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Sinhale Hot News

Sri Lanka jets destroy Tamil Tiger rebel sea camp, other clashes kill 6

Tamil Tigers Terrorist Continue Recruit Child Soldiers

31 Aug.2007 (Update 16.30)

People in the northern Sri Lankan city of Kilinochchi say the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, or Tamil Tigers, insurgents are forcing families to turn over at least one family member to serve as combatants. Among those forcibly recruited are children.

In testimony before the European Parliament, Charu Hogg, representing Human Rights Watch, an independent human rights monitor, says the Tamil Tigers have “forcibly recruited for combat boys, girls, men and women.” The insurgent group, said Ms. Hogg, “continues to murder its political opponents, largely in the Tamil community, and runs a near totalitarian state in the areas of the country’s north and east under its control.”

Tamil Tigers Recruit Child Soldiers (Real Player) - Download

LTTE,reduced cash and weapons shipments from overseas

31 Aug.2007 (Update 16.00)

As the LTTE continues to crumble, from declining Tamil support and much reduced cash and weapons shipments from overseas. Unable to deal with the army on the ground, the LTTE is increasingly returning to terrorism. The latest alarm in that department involved fears that poison gas terror attacks were in the works. The LTTE are supposed to have supplies of cyanide and potassium for this purpose. These poisons are believed to have been brought in some time ago. Currently, the efforts of the Sri Lankan and Indian navies makes it difficult to smuggle anything in with any degree of success. Moreover, Indian police are arresting LTTE operatives, and not allowing them to discretely go about their business.

The government is playing down any prospects of a major military offensive in the north. But in the meantime, there is constant pressure on the LTTE. This takes the form of daily patrols, and attacks on LTTE facilities using artillery and warplanes. Then there are the Deep Penetration Units, which no one will officially say much about. These commando type units go deep, and do a lot of damage. The government is apparently hoping to weaken the LTTE in the north, until the organization collapses. Meanwhile, in eastern Sri Lanka, hundreds of LTTE fighters who fled the army offensive, are now waging a guerilla war against the rebel LTTE Karuna faction, and government forces. The LTTE apparently hopes to regain some control over the east via a guerilla campaign.

ACE SPRINTER SUSANTHIKA QUALIFIED FOR WOMEN’S 200M FINAL AT IAAF

31 Aug.2007 (Update 12.00)

Sri Lankan ace sprinter and Olympic Bronze medalist Susanthika Jayasinghe qualified for the women’s 200m final at the 11^thIAAF World Championship held at Nagai Stadium in Osaka, Japan on Thursday.

Susanthika Jayasinghe did not wish to make any predictions but vowed to give out her brilliant best to 'make mother Sri Lanka proud'. "Coming to the final alone is a great victory, considering the fact that many tried to dump me, saying my era is gone. But I am happy that I was able to answer all those critics by making it to the last eight," she said after her semi final dash.

This is only the second time that a Sri Lankan has qualified to run in a final of a World Championship in its 24-year-old history. Incidentally, it was Susanthika who did it first too, about ten years back and on that occasion, she went on to bag the silver medal in Athens, 1997 – Sri Lanka's one and only WC medal so far.

The Sri Lankan sprinter further said she is ready to take today's challenge. "It's a tall order. But I came all the way up to the final, though I was ranked 20th in the world."

"Hence, I am looking forward to my best performance today" she continued. The much-looked forward to women's 200m final will take place today around 9.15 p.m. (5.45 p.m. SL time).

LTTE engages in false propaganda to cover up child recruitment issue,

29 Aug.2007 (Update 12.00)

View Video Special task force personnel who were on a search operation in the Kanchikudichchiaru jungle attacked a group of fleeing LTTE cadres near Sangamankanda, Pansalgala along the Pothuvil – Akkaraipattu main road yesterday (28).Unable to resist the assault Tiger terrorists had fled the area. In a subsequent search operation troops arrested 8 LTTE child cadres with a stock of explosives. Among the LTTE child cadres were 4 males and 4 females.

To cover up the child recruitment issue, the LTTE has engaged in false propaganda to discredit the Security Force. A pro LTTE website reports that these children were arrested by the STF while they were being transported to be handed over to the UNICEF.

Male carders
01. Jeewarasa Sudan - 15 years
02. Chamuth Nadan Thiravul - 19 years
03. Prumal Sinnathambi 15 years
04. Dharmaratham Romesh 16 years

Female carders
01. Selvarasa Suwarajini - 15 years
02. Thuraisingham Suman Namina - 14 years
03. Vishneshwaran Vinosani - 16 years
04. Thawarasa Rasheena – 14 years

The Troops also recovered the under mentioned items with the suspects,

T -56 Weapon  - 01
LTTE Camouflage Shirt - 01
Trousers    - 02
Jungle Cap   - 01
T-56 Magazine with Rounds - 01
Claymore Mine  - 01
Detonator    - 01
Wire Cord roll  - 01
Anti Personnel Mines - 03
Detcord (20ft) Roll - 01
Biscuit Packet (Marie) - 01
Slippers Pairs  - 21

Eight Tamil victims shot dead for misappropriated funds of the LTTE terror outfit.

29 Aug.2007 (Update 12.00)

Pottu Amman, Intelligence Leader of the LTTE, had informed the public that the eight cadres had to be executed because they had misappropriated funds of the terror outfit. The eight victims were said to have been shot dead on a playground in front of a large gathering.Civilian sources in Wanni revealed that eight LTTE tax collectors had been executed publicly by the supporters of Pottu Amman, at Vattakachchi in Kilinochchi two weeks ago.

Meanwhile, the leadership disputes among the senior ranks in the LTTE are also known to be getting worse. Intelligence sources said they had received information indicating that Terror Chief V. Prabhakaran has now been reduced to a virtual figurehead, while powerful leaders such as Thamilchelvam, Pottu Amman and Balraj are fighting each other for more status. The sources further said that Soosai, leader of LTTE's rudimentary navy, has already been removed from the scene.

Sri Lanka vows to eliminate rebel threat

28 Aug.2007 (Update 16.00)

Gotabhaya Rajapakse, defence ministry secretary of Sri Lanka, in a speech made in the north central village of Galkiriyagama on Sunday night said that troops who have been successful in the east would do the same in the north, the Department of Government Information said in a press release.

"The government is determined to liberate the remainder of the un-cleared areas in the (rebel controlled) Wanni (region) from the clutches of the LTTE, the same way it liberated the east.
He stressed that the government has the responsibility to end terrorism in the country.

Rajapakse said the government had learnt lessons from its past history where the LTTE had used periods of ceasefire to regroup and rearm.

"We will not make the same mistakes," Rajapakse, who survived an assassination attempt by the LTTE last December, said.

The government in mid-July announced that the entire Eastern Province had been cleared of the LTTE with the fall of Thoppigala in the Batticaloa district.

The area had been inaccessible for the troops over 12 years. Rebel activities are now confined to the north where they have main operational facilities.

During last three weeks, the clashes in the north have intensified and analysts say a major battle for supremacy in the north could soon be expected.

Eight LTTE tax collectors executed for criticizing leaders- Kilinochchi

28 Aug.2007 (Update 11.00)

Civilian sources in Wanni revealed that eight LTTE tax collectors had been executed publicly by the supporters of Pottu Amman, at Vattakachchi in Kilinochchi two weeks ago.

According to these sources, Pottu Amman, Intelligence Leader of the LTTE, had informed the public that the eight cadres had to be executed because they had misappropriated funds of the terror outfit. The eight victims were said to have been shot dead on a playground in front of a large gathering.

However, a civilian who had managed to escape to government controlled areas recently told defence.lk that the actual reason for the killing was because they criticized the LTTE leaders who used funds for personal ends.

"Those victims were educated youth. They were unhappy about the extortion of poor civilians, and what is being done to the money so collected" he said

"They dared to criticize the LTTE leaders those who misuse funds for their personal ends" he added.

Defence.lk further learned from these sources that the victims had openly criticized Pottu Amman for being the most fraudulent leader. The informed speculation is that Pottu Amman has been able to misappropriate a large sum of money, by showing that he had used it for "clandestine" operations.

It has also been reported that the facilities given to the LTTE military leader for Mannar, Lakshman, had been removed recently. The vehicles and the escorts given to Lakshman are said to have been reduced by the Wanni leadership, blaming him for failing to recruit sufficient cadre from the area.

ARJUNA RELINQUISHED KOTTE

21 Aug.2007 (Update 11.00)

Colombo district SLFP MP and former Sri Lankan cricket captain Arjuna Ranathunghe sent his letter of resignation to the President Mahinda Rajapaksha from the post of SLFP Organizer in Kotte on last Friday. Arjuna who elected to the SL parliament at the last general election held in 2004 was appointed as a Deputy Minister by the then President Chandrika Bandaranayake. However, he resigned from the post of Deputy Minister within very short period as a protest for not being considered himself as a Cabinet Minister.

Arjuna is a son of Reggie Ranathunghe who is currently serving as the Governor of Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council and Reggie Ranathunghe who started his political carrier as the MP of Minuwangoda in Gampaha district is said to be a very close associate of Bandaranayake family.

Second LTTE hospital found in Thoppigala

20 Aug.2007 (Update 18.00)

SL Troops discovered a second hospital used by the LTTE in Thoppigala last evening (19). The large hospital complex named "LTTE Medical Unit" by the Tamil Tigers was found during a search operation in an area east of Narakamula.

The French court extended the detention of 14 LTTE suspects

17 Aug.2007 (Update 14.00)

The French court has decided to extend the period of detention of all 14 key LTTE suspects who were arrested on 1st April 2007 for a further period of 4 months till the first week of December 2007, when they were produced to the courts in the first week of August.

According to the sources, Asian Tribune learnt that appeals for bail was ruled out, as the charges pressed against the arrested LTTE suspects were serious in nature. It is also learnt that, the SDAT - - Sous-direction Anti Terroriste, the prime counter terrorism agency in France is in the process of framing charges against the suspects and according to the French law, if convicted, they could be sentenced for a maximum period of 10 years in jail.

The names and details of those LTTE suspects held by the police are as follows:

1. Nadarajah Mathintharan alias Reagan alias Parithi – from Kayts,

2. Aravinthan Thureswamy alias Metha – From Chavakacheri

3. Thuraisamy Jeyamoorthy alias Jeya or Sinna Jeya – From Jaffna

4. Balasingham Kantharuban alias Ruban - From Nedunkulam

5. Kandasamy Umakaran alias Karan – From Pungudutivu

6. Mahalingam Jesuthas alias Venthan – From Vavuniya

7. Sellackandu Ravikulan – From Kopay

8. Kandiah Mohanthas – From Uduvil

9. Jesuthasan Paul Newman alias Kathir – From Jaffna

10. Sinnathamby Suthakaran – From Chavakacheri

11. Rajalingam Murugananthan – From Jaffna

12. Puthiyan Thayalan alias Thaya – From Puttur

13. Srikanthan Pratheepan – From Vidattaltivu

14. Markandu Jeyabalasingham alias Jeyabal – From Jaffna

Subsequent to repeated attempts to secure the bail for the arrested carders failed, now according to sources in Paris, LTTE have resorted to organize various propaganda campaigns in order to influence the French authorities, portraying that the arrested carders are not members of LTTE and they were only engaged in promoting welfare and well-being of Tamils in North and East areas of Sri Lanka.

Accordingly, certain local pro-LTTE activists who have taken over the task of revamping the LTTE network in France, following the April 1 arrest, are presently engaged in organizing a protest rally in coordination with LTTE front organizations in Europe.

This protest demonstration is scheduled to be held in Paris in the early part of September. However, it is unlikely that these actions would have any impact on the release of the arrested LTTE suspects since the true nature of LTTE has been already exposed and their activities in Europe have become a serious concern to the local authorities.

Lanka Peace Secretariat demands apology from ICJ

15 Aug.2007 (Update 15.00)

Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha, the Secretary-General of the Secretariat Co-ordinating the Peace Process in Sri Lanka, is pressing for an apology from the International Commission of Jurists for making false allegations based on the briefings given by the Tamil Tigers on the murder 17 aid workers in Mutur last year.

The controversy was over the calibre of the bullet. The Tigers use 7.62 calibre and the Sri Lankan Army uses 5.56 calibre. The Sri Lankan government had insisted, based on the findings of its experts, that there was no 5.56 calibre bullet in the body of one of the victims. Dr. Dodd the Australian expert who examined the projectiles has now confirmed that “the presence of a 5.56 bullet projectile can confidently excluded”. Dr. Dodd added that his “supplementary report now settles convincingly the issue of calibre of projectile removed’ and ‘that all projectiles retrieved from the bodies examined were of the same calibre’ viz 7.62………and ‘there is no suggestion in my mind of substitution of exhibits, and to this end I would categorically refute the suggestion in the Birnbaum Report’.

Prof. Wijesinha argues that “The long discourse therefore of your so-called legal expert Michael Birnbaum on the arms used by the Sri Lankan army is therefore not at all relevant…” He added: “If we were to go by his and Mr. Howen’s (Secretary, ICJ) standards of evidence, we might conclude that there was evidence that he had been briefed by terrorists and their sympathizers who are determined to denigrate the Sri Lankan forces.”

Citing this evidence Prof. Wijesinha wrote to Justice Arthur Chaskalsom, President of ICJ saying: “I am writing therefore to request that ICJ issues a formal apology for its false allegations. In an earlier and more decent age such professional incompetence would have been a reason for resignation, but I suspect this is too much to expect from Mr. Howen.”

Green light for 'Arab village' in Deeghavapi

15 Aug.2007 (Update 15.00)

A relentless and ruthless campaign is underway to grab lands and destroy archaeological monuments at the sacred Buddhist site of Deeghavapi in Digamadulla, despite repeated appeals to the authorities to prevent this unwarranted and unjust land encroachment.

A section of the Muslim political leadership is directing this aggression aimed at erasing all remnants of a national heritage. These encroachers do not care a hoot for the sentiments of the Sinhala Buddhist residents of the area.

The Deeghavapi sacred area covers a land area of 12,000 acres, which include 35 historic Buddhist sites. But now the area has been reduced to 585 acres where not more than five such sites are found. All the rest are beyond its boundaries and occupied by Muslim settlers. Among the most seriously affected is Pallekadu (Viharakele). A Muslim town called Ashwara Nagara (in memory of the late Minister Ashroff) has been built after bulldozing an ancient hospital site.

The 60 acres earlier allocated to the Hingurana Sugar factory has been given for building a luxurious Millennium City-style "Arab village" comprising 500 houses, a hospital, a bus depot and children's playground. Work on this project that was temporarily halted following strong protests has now been resumed. The North and East Sinhala Organization is of the view that the country's Political Leadership is unwittingly betraying the Sinhala people of the area over this issue and will have to accept all blame in the event of any violence breaking out as a result of turning a deaf ear to complaints that Sinhala community has made. The NE Sinhala Organization is surprised over the deafening silence of the two Sinhala politicians of the area – Plan Implementation Minister P. Dayaratne and JVP Parliamentarian Vasantha - Piyatissa on this matter and other problems affecting the Sinhala community of the Digamadulla.

The organization is shocked to learn that the government is to declare Akkaraipattu the capital of Ampara.

The organization regrets that its representative the Venerable Getamanne Gunananda has so far not been given the opportunity to discuss these matters with President Mahinda Rajapaksa, despite requests made to officials of the President's House.

According to the Venerable Senapathiye Ananda, head of the North and East Sinhala Organization and Executive Committee member of the Buddhist Relief Organization, 'Red Lotus,' the organization now aims among others to (1) take legal action ion this issue (2) brief the Mahanayakes and the Buddhist public on this crisis (3) launch an island wide publicity campaign through posters and handbills (4) prepare a petition to the government and (5) build a Sinhala Buddhist town in the area.

About Dighavapi

Dighavapi was according to the Dipavamsa sanctified by the Buddha during his third visit to Sri Lanka and is one of the sixteen sacred places. The name Dighavapi literally means ‘long reservoir’ although it is probably a derivative of Dighayu, one of the ministers of King Panduvasdeva. Despite its significance Dighavapi seems to have never been as popular as some of the other sacred places and even today it is rarely visited. In the past it was a major city and King Saddhatissa, the son of Devananpiya Tissa, built the stupa there which was repaired and enlarged several times subsequently. According to the records a young monk was once repairing the plaster work on the stupa when he slipped and fell. Immediately he began to chant the Dhajagga Sutta and was miraculously saved as a result. There is little to see at Dighavapi today. In the 1920’s attempts were made to repair the stupa but funds ran out and today its dome is only half complete and un-plastered. All around the stupa are flower altars and large stones from ancient buildings.

Minister Champika Ranawaka demands Rs.500 million from Ranil Wickramasinghe

09 Aug.2007 (Update 21.00)

Environment and Natural Resources Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka has demanded through his lawyers Rs. 500 million from Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe as compensation for libel. If the Minister's demand for compensation is not complied, legal action will be taken against Wickremesinghe, according to the minister's lawyers.

Minister Ranawaka has charged the Opposition Leader with making defamatory statements, alleging that the former is misusing property belonging to the Maha Sangha for his benefit - that he is not taking any steps to prevent the destruction of a 50 acre teak forest in the Ampara District and that he is condemning other religions. Mr. Wickremesinghe is also accused of questioning the religious credentials of the Minister.

Mr.T.C.Weearsinghe – Attorney at Law has sent the Letter of Demand to Opposition Leader Ranil Wickramasinghe on 7^th August 2007 in this regard, informed sources revealed.

KARU JAYASURIYA TELLS LANKA’S PARLIAMENT THAT UNP IS ATTEMPTING TO USE LTTE BRIBES TO BUY MP’S

08 Aug.2007 (Update 21.00)

By Walter Jayawardhana
Minister of Public Administration and leader of the United National Party Democratic Wing Karu Jayasuriya raising a parliamentary privileges issue in the House before the speaker said the United National Party (UNP) using Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) money is involved in an attempt to buy over government parliamentarians of his party group.
In a dramatic revelation before the House, the very sober parliamentarian who has a history of not making sensational statements in the past said, an accused of the assassination of the former Foreign Minister Laxman Kadiragamar, Charles Ganakoon is currently engaged in this attempt going as the agent of the United national Party (UNP) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.
Both in California and Australia the two Gnanakoon brothers (Cpt.) Charles Gnankoon and Jayantha Gnanakoon have worked as LTTE activists.
Spending a long time as a remand prisoner as the main suspect of the Kadirgamar assassination Charles was released for lack of evidence.
Speaking amidst constant interruptions by the United National Party parliamentarians, Karu Jayasuriya said he received reliable information about this attempt to buy over government parliamentarians using LTTE money through his own colleagues who had been approached by the UNP and LTTE agent.
He said at a times when the government was defeating the LTTE terrorism it was an utmost contemptible act on the part of the UNP leadership to engage LTTE agents to break the government.
He said it would go into the history as the most traitorous act in Sri Lanka’s history.
Jayasuriya said he was not at all racist simply because one could not select one’s race. But he said he was definitely against an insensate terrorist group who would pay any price or bribe to anybody to reach its criminal goals. (EOM)

Gen. Denzil Kobbekaduwa, who led from the front

08 Aug.2007 (Update 10.00)

On behalf of Fifteenth death anniversary

by Major Ramani Kangaraarachchi

On the 8th of August in 1992, a landmine planted by the LTTE killed Lt General Denzil Kobbekaduwa and the cream of the top military brass, Major General Vijaya Wimalaratne, Rear Admiral Mohan Jayamaha, Colonel H. R. Stephen, Major Nalin Alwis, Colonel Yasodha Palipana, Colonel T. Ariyaratna, Lt Commander Asanga Lankatilaka, Lt Commander Chandima Vijayapura, and Corporal Jagath Wickramaratna at Arali Point while riding in their vehicles out a tactical mapping operation. Never has this country of ours, was ever jolted with a shocking news of this nature, plunging the nation into mourning. more.......

MINISTER KARU JAYASURIYA REVEALED A PLOT TO TOPPLE THE GOVERNMENT

08 Aug.2007 (Update 10.00)

Minister of Public Administration and Home Affairs and former UNP Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya revealed while making a special statement in the parliament on 7^th August 2007 regarding a plot to topple the government headed by President Rajapaksha.

The Minister said that a controversial Tamil businessman Charles Gnanakoon based in Singapore had pledged Rs. 110 million per MP to crossover to the opposition. He said that the businessman had approached several ministers representing the United National Party Democratic Group led by him. However, the ministers had refused the offer and informed him regarding this plot.

Minister Karu Jayasuriya further added that the conspirators main aim is to topple the present government that is successfully defeating the LTTE terrorism in the country.

CWC LEADER THONDAMAN & FOUR OTHERS RESIGNED - SPLIT IN CWC

03 Aug.2007 (Update 07.00)

CWC leader and Minister of Youth Empowerment and Socio Economic Development Arumugam Thondaman and four other CWC deputy ministers tendered their resignation to the SL President on 2^nd August 2007. According to the CWC spokesman R.Yogarajan four deputy ministers who tendered their resignation are S.Sachiththanandan, A.Jegadeeswaran, M.Muttusivalingam and S.Sellasamy. It is also reported that they have already informed SL President Mahinda Rajapaksha of their decision to join with opposition with effect from next week.

However, Suresh Vadivel - the only CWC MP who did not tender his resignation yesterday was believed to be invited by the SL President to join with SLFP as the organizer in Badulla.

At the last General Election held in 2004, CWC backed UNP and later joined with PA Govt. under President Chandrika Kumaranathunghe. However, in 2005 at the Presidential Election CWC declared their support to UNP candidate Ranil Wickramasinghe and in 2006 August rejoined with SLFP Govt. under the President Rajapaksha by accepting one Ministerial Portfolio and four deputy ministerial portfolios.

Aksharaya' film should be destroyed; the intellect should be in mind, not in the breast, says the Chief Justice

'01 Aug.2007 (Update 07.00)

The Supreme Court on Tuesday (31) ordered the Public Performances Control Board to watch Ashoka Handagama's film 'Aksharaya' again and to give its decision on 06 August. Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva said that the Supreme Court would take a suitable verdict following the Public Performances Control Board decision.

The Public Performances Control Board initially allowed the movie to be screened and the Minister of Cultural Affairs later recalled the permission and the director Handagama filed a petition to the Supreme court citing that the recall of the permission amounted to violation of his fundamental rights. The Chief Justice made the above observations at the hearing of the fundamental rights petition.

The Public Performances Control Board submitted an affidavit mentioning that the movie 'Aksharaya' based on the 'Oedipus complex' and according to it the relationships between mother - son and father - daughter are natural. The Board approves the film as suitable for adults to view.

The chief Justice enquired who that Oedipus was and asked if that kind of films could be shown in this country although such things could happen in the said Oedipus complex. He queried if the scene a woman magistrate is raped by a guard would not offend the judiciary. The Chief Justice said that it should be judged not by the director or the Public Performances Control Board but by the judiciary.

The Chief Justice said that the film that targets to demolish the courts system of the country should be destroyed and if it were allowed to be shown the 200-year-old judiciary system that is respected even by the LTTE would be spoiled.

The Chief Justice said that the offenders could be sentenced to jail for contempt to courts. He said that the artists could not do anything they wished. The Chief Justice also alluded that the Chairman of the Public Performances Control Board was an impotent who could not be sensitive to a sex scene.

Prof. Somarathna Balasuriya, Thissa Abesekara, Ashoka Handagama, Prasanna Vithanage and the members of the Public Performances Control Board were in the courts. The Chief Justice looking at them said that they could go on the road since there are courts and otherwise they would have to walk with guards.

The Chief Justice said that the intellect should be not in the breast but in the mind.

A panel of justices including Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva, Nihal Jayasinghe and Jagath Balapatabendi considered the petition. Senior Counsel Upul Jayasuriya appeared for Ashoka Handagama.

Lawyer Rowland Perera appeared for the Public Performances Control Board while Deputy Solicitor General Palitha Fernando appeared for the Minister of Cultural Affairs.