MI24 pounds terror targets in Mannar and Kilinochchi

Sri Lanka Air Force helicopter gun ships and fighter jets launched two separate air attacks at LTTE targets this morning (March 26), said the Air Force sources.

Air Force spokesman Wing Commander Andrew Wijesooriya speaking to defence.lk said that the first air raid was conducted around 10.15.a.m. using MI 24 helicopters at two identified forward operating bases of LTTE at Alankulama and Kaliadanchan, on the Mannar battlefront. He said the attack was undertaken as a ground support mission to the army soldiers engaged in counter terrorist operations in the area.

The second air raid was at a boat manufacturing facility of LTTE, located in the Vishwamadhukulama area in Kilinochchi, he said. The attack was carried out by fighter jets around 10.50.a.m, after having positively identified on air surveillance and on ground information, he added.

Wing Commander Wijesooriya said that the pilots have confirmed the targets were accurately hit.

Ambassador to Italy                                                                                                                                                                          Hemantha Warnakulasuriya

Sri Lanka's Ambassador to Italy stopped the LTTE in their tracks trying to spread false information. Ambassador to Italy Hemantha Warnakulasuriya met with Italy’s Ministry of the Interior officials, Dr. Daniela Mengoni, Deputy Head of Department, Dr. Massimo Mastroianni, Director of III Division and Dr. Marco Monteleone, Head of the Department of Public Security of the Office of Police Prevention, and the Head of the Office of Police Prevention Dept Dr. Carlo De Stefano, and urged them to prevent the up linking of LTTE video material from its base stationed in Milan to the Eurobird Satellite. Ambassador Warnakulasuriya was assisted by the Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Rome C. A. H. M. Wijeratne.Ambassador Warnakulasuriya impressed upon the authorities the fact that the LTTE is banned by the European Union and the U.S., and was no longer a ragtag band of terrorists trying to carve out a separate state in Sri Lanka.

He impressed upon them the fact that for the past 25 years the LTTE had made terrorism an industry and spread its tentacles to all other terrorist organizations fighting for various causes not connected with its own goals. It has perfected a suicide bombing kit, which was the most sophisticated instrument of destruction available to terrorist organizations in Iraq, Palestine and even in Somalia and Eritrea. It had obtained a naval fleet to transport arms from various illegal suppliers to terrorist destinations. Thus, it has become necessary to unite with Sri Lanka to fight this menace of global terrorist organizations, he said.

Ambassador Warnakulasuriya pointed out that the LTTE had started broadcasting from Milan, as their base in Paris was dismantled a few months ago. The first broadcast showed the State Welcome accorded to the Army Commander Sarath Fonseka. Immediately thereafter, the LTTE made a statement condemning the Indian Government for it. This was part of their subtle insinuation to the Tamil people. It was through such propaganda unleashed by them that the Tamil Diaspora is forced to pay money to the terrorists.

The Italian authorities said they were pleased to note the interest taken by the Embassy of Sri Lanka and that they would take immediate steps not only to stop the up linking of the LTTE broadcasting channel but also to inform the other members of the E.U. of their decision and to cooperate with them to avoid the broadcast by the LTTE . The Itlaian anti terrorist unit has taken immediate action which has resulted in the LTTE suspending the operations.

courtesy of Asian Tribune
 

Renowned Science Fiction Writer Sir Arthur C. Clarke bade farewell to the nation today.His last rites were conducted at the Borella General Cemetery at 3.30 pm. A simple funeral was held according to his last will. A large number of people including his relatives paid their last respects to his remains, which were lying at No. 5 Barnes Place in Colombo Seven. The cortege left residence at 3.00 pm for Borella General Cemetery. The Government was represented by a group led by Minister Prof. Tissa Vitharana . Dr. Arthur C. Clarke was 90 years when he passed away on the 19th night. He was offered an honorary citizenship in 1956. Sir Arthur C. Clark is considered the father of the Communication Satellite Technology. All Electronic Media Organisations participated in the observance of one minute’s silence at 3.30 pm as a mark of respect. He was a visionary who saw the future of the universe and wished to see peace being ushered to Sri Lanka.

SLA overruns LTTE defences: 22 killed, 26 wounded in Mannar front

Heavy fighting broke out between the SLA and LTTE terrorists in general area Southeast of Adampan, Mannar as troops overran 8 LTTE bunker defences killing over 22 terrorists and injuring at least 26 others during the early hours on Saturday (March 22).

According to latest reports received from the battlefront, troops have gained considerable territory during the multi-pronged assault launched at around 4.45a.m., today.

The advancing SLA battle formations were assisted with heavy artillery and mortar fire mounted at LTTE resisting positions, defence source said. Terrorists were on the run into the rear defence lines in Wanni leaving many LTTE bodies scattered, in what was said to be an 'open patch land' defence sources said, citing ground troops.

Meanwhile, according to MCNS reports, SLA troops have captured one square kilometer following intensive battle with LTTE in general area between Parayakulama and Ilanthaivan in Mannar this morning.

According to latest reports received, 4 soldiers have laid their lives while 16 others were reported wounded during the confrontations. SLA also reported to have recovered 5 LTTE bodies and believed that the figures would rise as troops are now conducting search operations while consolidating the defences in the area.

Sri Lankan soldiers killed 38 Tamil Tiger terrorists in fierce fighting in the north of the country, according to the military.
A spokesman said the army lost four men near the north-western district of Mannar, traditionally a LTTE stronghold.

The Army troops captured one square kilometer in PALAIKULI East area today (04) around 4.00am.
Seven LTTE carders were killed in the ensuing confrontation.

Meanwile three dead bodies of the LTTE  female carders and four T 56 weapons were recovered subsequently.  The Army troops captured a LTTE cross loading point  in UIEYANKULAM- ANANDAKULAM road with 1.5km area in MANNAR today (04).Troops confirm that the LTTE terrorists suffered heavy damages in this incident.

info-Media Centre for National Security

Navy saves lives of 71 foreigners lost in the North Eastern Sea

The Sri Lankan navy said Monday it rescued 71 Myanmar and Bangladeshi nationals aboard a vessel found drifting in the Indian Ocean after an engine failure.

Another 20 people died due to a lack of water and food, said navy spokesman Cmdr. D.K.P. Dassanayake, citing survivor's accounts.

The vessel was drifting about 275 kilometers (170 miles) away from the eastern coast when naval troops found it around 7:30 a.m. (0200 GMT) after being tipped off by fishermen, Dassanayake said.

The survivors — 21 Myanmar nationals and 50 Bangladeshis — were treated by navy medical teams and are out of danger, he said.

According to survivors' accounts, the 15-meter (50-foot) vessel left Myanmar on Feb. 9 with 91 people and developed an engine defect on Feb. 20 before it started drifting, Dassanayake said.