ENVIRONMENTAL MINISTRY TO JHU

ENVIRONMENTAL MINISTRY TO JHU

31 Jan.2007 (Update-18.45)

JHU General Secretary and Parliamentarian Ven. Dr. Omalpe Sobitha Thero has tendered his resignation on Wednesday in order to pave way JHU Policy Maker Patali Champika Ranawaka to the Parliament through the National list. After concluding the media conference held by JHU at their Head Office today at 9.00am, Ven.Dr. Omalpe Sobitha Thero has sent his letter of resignation to the Parliament.

JHU media spokesman Nishantha Sri Warnasinghe said that Central Committee of JHU has already decided to appoint Patali Champika Ranawaka to the Parliament through the National list to fill the vacancy created with the resignation of Ven.Dr. Omalpe Thero. He further said that it will be communicated to the Commissioner of Election today. Mr.Ranawaka is currently functioning as a Director of SEMA institution.

Meanwhile sources at Presidential Secretariat revealed that Mr.Patali Champika Ranawaka will be sworn in as the Minister of Environmental in the UPFA Govt. as soon as his appointment is accepted by the Commissioner of Election.

ENVIRONMENTAL MINISTRY TO JHU

31 Jan.2007 (Update-18.45)

19 UNP MPS & 6 SLMC MPS CROSSED OVER TO UPFA GOVT

29 Jan.2007 (Update-09.45)

19 UNP MPs were crossed over to UPFA Govt. on Sunday morning and President Mahinda Rajapaksha appointed all of them as Ministers and deputy ministers. Meanwhile 6 SLMC MPs also crossed over to the Govt. and three of them were made as Ministers and deputy ministers.

Meanwhile, UNP General Secretary MP Tissa Attanayake addressing a media conference in the afternoon today said that the MOU which was signed between UNP and SLFP 97 days ago became null and void since the President Rajapaksha accommodate UNP rebel group in his Govt. by violating the basic conditions of said agreement. Apart from that UNP President MP Rukman Senananyake destroyed a copy of said MOU at the media conference saying that UNP will never ever support the UPFA Govt. in future.

The historical MOU between UNP and SLFP was signed by UNP former President Malik Samarawickrama and SLFP General Secretary Minister Maithripala Sirirsena on 23^rd October 2006 at Temple Trees.

UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake, President Rukman Senananayake, Treasurer Thilak Karunarathna, UNP media spokesman MP Gayantha Karunathilaka and Kurunegala district UNP MP Jonston Fernando were present at this media conference.

LARGERST EVER CABINET IN SRI LANKA

29 Jan.2007 (Update-09.45)

52 Cabinet Ministers, 33 non-Cabinet Ministers and 19 deputy Ministers took oaths before the President Mahinda Rajapaksha on Sunday morning at Presidential Secretariat. 17 UNP MPs and 6 SLMC MPs crossed over to the UPFA Govt. today before the historical Cabinet reshuffle made by the President.

10 Cabinet ministries, 4 non-Cabinet ministries and 3 deputy ministries were offered to UNP MPs who crossed over and 1 Cabinet ministry, 1 non- Cabinet ministry and a deputy ministry were offered to SLMC MPs. SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem was sworn in as the Minster of Post & Telecommunication.

The following Cabinet ministries were offered to the UNP MPs today.

Karu Jayasuriya - Public Administration & Home Affairs
M.H.Mohamed - Parliamentary Affairs
Milinda Moragoda - Tourism
G.L.Pieris - Export Development & International Trade Affairs
Bandula Gunawardena - Trade & Cooperative
P. Dayarathna - Plan Implementation
R.M.D.Banda - Plantation Development
Gamini Lokuge - Sports
Rajitha Senarathna - Constructions & Engineering service
Mahinda Wijesekara - Special Projects

Mano Wijerathna, Navin Dissanayake, Hemakumara Nanayakkara and Laksman Yapa Abeywardena were sworn in as non-Cabinet ministers. Meanwhile Neomal Perera, Edward Gunasekara & Chandrasiri Suriarachchci were sworn in today as the deputy ministers.

While 51 Cabinet ministers took oaths today in the morning, Amarasiri Dodangoda took oaths in the afternoon before the President at Temple Trees as the Minister of Justice. Matara district UNP MP Mahinda Wijesekara who made up his mind at the last moment to join with the Govt. had to satisfy with the ministry of special project as all other ministries were already then allocated. Former Kamburupitiya MP and President Rajapaksha’s campaign manager at the last Presidential election Dalles Alahapperuma who was appointed to the Parliament from the National List by the President to fill the vacancy created with the assassination of former Minster of Foreign Affairs Laksman Kadiragamar was appointed as the Minster of Transport at today’s Cabinet reshuffle.

It is learnt that 5 non Cabinet ministers, D.M.Dassanayake, Jagath Pushpakumara, S.M.Chandrasena, Rohitha Abeygunawardena & Gunarathna Weerakoon were appointed as Nation Development Ministers today.

Foreign Affairs Ministry was removed from Minister Mangala Samaraweera and it was handed over to Minister Rohitha Bogollagama. However Mangala Samaraweera was appointed as the Minister of Ports & Civil Aviation. Prime Minister Rathnasiri Wickramanayake was sworn in as the Minister of Internal Administration while Anura Bandaranayake took oaths as the Minister of National Heritage. Mahaweli ministry was removed from Maithripala Sirisena and it was handed over to President own brother Chamal Rajapaksha who took oaths today as the Minister of Irrigation & Water Resources.

SLFP stalwart D.M.Jayarathna was sworn in as the Minister of Plantation Industries while Minster Nimal Siripala Silva was able to retain his previous portfolio as Minister of Health. Controversial Character Dilan Perera was appointed as the non- Cabinet Minister of Justice. Jeyaraj Fernandopulle changed his portfolio as the Minister of Highways while Minister Susil Premajayantha was able to retain his old portfolio as the Minister of Education. Former deputy minister Prof. Vishwa Warnapala was appointed as the Minister of Higher Education. Athawuda Senavirathna retained his portfolio as the Minister of Labour and Jeewan Kumarathunghe was made as the Minister of Land & Land Development. Pavithra Wanniarachchci is the new Minister of youth affairs.

According to today’s Cabinet reshuffle it is further learnt that only 9 MPs in the UPFA Govt. are without a ministerial portfolio.

THREE LTTE CADRES ARRESTED BY SL NAVY

29 Jan.2007 (Update-09.40)

Soon after the three LTTE suicide boats were destroyed by SL Navy today in Colombo, three LTTE cadres believed to be on board of one of the above boats were arrested by SL Navy while they were fleeing away during the search operation carried out later on. SL Navy spokesman Commander D.K.P.Dassanayake said that those three suspects were detained by them for further questioning.

Meanwhile, Mr. Saliya Wickramasuriya – the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority said that no damages were occurred either to ships anchored in and out of Colombo harbour or to the property of the SLPA due to above incident. Ports Authority day to day functions were able to commence within an hour, said SLPA Chairman.

CABINET RESHUFFLE ON SUNDAY

29 Jan.2007 (Update-09.40)

Much awaited first Cabinet reshuffle of the UPFA Govt. will take place on Sunday, according to the reliable sources at Temple Trees. President’s Media Director said that several UNP MPs will cross over to the UPFA Govt. tomorrow and to accommodate few of them in the Cabinet, the President Mahinda Rajapaksha has decided to reshuffle his Cabinet for the first time since November 2005.

He further said several UPFA Ministers who are currently holding more than one portfolio have already expressed their willingness to offer same to the UNP MPs who will join with their Govt. in order to make them as Ministers of the UPFA Cabinet. Therefore he said that number of Cabinet Ministers in the UPFA Govt. might go up further. The exact number of the UNP MPs crossing over to the Govt. is not yet confirmed. However, according to the “Sirikotha” sources it may be between 15 to 20 members.

It is also reported that former UNP deputy leader Karu Jayasuriya and former UNP minister Milinda Moragoda will refrain from accepting any ministerial portfolios in UPFA Cabinet. Few weeks earlier rumours were spreading all over the country that Karu Jayasuriya will be appointed as the new Prime Minister and Milinda Moragoda will be appointed as the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Last week Minister of Foreign Affairs and Ports Mangala Samaraweera in a letter to President Rajapaksha said that if any of his existing ministerial portfolios are removed for any reason he will not hesitate to take a drastic political decision on that.

THREE LTTE SUICIDE BOATS DESTROYED BY SL NAVY IN COLOMBO

27 Jan.2007 (Update-09.30)

SL Navy spokesman Commander D.K.P.Dassanayake said that SL Navy personnel opened fire at three LTTE suicide boats around 5.30am on 27^th January 2007 and destroyed all three boats 6kms off Colombo Port. Commander further said that they believed these three boats may have been used by LTTE to launch an attack on Colombo Port or SL Navy Base located closer to Colombo Port. However he confirmed that no damages were occurred either to Colombo Port or to the SL Navy Base. Search operation is now underway, he further added.

EAST LIBERATED FROM LTTE GRIP

22 Jan.2007 (Update-18.00)

The SL security forces were able to liberate Eastern Province from LTTE terrorists on Saturday after dominating the areas such as Verugal, Kathiraveli and Vakarai where previously controlled by LTTE.

According to the Military spokesman Brigadier Prasaad Samarasinghe during this operation 43 SL security personnel sacrificed their lives towards the protection of the territorial integrity of our Motherland and another 210 SL security personnel were wounded. Further Brigadier said LTTE terrorists have believed to have lost more than 650 cadres in this operation.

Meanwhile, Dr. Wardarajah of Vakarai Hospital said though LTTE had spread rumours all over the country that Vakarai Hospital was attacked by SL security forces, neither they nor the Vakarai Hospital were subjected to any attack whatsoever form SL security forces during this operation.

Apart from that the people whom were detained by LTTE terrorist by force in such areas told foreign media at the Marnkerny check point that they were used by LTTE terrorists as a human shield when launching attacks to the SL security forces. In addition to that they told that they were threatened by LTTE terrorists if they vacate such area they will be killed.

Defence spokesman Minister keheliya Rambukwella said that Batticaloa – Trincomalee A15 main access road can be re-opened, once that security forces cleared the area after removing of land mines and anti-personnel mines laid by LTTE terrorists. He further said that Panchankerny bridge which was partly exploded by the LTTE is now repairing by the SL Army engineers.

KARU TO MEET RANIL ON MONDAY FOR A FINAL DISCUSSION

22 Jan.2007 (Update-18.00)

Highly reliable sources said that former UNP deputy leader Karu Jayasuriya and UNP leader Ranil Wickramasinghe will meet today to discuss over the matters relating to their crossover to UPFA Govt.

It is also reported that if today’s talks fails, UNP rebel group said to be around 15 earlier now nearing 25 members led by reformist leader Karu Jayasuriya is due to join with the UPFA Govt. on or before 30^th January 2007. However President Rajapaksha declined to accommodate for all of them in his Govt. as it could lead to Ranil Wickramasinghe losing his Opposition leader post in the SL Parliament. During the last General Election held in 2004, UNP has won 68 seats in the Parliament and due to the crossovers took place since then it had now reduced to 62. Therefore if 24 or more UNP MPs crossing over to Govt. will result in loosing Ranil Wickramasinghe his post as JVP with a membership of 39 MPs can easily submit a claim for that post.

Meanwhile JVP leader Somawansa Amarasinghe said that they will withdraw the support to the President Mahinda Rajapaksha and his Government if the President agrees to accommodate the UNP rebel group in his Govt. He further said that in 2005 Presidential election his party supported the then Prime Minister Rajapaksha to become as the President in this country on the basis of “Mahinda Chinthanaya”. But the President is now trying to join hands with a group of enemies who blasted over his own policies & principles based on “Mahinda Chinthanaya” during the last presidential election.

Tamil Tiger NE Strong Hold Fall Out

19 Jan.2007 (Update-20.00)

The security forces have run over the Vakarai town which was held by the LTTE. The defense ministry says the LTTE had fled the town during the time which the security forces entered.

DR.PALITHA KOHONA IS THE NEW FOREIGN SECRETARY

17 Jan.2007 (Update-20.00)

Dr. Palitha Kohona – Head of the Sri Lanka Peace Secretariat assumed duties as the Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday. However it is learnt that Minister of Foreign Affairs Mangala Samaraweera was not present at this occasion. Dr. Kohona was appointed as the Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by the President Mahinda Rajapaksha in last week.

ARREST UNP MP T.MAHESHWARAN – JHU

16 Jan.2007 (Update-20.00)

General Secretary of JHU Ven. Dr. Omalpe Sobitha Thero while issuing a media statement said that UNP MP T.Maheshwaran should be arrested immediately under the Prevention of Terrorism Act as he tried to send air craft parts to North together with the food stuff. Further, Ven. Thero urged that the people living in North and East need only food but not the air craft parts. Therefore Ven. Thero said air craft parts definitely for the use of LTTE terrorists and it is a significant threat to the National Security of the country.

However air craft parts to be sent to North by the ship owned by UNP MP T.Maheshwaran were recovered by the SL Navy personnel in Colombo on 14^th January 2007 and immediately brought to the notice of the Ministry of Defence. Sources at the Colombo Harbour said that on receipt of the information MP Maheshwaran rushed to the Colombo Harbour and interfered with the duty of the SL Navy personnel who recovered them.

HEAVY RAIN FALLS IN UP COUNTRY- LANDSLIDE IN MATHURATA- 13 KILLED

13 Jan.2007 (Update-22.00)

At least 13 people have been killed and more than 250 families were displaced at Mathurata, Walapane in Nuwara Eliya district due a landslide on Friday. Meanwhile Disaster Management Center said that all access roads to Walapane have been blocked due to landslide and rescue operations will be delayed due to that. However SL Air Force deployed three helicopters for rescue operations and owing to bad weather condition prevailing in the area only one helicopter was able to land. SL Air Force spokesman Group Captain Ajantha Silva said already thirty airmen were able to land in the area where affected by the landslide and they will take the maximum effort to rescue the people affected by the landslide.

KARU & 12 OTHERS TO CROSS OVER TO GOVT. – NEXT PRIME MINISTER KARU ?

09 Jan.2007 (Update-22.00)

Highly reliable sources revealed that former UNP deputy leader and Gampaha district MP Karu Jayasuriya and twelve other UNP MPs will cross over to UPFA Govt. within next few days. It is learnt that G.L.Peiris, Milinda Moragoda, Gamini Lokuge, Rajitha Senarathna, M.H.Mohamed, Mahinda Wijesekara and Navin Dissanayake are the key figures in that group.

Meanwhile political sources revealed that President Mahinda Rajapaksha will reshuffle his UPFA Cabinet on or before 15^th January 2007. Therefore it is believed that Karu Jayasuriya and his colleagues will cross over to the Govt. before 15^th January 2007. According to the latest information, once the above group crossed over to the Govt. several ministerial portfolios including of foreign affairs ministry will be offered to them. In addition to that it is reported PM Rathnasiri Wickramanayake will step down from his position and Karu Jayasuriya will be appointed as the next Prime Minister.

Meanwhile “Siri Kotha” sources revealed that UNP leader Ranil Wickramasinghe is now not in the island and he will be back to Sri Lanka only during the week end. Officials at “Siri Kotha” further said that a special central committee meeting of UNP will be held on 15^th January 2007 with the participation of the UNP leader and the newly elected office bearers of the party central committee.

4 SLMC MEMBERS READY TO CROSS OVER TO GOVT. – RAUF IS ON THE FENCE

09 Jan.2007 (Update-22.00)

According to the SLMC sources four SLMC MPs are willing to cross over to UPFA Govt. However it is reported that SLMC leader Rauf Hakeem yet to take a decision on that issue.

PRO-LTTE ANTI WAR RALLY SABOTAGED IN NUGEGODA

09 Jan.2007 (Update-22.00)

Pro-LTTE anti war rally organized at Nugegoda by Anti War Front was sabotaged by a group of thugs on Tuesday minutes before it commence. Thugs came in two vehicles to where the rally was scheduled to be held and started destroying the stage, cut outs and the other decorations put up by the organizers.

Soon after the thugs disappeared after finishing their task, Deputy Minister of Labour Mervyn De Silva arrived there with his security personnel. Later Deputy Minister had an interview over a television channel and said “though everybody has a right to organize a rally, we all should thoroughly condemn this type of activities which will further strengthen the hands of Prabakaran in a moment when we are archiving our goals in North and East through our committed and courageous Armed Forces”. He further said that this sabotage act may have been a tactic of the organizers of this rally as they couldn’t find enough people to attend the rally. Finally he said that the Govt. has no intention whatsoever to interfere with any democratic rights of the people in this country.

Meanwhile according to the organizers of the above rally INGO and NGO funded political puppets like Kumar Rupasinghe, Nimalka Fernando, Jehan Perera, Vasudewa Nanayakkara, Wickramabahu Karunarathna, MP Mano Ganeshan, MP Rajitha Senarathna and Dep. Minister Dilan Perera were scheduled to be addressed the above rally.

FORMER DIYAWADANA NILAME DR.NISSANKA WIJERATHNA PASSED AWAY

09 Jan.2007 (Update-10.00)

Former Diyawadana Nilame at Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy Dr.Nissanka Wijerathna was passed away on 7^th January 2007 at his residence in Rambukkana at the age of 83. He started his carrier as a Civil Servant and functioned as the GA in Anuradhapura and Jaffna. In 1975 he was elected as the Diyawadana Nilame at Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy and served in that capacity until 1985.

During the General Election held in 1977, he contested for Dedigama seat in Kegalle district and elected to Parliament and became the Minister of Education. Soon after he retired from active politics, he was appointed as the Sri Lankan UNESCO Representative in Paris. Thereafter, he served as the Ambassador of Sri Lanka in Paris from 1990 to 1994.

Dr. Wijerathna was a father of five including former Diyawadana Nilame Neranjan Wijerathna, Kegalle district MP Mano Wijerathna and former Central Province Provincial Councilor Anuradha Wijerathna. His funeral will be held at 2.00pm on 10^th January 2007 at family burial grounds in Rambukkana.

“STANLEY BASE” LTTE CAMP CAPTURED BY STF

09 Jan.2007 (Update-07.00)

“Stanley Base” LTTE camp located at Kanchikudichchiaru in Ampara district was captured by Special Task Force on Monday around 2.00pm, according to military spokesman Brigadier Prasaad Samarasinghe. Brigadier further said that three STF personnel were injured during this operation. It is believed that LTTE terrorists have used this camp to train LTTE child soldiers.

It is reported that a full equipped Hospital was located inside of this camp and reliable information revealed that the above hospital was built and maintained by a leading NGO operating in Sri Lanka. Supplying required medicines, maintaining hospital staff and the hospital building were done by said NGO for the last few years.

During this operation STF personnel have recovered a lorry full of explosives, Motor Bike, a large stock of food items and an armory inside the camp.

CTB BUS SET ON FIRE IN JAFFNA

09 Jan.2007 (Update-07.00)

Defence spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said that a passenger bus bearing registration No: 61- 8170 belonged to Jaffna CTB depot was set on fire by a group of students studying in Jaffna Hindu College. He further said this incident took place on Monday morning around 8.20am. Students traveling in this bus got down from the bus and ordered other commuters also to follow them before the bus was set on fire, he further added.

Later it was found that the students were forced to participate in such sabotage activities by LTTE in order to disrupt the normalcy in Jaffna peninsula.

CEB TRANSFOMER BLOWN UP AT WATTALA

09 Jan.2007 (Update-07.00)

DIG D.W.Prathapasinghe said that a transformer located at CEB power substation at Ela Kanda - Wattala was blown up around 2.00am on Monday. He further said initial investigation revealed that high explosives have been used for this purpose. Therefore he said this seems to be another sabotage of LTTE terrorists who need to mess-up the day to day functions of the civilians living out of North and East provinces.No arrests have been made yet and Wattala Police conducting further investigation.

AMBALANGODA BLAST DUE TO LTTE SUICIDE ATTACK?

08 Jan.2007 (Update-09.00)

Mr. Luxman Hulugalle – Director of Media Center for National Security confirmed that due to the bomb blast at Ambalangoda on Saturday afternoon 42 passengers were wounded and 15 passengers were died. He further confirmed that according to the information they gathered from the preliminary investigation held into this incident, the bomb blast was due to a suicide attack by a LTTE cadre. To confirm that he said that they have now identified the headless dead body of the LTTE cadre (seems to be a female cadre) who believed to be brought the bomb into the bus.

Meanwhile, it is reported that the bus had started its journey at 11.30am from Colombo and had a stop at Balapitiya for a tea break. It is also learn that the ill fated bus is belonged to a person residing in Ahangama in Matara district.

On Friday LTTE terrorists have detonated a time bomb in another private bus at Nittambuwa and killed 6 passengers and wounded more than 50 passengers. Apart from that LTTE terrorists have massacred 61 innocent civilian traveling in a bus at Kebethigollewa in Anuradhapura district by detonating a claymore bomb in June 2006.

“LTTE cannot bear the defeats which they are now facing in North and East. Therefore LTTE terrorists are now trying to mess-up the South by killing innocent civilians in order to generate a voice among the people living in South to force the Govt. to restrict military actions on LTTE terrorists in North and EAST. This is their latest tactic and we have to deal with that very carefully and wisefully.” Mr. Hulugalle further added.

BUSINESSMAN GNANAM IS NO MORE

08 Jan.2007 (Update-09.00)

Founder Chairman of St. Anthony’s Group Mr. A.Y.S.Gnanam has passed away in Singapore while he was receiving treatments in a hospital. His funeral was held on Saturday at Borella General Cemetery.

18 ARRESTED AT NITTAMBUWA

08 Jan.2007 (Update-09.00)

DIG D.W.Prathapasinghe said that 18 suspects were arrested by Police at Nittambuwa on Friday in a cordon and search operation in the area and detained them for further questioning. On Friday LTTE terrorists have carried out a bomb attack in a private bus at Nittambuwa killing 6 passengers and wounding another 54 passengers.

It is also reported that members of SLMM had visited Wathupitiwala Base Hospital and Ragama Teaching Hospital where wounded passengers are still warded after the above blast.

ANOTHER LTTE BOMB BLAST IN A PRIVATE BUS AT AMBALANGODA- 15 DIED

08 Jan.2007 (Update-09.00)

On Saturday, another bomb was detonated by LTTE terrorists at Godagama, Ambalangoda in Galle district in a private bus bearing registration No: HZ – 1709 running from Colombo to Matara. According to HQI Ambalangoda Police Station Mr.Upul Nilmini Ariyarathna, said bomb was exploded around 2.15pm. Meanwhile driver of the bus said more than 60 passengers were in the bus at the time of explosion. Nearly 40 passengers were wounded and admitted to Balapitiya Base Hospital and Karapitiya Teaching Hospital. Meanwhile 15 dead bodies were evacuated by Police, according to the residents of the area.

Dr. Shelton Perera – Deputy Director of Karapitiya Teaching Hospital said that 15 wounded passengers were admitted to Karapitiya Hospital and three of them are in critical condition. SL Army Disposal Unit was immediately summoned to where the blast was occurred to commence investigation into this blast.

Apart from that two houses located by the side of Colombo – Matara highway at Godagama Junction were also badly damaged due to the blast.

LTTE TIME BOMB BLAST IN A PRIVATE BUS AT NITTAMBUWA – 6 PASSENGERS DIED

08 Jan.2007 (Update-09.00)

A LTTE time bomb had been exploded in a private bus at Nittambuwa in Gampaha district on Friday killing six passengers and wounding another 54 passengers. LTTE bomb was exploded around 6.35pm at Kalalpitiya near the 26^th mile post on Colombo- Kandy main road while the bus was running between Nittambuwa and Giriulla. At the time of the explosion around 65 to 70 passengers were on board according to the driver of the bus Mr. Nimal Hettiarachchi.

Wounded passengers were initially admitted to Wathupitiwala Base Hospital and Ragama Teaching Hospital. 46 passengers are still warded at the Wathupitiwala Base Hospital. Seven passengers including two kids and a woman who were seriously wounded had been transferred to Colombo National Hospital. Meanwhile, Dr. Anil Jasinghe – Director Accident Ward at Colombo National Hospital said that three out of seven wounded passengers transferred to Colombo National Hospital are in critical condition.

Meanwhile, DIG D.W.Prathapsinghe said that according to the preliminary investigation they found that the blast was due to a time bomb carrying high explosives weighting around 2kg which was fixed on to a seat of the bus. Further he said soon after the blast, Colombo – Kandy main road was closed and cordon and search operation is underway with the participation of Armed forces and Police. It is also reported that Police curfew was imposed to Attanagalla Police area until 6.00am on Saturday in order to facilitate the ongoing cordon and search operation.