API WENUVEN API

www.defence.lk

NEWS ARCHIVES

2007

Children caught in the conflict

Devananda Our People are beginning to derive the benefits of the Provincial Council system

All blasts, no Eelam

Ambassador Dr. Jayatilleka commended at Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review of Sri Lanka

Human Rights Minister's closing statement at UPR

Murdered humanist and the LTTE madness

In memory of Maheswary Velautham

Sri Lanka responds to INGO campaign

Liberating the Church from terror

World Media covers Iranian President's visit to Sri Lanka

The death of Fr. Karunaratnam & The tragedy of Tamil Civilians

Ethnic Cleansing and the Moral Perspective of Sri Lankan Tamils

Sri Lanka Army

Sri Lanka Navy

Sri Lanka Air Force

Sri Lanka police

KDU

Media center of National

UNETHICAL RELIGIOUS CONVERSIONS

Army Chief's  interview by ITN  view video Navy Chief's interview by ITN  view video

Defence Secretary's  interview by ITN view video

Written by ven.Dambadeniye Dhammarama thero,Composed by Lakmina Dissanayake & sing Princi Fernando The great Sinhala son who composed & Sisira Senaratna and Indrani Wijebandara so movingly sings it arousing patriotic feelings.

SL solders in Mannar

A high-powered Indian delegation led by National Security Adviser M K Narayanan today met Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa here and is understood to have discussed security arrangements for the upcoming SAARC summit.
The meeting between Rajapaksa and the top Indian officials took place at the residence of the Sri Lankan President before the Indian team's return home and even photographers were not allowed, sources said when contacted.

The meeting is believed to have lasted about an hour. Besides Narayanan, the Indian delegation's members were Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon and Defence Secretary Vijay Singh.

The India team is understood to have discussed with Rajapaksa the security scenario in the island country for the SAARC Summit in August. It is believed that they could have also touched upon the internal situation in Sri Lanka and areas of mutual interest.

The Indian delegation met top senior Sri Lankan officials yesterday.

The closely-guarded visit of the Indian officials comes two days after Sri Lanka offered to hold talks with the LTTE following a two-year gap, saying the outfit does represent a "fair amount" of Tamils.

The visit also comes amid reports that China and Pakistan have offered arms assistance to the island nation in its fight against Tamil terrorists

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama recently visited India to personally invite Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to SAARC summit and for talks on bilateral and regional issues with Indian leaders.

The mastermind behind the international credit card fraud for funding the LTTE terrorist organization has been arrested by the Special Task Force (STF) personnel while conducting a search operation in the Wellawatta area on Friday, June 13.

The suspect Anandan, alias Neshanadan Muruganandan, was in a super luxury apartment in Wellawatta at the time he was arrested by the special police team, sources said. He had a large number of Personal Identification Numbers (PIN) and bank receipts issued by both local and foreign banks, amounting to a massive sum of money, over Rs. 100 million, in his possession when he was arrested.

Italian police arrest over 30 Tamil Tiger suspects

A group of 38 suspected LTTE activists arrested in Italy were engaged in collecting through extortion from ethnic Tamils a whopping 3.5 million pounds for funding the ethnic war in Sri Lanka, the Defence Ministry said here today.

Citing the Italian investigators, it said that the arrested people were "collecting more than 3.5 million British pounds worth of money to be deposited in Swiss Banks to bankroll a war in Sri Lanka." Eight of the suspects were arrested in Naples, 7 in Palermo, 3 in Genoa and the rest elsewhere in Italy, where the money was being collected by the Tigers through illegal activities of extortion and drug sales, the ministry quoted a report as saying.

The Sri Lankan embassy in Rome said it would coordinate with Italian authorities for further investigation into the matter.

According to the Italian police the "anti-terrorist" investigation was launched following a complaint that some Tamils living in Italy were being threatened, about two years ago, the ministry here said.

The Sri Lankan military says it has killed at least 11 Tamil Tiger terrorists in the north of the country.Two government troops are said to have died in the clash.The defence ministry in Colombo says the fighting occurred when government forces attacked three terrorists bunkers in Mannar district.
 

 The Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety, today announced that the Government of Canada has listed the World Tamil Movement (WTM) as a terrorist group, effective June 13, 2008, pursuant to the Criminal Code of Canada.

"The Government is once again taking decisive action to protect Canadians from terrorism and to safeguard our nation's security," said Minister Day. "Listing the WTM, which is the leading front organization for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in Canada, is an important step in ensuring our safety and security in the global fight against terrorism."

The decision to list the WTM meets the legal threshold set out in the Criminal Code, which requires the existence of reasonable grounds to believe that the entity has knowingly participated in or facilitated a terrorist activity or is knowingly acting on behalf of, at the direction, or in association with such an entity.

The listing of the WTM is meant to support the Tamil Community of Canada, which consists of law-abiding and hard working people who have left their country of origin to build a better life for themselves and their families in Canada. The Government is taking this step to help ensure that Canadians, including the Tamil community are protected from the activities of this organization.

The WTM, created in 1986, is the leading front organization for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Canada. The various offices of the WTM in Canada transfer funds to bank accounts in Sri Lanka meant for the LTTE. The leadership of the WTM acts at the direction of leaders of the LTTE. WTM representatives canvas areas in Canada with large Tamil populations demanding large donations on behalf of the LTTE. Refusals to contribute often lead to threats and intimidation.

The objective of the listing is to help combat terrorist activities, including impeding terrorist financing. For example, the listing prohibits all persons in Canada as well as every Canadian abroad from knowingly dealing with assets owned or controlled by the WTM. In addition, it is an offence to knowingly participate in, contribute to, or facilitate certain activities of a listed entity. Other related offences are set out in the Criminal Code.

The listing process requires extensive analysis of security and/or criminal information and intelligence to ensure that the decision to list meets the legal threshold.

The names of listed entities under the Criminal Code can be found on the Public Safety Canada Web site at www.publicsafety.gc.ca under National Security, Listed Entities.
 

Sri Lanka Air Force has confirmed that they sent supersonic jets to destroy a Tamil Tiger terrorists base in the northeast on Sunday.  In total, 19 terrorists were killed. The ministry of defence stated on Sunday that fighter jets completely took out the logistic base as well as combat vehicle conversion plant.

Pilots have confirmed that all of the targets were hit successfully and were accurate.

 

Barbaric Suicide bomber kills 12, wounds 23 in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka - A suspected Tamil Tiger terrorists suicide bomber on a motorbike blew himself up Monday near a police building in a northern Sri Lankan town, killing 12 police officers and wounding 23 other people.

The bomber struck police officers and civilian bystanders on a street in the northern town of Vavuniya, 130 miles (210 kilometers) north of capital Colombo, military spokesman Brig. Udaya Nanayakkara said. Of the 23 wounded, 19 were police and the rest civilians, he said.

Nanayakkara blamed the Tamil Tiger terrorists for the attack.

A Barbaric Terrorist (LTTE) rider in a motorbike detonated an explosive in front of the office of the Senior Superintendent of the Police (SSP) around 7:15 a.m. killing 12 Sri Lankan policemen and himself, and injuring 23, according to Vavuniyaa Police. Two of the wounded were civilians are Children. A total of 23 people were admitted to the general hospital at Vavuniya and Anuradhapura

 

14 June 2008 - 12:00

Britain stands accused of applying double standards to its counter-terrorism policy because a banned Tamil militant group is being allowed to raise money among expatriates in London.

President Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka said that supporters of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) were able to raise millions of pounds each year from the Tamil community in Britain, some of whom were coerced into donating the money.

“You can't have two different attitudes towards terrorism,” he told The Times this week during a visit to London for a Commonwealth meeting, where he raised the issue with Gordon Brown. “I don't agree that there are good terrorists and bad terrorists. There is only one kind of terrorist.”

There are about 150,000 Tamils living in Britain, mostly in North London. The Sri Lankans estimate that £70million is sent home every year.

“These are not voluntary contributions, the money is taken by force, usually a percentage of their income,” said Mr Rajapaksa, who attracted Tamil protesters during his stay. “The money is sent back to buy weapons. London is not the only place; money is also sent from Europe, Canada and other places.”

Mr Rajapaksa said that he was taking steps to protect human rights. He blamed his Government's poor international reputation on “clever propaganda” by the Tigers.

“We have failed in the propaganda fight,” he said.

Mr Rajapaksa insisted yesterday that in spite of the cost in lives and damage inflicted to Sri Lanka's tourist trade he would not resume peace talks with the Tamil Tigers until the organisation agreed to disarm.

“When they are weak they call on the international community to arrange a ceasefire. During this period they train and rearm and then fight back. This time if they want to talk, they should disarm first,” he said.

Even if the Tigers were to meet his preconditions it seems unlikely that he would ever be able to conclude a peace deal with Velupillai Prabhakaran, the charismatic rebel commander.

“This man and the three or four henchmen around him are blood-thirsty killers,” said Mr Rajapaksa. “They have no feelings. It is very difficult to deal with them.”

11 June 2008 - 19:00

Sri Lankan jets Wednesday pounded a suspected Tamil Tiger base in the island's north, barely hours after the rebels launched a sea-borne attack on a naval detachment in the north-western island of Mannar leaving killing nine combatants.

The defence ministry said that the air sorties were launched around 7.10 a.m. after observing 'intensified activities' by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the Muhamalai forward defence line (FDL) in Jaffna peninsula.

But the damage caused to the rebels was not immediately known.

11 June 2008 - 19:00

The Sri Lanka Navy successfully repulsed an LTTE pre-dawn attack on its outpost at Erukkalampiddi in the Mannar Island launched today (June 11), according to defence sources.

A group LTTE terrorists had come in 6 boats and  launched the attack around 2.15 am but the sailors have defended their post effectively causing the terrorists to withdraw with their casualties.

According to available information, 4 terrorists including their leader Sirimaran have died in the battle. Three sailors have also made the supreme sacrifice in this altercation while a few others are reported to have suffered injuries.

Meanwhile Sri Lanka Air Force MI 24 helicopters pounded withdrawing terror boats  in the Gulf of Mannar, according to Air Force sources.

The air assault has been launched around 4.45 a.m., targeting the terror boats fleeing towards Veddithalthievu area.

According to defence analysts, the LTTE attack would probably have been launched in order to stop people in Wanni escaping to cleared areas. On June 5, thirteen persons from three families fleeing LTTE tyranny had sought refuge at the Erukkulampiddi Navy detachment.   The refugees, resident of Silavanthei in Mullaithivu, had told the Navy personnel that thousands are waiting to escape the terror clutches at the first given opportunity.

04 June 2008 - 12:00

The bomb exploded between Colombo's Wellawatte and Dehiwela areas when the train was rolling past.The blast came nine days after a similar attack against a commuter train.At least 18 people were wounded. suspected Tamil Tiger terrorists set off a bomb ,, officials said.

"It is believed that the bomb had been triggered to target the Colombo-bound and highly crowded passenger train. Eighteen civilians, 15 males and three females... have already been admitted to hospital," the island's defence ministry said in a statement.

"It was definitely an attack by the LTTE. There is no doubt about it," the military's spokesman, Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara.

Police were hunting for a Tamil Tiger terrorist who is believed to have left behind a bag with a remote-control device. Eyewitnesses told police he ran from the area when the explosion occurred.

Wednesday's attack comes close on the heels of another attack on the same track on May 26 that killed 13 commuters.
 

03 June 2008 - 13:00

killing six civilians including two children with a roadside mine inside the Tamil Tiger-held north of the island.

All the victims were from three families and the injured have been admitted to the Mullaittivu hospital in the rebel-controlled northern area,which had squeezed into one old car, drove home from a religious ceremony."It happened in uncontrolled area and therefore we deny our involvement in it," a military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said. He said the mine could have been planted by one of the factions of the LTTE.also he said:.. he was unaware of such an attack. and the army can't take responsibility for what the guerrillas claim to be happening inside rebel territory.

03 June 2008 - 12:30

The elusive head of the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka has placed a senior terrorists leader under house arrest over a worsening internal dispute, the defence ministry said Monday.

Seevaratnam Prabaharan, alias Pulidevan, who is attached to the Tigers' peace secretariat, has been placed under arrest on the direct orders of the Tiger supremo, Velupillai Prabhakaran, the statement said.

"The arrest has been made as a result of a worsening internal dispute among key LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) figures," the ministry said.It did not say when Pulidevan was placed under house arrest, but said its information was based on "defence intelligence authorities.""An armed gang led by LTTE's intelligence wing leader Pottu Amman had made the arrest few days back," the statement said.

03 June 2008 - 12:00

Fighting against terrorisom which took place across the northern regions of Vavuniya, Jaffna, Weli Oya and Mannar yesterday also left 31 Tiger rebels and two soldiers wounded, the ministry said in a statement.

Yesterday's fighting raised the number of Tiger rebels killed by security forces to 4,006 since January, according to defence ministry figures, while 334 government troops have died in the same period.

Photo by defence.lk

Six civilians were killed and another 20 including a pregnant mother injured in LTTE launched indiscriminate artillery attacks towards the densely populated Jaffna mainland this morning (May 29). the official said.A LTTE terrorists spokesman could not immediately be reached for comment.

Sri Lanka's military sank four Tamil  terrorists sea Tiger  boats Thursday off the island's northern coast after a battle that killed eight terrorists and one soldier, while six Tamil civilians were killed in a LTTE terrorists artillery attack, the military said.

A military official said the terrorists boats were sunk when troops fired artillery at them as they attempted to attack army and naval positions in Sirutheevu off northern Jaffna.

The battle left eight terrorists  and one soldier dead and two soldiers wounded, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity citing government rules. He said one soldier and two sailors were missing.

Also Thursday, air force helicopters and jets bombed a rebel gathering point in northern Mannar district and two camps in Mullaitivu district, the official said.

He said the raids were successful but did not give details of casualties or damage.

27 May 2008 - 12:00

Supreme Court today granted an interim order preventing the allocation of 500 houses built around the Degavapiya sacred area in the Ampara district while granting leave to proceed in a fundamental rights case by Ellawala Medananda therea.

The thera in his petition said that the allocation of the houses to Muslims would violate the rights of the Sinahalese and Tamils living in the area and therefore the houses built in the area should not be allocated to one community.
 

26 May 2008 - 21:00

            7 civilians were killed including a pregnant mother and 62 more passengers suffered injuries when the LTTE terrorists exploded a bomb inside a highly crowded Colombo-Panadura train around 4.55 p.m today.
 

PRO-LTTE reports on attacks against civilians refuted

23 May 2008 - 21:00

The Sri Lanka Army flatly refutes and despises attempts of the pro-LTTE media to blame the Army over alleged explosions of claymore mines in un-cleared areas of Kilinochchi, targeting both an ambulance and a van during the course of the day (Friday,23rd, 2008). The areas alleged in those reports lie about 100 km away from the northern most Omanthai Entry/Exit point and defence lines under the government control in Vavuniya.

Those reports shamelessly claimed that an ambulance carrying an Assistant Director of the Fisheries Corporation, Mannar and a civilian was the target of the first claymore mine in Muzhangkaavil, Kilinochchi. Adding another dimension a few hours later, the same pro-LTTE mouthpiece alleged that one more van carrying sixteen civilians, including six children, four girls and two boys was attacked with a claymore mine at about 2.15 p.m. on Friday (23) in the same un-cleared Muzhangkaavil area while they all were allegedly returning from a hospital.

It is crystal clear that those LTTE reports have been attributed to the Army with a sinister move and the sheer intention of tarnishing the image of the Army unreservedly and also provoking the international community in order to win back the world sympathy for their lost cause. Many such reports carried in their media in the past provide ample evidence and examples to this effect. The Army categorically refuses such reports and appeals sensible readers to judge the motive behind such pro-LTTE allegations.

Courtesy : www.army.lk

23 May 2008 - 21:00

The incident took place on the Akkarayan-Murukandy road in the LTTE held Kilinochchi district.at least 16 civilians were killed in a claymore mine attack by LTTE."Nineteen members of an extended family were traveling in that van, 16 of them were killed and the other three were injured. Tamil tiger terrorists blame under a claymore attack by the Deep Penetration Unit  (DPU) of the Army.but the military has denied any involvement in the incident.