducted him with his three-wheeler while he was waiting for hire at Vavuniyaa bus stand. Full story >> Tamil civilian reported missing in Wellawatte[TamilNet, Tuesday, 23 December 2008, 12:23 GMT]Sinnakili Nimalakaran, 26, father of four month old child, has been reported missing since he left home in Wellawatte to Fort, Colombo, for business purposes on December 16, according to complaints lodged by his wife to the Wellawatte Police and human rights organizations. Full story >> ICRC worker shot dead in Jaffna[TamilNet, Tuesday, 23 December 2008, 06:08 GMT]A 42-year-old staff attached to the Jaffna office of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was shot dead by unknown armed men in Jaffna Tuesday morning at 7:10, Police said. The victim, Suntharalingam Gengatharan, was shot in his head in front of UNHCR office in Jaffna, 100 meters from Nalloor temple, while he was on his way to ICRC office. The killing has taken place in a top security area, protected by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) where NGO and UN offices are situated. Full story >> Hoodlums search, rob Tamil passengers in trains[TamilNet, Tuesday, 23 December 2008, 02:30 GMT]Incidents of Tamil passengers robbed by Sinhala gangs in trains running between Vavuniyaa, Trincomalee and Batticaloa, and Colombo have escalated at alarming rate, according to civil sources. Sinhala hoodlums enter trains when the trains stop at Ragama, Veyangoda, Maho and Anuradhapura stations, and subject Tamil passengers to search amid security provided by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and police, civil sources said. Full story >> SLN arrests 29 civilians fleeing war, in Jaffna lagoon[TamilNet, Monday, 22 December 2008, 17:23 GMT]Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) arrested Sunday morning 29 civilians, fleeing Sri Lanka Army continuing artillery barrage, bombings and economic sanction, from Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) held Vadamaraadchi East, Iyakkachchi and Pa’lai, across Ki’laali lagoon, sources in Vadamaraadchi said. The boat, with a 6-month-infant children and pregnant women dared to cross the lagoon, was about to sink when the SLN arrested them, according to government sources. Full story >> 14-year-old boy killed, 5 wounded in Sri Lankan bombardment in Vanni[TamilNet, Monday, 22 December 2008, 17:21 GMT]Sri Lanka Army (SLA) artillery shelling killed a 14-year-old boy in Vaddakkachchi on Monday around 10:30 a.m. A 32-year-old father sustained injuries in the shelling that continued. In the morning, Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) fighter jets dropped bombs near Ki'linochchi hospital around 6:20 a.m. causing panic among the patients and the staff at the hospital. A mother of 4 children, a male and a 13-year-old boy were wounded in the bombardment. Shrapnels hit the hospital building causing damage. A 56-year-old female was wounded in Vattaappazhai in Mullaiththeevu district. At least 17 houses have sustained damage in the Sri Lankan bombardment on Monday. Full story >> Kaarainakar SLN sailor commits suicide[TamilNet, Monday, 22 December 2008, 17:03 GMT]A Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) sailor attached to Kaarainakar SLN base in Jaffna shot himself to death Friday night, according to the statement made by the Officer-in-Charge of Kaarainakar SLN base to Oorkaavattu'rai (Kayts) police. Gun fire was heard Friday night after which the body of the SLN sailor was found with gunshot wounds by the SLN in Kaarainakar, the statement said. Full story >> UNP urges government to summon parliament immediately[TamilNet, Monday, 22 December 2008, 16:29 GMT]Ranil Wickremasinghe, the leader of the main opposition United National Party (UNP), in a letter sent to the SL Prime Minister Ratnasri Wickremanayake has urged him to take immediate steps to summon the Sri Lankan parliament under Section 16 of the Standing Order immediately before the end of the year to discuss the critical situation that prevails in the country following the government's failure to obey the order of the Supreme Court in fuel sale. Full story >> Muslim engineer’s house attacked in Kalmunai[TamilNet, Monday, 22 December 2008, 14:44 GMT]Unidentified armed men, who arrived at the house of Kalmunai Town Council Engineer in Chainthamaruthu in Klamunai lobbed grenade at his house and set fire to the vehicles parked inside the premises, Kalmunai police said. Meanwhile residents said that there had been difference of opinion between the engineer and paramilitary Karuna group regarding a new housing project launched a few days ago in Kalmumunai Tamil area in Ampaa'rai district. Full story >> 100 SLA killed, 250 wounded, heavy fighting in Ki'linochchi - LTTE[TamilNet, Monday, 22 December 2008, 14:28 GMT]More than 100 Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers were killed and at least 250 SLA soldiers wounded Monday when the Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) repulsed a fresh offensive push, said S. Puleedevan, the director of LTTE's Peace Secretariat, quoting LTTE's field commanders. Heavy fighting raged from 5:30 to 12:45 when the SLA attempted to advance from Uruththirapuram towards Ki'linochchi and Ira'naimadu. Several corpses of the SLA soldiers were seen in the battlefield and the Tigers were engaged in seizing arms and ammunitions after routing the offensive on two fronts, Mr. Puleedevan further said. The fighting was continuing on three fronts. Full story >> Tamil civilian shot dead in Vavuniyaa[TamilNet, Monday, 22 December 2008, 05:06 GMT]Unidentified armed persons shot dead a Tamil civilian Saturday night in Vavuniyaa police division. His body was recovered near a cemetery along Nelukulam-Koomaangkulam road Sunday morning with gunshot injuries in his head. The victim has been identified as Seevaratnam Pushparajah, 36, a recruitment agent persons for foreign employment opportunities, sources said. Full story >> Fresh SLA recruit becomes Prisoner of War[TamilNet, Sunday, 21 December 2008, 21:12 GMT] A Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldier, taken captive by the Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) in Ki'laali on 09 December, has revealed that he was attached to Sinha Regiment and sent to the forefront of the offensive immediately after completing his military training at Diyathalawa Army Training Centre on 25 November. The Prisoner of War (PoW), who was allowed to talk to media on Saturday while he was admitted at Ki'linochchi hospital, said he had studied up to 7th standard and joined the SLA considering the economic benefits, but did not expect that he would be sent to the battle front immediately.
Full story >> Kalmunai police detain 7 Tamils, 5 Muslims[TamilNet, Sunday, 21 December 2008, 20:47 GMT]Special Task Force (STF) commandos and police jointly conducted a cordon and search Sunday from 6:00 a.m to 7:00 p.m arresting 12 youths, including 7 Tamils and 5 Muslims, in Kalmunai Police division in Ampaa’rai district. The youths were taken into custody as they failed to establish their identity and they will be produced in the court, Kalmunai police said. Full story >> SLA steps up attacks on hospitals in Vanni, disregards Geneva Conventions[TamilNet, Sunday, 21 December 2008, 18:37 GMT]Mullaiththeevu Government Hospital has come under artillery fire by the Sri Lanka Army despite the Sri Lankan military and civil authorities being repeatedly urged by the medical authorities at the hospital not to fire shells on the civilian medical facility. The government hospital was attacked Monday, Friday and Saturday. Two patients sustained injuries last Monday and two medical staff were wounded in the artillery attack on Friday. The building sustained damage in the bombardment Friday when 5 shells hit the premises. The quarters of the Medical Superintend has also sustained damage for the second time. Full story >> EPDP stages ’protest march’ in Vadamaraadchi[TamilNet, Sunday, 21 December 2008, 17:13 GMT]Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP), the paramilitary-cum-political party led by Douglas Devanda, a cabinet minister in Rajapaksa regime, organized a ‘protest march’ in Vadamaraadchi Sunday around 3:15 p.m along Point Pedro-Jaffna road in which hundreds of persons, mostly women, were forced to take part with the armed escort by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers. The marching protestors were instructed to shout slogans calling the SLA to "liberate" the North and to "free" people from LTTE controlled territory in Vanni. Full story >> Slain parliamentarian Maheswaran’s death anniversary held in Jaffna[TamilNet, Sunday, 21 December 2008, 16:24 GMT]Hundreds of people from different parts of Jaffna peninsula took part in the first death anniversary of Mr. Thiyagarasa Maheswaran held Sunday around 9:00 a.m in the Trustee Board Hall of Kaarainakar Sivan Koayil in his home town. He was gunned down while observing prayers in Colombo Ponnampalavaa'neasvarar Koayil on January 1 this year. Full story >> Douglas, Anandasangari prepare for election campaign in Jaffna[TamilNet, Sunday, 21 December 2008, 12:48 GMT]Douglas Devananda, a cabinet minister in the Rajapaksa government and the leader of paramilitary-cum-political party EPDP and V. Anandasangari of the TULF, are both busily engaged in preparatory meetings for election campaign in Jaffna, informed sources in Jaffna told TamilNet. No official announcement, however, has been made by Sri Lanka government on holding elections in Jaffna peninsula. Full story >> Young woman shot, injured in Jaffna[TamilNet, Sunday, 21 December 2008, 12:01 GMT]Gunmen who entered the house of a 20-year-old woman in Nalloor, Jaffna, opened fire on her after obtaining her personal particulars, Saturday night around 11:45 p.m., during SLA imposed curfew, sources in Jaffna said. The woman managed to run away from the armed men but was injured on her leg in the shooting. Full story >> 2 male bodies recovered in Jaffna[TamilNet, Sunday, 21 December 2008, 11:47 GMT]Kodikaamam police recovered Friday the body of a youth suspected to have been knifed to death five days ago, dumped in a deserted shrub land on the outskirts of Mirusuvil in Thenmaraadchi. Meanwhile, Koappaay police recovered the body of a family man gone missing from Irupaalai in Valikaamam East from a well in Ka'l'liyangkaadu in Jaffna. Full story >> Civilians fleeing war feared drowned in Naakarkoayil seas[TamilNet, Sunday, 21 December 2008, 11:42 GMT]Civilians fleeing war in Vanni in a 17 foot boat are feared drowned, fishermen who had seen the boat towed empty by Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) Friday evening to Kaangkeasanthu'rai (KKS) harbour from Naakarkoyil seas, raised suspicion. Friday morning gunfire was heard from Naakarkoayil seas indicating fleeing civilians being fired upon in the sea and their boat being towed by SLN went under water on Point Pedro seas Friday evening, fishermen in Jaffna who saw the incident said. Full story >> Gampaha police arrest 14 Tamil civilians[TamilNet, Sunday, 21 December 2008, 02:44 GMT]Sri Lanka Police, with the assistance of home guards, Saturday arrested 14 Tamil residents during a search operation conducted in several parts of the Gampaha town and its suburbs. The police said the arrested residents were taken in for questioning as they failed to prove their identity and to justify their presence in the location. However, civil sources said the arrested Tamils have been working in buisness establishements in Gampaha for several years. Full story >> Floods displace thousands in Vanni again[TamilNet, Saturday, 20 December 2008, 18:30 GMT] More than hundred thousand were displaced due to floods in Mullaiththeevu and Ki'linochchi districts earlier this week, the Government Agent for Ki'ilnochchi district, Imelda Sukumar, told media Saturday. Meanwhile medical sources in Vanni said one civilian was killed by the floods. Students who sat for GCE O/L exams have been disturbed due to the floods, air attacks and artillery shelling by the SLA.Full story >> 2 civilians killed in SLA shelling in Vaddakkachchi[TamilNet, Saturday, 20 December 2008, 17:21 GMT]Sri Lanka Army (SLA) fired shells killed 2 civilians in Vaddakkachchi in Ki'linochchi Saturday around 3:00 p.m., medical sources in Tharmapuram hospital said. One dead body was brought to Tharmapuram hospital. Full story >> Tigers recover 12 SLA bodies after preemptive strike, 60 killed, 150 wounded[TamilNet, Saturday, 20 December 2008, 16:03 GMT] Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) counter-offensive units carried out a preemptive strike on Sri Lanka Army (SLA) offensive formation in Mu'rika'ndi - Ira'naimadu area Saturday, killing at least 60 SLA soldiers, LTTE officials told TamilNet. The SLA was pushed back 2 km, and the Tigers said they have recovered 12 dead bodies of SLA soldiers so far in the clearing mission, according to latest update from the LTTE officials in Ki'linochchi. More than 150 SLA soldiers were wounded in the counter operation, Tiger officials told TamilNet. Full story >> US at fault for not stopping Colombo's abuses- Boston Globe[TamilNet, Saturday, 20 December 2008, 14:40 GMT]Asserting that “there have been several disturbing examples of the US national interest standing in the way of actions to defend human rights,” Saturday’s Boston Globe editorial blames the United States and Europe for failing to do enough to intervene, asserting that “[t]he United States and its European allies have gone only so far in trying to halt the Darfur genocide,…[or] the Sri Lankan government's abuses of civilians in its counter-insurgency war against the Tamil Tigers…” Full story >> Tamil motor mechanic shot, injured in Ampaa’rai[TamilNet, Saturday, 20 December 2008, 07:24 GMT]Unidentified gunmen on a motor cycle following a Tamil motor mechanic shot and seriously injured him Friday around 8:30 p.m at Thampiluvil in Thirukkoayil police division in Ampaa’rai district. The injured mechanic was rushed to Thirukkoayil District Hospital first and then transferred to Ampaa’rai Teaching Hospital for further treatment, Thirukkoayil police said. Full story >> Colombo steps up bombardment on Vanni, 3 wounded[TamilNet, Saturday, 20 December 2008, 05:49 GMT] Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) bombers attacked Saturday a coastal area in Mullaiththeevu where thousands of civilians, recently displaced, had established temporary shelters. The bombers dropped eight bombs on fishing huts and boats, lighting up the stretch using para lights, causing panic among the refugees and the fishermen engaged in fishing at 4:55 a.m. The bombers arrived again at 5:35 to bomb the area with 8 eight more bombs, targeting the temporary shelters of refugees. The SLAF bombers attacked Mullaiththeevu and Ki'linochchi five times within four hours in the morning. Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) launched an artillery barrage from all the frontiers of Vanni from 4:20 a.m. till 5:50 a.m. Full story >> Rwandan convicted of genocide[TamilNet, Saturday, 20 December 2008, 00:27 GMT]A senior Rwandan military officer charged with being one of the masterminds of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda was convicted on Thursday by a United Nations court in Tanzania of genocide and sentenced to life in prison. The court used the doctrine of "command responsibility," to convict the "highest authority in the Rwandan Defense Ministry," and also found him "guilty in connection with the killing of 10 Belgian peacekeepers by soldiers at Camp Kigali, and in the organized killings by soldiers and militiamen," International Herald Tribune reported. Full story >> 11 Tamil youths arrested in Gampaha[TamilNet, Saturday, 20 December 2008, 00:05 GMT]Sri Lanka police arrested eleven Tamil youths traveling in Colombo bound Vavuniyaa passenger Yarldevi train at Gampaha railway station Wednesday evening. The police searched all compartments of the train and subjected every commuter to severe questioning, sources said. Full story >> Police officer released on bail, nine remanded in extortion case[TamilNet, Saturday, 20 December 2008, 00:04 GMT]The Colombo Chief Magistrate allowed the Officer-in-Charge of Police Special Crimes Branch of Western Province on surety bail for Rs. 200,000, and ordered remand for nine other suspects, including two police constables, when they were produced in court Wednesday on a police report that they extorted money from a Tamil businessman. The suspects demanded a sum of one million rupees from that Tamil businessman for his release otherwise he would be implicated for engaging in 'terrorist' activities, according to a police report furnished in court, legal sources said. Full story >> SLA camp closes segment of Point Pedro-Kodikaamam road[TamilNet, Friday, 19 December 2008, 15:27 GMT]Sri Lanka Army (SLA) has constructed a large base for its 52nd division enclosing a stretch of the Point Pedro-Kodikaamam road at Va’ra’ni, directing the public to use a sandy path through the coconut grove that runs parallel to the section of the main road closed to the public. Water-logged bypass road has become impassable to traffic, and is likely to force Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) and private bus owners to suspend services in the next few days, sources in Jaffna said. Full story >> Jaffna Bishop urges curfew lift on Christmas, New Year nights[TamilNet, Friday, 19 December 2008, 15:23 GMT]Jaffna Bishop, Rt. Rev. Thomas Saundaranayagam, has appealed to Jaffna Sri Lanka Army (SLA) Commander, Major. Gen. G. A. Chandrasiri to lift the SLA imposed night-curfew in Jaffna peninsula on Christmas and New Year nights so as to enable the Christians in the peninsula to attend midnight mass and services in the peninsula churches freely, Rev. Fr. Rosan, Bishop’s Secretary, said in a media release Friday night. Full story >> Sri Lanka attacks hospital, settlements in Vanni, children among victims[TamilNet, Friday, 19 December 2008, 15:00 GMT]Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) bombers attacked civilian settlements in Mu'l'livaaykkaal village Friday morning and in the noon causing injuries to 11 civilians, including 6 children, according to medical sources in Puthukkudiyiruppu hospital. A 13-year-old girl was seriously injured. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Army (SLA) has also fired artillery shells on Mullaiththeevu General Hospital injuring two members of the medical staff and caused extensive damage to the complex including the operation theatre. Full story >> Colombo's military campaign will not resolve conflict - British Minister[TamilNet, Friday, 19 December 2008, 11:53 GMT]The current approach by the Government of Sri Lanka, to defeat the LTTE militarily before developing a political solution, does nothing to win the hearts and minds of conflict-affected civilians in the north and it will not resolve the underlying conflict, said Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office Bill Rammell, while responding to the concerns raised Thursday evening by British Parliamentarians at an adjournment debate on Sri Lanka at the UK Parliament. However, another response by the minister exposed the fact that the British Government still has faith in the APRC myth created by the Rajapaksa regime. Full story >> Rajapaksa in war with judiciary - AHRC[TamilNet, Friday, 19 December 2008, 08:11 GMT]If the Sri Lankan Executive President wins his war against the judiciary the people will soon be heading in the direction of the type of life that prevails in places like Burma and Cambodia, said the Hong Kong based regional rights group Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) in a statement issued Friday. Stating that reports indicated that the government had already ordered the use of all propaganda at its command to support itself in this new war against the judiciary, the AHRC warned: "It will be the people themselves who will have to resolve the issue of either living under a political system which is completely under the control of the executive or to maintain the separation of powers." Full story >> Tamil Nationalist Poet Thevathasan passes away in U.S.[TamilNet, Friday, 19 December 2008, 07:41 GMT] Mr. Thevathasan Antony, a Tamil nationalist, poet, and humanist affectionately known as “Maampazham Swamy” passed away in New Jersey, USA on December 14. An advocate for peace who highlighted Sri Lanka's rights violations of Tamils in the NorthEast succumbed to a sudden stroke at the age of 63. Full story >> Claymore attack injures 2 SLA soldiers in Ea’raavoor[TamilNet, Friday, 19 December 2008, 06:34 GMT]Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) launched a Claymore attack Thursday around 8:00 p.m, seriously injuring two Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers engaged in road patrol at Murakkoddaancheanai in Ea’raavoor police division in Batticaloa district, LTTE officials in Batticaloa said. Full story >> Police arrest 7 Tamils in Ea’raavoor[TamilNet, Friday, 19 December 2008, 03:24 GMT]Ea’raavoor police arrested seven civilians on suspicion Wednesday morning in their division in a cordon and search launched jointly with Sri Lanka Army (SLA) in Aiyangkea’ni, Tha’lavaay area in Batticaloa district, Ea’raavoor police said. Full story >> Former EROS parliamentarian passes away in Trincomalee[TamilNet, Friday, 19 December 2008, 00:03 GMT] Sivapragasam Ratnarajah, former Member of Parliament for Trincomalee district, passed away after brief illness last Thursday. His funeral was held Sunday in Trincomalee Hindu Cemetery with traditional Saiva rites. Full story >> HR Day, 60th Anniversary of UDHR, observed in Jaffna[TamilNet, Thursday, 18 December 2008, 17:13 GMT]“There are people in Jaffna who ask whether it is necessary to celebrate these days when human rights in Jaffna peninsula is violated with impunity and one cannot slight these questions,” K. Ganesh, Jaffna Government Agent (GA), participating as the chief guest, said in an event held Thursday to mark the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and Human Rights Day in Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission (SLHRC) Jaffna office, sources in Jaffna said. Jaffna HRC Coordinating Officer K. Sivarajasingam presided at the event in which important officials including Jaffna District Additional Director of Education, V. T. Selvaratnam and the chief editors of the Tamil dailies in Jaffna participated. Full story >> Trincomalee IDPs in shelters suffer due to rain[TamilNet, Thursday, 18 December 2008, 16:55 GMT]Hundreds of internally displaced Tamil families now being sheltered in several welfare centres in Paddiththidal and Ki'liveddi in Moothoor division of Trincomalee district, have been suffering due to leaking roof and flood water entering their huts following heavy rain with gale since Tuesday. Full story >> Mohan Peiris appointed Sri Lanka's new Attorney General[TamilNet, Thursday, 18 December 2008, 16:04 GMT]Mohan Peiris, President Counsel has been appointed Sri Lanka's twenty-fifth Attorney General. He took oaths Thursday morning before Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Full story >> Eastern University students clash with police during protest fast[TamilNet, Thursday, 18 December 2008, 13:27 GMT]Eastern University students observing a protest fast in the university campus Thursday around 9:00 a.m. against the detention of two fellow students, raised strong objections when two Sri Lanka Intelligence officials who had come with the police tried to video film the protesters, sources in Batticaloa said. When the students tried to expel the two officials, police who had accompanied them opened fire on the ground, the protesting students said. The police, however, claimed that one of their men’s gun had accidently gone off. Full story >> 2 SLA soldiers killed, 2 injured in Vaakarai[TamilNet, Thursday, 18 December 2008, 13:17 GMT]Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) launched a grenade attack Wednesday around 7:30 p.m on a Sri Lanka Army (SLA) sentry post in Vaakarai police division in Batticaloa district killing two soldiers and seriously injuring two, LTTE officials in Batticaloa said. The four soldiers were in the sentry post in Thaddumunai in Vaakarai when the attack took place. Full story >> SL embassies to seek foot powder for soldiers from Sinhala expatriates[TamilNet, Thursday, 18 December 2008, 12:33 GMT]The Sri Lankan Ministry of Defence (MoD), through a request forwarded through the foreign ministry, has urged SL missions abroad to supply a medicine required to control foot infections caused by fungi and bacteria to the Sri Lankan soldiers engaged in an offensive war with the mission of occupying Tamil territories. Full story >> Robert Blake: U.S. 'development' doesn't seek majoritiarian inroads to East[TamilNet, Thursday, 18 December 2008, 09:35 GMT] Responding to an article that appeared in TamilNet on U.S. enthusiasm in 'developing East' to link it with markets in Western province, ignoring the Tamil perspectives on development, the U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Robert Blake, in an article that appeared in U.S. Embassy's blog has defended that the U.S. development program has a goal of "fostering economic development, good governance and stability while preserving the existing ethnic balance in the east." Disagreeing with the perspective shed by the Batticaloa district TNA parliamentarian Ariyanethran, the U.S. Ambassador says that meaningful development can take place in the East before a political solution is agreed upon. Full story >> SLA, LTTE clashes continue in Northern Front[TamilNet, Thursday, 18 December 2008, 07:51 GMT]Clashes between Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) erupted again Wednesday around 4:00 a.m. along Ki'laali and Mukamaalai Front Defence Lines (FDL) and lasted till 10:00 a.m. Artillery duels raged while LTTE launched shells fell and exploded in SLA High Security Zone in Mirusuvil and Usan in Thenmaraadchi where many SLA bases and camps are located. Details of casualties or injuries are not available. Full story >> India, US, UK, Pakistan officers visit Vanni command HQ[TamilNet, Wednesday, 17 December 2008, 16:16 GMT]Military representatives from seven countries – India, the United States, Britain, Pakistan, Japan, Bangladesh and Maldives – Wednesday visited the Sri Lankan military command centre coordinating Colombo’s offensive into the Vanni. Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defence said the foreign defence attaches/advisors visited the Vann Security Forces HQ as well as the HQs of the SLA’s 57 and 59 Divisions. Full story >> Sivaram murder trial fixed for June 2009[TamilNet, Wednesday, 17 December 2008, 15:49 GMT]The Colombo High Court Monday fixed the inquiry into Journalist Dharmaretnam Sivaram murder case for June 1st next year before Sinhala speaking Jury. The sole suspect, Arumugam Sriskandarajah, was produced in court under heavy security when the case was taken up, legal sources said Full story >> 12 Tamil civilians arrested in Katunayake[TamilNet, Wednesday, 17 December 2008, 15:33 GMT]Twelve Tamil civilians including five women were taken into custody in cordon and search operations conducted in the security zone of the Katunayake international airport on Monday night. Several houses and lodges were searched during the operation, police said. Full story >> Halo Trust to terminate operation in Jaffna[TamilNet, Wednesday, 17 December 2008, 15:21 GMT]Halo Trust, one of the major humanitarian demining organizations based in Jaffna peninsula, will terminate its operation completely Friday following Sri Lanka Defence Ministry denial of access to land mine sown areas in the peninsula. Danish Demining Organization, the other important humanitarian organization in the peninsula, has reduced its staff of 286 to 180, sources in Jaffna said. Full story >> Local NGOs help battle economic woes in Vanni[TamilNet, Wednesday, 17 December 2008, 03:07 GMT]The Economic Consultancy House (TECH), a local NGO operating in the NorthEast, is battling to help economic needs of refugee by attending to small scale economic development projects, civil society sources in Vanni said. Activities include distribution of seed paddy, training of sewing skills, and providing loan for self-help, according to Techinical Director of TECH, Mr Suntharamoorthy. Full story >> SLAF bombs refugee settlements: 2 killed, 13 wounded, 4 child victims[TamilNet, Wednesday, 17 December 2008, 02:30 GMT] A 5-month-old child and a 25-year-old male were killed and 13 other refugees including three children were wounded Wednesday when Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) fighter jets bombed refugee settlements in Vaddakkachchi four times, on each sorties bombing the refugees twice. The SLAF bombardment on civilian targets comes in the wake of high casualties to the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) in its latest offensive push in Ki'linochchi and Jaffna frontiers. The second attack was reported 250 meters near the hospital in Vaddakkachchi. Civilians in Vanni interpreted the indiscriminate attacks, which were repeatedly carried out on displaced peoples settlements, as 'collective punishment' by the Sri Lankan forces that have suffered heavy casualties in the battlefront.
Full story >> SLA death toll hits 170 in Vanni, hundreds wounded, 36 bodies recovered - LTTE[TamilNet, Wednesday, 17 December 2008, 02:08 GMT] Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) officials on Wednesday said that 130 Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers were killed in the multi-front offensive push by the SLA in Ki'linochchi on Tuesday. More than 300 soldiers were wounded in the heavy battle that raged throughout the day till 4:00 p.m. on five main localities and along a wide stretch of the frontiers in Ki'linochchi. Meanwhile, in Ki'laali, 40 SLA soldiers were killed and more than 120 sustained injuries. 36 dead bodies of the SLA soldiers have been recovered so far, 28 in Ki'linochchi and 8 in Ki'liaali, in the clearing missions following Tuesday's fighting. There are young recruits of the SLA, including child soldiers, engaged in the front by the SLA in Ki'linochchi. Full story >> Tamils chosen as Left Front party candidates for provincial elections[TamilNet, Tuesday, 16 December 2008, 17:13 GMT]The Left Front, led by Dr.Wickremabahu Karunaratne, has decided to contest the Central Provincial Council election, and nominated Nadarajah Janakan as its chief candidate. Dr.Karunaratne said the election propaganda would be mainly based on advocating immediate ceasefire. Full story >> Maheswaran murder accused refused bail[TamilNet, Tuesday, 16 December 2008, 17:07 GMT]Colombo High Court Judge, Sunil Rajapakse, Monday refused bail for the accused in parliamentarian T.Maheswaran murder case, and fixed the inquiry for April 27th next year, legal sources in Colombo said. The accused Johnston Collin Valentine was produced in court under heavy security. Maheswaran was shot dead on January 1 morning this year while he was attending New Year prayer poojah in Colombo Ponnambalavaaneswarar Temple. Full story >> SLA suffers third debacle in Ki'linochchi, 100 killed, 250 wounded - Puleedevan[TamilNet, Tuesday, 16 December 2008, 16:51 GMT]The Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) on Tuesday repulsed a major push by the Sri Lanka Army, killing at least 100 SLA soldiers and causing injuries to more than 250, said S. Puleedevan, the director of LTTE's Peace Secretariat, quoting Tiger commanders who were in charge of the Tiger defensive fronts in Ki'linochchi district. "According to the emerging details, a multi-front push towards Ki'linochchi from Malayaa'lapuram, Kugnchupparanthan, Mu'rika'ndi and Pulikku'lam, was repulsed by the LTTE defensive formations that have seized weapons and recovered at least 10 corpses of the Sri Lanka Army," Mr. Puleedevan told TamilNet citing the military officials of the LTTE. Full story >> Tigers recover 8 SLA bodies, seize 18 weapons in Ki'laali fighting[TamilNet, Tuesday, 16 December 2008, 15:36 GMT] Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) said Tuesday that they seized two Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) launchers, one AK-LMG, fourteen T-56 assault rifles and a 40 mm Grenade Launcher after repulsing an SLA-initiated offensive push that lasted for 9 hours from 1:20 a.m. Tuesday. The Tigers have earlier claimed that at least 40 SLA soldiers were killed and more than 120 sustained injuries. Information from Jaffna also indicates heavy casualties on SLA-side. The latest debacle of the SLA in Jaffna comes after a recent by the SLA commander Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka and the Sri Lankan Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. Full story >> STF abducts Tamil family man in Ea'raavoor[TamilNet, Tuesday, 16 December 2008, 15:24 GMT]Special Task Force (STF) commandos arriving at the house of a Tamil family man in Ea’raavoor police division in Batticaloa district Tuesday around 2:00 a.m took him away at gunpoint, according to his relatives. Full story >> STF commandos assault 4 sisters in Batticaloa[TamilNet, Tuesday, 16 December 2008, 15:21 GMT]Special Task Force (STF) commandos assaulted four sisters heavily with batons and sticks Tuesday around 9:00 a.m when they launched a cordon and search around Village No. 40 in Batticaloa district, according to the residents of the village. The STF commandos had warned the sisters that their entire family will be killed if anyone attacked the STF. Full story >> Artillery duel in Northern Front, SLA closes roads to transport casualties in Jaffna[TamilNet, Tuesday, 16 December 2008, 15:07 GMT]Clashes between Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) which began with an SLA offensive advance through Ki’aali Tuesday around 1:20 a.m continued through the day with artillery duels and gunfire exchanges, sources in Jaffna said. Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) helicopters were seen engaged in transporting casualties and injured soldiers while Kandy road and Palaali road were blocked several times during the day enabling ambulances to carry the dead and injured to Palaali SLA hospital. The SLA has suffered considerable loss of lives and injuries to many, sources close to SLA said. Full story >> Themaraadchi residents flee shelling[TamilNet, Tuesday, 16 December 2008, 14:20 GMT]Residents of Mirusuvil and Usan areas in Thenmaraadchi fled from their houses when shells fired by Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) targeting the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) bases in the said areas fell and exploded, Tuesday around 5:00 a.m, according to civil sources in the area. The shelling began following the Tuesday clashes between the SLA and the LTTE. Full story >> Elderly man killed by SLA field bike in Jaffna[TamilNet, Tuesday, 16 December 2008, 14:06 GMT]Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers riding a field bike knocked down an elderly man seriously injuring him Tuesday at Koa’ndaavil junction on Kaangkeasanthu’rai road in Jaffna. The elderly man was rushed to Jaffna Teaching Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries, sources in Jaffna said. Full story >> Fein responds: Professorial Nonsense on Stilts[TamilNet, Tuesday, 16 December 2008, 12:35 GMT] Responding to the note on Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP) website by the Secretary General Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha on the model genocide indictment against Sri Lanka officials, the former U.S. Deputy Associate Attorney General Bruce Fein, says, the "Professor never denies the Rajapaksa-Fonseka genocides," but, "delivers an indictment against the LTTE as a purported defense to the Rajapaksa-Fonseka genocides." Fein adds: "The genocide prosecution sought against Sudanese President Omar Bashir has rejected such a defense theory to a charge of genocide." Full story >> SLA soldier’s body recovered from well in Thenmaraadchi[TamilNet, Tuesday, 16 December 2008, 10:43 GMT]Chaavakachcheari police recovered the body of a Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldier from a well close to the SLA camp in Meesaalai in Chaavakachcheari, on being informed by SLA officials. Police are investigating into the cause of death of the victim, sources in Chaavakachcheari said on Monday. Full story >> SLA push thwarted in Ki'laali, 40 killed - LTTE[TamilNet, Tuesday, 16 December 2008, 10:30 GMT]More than 40 Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers were killed and at least 120 soldiers wounded Tuesday morning when the Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) repulsed an offensive push by the SLA along the Forward Defence Line in Ki'laali, Tiger officials in Vanni told TamilNet. The LTTE has claimed to have seized weapons and recovered dead bodies of the SLA. Full story >> CID withdraws application to impound passports of 3 TNA MPs[TamilNet, Tuesday, 16 December 2008, 09:41 GMT]Sri Lankan Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Tuesday withdrew the application filed at Colombo Magistrate Court to impound the passports of three Tamil National Alliance parliamentarians S. Jeyanandamoorthy, P. Ariyanethran and S. Gajendran, who have been grilled by the CID on allegations that they violated the Sri Lankan Constitution and the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in speeches that they made at a Pongku Thamizh event held in Germany. Full story >> Police detain 8 Tamil youths in Batticaloa[TamilNet, Monday, 15 December 2008, 17:14 GMT]Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and police, assisted by paramilitary men, arrested eight Tamil youths in a joint cordon and search conducted Sunday night in Kokkaddichchoalai, Batticaloa town, Kaaththaankudi and Ea’raavoor police divisions. More than 900 houses were searched while nearly 4000 persons were interrogated during the operation, police media spokesman said. Full story >> 3 abducted, teacher reported missing, in Jaffna[TamilNet, Monday, 15 December 2008, 16:22 GMT]Unidentified armed men arriving in a white van abducted three persons including a student from their houses during curfew hours in three separate incidents in Thenmaraadchi, two Friday and the third Saturday, according to complaints lodged with Human Rights Commission (HRC) Jaffna by the abductees’ family members. Meanwhile, the wife of a teacher from Vadamaraadchi has reported her husband missing since 8 December with HRC Jaffna office. Full story >> Colombo-Vavuniyaa train service to resume[TamilNet, Monday, 15 December 2008, 13:35 GMT]Direct train service between Colombo and Vavuniyaa, suspended ten months ago due to security reason, is to resume Tuesday morning, sources in Colombo said. The first train bound for Vavuniyaa will leave Tuesday morning at 5:45 am from Fort-Colombo, sources added. Full story >> Sri Lanka's credit rating cut[TamilNet, Monday, 15 December 2008, 13:06 GMT]Sri Lanka’s credit rating was cut to five levels below investment grade by Standard & Poor’s, citing mounting public debt and political and security concerns, Bloomberg reported Monday. The new rating places the country on par with Burkina Faso and Cameroon. The other key ratings agency, Moody’s Investors Service, does not have a rating for Sri Lanka. The announcement comes shortly after the government comfortably won a budget including raising external borrowing by 25%. Sri Lanka’s external debt amounted to $12 billion at the end of 2007, almost 40 percent of gross domestic product, according to the central bank. Full story >> Unidentified men shoot, injure two sinhala settlers[TamilNet, Monday, 15 December 2008, 10:01 GMT]Two Sinhalese villagers were injured when unidentified men opened fire on a village Samaagipura in Kanthalaai police division in Trincomalee district Saturday night around 7:00 p.m. The villagers were guarding a chena cultivation when they were shot. Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers and police rushed to the site on receipt of information and opened fire in retaliation. Full story >> Slain parliamentarian Maheswaran's death anniversary to be held[TamilNet, Monday, 15 December 2008, 03:59 GMT]The first death anniversary of Mr.T.Maheswaran, Colombo district parliamentarian, is to be held on December 21 Sunday at Bambalapitya Kathireasan Hall. He was shot dead while attending prayer in Colombo Ponnambalavaaneswarar Kovil on January 1st this year. Full story >> 3 police officers arrested for aiding LTTE cadres in Colombo[TamilNet, Monday, 15 December 2008, 02:55 GMT]A Sri Lanka Police Inspector of special crime branch of the Western Province with two constables were taken into custody by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for allegedly helping LTTE cadres in Colombo, and extorting money from civilians in Wellawatte and Bloemendhal area in Colombo, police spokesperson Ranjit Gunasekara said. The breakthrough came following the interrogation of three Tamil youths earlier arrested in cordon and search operations, according to police. Full story >> Prices of essential goods, vegetables skyrocket in Jaffna[TamilNet, Sunday, 14 December 2008, 17:58 GMT]Prices of essential food items like rice, sugar and vegetables have hit an all time high in Jaffna peninsula due to the destruction caused by the recent rains, floods and cyclone 'Nisha,' sources in Jaffna said. Stocks of sugar have completely depleted in government stores, and the NGOs in Jaffna peninsula have requested Jaffna Government Agent (GA) to take immediate action to bring down the price of essential food items artificially held high by private importers, sources added. Full story >> SLN troops assault fishermen, confiscate fishing pass in Jaffna lagoon[TamilNet, Sunday, 14 December 2008, 12:15 GMT]Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) patrol troops from Oorkaavatturai (Kayts) assaulted more than 135 fishermen Friday and Saturday while they were fishing in Jaffna lagoon and confiscated their fishing 'pass' issued by the Sri Lankan military authorities, according to complaints made by them to fisheries societies. The SLN troops in their patrol boats attacked the fishermen with rifle butts and batons and sent them back to the shore, fishermen who wish to remain anonymous for fear of retribution said. Full story >> 4 STF commandos killed in Ampaa'rai - LTTE[TamilNet, Sunday, 14 December 2008, 08:03 GMT]Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) official Nilavan in Ampaa'rai on Sunday said four Sri Lankan Special Task Force (STF) commandos were killed in mine explosions set up by the Tiger fighters in the morning while the STF commandos were engaged in a big search operation in Kagnchikudichchaa'ru jungle area. Full story >> Jaffna Bishop meets IDPs in Vanni[TamilNet, Sunday, 14 December 2008, 06:39 GMT]Rt. Rev. Thomas Saundaranayagam, Bishop of Jaffna, was on a mission visit to Vanni 9 December where he met thousands of people displaced due to war offensives and floods sharing their grief and offering consolation to them, in various places in Vanni, according to Jaffna Bishop’s secretary. The Bishop stayed in Vanni meeting the IDPs in their temporary refugee camps and returned to Colombo Saturday. Full story >> Fein: Genocide charges against Sri Lanka officials ready[TamilNet, Sunday, 14 December 2008, 06:36 GMT] Bruce Fein, a former U.S. Deputy Associate Attorney General and currently Counsel for a U.S. Tamil Group said in an interview this week that a 400+ page model indictment charging Sri Lanka officials for genocide against Tamils will be ready to be submitted to the U.S. Justice Department first week of January. He added that the document describes the motivational context, catalogues crimes, and constructs legal arguments establishing culpability of a U.S. citizen and a U.S. greencard holder for the crime of genocide against Tamils in Sri Lanka under the U.S. Genocide Accountability Act (18 U.S.C. 1091). Full story >> Grenade attack on Vaazhaichcheanai TMVP local council member[TamilNet, Saturday, 13 December 2008, 23:28 GMT]Unidentified persons lobbed a hand grenade Saturday around 7:15 p.m on the house of Thamotharam Jeevathas, Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) member of Vaazhaichcheanai Piratheasa Chapai (Pradeshiya Sabah), in Ea'raavoor police division in Batticaloa district. No one was hurt but the front portion of the house was damaged, sources in Batticaloa said. Full story >> Tamil woman shot dead in Batticaloa[TamilNet, Saturday, 13 December 2008, 23:26 GMT]Unidentified armed men arriving on motorcycles opened fire on a family Saturday around 7:30 p.m in a house in Aarayampathi area in Kaaththaankudi police division, killing a woman and seriously injuring her husband and daughter. Full story >> Elderly woman knifed to death in Vavuniyaa[TamilNet, Saturday, 13 December 2008, 22:16 GMT]An elderly Tamil woman was knifed to death while in her house on Thursday night by unidentified men. This killing took place at Chekkadippulavu in Chelva Nakar in Vavuniyaa. Full story >> Tamil woman detainee dies in Anurathapura prison[TamilNet, Saturday, 13 December 2008, 22:10 GMT]A 63-year-old retired Tamil woman teacher died Thursday in the Anuradhapura prison while being detained under Emergency Regulation. The victim, Mrs. Atputham Kulanthaivel, fell ill and passed away on Thursday, Police said. Full story >> Sri Lankan Police cordons off Munneasvaram devotees, detains two[TamilNet, Saturday, 13 December 2008, 20:42 GMT]Sri Lankan Police cordoned off Munneasvaram Sivan temple area in Chilaapam (Chilaw) division Friday, subjecting hundreds of devotees who were present in the temple and its environs Friday morning to attend Kaarthikai Theepam festival in the evening. Two devotees were detained after the operation that lasted for four hours from 6:00 a.m. till 10:00 a.m. . Full story >> HRW: Sri Lanka's use of child soldiers to result in suspension of US military aid[TamilNet, Saturday, 13 December 2008, 14:37 GMT]Governments involved in the use of children as soldiers may no longer be eligible for US military assistance under legislation adopted by the US Congress on December 10, 2008, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said Thursday. Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Chad, Congo Sudan, and Uganda are expected to be affected by the new legislation passed unanimously by both the Senate and the House, HRW further said. Full story >> 3 civilians, including child, killed in SLA shelling in Vanni[TamilNet, Saturday, 13 December 2008, 13:02 GMT] A 5-month-old child, sleeping inside an IDP hut near Thakarap-Pi'l'laiyaar temple on Hudson Road in Vaddakkachchi, was decapitated by a shrapnel of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) fired artillery shell Saturday morning around 9:30. 26-year-old mother of the child was wounded in the artillery barrage that targeted the IDP settlement. Meanwhile, two males who went to their agricultural lands in Kanakapuram, a suburb of Ki'linochchi town, to unearth cassava roots, were killed in SLA shelling around 11:45 a.m. A 17-year-old youth narrowly escaped death with injuries from the shelling. Full story >> Relief measures to IDPs in Jaffna peninsula, meager – NGOs[TamilNet, Saturday, 13 December 2008, 05:20 GMT]Non-government Organizations (NGOs) in Jaffna peninsula claimed that relief measures announced by Jaffna Government Agent (GA) meant for more than 1,50,000 people displaced due to rains, floods and cyclone ‘Nisha’ after two weeks lapse were meager, sources in Jaffna said. The maximum a family of five or more could get was 3½ kg rice, 1.6 kg flour, 1 kg sugar and 200 gm lentils at a total worth of only 525 rupees per week, according to information released by Jaffna GA who said that action is being taken to supply this relief measures soon. Full story >> SLA offers security to 'rehabiliatated' Jaffna youths[TamilNet, Saturday, 13 December 2008, 02:46 GMT]Jaffna Sri Lanka Army (SLA) Commander Major Gen. G. A. Chandrasiri, presiding over conclusion of a vocational training event Friday evening for youths placed in the SLA Special Rehabilitation Camp (SRC) after surrendering to the SLA, said that youths will be allowed to return home if they wish to, and that SLA is ready to provide full security for the youths, sources in Jaffna said. Full story >> RSF condemns Colombo's censorship of BBC, Sunday Leader[TamilNet, Friday, 12 December 2008, 12:50 GMT]Paris-based media watchdog, Reporters sans frontières (RSF), in a press release issued Friday, condemned Sri Lanka's jamming of BBC World Service and blocking Sunday Leader from referring to Sri Lanka's Defense Secretary, Gotabhaya Rajapakse. "We are worried by the increase in direct and indirect censorship in Sri Lanka," Reporters Without Borders said. "Coming after a broadcast media bill reintroducing news censorship, the selective blocking of BBC and Sunday Leader reports is disturbing. The authorities must accept the free flow of news even when it contradicts what officials are saying and irritates certain politicians," the press release added. Full story >> White van gunmen abduct Tamil family man in Ea’raavoor[TamilNet, Friday, 12 December 2008, 06:57 GMT]Unidentified armed men in a white van abducted Tuesday a Tamil family man in Ear’aavoor police division in Batticalaoa district as he was returning home after work, in Aa’rumukaththaan Kudiyiruppu area, according to the complaint lodged by his wife with Ea’raavoor police. Full story >> 18 Tamils detained by Thirukkoayil police[TamilNet, Friday, 12 December 2008, 06:52 GMT]Special Task Force (STF) commandos arrested Thursday eighteen Tamils including two women in a cordon and search conducted in the Tamil area in Thirukkoayil police division in Ampaa’rai district. All arrestees are being detained in Thirukkoayil police station, according to complaints made by their relatives to Ampaa’rai district Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian K. Pathmanathan. Full story >> Rain, cyclone 'Nisha' cause severe damage to Jaffna peninsula[TamilNet, Thursday, 11 December 2008, 20:34 GMT]More than 65,411 farmer families along with more than 30,000 agriculture labour force depending on the farmers have been severely affected by the recent rains, floods and cyclone ‘Nisha’ in Jaffna peninsula, Jaffna District Deputy Director of Agriculture (DDA), S. Sivakumar said in his report. A loss of around 1,350.67 million rupees in the Maha cultivation (2008-2009) and nearly 274.6 million rupees in highland crops, in the peninsula has been estimated by the DDA. Full story >> UNP files FR petition against holding NWPC, CPC election[TamilNet, Thursday, 11 December 2008, 20:33 GMT]The main opposition United National Party (UNP) of Sri Lanka Thursday filed a fundamental rights petition in the Sri Lanka's Supreme Court to order the Commissioner of Elections to suspend holding elections to the North Western Provincial Council (NWPC) and central Provincial Council (CPC) until the establishment of Constitutional Council and the Independent Election Commission under the 17th amendment to the Sri Lankan constitution, legal sources said. Full story >> Tamil student, teacher arrested in Aalangkea'ni, Trincomalee[TamilNet, Thursday, 11 December 2008, 19:28 GMT]A Tamil student sitting for the GCE Ordinary Level examination and a Tamil teacher assigned for examination duty in an examination centre located in Aalangkea'ni, a traditional Tamil village in Ki'n'niyaa DS division in Trincomalee district, were arrested by the police on December 8 and being detained in Trincomalee police station for interrogation, civil sources said. Full story >> Masked gunmen rob Tamil trader in Ea’raavoor[TamilNet, Thursday, 11 December 2008, 17:02 GMT]Unidentified armed men wearing masks robbed at gunpoint a Tamil trader Thursday around 4:30 a.m. in his shop at Ku'richchi 4, Ea’raavoor in Batticalaoa district. The robbers entering the house, located 75 meters from Ea’raavoor police station, had bound the trader and made off with his wife’s marriage chain and 11,000 rupees in hard cash, according to complaint made with Ea’raavoor police. Full story >> SLA death toll hits 120, army pushed back to Malaiyaa'lapuram - LTTE[TamilNet, Thursday, 11 December 2008, 16:18 GMT] The Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) officials told TamilNet correspondent in Vanni Thursday that the two-pronged SLA offensive on Ki'inochchi was pushed back Wednesday after heavy fighting in Puthumu'rippu in the west of Ki'linochchi and A'riviyal Nakar in the south. The final death toll of the SLA in both the fronts, according to the LTTE claim, was 120 killed in action and more than 280 wounded. Photographs given by the LTTE officials also indicate that there were some young recruits of the SLA among the dead. Meanwhile, the SLA, which admitted heavy fighting, has put the casualties at 20 SLA and 27 LTTE combatants as killed in the latest fighting.Full story >> SLA cordon, search Thunnaalai in Vadamaraadchi[TamilNet, Thursday, 11 December 2008, 15:17 GMT]Following the killing of two youths by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) Wednesday morning during a sudden cordon and search conducted in Thunnaalai in Vadamaraadchi, SLA launched yet another intensive cordon and search Thursday early morning in the same area deploying more than a thousand troops, sources in Vadamaraadchi said. Young men and women were brought out to the temple courtyard and subjected to rigorous interrogation which went on until evening. Meanwhile, no information is available on the elderly mother of one of the two youths. The two bodies lie unclaimed in Manthikai government hospital in Vadamaraadchi, hospital sources said. Full story >> 500 SLA soldiers hurriedly transferred to Vanni from East[TamilNet, Thursday, 11 December 2008, 13:44 GMT]Informed military sources in the East said at least 500 Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers have been transferred to the war front in Vanni from the Eastern province in the recent days. Full story >> Politics of Human Rights in the United Nations[TamilNet, Thursday, 11 December 2008, 12:11 GMT] Tracing the historical contributions of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), including the publishing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), in the United Nations, Kirubaharan, general secretary of the France-based NGO, Tamil Centre for Human Rights, in a feature appearing in this week’s edition of Colombo weekly, the Morning Leader, says, “… the powerful states use their political influence and support to avoid the examination of human rights violations in their countries, and also to protect the countries which have bilateral links with them. Some states even insist that they are exempt from UN scrutiny because what takes place in their countries is an "internal affair."Full story >> Somalia comparison irks Colombo[TamilNet, Thursday, 11 December 2008, 01:49 GMT]Following the statement from John Campbell, a World Food Program (WFP) official, reporting from LTTE-held Tharmapuram to the BBC, that conditions there are "as basic as in Somalia," WFP country director for Sri Lanka, Adnan Khan, had reportedly said Mr Campbell was giving a "personal opinion." Peter Foster, in his column in UK Telegraph says Campbell has stepped unwittingly into the minefield of Sri Lankan politics, and adds "this piece of mealy-mouthism [of Khan] reflects the invidious position of all aid agencies in Sri Lanka, and particularly the UN which I know from personal contacts has a rocky relationship with the Sri Lankan government." Full story >> Body of mentally ill man recovered from Jaffna well[TamilNet, Wednesday, 10 December 2008, 17:36 GMT]Koapaay police recovered Wednesday the body of a mental patient who went missing from Jaffna Teaching Hospital (JTH) Monday, in a well close to the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) camp in Thirunelveali in Jaffna. The body had severe assault injuries. The 54-year-old family man from Thenmaraadchi was admitted to JTH Monday and had gone missing the same day, according to his wife. Full story >> 90 SLA killed in two fronts of Ki'linochchi - LTTE[TamilNet, Wednesday, 10 December 2008, 15:12 GMT] More than 60 SLA soldiers were killed and 12 SLA bodies recovered by the Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) defensive units, 5 km west of Ki'linochchi Wednesday after defeating the SLA formations that attempted to advance from Oottuppu'lam to Puthumu'rippu, Tiger officials said. At the same time, a heavy fighting broke out at A'riviyal Nakar, south of Ki'linochchi, where 29 SLA soldiers were killed in the clashes. The Tigers have seized four AK-LMGs, two PK-LMGs and eleven T-56 assault rifles with ammunitions in the clearing mission at Puthumu'rippu Wednesday afternoon. Full story >> SLA shoots dead 2 youths in Vadamaraadchi[TamilNet, Wednesday, 10 December 2008, 14:06 GMT]Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers shot and killed two youths Wednesday in a sudden cordon and search launched around 5:00 a.m on a house in Koayitkadavai, Thunnaalai in Vadamaraadchi, sources in Vadmaraadchi said. The two youths, one of them the owner of the house, attacked SLA soldiers with hand grenades and gunfire in the clash that lasted till 7:00 a.m, the sources added. One of the victims was identified while the other is yet to be identified. Full story >> Condoleeza Rice spotlights Rights violations in Sri Lanka[TamilNet, Wednesday, 10 December 2008, 12:15 GMT] United States Secretary of State, Condoleeza Rice, Wednesday, awarded the 2008 Human Rights and Democracy Achievement Award to Michael De Tar, the chief of the Political Section of our Embassy in Colombo, Sri Lanka, for engaging "constructively with Sri Lanka while underscoring our [U.S.'s] human rights," and for proposing the roadmap adopted by the Sri Lankan Government "to induce a paramilitary aligned with the government to begin to release its child soldiers [in the east]." The situation in the East, however, has rapidly deterioted recently with Human Rights Watch accusing the Colombo-backed paramilitaries in the east for thirty murders and thirty abductions during September and October.Full story >> Heavy shelling blocks return of WFP convoy[TamilNet, Wednesday, 10 December 2008, 09:59 GMT]The convoy of World Food Programme (WFP) that delivered humanitarian supplies to Vanni this week has been unable to return to Vavuniyaa due to heavy artillery shelling in Nedungkea'ni area by the Sri Lanka Army, reports from Vanni said Wednesday. Full story >> STF commando injured in Batticaloa[TamilNet, Wednesday, 10 December 2008, 07:03 GMT]Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) triggered an explosive device targeting a unit of Special Task Force (STF) commandos engaged in road patrol at Iluppaiyadichcheanai along Chengaladi-Badulla road Tuesday around 11:30 a.m, seriously injuring one of them, sources in Batticaloa said. The injured commando was first rushed to Chengkaladi hospital and then transferred to Pollana’ruvai hospital for further treatment. Full story >> SLA imposes rigid pass system on civilian access to Jaffna hospital[TamilNet, Tuesday, 09 December 2008, 20:16 GMT]Sri Lanka Army (SLA) directed the Jaffna Teaching Hospital (JTH) administration Monday to introduce a 'pass' system under which even patients in need of treatment will have to prove their ailment to the police and army personnel manning the check post in front of the hospital. This system is being imposed to to ensure the safety of the Sinhalese medical officers of JTH by restricting the number of patients and visitors seeking entry to the hospital, hospital authorities said. Full story >> Gotabhaya Rajapaksa visits Jaffna[TamilNet, Tuesday, 09 December 2008, 16:57 GMT]Sri Lankan Defence Secretary and the brother of SL President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, paid a sudden visit to Jaffna Tuesday accompanied by the Air Chief Marshal and Sri Lanka Army (SLA) Commander Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka and high military officials, according to Sri Lankan Defence Ministry sources. Gotabhaya met the chiefs of the three armed forces of Sri Lanka in Palaali SLA Head Quarters where he arrived with his retinue Tuesday morning. Full story >> NESoHR: Two thirds of civilian deaths caused by extrajudicial killings[TamilNet, Tuesday, 09 December 2008, 13:29 GMT]Since 2002, two thirds of the conflict related civilian deaths have been caused by extrajudicial killings, said North East Secretariat on Human Rights (NESoHR) in a press statement issued on Tuesday. Stating that the assessment was a moderate attempt to throw some light on the phenomenon of extrajudicial killings, the NESoHR said it was intriguing that the extrajudicial killings take place while the Sri Lankan police and judicial system are operating in Sri Lanka Army (SLA) controlled territories in North-East and elsewhere in Southern Sri Lanka. Full story >> Sri Lanka in "Genocide Red Alert" watch list[TamilNet, Tuesday, 09 December 2008, 12:41 GMT]New York-based Genocide Prevention Project in a report to be published Tuesday includes Sri Lanka as one of the eight "red alert" countries where genocide and other mass atrocities are underway or risk breaking out. A comprehensive list of 33 countries is also contained in the report. Tuesday marks the 60th anniversary of the United Nation's convention on the prevention of genocide, and 20th anniversary of U.S's ratification of the treaty. Full story >> Tamil Nadu leaders condemn derogatory talk of Fonseka[TamilNet, Tuesday, 09 December 2008, 00:40 GMT]Political leaders of Tamil Nadu, including Chief Minister Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi, condemned Monday Sri Lanka Army (SLA) Chief Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka for his derogatory comments on Tamil Nadu leaders in an interview to a Sri Lankan state-owned newspaper on Sunday. Vaiko, the General Secretary of the MDMK has announced a protest in front of the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commission in Chennai on December 10 demanding unconditional apology from the Sri Lankan Commander-in-Chief Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Army Chief Sarath Fonseka to the latter's astonishing remarks in the Sunday Observer newspaper. Full story >> German Tamil stabbed outside Sri Lankan Exhibition in Frankfurt[TamilNet, Monday, 08 December 2008, 17:50 GMT] A 38-year-old German Tamil, who visited the exhibition conducted by the Sri Lankan consulate in the city of Frankfurt in Germany was stabbed allegedly by Sinhala thugs deployed by the Consulate Sunday evening. The victim, Krishnan Sinnathamby, a father of two, was seriously wounded in his hand and was operated at the City Hospital Frankfurt-Höchst Sunday night. Talking to TamilNet Monday evening, the lonely visitor to the exhibition, said he struggled hard to escape from the knives of a group of Sinhala speaking men who attempted to stab him in his stomach and neck.Full story >> SLA permits opening of temples inside Point Pedro HSZ[TamilNet, Monday, 08 December 2008, 17:28 GMT]Doors of two Saiva temples located inside Point Pedro High Security Zone (HSZ) were opened for prayers and rituals again after being closed for more than two years, civil society sources in Jaffna said. Koddadi Siththivinaayagar Temple and Koadduvaasal Chandiga Parameswary Temple were closed for poojas and prayers from August 2006 when hostilities broke out between Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and Liberation Tigers. Full story >> 3 civilians killed in DPU Claymore attack in Vanni[TamilNet, Monday, 08 December 2008, 16:25 GMT]Three civilians, including a child, were killed in a Claymore attack by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) Deep Penetration Unit (DPU) on Monday, Tamileelam Police officials said. The attack has taken place in Mu'l'liyava'lai, south of Mullaiththeevu. Full story >> Dissident Karu Jayasuriya appointed UNP deputy leader[TamilNet, Monday, 08 December 2008, 16:21 GMT]Karu Jayasuriya was appointed as the deputy leader of the main opposition United National Party (UNP) by the party executive committee that met Monday evening with Mr. Ranil Wickremasinghe, the leader of the party in the chair. The appointment was made amid speculation in Colombo political circles that Mr. Karu Jayasuriya is likely to rejoin the UNP with some dissident MPs. Full story >> Refugees housed in Kurunakar 'Rehabilitation centre' relocated to Koappaay[TamilNet, Monday, 08 December 2008, 14:32 GMT]42 families consisting of 132 persons who had fled to Jaffna peninsula from the ongoing war in Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) held territories and placed in Kurunakar Refugee Camp were transferred to Koappaay Government Teachers Training College premises. These families were moved from Kurunakar as their camp on the coastal area faced the risk of flooding according to warnings issued, Jaffna Secretariat sources said. Full story >> Family man reported missing in Vavuniyaa[TamilNet, Monday, 08 December 2008, 14:28 GMT]The wife of a 42-year-old family man from Valikaamam in Jaffna has lodged a complaint with the Sri Lankan Human Rights Commission (SLHRC) in Jaffna that her husband was missing since October after having gone out of the shop, where he was employed. Full story >> STF commando killed in Ampaa'rai clash - LTTE[TamilNet, Monday, 08 December 2008, 13:36 GMT]A Sri Lankan Special Task Force (STF) commando was killed and two sustained serious injuries Monday morning at 8:50 when Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) fighters clashed with the STF in the jungle of Kagnchikudichchaa'ru in Ampaa'rai, the Tigers have claimed. Full story >> Obama receives guidepost on Genocide[TamilNet, Monday, 08 December 2008, 13:08 GMT] A task force led by Madeleine K Albright, former Secretary of State, and an advisor to Obama and Clinton, is releasing today a report on world genocide threats which will likely be used by the Obama administration as a guide post to prevent developing genocides, Washington Post reported. President elect Obama, Secretary of State-designate Hillary Clinton come into the office with an unusual track record of statements in tackling mass violence, and the recommendations contained in the report are timely and relevant to the new administration, Washington Post said.Full story >> Sri Lanka's 2009 budget passed[TamilNet, Monday, 08 December 2008, 10:48 GMT]The 2009 budget of the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) government led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa was adopted in the parliament Monday afternoon with a majority of 42 votes. 126 parliamentarian voted for the budget and 84 against. Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa tabled the budget on November 6 in parliament in the capacity of Finance Minister. Full story >> Women in protective custody, transferred to SLA detention centre, fear for safety[TamilNet, Monday, 08 December 2008, 00:40 GMT]The women and children who faced death threats in Jaffna from the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and its paramilitary and placed under protective custody through the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission in Jaffna at Kurunakar Rehabilitation Centre have been suddenly moved to the detention camp run by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) inside its High Security Zone in Thellippazhai. The women and children are being denied the opportunity of meeting their family members besides fear for their safety, according to legal sources in Jaffna. They have appealed to the team of Magistrates who visited the camp to relocate them to a protection facility in Jaffna city. Full story >> Crucial voting on UPFA budget to be held Monday[TamilNet, Sunday, 07 December 2008, 16:44 GMT]The final voting on the third reading of the Sri Lankan budget for 2009 presented by the government led by Mahinda Rajapakse is to take place Monday amid speculation that some of the UNP dissident parliamentarians led by its leader Karu Jayasuriya would rejoin the UNP. However, the ruling United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) said the budget would be passed with a comfortable majority. Full story >> Mullaiththeevu under flood - GA[TamilNet, Sunday, 07 December 2008, 16:38 GMT]Mullaiththeevu District Government Agent Imelda Sukumar has instructed her officials to submit a report on the status of Internally Displaced people in Mullaiththeevu district as several areas in the district are under flood due to heavy rains and stormy winds. Meanwhile meteorological department sources Sunday said the low depression has been moving away and has been located off Mannaar coast. Full story >> Wickremasinghe appeals to dissidents to rejoin UNP[TamilNet, Saturday, 06 December 2008, 19:32 GMT]Ranil Wickremasinghe, leader of the main opposition United National Party (UNP), Saturday made an appeal to the dissident group of seventeen parliamentarians of the UNP to rejoin the party, political sources in Colombo said. Mr. Wickremasinghe made this appeal when addressing the 58th annual convention of the UNP in Dehiwela. Full story >> North East to experience heavy rains, strong winds[TamilNet, Saturday, 06 December 2008, 19:27 GMT]Low depression above the Indian ocean about 350 km off Trincomalee town would pass through between Trincomalee and Mullaitivu Sunday morning between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., warned Meteorological Department, in a press release issued Saturday. Full story >> UNP not opposed to ceasefire talks - Wickramasinghe[TamilNet, Saturday, 06 December 2008, 18:15 GMT]The UNP would not oppose a ceasefire if it is mooted by the Government of India, said Ranil Wickremasinghe, the leader of the main Sri Lankan opposition party, said Friday at a press briefing in the Jayawardhanapura parliamentary complex. Full story >> Senior Tamil Journalist Joe Ariyanayagam passes away in Colombo[TamilNet, Saturday, 06 December 2008, 15:30 GMT]“Joseph Gnanapragasam Ariyaratnam, popularly known as Joe, was a senior English journalist in Jaffna peninsula who did an excellent service to the people of the peninsula in conveying their true situation to the international community and his death is a great loss to the Tamil people as well as the media,” North Ceylon Journalist Association (NCJA) said in its tribute message Saturday. Joe Ariyaratnam passed away in a private hospital in Colombo Friday where he was being treated for his illness. Free Media Movement (FMM) is making arrangements to have Joe’s remains flown to his residence in Chu’ndikkuzhi Wednesday. Full story >> CID-grilled TNA parliamentarians asked to appear in courts[TamilNet, Saturday, 06 December 2008, 06:31 GMT]Colombo Chief Magistrate, Nishantha Happuarachchi on Friday ordered the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to seek the legal opinion regarding a complaint made by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) alleging the three Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarians that they have made speeches in a Pongku Thamizh ceremony held in Germany in 2006, violating the Sri Lankan Constitution and the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). Full story >> Ethnic filtering, registration at SLA checkpost in Mannampiddi[TamilNet, Saturday, 06 December 2008, 05:44 GMT]Sri Lankan soldiers manning the checkpost at Mannampiddi in Batticaloa have introduced a new scheme to register all Tamil and Muslim passengers who travel from eastern province into other provinces. Only Tamil and Muslim passengers are ordered to get down at Mannampiddi from buses and private vehicles for checking and registration, but not the Sinhalese, civil sources said. Full story >> White van armed men abduct Tamil female in Vavuniyaa[TamilNet, Saturday, 06 December 2008, 05:35 GMT]Unidentified armed persons, who arrived in a white van abducted a 25-year-old Tamil female from her residence located in Uppukku'lam in Vavuniyaa Tuesday night, according to complaints lodged with the police and human rights groups by her relatives. Full story >> Colombo’s 'gala war' countered in Germany[TamilNet, Saturday, 06 December 2008, 04:03 GMT] "A huge amount of Colombo’s war money is lavishly spent in foreign countries in fixing collaborators, capturing or coercing diaspora Tamils and in organizing gala programmes to shield its sins of inhuman war at home," said an activist of a vigilant group of German Tamils called 'Committee for People’s Uprising (CPU),' Friday. "The latest is a festive season’s grand dinner inviting German dignitaries and an exhibition of its 'contemporary civilization' to hoodwink the German public. The Eezham Tamils in Germany effectively neutralized Colombo’s devises on Friday through creative undertakings, right in front of Sri Lanka’s propaganda stall," the activist told TamilNet.Full story >> SLAF, SLA bombardment targets Ki'linochchi suburbs[TamilNet, Saturday, 06 December 2008, 01:19 GMT]Sri Lanka Army (SLA) on Friday launched artillery fire towards Ki'linochchi town, its suburbs, Paranthan and Vaddakkachchi as Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) bombers targeted Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) defence lines along the suburbs of Ki'linochchi, according to the sources in Vanni. Full story >> 2 STF killed in Batticaloa ambush - LTTE[TamilNet, Friday, 05 December 2008, 12:13 GMT]A Sri Lankan Special Task Force (STF) officer and a commando were killed at Karadiyanaa'ru in Batticaloa district Thursday around 12:30 p.m. when Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) fighters clashed with the STF engaged in a search operation, the Tigers have claimed from Batticaloa. Full story >> 'Thanks for food, but help to win our rights,' Vanni IDPs urge Tamil Nadu[TamilNet, Friday, 05 December 2008, 02:12 GMT] Internally Displaced persons in Vanni who were receiving the humanitarian supplies sent by the people of Tamil Nadu, while expressing their gratitude for the timely help, urged the leaders of Tamil Nadu to help them to win their freedom by voicing for the political aspirations of Eezham Tamils. TamilNet correspondent recorded expressions from the IDPs who were gathered at Karaichchi Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society, one of 23 supply centres in Vanni, on Thursday. Full story >> ‘No ceasefire’ - UNP[TamilNet, Thursday, 04 December 2008, 20:05 GMT]Military offensives aimed at curbing the LTTE should be continued and a ceasefire won't be necessary until the offensives come to an end, Sri Lanka’s main opposition United National Party (UNP) said Thursday. The UNP’s Badulla District MP Laksman Seneviratne told Parliament during a debate on the defence budget that this was the stance of his party, the website lankadissent.com reported. The vote was passed by 114 to 14, reports said. Full story >> TMVP person shot, injured in Batticaloa[TamilNet, Thursday, 04 December 2008, 18:57 GMT]Unidentified gunmen opened fire on a man belonging to Pillayan faction of TMVP office in Velikkanthai in Pollana'ruvai district, in Vaakarai police division in Batticaloa district Thursday around 12:30 p.m, seriously injuring him. Full story >> UNICEF: GoSL, TMVP bound by action plan to end child recruitment[TamilNet, Thursday, 04 December 2008, 16:16 GMT]The Government of Sri Lanka, the TMVP, and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) signed an Action Plan on Monday to ensure that the recruitment and use of children by the TMVP comes to an end, and that all children currently with the TMVP are released and provided with reintegration assistance, UNICEF said in a press statement on Thursday. “This agreement shows a clear political commitment and is a very important step in putting an end to the recruitment and use of children by the TMVP,” said UNICEF’s Representative in Sri Lanka, Mr Philippe Duamelle. Full story >> Eezham Tamil writer wins national award of Singapore[TamilNet, Thursday, 04 December 2008, 15:56 GMT] Kanagalatha Krishnasamy Iyer, a Singapore national of Eezham Tamil origins, won the national literature prize, 2008, of Singapore on Wednesday for her collection of short stories, Naan Kolai Seyum Penkal (The Women I Murder). Hailing from Negombo in the Western Province of Sri Lanka, Kanagalatha first migrated to Jaffna after the 1983 pogrom against Tamils and later settled in Singapore. An old student of Vijayaratnam Maha Vidyalayam, Negombo and Jaffna Hindu Ladies College, Kanagalatha is currently News Editor of Tamil Murasu, the national Tamil daily of Singapore.Full story >> TRO issues details of cluster-bombed IDP camp[TamilNet, Thursday, 04 December 2008, 09:15 GMT]The Tamils Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO), in a press release disseminated on Wednesday said the IDP camp subjected to cluster bombardment by the Sri Lanka Air Force at Uzhavanoor in Vanni was located within the area declared by the Government of Sri Lanka as "safe zone" and that the IDP camp was constructed and maintained by the TRO and local NGO REERDO for families that had been displaced due to the Government of Sri Lanka's ongoing military offensive into Vanni. Full story >> HRW: Colombo abuses anti-terror laws to muzzle media[TamilNet, Thursday, 04 December 2008, 08:59 GMT]Accusing Sri Lanka Government for “shamefully using antiterrorism laws to silence peaceful critics in the media," Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a press release Monday that, "[t]his is no way for a government that claims to be a rights-respecting democracy to act." HRW demanded Colombo to drop charges and free J.S. Tissainayagam, a prominent Tamil journalist on trial for his writings, and Tamil publisher couple N. Jasiaharan and V.Valarmathy who were also arbitrarily arrested. Full story >> International treaty bans cluster munitions[TamilNet, Thursday, 04 December 2008, 01:42 GMT] Diaspora Tamils in Norway demonstrated in Oslo on Wednesday against the use of cluster bombs by the Sri Lankan government as 120 countries gathered in Oslo to sign a landmark treaty banning the use, production, transfer and stockpiling of cluster munitions internationally. Signatory states are required to promote universalisation of the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM), to notify non-signatory parties of their treaty obligations, and to discourage non-signatory state parties from using cluster munitions.Full story >> 5 Tamil civilians arrested in Colombo[TamilNet, Wednesday, 03 December 2008, 17:13 GMT]Five Tamil youths, most of them residents of north and others from upcountry estates, were taken into custody in cordon and search operations conducted by the police and the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) with the assistance of local home guards from Monday evening till Tuesday morning in Kohuwela area in Colombo district. Full story >> SLA, LTTE clash in Kumizhamunai, Tigers recover SLA body[TamilNet, Wednesday, 03 December 2008, 16:04 GMT]Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) fighters on Tuesday recovered a dead body of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and seized a AK-LMG in the clearing mission after repulsing the SLA that attempted to advance from Kumizhamunai towards A'lampil in Mullaiththeevu, Tiger officials told media in Vanni. Full story >> 3 STF killed, 2 wounded in Ampaa'rai - LTTE[TamilNet, Wednesday, 03 December 2008, 13:10 GMT]Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) official Nilavan in Ampaa'rai told media Wednesday that 2 Sri Lankan Special Task Force (STF) commandos were killed and 2 wounded on Ukanthai - Kumbukkan Oya Road in Ampaa'rai around 5:25 p.m., when a LTTE commando unit opened fire on a road patrol of the STF. The others escaped the site and a Buffel Armed Personnel Carrier came to the site to recover the casualties, the Tigers said. Full story >> SLA soldier killed, 1 wounded in mine explosions in Batticaloa[TamilNet, Wednesday, 03 December 2008, 12:15 GMT]Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) sources in Batticaloa said Wednesday that a Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldier seriously wounded in a mine explosion Monday on Vadamunai - Welkande Road succumbed to his injuries and another SLA soldier lost his leg in a second explosion on the same road on Wednesday. Full story >> US government donates USD 100,000 for flood relief in North-East[TamilNet, Wednesday, 03 December 2008, 11:35 GMT]The United States Government will provide $100,000 for emergency relief to assist people affected by the flooding in the North and the East, said a press release issued by the Embassy of he United States of America. The US donation will be used for non-food relief items and targeted to victims in Jaffna and in the Vanni, where particularly serious flooding has occurred in recent days. Ambassador Blake requested funds from the US government after Major General Hettiarachchi of the Disaster Management Centre asked for American assistance, the press release said hinting that the aid would be channeled Full story >> TNA MP urges global community's awareness on Sri Lanka's use of cluster munitions[TamilNet, Wednesday, 03 December 2008, 11:24 GMT] Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian S. Gajendran, who represents Ki'linochchi district (Jaffna electorate), Wednesday urged the global community to "unreservedly condemn" the Sri Lankan government for deploying cluster munitions against civilians in Vanni in its air strikes and artillery attacks. Appreciating the Norwegian initiative which has led to the landmark treaty on baning the cluster munitions, the TNA parliamentarian said the Sri Lankan forces were deploying cluster munitions against civilians after expelling the international witnesses and blocking foreign journalists from entering Vanni. Full story >> Colombo's development agenda aggravates factional fight within TMVP[TamilNet, Wednesday, 03 December 2008, 00:59 GMT]Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa's government has sidelined Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan, a key paramilitary leader operated by the Sri Lankan government and the Chief Minister of the Eastern Province, on the utlisation of funds allocated for 'development'. "Pillayan is being treated almost like a political prisoner by the Rajapaksa government these days, especially after the recent protests against the killings," according to a Colombo based journalist. Full story >> Katunayake airport security strengthened[TamilNet, Tuesday, 02 December 2008, 18:26 GMT]Katunayake International Airport has been brought under a new security plan with effect from Tuesday. Passengers have been asked to report to the airport four hours ahead of their scheduled flight, and have been asked not to bring large number of relatives to see them off, media sources reported quoting. Full story >> NESoHR: 16 cluster bombs dropped on refugee camp[TamilNet, Tuesday, 02 December 2008, 16:44 GMT] North East Secretariat on Human Rights (NESoHR), in its monthly report for November said there were five major air strikes and shelling attacks on civilians in Vanni in November. On Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) indiscriminate bombardment on IDP camp in Uzhavanoor in the early hours of Saturday, the NESoHR said the SLAF had dropped 16 cluster bombs on the settlement.
Full story >> Blow to demining efforts in Sri Lanka: NPA pulls out[TamilNet, Tuesday, 02 December 2008, 11:01 GMT]"We have given up," said the General Secretary of the Norwegian Peoples Aid, Petter Eide, on the organisations decision to pull out from Sri Lanka. Stating that the NPA was blackmailed and harassed by the Sri Lankan authorities, he said: "We don't want to be there [in Sri Lanka]. We have decided to pull out because the authorities have made our work impossible," reported NTB, Norway's leading news agency on Monday. The organisation celebrates the success on cluster-bomb-ban-treaty to be signed in Oslo on Wednesday. Full story >> Police shoots dead Tamil youth in Batticaloa district[TamilNet, Monday, 01 December 2008, 14:04 GMT]Ea’raavoor police in Batticaloa district shot and killed a Tamil youth Sunday around 6:00 p.m whom they had taken into custody during the search conducted Saturday in Aiyangkea’ni during the police-curfew, Aiyangkea’ni residents said. The police claimed that they opened fire on the youth when he tried to hurl a hand grenade on them when they to took him to recover weapons at Tha’lavaay in Aiyangkea’ni according to information revealed by the youth during interrogation. Full story >> 7 SLA deserters escape from army custody[TamilNet, Monday, 01 December 2008, 13:22 GMT]Seven soldiers of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) escaped from Panagoda army camp located in Kalutara district Saturday midnight. They were deserters and were being detained in the army camp after being arrested in a search operation. Several hundred deserters are currently being detained in the Panagoda army camp. Full story >> 25 Tamils arrested in Upcountry, Colombo[TamilNet, Monday, 01 December 2008, 13:21 GMT]Twenty five Tamil civilians, including a woman, were taken into custody in two separate combined cordon and search operations conducted by the Sri Lanka Army and Sri Lanka Police Sunday morning, sources in Colombo said. Three persons, including a woman, were arrested in Maligaawatte. 22 Tamils were taken into custody in search operations conduct at Talawakelle, Nuwara Eliya, Hatton, Norwood and Kotagala in upcountry districts, police sources said. Full story >> School girl killed in Vaddakkachchi in Vanni[TamilNet, Monday, 01 December 2008, 11:08 GMT] A 6-year-old child was killed and a male was injured Monday around 11:45 a.m. when Sri Lanka Army (SLA) fired artillery shells targeted Hudson Road (Ira'naimadu Vaddakkachchi Road), according to initial details from Tamileelam police officials in Vanni. The killed girl was on her way back home from Vaddakkachchi school as the school closed earlier due to artillery barrage. Full story >>
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