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Tamil Tiger Terror has come to door steps of Australia........... Ban LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists in       Australia Under the Criminal Code Act 1995 ...... Ban LTTE Tamil Tiger       Terrorists in Australia Under the Criminal Code Act 1995 ......

Current Significant Issues What is really happening in Sri Lanka today is that a blood thirsty racist group led by some misled Tamils called LTTE is terrorizing against the Government of Sri Lanka and its people irrespective of their ethnicity with an intention of carving out a separate state. There is no conflict as such between Sinhalese and Tamil communities in Sri Lanka. In fact, the majority of the Tamil community lives in peace and harmony among the Sinhalese population through out the country apart from the Northern part of Sri Lanka. The entire Sinhalese and the Muslims population who lived in the Northern area for centuries were either killed or chased away completely by the LTTE Tamil Tiger terrorists. At the moment, not a single Sinhalese or Muslim is living in Jaffna, but, many thousands of Tamils are living in Colombo in peace with the other communities. Based on 2001 census, the Tamil population in Colombo district is 12.1% (see 2001 census). So, who is discriminated ? Tamils or Sinhalese? Do you need more evidence ? SPUR Home Page Sri Lanka Events in Melbourne SPUR Forthcoming Events Wanted by INTERPOL VELUPILLAI, Prabhakaran Thillayampalam Sivanesan alias Soosai POTTU AMMAN Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) - Read Violations and Complaints Peace in Sri Lanka     SPUR Victoria presents "Api Wenuwen Api" Melbourne Show on 16 May 2009 For Details click here         SPUR News Archives SPUR News Archives SPUR Search Engine or try Advanced Search Use Ctl_F to search words in this page Are we serious about a solution based on Indo-Lanka Accord ? 13th Amendment and the IMF loan - By C. Wijeyawickrema Devolution under the 13th Amendmentby Neville Ladduwahetty Members of the Constitutional Council should be representative of a balanced cross section of Eminent Persons reflecting the changing patterns in Sri Lankan society. JVP vows to thwart full implementation of 13 Amendment Is Sri Lanka heading in the right direction? - By S Akurugoga Vitharana's 'solutions' will go nowhere (Sinhela Net) The unitary and federal controversy - By Lt Col Anil Amarasekera, 5th February 2009 The13 amendment 'The illegitimate child of Indian expansionism and Sri Lankan political naivety' Dr Sudath Gunasekara (President Senior citizen's movement Mahanuwara) Identify the problem, before formulating a solution Unitary state, Federalism and 'Devolution of Power' in Sri Lanka Empowerment with language-blind spatial units The meaning and purpose of devolutionby Dr. Piyasena Dissanayake Empowerment of Sri Lankan Tamils without the 13th Amendment (13A) Eelam Goal - More Than One-Way to Skin a Cat! 13th Amendment would rekindle the desire for Eelam: Amarasekara 'Educating' the general public on 'solution to the problem'-  The 13th amendment needs re-scrutiny Should we accept the so-called "Indo-Lanka Accord"? Race based devolution – Beginning of the end of Sri Lanka Solutions based on communal lines Solutions based on 13th Amendment – Have we taken for a ride? Are we serious about a solution based on Indo-Lanka Accord? Time to act under Article 157A of the Constitution Where are we heading? Vitharana and his efforts to undermine Mahinda Chintanaya 13th Amendment and fate of our country Devolution on ethnic basis to provinces Fabricating the question to suit a solution (Part 1) Fabricating the question to suit a solution (Part 2) Indo - Lanka Accord Read more about the 13th Amendment   13th Amendment ........ The ordinary Tamil people don’t care about 13 or 17 amendments. What the ordinary Tamils want is to get on with their day to day life, get on with their agri work in the field, chena, sea, or in the offices and live a peaceful life which they experienced before 1983. We never thought of discrimination, aspiration, grievances before 1983. It was the politicians who planted these poisonous seeds into our hearts and minds. Grievances are there not only for the Tamils but even to the poor Sinhalese people in the South. That’s common to any nationality.     See what LTTE did for the Tamil civilians trying to flee the "Human Shield" of the LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists Caution: Images shown on this web site exposing LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorist atrocities maybe disturbing for some users. Please proceed at your own discretion. “Tamil Tigers”, also called “The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam” (LTTE) declare that they are fighting the government of Sri Lanka to “liberate” the Tamils. During the past three decades of their “liberation struggle” they forcibly abducted an estimated twenty thousand children as young as ten and converted them into human bombs or cannon fodder. Tamil parents who objected to the forcible conscription of their beloved children were tortured or killed in front of their families. Finally, after seven futile attempts at internationally facilitated peace talks and ceasefires, all of which were reneged by the LTTE, the democratically elected Sri Lankan government decided that the only way to liberate the Tamils from the clutches of the LTTE was to eradicate the oppressors. Sri Lanka learned the hard way that any “ceasefire” interval given to these abominable terrorists would be used by them to recuperate, regroup, rearm and attack without warning. Tigers, once the world’s most feared terrorists, are now confined to a few square kilometres of jungle where they have corralled innocent Tamil civilians to be used as human shields. If not for the Sri Lankan government’s concern for the safety of civilians, the LTTE would have been wiped out from the face of earth many moons ago. Tigers make sure that those who try to escape into government declared safe zones are mercilessly killed, mostly burnt alive and the corpses are displayed as a deterrent to others who would try to escape. These photos were taken by a brave Tamil who managed to escape to a safe zone only last week (Read full report). http://www.spur.asn.au/LTTE_killing_Tamil_Civilians_fleeing_LTTE_Human_Shield_December_2008.asp   The monies that have been collected by TD for LTTE war .... The monies that have been collected by Tamil Diaspora for LTTE war chest runs into billion of dollars during the past three decades. But, where are we now? What have Tamils achieved over the years? Tamils have earned nothing but humiliation and misery. There times I am ashamed to call myself a Tamil to avoid humiliation as Tamils are branded as a set of terrorists.   Indian intervention in Sri Lankan internal affairs Appeal to Indian PM (Daily News). Terrorism in Sri Lanka and External Threats By Ben Silva, United Kingdom Defining terrorism in a global scenario By Malin Abeyatunga, Australia Double Standards on Terrorism - By Malin Abeyatunga, Melbourne, Australia A Humble Appeal to our Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh - By R Malhotra  Terrorist acts in countries that nurture terrorists - By Malin Abeyatunge Karunanidhi – Keep your hands off Sri Lanka! By Neil Perera,  Former Vice Chairman CEB and former Hon Secretary, Board of Control for Cricket, in Sri Lanka Tamil Nadu Sleeps While Deadly Serpents Breed Under The Pillows (TULF President Ananda Sangaree) What’s wrong in calling a spade a spade? - By Malin Abeyatunge, Australia India digging her own grave - by R Malhotra in Mumbai Call for ‘more serious intervention’, Indian solutions and realities - S Akurgoda, Melbourne India, stop interfering with Sri Lanka’s sovereignty - By Malin Abeyatunge, Melbourne Largest democracy as handmaid of terrorism (Editorial, The Island) A letter to Prime Minister of India - by SPUR Victoria An Indian Role In Sri Lanka - by Jeanne Jayasinghe ‘Concerns’ of India - By S. Akurugoda, Melbourne A letter to Hon. Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister, Central Government of India, New Delhi, India (SLUNA, Canada) For how long will India watch Tamil Nadu political support for banned LTTE? - By Shenali Waduge Warning of rising anti-Indian feelings - By Janaka Perera An open letter to the Indian Prime Minister - By Ven. Walpola Piyananda, President, Sri Lankan Sangha Council of America and Canada Should India protect the murderers (LTTE) of Rajiv Gandhi for fear of losing Tamil Nadu support? By Shenali Waduge Are politicians like Karunanidi, Vaiko and Nedumaran trying to get Man Mohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul blown up by the LTTE, to protect their own positions in Tamilnadu? - By Sudath Gunasekara India’s own confrontation with terror (Lucien Rajakarunanayake) Invoking Gandhi to save the 'Sun God' - making a mockery of non-violence - by Janaka Perera   The Tamil Diaspora should at least realize now ..... The Tamil Diaspora should at least realize now that LTTE’s days are numbered and any funds collected for LTTE will benefit only Pirapaharan and his top LTTE hierarchy. Pirapaharan educated his son with your money. His wife is running around the world seeking a safe haven with your money. Pirapaharan built couple of luxurious bunkers with all the modern facility with your money. It is therefore still not too late to stop financing the dying LTTE; stop organizing protest marches, demos and rallies as the Sri Lankan government is not going to stop now until LTTE who also brought misery to the Tamils is completely defeated.   "Tamil Hitler - Made in India" Prabhakaran, who killed Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, is now seeking help from India. Indian intervention in Sri Lankan affairs They may be strong in armed forces but still they can't find a proper solution to Kashmir Problem (neither military nor political). No matter how strong they are they still have terrorism problems like Chain Bombardments in their capital city, New Delhi, and attacks even inside their Parliament. With all the technology to win space and with all the high tech gadgets in nuclear weaponry, they took more than 30 years to capture a single jungle thief Veerappan. As a nation, collectively they are unable to derive a proper political solution to have a good relationship with neighbouring Pakistan for more than 6 decades. Their politicians are still unable to convince Indian Muslims and Hindus to live in peace and harmony. India had to draw back their RAW (Research and Analysis Wing - Indian intelligence) wing due to their unsuccessful interference in Sri Lanka that resulted in sacrificing their prime minister Shri Rajiv Gandhi. So, they have been unsuccessful in this matter once. So, their predictions are not always correct. India is one of the major parties who aggravated this problem. They trained LTTE Tamil Tiger terrorists initially in south India including Prabakaran, Pottu Amman and Karuna Amman. They air supplied food stuff in the past to LTTE when were terribly in need. South India continuously smuggle combat stuff to LTTE. As a nation no matter how hard they try to display a big image of their selves they have critical issues in their own country. They have racial issues, religious issues, economical issues, social issues and political issues. It is not the country we see in Bollywood films. Besides it is highly unethical to interfere the matters of another independent nation because we don't ask them what to do next. India simply don't have rights to do that. South Indian politicians can come to Sri Lanka and travel through out the country to see where ethnic cleansing is. All the southern cities and all the offices there have Tamils living and working in harmony. But any of the northern cities don't have a single Sinhalese.  So, where is ethnic cleansing? So better not use unknown matters for their personal cheap short or long-term political gains. We Sri Lankans don't have any other country to live in other than Sri Lanka. So, if anybody wants to give Tamils a separate country, please separate south India (Tamil Nadu) from what we currently call India, just like Pakistan and Bangladesh, and create a separate state for Tamils in the world. Tamil Nadu has all the necessities for them.   I reminisce with joy and happiness the days before 1983 I reminisce with joy and happiness the days before 1983 when LTTE killed 13 soldiers in Jaffna and provoked the Sinhalese in the South to retaliate. We were living with Sinhalese, Muslims, Burghers, Malays like brothers and sisters and that harmony was shattered. We all were one family of one mother Lanka. But unfortunately, LTTE brought us down to ghettos and taught us to hate Sinhalese people. What have we achieved over the last three decades? We have lost our cream of Tamil political leadership sparing only a few like Ananda Sangaree. LTTE killed our educated Tamil politicians; LTTE killed our intellectuals like Dr. Neelan Thiruchelvam, Kethiswera Loganathan, Sam Thambimittu and many others including many Tamil politicians at parliamentary level to village council level. The many youth both men and women sacrificed their lives in this unwanted terrorist war launched by LTTE and ably supported by TD creating a big vacuum in the Tamil population in Sri Lanka. The Tamil minority, once the next biggest ethnic group to Sinhalese has dropped down to third place by Muslims overtaking in terms population. Who is responsible for this catastrophe? We the Tamil Diaspora and LTTE should bear the full responsibility.   Tamil Tiger Terror Machine Forcibly Holding Civilians in the Vanni as a Human Shield LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists are using 'civilians as shields', despite constant urges made by the Sri Lanka Government for the release of thousands stranded in its clutches". Those who are expressing concern about the security of civilians in the Wanni have stopped short of calling for action against the LTTE, which is using people as a "Human Shield" in Kilinochchi and Mulaitivu. The Sri Lankan government has made arrangements to accommodate civilians to be evicted from the theatre of war, as it successfully did in the Eastern Province. If the LTTE lets go of civilians, the question of their security won’t arise. Therefore, it may be argued that anyone who laments about the plight of civilians without faulting the LTTE or pressuring it to release people in its clutches is, either wittingly or unwittingly, helping further the LTTE’s cause. Internally Displaced Tamils Being Used as Human Shields by Tamil Tigers in Vanni (by SLUNA, Canada) Who Commits Genocide in Sri Lanka and How to Stop it - by Thomas Johnpulle Tamils in Northern Sri Lanka Being Held Forcibly by the Tamil Tiger (LTTE) Terrorists - By Ira De Silva Safe Passage for Civilians held captive by the LTTE (Media Release by SPUR Victoria) Tamil Tiger Terror Machine Forcibly Holding Civilians in the Vanni as a Human Shield (Media Release by SLUNA: 12 September 2008) HR agencies silent over LTTE’s human shield (7 September 2008) To: The Tamil Diaspora living in luxury and funding the LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists TAMIL DIASPORA! YOUR MONEY IS IN VAIN IN SUPPORTING LTTE - By Dr. Raju Selva International Community should reprimand murderous LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists for using Tamil civilians as a Cannon Fodder - By Dr Raju Selva, United Kingdom Open the gates of hell - and let my people go ..... - By Selva Gnanam “Horage Ammagen Pena Ahanawa Waage” - By Malin Abeyatunge Tamil Diaspora ! Stop Funding – LTTE is loosing - By Malin Abeyatunga So-called NGOs and INGOs ? What have the LTTE’s NGO/INGO friends being doing in Sri Lanka? Petitioning to protect (Mr) Prabhakaran The Naiveté of the National Peace Council, by Prof Rajiva Wijesinha Secretary-General Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process Report by Norwegians Against Terrorism (NAT) dated 15 August, 2008 exposing so-called NGOs NGO Mafia is running Sri Lanka. A commission is URGENTLY required Be Alert and be Alarmed NGO's and Sympathisers begin an Orchestrated Campaign to Whitewash Tamil Tiger Terrorists and Denigrate the Government of Sri Lanka and the Armed Forces   Welfare activities Sponsor a Child (Organised by SPUR) SPUR child sponsorship programme, called Ranaviru Daruvan, was aimed at helping the children of soldiers who had sacrificed their life or limbs in the war being waged against terrorists in Sri Lanka. In this programme we also included children living in villages under the constant threat of terrorists and had already faced terrorist attacks many times (Click here for details)  Click here for other SPUR Welfare Projects http://www.spur.asn.au/activites.htm Madihe East- Tsunami Relief Housing Project - Handing Over Ceremony By Dharmavijaya Foundation - By Ramani D.Wickramaratne - (Full report in SPUR). Sponsor a child of a war hero deceased or disabled while in action to protect Sri Lanka A joint project with Sri Lanka Army Seva Vanitha Unit http://www.virudarudiriya.com   Ranaviru Foundation (UK) http://www.apiwenuwenapi.co.uk/  Apiwenuwenapi.co.uk is the official web site of the Api Wenuwen Api fund raising campaign in UK. The “Api Wenuwen Api Fund” is a collaboration between the The Ministry of Defence and the Central Bank of Sri Lanka to build 50,000 houses for the serving Tri-Service personnel.   Thawalama Development Foundation No. 5, Rajakeeya Mawatha, Colombo 7, Sri Lanka. The Thawalama Development Foundation (TDF) was established on 1994 April 25th to support and assist in the implementation of Project Thawalama approved by the Ministry of Defense on 1994 January 14th. http://thawalama.org Ranaviru Project of Manel Mal Movement (please download the PDF File) Please send your donations to 'Manel Mal Movement' to boost the morale of our heroic soldiers. For more information, please access http://www.manelmal.org/ Ranaviru Fund in UK Rana Viru Fund is established to provide support for the disabled soldiers in Sri Lanka with the support from Sri Lankans around the World. Donations to Rana Viru Fund can be made to our Bank Account and via PayPal.. A full project report will be furnished to all donors at the completion of each phase. If you have donated last time and have not received the Project Report for Phase 1, please write to us at ranavirufund@yahoo.co.uk and we'll send a copy. See details in www.ranavirufund.blogspot.com Please help us to help those who paid a supreme price for us to live in a Terror Free Country ! Dhammika Siripala For Rana Viru Fund ranavirufund@yahoo.co.uk    Disclaimer A Backward Glance in Time SPUR (New Zealand) SinhalaNet Lanka Herald (Link removed as the URL is now being used by a commercial website) Sri Lanka Embassy in Geneva International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research Helabima NMAT Mawbima Lanka   Sri Lanka Army Sri Lankan War Heroes The Sri Lanka’s brave soldier known as ‘Hasalaka Weeraya’ Chronology of LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorist's recent attacks on passenger buses and trains Helahanda Radio in USA Sri Lanka Peace Secretariat (SCOPP) Media Centre for National Security Sinhale   CASTIS Sinhalaonline Lak Handa (UK) Lanka Daily News Frequently Asked Questions about LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists (FAQs) LTTE's ceasefire violations accumulated to date (details in SLMM Website) LTTE Ceasefire Violations (Sri Lanka Army ) Major Attacks on Civilians by the LTTE A senior Labour MP in UK has become embroiled in an investigation by anti-terrorism police after speaking at a rally in which suicide bombers were praised, The Sunday Telegraph (UK) has learnt  (click here to read more details). UNESCO or a FIASCO ? (Click here to read more details) The International Dimension of Terrorism A collection of published literature on LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists (click here)(Full report in Sri Lanka Army).(Full report in Sri Lanka Army). Chapter 01 : Overview Chapter 02 : Binding Legal Process by International Community Chapter 03 : Generic Issues Child Soldiers LTTE Front Organization Fund Raising Arms Trafficking Narcotics Smuggling Human Trafficking Money Laundering Maritime Terrorism Cyber Terrorism Chapter 04 : Links with Other Terrorist Groups Chapter 05 : Country Based Activities (click here to download your copy for lobbying) International Conference in Countering Terrorism 18 - 20, October 2007 - Colombo, Sri Lanka (click here for details). The International Dimension of Terrorism (A Publication of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs)   LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorist's Child Soldiers LTTE's Child Soldiers Children as young as 4-years are being recruited as Child Soldiers by the LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists in Sri Lanka While many thousands of Tamil children being recruited as "Child Soldiers", see how Prabakaran prepares to celebrate his daughter's B'day? (See LTTE Child Soldiers Web Page) Living in Fear - Child Soldiers and the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka (A report by Human Rights Watch), http://hrw.org/reports/2004/srilanka1104/ An Urgent Appeal - Please save Tsunami Tamil Children being recruited by LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists as "Child Soldiers" Click here for details - (Please use the facts given in the above sub-webpage in lobbying media, politicians, NGOs etc). Tamil Tiger Terrorists have released only 23 out of many hundreds of children abducted as child soldier after Tsunami. They should release all child soldiers. Child Soldiers of LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists in Sri Lanka Child Soldiers of LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists (download Power Point Presentation) LTTE's links with other international terrorist groups [1]  http://www.senter.no/PDF/LTTEalQaeda.pdf - Osama hand in glove with LTTE - The Times of India [2]  http://www.svik.org/lttealqaeda.htm - The LTTE - Al Qaeda link [3]  http://www.svik.org/thai.htm - LTTE and Thailand 4] http://www.slembassyusa.org/defense/2004/amb_black_statement_08sept04.html - Question: Mr. Ambassador, do you find any evidence about links between the LTTE and Al-Qaeda? [5]  http://www.lankaweb.com/news/items02/241002-1.html [6] http://www.southasianmedia.net/cnn.cfm?id=221465&category=Politics&Country=SRI%20LANKA [7]  http://ydeva.info/telling.htm [8]  http://www.rand.org/pubs/rgs_dissertations/2005/RAND_RGSD185.pdf [9]  http://www.burmalibrary.org/reg.burma/archives/200111/msg00044.html   [10]  http://www.state.gov/g/inl/rls/rm/2002/8743.htm   and http://www.ciponline.org/colombia/02031305.htm [11]  http://www.lanka.net/lankaupdate/29_March_2000.html [12] http://www.icclr.law.ubc.ca/Publications/Reports/TNOC_LINKS_STUDY_REPORT.pdf [13]  http://southasia.net/article429.html [14] http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/nepal/terroristoutfits/index.html [15]  http://www.ocnus.net/cgi-bin/exec/view.cgi?archive=73&num=19118 [16]  http://cfrterrorism.org/groups/tamiltigers.html [17] THE MAOIST THREAT [18] Indian Maoists admit links with LTTE (Web India) [19] Armed and dangerous: Taliban gear up (Asia Times: 22 December 2005) [20] British Charity Commission report exposes TRO-terror links (Island: 08 Feb 2006) (Read the Full List) [21] Al-Qaeda, LTTE diverting charity funds - US expert [22] LTTE's links with with Assam Terrorists in India ; India's N-E separatist group linked to Lankan Tigers [23] Possible links between LTTE and al-Qaeda [24] US Senate Foreign Relations Committee reveals Eritrea providing direct military assistance to LTTE (Island: 01 Sept 2007) [25] Tamil Tiger Links with Islamist Terrorist Groups Tue, 2008-03-04 03:08 By Shanaka Jayasekara - Research Paper Published by the International Policy Institute for Counter Terrorism, Herzliya, Israel (Asian Tribune). (Reproduced in SPUR). [26] Indian weekly reveals LTTE- Lashkar links (Daily Mirror; 30 December 2008) [27] Military links between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the militant based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) organization go back to the early 1990s (SPUR)   See more details  http://www.spur.asn.au/LTTE's_Links_with_other_terrorist_groups.htm   Recent attacks on Public Transport System by the LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists   For details please visit http://www.spur.asn.au/Choronology_of_LTTE_Tamil_Tiger_Attacks_on_Passanger_Buses_and_Trains.htm 11 September 2008 - Minor blast on railway track - Sedawatte 10 September 2008 - Minor explosion in Mt.Lavinia 11 July 2008 - Four people including a mother and a son and two other females were killed and 25 others sustained injuries yesterday as LTTE cadres hiding in the Yala National Park opened fire at a Sri Lanka Transport Board bus plying from Moneragala to Kataragama. The incident took place between 50 and 51 Kilometre posts on the Buttala - Kataragama road around 10.30 a.m (read details). 05 June 2008 - Huge Time Bomb Defused Before Five Minutes of its Explosion - RAGAMA: A MASSIVE BLOOD BATH, intended to caused by explosion of 2.5 kg time bomb near a crowded bus halt and a filling station at ALAPITIVALA road MAHABAGE, RAGAMA was prevented just five minutes before its explosion Thursday (5) evening at precisely at 8.25 p.m.. Had the arrival of the Army Bomb Disposal Unit got late to defuse by five minutes, it could have exploded causing a huge carnage on the busy town spot. The Bomb Disposal Team defused it at 8.25 p.m. before it was set to explode at 8.30 p.m.. (Full report in Sri Lanka Army). 05 June 2008 - Huge Time Bomb Defused Before Five Minutes of its Explosion - RAGAMA: A MASSIVE BLOOD BATH, intended to caused by explosion of 2.5 kg time bomb near a crowded bus halt and a filling station at ALAPITIVALA road MAHABAGE, RAGAMA was prevented just five minutes before its explosion Thursday (5) evening at precisely at 8.25 p.m.. Had the arrival of the Army Bomb Disposal Unit got late to defuse by five minutes, it could have exploded causing a huge carnage on the busy town spot. The Bomb Disposal Team defused it at 8.25 p.m. before it was set to explode at 8.30 p.m.. (Full report in Sri Lanka Army). 04 June 2008 - Another bomb has been exploded by the LTTE Tamil Tiger terrorists in a location along the rail track between Wellawatta and Dehiwala railway stations this morning (04 June 2008). It is believed that the bomb had been triggered off targeting the Colombo bound highly crowed passenger train (read details and photos). 30 May 2008 - Sri Lanka police personnel on duty at the main bus stand, Moratuwa have found a claymore mine inside a public transport bus around 9.30 pm, today (May 30). According to the police sources the bomb has been found inside a parcel placed under the rear seat of the bus that completed its trip from Colombo. The bomb has not been armed, but the detonator and few electrical batteries have been found with the bomb, the sources said. Air Force bomb disposal team defused the bomb, the sources added (Full report in Sri Lanka Defence Ministry). 26 May 2008 - 7 civilians were killed including a pregnant mother and 73 more passengers suffered injuries when the LTTE Tamil Tiger terrorists exploded a bomb inside a highly crowded Colombo-Panadura train around 4.55 p.m on 26 May 2008 (see details and photos). 24 May 2008 - Moratuwa - Vigilant civilians yesterday (May 24, 2008) foiled two cowardly attempts made by LTTE terrorist to massacre civilians in the Moratuwa area (read details). 24 May 2008 - Ganemulla - Sri Lanka Police Special Task Force (STF) bomb disposal team defused a time bomb weighing 1.25 kg this evening found in a public transport bus at Kossinna in Ganemulla (May 24, 2008). 25 April 2008 - LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorist's Black Friday Massacre on 25 April 2008 killing 26 and injuring 64 civilians, including a Buddhist Monk on 25 April, 2008. Twenty four civilians returning home after a hard day’s work were killed and another 40 including schoolchildren were injured when a fully packed bus bound to Kahapola was exploded by LTTE Tamil Tiger terrorists at 6.45 p.m. at the Piliyandala bus terminal, near Colombo, Sri Lanka.  This bomb attack clearly showed that the LTTE Tamil Tiger terrorists are not ready to abandon violence and destruction even though the Sri Lankan Government had repeatedly pledged its commitment to peace (Details and photos in SPUR Web page).  03 February 2008 - LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists Suicide Bomb Attack at Colombo Fort Railway Station targeting civilians on 03 February 2008 A female suicide bomber blew herself up at Colombo's main train station. 12 killed; Over 100 wounded (03 February 2008). 02 February 2008 - Dambulla Bus Bomb  - Another Massive Bomb Blast by the LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists at Dambulla, Sri Lanka on 2 February, 2008 - 20 killed; 50 Injured (read details); 29 January 2008 - Madhu Bus Bomb Blast - Seventeen civilians, including 11 school children, were killed on Tuesday in an accidental explosion of LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorist's claymore bomb on a school bus in Mannar district. This territory is held by the LTTE (29 January 2008) 16 January 2008 - Massacre of school children by the LTTE Tamil Tiger terrorists at Okkampitiya, Monaragala in Sri Lanka on 16 January 2008 07 April 2007 - Easter Holidays Massacre in Sri Lanka - LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists attacked a passenger bus to massacre five Sri Lanka Army Soldiers, killing 8 civilians and injuring 28 (Tamil pilgrims of Madhu Church Easter Festival) (Full details in SPUR Web Page) 06 January 2007 - LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorist suicide bomb blast one more bus: 15 killed & 40 injured in a crowded bus at Seenigama, Hikkaduwa, south of Colombo in Sri Lanka - 06 January 2007 (Read full details in SPUR); 05 January 2007 - LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorist kill 6 innocent civilians and injures another 63, by exploding a bomb in a public passenger bus at Nittambuwa, near Colombo in Sri Lanka on Friday, 05 January 2007 (Read full Details in SPUR Web Page) 15 June 2006 - Kebitigollewe Massacre (15 June 2006), Read full details and phots in SPUR WebPage. Carnage at Kebithigollewa (Photos in Island). Download in PDF 1.88 MB   Latest SPUR / SLUNA / WAPS Media Releases Media Release by SLUNA (Canada) - Canada Outlaws World Tamil Movement (WTM) - Tamil Tiger Terror Front (17 June 2008) Media Release by SLUNA (Canada) - Tamil Tiger Terror Machine Continues Carnage Targeting Civilians in Sri Lanka (8 June 2008) Media Release by SPUR (Queensland) - ANOTHER CARNAGE BY LTTE TERRORISTS (7 June 2008) SPUR (Vic) Media Release - Human Rights and Terrorism (03 June 2008) Media Release by SLUNA in Canada : Tamil Tiger Terror Machine Targets Civilians in Sri Lanka (28 May 2008). see SPUR Media Releases in http://www.spur.asn.au/media.htm)   Last two Sinhala Employees in Jaffna ..... - In fact, two decades ago, the last of the Sinhala employees of the Cement Corporation and Lanka Cement numbering nearly 180 had to leave KKS within eight hours under threat by the LTTE terrorists. MKN may not know that these ruthless terrorists woke up the General Manager and Deputy General Manager at two in the morning, marched them and placed them against the wall of the Cement Corporation and shot them dead point blank. These two officers were keen and had helped the people of KKS whose livelihood depended on the cement industry. These two officers were Sinhala (Island 26, August 2008).   Reports Issued by the Norwegians Against Terrorism (1) The LTTE is South East Asia with Special Focus on Thailand.  Prepared by R-Senter, Norway - 24 November 2004 http:www.svik.org/PDF/ltteasia.pdf (2) Report by the Norwegians Against Terror (NAT) - 14 January 2007 - The international Fight Against Terrorism- (report issued by the Norwegians Against Terrorism).  http://www.svik.org/nat1.pdf (3) Report by the Norwegians Against Terror (NAT) - The Norwegian Peace Facilitators in Sri Lanka - 13 January 2006 (Last Year's Report) - http://www.svik.org/PDF/norway.pdf (4) Norwegians Against Terrorism (NAT) report - 15 August 2008   Read more about LTTE's suicide bombers http://www.spur.asn.au/chronology_of_suicide_bomb_attacks_by_Tamil_Tigers_in_sri_Lanka.htm LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorist's recent Atrocities .... Caution : The images shown in this web page exposing the atrocities of the LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists may be found disturbing by some people. Proceed at your own caution.   6 Tamil civilians killed, 20 Tamil civilians injured in LTTE artillery attack at Jaffna on 29 May 2008 LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists hand grenade attack on civilians injuring 17, including two children (17 May 2008) LTTE Tamil Tiger suicide bomb attack near Sambuddhaloka temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka targeting civilians ; 10 killed, over 95 wounded (16 May 2008) Please download your copy of the document in PDF format Massacre of civilians at Ampare (09 May 2008) See more details in SPUr on 09 May 2008  Tamil Terrorist Bomb Blast, Ampara - Death toll reaches 12 innocent civilians (SinhelaNet).  Mt Lavinia Bomb attack (23 February 2008) Colombo Fort Railway Station Bomb on 03 February 2008 (see details and photos in SPUR). http://www.spur.asn.au/LTTE_Suicide_Bomb_Colombo_Fort_Railway_Station_20080203.htm Deliberate Grenade Attack on Animals in Dehiwela Zoo, Colombo http://www.spur.asn.au/LTTE_Bomb_20080203_Dehiwela_Zoo.htm On 02 January 2008, LTTE Tamil Tiger terrorists killed another two students, Pathum Divanka Chathura Dissanayake (14), and Malith Lasidu Bandara (16) LTTE_tamil Tigers Slave Island Bomb on 2008 January 02; LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists massacre another 10 innocent civilians in a remote village of Kalawalgala, Thanamalwila in Sri Lanka on 18 January 2008. Massacre of school children by the LTTE Tamil Tiger terrorists at Okkampitiya, Monaragala in Sri Lanka on 16 January 2008 Massacre of civilians in Abhimanpura, Kebitigollewa, Sri Lanka (05 December 2007) Suicide bomb attack on fellow Tamils in Colombo (28 November 2007) Bomb attack on civilians, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka (27 November 2007) Ratmalana Bomb on 28 May 2007 - http://208.109.150.200/LTTE_Atrocities_20070528_Ratmalana_Bomb.htm LTTE gunmen shot dead, Ven. Hadungamuwe Nandarathene Thero, a Buddhist monk at Mahadivulwewa-Stage 1, in the Morawewa General area, approximately 40 kilometers north east of Anuradhapura, on Sunday the 13th of May. (Full details in SPUR : http://208.109.150.200/LTTE_Atrocities_20070513_Hadungamuwe_Nandarathana_Thera.htm New Year Eve Massacre in Sri Lanka - LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists Kill Five More Innocent Tamil Civilians on the Eve of Sinhala and Tamil New Year (Friday, 13 April 2007). http://208.109.150.200/LTTE_atrocities_20070407_Vavunia_Mannar_Road_Bus_Bomb.htm LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorist's Awaranthalawa Massacre on 12 April 2007 (Full details in SPUR Web Page). Power Point Presentation on some of the LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists attacks  (save and open) 0 2 April 2007 - Konduwantuwan village, Ampara 29 March 2007 - Morakotanchena, a Tamil village in Battocaloa 07 April 2007 - Piramankulam in Vavunia 05 April 2007 - Nidanwela, Aralaganvila 12 April 2007 - Avaranthalawa Easter Holidays Massacre in Sri Lanka - LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists attacked a passenger bus to massacre five Sri Lanka Army Soldiers, killing 8 civilians and injuring 28 (Tamil pilgrims of Madhu Church Easter Festival).(Full details in SPUR Web Page). LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorist suicide bomb blast one more bus: 15 killed & 40 injured in a crowded bus at Seenigama, Hikkaduwa, south of Colombo in Sri Lanka - 06 January 2007 (Read full details in SPUR) LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorist kill 6 innocent civilians and injures another 63, by exploding a bomb in a public passenger bus at Nittambuwa, near Colombo in Sri Lanka on Friday, 05 January 2007 (Read full Details in SPUR Web Page)  Please download the PDF Flyer The Australian Federal Police (AFP) have laid fresh charges against two Melbourne terrorism suspects, accused of being members of the Tamil Tigers (Read more details in SPUR) LTTE Atrocities - 2006 Review (See details in Sri Lanka Defence Ministry). Chronology of LTTE Tamil Tiger Atrocities since June 2005 See full details of LTTE's Somadevi School massacre (7 Dec 2006) in SPUR Web Page Sri Lanka's Defence Secretary, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, escapes assassination by LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists in Sri Lanka .... Details on LTTE's Suicide Attack in Habarana (2006 Oct 15) Details on LTTE's Suicide Bomb Attack on Tsunami Devastated Town, Galle Information Received from Anti-LTTE Tamils Chronology of Suicide Bomb Attacks by LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists in Sri Lanka Suicide Attacks by the LTTE Massacre of Muslims in Muttur by the LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists on 03 August 2006 HOW THE MISSILE CARRYING LTTE SHIP WAS DESTROYED (Please click for the video) Major incidents involving the LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists outside Sri Lanka (May 2007) A home guard beheaded by the LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists - The tiger terrorists killed a home guard at Sirimangalapura in Serunuwara Police division in Trincomalee. The incident happened at the early morning on 24 July 2006 (Full report in NMAT). LTTE TERRORISTS SEVER HEAD OF A HOME GUARD NEAR TRINCOMALEE AND RUNS AWAY WITH THE HEAD (Full report in LankaWeb).  (Details in SPUR). Major General Parami Kulatunga assassinated by LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists LTTE_Atrocities_20060626_Parami_Kulatunga.htm Chronology of Suicide Bomb Attacks by LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists in Sri Lanka (Click here for details). See details and photos in SPUR Massive Demonstration to demand banning the Tamil Tiger terrorists under the Criminal Code of Australia. Organised by several community organisations in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Woolongong etc (See SPUR Website for more photos, please click here) Kebitigollewe Massacre (15 June 2006), Read full details and phots in SPUR WebPage. Carnage at Kebithigollewa (Photos in Island). Download in PDF 1.88 MB  Terror Strike on Public Bus in Kebithigollewa Called to Memory Read full details on Suicide Bomb Attack on Lt General Sarath Fonseka - 25 April 2006. Kalyanapura, Gomarankadawala Massacre on 23 April 2006 Welikanda Massacre on 29 May 2006   PDF Brochure LTTE's attack on Sri Maha Bodhiya at Anuradhapura (14 May 1985). Policemen and security personnels look at the bodies of construction workers who were shot dead by Tigers in an execution-style massacre, 30 May 2006 in Welikanda. ( AFP) (Details in Island). (See more details in SPUR) LTTE Tamil Tiger Atrocities This document contains some photographs of poor innocent children, women and men brutally massacred by the LTTE Tamil Tiger terrorists.   Warning: The photographs may offend the sensibilities of some readers. (see more LTTE atrocities in SPUR Webpage)   Enough is Enough - It is now clear to everyone that all these terrorist activities are being planned and executed by the LTTE Tamil Tiger terrorists living in lodges in Colombo. Therefore, the Sri Lanka Govt should take immediate actions to inspect all these lodges in Colombo and arrest suspected LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists.  An Appeal to the Defence Secretary Open Letter to Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Defence Secretary, Government of Sri Lanka Colombo, Sri Lanka - By Asoka Weerasinghe, Canada (03 January 2008) Click here for the full letter. Open Letter to Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Defence Secretary - Flush out undesirables in Colombo - By Vajiragnana Warnakulasuriya, Melbourne, Australia (04 January 2008) - Click here for the full letter. A Plea from a Retired Tamil Public Servant living in Colombo, Sri Lanka (read details). Enough is enough – Please take steps to eliminate terrorism - By Ben Silva, United Kingdom (read full letter)   President Mahinda Rajapaksa requests UN officials to take action against Child Conscription by the LTTE A list of atrocities committed by the LTTE on Tamils, whom the LTTE say have to be "liberated"(Read the atrocities from May 2002 to September 2003) Killing / Abduction / Attempt to Murder Causing Injuries to EPDP Members by LTTE since Signing of Ceasefire Agreement on 23rd February 2002 until September 2004 HOSTILE ACTS OF THE LTTE INTIMATED TO THE EPDP THE GATHERING STORM IN THE EAST  LTTE's deadliest vehicle bomb attacks (June 2007) Raising the LTTE Flag in USA - The New York Society for United Sri Lankans in a letter addressed to Mr. Evans Owens of the US Embassy in Colombo said if the laws banning the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the US allow a front organization of the terrorists to teach Tamil students of New York such doctrines as ethnic cleansing as correct the proscribing law must be a real ass and a real hollow one (See LankaWeb). VIP treatments by the Government of Sri Lanka to the terrorist leader who was / is / will be  distributing lies worldwide to damage the good name of the Government of Sri Lanka and who planned the deaths of thousands of defence personnel and unarmed civilians (Read Full details in SPUR). Imploding Federalism in Australia - Are there Lessons for Sri Lanka? (full report in PDF format). The Sting in the Tigers' Tale (read full transcript in SBS Dateline).   The Norwegian Peace Facilitators in Sri Lanka  Report prepared by Norwegians against Terror (NAT) Oslo, Friday 13th January 2006 Please download the PDF version of the report and use it for lobbying purposes. www.senter.no/norway.pdf  or www.svik.org/PDF/norway.pdf   Please read in full, the award winning article by Namini Wijedasa - Tigers kill democracy in Batticaloa - Blatant, relentless child recruitment Tamil Tigers Extort Diaspora for ?Final War? Funds Tamil Families and Businesses in Canada, UK Threatened  (Full report in Visit Human Rights Watch)    http://hrw.org/reports/2006/ltte0306/ LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists continue to assassinate civilians, members of the rival political parties and security personnel under the banner of cease-fire agreement (CFA)  Press Release by EU - Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union condemning the actions of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)EU Declaration on LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists - 26 September 2005 LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists continue to assassinate civilians, members of the rival political parties and security personnel under the banner of cease-fire agreement (CFA). (see details in SPUR) (Read the Media Release by SLUNA, 21 January 2006)   Liberate Tamils from the LTTE Tiger Terrorists   (more details) LTTE Front Organisations identified by various sources (See Details in Lak Handa UK) Visit Lak Handa (UK) Home Page       Liberate Tamils from LTTE Tiger Terrorists Click here for more details   Between February 2002 and August 2005, 2,069 complaints were registered against the LTTE. Of these, 1,693 have been ruled as CFA violations. The SLMM had ruled that the total number of CFA violations committed by the LTTE, involving all categories, is 3,113. Of the 141 cases ruled as CFA violations by the Sri Lankan armed forces, there are no complaints of child recruitment. Pointing out that upto the end of August, the UNICEF had recorded 1,277 outstanding cases of child recruitment, the Coalition emphasised that "the recruitment of any child under the age of 18 for military purposes ? whether forced or voluntary ? is contrary to international human rights norms." (Hindu, 05 Oct 2005) Media Release - Tamil Tiger Terrorist Attacks Heighten Tensions In Sri Lanka  (Full Media Release of SLUNA, Canada). Worldwide Protests against the current Norway Government and the LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists Atrocities (Read Norway and LTTE)   10 December 2005 in Geneva (Organised by patriots in Italy)   30 October 2005 - Italy, Rome (Piazza Della Republica)   18 September 2005 - Protest opposite UN against LTTE atrocities - A protest rally against political assassinations including that of Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadiragamar, recruitment of child soldiers, import of military weapons and other terrorist activities, was held at the UNO Headquarters, in New York on September 18 (Sunday) between 1.00 p.m. and 3.00 p.m. A large number of Sri Lankans resident in the New York and New Jersey states participated. The protesters forwarded a petition to the UN Secretary-General with copies to other world leaders (Full report in Island).   17 September 2005 (Saturday) - In Kathania (from Piazza Borgo to Piazza Duomo), Italy- 3:30pm   Melbourne (11 September) - A massive protest rally on famous "9 / 11" in front of the State Parliament in Victoria, Melbourne, Australia (Click here for Photos and details). Click here for the Media Release   Vancouver (27 August) - A mass protest will be held at the Georgia Plaza of the Vancouver Art Gallery at 750 Hornby Street (Hornby Street / West Georgia Street), Vancouver   Los Angeles (17 Aug) - Protest in Los Angeles against LTTE (LankaTruth).   Canada (17 Aug) , USA (18 Aug) and UK (19 Aug)  - JVP International takes protests across Atlantic (details and Photos in SinjelaNet)  - Protests in France, Canada and UK against LTTE Protests in France, Canada and UK against LTTE (Lanka Truth).   Paris (17 Aug 2005) - JVP internationally protests against the LTTE (Full details in SinhelaNet)   Canberra (18 Aug 2005) - Australian Sri Lankans stage vibrant demonstrations in front of the Sri Lankan and Norwegian diplomatic missions   International Crisis Group (ICG) - Crisis Expert and Export Crisis? ............ Gareth Evans - crisis expert and peace maker? (Asoka Subhawickrama, Sydney - 01 August 2007)  Open letter to Mr. Gareth Evans, President of International Crisis Group (ICG) (read full letter in LankaWeb) Gareth Evans? (ICG) Declaration of a Possibile R2P (Right to Protection) Situation Developing in Sri Lanka is aimed at Safeguarding the Tamil Tiger Terrorists ? (Media Release by SLUNA, Canada - 02 August 207) in LankaWeb. Peace Secretariat slams Gareth Evans? calling for international intervention in Sri Lanka No case for foreign intervention in Sri Lanka Response to Gareth Evans  Gareth Evans? (ICG) Declaration is aimed at Safeguarding the Tamil Tiger Terrorists? Tell those INGO lackeys where to get off! - Island Editorial  R2P ? latest acronym for neo-colonial interventions Reply to Hon. Gareth Evans President, International Crisis Group, Brussels, Belgium A Response to Gareth Evans ? A ?R2P? crisis in Australia! Ravi Randeniya McCarthy Road, Unit 12 Ottawa. A Letter from SLUNA to to Honourable Gareth Evans AO, QC - The Limits of State Sovereignty: The Responsibility to Protect in the 21st Century - Eighth Neelam Tiruchelvam Memorial Lecture, International Centre for Ethnic Studies (ICES), Colombo, 29 July 2007 l (Full letter in SPUR). How much was Gareth Evans paid and by whom? - Persons such as Gareth Evans should not prostitute themselves (Full report in Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka - Geneva - Switzerland). Trying to convince Virginia Judge ...  the "True" nature of the LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists in Sri Lanka ............   Defense of Viginia Judge New South Wales MP lacks credibility (Asian Tribune)   Do 3000 votes justify, challenging a Country?s Sovereignty ? a Sri Lankan asks Ms. Virginia Judge MP (Asian Tribune)   Ms.Virginia Judge, NSW MP defended (Asian Tribune)   TO YOU VIRGINIA JUDGE, AND TO YOU THE FRIENDS OF SRI LANKA (LankaWeb)   Statement made in the New South Wales Parliament on September 15, 2005 (SLUNA)   Another open letter to New South Wales Member of Parliament Ms.Virginia Judge (Asian Tribune : 23 September 2005)   An open letter by a Sri Lankan to Ms. Virginia Judge, New South Wales MP (Asian Tribune: 22 Sept 2005)   "I experienced first-hand a concerted campaign to prevent me from traveling to Tamil Eelam" ? Virginia Judge (Asian Tribune: 17 Sept 2005)   Australian MP carrying dollars to Mullaitivu ? LTTE stronghold (Asian Tribune : 31 Aug 2005)   Jane's Intelligence Reports Suicide terrorism: a global threat - Jane's Security News Jane's Sentinel examines the success of the LTTE in resisting the Sri Lankan forces - Jane's Security News Fighting planned in LTTE's 'Year of War' - Jane's Security News LTTE turns up heat in Sri Lankan power struggle - Jane's Security News The Eelam Peoples Democratic Party (EPDP), alleged that the LTTE was responsible for the killing of journalist Dharmaratnam Sivaram on April 28, 2005. Probe LTTE atrocities since signing the CFA (click here for details) LTTE Tamil tiger terrorists air assets a threat to India and Sri Lanka Assassination of Major Nizam Muthaliff  It is immoral that LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists want innocent Tamil children to fight the war for them. There is simply no excuse, no acceptable argument for arming innocent Tamil children http://www.spur.asn.au/childwar.htm So-called Joint Mechanism or P-TOMS   Read Full details on the Supreme Court judgement on P-TOMS P-TOMS funding ? another let down - By Neville Ladduwahetty Joint Mechanism, a mechanism for unconditional empowerment - by Neville Ladduwahetty - Joint Mechanism ? a prelude to Tiger Eelam - by Neville Ladduwahetty Memorandum of Understanding for Establishment of a Post-Tsunami Operational Management Structure Preamble Anti-JM protests in Colombo - Norwegians protected Protests held in all major cities Getting ready for the grand betrayal Power Point Presentation on so-called Joint Mechanism (269 KB only). Please circulate   http://www.spur.asn.au/Can_Donor_countries_promote_terrorism.ppt    Power Point Presentation on so-called Joint Mechanism (269 KB only). Please circulate  Sri Lanka Development Forum Inaugural session held on Tuesday, 16 May 2005 Paper presented by Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera (read full) Let's carry the important message given by Ven Rathana thero to all donor countries - Ven Rathana thero used the golden opportunity tactfully to directly address the representatives of all the donor countries and international lending agencies to expose the LTTE. Now, it is the responsibility of all patriots to carry the initial message given by Ven Rathana thero to all donor countries, by explaining in details the danger of this so-called secretive Joint Mechanism (SPUR Media Release) The link between LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists and the Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO) Read Australia House of Representatives Hansard No 3, 2004 - Tuesday, 7 December 2004 - See Pages 141 - 142 Here below the URL : http://www.aph.gov.au/hansard/reps/dailys/dr071204.pdf A very important statement by Hon Alexander Downer, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Government of Australia. (See Question No 41 in page Nos 141-142 - Government of Australia, House of Representatives, Official Hansard, No 3, 2004 - Tuesday, 7 December 2004) Over 7,000 NGOs in Sri Lanka; Now NGOs are running the country undermining Sri Lanka's sovereignty. A commission is required to investigate the hidden agenda's of this NGO Mafia, and expel them from Sri Lanka (see details) The LTTE is South East Asia with Special Focus on Thailand.  Prepared by R-Senter, Norway - 24 November 2004 http:www.svik.org/PDF/ltteasia.pdf   (Click here for details of the Press Conference held last night)   http://www.svik.org/Videos/karuna.wmv The forgotten victims of WAR and Peace in Sri Lanka Navy plans to launch its own website http://www.navy.lk/ on December 10. This coincides with its 54 anniversary.   LTTE International Terrorism (Power Point Presentation)   SPUR Sub - Webpages Home  SPUR Policy Clarification Massacre of 175 Muslims by LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists SPUR SEARCH ENGINE Ethnic cleansing in Sri Lanka Power-point presentation indicating the atrocities committed by the world's most ruthless Tamil Tiger Terrorist group (LTTE) of Sri Lanka (Power Point Presentation) A Trail of LTTE Atrocities (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) Prominent Tamil Leaders Assassinated by the LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists Prominent Political Leaders Assassinated by The LTTE Political killings by LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists LTTE Tamil Tiger Atrocities Power Point Presentation on LTTE Atrocities Serial Killings of some of the Parliamentarians by LTTE Tamil Tigers LTTE has so far killed 23 parliamentarians Please sponsor a "Ranaviru" Child (New Management) Chronology of LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorist's recent attacks on passenger buses and trains 450 Years of Colonialism (Part 1 - British Rule) / (Part 2 - Dutch Rule) /  (Part 3 - Portuguese Rule)  Maradana Bomb Blast More LTTE Atrocities Page 1 More LTTE Atrocities Page 2 More LTTE Atrocities Page 3 Media Releases SPUR Mission Statement LTTE bomb attack on Central Bank, Colombo LTTE bombs Sri Dalada Maligawa in Sri Lanka Galadari Hotel Bomb LTTE Child Combatants  by Rohan Gunaratna SPUR Mission Statement News - Archives LTTE TERRORIST OFFICES, FRONT ORGANISATIONS AND OTHER SYMPATHETIC ORGANISATIONS THAT ESPOUSES THE SAME TERRORIST CAUSE, BASED IN THE UK  Eelam House The forgotten victims of WAR and Peace in Sri Lanka LTTE International Secretariat Two Unmanned Aerial Aircrafts smuggled to Sri Lanka in September 2003... Who has smuggled those two planes ? What LTTE activities in South Africa South African LTTE Connections Exposed International and Regional Implications of the Sri Lankan Tamil Insurgency - Rohan Gunaratne Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy (World Heritage Centre) WORLD OPINION about LTTE Tamil Tigers Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and Answers LTTE Tamil Tigers in Thailand Gonagala Massacre in Ampare - LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists massacred 61 Sinhalese villagers including 17 Women and 7 children on 18 September 1999 (PDF Brochure) Personal Advertisements Child Soldiers Child Soldiers (1) Child Soldiers (2) Child Soldiers (from EPDP) Child Soldiers of The Liberation Tiger of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Chronology of Suicide Bomb Attacks by Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka Suicide Killings - DataChronology of Suicide Bomb Attacks by Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka Suicide Killings - An Overview LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists bomb Central Bank in Colomo, Sri Lanka killing 58 civilians and injuring several hundreds Please send your opinion to King Parayakaran or the JVP? SPUR Advertisements Page SPUR Foster Parents Project -  "Ranaviru" Child   Tamil National Alliance parliamentary candidate Rajan Sathiyamoorthy was killed by LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists on 30 March 2004. Evangelical movement in North and East led by the LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists ......LTTE Tamil Tigers Attempt to Assassinate Hindu Leader, Minister T Maheshwaran Media Release of the World Alliance for Peace in Sri Lanka Unmanned Aerial Aircrafts Smuggled in September 2003 Norway - "Peace" or "Piece" Brokers in Sri Lanka Summary of LTTE activities prior to 2000 (Part 1) Summary of LTTE activities prior to 2000 (Part 2) Summary of LTTE activities prior to 2000 (Part 3) Summary of LTTE activities prior to 2000 (Part 4) Summary of LTTE activities prior to 2000 (Part 5) Summary of LTTE activities prior to 2000 (Part 6) Summary of LTTE activities prior to 2000 (Part 6) Summary of LTTE activities prior to 2000 (Part 7) Summary of LTTE activities prior to 2000 (Part 8) Summary of LTTE activities prior to 2000 (Part 9) Summary of LTTE activities prior to 2000 (Part 10) Summary of LTTE activities prior to 2000 (Part 11) Summary of LTTE activities prior to 2000 (Part 12) Summary of LTTE activities prior to 2000 (Part 13) NGO LTTE Activities in South Africa Norway and LTTE   Is LTTE the Sole Representatives of Tamils? - By Prof Shantha K Hennayake The Facts About So Called Discrimination Katunayake International Airport Attack Please download "Sithumina Vol 1", the monthly electronic news bulletin of SPUR Victoria in Acrobat format Please download "LakHanda Vol 1 in 2004", the news bulletin of SPUR Victoria in Acrobat format LTTE Child Combatants  by Rohan Gunaratna "Slideshow: Sri Lanka Bombing" link to see the slide show. http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/srilanka/feature2.html Slide show on Sri Lanka Bombings Conference on Tamil Tiger Terrorism and the threats to security in the Asia Pacific Region Friday 2 March 2001 - Melbourne Central Conference Centre, Melbourne, Australia Sponsored and organised by Society for Peace, Unity and Human Rights for Sri Lanka Inc. (SPUR) Links to Other Websites Lanka Truth top stories on the national question LankaWeb Go2lanka Heladiva Sinhale in Italy Sihala Urumaya in UK Terrorism Research Centre InternationalSinhela (Hela) Centre UK Gateway United Sinhalese Association in Italy Sri Lankan Events in Melbourne Nishanthaya Sihala Urumaya (SU) Reports from SU Situation Reports from SU Power Gamis in War & Peace - By Prof Harendra De Silva WebPage of Umberto Gui Report of Sinhala Commission UNICEF Press Releases Sri Lanka Democracy Forum Umberto Guy Sacrilage Global Terrorism - Lecture given by the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister, Lakshman Kadirgamar at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House, London on 15th April 1998. International and Regional Implications of the Sri Lankan Tamil Insurgency - Rohan Gunaratne TIGERS, 'MODERATES' AND PANDORA'S PACKAGE - By SL Gunasekara  TAMIL SEPARATIST ISSUE IN SRI LANKA AND THE DEVOLUTION PROPOSALS - overview By S B Hettiarachchi Kingdom of Jaffnapatnum - "Traditional Homelands" The Verdict of Cartographic History THE SO-CALLED TAMIL KINGDOM OF JAFFNA - By Prof. S.Ranwella Racism: the evil elite of Jaffna - H.L.D. Mahindapala - 6th, October 1996 The revolt of the privileged - H.L.D. Mahindapala - 29th September 1996 The Liberation of Kilinochchi - ACSLU Statement issued after the Capture of Kilinochchi LTTE INTERNATIONAL CONNECTIONS LTTE ACTIVITIES IN THE UK Bangkok Post 29/10/97 - Tigers adopt a new tool of terror International & Regional Security Implications of the Sri lankan Tamil  Insurgency. by Rohan Gunaratna South African LTTE Connections Exposed - By Rohan Gunaratna LIBERATION TIGERS OF TAMIL EELAM?S (LTTE) INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS - A PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS Peter Chalk Tamil Tigers receive training in Pan-Negroist South Africa EU Election Observation Mission (EOM) to Sri Lanka, Parliamentary elections - April 2004 Human Rights Watch (Canada) Janes Intelligence Sri Lanka Democracy Forum Free Lanka Media Asian Tribune EPDP News Sihala Yovun Saviya in Colombo, Sri Lanka Child Soldiers in Sri Lanka  News from EPDP Web Page Latest security situation from Sri Lanka Army News Centre Latest Reports from UTHR From the Parliament (Lanka Truth) Security Situation from Go2lanka.com Janavijaya Foundation (Ven Soma Thero). University Teachers for Human Rights (Jaffna) SCN Features Syndicate Presents... Ranil's Diary The Coaliation to Stop Child Soldiers LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists bomb Central Bank in Colombo, Sri Lanka killing 58 civilians and injuring several hundreds Janes Defence Page SPUR Foster Parents Project -  "Ranaviru" Child   News from Lanka Truth Latest News from Sri Lanka Army Hostile Acts by the LTTe Tamil Tiger Terrorists Against the Other Political Parties and Civilians (EPDP) Umberto Gui Assassination of EPDP (Political Party) Members by LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists LTTE Tax System LTTE Political Killings (Muslims) The True History Of Sri Lanka   Voice of Sinhela from Germany Rupavahini News CAUS (Canada) SLUNA Media Releases of SRI LANKA UNITED NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CANADA [SLUNA] P.O.Box 55292, 300 Borough Drive Toronto Ontario M1P 4Z7 Canada Suicide terrorism: a global threat (Janes's Intelligence) Tamil Democratic Forum (TDF) in Denmark Please visit new website Helabima at http://www.helabima.org/ Sihala Urumaya March to Maniraakulam LTTE Camp:Page1, Page2, Page3, Page4 News from the Official Website if the Govt of Sri Lanka. Persons Chargeable With Treason - THE DOSSIER - The Chronicle Of acts of omission and commission which are seriously detrimental to the Sri Lankan nation and the state. Click on Lakhanda LTTE Child Combatants  by Dr Rohan Gunaratna In the Shadow of a Cease-fire: The Impacts of Small Arms Availability and Misuse in Sri Lanka, by Chris Smith, October 2003 Tamil tigers in Norway Mysterious  Sudden  Passing  Away  of The  Most  Ven.  Gangodawila  Soma Maha  Nayaka  Thera Sinhala Net Tigers and us - by Association of United Tamils Overseas (AUTO) London Child Soldiers - 1 (from EPDP) Child Soldiers - 2 (from EPDP) PNM Website Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) LakHanda (UK) The Mackenzie Institute (Canada) The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA)   UNICEF Press Releases Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies   LIBERATION TIGERS OF TAMIL EELAM?S (LTTE) INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS - A PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS Peter Chalk Winter COMMENTARY No. 77 Canadian Security Intelligence Service March 17, 2000 Turning a Blind Eye to Terrorism (The Mackenzi Institute in Canada). Canada and Terrorism   Atrocities commited by LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists to their own Tamil people International and Regional Implications of the Sri Lankan Tamil Insurgency - ByRohan Gunaratne The Svik organisation in NorwaySri Lanka  Ethnic cleansing of Northern Muslims Sri Lanka Navy Danish political parties spearhead a move to ban LTTE in Denmark, as well as in the EU (Asian Tribune) Persons Chargeable With Treason- THE DOSSIER - The Chronicle Of acts of omission and commission which are seriously detrimental to the Sri Lankan nation and the state. Click on Lakhanda (UK) Web Page Search Engins Pooranee AltaVista ? Direct Hit ? Dogpile Web Catalog ? ePilot ? FindWhat Google GoTo.com ? LookSmart - Submit a site  BrainFox ? Kanoodle ? Bay9 ? Lycos ? Open Directory Project ? RealNames ? Yahoo! ? Sprinks by About ? Ah-ha ?ValleyAlley   The forgotten victims of WAR and Peace in Sri Lanka Progress of  the Memorandum of Understanding and the Ceasefire Agreement in Sri Lanka Two Unmanned Aerial Aircrafts smuggled to Sri Lanka in September 2003... Who has smuggled those two planes ? What happened to the investigations ? Lanka peace process : Voice your opinion to India.Info Web Page   Media Releases of SPUR and WAPS (Contd) JOINT STATEMENT FROM SRI LANKAN ORGANISATIONS IN AUSTRALIA ON THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MoU) SIGNED BY SRI LANKA GOVERNMENT WITH TAMIL TIGERS - Surrendering Democracy and Rewarding Terrorism - The Memorandum of Capitulation (MoC)  - SPUR Media Release - March 2002 Resolution adopted at the Annual General Meeting held on 20 April 2002 (SPUR) Environmental Vandal Norway Eyes Sri Lanka?s Rich Environmental Heritage (Full Details in SPUR Web Page : 17 July 2002) MEDIA RELEASE by Pacific Alliance for Peace in Sri Lanka (PAPS) DO NOT REWARD THE LTTE FOR TERROR, MURDER AND COERCION (June 2002) Pacific Alliance for Peace in Sri Lanka (PAPS) Urges the USA Government to Read the Riot Act to the LTTE (6 July 2002) SRI LANKA'S TERRITORIAL SEA CANNOT BE HANDED OVER TO A TERRORIST  ORGANIZATION TO SUBVERT DEMOCRACY AND CREATE A SEPARATE STATE IN SRI LANKA (23 April 2003) CHOOSING FASCIST TIGERS OVER MUSLIMS IN THE EAST AND OTHER UNARMED CITIZENS (26 April 2003) ANY CHANGES TO HIGH SECURITY ZONE (HSZ) BOUNADARIES WILL THREATEN NATIONAL SECURITY AND THE SAFETY OF CIVILIANS IN JAFFNA - Media Release of Pacific Alliance for Peace in Sri Lanka (PAPS) -Tuesday, 6 May 2003 Media Release (Thursday, 15 May 2003) by Pacific Alliance for Peace in Sri Lanka (PAPS) - Elimination of Unsung, Unwept, and Dauntless Defenders of Sri Lanka continues - Government's deafening silence is CONDEMNED (full Media Release in SPUR).   Media Release (Friday, 16 May 2003) by An Alliance of Expatriate Organisations Put the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission on Notice - STOP INTERFERING AND INFRINGING ON SRI LANKA'S SOVEREIGNITY (read full in SPUR). Media Release (21 May 2003) - World Alliance of Patriotic Organisations  say "Enough is Enough" and Request President to Disband the SLMM Open Letter to World Bank Resident Representative in Sri Lanka by Alliance of Sri Lankan Expatriate Organisations - REWARDING TERRORISM AND UNDERMINING DEMOCRACY IN SRI LANKA Open Letter to Prime Minister of Thailand in Sri Lanka by Alliance of Sri Lankan Expatriate Organisations - Stamp Out Tamil Tiger Terrorist Gun Running - Help Sri Lanka Eradicate Tamil Tiger Terrorism Open Letter to the President of Sri Lanka (2 June 2003) - The Government Should Not Capitulate to Terrorist Blackmail - Reject Outright the Demand for an Interim Administration The World Alliance for Peace in Sri Lanka (WAPS) says in a letter to President and Defence Minister of Sri Lanka "We are deeply shocked by the news that the Defence Ministry is about to issue a dictum to Sri Lanka's Navy to fly the flag of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) when patrolling Sri Lankan seas with SLMM representatives on board Navy vessels". Media Release by the World Alliance for Peace in Sri Lanka (WAPS) - 20 June 2003. 'SLEEPERS WAKE! THE WATCHMAN IN THE HEIGHTS IS CALLING'  World Alliance for Peace in Sri Lanka (WAPS) - Press Release : 13 July 2003 - The Nation must stand by its Servicemen and Women in this hour of need Press Release by World Alliance for Peace in Sri Lanka (WAPS) : Sunday, 30 August 2003 - OPEN LETTER TO WORLD LEADERS AND HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION ORGANIZATIONS - Stop killing and intimidating political party members and civilians in Sri Lanka Press Release by WAPS : Thursday, 11 September 2003 - Linking Aid to Good Governance Press Release by SPUR :Sri Lanka Police action to remand democratic protesters is a clear violation of human rights (4 November 2003) Press Release by SPUR :SPUR Rejects Outright Proposal by LTTE Terrorists for Establishing an Interim Self Governing Authority for the North and the East of Sri Lanka (4 November 2003) Press Release by SPUR :The Sacking of Three Ministers and Suspending Sri Lanka?s Parliament (5 November 2003) Press Release by WAPS :SACKING OF MINISTERS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF SRI LANKA (7 November 2003) Open Letter to President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaranatunga by the World Alliance for Peace in Sri Lanka (WAPS) - 4 Dec 2003 Critique of the LTTE?s proposals for an Interim Self-Governing Authority - By Mahinda Gunasekera, Honorary President Sri Lanka United National Association of Canada (SLUNA) - February 2004 Press Release of the World Alliance for Peace in Sri Lanka (WAPS) - Press Release Ref: A05F/UA/2004 dated February 11, 2004 issued by the Tamil Centre For Human Rights (TCHR) titled Hundreds of Christian Churches Vandalised in Sri Lanka Media Release - Presidential Commission to Inquire into the Unexpected Death of Venerable Gangodawila Soma Thero (5 March 2004) Media Release by SPUR - MAXIMISING ELECTORAL POWER (7 March 2004) Press Release of the World Alliance for Peace in Sri Lanka (WAPS)  - SAVE SRI LANKA AND THE SRI LANKAN TAMIL COMMUNITY FROM THE GRIP OF TAMIL TIGER TERRORISTS (19 March 2004) Press Release of the World Alliance for Peace in Sri Lanka (WAPS) - Sri Lankans call for annulment of north and east polls (09 April 2004). SPUR Media Release - Sri Lanka?s Permanent Representative to the UN (17 April 2004) WAPS Media Release : 31 May 2004 - Proposals to Establish an Interim Self ?Governing Authority for the North/East Region by the LTTE WAPS Media Release - An Appeal to the Malwatte Chapter Mahanayake - Most Venerable Tibbutuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thero (21 September 2004) SPUR Condemns the Abduction of Civilians from Trincomalee and Urge the International Community and the Government of Sri Lanka to take Immediate Steps to Secure their Release (24 Sept 2004). Norwegian Anti terrorism speaker says that LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists sold hundreds of Norwegian passports to Al Qaeda group Please read the following two reports. If you wish, please get a hard-copy and forward to those individuals / organizations to act against the funding by the Norwegian Government to LTTE, it's front organisations and their paid agents .... (1) Report by the Norwegians Against Terror (NAT) - 14 January 2007 - The international Fight Against Terrorism- (report issued by the Norwegians Against Terrorism).  http://www.svik.org/nat1.pdf (2) Report by the Norwegians Against Terror (NAT) - The Norwegian Peace Facilitators in Sri Lanka - 13 January 2006 (Last Year's Report) - http://www.svik.org/PDF/norway.pdf Please save the innocent Tamil Children from the clutches of the LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists Read more about LTTE's Child Soldiers http://www.spur.asn.au/childwar.htmchildwar.htm http://www.spur.asn.au/LTTE_Child_Soldiers_Photo_Gallery.html Read more and more about LTTE's Child Soldiers http://www.spur.asn.au/childwar.htm View how LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists are parading in Government controlled areas PHOTO SET1 PHOTO SET2 PHOTO SET3 PHOTO SET4     LTTE Tamil Tigers Attempt to Assassinate Hindu Leader, Minister T Maheshwaran (read details in SPUR). Please download following Power Point Presentations (PPP) for lobbying purposes LTTE Tamil Tiger Atrocities (1.34 MB) Killing by LTTE, a story (1.24 MB) Responses to Dr. John Whitehall, Pediatrician Director, Townsville Hospital Neonatal Unit Queensland, Australia. Your interview with ABC supportive of the Tamil Tiger Terrorists - By Mahinda Gunasekara, Canada (LTTE) (SPUR) A response to Australian Paediatrician John Whitehall's interview with ABC radio - By Dharmasena Liyanage, UK (LankaWeb) Your interest in Tamil Tigers - By Asoka Weerasinghe, Canada (LankaWeb) Whitehall whitewashing Tigers - Open Letter to Dr John Whitehall - By Ira De Silva, Canada (SPUR). The Chinese in Malaysia is not entitled to a second homeland in Malaysia where a large Chinese community lives. Its real homeland or native is China . Malaysia is the homeland of the Malays where they are the bhoomiputras. So why should Tamils be entitled to a second homeland in Sri Lanka when next door to this island is their real homeland having a history of many thousands of years of Tamil civilization? Any foreigner has only to visit Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu see the difference between the two countries and find out what the true Tamil homeland or native land is. Homeland .......We should note the difference between a person's land of birth and his/her motherland (or fatherland as the Germans would say). The latter is the land of our ancestors who built a civilization culture and language for over two centuries. Accordingly Sri Lanka is the motherland of the Sinhalas. They have no other home land or mother land in any other part of the world, unlike the Tamils whose homeland is Tamil Nadu established on January 14, 1969. Ninety percent of the world's Tamil population lives in India and 75 percent of them in Tamil Nadu which is twice the size of Sri Lanka . Tamil Terrorist Leader Arrested (MP3) Listen to Tamil Terrorist Leader Arrested (MP3) Tamil Terrorist Leader Arrested (Real Player) - Download Listen to Tamil Terrorist Leader Arrested (Real Player) Please visit LTTE Child Soldiers Web Page LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists shot this child at point blank range when refused to join (read more to understand the true nature of the LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists)   APRC Proposals ....... The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna has already warned the government that it would face dire consequences, at the forthcoming budget, if it backs the APRC proposals for a Federal State. JHU and MEP representatives of the APRC have publicly denounced the Chairman for his efforts to undermine the mandate received at the last presidential election for a unitary state. The persistent attempt by the Chairman of the APRC to sell a set of proposals based on the very same report of the expert panel, rejected by the main political parties (SLFP.JVP, JHU, MEP etc) who were instrumental when bringing the present regime into power, could drag the ruling circles into a difficult situation unless remedial action is taken in time. Read more ...... International Crisis Group (ICG) - Crisis Expert and Export Crisis? ............. Gareth Evans - crisis expert and peace maker? (Asoka Subhawickrama, Sydney - 01 August 2007)  Open letter to Mr. Gareth Evans, President of International Crisis Group (ICG) (read full letter in LankaWeb) Gareth Evans? (ICG) Declaration of a Possibile R2P (Right to Protection) Situation Developing in Sri Lanka is aimed at Safeguarding the Tamil Tiger Terrorists ? (Media Release by SLUNA, Canada - 02 August 207) in LankaWeb. Peace Secretariat slams Gareth Evans? calling for international intervention in Sri Lanka No case for foreign intervention in Sri Lanka Response to Gareth Evans  Gareth Evans? (ICG) Declaration is aimed at Safeguarding the Tamil Tiger Terrorists? Tell those INGO lackeys where to get off! - Island Editorial  R2P ? latest acronym for neo-colonial interventions Reply to Hon. Gareth Evans President, International Crisis Group, Brussels, Belgium A Response to Gareth Evans ? A ?R2P? crisis in Australia! Ravi Randeniya McCarthy Road, Unit 12 Ottawa. A Letter from SLUNA to to Honourable Gareth Evans AO, QC - The Limits of State Sovereignty: The Responsibility to Protect in the 21st Century - Eighth Neelam Tiruchelvam Memorial Lecture, International Centre for Ethnic Studies (ICES), Colombo, 29 July 2007 l (Full letter in SPUR). Open Warrant Issued to Arrest Prabhakaran  High Court judge Sarath Ambepitiya issued an open warrant through the CID to arrest Prabhakaran and three others who were absconding. He said the LTTE leader was guilty on 51 counts and each count carried 20 years in jail making a total of 1020 years. But for practical purposes the Judge said he was imposing the sentence only on the first ten counts making a total of 200 years in jail. Wanted by Interpol http://www.interpol.int/public/Data/Wanted/Notices/Data/1994/54/1994_9054.asp Wanted by Interpol (1) - VELUPILLAI, Prabhakaran (from Interpol Web Page) Wanted by Interpol (2) - POTTU AMMAN, Sivershankar (from Interpol Web Page) Wanted by Interpol (3) - RAJADORAI, Sathukulasingham (from Interpol Web Page) Wanted by Interpol (4) -  CHARLES, (from Imterpol Web Page) Wanted by Interpol (5) -  KANDIAH, Sri Ganesh (from Interpol Web Page) Wanted by Interpol (6) -  KARUPPIAH, Kamalanathan (from Interpol Web Page) Wanted by Interpol (7) - RAMAIAH, Papathy (from Interpol Web Page) Wanted by Interpol (8) - SELLAIAH, Navaratnam (from Interpol Web Page Wanted by Interpol (9) - THILLAYAMPALAM, Sivanesan (from Interpol Web Page) SPUR, Sri Lanka, Australia, WAPS, Joint Mechanism, Tsunami, Google, Donor Countries, LTTE, Al-Queda, Saddam, Iraq, Terrorism, Amrosi, Osama Bin Laden, Tamil, Bin Laden, Afghanistan, George Bush, Prabhakaran, Suicide Bombers, Thamil, Thamilan, Jaffna, Hotels, Accomodation, Eelam, Liberation, Jaffna, Srilanka, sri-lanka, Tamil Eelam, TamilEelam,george bush, bin laden, osama bin laden, afghanistan, suicide bombers, bombers, suicide, Tourism, Srilanka, Srilankan, Sinhalese, Sinhala, Buddhist, Buddhism, Kandy, World Heritage Centre, Muslims, childern in war, Tigers, News, Canada, World Heritage Sites, UNESCO, UNDP, Sri Lanaka Tamil News, NSW, LTTE, UNHCR, UN, United Nations, Amnesty International, Atrocities, India, Sonia Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Gonocide, Ethnic Cleansing, NATO, Kosovo, US State Department, Human Watch, Human Rights, Peace, War, Hindu, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch Since the restoration of democracy in the Eastern Province, the Sri Lankan Government has allocated Rs. 6.2 billion for its development. President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, Chief Minister of the Eastern Province (Commonly known as Pillayan, who joined the LTTE at the age of 14 as a child soldier and gave up the armed struggle and choose the way of democracy) at the opening ceremony of the Arugam Bay Bridge. Canada bans World Tamil Movement A Toronto-based non-profit organisation has been outlawed by Canadian Cabinet under the Anti-Terrorism Act, in what may signal an aggressive new approach to combating terrorist financing in Canada. Public Security Minister Stockwell Day announces Monday in Toronto that the World Tamil Movement has been added to the government’s list of terrorist groups. (Adrian Wyld / CP) Currently listed entities (read details in Public Safety Canada). Abu Nidal Organization (ANO) Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) Al Jihad (AJ) Al Qaida Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigade (AAMB) Al-Gama'a al-Islamiyya (AGAI) Al-Ittihad Al-Islam (AIAI) Ansar al-Islam (AI) Armed Islamic Group (GIA) Asbat Al-Ansar ("The League of Partisans") Aum Shinrikyo Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia (AUC) Babbar Khalsa (BK) Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN) Euskadi Ta Askatasuna (ETA) Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC) Gulbuddin Hekmatyar Hamas (Harakat Al-Muqawama Al-Islamiya) ("Islamic Resistance Movement") Harakat ul-Mudjahidin (HuM) Hezb-e Islami Gulbuddin (HIG) Hizballah International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) Islamic Army of Aden (IAA) Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) Jemaah Islamiyyah (JI) Kahane Chai (KACH) Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LJ) Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Mujahedin e Khalq (MEK) Palestine Liberation Front (PLF) Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine - General Command (PFLP-GC) Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) Salafist Group for Call and Combat (GSPC) Sendero Luminoso (SL) Vanguards of Conquest (VOC) World Tamil Movement (WTM) Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Also known as The Tamil Tigers, the Eellalan Force, the Ellalan Force, the Tiger Movement, the Sangilian Force, the Air Tigers, the Black Tigers (Karum Puligal), the Sea Tigers, the Tiger Organization Security Intelligence Service (TOSIS), the Women's Combat Force of Liberation Tigers (WCFLT) Description The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is a Sri Lankan-based organization which advocates the creation of an independent homeland in the north and northeastern part of Sri Lanka which it has called "Tamil Eelam". Its war against the government of Sri Lanka has been fought on three fronts: a political campaign, guerrilla warfare, and a terrorist campaign. The LTTE is committed to using a variety of terror tactics in order to achieve its objectives, including attacking political, economic, religious and cultural targets, as well as targeting civilians. The LTTE's campaign has included plans to create Tamil-only northern and eastern provinces, and to this end it has aggressively expelled non-Tamils from these regions. The LTTE also endeavours to eliminate moderate Tamils and other Tamil militant groups that compete with it for influence and power within the Sri Lankan Tamil community. Date listed April 8, 2006 Date reviewed * November 9, 2006 World Tamil Movement Description The World Tamil Movement, 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. Date listed June 16, 2008 (for details, please visit the web page of Public Safety Canada). In 1926, a statement by Anagarika Dharmapala

Wednesday, 29 April 2009 11:30 PM    Humanitarian operations continue to free Tamil civilians from the "Human Shield of Prabhakaran" despite objections from some Western countries.   LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists in London attacking Indian and Sri Lanka High Commissions.  Read detailed report by Walter Jayawardena - Photos curtesy Reuters British Foreign Secretary David Miliband is unable to enforce law and order in his own backyard in London and LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists are running amok in public. Yet, these Colonial Masters are trying to give "free" advice to Sri Lanka Govt, how to grant amnesty to Prabhakaran. What a joke ? Please mind your own business Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa says .... British Foreign Secretary Davis Miliband's Grave concerns of human lives ....... The secret behind the ‘grave concerns of human lives’ of these superpowers are very clear. World politics and arms trade are closely linked. Arms manufacture and dealing is a highly profitable global business. It is estimated that yearly, over 1 trillion dollars are spent on military expenditures worldwide. The United States is the top supplier of weapons to the developing world, accounting for around 36% of worldwide weapons sales, followed by Britain and Germany. Western Arms Manufacturers needs battlefields to sell their Arms. An estimated 500,000 individuals die in small arms-conflicts every year, approximately one death per minute. Are these people concerned for the loss of innocent lives or their loss of business? The Washington Times Editorial http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/apr/26/tigers-at-bay/ (Sunday, 26 April 2009) should be an eye-opener to those masters who still believe that there is something extraordinary under their blue-eyes and white skin. Wanni Operation (English Version) 28 th April 2009 - Prabhakaran's bullet-proof vehicle captured Wanni Operation (Tamil Version) 27 th April 2009 Northern Battle Front (Tamil Version) 27 th April 2009 Wanni Operation 28 th April 2009 (Sinhala) - - Prabhakaran's bullet-proof vehicle captured Bhikkhus of the Jathika Hela Urumaya walk along the streets of Colombo yesterdaycollecting relief for the internally displaced Tamil civilians liberated from the "Human Shield of LTTE Leader Prabhakaran " (Pic by Kamal Wanniarachchi) Food and other relief goods were received at the collection centre at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition Centre in Colombo. Here donations from people in the south being readied for dispatch to Vavuniya for distribution among the innocent Tamil civilians rescued by heroic Security Forces housed in temporary welfare camps there. Picture by Saman Sri Wedage WAPS SEMINAR ON MAY 4, 2009 at BMICH Theme: Sri Lanka - Future of the Nation Topics and Speakers a)      Introduction – Jivinda de Silva b)      Constitution and aspirations of the People – Manohara de Silva. c)      Implications of the 13th amendment with regard to Police Powers – Gamini Gunawardhane  d)      Implications of the 13th amendment with regard to Land Issues – Dr. Piyasena     Dissanayaka     e)      Implications of the 17th amendment – (Mr. Manohara de Silva’s assistant) f)        Tigers Shadow – Jivinda de Silva g)      Protection of Sri Lanka from Separatist ideologies (The Key Note Address) – S L Gunasekera h)      Future Security of Sri Lanka – Hiran Halangoda i)        Overview of Development and Resettlement issues of North and East and River to Jaffna – Anil Amarasekera and D L O Mendis j)        Reconciliation and National Integration – Prof. Shantha K Hennayaka k)      Caring for those who sacrificed themselves for the country – Lalin Fernando Washington Times Editorial says ......Failing that, the Obama administration should mind its own business. The Sri Lankans are winning; we should let them finish the job (Read full Editorial). Washington Times Editorial says ......We can only imagine American satisfaction if we had al Qaeda in this position. It is unconscionable for the United States to castigate its Sri Lankan ally for prevailing in its war against terrorism. The Tamil Tigers have purposefully created the conditions for a humanitarian crisis and deserve neither amnesty nor mercy. There are ways to help resolve this standoff that will not allow the Tigers to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, such as providing military and intelligence support for pinpoint strikes against the terrorist leadership  (Read full Editorial). Washington Times Editorial says .... The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, one of the world's most violent terrorist outfits, are surrounded in northern Sri Lanka and about to be destroyed - but Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and European self-styled peacemakers are getting in the way of victory. The meddlers should let Colombo finish off this menace. ...... Last week, Mrs. Clinton played into the hands of the terrorists by blaming the Sri Lankan government for the crisis. "The entire world is very disappointed" that they were "causing such untold suffering," she said (Read Washington Times Editorial). Also read A reply to the Secretary of State from USA Citizens (Sri Lanka Defence Ministry)   Wanni Operation (English Version) 27 th April 2009 "Daya Master" Reveals "Genocide of Tamils" in No Fire Zone Wanni Operation 27 th April 2009 Wanni Operation 27 th April 2009 (Sinhala) Northern Battle Front 27 th April 2009 Northern Battle Front (English Version) 27 th April 2009   Tuesday, 28 April 2009 ILO must be in vanguard against all forms of terror - President Rajapaksa - Terrorism is widespread the world over today. It affects the rich, developed and the poor developing world. This is also a threat to the conditions of work of the people that the ILO will have to take note of. Its commitment to social justice for the working people must put the ILO against all forms of terror, not only in the workplace, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the ceremony to mark the 90th anniversary of the International Labour Organization at the Presidential Secretariat today. "As I speak here today, we have passed the difficult land-marks of the defeat and eradication of terrorism from our land. Our heroic troops, a vital sector of our workforce, are completing the historic task of sweeping terrorism away from our midst. The people see a new promise of freedom throughout the land, a freedom that was for long denied for nearly two-thirds of our land and a third of our population and working people. Terrorism not only threatens peaceful society, it also gives rise to misery that is the enemy of progress," the President said. He added that: "In the past three and a half years we have responded to this challenge in different ways. We tried to have a dialogue and negotiations. That was rejected. We were then compelled to use force, the force that is the right of the State, force that is the only language that the terrorist seemed to understand. We used our force with great concern for the hardships it causes to the ordinary people, to the workers and farmers, to their children, and to their livelihoods. We had to take hard decisions, and in the end those decisions saw victory against the evil of terror." (Full report in Sri Lanka Defence Ministry). LTTE is dangling 'ceasefire' carrot to International Community - By: Dr. Chandrani Gunaratna - In a desperate attempt to save their skin the LTTE, masters of manipulation have called for a unilateral ceasefire. The call came in time to coincide with the UN Humanitarian Coordinator John Holmes visit to the region to assess the humanitarian situation. Like a prisoner telling a parole board what they want to hear, LTTE is manipulating the international community. There is no doubt that LTTE is clearly trying to show the world that it is like a puppy following the calls from Western governments for an immediate ceasefire while the Sri Lankan government is rejecting it. Now that they are cornered and no way out except either surrendering or committing suicide the LTTE wants the international community to believe that they are the angels. Tigers have never been sincere with their promises. Soon after they inform all the news agencies their readiness for a ceasefire, the LTTE attempted to launch a Sea Tiger attack on the ground troops in the captured section of the no-fire zone (Sri Lanka Defence Ministry). TAKE AN EXAMPLE FROM US AND LAY DOWN ARMS AND SURRENDER DAYA MASTER AND GEORGE TELL REMAINING CADRES OF THE LTTE - By Walter Jayawardhana - Daya Master and George , the two senior Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres in an interview with the state owned ITN TV apeealed to the other cadres still remaining with the hierarchy of the outfit to leave them and come and join with the rest of the Tamil people in the government controlled areas. Daya Master said, “See, we are here without any trouble ,” encouraging them to come and join them. He said people have two alternatives. One is to bite the cyanide capsule and commit suicide. The other one is to surrender. He said innocent Tamil civilians are being killed and the LTTE is blaming them on the government. He also said underage children are being recruited to fight. George , the other cadre who surrendered with Daya Master said the President’s message about surrendering is explicit and clear. So, he said the LTTE cadres should lay down their arms and surrender. He said they could weigh what has happened to those cadres who have already surrendered, renounce violence and leave the leader (EOM). Tamil Tiger supporters attacked both Sri Lanka and Indian High Commissions in London - Janaka Alahapperuma from London - London- Tamil Tiger supporters have attacked and smashed the windows, glass panels and caused damages to the buildings at India High Commission, Aldwych, London and Sri Lanka High Commission, Hyde Park Corner, London, on Monday 27th April Scotland Yard said. There were nearly 150 violent demonstrators staged an illegal demonstration in front of Sri Lanka High Commission without prior permission. The area is highly residential and Westminster Police do not allow more than fifty people to hold a demo outside Sri Lanka High Commission. However rowdy crowd started to pelting stones at the High commission building and the Police had to forcefully remove them from the area. Later only twenty people were allowed to protest and rest had to stay away close to Basewater road. Concurrently another noisy unlawful protest was staged outside Indian High Commission by nearly two hundred puerile and violent pro Tamil Tiger supporters shouting anti-Indian slogans and demanding India’s Central Government’s intervention for an immediate ceasefire in Sri Lanka. They also demanded the Indian Government to force Sri Lanka to call off the winning offensive against the Tamil Tigers. Earlier Police had to prevent the protesters blocking busy Central London roads near the Indian High Commission on Monday morning. Later three agitated protestors broke into the India House through the visa department when the door was opened to allow a member of staff in (Full report in Asian Tribune). Can anyone be so stupid as the British Foreign Secretary Miliband? - By Satchi Sithananthan in Frankfurt - (April 28, Frankfurt, Sri Lanka Guardian) Can any politician holding a key ministerial position in his government be so imprudent and irrational as the British Foreign Secretary David Miliband? He has called on the Sri Lankan Government to respond to the unilateral ceasefire announced by the LTTE Sunday April 26, 2009 when all was virtually finished for this terror group and whose last defiant act was to hold some 250,000 civilians hostage. Holding civilians hostage has been part of the brutal weaponry of the LTTE. Furthermore, no other man in known history has decimated so many political opponents apart from civilians as the leader of the LTTE, Velupillai Prabhakaran. The LTTE’s offer of ceasefire comes far too late and it must be quite clear to the British Foreign Secretary that this is just a ruse to save Prabhakaran who just would not surrender, the only option that is available to him. It is indeed very shocking how some of the countries in the west are conducting themselves when a small third world country is able to sort out its terrorism problem, which these powerful nations are unable to do so with all the resources available to them. Their civilian collateral loss of lives in their bombings are astronmical but they just don't care even if communities were wiped out. Even this war was declared on the faulty premise that Sadam Hussein was holding weapons of mass destruction (Full report in Sri Lanka Guardian).. Art of Living Guru says facilities in IDP Welfare camps very good - A press release gives lie to Jayalalitha's comments: A press release from the office of respected Art of Living Guru, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar , clarifies that following his visit to civilian welfare centres in Vavuniya in Sri Lanka's Northern Province, "Sri Sri acknowledged that the facilities in the camps are much better" than "those the Indian Government has provided for the Kashmiri pundits and those provided for Sri Lankan Tamils in Tamil Nadu." The press release came in the wake of the political melodrama between two main political rivals in Tamil Nadu, Ms. Jayalaitha and Mr. Karunanidhi heated up on the Sri Lanka's conflict. Both politicians have started exploiting communal sentiments in order to win public support over each other. Ms. Jayalalitha , General Secretary of AIADMK , on Saturday (Apr 26) stated that the only solution for the problems faced by the Tamils in Sri Lanka is to divide the Island nation. Also, she said that she was convinced of her idea after listening to the Art of Living Guru and watching some videos shown by him. However, the press release clearly gives lie to the statement made by Ms. Jayalaitha and also highlights that such comments would not help any way to alleviate the plight of the Tamil Civilians in Sri Lanka . According to the release, Sri Sri also asked: "How will the political drama and commotion happening in the State [Tamil Nadu] help the refugees in any case? Fasting or street demonstration or self-immolations will not help to bring solace to thousands of people in the camps. Instead of reaching out and helping the people who are in need, these incidents will only create fear and anger in society." (Full report in Sri Lanka Defence Ministry). Was Prabhakaran taken for a ride by the Tamil Diaspora? - By Shenali Waduge - What could be on the mind of a man who has spent 35 years of his life hidden in the Wanni jungles to create a separate homeland for the Tamil people now that the armed forces are but a few kilometers from capturing him? With very few cadres left and having to hide behind the very people he was supposed to protect is it too late to wonder whether or not Prabakaran was nothing but a pawn for the Tamil Diaspora? Prabakaran’s killing spree was first directed at Tamils and not the Sinhalese when Tamil police officers stationed in the North while on duty ended up being shot at. Not many also seem to want to remember or recall that all other Tamil groups who also shared Tamil nationalist thought were gunned down ruthlessly to enable Prabakaran’s LTTE to be able to refer to itself as the "Sole" representative of the Tamil people. The 1983 riots left the LTTE its golden opportunity to raise its "cause" internationally and created the platform to launch its "international network" with a unique blend of men and women most of whom belonged to the upper echelons of a highly caste-conscious Tamil society remote controlling the LTTE leader and the children of a lesser God who ended up forming Prabakaran’s child soldiers (Full report in Asian Tribune). "Like a burning log snatched from a fire…" II - By Nalin Swaris - (April 28, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Ranil Wickremesinghe keeps repeating with great pride that he had built an ‘international safety net’ to protect this country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. So where were these great guardians when the LTTE unilaterally walked away from peace talks with the Wickremesinghe government? Wickremesinghe was facilitating Norway’s facilitation of Thamilselvam and his team touring the West ‘to study federalism’ The Air Force was subjected to the ultimate indignity of ferrying these respectable terrorists to and from Katunayeke. On their return they brought with them large crates of cargo which were air lifted without inspection by customs or Air Force security. The travel happy LTTE boycotted the Tokyo Talks but the Donors pretend not to notice. They were seem to have been delighted when Wickremesinghe invited them to "Regain Sri Lanka". Wickremesinghe seemed to be proud that the Donors made themselves the Co-Chairs of the peace process as well. They assumed the authority to dictate how the peace process should move. It was tied to the World Bank prescriptions for the future of this country. The Norwegian Facilitator joined the game of musical chairs and grabbed a place, even though this was against all principles of conflict resolution. Norway, the facilitator, was in a position to provide ‘inside information’ about the peace process according to its reading of events. the Co-Chairs began to mollycoddle the LTTE and arm twist the GOSL. The 4 billion dollar aid package was dangled like a sword of Damocles over the country. Their periodic declarations were scrupulously even handed. The phrase "both parties" was repeated like a mantra. Its being done today even though it must know the LTTE continuing just what it wants and the LTTE knows that the big stick will be wielded only against the ‘Sinhala State" (Full report in Sri Lanka Guardian). Humanitarian operations continue: 53, 58 Div troops advance through mined earth bunds - LTTE terrorists suffered double blows losing two heavily fortified defence positions as 53 and 58 Division troops made predawn incursions at identified terror strongpoints located South of Valayanmadam today (April 28). According to ground reports, 58 and 53 Div infantrymen have respectively gained total control over two LTTE built earth bunds located South and Southwest of Valayanmadam. 58 Division troops advanced Southwards from Valayanmadam, and gained control over a 600m long LTTE built earth-bund running across the coast from West to East, the sources further said. Terrorists have put-up heavy resistance to stall the two frontal military advance before fleeing further South, towards Mullivaikkal, security sources said. "The earth bunds were heavily mined, made to restrict both flow of the remaining hostages and military advances", a defence official said (Sri Lanka defence Ministry). “Some countries who oppose talks with Taliban,propose talks with Tigers! ”- The Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Office in Geneva, in collaboration with the Geneva Press Club - Club suisse de la presse –, organised a press conference on the topic of the ‘Current Situation in Sri Lanka’, on 24 April 2009 at ‘la pastorale,’ Geneva. Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha, Secretary to the Ministry of Human Rights and Disaster Management and Secretary General, Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process, and Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka, Ambassador/Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Office in Geneva were the two main speakers at this press meeting. At the outset, Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha explained the events that took place from 2002 to 2005, providing a brief sketch of the situation. Briefing the gathering on the political means to address the issues that the government has proposed before, during and after the Ceasefire Agreement (CFA), Prof. Wijesinha outlined the key incidents that took place during the CFA. He said that while there had only been 351 recorded violations by the government, the LTTE had violated the CFA 3830 times (Full report in Sri Lanka Guardian). "Role of the troops will be remembered for generations" - Army Commander "Sri Lankans in the country would not fail to remember for generations the sacrifices and heroic deeds, performed by War Heroes for defence of the country's territorial integrity and unitary nature, particularly in the past three years. Equally, gruesome experiences and LTTE atrocities we underwent over past 30 years are enormous," so said Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka, Commander of the Army during a special award of scholarships, held Tuesday (28) morning at Army Headquarters. It was held to give away one hundred Seva Vanitha Army Branch (SVAB) organized scholarships to sons and daughters of War Heroes. Sri Lankans, domiciled in Italy have sponsored the award of those scholarships under the SVAB initiated scholarship scheme. Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka gracing the occasion as Chief Guest further remarked if not for the commitment, dedication and sacrifices of the valiant troops, all of us would have been denied the right of living any longer in a unitary Sri Lanka, although some mouthpieces from Colombo talk high of heroic deeds on behalf of the country (Full report in Sri Lanka Defence Ministry). Human Rights Watch uses barbed missiles against Sri Lanka (By: Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha- Secretary General, Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process) Like the proverbial pig sticking its snout into swill, Human Rights Watch has leapt with glee onto the recent declaration by the Sri Lankan government that its security forces 'have been instructed to end the use of heavy weapons'. HRW has immediately concluded that "By finally admitting it has been using heavy weapons all along, the Sri Lanka government has shed light onto its official deception as well as its brutal military tactics." This was the delightfully dense Brad Adams, who does not understand that not only was the government using heavy weapons, it has indeed reported regularly on its achievements through such means. The point the government had been making was that it was not using heavy weapons on civilians, and indeed its recent magnificent achievement in breaching one of the walls the LTTE had built up, and thus ensuring that over 100,000 civilians could get to safety, was without the use of heavy weapons as pointed out at the time (Full report in Sri Lanka Defence Ministry). Roundup: Captured senior Tamil Tiger urges rebels to surrender; Canada issues travel warning - Captured senior Tamil Tiger urges rebels to surrender: A senior member of the Tamil Tigers who surrendered to Sri Lankan troops last week is urging the cornered rebels to lay down their arms. Velayutham "Daya Master" Dayanithi said the Tamil rebels were using civilians as human shields and had fired at those who attempted to flee the war zone. The "LTTE was keeping the Tamil people as hostages," he said, using the acronym for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam rebels. "Nearly 200 civilians died due to LTTE fire. LTTE propaganda was that these people died because of military shelling." Canada warns against non-essential travel to Mexico: The Public Health Agency of Canada cautioned travellers onMonday to avoid "elective or non-essential" travel to Mexico as the death toll from swine flu rose to more than 150. In a statement on their website that mirrored a move by the U.S., PHAC said Canadians hoping to head to Mexico should postpone their trips if possible. The agency also warned that if travel to Mexico was unavoidable, Canadians should make certain to receive influenza vaccinations, wash their hands regularly, and avoid contact with "people who appear to have a respiratory illness." (Full report in National Post). Turn from conflict concerns to the humanitarian relief mission - Sri Lanka's ambassador to the United States continued meetings with members of Congress in April, offering briefings on the coming conclusion of the government's conflict with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, as well as prospects for civilian resettlement and redevelopment. Ambassador Jaliya Wickramasuriya stressed the government's intent to resettle displaced persons as soon as possible. He explained to those he met with in Congress the success the government has realized in resettling and rebuilding the Eastern Province. Ambassador Wickramasuriya met six members of the House of Representatives during the third week of April. He will continue meetings on Capitol Hill this week and next. All six members of the House expressed their support for the Sri Lankan government's efforts to conclude its conflict with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, or LTTE. Several representatives, such as South Carolina Republican Rep. Joe Wilson, compared the struggle in Sri Lanka to efforts by the U.S. to rid Afghanistan and Pakistan of the Taliban and Al Qaeda extremists. Wilson, a leader in the India caucus in the House, said a swift end to the fighting in Sri Lanka would, "be good for the whole region, for all of South Asia." (Full report in Sri Lanka Guardian). Terrorists and pariah states - Prabhakaran, who roared in 2005 that he would carve out Eelam militarily and plunged the country into a bloodbath again the following year, now finds himself on his knees suing for peace. The government has wisely rejected his truce offer, as it is only a ploy to get a breather. He, it may be recalled, scuttled all the ceasefires in the past after using them as launching pads for the next phases of war. The blame for the humanitarian situation in the Vanni must be apportioned to Prabhakaran who took civilians hostage, his backers overseas and the foreign governments trying to open an escape route for him on the pretext of helping civilians in his clutches. There has been an absurd proposal that Prabhakaran and his fellow criminals be allowed to surrender to a third party. The on-going war is between the LTTE and the Sri Lankan state and Prabhakaran has to surrender to the national military, and no one else. Yesterday, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, all of a sudden, launched a fast demanding an end to Sri Lanka's war on terrorism. No sooner had he commenced the protest than he abandoned it! No politician, we believe, wants to starve himself to death in vain and be cursed posthumously as a schlemiel in the pocket of terrorists. Intriguingly, Karunanidhi has never ever asked the LTTE to let go of civilians, whom he is ready to die for! (Full report in Sri Lanka Defence Ministry). The first UNHCR emergency airlift flight for Sri Lanka arrives in Colombo. The airlift carrying humanitarian aid for tens of thousands of people displaced by fighting in north-eastern Sri Lanka began Monday morning with the arrival in Colombo of a plane carrying 2,850 family-sized tents from the refugee agency's central stockpiles in Dubai. LTTE DEMONSTRATORS IN LONDON TURNED VIOLENT AND SMASHED WINDOWS OF INDIAN AND SRI LANKA HIGH COMMISSION BUILDINGS - By Walter Jayawardhana - Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) demonstrators in front of the Indian High Commission and Sri Lanka High Commission in London turned violent and smashed up windows. By stone throwing two Metropolitan police officers have been injured at the Sri Lanka High Commission premises and admitted to hospital. Supporters of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in a demonstration in Central London became violent and demolished windows of the Indian High Commission building at Aldwych in  Central London and a smaller demonstration in front of the Sri Lanka High Commission in Hyde Park Gardens were also involved in stone throwing to break windows. Police said the demonstrators at the Indian High Commission tried to enter the building through the reception area but were pushed back.In an earlier demonstration by the LTTE supporters , they beheaded a Jawaharlal Nehru statue put up by the Westminster City Council close to the Indian high Commission about two weeks ago (Read full report). London mission faces Tamil rage - The Indian High Commission in London has asked the British authorities for better security after Tamil demonstrators attacked India House in Aldwych, smashed large glass windows at the front and side of the building and pushed their way into the lobby before being removed by police. Since this latest breach of security follows the dislodging on April 9 of the bust of Jawaharlal Nehru that occupied a plinth at the side of the building, it is clear that whoever is responsible for security at India House has not been doing his job. In marked contrast, the American embassy in Grosvenor is now surrounded by concrete barriers and patrolled round the clock by heavily armed officers. Had a group forcibly tried to smash its way into the US embassy, there is a strong possibility they would have been shot. “An incident occurred between 8.15-8.30am in the morning today,” said an Indian high commission statement. “A crowd of demonstrators, shouting slogans about the situation in Sri Lanka, gathered outside the high commission premises. A few managed to force their way in, when the door was opened to allow a member of local staff in. The crowd, originally about 100 to 150 in number swelled to over a thousand later.” The statement added: “The Foreign & Commonwealth Office has been briefed about the incident, along with the High Commission’s concerns about the security situation and their need for adequate security measures.” (Full report in The Telegraph in Culcutta). LTTE criticises India - NEW DELHI, Monday: LTTE political wing head P. Nadesan yesterday lashed out at the Indian government for failing to play a constructive role in the ongoing conflict. In an e-mail interview to The Statesman, he expressed his sadness at the Indian government’s continuing military aid and diplomatic support to the Sri Lankan government for carrying out a virtual genocide against the Tamils. “The current Indian government’s position, action, and inaction are very disappointing. Not only have they not identified the true friends and natural allies of their strategic region, but in fact are acting against them -- the Eelam Tamils. We are also very sad to see, that the current Indian government is providing all kinds of military aid and diplomatic support to the Sri Lankan government in waging this genocidal war against Tamils,” Mr. Nadesan said. “Unfortunately, Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) unloaded bombs in four sorties on Saturday, intensifying bombardments in the northern and southern parts of Mullivaaykkaal inside the safety zone where tens of thousands of civilians have sought refuge. The attacks intensified a day after Indian diplomats visited Colombo and discussed the war with the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse,” Mr. Nadesan said when commenting on the recent visit of India’s Foreign Secretary, Shivshankar Menon, and National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan to Colombo. Mr. Nadesan dismissed the charges leveled at the LTTE that it was using civilians as hostages and said it was actually the Sri Lankan security forces that were using civilians as hostages in offensive operations to move into the densely populated area (Full report in Daily Mirror). Are these westerners concerned for the loss of innocent lives or their loss of business? - By S Akurugoda, Melbourne, Australia - Almost all statements released, one after the other, by western politicians, diplomats, spokespersons etc throughout the world at this 11th hour indicates nothing other than their sinister motive of giving a fresh life line to the LTTE leader Prabhakaran and dragging Sri Lanka back into an on-going war against terrorism. It is not surprising at all to understand the so-called ‘grave concerns’ of these people led by British who are the main culprits of the ‘conflict’. British Foreign Secretary David Miliband, who made several controversial statements, is now calling the Sri Lankan Government to reciprocate to the unilateral ceasefire announced by the vanishing LTTE.  Call for ‘ceasefire’ at this stage is a mere joke, since LTTE is not fighting but running away, as Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa pointed out.As per the latest media reports, the British PM has still not given up his dream of sending his pro-LTTE special envoy to Sri Lanka, despite the rejection of such actions by the government of Sri Lanka. The former colonial masters still prefer to listen to their former ‘favorites’, LTTE Tamil Diaspora, rather than the democratically elected President. Now that the chances of dividing Sri Lanka on ethnic lines by military means are no more, the next question, often raised by these interested parties is “when is the political solution”? As the President has quite rightly reminded to the British PM, when asked about a ‘political solution’, what is needed by the IDPs is their basic needs such as shelter, food, clothing, medicine etc and not a ‘political solution’ (Read full report). "Lifeline to North" Organised by All Sri Lankan Community Organisations in NSW coordinated by Australia Sri Lanka Forum - "ASF"  Community Leaders in Sydney, Australia participated at the meeting to launch "Lifeline to North" All participants agreed to send money (only) to buy most essential items locally. Identified four main organisations on the ground at present which are capable of immediate delivery of food, medicine, shelter etc without long delays. They were; (1) Jayagrahanaya - (The Victory) - under the patronage of Dr Anula Wijayasundara ; (2) Lotus Movement - Under the patronage of Mr Olcut Gunasekara (3) Seva Lanka Foundation - Under the Patronage of Mr Harsha Kumara Nawarathne (4) Patrotic National Centre Under the Patronage of Ven Amila Thero; Funds will be collected through each and every participating organisations and deposited into a bank account before sending the money. Those encouraged us to kick off this project and also others who are willing are invited to contact one of the following members of ASF to pledge their support; Samapriya Sumanasekara - 0430453900 Jagath Bandara - 0419404997 Lal Rankothge - 0423518495 Nimal Liyanage - 0419436707 Udaya De Silva - 0412877172 Udaya Hewagama - 0409604358 Kumara Kulatunga 0408720077 Nelson Piyaratne - 02 42849693 Kumar Athulathmudali - 0432660494 Wimal Karunananda - 02 98732121 Gamini Gunathilaka - 0414679484 Wijaya Hapukotuwa - 0428645624 Yamuna De Silva - 02 98377953 Lal Dayanayake - 0407535904 Sarath Kumara - 0411092328 Gamini Ekanayake - 0425833660. Lanka rules out any talks with defeated Tigers by Shamindra Ferdinando - 58 Division only 3.5 km from Prabhakaran’s bunker - Gota insists LTTE weapons be handed over to SLA - Two Divisions continue rescue ops, Tigers surrender - The LTTE couldn’t be party to any future political dialogue with Sri Lanka, authoritative government sources told The Island. Sources emphasized that President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s government wouldn’t accept Velupillai Prabhakaran as a party to any settlement. Nothing could be as ridiculous as allowing the LTTE representation in the proposed negotiations after it had lost its so-called conventional fighting capability, sources said. Sources said that a statement issued by the US State Department on Sunday on behalf of the Tokyo Co-Chairs to the Norwegian-led peace initiative had revealed their failure to comprehend the ground reality. The US while urging the LTTE to hand over arms to a neutral third party, urged Sri Lanka to offer an amnesty to the LTTE to the majority of LTTE cadres and devise a resettlement plan to pave the way for a political dialogue. The US hasn’t identified the third party (Full report in Island). Strictly continuing zero casualty policy: Rescue mission continues - No ceasefire - No cessation of hostilities Combat operations of the Security Forces have reached a successful conclusion, said a statement issued by the Presidential Secretariat yesterday. The humanitarian rescue mission, however, to free the remaining 15,000 to 20,000 held hostage by the LTTE will continue until the last civilian is rescued. With the success of the world’s largest hostage rescue operation, the Security Forces have been given strict instructions by the Government to refrain from the use of heavy calibre guns, combat aircraft and aerial weapons which could cause civilian casualties. This directive coincides with the zero civilian casualty policy pursued by the Government through out its humanitarian operations. “This is the same and an extension of what the Security Forces have been continuing since the fall of Mullaitivu, as terrorists resorted to taking thousands of civilians as hostage,” a senior defence official said. There is no ‘cessation of hostilities’ or a ceasefire as interpreted by certain media, said the official. Over 180,000 civilians who were held hostage by the LTTE have been rescued since January. Of them nearly 115,000 were freed since the beginning of the rescue mission that begun on April 20, 2009 (Daily News). Sir John Holmes meets President: UN releases US $ 10 million to relief fund United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Sir John Holmes, who is on a two-day visit to Sri Lanka met President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees yesterday evening and had discussions on the current situation in the North and United Nations activities there. The discussions were held in an atmosphere of cordiality and friendship. President Mahinda Rajapaksa informed Sir Holmes of the progress of the humanitarian operation to rescue civilians and the efforts taken by the Government to provide all necessary facilities to the civilians arriving in Government controlled areas. Sir John Holmes, who returned from a visit to Vavuniya to see the facilities at the welfare villages set up to receive the large influx of civilians from the No Fire Zone expressed his satisfaction over the facilities at the villages. He informed the President that as the United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator he would release US $10 million immediately to the Central Emergency Relief Fund. Another sum of US $ 10 million was released last week. Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, Disaster Management and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Foreign Secretary Dr. Palitha Kohona and the United Nations Resident Representative Neel Buhena were also present (Daily News). The Tamil diaspora: solidarities and realities - by Nirmala Rajasingam - The Sri Lankan Tamil community may not be the largest of the diaspora communities represented in London or other such greatly diverse cities around the world, but the numbers and conviction they have mobilised in recent days to highlight the plight of their brethren at home have been exceptional. The demonstrations by Tamils in the centres of London, Toronto and other cities have been spectacular, defiant and spirited displays of grief and anger: men, women, and many young people have gathered with colourful flags and banners, staged sit-ins, and chanted slogans, while several of their number have promised to fast unto death. Their slogans are simple: "Genocide!", "Pirapaharan is our leader!", and "We want Tamil Eelam!". These references to the leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the aspiration to an independent state in northern Sri Lanka are accompanied by the touting of images of this figure and the waving of flags showing the Tiger emblem. Several parliamentarians in Britain and Canada have voiced support for the demonstrators. The humanitarian situation in parts of northern Sri Lanka - especially in the narrow strip of land around Mullaitivu - is indeed desperate, as the Sri Lankan army's advances have continued and as they lay siege to LTTE redoubts where approximately 100,000 civilians are confined - the latest stage of a long war that has persisted since 1983 (see "Sri Lanka's displaced: the political vice", 8 April 2009). (Full report in Sahasmavada). Tamil Children liberated from the "Human Shield of Prabhakaran"  are now safe in the hands of Sri Lanka Government medical staff…  Children injured in the fighting in the North were transferred to Colombo for treatment. The picture shows a young nurse at the Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital consoling a toddler after he was treated for his wounds sustained from the LTTE firing when his parents were fleeing the No Fire Zone in Pudukudairuppu. Picture by Pradeep Dilrukshana (see more photos in Daily Mirror)   Monday, 27 April 2009 52 LTTE cadres, including 29 child soldiers surrender in large numbers   US, UK Should Mind Their Own Business. Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa Northern Battle Front (English Version) 26 th April 2009 Wanni Operation 26 th April 2009 Northern Battle Front 26 th April 2009 Wanni Operation 25 th April 2009 - Heavy weapons found. Sri Lankan Troops uncover more tamil tiger terrorist armouries 25/04/2009 Tamil Children injured in Tamil Tiger Terrorist attacks treated in Colombo 25/04/2009 Northern Battle Front 25 th April 2009 Wanni Operation 24 th April 2009 - Tamil civilians expose LTTE atrocities Douglas Wickramaratne explains the truth about Black July, 1983 LTTE Video Footage Reveals the True Face of Mano Ganeshan and TNA MPs (English Version) Minister HemaKumara Nanayakkara Speak the truth to a LTTE Minister on 21st April 2009 Civilians welfare - Sri Lanka War Situation Report (Rupavahini) 25/04/2009 'Media illusionists' twist government statement: 'No Ceasefire offered' Sri Lankan security forces will continue with the humanitarian operations to rescue the remaining 15,000 -20,000 people held hostage by LTTE while avoiding the use of heavy caliber weaponary as a strict measure coinciding with its 'Zero civilian casualty policy (ZCC)', a defence official stated refuting some immediate media jargons made misinterpreting the government declaration as a 'cession of hostilities' cum 'ceasefire'. "This is a crude and an unethical way of media 'reportash', a blatant twist of the original statement, perpetrated to motivate the hell-bent terrorist sympathizers cum political clouts" the official said describing the logic behind the Government decision an exhibit of its grave concern to avoid any form of collateral-damage while surging into the remaining 10sq.km swathe of coast, South of Valayarmadam and Vellamullivaikkal. "This is the same and an extension of what the security forces have been continuing since the fall of Mullaittivu, as terrorists resorted to taking thousands of civilians as hostage", the official said. "Security forces are now reaching victory, 'combat mission reaching its conclusion' and in no form will leave a breather for the internationally banned terrorist outfit or its leaders who are much wanted for thousands of war crimes and crimes against humanity" the official said. Further commenting on the government decision the official said, this decision was no reaction to any 'international pressure' but solely timed with the success of the ongoing 'Worlds largest hostage rescue operation' (Sri Lanka Defence Ministry). 'Combat operations reach conclusion, priority to rescue hostages' - SL Government Government of Sri Lanka has decided that combat operations have reached their conclusion. Our security forces have been instructed to end the use of heavy caliber guns, combat aircraft and aerial weapons which could cause civilian causalities. Our security forces will confine their attempts to rescuing civilians who are held hostage and give foremost priority to saving civilians (Sri Lanka Defence Ministry). A Letter to Stephen Pound - By Channa Cabbral - We write to thank you for meeting the group of Sri Lankans today (Sunday)arranged by Tina. I arrived there with my neighbours who were quite pleased with your knowledge of the current situation in Sri Lanka. You were willing to learn from our experiences with the 11 new facts you've taken note. The 12th note (had there been time) would have been a request. A request to convey from us the voting public, to the parliament. We believe there is going to be a parliamentary debate on the 29th regarding Sri Lanka. Please convey our sincere wish for Sri Lanka to be one country without borders where all communities (yes, including Jews) can live as one - like we've always lived. We've grown up, played, schooled, worked even married to one another from different communities. Yes there were misguided thugs in one community whom the govt will deal with as terrorism deserves. Should the British MP's accept a non existent historical injustice it will only further a reason to prolong terrorism. Please let your colleagues know that 56% of Tamils live in democracy in the south who does not want an Eelam - the rhetoric the Tamil diaspora fuss about is for their own existence (Read full letter). HILLARY CLINTON PLAYED INTO THE HANDS OF TERRORISTS IS GETTING IN THE WAY OF SRILANKA VICTORY ACCUSES THE WAHINGTON TIMES - By Walter Jayawardhana - The Washington Post newspaper accused Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is getting in the way of victory in the fight against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam which the newspaper called ‘one of the world’s most violent terrorist outfits.’ Calling Clinton and her fellow European self styled peace makers meddlers, the newspaper vehementsly said, “The meddlers should let Colombo finish off this menace.” The newspaper accused Mrs. Clinton has played into the hands of the terrorists who have hurt the civilians by using them as a human shield and criticised her statement made against the Sri Lanka government. The following is the full text of the editorial: “The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, one of the world's most violent terrorist outfits, are surrounded in northern Sri Lanka and about to be destroyed - but Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and European self-styled peacemakers are getting in the way of victory. The meddlers should let Colombo finish off this menace. “In desperation, the Tamil Tigers are using tens of thousands of locals as human shields. The Sri Lankan government declared a cease-fire and called on the Tigers to release their hostages, but unmanned-aerial-vehicle video footage shows the terrorists holding masses of innocents at gunpoint, refusing them freedom. Last week, Mrs. Clinton played into the hands of the terrorists by blaming the Sri Lankan government for the crisis. "The entire world is very disappointed" that they were "causing such untold suffering," she said (Read full report). Navy thwarts LTTE offensive, destroys LTTE boat - Mullaittivu - Sri Lanka Navy's Fast Attack Craft and elite Special Boat Squadron (SBS) thwarted an LTTE attack on ground troops in the seas off Mullaittivu today (27th of April 2009). Naval troops intercepting two LTTE boats around 0430 hours directed Naval gun fire completely destroying one LTTE boat and inflicting heavy damages on the other. The intercepted LTTE boats had been on a mission to mount attacks on the advancing ground troops operating in the front lines when the Naval troops engaged them killing four sea tiger cadres. The damaged enemy boat had run aground being unable to withstand the Naval onslaught. The Navy suffered no casualties and none of its craft received any damages in the incident. The round-the-clock vigilance maintained by alert Naval troops on continuous Naval patrol close to the now-fast-diminishing enemy stronghold, has been instrumental in thwarting LTTE's last-ditch desperate sea tiger attacks on ground troops. The Navy's patrol craft have been able to inflict heavy enemy cadre and vessel losses on the LTTE sea tigers on three consecutive occasions. Sri Lanka Navy maintains continuous Naval surveillance and patrolling in the North- eastern seas. Naval fortifications have been tightened with four (04) defence barriers consisting of Fast Attack Craft (FACs), Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), Fast Gun Boats (FGBs), the Rapid Action Boat Squadron (RABS) and the Special Boat Squadron (SBS). A well-fortified Naval blockade has been put in place to prevent remaining LTTE cadres from launching desperate attacks on advancing Security Forces personnel (Sri Lanka Defence Ministry). HIS HOLINESS SRI SRI RAVISHANKER PRAISES THE IDP FACILITIES AT MENIK FARM IN VAVUNIYA AND SAYS THEY ARE BETTER THAN INDIAN ONES - By Walter Jayawardhana - His holiness Sri Sri Ravishankar , said in a statement, after his vist to a Tamil Civilian IDP camp in Sri Lanka, that the facilities in the camp are better than facilities in IDP camps their government provides for similar people  in India . A press release issued by the Indian Sadhu’s office said, ““Sri Sri acknowledged that the facilities in the camps are much better” than “those the Indian Government has provided for the Kashmiri pundits and those provided for Sri Lankan Tamils in Tamil Nadu.” His holiness Sri Sri Ravishanker visited the IDP camp provided by the Sri Lanka government for the recent IDPs from the North and also visited President Mahinda Rajapaksa while in Sri Lanka. He also complained that the Indian businesses have failed to rush materials to those camps and added “the relief materials sent by India to Sri Lanka are completely insufficient”. In the press release His Holiness also criticised the political drama taking place on the streets of Chennai and said the commotion has not helped the civilians one bit. He asked: “How will the political drama and commotion happening in the State [Tamil Nadu] help the refugees in any case? Fasting or street demonstration or self-immolations will not help to bring solace to thousands of people in the camps. Instead of reaching out and helping the people who are in need, these incidents will only create fear and anger in society.” (Read full report). 'Sri Lanka's War' - A Reply to The Economist (By: Dr. P.A.Samaraweera- Australia) - An article titled, "Sri Lanka's War - Dark Victory" in The Economist of 23 April paints a gloomy picture undermining the success of the Sri Lankan government and the army in the ongoing hostage rescue operation. According to the article, "...In a rush to exterminate the tigers, the army has shown a cruel disregard for Tamil civilians crowding the battle field..." If the army had not shown any consideration to the civilians the war would have ended long ago. It had been dragging to avoid civilian casualties. The writer has ignored pictures splashed in local and foreign newspapers and the clips from the Youtube where they portray the army providing food and water to the civilians, carrying children, supporting the sick, the disabled and so on. It adds, "...Since the breach of the earthbund hundreds more had been killed or wounded..." UAV footages show how civilians escaping to the government controlled areas are fired by the terrorists killing or wounding them. If as the writer says, that the army had been cruel there wouldn't be such an exodus of civilians running away from the terrorist occupied No Fire Zone. Both the Indian Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister have said, "...The LTTE should stop its barbaric acts to hold civilians from the rebel held territory..." (Full report in Sri Lanka Army). LTTE mob try to disrupt Paris 'Ranaviru Show' - French police has arrested eight extremist Tamil youths of an armed LTTE led mob near the Theatre le Trianon, the venue of the 'Api Wenuwen Api' the Musical and Cultural Show conducted by the troupe of the Sri Lankan security force members on April 25. While 6 LTTE supporters were arrested when the police found several weapons in the vehicle in which they traveled, 4 others were held in front of the Theatre. The car was parked close to the Theatre le Trianon, which is one of the best theatres in the famous entertainment area in the French capital. The musical show was organized by a committee of expatriate Sri Lankans Headed by Ven Parawahera Chndaratana Nayaka Thero, Chief High Priest of the International Buddhist Centre. Ambassador of Sri Lanka Lionel Fernando was the chief guest at the cultural show held on April 25. Ambassador Fernando and Minister Counsellor Sugeeswara Senadhira spoke to senior police officials who were at the venue and requested them to enhance security for the Sri Lankan community who attended the show (Full report in Sri Lanka Defence Ministry). Another 3000 civilians rescued, LTTE intensifies violence against civilians to win international sympathy - Sri Lankan soldiers engaged in the world's largest hostage rescue mission yesterday (Apr 26) freed 3141 civilians from LTTE clutches. According to the defence.lk special correspondent on the field, troops of 58 Division rescued 3147 people when they liberated the Valayarmadam coastal village. The group included a large number of LTTE child soldiers. Separately another 107 civilians were rescued by 53 Division soldiers now operating in the Puthukudduyiruppu East area. Civilians have told the soldiers that the terrorists are now forcibly pushing the rest of the hostages to the Vellamullivaikkal area, where their leaders are currently hiding. "Tigers set fire to huts where the people have been sheltered, and lead them at gun point to the South before the Army comes", a rescued civilian told our correspondent. "If you chose to stay, they (LTTE) fire shells at you, and then they take photographs of the bodies and blame Sri Lanka army for the crime... this is the game that they have been playing for long time", the civilian further said (full report in Sri Lanka Defence Ministry). LTTE must surrender - Defence Sec. "What ceasefire when running away?" - The LTTE must first lay down arms, surrender and let the people go, said Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa reacting to reports of an alleged unilateral cease fire by the LTTE, and reiterating the Governments position on the LTTE. That [ceasefire] is a joke. What is the need for a ceasefire when they are running away, the Defence Secretary said. The call for the LTTE to lay down arms and surrender, allowing the Tamil civilians held hostage by it to leave to freedom of their own free will has been the consistent demand of the Government of Sri Lanka, repeatedly stated by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. There were two occasions, first in January this year and later during the traditional New Year on April 13 & 14 when the government declared 48 hour restrictions to defensive operations to enable the Tamil civilians held hostage by the LTTE to leave. The LTTE rejected these moves and did not let the civilians move out (Full report in Sri Lanka Defence Ministry). 'Sarath Fonseka has displayed qualities of a great military leader' says Indian express - By: Walter Jayawardhana - Writing in the Indian Express newspaper, Satish Nambiar said, Sri Lankan Army Commander Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka "has displayed the qualities of a great military leader nations are blessed with from time to time." Nambiar is a retired Lieutenant General in the Indian Army who headed the United Nations Protection Force in the former Yugoslavia (1992-93). Writing on the Army Chief Nambiar further said, "Resurrected from the grave as it were after the attack on him some years back, he has displayed a single-mindedness of purpose in pursuing his goal of decimating the LTTE. Needless to say, he has been able to achieve his objective because of the full support and encouragement provided by the political establishment led by President Rajapaksa (Full report in Sri Lanka Defence Ministry). LTTE cadres, including child soldiers surrender in large numbers - At least 52 LTTE cadres have surrendered themselves to Sri Lanka Army at Valayarmadam today (Apr 26), reveal defence sources. Among them were 23 trained LTTE cadres between 13 to 18 years of age and a group 29 schoolchildren who had been recently conscripted to the outfit, the sources add. The surrendees have told the soldiers that there are many hundreds like them still being held by the LTTE leadership for his protection. The soldiers found these young LTTE cadres while conducting mopping up operations in the Valayarmadam area this morning. According to the sources, the boys' heads had been shaved while the girls had been given very short hair cuts. The surrendees have told that the LTTE had done this to them to identify them if they dared to escape. They have further said that all the young LTTE cadres are waiting for the soldiers to come and rescue them from the wicked outfit that brought immense sufferings upon them and their families. All of them had only one request to be made from the soldiers, which was to find their parents for them, the sources add (Sri Lanka Defence Ministry). CORNERED PRABHAKARAN DECLARES UNILATERAL CEASEFIRE BUT GOTABHAYA CALLS IT A JOKE AND ORDERS HIM TO SURRENDER - By Walter Jayawardhana - The LTTE leader Prabhakaran surrounded by his last loyal commanders, like Pottuamman , Susev, and son Charles Anthony, described as running rather than fighting and cornered by the Sri Lankan security forces declared an unilateral ceasefire but Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa rejected it calling it a joke. When President Mahinda Rajapaksa declared a pause in the offences of the security forces to facilitate the civilians to escape , only two weeks ago , on the Sinhalese and Tamil New Year , the LTTE also rejected it and worked overtime to prevent civilians from leaving his last foothold. Thereafter the security forces demolished a mud wall that prevented the civilians from escaping and amidst showers of bullets unleashed by the LTTE gumen and explosions of three Tiger suicide bombers more than one hundred thousand civilians escaped. 17 civilians died on the spot and more than 260 civilians who were badly injured in the suicide attacks were airlifted to hospitals. Sri Lankan Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa dismissed the statement as "a joke" and suggested that only complete surrender would be acceptable. He told a news agency, "There is no need of a ceasefire. They must surrender. That is it." The statement of the Tamil Tigers said, “In the face of an unprecedented humanitarian crisis and in response to the calls made by the UN, EU, the governments of the USA, India and others, the LTTE has announced a unilateral ceasefire.” The statement added it would take effect immediately. The Sri Lanka government has reiterated that the LTTE should giveup all their arms and surrender to the government . Meanwhile the Humanitarian Chief of the United Nations Sir John Holmes was quoted having said, “I call on the LTTE with all the urgency I can to let out the remaining civilian population and lay down their arms; and on the government to exercise maximum restraint including no use of heavy weapons.” “We need a new humanitarian pause to get aid and aid workers into the combat zone. We must have access to all IDPs (Internally Displaced People) wherever they are, including in the conflict zone, and the screening process must also be made more transparent.” But some UN demands that would affect the security situation on the ground have been rejected by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (EOM). Sri Lankans Protest in Los Angeles: Save the civilians from Tamil Tiger Terrorism Sri Lankan armed forces have rescued thousands of Tamil civilians. Thousands more are held hostage by Tamil Tigers. On Friday, April, 24, 2009, a large crowd of concerned Sri Lankans including Buddhist clergy gathered in front of the Federal Building at Wilshire Building in Westwood, Los Angeles to protest against LTTE and its sympathizers’ false propaganda on humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka. The protesters also denounced recent remarks by the US Secretary of State, Mrs. Hillary Clinton, on the situation in Sri Lanka. The peaceful demonstration was organized by the ‘Sri Lankan Patriots’ group in Los Angeles and, it started at 2.00 pm and lasted for four hours till 6.00 p.m. The Sri Lankans paraded playing Sri Lankan drums called ‘Tham Maettama’ and carrying many placards along with Sri Lankan and US flags at the very busy intersection at Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles where it caught the attention of many commuters. Some of the slogans were: CHARGE LTTE LEADERS & SUPPORTERS FOR CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY, US DON’T PROLONG LTTE’s Pol-Pot Regime, LTTE HOLDING Thousands HOSTAGE, US SENATE & CONGRESS HEARINGS ON SRI LANKA A JOKE!, HILLARY CLINTON: SPEAK UP AGAINST LTTE TERRORISTS, ‘HUMANITARIAN CRISIS’ IN SRI LANKA CAUSED BY LTTE TERRORISTS, ‘HUMANITARIAN CRISIS’ EXCUSE TO INTERFERE IN SRI LANKA!, ‘HUMANITARIAN CRISIS’ OR BALAKANIZATION OF SRI LANKA?, WHY IS US HINDERING SRI LANKA’S WAR ON TERROR, LTTE Terrorists Taken Civilians Hostage, Truth: Sri Lanka is Defeating LTTE Terrorists False: LTTE Claim of Genocide, Simple Solution for Sri Lanka: Release Civilians from LTTE, USA, UK! Do you give in to hostage takers?? The protesters chanted slogans in unison and ‘Sri Lankan Patriots’ committee members, Sudarshana Rohitha and Saman Boralage, led the chanting of slogans playing Sri Lankan drums, ‘Tham Maettama’. Commenting on the stance the US has taken on Sri Lanka’s military campaign against the LTTE, Ven. Aparekke Punyasiri, chief incumbent of the Maithri Vihara Buddhist temple, said : “The US understand the “War on terror” more than any other nation on earth. We are puzzled at the apparent reluctance by the US authorities to stand firmly with the government of Sri Lanka at measures adopted to eradicate the scourge.” SLP co-secretary Gamini Edirisinghe said the rally was a means of informing the American public about the situation in Sri Lanka. “The western world at large seems to be lost at what is really taking place in Sri Lanka, amidst a powerful and well funded media disinformation campaign carried out by the LTTE expatriate Tamil sympathizers. The millions of dollars collected from the Tamil Diaspora are now diverted from arms procurement to media work and, of course, towards political lobbying,” he said. The protest rally peacefully ended at 6.00 p.m. Tamil Children liberated from the "Human Shield of Prabhakaran"  are now safe in the hands of Sri Lanka Government medical staff…  For further details, visit Daily Mirror Gota rejects LTTE’s unilateral ceasefire - The LTTE has declared a unilateral ceasefire today, with the military having surrounded them in a tiny area along with thousands of civilians, but the move was immediately rejected by the government. "In the face of an unprecedented humanitarian crisis and in response to the calls made by the UN, EU, the governments of India and others, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has announced a unilateral ceasefire," an LTTE statement said. Sri Lanka responded by saying the rebels must either surrender or be destroyed. Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa yesterday told The Island that there was no point in talking about a ceasefire. ‘There is nothing to discuss now," he said, warning the LTTE would be wiped out within days unless its leadership surrendered to the army (Island). Co-Chairs asks Lanka to offer amnesty to LTTE - The US-led ‘Tokyo Co-Chairs’ today asked the Sri Lankan government to offer amnesty to the Tamil Tigers, devise a clear resettlement plan and open the way for a political dialogue with the rebels. A statement in this regard was issued by the US State Department today on behalf of the Tokyo Co-Chairs, which had its third teleconference in less than 10 days to discuss the deteriorating situation in Sri Lanka. Calling on the Sri Lankan Government and the Tamil Tigers to end hostilities, the State Department Acting Spokesman, Robert Wood said: "We urge the Tamil Tigers to lay down arms to a neutral third party." "We further urge the Government of Sri Lanka to offer amnesty to most Tamil Tigers and to devise a clear resettlement plan and to open the way for a political dialogue," he said. Welcoming the reported escape of civilians from the conflict zone in northern Sri Lanka, the statement said the Co-Chairs remained deeply concerned about the large number of civilians who are still caught in the conflict area. President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa are on record saying that ordinary LTTE cadres would be rehabilitated but its leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran and his senior ‘commanders’ including Soosai and Pottu Amman, should face the consequences of their actions. Defence Secretary Rajapaksa on Saturday told ‘The Island’ that hardcore terrorists wouldn’t be allowed to escape punishment (Island). Total number arriving in Govt controlled areas tops 111,000: Another 2,000 civilians rescued - The 58 Division troops engaged in the mission of rescuing the remaining civilians inside the 'No Fire Zone' captured Valayamadam rescuing nearly 2,000 civilians yesterday bringing the total number of civilians rescued by the troops to 111,000 as of yesterday, Military Spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara told the Daily News. The 58 Division troops, Commandos and Special Forces troops have on Sunday taken full control of Valayamadam located six kilo metres North of Vellamullivaikkal, the last terrain held by the LTTE inside the 'No Fire Zone'. With the capture of Valayamadam the LTTE has been restricted to a narrow six km stretch in Kariyamullivaikkal and Vellamullivaikkal where the LTTE continues to keep thousands of civilians under its detention. According to Brigadier Nanayakkara, 23 Tiger cadres also surrendered to the Army as troops advanced into Valayamadam yesterday. Civilians are now reaching the military controlled areas in the 'No Fire Zone' from the beach front. With the capture of Valayamadam the troops attached to 58 Division commenced advancing further south of the No Fire Zone amidst stiff resistance from the LTTE, a senior military official added. According to military sources 40 terrorist were confirmed killed and 35 wounded during the troops advance in to Valayamadam (Daily News). Tamil Children liberated from the "Human Shield of Prabhakaran"  are now safe in the hands of Sri Lanka Government medical staff…  For further details, visit Daily Mirror Post-conflict rehabilitation : UN, Sri Lanka to harness international support - Sri Lanka and the United Nations are set to interact closely in generating international support for rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts during the post-conflict phase. Disaster Management and Human Rights Minister, Mahinda Samarasinghe following talks with visiting UN Humanitarian Affairs Chief Sir John Holmes yesterday said the two parties had discussed ways of generating international aid for the cause. As a result, Sri Lanka would be meeting the donor community next week to seek their support in raising funds to develop conflict affected areas and community livelihood programs for the displaced, the Minister added. The UN envoy had promised to look into the possibilities of releasing aid from the UN Emergency Relief Fund to expedite relief work for the conflict affected people, he added. According to sources, the efforts to free civilians trapped in the ‘Safe Zone’ too had come in for high praise from the visiting UN envoy. The Daily News also has learnt that he has made a request to allow two UN representatives to access the conflict area. Referring to the request, Minister Samarasinghe said the matter had been discussed yesterday where he had conveyed that the Government was not against such a visit but had to address relevant security risks and logistical problems prior to such a trip. Sir John Holmes during his three day visit is expected to meet top Government officials and to visit Vavuniya to meet the displaced civilians and witness the relief efforts (Daily News). Valayarmadam liberated - Three LTTE craft blast, 12 cadres killed Supplies needed by Tamil civilians airlifted - The army yesterday liberated Valayarmadam area as pressure mounted on Vellamullivaikkal, the last LTTE stronghold where Velupillai Prabhakaran, his intelligence chief Pottu Amman and Sea Tiger leader Soosai, are trapped. The 58 Division fought its way into Valayarmadam Saturday evening as the LTTE retreated. The newly liberated village is situated six kms away from Vellamullivaikkal. Several hours before the army reached Valayarmadam, army chief Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka flew to Vavuniya where he reviewed ongoing action on the front. The army said that 23 LTTE cadres including six women had surrendered to the army with their weapons after troops cut off their escape routes. A spokesperson for the 58 Division told ‘The Island’ that troops had rescued over 700 civilians held hostage by the LTTE. He said that the assault spearheaded by Army Commandos and Special Forces, involved 10 SLLI (Sri Lanka Light Infantry) and 12 GW (Gemuju Watch). Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa told ‘The Island’ that the army was on the verge of finishing off what is left of the LTTE’s conventional fighting capability. Responding to our queries, he said that the LTTE leadership should surrender immediately or face the consequences (Full report in Island). Dien Bien Phu and the end of LTTE - Sri Lanka’s newspaper ‘war’ correspondents and a few retired military souls reporting on the 30 year counter terrorist conflict were wont to induce a veneer of military sophistication to their ‘front line’ news as well as their egos by comparisons with famous battles not simply in any war but in World Wars. So Somme, Stalingrad, Gallipolli, Dunkirk, Berlin, Dresden, Hiroshima were visited with great vigour if not desperation. One however went as far as hoping against hope during the Killinochchi battle to refer to Dien Bien Phu. In that battle the North Vietnamese guerrillas (Vietminh) under Giap defeated General Navarre’s French forces on May 7, 1954. After the rout of the LTTE in Killinochchi, no further mention of that battle was made (as usual). (Full report in Daily News). The White Obama - ..... He cannot be unaware of the bestiality of the LTTE. Yet he apparently endorses the efforts made by his government and its representative in Sri Lanka to save the murderer who had killed more people than any other despot in the world. If Prabhakaran is given another lease of life what could happen to Sri Lanka must be known to Obama. Yet he is unable to change US policy in this regard. LTTE obviously fits into their global policy of hegemony and colonialism in the South East Asia just as much as does the Israeli military supremacy in the Middle East. Israel has robbed the Palestinians of their land and the LTTE is trying to rob the land that belongs to all Sri Lankans. Obama will not force Israel to do anything they do not want to do. USA is trying to force Sri Lankan government to stop the war against terrorists (Full letter in Island). Help Sri Lanka rebuild Sri Lankan Americans appeal to US Secretary of State - A group of Sri Lankan Americans have written to US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton replying to some of her comments regarding the current situation in Sri Lanka. We reproduce below without comment the contents of the letter sent by them - We address this response to you as registered Democratic Citizen voters of the United States and the Free World of Sri Lankan Origin. We value democracy and freedom for all people in Sri Lanka. Your comment concerning the end of the war in Sri Lanka to quote your words, “I think that the Sri Lankan Government knows that the entire world is very disappointed that in its efforts to end what it sees as 25 years of conflict, it is causing such untold suffering” is the most undemocratic statement we have ever heard from you having followed your political career with admiration (Full report in Daily News). A clear message to int’l community- President Mahinda Rajapaksa This Western Province mandate has sent a decisive message to the international community. It has categorically declared that no power has any right or moral justification to bail out brutal terrorism at a time when its last rites are about to be performed, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a statement on the results of the Western Provincial Council election (Full report in Daily News). Sunday, 26 April 2009 No More LTTE Terror! No More Tears! Let us help Tamil civilians liberated from the "Human Shield of Prabhakaran" The leader of the World deadliest terrorist organization, LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists, Velupillai Prabhakaran wanted by the INTERPOL for CRIMES AGAINST LIFE AND HEALTH, ORGANIZED CRIME /TRANSNATIONAL CRIME, TERRORISM, TERRORISM CONSPIRACY A Tamil child escaped from the "Human Shield of Prabhakaran" is now under the protection of a Sri Lanka Army. No more Terror !!! No more tears !!! Soon, Sri Lanka will be free from Tamil Tiger Terrorism. No more tears !!!!   Patriotic organizations and individuals sending food, medicines and other essential items to the Tamil civilians liberated from the "Human Shield" of the LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists. Collection centres at Matara, Rathnapura, Kandy and Negombo No Amnesty to LTTE - Gotabhaya Rajapaksa -  "There is nothing called ‘Amnesty to LTTE’ in my vocabulary," says Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. The US-led ‘Tokyo Co-Chairs’ had asked the Sri Lankan Government to offer amnesty to the Tamil Tigers, also devise a clear resettlement plan and open the way for a political dialogue with the Tiger outfit. A statement in this regard was issued by the US State Department on behalf of Tokyo Co-Chairs, which had its third teleconference in less than 10 days to discuss the deteriorating situation in Sri Lanka. The State Department Acting Spokesman Robert Wood had said: "We urgethe Tamil Tigers to lay down arms to a neutral third party. We further urge the Government of Sri Lanka to offer amnesty to most Tamil Tigers and to devise a clear resettlement plan and to open the way for a political dialogue." In response to the above request by the Co-chairs, Sri Lanka’s Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa told Asian Tribune that there was nothing called ‘amnesty to the LTTE’ in his vocabulary. “In my vocabulary there is nothing called ‘amnesty to the LTTE’? The terrorist outfit has killed thousands of our innocent civilians including children’s, and Intellectuals Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims and others. They brutally massacred more than thousand Tamil groups. In 1990 and later It has killed two world leaders – a prime minister and a president (Rajiv Gandhi and R. Premadasa), several Ministers. It has killed almost more than 40 elected members of Sri Lanka Parliament since 1975. LTTE has several times tried to cripple the country’s economy, and nearly succeeded when it attacked the country’s only international airport in Katunayake. But now the terrorist outfit is limited to only five or six square kilometers. There will be no amnesty. If Prabhakaran does not surrender, the army will eliminate him and rest of his cadres,” the defence secretary said (Asian Tribune). Sri Lanka Rejects Tamil Tiger Ceasefire - Sri Lanka's Tamil Tigers rebels announced a unilateral cease-fire Sunday, saying they will halt fighting to allow humanitarian workers into the war zone to help civilian. The Sri Lanka government immediately rejected the offer. Sri Lanka's Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa told Reuters news agency the rebel group's announcement is "a joke" because the rebels are "running from" government forces. The defense chief says the guerrillas are cornered, and "must surrender." (Full report in Voice of America). LTTE announces ceasefire; Govt rejects offer -: On the verge of annihilation, the LTTE on Sunday announced an unilateral ceasefire, saying that that the humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka's war zone can only be overcome by a truce, but the Government quickly rejected the offer and instead asked the rebels to surrender. The LTTE said it is announced the ceasefire in the face of an “unprecedented humanitarian crisis” and in response to the calls made by the UN, EU, US, India and other countries. “All of LTTE's offensive military operations will cease with immediate effect. As the first step we have now announced this unilateral ceasefire and call upon the international community to pressure the Sri Lankan Government to reciprocate it,” it said i n a statement. Reacting to the Tigers truce offer, the Defence Secretary, Mr Gothabaya Rajapaksa said there was no question of ceasefire with the LTTE. “They will have to surrender or get eliminated,” he said. But the Foreign Secretary Mr Palitha Kohona said it is an “incredibly unbelieveable joke”. “Who will take them seriously when they are down on their knees and then announce a ceasefire,” he said (Full report in Hindu Business Line). Sri Lanka rejects Tigers' ceasefire, defense chief says - Sri Lanka's defense chief on Sunday dismissed the Tamil Tigers' declaration of a ceasefire as a "joke", and said the guerrillas must either surrender or be destroyed. "That is a joke. They were not fighting with us, they were running from us. There is no need of a ceasefire. They must surrender. That is it," Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa told Reuters in a telephone interview (YnetNews). EDITORIAL: Tigers at bay - The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, one of the world's most violent terrorist outfits, are surrounded in northern Sri Lanka and about to be destroyed - but Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and European self-styled peacemakers are getting in the way of victory. The meddlers should let Colombo finish off this menace. In desperation, the Tamil Tigers are using tens of thousands of locals as human shields. The Sri Lankan government declared a cease-fire and called on the Tigers to release their hostages, but unmanned-aerial-vehicle video footage shows the terrorists holding masses of innocents at gunpoint, refusing them freedom. Last week, Mrs. Clinton played into the hands of the terrorists by blaming the Sri Lankan government for the crisis. "The entire world is very disappointed" that they were "causing such untold suffering," she said. Foreign governments and aid organizations are calling on Colombo to cease operations, fearing that further action will lead to a humanitarian calamity. Norwegian Environment Minister Eric Solheim has been the point man in trying to negotiate a new truce, but he has been denounced by both sides. In response to his unwelcome efforts, the Nation, a Sri Lankan newspaper, editorialized that "the caravan of military operations has to move on. The time has come to tell the salmon-eating international busybodies to mind their own business." (Read full Editorial in Washington Times). An Urgent Meeting on 26 April 2009 organised by SPUR (NSW) to Provide Food & Medicine for those Tamil Civilians rescued by the Sri Lanka Security Forces This is an open invitation from SPUR (NSW) to participate at a meeting at 2.00 pm on Sunday, 26 April 2009 (Today) at Crestwood Hall, Baulkam Hills, Sydney, Australia to discuss how to provide assistance to those Tamil civilians rescued by our valiant security forces from the clutches of the LTTE. SPUR (NSW) consider this as a noble duty to our motherland. You all remember how we all got together to help those lives were devastated in the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami and helped in a great way to rebuilt their lives. This is also an event similar to Tsunami devastation. About 110,000 Tamil civilians held hostage by the LTTE were rescued by our valiant security forces and allowed them to enter the government control area. To provide, food, water, medicine, shelter, and other basic amenities for this much of population is a mammoth task to be completed by the government of Sri Lanka and we as Australian citizens with Sri Lankan origin should take our responsibility to help those innocent Tamil civilians who suffered so long under LTTE dictatorship. Therefore, please come prepared to act immediately to help our motherland and fellow countrymen and women who need your kind support.  Time is at 2.00 pm on 26 April 2009 at Crestwood Hall, Baulkam Hills. There is no street number but the Street is Leumeah Street, Baulkam Hills. Please pass this message to many friends and family members as early possible. Those who are unable to attend please listen to Radio broadcasting by Sri Lankan Community organizations to find out way to pledge your support. SPUR -Victoria presented a stock of 400 T- shirts to the Commando Battalion SPUR -Victoria presented a stock of 400 T shirts to the Commando Battalion performing its duty in freeing the Tamil civilians forcibly kept by the LTTE. Presentation was made through Mrs S .Rajapakse. at Temple Trees . In the picture Maj Gen Jayantha Perera, well known social worker Mr Sathischandra Edirisinghe and Mr K-Jayasuriya are seen at the presentation. Let us spare more than a thought for them All those Sri Lankans who were held hostage by the ruthless LTTE terrorists and rescued by the valiant Sri Lankan Security Forces must be given a new lease of life. They must be cared for because they are our brothers and sisters. They are our sons and daughters. They are innocent Sri Lankans. They need our help. They suffered immensely all these years, under the Tamil Tigers. Let us say to them “No more terror. No more tears”. Sons and Daughters of Mother Lanka, Friends of Sri Lanka, contribute your might; spare more than a thought for them. Please send in your contributions. Cheques only. Written in favour of the Consulate General of Sri Lanka. Please indicate in the memo section as ‘Relief’ We will then send your contributions, to the Commissioner General of Essential Services through the Presidential Secretariat, to buy essential items such as food and medicine. We also need tents, water purifiers and bowsers urgently. No More Terror! No More Tears! Let us help Thank you Bandula Jayasekara, Consul General - Sri Lanka Tel: 416 323 3120, 416 323 1610 What do we do about the tears, post-LTTE? - By Malinda Seneviratne -  Hostages have been taken throughout history and across continents. There have been many attempts to rescue hostages and given that hostage-takers are not exactly rational men who can be reasoned with, they have more often than not resulted in failure. ‘Entebbe’ was supposed to be the greatest hostage rescue operation. There was also the great Columbian hostage rescue operation. The first was in July 1976 and the second in July 2008. There’s 32 years between them, almost to the day. And there are failures; high profile failures. In April 1980, Jimmy Carter launched Operation Eagle Claw to rescue 52 US citizens held hostage in Teheran by Iranian students. A sandstorm, malfunctioning equipment and poor planning ensured that the mission failed. In November 2008 we had Mumbai in the grip of terrorists. The elite commandos of India took on a handful of terrorists. None of the terrorists escaped, but over 200 civilians were killed in the process. Among them were dozens of hostages. Again, all things considered, it was a monumental failure. It is against this kind of history that the efforts of the security forces over the past few months have to be assessed. The Sri Lankan security forces took on the world’s most ruthless terrorist outfit and have so far freed over 120,000 civilians held hostage and as a human shield by the LTTE. It is by any standard an exceptional military triumph (Full report in Sri Lanka Guardian). Sri Lanka’s Entebbe - By Gen. Gerry de Silva (Rtd.) - Uganda was represented at the Non- Aligned Summit in 1976 held in Colombo by its Foreign Minister, Colonel Juma Oris. When asked about the Entebbe Rescue Mission he remarked, “The Israelis were magnificent. We did not know what hit us until it dawned on us long after.” Pirapaharan and his Tiger leaders would be expressing the same sentiments over the coup-de-main operation launched by the 58 Division and a combination of Commandos and Special Forces personnel shortly before midnight on April 20, to relieve the siege on the civilians taken hostage by the LTTE, by breaching the DCB defences at Puthumathalan and Ampalavanpokkanai in the No Fire Zone (NFZ). Provisional estimates quote a figure of around 100,000 civilian hostages were rescued in 48 hours from the clutches of the ruthless LTTE in probably the biggest ever humanitarian rescue operation undertaken anywhere in the world. A host of diplomats and foreign media personnel were invited to Air Force Headquarters to witness the events being unfolded through visuals being transmitted from UAVs flying over the NFZ. The downright defiance and determination of the suffering masses to escape into government-controlled areas were over-whelming. The attempts of three suicide cadres who killed 17 would-be escapees including women and children and the small arms fire directed at them did not deter the will of hordes of Tamil civilians in their march to freedom (Full report in Sri Lanka Guardian). President Gaddafi supports Sri Lanka’s humanitarian mission in rescuing civilians from LTTE strongholds - Libyan President Colonel Muammar Gaddafi supports Sri Lanka in bringing out peace in the country by ending terrorism. In a telephone conversation, Libyan President Colonel Muammar Gaddafi has expressed his fullest support to bring peace in the country. The Libyan President further said that he will give the first priority to visit Sri Lanka as per the official invitation given by Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa. This was revealed at a telephone conversation he had with President Rajapaksa on Saturday evening. It was also mentioned that the Libyan President is keen to assist Sri Lanka and also in developing the country. He has already displayed his concern towards Sri Lanka by pledging an aid of US $ 500 million to strengthen the finance which was agreed when Sri Lanka President made an official visit to Libya recently. President Gaddafi expressed his appreciation for Sri Lanka Government’s humanitarian mission in rescuing civilians from LTTE strong holds and demolishes the LTTE. To continue relationships between two countries more successfully it was agreed to establish a Ambassador's office in Tripoli, Libya and this would enhance national development and future economic trends in the country (Asian Tribune). 'Prabhakaran will try to flee, not commit suicide' - LTTE chief V Prabhakaran will neither surrender nor commit suicide, but try to escape from Sri Lanka, says the Tigers’ former media liaison officer Thaya Master, a senior Lankan army officer claimed on Friday. Thaya Master told Brig. Shavendra Silva, commander of the Sri Lankan army’s 58 division, after surrendering that Prabhakaran and his remaining close associates, Pottu Amman, Soosai and eldest son Charles Anthony, were telling their followers that they would never surrender and would fight to the bitter end, but in fact, they were planning to escape. The commander of the Tiger artillery “Col” Banu is said to have been sidelined and is expected to defect. Brig Silva, a veteran of the Eelam Wars, said that Prabhakaran would in all likelihood try to flee. But this would be difficult, if he tried to use the land route, as the army was keeping a close watch on him and his men. The commander did not know about the sea route, but he presumed that the navy would also have plans to block his escape. Brig Silva said Prabhakaran moved into the No Fire Zone from Puthukudiyiruppu either on March 26 or 31, when he found that the army was closing in. He is now believed to be in the southern part of the No Fire Zone in a heavily fortified setting (Express Buzz). UN humanitarian chief arrives Sri Lanka: Called on the LTTE to let out the remaining civilians and lay down their arms - Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes arrived in Colombo this morning at the start of a two-day visit to Sri Lanka seeking increased humanitarian access. Mr. Holmes called on the LTTE to let out the remaining civilians and lay down their arms-  "I call on the LTTE with all the urgency I can to let out the remaining civilian population and lay down their arms; and on the Government to exercise maximum restraint including no use of heavy weapons. We need a new humanitarian pause to get aid and aid workers into the combat zone. We must have access to all IDPs wherever they are, including in the conflict zone, and the screening process must also be made more transparent," said Mr. Holmes. During his two-day stay in Sri Lanka, Mr. Holmes will meet with representatives from the Government of Sri Lanka, the humanitarian country team, civil society and the donor community. According to a UN press release, "Mr. Holmes will again raise extreme concerns about civilian casualties from the fighting and the need to get the tens of thousands of civilians still trapped in the conflict zone out of harm’s way without further loss of life." The Press release further added, "Mr. Holmes will underscore the urgent need for access by the United Nations Country Team to the conflict zone in the northeast, which the President of Sri Lanka agreed to during the recent visit of the Secretary-General’s Chef de Cabinet Mr. Vijay Nambiar, and to the screening centres through which tens of thousands of IDPs are passing on their way to the camps (Full report in Asian Tribune). Navy foils LTTE Attack on Ground Troops: Three LTTE Boats sunk, 12 Sea Tigers killed off Vellamullaivaikkal - Sri Lanka Navy’s patrol craft foiled an LTTE attack on ground troops in the seas off Vellamullaivaikkal today (26th of April 2009). During the pre-dawn Naval attack carried out around 0100 hours, Naval troops attacked an LTTE boat cluster completely destroying three LTTE boats and killing 12 Sea Tigers on board. The round-the-clock vigilance maintained by alert Naval troops on continuous Naval patrol close to the now-fast-diminishing enemy stronghold, had pre-emptied the LTTE’s surprise attack. Monitoring of the LTTE communications has revealed that the rest of the LTTE boats, being unable to accomplish the intended mission in the face of the heavy Naval gun fire, were forced to flee back taking their casualties. The Navy suffered no casualties and none of its craft received any damages in the incident. Sri Lanka Navy maintains continuous Naval surveillance and patrolling in the North- eastern seas. Naval fortifications have been tightened with four (04) defence barriers consisting of Fast Attack Craft (FACs), Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), Fast Gun Boats (FGBs), the Rapid Action Boat Squadron (RABS) and the Special Boat Squadron (SBS). A well-fortified Naval blockade has been put in place to cut off all sea tiger movements in the seas off Nayaru, Mullaithivu, Chalai and Chundikulum. This has forced LTTE sea tigers to make desperate attempts at breaking through the Naval defences even at the expense of heavy cadre and vessel losses (Sri Lanka Navy). Lankan army 6 sq km away from last LTTE hideout - Making a final push to overrun the last patch of LTTE-held territory, Sri Lankan forces on Sunday captured strategic Vlayarmadam area and encircled remaining 6 sq km strip of land which is the possible hideout of LTTE Supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran and his top aides. "Sri Lankan soldiers have liberated Valayarmadam area and so far rescued 500 civilians held hostage by LTTE from there," the defence ministry said on Sunday. According to the defence sources, army commandos and special forces soldiers backed by infantrymen of 10 Sri Lanka Light Infantry and 12 Gemunu Watch last evening entered into Valayarmadam area, located just 6 km from Vellamullivaikkal, the last remaining LTTE hideout. "Troops declared the area fully secured this morning," the ministry said (Full report in Times of India). 25th and 26th Batches of Patients and Civilians trapped in Mullaithivu evacuated with Naval Assistance - The twenty-fifth batch of 523 and the twenty-sixth batch of 518 patients and civilians was evacuated on board “MV Green Ocean” on the 23rd and 24th of April 2009 respectively. The evacuation of patients and civilians trapped in LTTE clutches in the un-cleared areas in Mullaithivu is being carried out under the ICRC flag. Sri Lanka Navy is providing safe passage for evacuees on humanitarian grounds. The patients among the evacuees, upon disembarkation at Pulmuadai, were provided with emergency medical treatment by Naval doctors and were rushed to the Field Hospital Pulmudai and the General Hospital in Padaviya by the Naval personnel for further treatment. Elaborate arrangements have been made to treat the sick and the wounded evacuees once they reach cleared areas. Hospitals have been equipped with adequate stocks of essential drugs and specialist medical personnel are assigned to treat the sick and the wounded as they are transferred to hospitals. The twenty-fifth batch consisted of 166 adult males, 172 adult females and 185 children in total. Among them were 132 male and 100 female patients needing medical treatment. The twenty-sixth batch consisted of 146 adult males, 205 adult females and 167 children in total. Among them were 103 male and 100 female patients needing medical treatment. The evacuees had been languishing in pain and fear due to the LTTE’s adamant stance to hold all civilians captive in the un-cleared areas as human shields despite the repeated appeals by the International Community to free all civilians to arrive in safe areas immediately. The Navy, as part of its humanitarian operations, has put in place a number of comprehensive evacuation measures to facilitate the evacuation process. Naval personnel and vessels along with stand-by rescue and medical teams are on special deployment in the North-eastern seas for assisting Tamil civilians fleeing from LTTE clutches (Sri Lanka Navy). 23 HARDCORE TIGER TERRORISTS SURRENDERED - MULLAITTIVU: 23 TIGER terrorists unable to survive the onslaught of the advancing troops surrendered to the troops this morning (26) immediately after the troops ordered them to lay down arms after the capture of VALAYANMADAM. Those terrorists including 17 males and 06 females with their weapons however surrendered to the troops after their encircling. With their surrender two-hundred more trapped civilians were also rescued by the troops immediately after the enemy’s surrender. Now surrendees are being taken to a special demarcated area for onward arrangements (Sri Lanka Army). 'Father's assassination made me furious' - For the first few years after her father's assassination, Priyanka Gandhi, the daughter of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, said she had been "absolutely furious". "I didn't realise (at that time), but I was absolutely furious. Not with any individual, but with the whole world," Priyanka Gandhi said in an interview broadcast on NDTV Friday night. Her father was assassinated by a LTTE suicide bomber while campaigning for the 1991 general elections in Sriperumbudur, in Tamil Nadu. "I guess that I was young, therefore you are more angry," she said, adding that it was a "slow process" to realise that she was "furious" over her father's death. "But that anger did not last long." Priyanka Gandhi described her "admiration" for the Tamil people for their intelligence and hard work. "I understand Tamil nationalism. But I don't agree with the method. As a human being, I don't believe in killing for anything," she said, referring to the Tamil Tigers (Full report in Express Buzz). Troops in “No Fire Zone” go Further Down Towards South - : VALIANT troops amidst stiff resistance from Tiger terrorists captured VALAYANMADAM, the southern area next to AMPALAVANPOKKANAI early this morning (26). With the capture of new strip troops are poised to take control of the remaining at any moment from now onwards (Sri Lanka Army). Sri Lanka seeks international humanitarian aid - Sri Lanka's Foreign Secretary Doctor Palitha Kohona is currently meeting with UN humanitarian chief John Holmes to discuss the fate of thousands of civilians caught in fighting between troops and Tamil rebels. The United Nations estimates that 100 thousand Tamil civilians have fled this past week from the tiny sliver of coastline where government troops have cornered the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. Dr. Kohona says he'll also talk to Mr Holmes on how best to help the 107 thousand people who the government says have escaped. He says there's currently a shortage of shelter, sanitary equipment and water purification equipment. Dr Kohona says although the government is currently bearing the full responsibility for providing for the displaced civilians , Colombo would very much appreciate UN assistance as well as assistance from other friendly nations (Full report in Radio Australia). Troops recover more LTTE Military Items - MULLAITTIVU: TROOPS on search and clear operations in the general areas of PALLAIMATHALAN, PUTHUKUDIYIRIPPU west and PUTHUKKULAM Saturday (25) recovered thirty-tree hand grenades and one Mitsubishi Pajero jeep. Meanwhile, Special Task Force (STF) troops in a similar search conducted in the general area of SAMANTHURAI also recovered one claymore mine, 156 meter-long explosive dead cord and four electric detonators the same day (25) (Sri Lanka Army). How they planned to exile Tiger Supremo in Idi Amin fashion - According to certain well sourced news reports, an offer of safe exit was made in the late summer of 2008 to LTTE through an influential group comprising “former Canadian and US diplomats as well as representatives of the ‘co-chairs’ and others of various political persuasions based in Colombo”. According to sources, this arrangement consisted of the following components: 1) Immediate cessation of hostilities (2) Safe passage to fifty senior leaders of the LTTE and their families to any country that would accept them (3) A blanket amnesty to all combatants with all existing charges withdrawn (4) The agreement guaranteed by India, Norway, Switzerland, and two other countries chosen by both parties (5) The evacuation of the senior LTTE supervised by the ICRC. The offer, intended at avoiding an unnecessary “bloodbath”, was reportedly conveyed by the Sri Lankan government to the LTTE as well as its proxies in the Tamil diaspora. Despite repeated entreaties, however, the “Tamil leaders” in Toronto had failed to respond to the offer let alone meet to negotiate, these reports say (Full report in Lakbima News). Vlayarmadam Liberated; more hostages rescued - Sri Lankan soldiers of 58 Division have liberated Valayarmadam area, rescuing hundreds more civilians held hostage by LTTE terrorists. According to the defence sources, Army Commandos and Special Forces soldiers backed by infantrymen of 10 Sri Lanka Light Infantry, and 12 Gemunu Watch entered into the area last evening , and engaged in mop up operation . Troops declared the area fully secured this morning (Apr 26). So far, soldiers have been able to rescue over 500 hostages, the sources added. Valayarmadam is situated just 6km short of Vellamullivaikkal, the last remaining LTTE hideout (Sri Lanka Defence Ministry). Govt. rules out deal for LTTE bosses to surrender to third party - The government has dismissed suggestions that the top LTTE leadership should be allowed surrender to a third party in an effort to bring the final battle to an early end.  Authoritative government sources told The Sunday Island that LTTE leaders now trapped in 10 sq. km. area on the Mullaitivu coast should surrender to the army without any further delay or prepared to face the consequences. Sources said that nothing could be as ridiculous as allowing the international community to throw a lifeline to the sinking Tigers. "We are on the verge of finishing off the enemy," a senior Defence Ministry official told The Sunday Island asserting that the ongoing offensive wouldn’t be stopped. "We have made our position very clear to all interested parties," he said adding that even if LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, his intelligence chief Pottu Amman and other hardcore terrorists including Sea Tiger leader Soosai surrendered to the army, they would be prosecuted. Sources emphasized that the LTTE wouldn’t be allowed to negotiate a settlement in which it could transform from a defeated terrorist group to a political party overnight. There wouldn’t be or couldn’t be any third party involvement in this any longer, sources said, insisting the government wouldn’t give up its right to militarily destroy the LTTE. The armed forces top brass is confident that LTTE leaders could be either killed or captured if they didn’t bite their cyanide capsules. The navy has thrown a heavy cordon off the Mullaitivu coast to thwart any attempt to rescue the LTTE leadership even by deploying a submarine as suggested in some reports. A senior navy official said that the LTTE didn’t have a submarine but operated several submersibles. "We are alert to the possibility (of their attempting to use such a craft)," he said, asserting that a submersible couldn’t escape detection as several inches of the craft always remain over the waterline. Responding to our queries, sources said that there was hardly any time to work out modalities for any UN representative to meet the LTTE leadership due to ongoing ground operations directed at the terrorists (Full report in Sunday Island). INDIAS BHARATIYA JANATHA PARTY ALSO DEMANDS LTTE TO STOP USING CIVILIANS AS A HUMAN SHIELD - By Walter Jayawardhana - The Bharatiya Jthe the Janatha Party of India issuing a statement demanded that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) immediately stop using Tamil civilians as a human shield.  In a statement issued on Saturday the opposition Party on whom the LTTE had high hopes said the LTTE should stop using the destitute Tamil Civilians as a shield and they should start a dialogue with the Sri Lankan government. But until Sunday the LTTTE showed no sign of giving up their human shield which they use as their main weapon these days as they have lost most of their armaments to the security forces. According to the information coming from the battle zone , they have used the two day no fire pause the President gave as a respect to some international requests, and driven the destitute and helpless civilians deep into the area making it more difficult for the security forces to rescue them. But Brigadier Shavendra Silva has said the army is determined and adamant to rescue the civilians. "The BJP calls on the Sri Lankan government to commence an immediate dialogue with Tamil representatives to find a viable solution that would give maximum devolution of powers within a united Sri Lanka," the party said in a statement. But the BJP did not forget to include the LTTE demand for a ceasefire in their statement. Indian political parties are more driven to a vote grab than understand the reality of the ground situation , military analysts in Colombo said. But some UN officials driven by Western interests sent a delegation asking for a ceasefire. Western interests are hell bent on getting a ceasefire declared, save Prabhakaran , and give him another period of political life, as they think he would be more amenable to a political movement that would lead to the break up of India , political analysts in Sri Lanka charged. (EOM). Washington Times Editorial says ..... Sri Lanka has been fighting the Tamil Tigers for over 30 years. The Tigers pioneered the modern use of suicide bombing and have killed thousands of civilians. A U.S. government expert on the group tells us that the Tigers are "one of the most odious insurgent groups around, and for a long stretch of time had more suicide attacks than the rest of the world combined. It has made a cult of martyrdom and violated every single previous cease-fire." During the most recent truce, the Tigers took the opportunity to assassinate about 200 moderate Tamil politicians and the Sri Lankan foreign minister (Read full Editorial) G8 condemns use of "human shields" in Sri Lanka - The Group of Eight nations issued a plea on Saturday for thousands of civilians caught up in Sri Lanka's civil war and strongly condemned the Tamil Tiger rebels' use of "human shields". "The plight of civilians still trapped by the fighting and who remain at extreme risk from the ongoing hostilities is our primary concern," said a statement issued by Rome, chairman of the G8 which groups the United States, Japan, Germany, Britain, France, Italy, Russia and Canada. (Yentnew). Several Tamil children injured from LTTE attacks when fleeing the "LTTE Human Shield" air-lifted to Colombo and being treated at the Lady Ridgway children hospital in Colombo. Tamil Children injured in Tamil Tiger Terrorist attacks treated in Colombo 25/04/2009 (Listen to the Tamil civilians)  Tamil civilians injured from LTTE attacks when fleeing from the "Human Shield" being taken to hospitals for urgent medical treatments by Sri Lanka security forces. People of all walks join in relief operations - The people and all religious organisations in Vavuniya have joined hands with the government in mounting a massive humanitarian operation to provide relief to the hundreds of thousands of civilians who had fled the conflict zone. Heeding to an appeal from the government, people and the business community of the South have already begun contributing to the relief stocks being collected in Colombo and other cities, sources said. Governor for the Northern Province, Sarath Chandra Dela, Ministers including Disaster Relief Minister Ameer Ali, Nation Building Deputy Minister Chandrasiri, senior administrative officers and security forces are engaged in directing round-the-clock relief operations, the sources said. Over 120,000 Wanni refugees have converged in Vavuniya after April 20, while 20,000 more are in the transit centre at Omanthai and another 30,000 are on their way in areas between Omanthai and Kilinochchi, government sources said. All immediate relief assistance including cooked food, medical assistance, drinking water and temporary shelters are being provided to the refugees, the sources said. The UNHCR, ICRC and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) are in the process of fixing about 10,000 tents, with 60,000 more tents - 20,000 from the UN and 40,000 from the governments of Jordan and Saudi Arabia - are to arrive shortly, each tent having a capacity to accommodate five persons. Forty bowsers are in service transporting water and 300 buses are engaged for transporting the refugees, the sources said. The GAs of Kandy, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa have been attached to the Vavuniya secretariat to oversee the relief operations. The government was disbursing Rs.130 per head, per day for providing cooked food and non-food items like bedsheets and utensils are also being provided. World Food Programme (WFP) Country Director Adanan Khan told the Sunday Observer that 800 tonnes of food were already in stock in their stores and 400 tonnes were sent to Vavuniya last Friday. The WFP was supporting the government officials in providing food relief to the refugees, he said adding that the WFP will continue to refurbish stores where food stocks are stored (Sunday Observer). A Letter to Ottawa Citizen - By Asoka Weerasinghe, Canada - I have difficulty to subscribe to Bob Rae’s thesis ‘Sri Lanka war is not an internal matter’ in which he describes Sri Lanka as a ‘failed state”. He keeps telling us that as the Chairman of the Forum of Federations that he attended most of the negotiation sessions of the so-called  Sri Lanka Peace Talks, where at every talk the Tamil Tigers walked out. Rae sees fit to take these visits to Sri Lanka as good enough qualifications to come up with half-truths and fiction about Sri Lanka.What he has not revealed is the index that he used to measure Sri Lanka as a “failed state,” an island which has haemorrhaged for 26 years having been attacked by a foreign trained terrorist group, the Tamil Tigers, and fed with funds to buy arms collected abroad including Canada that filled one-third of its war chest annually for 13 years during the reign of his Liberal party. That is where the rub is.Sri Lanka’s survival as a democracy with such unfriendly pressures from foreign countries supporting its enemy, the Tamil Tigers is nothing but amazing.  If his index is based on the quality of life enjoyed by the Tamil community except for the 107,000 Internally Displaced Person (IDPs), the former hostages of the Tamil Tiger human shield who are presently been taken good care of by the Sri Lankan government with the help of some UN organizations, 54% of them live in the south and 39% live in the capital Colombo. Seventy-five percent of the rich real-estate of Wellawatte, the Rothwell Height of Colombo are owned by Tamils. String the  established lucrative clothing, gold-jewellery, pharmacies, High-Tech stores, some family-owned for generations along First-, Second-, Third-, Fourth-Cross Streets and Sea Street the Ottawa’s Bank Street of Colombo are owned by Tamils (Read full letter). Washington Times Editorial says ...... In desperation, the Tamil Tigers are using tens of thousands of locals as human shields. The Sri Lankan government declared a cease-fire and called on the Tigers to release their hostages, but unmanned-aerial-vehicle video footage shows the terrorists holding masses of innocents at gunpoint, refusing them freedom (Read full Editorial). In response to the article titled 'UN - 6500 Sri Lankans killed in 3 months' posted on the CBS website - Response By Mahinda Gunasekara, Toronto, Canada - "The document supposedly prepared by the UN claiming that 6432 civilians had been killed and a further 13946 injured in the designated safe zone in the past three months which had been released to AP by a foreign diplomat as verified data is highly questionable to say the least. The UN too has declined to comment on it. I watched Catherine Hogg, UN HR Coordinator briefing the media today, where she said that there were no UN personnel in the 'safe zone'. Was the source of this questionable data the Tamilnet, which is the propaganda arm of the Tamil Tigers. If not, what is the reliable source if any? One must understand the Tamil Tiger fighters are all not in uniform. Also, people forcibly held back by the Tigers to form a human shield that managed to escape into government controlled areas have informed that they were forced to give up their underage children or one member of each family to replace the fallen Tiger cadres. It is possible that these civilians forced to bear arms lost their lives in battle whilst engaged in combat roles, even though they did not enter the battlefield in military attire, and hence counted as civilians instead of as combatants. Yet other fleeing civilians stated that were engaged by the Tigers to construct earthen bunds or barriers, dig trenches and even lay mines and booby traps. Another fact is that the Tigers directed fire at the fleeing civilians confirmed by both the UN and HR Agencies, unleashed suicide bombers to blow themselves up, and even used a cannon mounted on a tank to fire at the fleeing civilians to stop the outward flow causing death and injury. Accidents too may have been the cause for some injuries in the case of civilians engaged by the Tigers to lay mines and explosives laden booby traps to obstruct the advancing Sri Lankan forces. Two separate 48 hour ceasefires undertaken by the SL forces did not result in any movement of trapped civilians as the Tigers used these occasions to beef up their fortifications using the civilians held hostage by them. Longer pauses called by the UN and the Int'l community would only give room for the Tigers to barter the lives of the civilians for a safe passage out to continue their terrorism and violence with the support of the pro-Tiger diaspora that has been funding them for the past three decades. This is not acceptable to the rest of the Sri Lankan people who have been constantly targeted by the Tigers for the last 30 years in their quest to establish a mono-ethnic fascist state in the north and east by grabbing 35% of the land spread over 2/3rd of the island's coast for resident Tamils numbering less than 4 percent of the total population. The people of the constituent communities from all backgrounds want terrorism brought to an end in Sri Lanka militarily, as all attempts to reach a negotiated settlement has been impossible, as the Tigers did not move one iota from their end goal of a separate state. What is put out by various INGO/NGO, HR agencies and even the UN cannot be trusted as they are known to repeat propaganda put out by the Tigers, or information given by some doctors held hostage who are working in the area under the command of the Tigers. Posted by Mahinda G at 5:02 PM : Apr 24, 2009 (Read full response). U.S. diplomat backs Sri Lanka’s hostage claims - Says Mass Exodus Disproves Tiger PropagandaWASHINGTON, D.C. April 24. At a panel earlier this week, a State Department official agreed that the mass exodus of civilians from the LTTE-controlled areas disproves the propaganda by LTTE leaders that the civilians wanted to remain under the leadership of the LTTE. "I think this is really especially significant, of course, because we’ve been hearing from the LTTE on many occasions when we stress the importance of allowing civilians to leave the safe zone,² said Michael Owen, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia. The LTTE has often responded by saying the civilians don’t want to leave; they want to stay because they’re afraid of what might happen to them once they leave. I think this clearly shows that that is not the case. Thirty-five thousand civilians voted with their feet and did obviously want to risk a lot in order to leave." The panel was held at the Brookings Institution in Washington on Monday (Sunday Island). A woman injured in the leg in the LTTE shoot-out while escaping from the ‘No Fire Zone’ is carried by her husband to a medical centre. The woman soldier who spotted them in the crowd hurriedly guides them for treatment. Pic: Thilak Perera Temporary cesefires don’t work says Dayan - Sri Lanka’s ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva on Friday rejected calls for a humanitarian pause in the Tamil conflict, saying temporary ceasefires did not work. "The largest number of civilians who have come out (of the conflict zone) came out not during the humanitarian pause, not as a result of the humanitarian pause," said Dayan Jayatilleke. "They came out as a result of a military operation which ... blindsided the (Tamil) Tigers." The United Nations on April 17 made a fresh call for humanitarian pauses to allow civilians to flee. Rajiva Wijesinha, who heads Sri Lanka’s government Secretariat for Coordination of the Peace Process, said in Geneva that 110,000 people have fled the conflict zone since renewed hostilities. He added that 20,000 remain trapped in the area, while the United Nations’ estimate is around 50,000. Jayatilleke and Wijesinha spoke in a press conference as hundreds of Tamils streamed into the main square outside the UN building a kilometre (half- mile) away to demonstrate against hostilities in the north of Sri Lanka (Full report in Sunday Island). The casualties of Sri Lanka's brutal civil war - Civilians are the casualties in Sri Lanka's brutal civil war. In a rare report from inside former rebel-held areas, SinhaRaja Tammita-Delgoda meets fleeing refugees and ex-fighters. From Paranthan, the road to Vallipuram is rich and green. Great expanses of paddy stretch out before you, clumps of palmyrah dot the land and little streams of water trickle by. As we near the fighting, paddy fields give way to broken buildings and blasted vehicles. Twisted trees and uprooted trunks line the way. Here, in an area formerly controlled by the Tamil Tigers but now in the hands of the Sri Lankan army as they besiege the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in a last assault to end a 25-year-old civil war, everything is covered with a layer of brown dust. An occasional boat lies stranded on either side of the road, reminders of a last desperate attempt by the Tamil Tigers to hold back the tide. Blasting a reservoir in the path of the advancing Sri Lankan army, Tiger cadres counterattacked in boats, riding upon a wall of water. The water however, has receded and the Tigers have retreated. As you enter the Kanishta High School, Vallipuram, the first thing you see is a brightly coloured board. Written at the top in vivid blue letters, is an inscription in Tamil (Full report in Island). India upset with China over Sri Lanka crisis - China's declaration of support for the Sri Lankan government against the LTTE, apart from sticking out like a sore thumb in the eyes of the world, has further fuelled India's mortal distrust of its largest and most powerful neighbour. While India has a much more nuanced position over the issue owing to its domestic compulsions, an unfettered China is supporting Colombo and, in the process, authenticating India's fear about Beijing extending its influence in the Indian Ocean. According to government sources, Beijing's support to Colombo cannot be viewed in isolation because it follows a series of initiatives aimed at influencing the Sri Lankan government. These include selling huge quantities of arms to Colombo last year and boosting aid almost five times to $1 billion. In fact, China is now the largest donor to Lanka. Its Jian-7 fighter jets, anti-aircraft guns and JY-11 3D air surveillance radars played a key role in the Sri Lankan military successes (Full report in Times of India). Raising the ante - Raising the ante is the name of the game that is now being played by some of the world’s most powerful nations as Sri Lanka’s armed forces engage in the task of finishing off the LTTE in the current phase of the long drawn war. On Friday, India sent two top officials, National Security Advisor M.K. Narayanan and Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon for talks with President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Colombo. The Defence Secretary and Mr. Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to the President, were in attendance at this meeting at Temple Trees officially described a ``friendly and conducted in a cordial atmosphere.’’ By all accounts there was no fist shaking by Big Brother and no promise of parippu drops to come as in 1987 when India stopped the annihilation of the LTTE at Vadamarachchi by Generals Denzil Kobbekaduwa, Vijaya Wimalaratne and their troops and twisted President J.R. Jayewardene’s arm to sign what was called the Indo – Sri Lanka Accord of that year – a treaty of peace, friendship and cooperation (Full Editorial in Island). Sri Lanka Army soldier gives a helping hand to a child in his mother’s arms who escaped from the "HUman Shield of LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists" Lankan officials paint true picture in Geneva - The current situation in Sri Lanka was explained in length to the foreign and Sri Lankan journalists in Geneva when Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha, Secretary to the Ministry of Human Rights and Disaster Management and Secretary General, Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process and Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka, Ambassador/Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Office in Geneva, addressed the press on the current situation in Sri Lanka. The press conference on the topic `Current Situation in Sri Lanka’, (24 April 2009) held at ‘La pastorale’, Geneva, was organized by The Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Office in Geneva, in collaboration with the Geneva Press Club - Club Suisse de la presse. They explained the background to the ongoing war in Sri Lanka and recalled some of the major incidents occurred during the past three decades. Dr. Jayatilleka and Prof. Wijesinha also responded to a number of questions raised by the journalists on the present situation in the north, and especially on the civilians, both those who are still held by the Tigers and those who have managed to escape and come to the Government-controlled area seeking the refuge of the armed forces (Sunday Observer). Tiger sports chief shot dead - Velalagan alias Papa, who was a senior cadre who was in-charge of LTTE’s sports activities at Kilinochchi, when the outfit was active in the region was shot dead by fellow cadres while attempting to escape with the members of his family in a boat a few days ago from Puthumathalan, informed sources said. Papa was a senior cadre in the LTTE who held the position as the Head of the Sports Activities when the outfit was in control of Kilinochchi, sources said. A large number of cadres and their families have now crossed into safer areas by boats and by land routes, sources said. The civilians who have escaped into safer areas said that a big tussle has broken out in the areas where the LTTE is still holding the civilians between the cadres and families who were trying to escape. The cadres were preventing them from escaping. A sister of LTTE’s senior military cadre Illanthivayan managed to escape with her family and reached an IDP Centre at Chavakachcheri, a few days ago, sources said. Likewise family members of several cadres have escaped from the areas of LTTE presence and sought shelter in Vanni and Jaffna peninsula, sources said. Meanwhile Rev. Father Wasanthaseelan of Mannar Diocese has lost his left leg in an attack in the LTTE held areas and later he was rescued by the Security Forces and brought to Vavuniya, sources said (Sunday Observer). Crushing of most ruthless terrorist outfit: SL Army shows its class to the world - The Sri Lankan Army has in no uncertain terms proved its capability of crushing the most ruthless terror outfit in the world under any challenging circumstances having rescued most probably the largest number of civilian hostages by a terror outfit in the world, since its most sensitive operation in its history, at the dawn of April 20, 2009. The valiant troops of the Sri Lanka Army took up that challenge at a time the entire international community was ringing alarm bells fearing a blood bath or humanitarian catastrophe if Sri Lanka tried to rescue the civilians by nearly 150,000 civilians held hostage by the LTTE. Those who cautioned the Sri Lankan Government about a possible blood bath in the No Fire Zone and exerted pressure to extend the humanitarian pause offered for the civilians to flee, could not provide any alternative solution to end this problem by peaceful means. Many suggestions by those international players to end this issue were appalling as they wanted a safe passage for Tiger leader Velupillai Prabhakaran and his subordinates to flee from the country at the last moment with the LTTE is facing its final defeat (Full report in Sunday Observer). A tribute to our Security Forces - Sri Lanka's valiant Security Forces deserve the nation's highest tribute for conducting the world's largest humanitarian operation last week, rescuing over 100,000 innocent civilians trapped in the No Fire Zone (NFZ) in the North, the small area held by the LTTE terrorists. The hapless civilians were subjected to untold hardships as the leaders of the LTTE terror outfit, forcibly held them as a human shield in the NFZ in a desperate bid to survive in the 14 sq km area. The so-called liberators of the Tamils had thereby violated all accepted international norms and principles by forcibly holding these innocent civilians in the NFZ. The civilians were not given any chance to move into an area of their choice as the LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran had been using his own community as a cover against the advancing troops of the Sri Lanka Army, backed by the Air Force and the Sri Lanka Navy. Prabhakaran not only forced the children in the NFZ into the battlefront but also ordered his ruthless LTTE cadres to fire at his own people who attempted to escape from the NFZ. The LTTE showed no mercy whatsoever even to the pregnant women, mothers carrying infants and even the elders who were injured. All civilians trapped in the NFZ under Prabhakaran's barbaric rule were desperately biding their time for the arrival of the Security Forces to rescue them. It is under such circumstances that the Security Forces decided to embark on the world's largest hostage rescue mission. However, the Security Forces had to face more risks to ensure the safety of civilians as they were obliged to use only small arms to confront pockets of LTTE terrorists using heavy weapons targeting the advancing troops. The gigantic humanitarian operation to rescue the civilians trapped inside the NFZ reached a climax after the Security Forces reached the Eastern beachfront dividing the safe zone into two. This enabled more civilians to arrive into the military controlled areas, resulting in a huge influx of civilians. The Security Forces engaged in the mercy mission facilitated the arrival of tens of thousands of civilians by providing them with water and food no sooner they reached the cleared areas crossing the lagoon in Puthumattalan and the Ampalavanpokkanai area (Full report in Sunday Observer). World community should be realistic - What is now unfolding before our very eyes is by far, the largest hostage rescue operation that has been undertaken by any military in the world. These people have clearly demonstrated their total rejection of the LTTE and are living proof of the endorsement of the underlying humanitarian objective of the mission of our armed forces, namely to rescue them to safety. This massive movement of human beings of epic proportions, is a fitting reply to certain sceptical members of the international community who, obviously misguided by Tiger propaganda, have been making persistent predictions of massive civilian casualties, in the event our Security Forces embarked on the rescue mission. The Government of Sri Lanka shares the concern of the international community over the plight of the civilians who are being held captive by the LTTE in the NFZ. No one has more concern than the Government about the safety of the country’s civilians. In fact, it was with this objective that President Mahinda Rajapaksa issued a directive to the Armed Forces to restrict their operations to a defensive mode during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year period. Everybody is aware that the recent pause in military action did not result in any significant movement of civilians from the NFZ (Full report in Sunday Observer). The largest hostage rescue in the world’s history - By Professor Sunil J. Wimalawansa - Hostage takings have been reported sporadically, throughout the world. However, none was even closer to the recent captivity of approximate of 250,000 of civilians by the Tamil Tiger terrorists (LTTE) in the north eastern jungles. Over the past few days over 100,000 hostages were rescued by the Sri Lankan Forces - the largest number of hostages rescued in such a short period, anywhere in the world. LTTE is banned world-wide as a terror outfit for their work on suicide bombings, child soldiering, organized crime, and unlimited human rights violations. In addition to the billions of rupees in property damage, LTTE violence has consumed over 140,000 lives; the majority had been women and children. Three decades of government-initiated and third party mediated negotiations as well as peace discussions were failed. Terrorists have constantly violated all ceasefire agreements. The final turning point towards defeating terrorism in Sri Lanka was attained in mid-2008, after three years of careful and strategic planning by the Government. LTTE terrorists never anticipated such a rapid advance of the military, which has now completely encircled them (Full report in Sunday Observer). 15 arrested for attempting to burn national flags of India, Sri Lanka -: Fifteen activists of two pro-Sri Lankan Tamils outfits have been arrested for attempting to burn the national flags of India and Sri Lanka here on Saturday. Activists of Tamil National Socialist Party and Tamil Nationalist Liberation Movement were arrested when they tried to burn the flags of the two nations in front of Shastri Bhavan, which houses various Central government offices, police said. The two outfits, in a release, alleged that despite repeated pleas from the Tamil Nadu to press Colombo for a ceasefire, the Indian Government had not done enough to prevent the "killings" of Lankan Tamils (Full report in Hindu). Tears for your eyes...: - Agony of terror The very sight of it was sickening; very moving to a point of wanting to get lost from it all. I closed my eyes trying to repress tears. The baby girl was holding her mother’s hand and crying in pain.  The young woman, whose husband was killed by the LTTE when he was trying to flee with the family, had escaped with thousands of others when the troops of 58 Division broke through the LTTE’s last earth bund at Ampalavanpokkanei in the No Fire Zone. ‘Carrying her little daughter, she too had crossed the lagoon. But few minutes before her ‘journey to freedom’, she was felled by the LTTE’s Eelam police that started shooting indiscriminately at the fleeing civilians. They were running for life and did not have time to bother about the little girl who was lying near her mother. Later, the soldier rescued the girl, who is now with her aunt. She still calls out for her `amma’. A soft drink by a kind soldier revived the child. It was soon after the mass exodus of civilians who broke the iron gate of the LTTE’s hell hole. Walking through a ‘human river’ was not that easy. Interviewed one ... two... ten and more. The stories are the same. They have not enjoyed the luxury of eating a plate of rice or drinking a glass of water or a milk tea or wearing clean clothes for months and months. Overcoming the first barricade - the communication- thanks to Tamil speaking soldiers, I managed to jot down their agony with my hand shivering and tears steaming down my face. How could a human being hide tears in front of a tiny tot screaming in hunger ... an old man screaming in pain with a shot gun injury... a mother screaming in front of her son’s dead body... (Full report in Sunday Observer). Tiger chief missed by ‘whisker’ - Lankan security forces missed Tamil Tiger chief Vellupilai Prabhakaran and his top aides by a whisker, a top Sri Lankan commander said. The 58th Army Division commander, Brigadier Shavendra Silva, told journalists that the rebel leader had limited options — either to give up or commit suicide. “We got to know that Prabhakaran had moved through the Pudukudiryirippu road on a day between March 29 to 31, just about two days before the army siege in that area,” Silva said. “Yes I regret we missed him by a whisker or else things could have been over faster,” he said, adding that Prabhakaran cannot escape by road. Silva said things have worsened to such an extent that mothers were hiding their sons in a holes inside the kitchen to escape the prying eyes of Tiger militants who were on the lookout for new fighters. Former LTTE media coordinator Daya Master told the army during interrogation that “only Sea Tiger leader Soosai, the coordinating LTTE army head Pottu Amman and Prabhakaran’s son Charles Anthony are going to stay with him”. “The rest of the senior aides will try to escape as I did,” Silva quoted Daya Master as saying. “Yes Prabhakaran lived around here not far ago and people suffered under him,” Silva told journalists who visited the war zone. According to another senior military officer, Prabhakaran is facing “reverses after reverses” in his struggle for a separate Eelam state (Full report in The Telegraph, Culcutta). Watch out for Prabhakaran - people say - Number of city folk of all communities said on Friday that the armed forces at security points must make special checks on civilians coming from the `No Fire Zone' (NFZ) to liberated areas, since LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran could also make a safe escape along with them in disguise of a monk, priest, a bearded civilian or an injured person. Referring to a statement made by National Freedom Front (NFF), President Wimal Weerawansa, a banker, Rumesh Rangan, currently employed in Colombo and a resident of Jaffna told the `Sunday Observer' that international humanitarian agencies in the NFZ could help Prabhakaran to leave the area. He therefore, requested security personnel to carry out special checks on all NGO vehicles, especially ambulances coming from the NFZ, as Prabhakaran could make a safe escape through vehicles. He further said that as Prabhakaran could not flee the country by sea due to high security deployed at key places. Another resident from Bambalapitiya Susantha Peris said that at the time when the international community raised their anger against the LTTE, Sri Lanka has got the opportunity to catch the LTTE leader alive. He also said that our armed forces must keep an alert for the LTTE leaders, since he would mingle with ordinary citizens to make a safe escape to liberated areas and thereafter to a foreign country on forged documents (Full report in Sunday Observer). Kattankudy sends 40 cooks to feed IDPs - Forty Muslim cooks from Kattankudy accompanied by two members of the Kattankudy Mosque Federation left Kattankudy for the Wanni yesterday morning in a bus, a pick up and a lorry full of cooking utensils to prepare meals for the people rescued by the security forces from the clutches of the LTTE in the North. Secretary of the Kattankudy Mosque Federation M. Sabeel, said that the Federation is sending these cooks to the Wanni at their own expense on the request of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, conveyed through the Chief Presidential Advisor and MP Basil Rajapaksa. The Kattankudy Mosque Federation also sent relief goods to the Wanni IDPs some time ago. Meanwhile it is said the Muslims displaced from the North by the LTTE in October 1990 are also collecting relief items to be given to the war victims in government controlled areas (Nation).  Read more about how ruthless LTTE masscared 175 Muslim prajers in Kaththankudi Prabhakaran guilty of atrocities against his own people - Former Eelam Revolutionary Organisation of Students (EROS) stalwart Arular Arulpragasam, who taught LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran the art of handling the AK 47 assault rifle said that it was high time for the LTTE leader to give up his struggle. Arular Arulpragasam, a mechanical engineer who is currently domiciled in Britain was one of the pioneers of Tamil militancy in Sri Lanka. In an interview with the Sunday Observer Arular said that the LTTE could not give leadership to the Tamils in Sri Lanka, and it is time the outfit should denounce violence and disband itself completely. "There is no future for the LTTE as they have inflicted the maximum number of atrocities on their own people, he charged. During the past three decades they had hardly done anything worthwhile to address the Tamil crisis politically. They took the Indians for a ride and now they have deceived the entire world by scuttling the peace process initiated by Norway. Commenting on his links with Prabhakaran, Arular said that in 1974 as a young militant cadre the LTTE leader was alone with him in his farm called 'Kannaddy' in Vavuniya. "It was I who taught him the art of handling the Russian made AK 47 assault rifle". "Prabhakaran in his so-called separatist war had done more harm to his own people in their socio economic and political spheres. He could not achieve anything beneficial to his own people. However, with the near total annihilation of his outfit the LTTE Chief should give up his struggle and ensure the safety of his cadres. If he is further determined to continue his struggle, he will certainly face the same tragedy which Hitler himself faced eventually." Speaking on the recent demonstrations held in support of LTTE in various countries, he said, that those demonstrators were manipulated by the LTTE henchmen without being aware of the ground realities. No country would ever take them seriously, knowing well who they are," he said (Sunday Observer). Medical teams, drugs to Vavuniya - Specialist medical teams with equipment, essential drugs and ambulances were sent to Vavuniya to meet the medical needs of more than one hundred and fifty thousand (150,000) IDPs who fled the LTTE grip to government controlled areas. Under the instructions of Health Care and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, Secretary to the Ministry Dr. Atula Kahadaliyanage visited Vavuniya and Mannar Hospitals on Wednesday (22) and discussed the urgent needs with the regional Health Ministry officials and the doctors. A Disaster Management Unit which operates day and night had been established in the Health Ministry premises. A spokesman of DMU said that the number of injured persons seeking treatment had rapidly escalated during the last few days. "We had anticipated that situation and planned the medical programme accordingly and if worked smoothly, he said. Pulmude Field Hospital, Padaviya, Vavuniya and Mannar hospitals were being strengthened with doctors, drugs and equipment, Polonnaruwa and Higurakgoda hospitals will also be ready to admit serious patients soon, he said. Medical teams, consisting specialists, surgons and technicians with nursing staff were being sent daily to Vavuniya to continue the medical services, he added (Sunday Observer). Tigers in Malaysia despite denials - Sri Lankan Foreign Secretary, Dr Palitha Kohona, who was in Malaysia to express concern over growing LTTE presence in that country returned on Wednesday with a reported undertaking from Kuala Lampur that it would counter any emerging Tiger activity there. Malaysia has already cracked down on its own militant Tamil dominated Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF) with several of its leaders being held without trial. Sources said, however that according to available intelligence, the LTTE’s Chief arms procurer and its international point man Selvaraja Padmanadan, alias Kumaran Padmanadan operates all Tiger bank accounts from Malaysia. It is a much publicised fact that Norwegian Ambassador in Sri Lanka Tore Hattrem had recently gone and met him there. Early this month, Hattrem was summoned to the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry when it was revealed that he had helped UN Humanitarian Chief John Holmes to contact Padmanadan, who is wanted by India, Sri Lanka and the Interpol (Nation). Devananda appeals to UN officials: Consider ground realities - Minister of Social Services and Social Welfare Douglas Devananda urged the top UN officials to help put an end to the LTTE atrocities and assist innocent civilians who have been brutalised by the outfit. He met UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Ms. Navaneethampillai, UNHCR Head, Antonio Gutterez and the Secretary General of the International Parliamentary Union Anders Johnson, in Geneva on Friday. Minister Devananda along with resettlement and Disaster Relief Services Minister Rishard Bathudeen attended an international confab on ethnic issues held in Geneva, last week. In his discussion with the top UN officials Minister Devananda briefed them on the current developments with regard to the war front in Vanni and on the states of the IDPs in Vavuniya. Ministers Devananda and Rishard Bathudeen jointly appealed the UN official to assist in providing necessary relief measures to the IDPs and help them in relocating in their original habitats. Minister Devananda also urged the UN top officials not to get carried away by the LTTE's adverse propaganda activities, but make their observation based on the ground realities (Sunday Observer). Minister plans rehab programs for ex-LTTE cadres - With the total defeat of the LTTE now become imminent, their rank and file who surrender to our forces or get captured as Prisoners of War (PoW) will be integrated into the normal society and rehabilitated during the post conflict phase, said Disaster Relief and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe. Speaking to the `Sunday Observer', he said that in the case of LTTE leaders who had caused immense sufferings to the people and are responsible for the deaths of several high profile figures in Sri Lanka and elsewhere, including death of former Indian PM Rajiv Gandhi, will be tried under the laws of the country. A bulk of the civilian population forcibly held by the LTTE in the No Fire Zone (NFZ) in Mullaitivu have already arrived in Vavuniya and Omanthai and they were being well looked after with provision of food, medicines and other usual assistance. These IDPs would be resettled in their own villages after the villages were made safe and the necessary infrastructure and services restored, the Minister said. Through various atrocious acts the LTTE had forcibly prevented the civilians from escaping to government controlled areas during the 48 hour pause offered by the government and this, perhaps, had given them more resolve to escape in their thousands, he said. The UN and the international community has now come to realise what the LTTE is all about and there was a better understanding now between the Government of Sri Lanka and them, he stated. The government was fully committed to ensuring that the displaced civilians went back to their own villages soon and lived a life like their brothers and sisters in the South. The UN and the international community have a role to play in the post conflict phase and the government was open all assistance from them in the rehabilitation and resettlement process in respect of the IDPs (Full report in Sunday Observer). Biggest hostage rescue in military history - Brave soldiers of the country turned a new leaf in the military history of the world, by becoming the first force to undertake the release of the largest number of hostages. These brave soldiers were able to subdue the enemy almost completely, while safeguarding the civilians. The soldiers were able to conquer the forward defence line of the enemy by the dawn of April 20, and by April 24 some 104,868 civilians escaped from the Tigers to cleared areas seeking government protection. Several LTTE leaders, along with other rebels, gave up their fight and also came along with the civilians seeking the protection of the government. Former media spokesman of the LTTE, Daya Master, and interpreter George were among those who crossed over. In addition, there were about 15 others who were considered as Lieutenant Colonels within the outfit. Within two days, 700 hardcore senior members had also crossed over. Meanwhile, four doctors of the LTTE medical wing, with more than 10 years of experience within the outfit, also escaped to a government held area. All these took place at a crucial period, when various countries, including the USA, were pressurising the Government for a pause in the ongoing operations and enter into another deceptive ceasefire. Today, the country is able to enjoy these victories because President Mahinda Rajapaksa as Commander in Chief and Gotabhaya Rajapaksa Defence Secretary extended their fullest support to the Army Commander to carry out the ongoing humanitarian operation, till they get the last Tiger, without giving into the international pressure (Full report in The Nation). Govt. ready to work with UN on post conflict issues -  The Government will discuss with the visiting UN Humanitarian Affairs Chief Sir John Holmes on how the two parties could work closely in the post conflict phase in areas of rehabilitation of civilians and re-integration of ex-combatants into society, Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe told The Sunday Times last night. Sir John Holmes Sir John arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday for a three day visit as pressure mounted on the government to allow more UN involvement in the rehabilitation of displaced civilians. Mr. Samarasinghe said the Government saw a definite role for the UN in the post conflict phase. “The displaced people will have to be rehabilitated, and ex combatants reintegrated to society. We also need to resettle the displaced people and provide them a livelihood with essential infrastructure facilities. In all these areas we believe the UN can be our partner,” Mr. Samarasinghe said. Referring to the request to allow UN access to the conflict area, the minister said though in principle the Government was in agreement to such a visit, it had to be discussed in detail due to the security risks and logistical problems. “When the UN made a request during the visit by the Secretary General’s Chief of Staff Vijay Nambiar there were an estimated 150,000 civilians in the No Fire Zone but since April 20, more than 109,000 have come over to government controlled areas (Full report in Sunday Times). To His Excellency the President of USA Mr.Barack Obama - From Charles.S.Perera - Your Excellency, You have probably been informed of the terrorism which had put into peril our country and the lives of our people for the last three decades. They are a ruthless, cunning group of terrorists who had through several cease fires, organised themselves intelligently strengthening their forces, enhancing their economic wealth, organising a strong propaganda front out of the Tamil diaspora, and has a political wing. The terrorists of Sri Lanka played very well the roles of Dr.Jakyl and Mr.Hyde. They developed through a long standing friend the Norwegian Eric Solheim, a very close relation ships with foreign diplomats, foreign government representatives, American Senators, Western media, NGOs and INGOs, entertaining them in their luxury bungalows in the areas controlled by them. They thus became friendly “rebels” to these foreigners, while they massacred without mercy the villagers, blasted claymore bombs targeting buses carrying civilians, used suicide bombs, assassinated a President, several Ministers , the Prime Minster of India, attempted to assassinate another President, the Army Commander, Defence Secretary, murdered Police Officers, Soldiers , and liberal intellectuals the list is long (Full report in LankaWeb). Physician, heal thyself! - By Bandula Kothalawala, London N7 - A gentle breath of fresh air wafted through the White House with the historic election of Barrack Obama as US President or so they said. Alas, it does not seem to have lingered too long and has already given way to a familiar rancid smell reminiscent of a bygone era. In its first statement on Sri Lanka since the Inauguration in January 2009, the Obama Administration has displayed a surprising lack of awareness and understanding of the salient facts of the situation, which defies comprehension. It also betrays a worrying degree of ignorance of its own policies, practices and attitudes, especially, regarding civilian casualties in conflict. Let me give a very brief account of the situation in Sri Lanka for the information of Mr Robert Blake, US Ambassador in Colombo, who, no doubt, habitually misinforms the Obama Administration. The current offensive began in 2006 when the LTTE blocked the sluiceway of an irrigation scheme in the Eastern Province depriving an estimated 15,000 farmers of water. The Government of Sri Lanka is engaged in a war to safeguard its independence, preserve its territorial integrity and uphold its sovereignty against a ruthless terrorist outfit banned in the European Union, United States, Canada, India and Sri Lanka. The LTTE usurped the control of some 24% of the territory through violent means and has trampled upon its citizens' democratic rights for over 25 years. It has claimed about 70% of the country's coastline and its activities have caused the death of at least 75,000 people and maimed many more for life. Over 100 suicide attacks have been carried out killing scores of politicians including President Ranasinghe Premadasa, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi of India and Foreign Minister Laksman Kadirgamar, servicemen, civilians etc. The LTTE has systematically eliminated all moderate Tamil politicians, civic leaders, intellectuals, academics etc. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka estimated the damage to the economy at 25% of GNI in 2005. The people of Sri Lanka have lived through this trauma for nearly three decades now (Full report in LankaWeb). OPEN LETTER TO UNO GENERAL SECRETARY UNO DAYS ARE NUMBERED - By Stanley Perera from Melbourne - My dear Mr. Moon through UNO representative in Colombo; Re-Corrupt United Nations Organisation’s Ambassadors - This open letter to you is to open the eyes of the authorities to clean up the corruption of the officers in your organisation. As an independent observer, I have been carefully monitoring the behaviour of those who hold responsible positions in the UNO. President Obama has called to abolish UNO and replace it with NATO with a wider International participation. When one reads my following analysis, I am confident that you will put both your hand up in support of Obama’s proposal which is in its infancy at the moment. However, I am of the view that before the end of Obama’s second term in office, the UNO will be completely dissolved (Full report in LankaWeb). While traitors are unhanged, monks suffer - .... The LTTE blew up Rajiv Gandhi in a totally senseless and cruel manner, just because he was on the verge of becoming PM again. But today, because of Tamil Nadu votes, Rajiv’s widow, Sonia, sent emissaries to Sri Lanka to pressure the government to effect a ceasefire just as it is about to wipe out the LTTE after 25 years of a bloody civil war. Does it make sense to you? India is about equality and rising above castes; yet since 1947, politicians of this country, particularly the Congress, and later V P Singh, Mulayam Singh, or Lalu Prasad, have divided India along castes and religious lines.... (Full report in Express Buzz). Saturday, 25 April 2009 The Sri Lanka Government has successfully completed the "Rescue Operation to free Tamil Civilians from the clutches of the LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists". But, at this 11th-hour, some Western countries are interfering Sri Lanka's sovereignty, trying to give "Oxygen" to the LTTE and drag Sri Lanka back into an on-going terrorist war.   Germany donates 4,7 Mil. Euros to help Tamil IDPs in Sri Lanka.  Angry LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists attack Sri Lanka Embassy in Berlin using petrol bombs.  LTTE Tamil Tiger demonstrators in Berlin throw rotten Eggs at the Chinese Embassy. Violent youth attack German Police, 8 Tamils arrested.   Wanni Operation 23 rd April 2009 (Sinhala) Northern Battle Front 23 rd April 2009 (Sinhala) Wanni Operation (Tamil Version) 22 nd April 2009 Truth exposed by Tamil Civilians fleeing war-zone in Sri Lanka Two top tamil tiger terrorist leaders surrender but ask other tamil tigers to commit suicide Over 100,000 Tamil civilians escape from Tamil Tiger Terrorist 22/04/2009 Wanni Operation (English Version) 23 rd April 2009 Northern Battle Front (English Version) 23 rd April 2009 Indian National Security Advisor N. K. Narayanan and Indian Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon met President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees yesterday. Picture shows Narayanan greeting the President. Picture by Chandana Perera While Sri Lankans, Tamils and Sinhalese alike rejoice the defeat of LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists and more than one hundred thousand Tamil civilians rescued from the "Human Shield" of LTTE, it is ridiculous that some nations are trying to give oxygen to the World deadliest terrorist organization, LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists. LTTE top brass : No surrender to third party - Defence Secretary - Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa stressed that the Government cannot let the LTTE to surrender to a third party and emphasised that LTTE should be made to surrender only to the Government of Sri Lanka. The Defence Secretary, speaking to the Sunday Observer said this while commenting on the United States’ request for the LTTE to surrender to a third party. “Sri Lankan people had suffered from terrorism and it is our people who were killed by the LTTE. It is not fair for a foreign country to request that the LTTE be allowed to surrender to an outside party,” Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said speaking to the `Sunday Observer’. “This is an internal matter and we, as the Government, can assure that the problem can be settled internally,” he added. At a daily press briefing on Friday US State Department spokesman Robert Wood had stated, “”The Tamil Tigers must stop holding civilians and thus placing them in harm’s way. We call on the Tamil Tigers to lay down their arms and surrender to a third party.” Yet, the US State Department has not specified who the third party is, media reports stated. Wood had further stated that, the international community needs to provide assistance to a large number of displaced persons and they should be prepared to play a role to end the fighting. Commenting further the Defence Secretary said that US concern about the displaced civilians could be understood but their concern for the safety of a group of terrorists is questionable (Full report in Sri Lanka Defence Ministry). Sri Lanka vows to continue military offensive - Sri Lanka has vowed not to bow to any pressure to stop the military offensive against the Tamil Tigers until all civilians escape the now shrunken rebel territory, it was reported on Saturday. "The government is not giving into various pressures exerted on it to stop the humanitarian operation or declare a ceasefire and it will go on till the last civilian is freed from LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) clutches," Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said in remarks published in the state-run Daily News. Rajapaksa, a younger brother of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, did not say who had been exerting pressure on Sri Lanka. Asked if the two envoys of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who met the president on Friday called for a ceasefire, the defence secretary said there was no such call and India did not put any pressure on Sri Lanka. National Security Advisor MK Narayanan and Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon met the president and his confidants for about 90 minutes. After returning to New Delhi, Narayanan said that President Rajapaksa was "receptive" to India's concerns, especially over the civilian suffering caused by the fighting in the north and the exodus of Tamils from the war zone. Describing the discussions with the Indian delegation as "yet another instance of high-level cordial discussions between the two countries on matters of mutual interest", Defence Secretary Rajapaksa said the visit characterised the bilateral relations since President Rajapaksa assumed office in November 2005 (Full report in Hindustan Times). Lankan envoy rejects calls for ceasefire -: Sri Lanka’s ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva yesterday rejected calls for a humanitarian pause in the Tamil conflict, saying temporary ceasefires did not work. “The largest number of civilians who have come out (of the conflict zone) came out not during the humanitarian pause, not as a result of the humanitarian pause,” said Dayan Jayatilleke. “They came out as a result of a military operation which ... blindsided the (Tamil) Tigers.” The United Nations on April 17 made a fresh call for humanitarian pauses to allow civilians to flee. Rajiva Wijesinha, who heads Sri Lanka’s government Secretariat for Coordination of the Peace Process, said in Geneva that 110,000 people have fled the conflict zone since renewed hostilities. Jayatilleke and Wijesinha spoke in a press conference as hundreds of Tamils streamed into the main square outside the UN building a kilometre (half- mile) away to demonstrate against hostilities in the north of Sri Lanka. Sheryl Mathavan, an organiser of the event, said “thousands are expected,” including about 2,000 from Switzerland and many other Tamils from other European countries. “We are demonstrating against genocide and racial discrimination in Sri Lanka. We want an immediate ceasefire. We want the UN to intervene to stop the genocide,” she said, as she joined demonstrators carrying the Tamil Tiger flag (Full report in The Peninsula). LTTE attack Sri Lanka Embassy in Berlin for the second time - A group of LTTE supporters attacked the Sri Lankan Embassy in Berlin on Thursday night (Apr 23). According to media reports, the LTTE supporters had thrown two Molotov Cocktails [improvised patrol bombs] to the embassy premises. "They have thrown 2 petrol-bombs to the Embassy premises. Out of the two only one Bomb has exploded; the other one caused minor harm to the building. No one was hurt", reports said. German Police are now investigating the incident. This is the second time the Embassy was attacked within three months. Observers say that this attack has again highlighted the hypocrisy of the LTTE sympathisers whose only intension is to protect their asylum status in the Western countries. They point out that the majority of the so-called Tamil Diaspora, who are enjoying asylum status in the Western countries are economic refugees who had successfully mislead the officials of those countries that they had been discriminated in Sri Lanka (Sri Lanka Defence Ministry). Pro-Tamil outfits burn India, Lanka flags Police on Saturday arrested 15 persons owing allegiance to two little known pro-Sri Lankan Tamils outfits for attempting to burn the national flags of India and Sri Lanka. Activists of Tamil National Socialist Party and Tamil Nationalist Liberation Movement gathered in front of the Shastri Bhavan here, which houses various Central government offices including the passport office, and tried to set the flags afire before they were arrested, police said. In a release, the two outfits alleged that despite repeated pleas from Tamil Nadu to press Colombo for a ceasefire, Government of India had not done enough to prevent the "killings" of Lankan Tamils. In Erode also, police arrested four persons belonging to two more pro-Lankan Tamil outfits, Tamil Desiya ViduthalaiIyakkam and Tamildesa Poduvudamai Katchi, when they started burning national flags of the two countries. Police said, the activists gathered near Erode railway junction and set fire to the flags but they rushed there immediately and arrested them and recovered partially burnt flags (Times of India). Rahul Gandhi blames LTTE for fathers assassination - Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi on Saturday blamed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for his father and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhis assissination.  The LTTE is banned. It is a terrorist organisation personally responsible for killing my father, Rahul said during a Meet the Press programme here.  When asked about the Sri Lankan crisis, Rahul Gandhi said India is concerned about the plight of Tamil civilians.  Tamil civilians are suffering because of the war taking place. It is also India’s duty to reduce sufferings of the Tamil civilians. We are concerned about the plight of the Tamil civilians. We have to reduce their sufferings, he added (Full report in Little About).. Not ready for PM, says Rahul - Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today branded the LTTE as 'killer of innocent people' and said the organisation was responsible for killing his father and former Prime Minister late Rajiv Gandhi. "LTTE is banned. It is a terrorist organisation personally responsible for killing my father and innocent people," Rahul said during 'Meet the Press' programme here. Terming the Sri Lanka issue as 'very simple', the AICC General Secretary said, "Tamil civilians are suffering because of the war taking place." Asserting that it is India's duty to reduce sufferings of the Tamil civilians in the island nation, Gandhi said, "We are concerned about the plight of the Tamil civilians. We have to reduce their sufferings." The UPA government had been trying to impress upon Sri Lanka about it, he added (Full report in Sakkal Times). Group of priests seeks security forces protection - Puthukkudiyiruppu - Infantrymen of 58 Division made success the world's largest hostage rescue mission have further continued their mission right through out the day, 25 April, to rescue the remaining Tamil civilians forcibly held by the LTTE terrorists in government declared No Fire Zone. According to the latest military report, a group of priests, who were forcibly held in the No Fire Zone, was able to escape the terror grip seeking protection with security forces this morning, 25 April. A group of priests including three parish priests (fathers), fourteen nuns (sisters) and four trainee nuns belonging to Pent Acosta Mission has reached the troops of 58 Division deployed in Valayarmadam area around 10.30 AM, sources added (Sri Lanka Defence Ministry). TF-8 confronts with LTTE terrorists - east of Puthukudiirippu - Troops of Task Force 8 (TF-8) confronted with detected groups of LTTE terrorists, still fighting forcibly holding innocent Tamil civilians as human shield, in general area east of Puthukudiirippu yesterday, 24 April, military report said. During the fighting LTTE terrorists suffered considerable damages, defence sources said. Troops also suffered minor injuries during the confrontations. A T-56 weapon was found during subsequent search operation conducted in the area, the report added (Sri Lanka Defence Ministry). TF-3 uncovers more LTTE war materials - Oddusuddan - Troops of Task Force - 3 (TF-3) engaged in continuous search and clear operations in recently liberated areas have uncovered more military items left behind by the fleeing terrorists yesterday, 24 April. Infantrymen conducted search and clearing operations in general areas Oddusuddan and Alankulam uncovered 300 T-56 ammunition, 01 x Anti-Personnel mine, 01 x RPG bombs, 07 x AP mine fuses and a several war materials, military report said (Sri Lanka Defence Ministry). A reply to the Secretary of State from USA Citizens - To: The Secretary of State, Hon. Hillary Clinton - Date: April 23, 2009, Madam Secretary, we address this response to you as registered Democratic Citizen voters of the United States and the Free World of Sri Lankan Origin. We value democracy and freedom for all people in Sri Lanka. Your comment concerning the end of the war in Sri Lanka to quote your words, "I think that the Sri Lankan government knows that the entire world is very disappointed that in its efforts to end what it sees as 25 years of conflict, it is causing such untold suffering" is the most undemocratic statement we have ever heard from you having followed your political career with admiration. The entire nation of Sri Lanka's peace loving democratic voters of all ethnicities has suffered through that long 25 year period. We have all lost relatives and friends and fellow citizens over 25 years. The International community didn't come to help us and voice disappointment in the path taken by the LTTE when suicide bombers ran amok in the country and ethnically cleansed parts of it committing Genocide against Sinhalese and Muslims (Full report in Sri Lanka Defence Ministry). Daya Master claims Prabhakaran has a submarine at the ready;  Navy confident no escape via sea possible - The army believes that LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran is still trapped in the civilian safe zone in spite of rumours that he may have fled the country recently. Brigadier Shavindra Silva, General Officer commanding the army’s 58 Division on a hunt for the elusive Tiger leader told The Island yesterday that he was confident that his target was very much present in the fast shrinking no fire zone. "Towards the end of March, we surrounded a group of about 600 LTTE cadres looking for him," Brigadier Silva said, "but we have information that he managed to slip away sacrificing his cadres." Brigadier Silva said there was strong evidence that most of the LTTE cadres were wary of fighting and looking for an opportunity to surrender but they were being held at the battlefront at gunpoint by the LTTE leadership. "They will decamp at the first opportunity," he said adding that Prabhakaran could now rely on only a handful of confidants like Soosai and Pottu Amman. Asked whether he was aware of the LTTE having a submarine at the ready for its leader, his son and the other LTTE leaders to escape, Brigadier Silva said he could not either confirm or deny that. He said he had only heard from LTTE propagandist Daya Master, now in custody, that the Tiger leader had a submarine (Full report in Lanka Times). President holds cordial talks with Indian visitors - A High level Indian delegation comprising Indian National Security Advisor M.K. Narayanan and Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Temple Trees yesterday (24). President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Indian officials held cordial discussions over lunch on matters of mutual interest to both countries. During this meeting which lasted for about two hours, President Rajapaksa explained to the Indian visitors the success of the humanitarian operation to rescue the civilians held hostage by the LTTE in the Vanni. He described how the Security Forces were able to rescue over 106,000 civilians with no harm to any one of them, thus proving wrong foreign commentators who predicted a bloodbath. He also informed the visitors about the relief and welfare measures taken by the Government to look after the needs of the huge influx of civilians that have crossed over to Government controlled areas. The Indian side explained to the President the developments in India at present and expressed their concern about civilian welfare while appreciating the measures already taken by the Government to address those concerns. Indian High Commissioner Alok Prasad, Secretary to President Lalith Weeratunga and Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa were also present at this meeting. The Daily News understands that the President has extended an invitation to the Indian visitors to visit the Vanni and observe the progress of the rescue mission and the facilities provided to the incoming civilians. However, the Indian side expressed their inability to accede to the President’s request on account of time constraints (Daily News). Troops on Alert for LTTE’s Hidden Weapons - NORTH: TROOPS engaged in a search operation in SARASALAI, JAFFNA following information recovered forty 82 mm mortar bombs and thirty-two fuses on Thursday (23) at about 1.00 pm. Meanwhile, troops uncovered four anti personnel mines, one communication set, six 1.5v batteries, one battery charger and one battery pack during a search operation conducted in ALANKULAM, VAVUNIYA Thursday (23) around 2.00 pm. In the meantime, the NOCHCHIYAGAMA Police took four suspects into custody with a T-56 weapon, one magazine and twenty-nine rounds of T-56 ammunition from MAHAWEWA area, ANURADHAPURA on Thursday (23). The NOCHCHIYAGAMA Police are conducting further investigations (Sri Lanka Army).. SEA TIGER BASE EMPTY OF LTTE BOATS - MULLAITTIVU: DISORGANIZED and panicking Tiger organization, now breathing its last, unable to survive in the absence of moral and material support, appeared to have got their priorities mixed, if not torpedoed. The Sea Tiger base they had been running in the PUTHUMATTALAN “No Fire Zone” lagoon area had been reduced to a mere tiny pier, it was found by the troops found as they rolled in to the base. Terrorists many a time attempted to infiltrate the Defence Lines of the 55 Division north of PUTHMATTALAN before it fell a few days ago, but alert troops foiled all attempts killing many Sea Tigers and destroying their boats. One unicorn vehicle, three tractors, one pressure mine, eight RPG (Rocket Propeller Grenade) bombs, three hundred and fifty anti personnel mines, fifty Arul type bombs, two hundred and twenty 5.0 mm ammunition, forty packs of 12.7 ammunition, eighty hand grenades, fifty IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices), fifty detonators, twelve claymore mines and one compressor were found from this “Sea Tiger base” by the troops Thursday (23) afternoon, a departure quite different from other places. It is believed most of the boats in the Sea Tiger Base had been forcibly taken away either by fleeing civilians or terrorists themselves when the troops were circling them. Troops also found one back-hoe machine, abandoned by the terrorists near a church in the area (Sri Lanka Army).. “PRABHA MIGHT STAY WITH HIS COHORTS UNTIL ESCAPE,” SAYS DAYA MASTER - MULLAITTIVU: TIGER supremo, PRABHAKARAN, confined now to the remaining swathe of land towards the south of the “No Fire Zone” (NFZ) in PUTHUMATTALAN was to stay along with his cohorts up to the last moment until he finally finds his escape, surrendered DAYA MASTER has reportedly told the interrogators. He has also told them that PRABHAKARAN would stay as long as his last fighter remains with him before his possible escape, he has further told the interrogators. Meanwhile, troops moving towards AMPELAVANPOKKANAI-VELAYANMADAM areas are faced with the challenge of distinguishing genuine residents from scores of LTTE terrorists who might be confined to temporary tents, being used by LTTE surrounded civilians. “As a result troops have been compelled to trudge taking all precautionary measures to avoid any casualty on civilians. This is another trick Tigers were using for media propaganda. On two occasions, Tigers hiding among those civilians under tents directed fire towards approaching troops but the troops showed restraint despite injuries received by a few of them,” a senior military officer told the Army Website. “It is quite clear that remaining Tigers, probably disguised as civilians in the NFZ were holding their weapons covered among the belongings of those civilians. They might be by now after mingling with the remaining few thousands trying their last gimmicks.” As this report was filed, troops in the NFZ were observing and monitoring the developments very closely as public anger was fast and steadily brewing since there was no way or alternative left for Tigers to stall the advance of the Army troops into remaining areas (Sri Lanka Army).. THEY STILL PREFER TO BE UNDER GOVT TROOPS - MULLAITTIVU: WITH the entry of 2,934 more trapped civilians into the cleared areas in the past couple of hours, the total of civilians who had reached government troops went up to 108,001 by Friday (24) noon (Sri Lanka Army).. JAFFNA DISTRICT SECRETARY POOH-POOHS PRO-LTTE REPORTS ON DISPLACED CIVILIANS - JAFFNA: DISTRICT Secretary for JAFFNA Mr. K. GANESH categorically denies having requested “any immediate assistance from JAFFNA NGOs to help meet basic needs of VANNI people” arriving in JAFFNA for temporary housing. Mr. K. GANESH speaking to www.army.lk asserted that JAFFNA does not have any such “detention centres for fleeing WANNI civilians,” but twelve Welfare Centres where as of Friday (24) some 11,500 displaced civilians remain housed. “We have enough stocks and situation in those Welfare Centres is good. I have not spoken to any specific NGO as such for help, nor have I requested NGOs for specific things. What I told them was something totally different, and has been completely distorted. In response to a inquiry made at the conclusion of a meeting of local NGOs, whether those displaced people needed any more assistance, I told them if you wished to give anything voluntarily for the displaced, it was up to them. I never requested urgent supplies as such from them,” Mr. Ganesh added. Present stocks of dry rations and other essentials in JAFFNA are adequate and other facilities such as their health and sanitary requirements are regularly supervised and monitored by appointed welfare officers. Those media reports are therefore baseless and misleading, the civil administrator for JAFFNA underlined (Sri Lanka Army).. WOMEN TIGERS PURSUING FLEEING CIVILIANS SHOT DOWN - MULLAITTIVU: TROOPS on the last leg of the final battle to rescue remaining trapped civilians took a precise target at about 9.00 am this morning (24) when they found two terrorists in the ‘No Fire Zone’ were hurriedly pursuing a group of fleeing trapped civilians in the general area between VELAYANMADAM and AMPELVANPOKKANAI . Troops closing in on VELAYANMADAM in the past 36 hours found remaining civilians, now largely fleeing in small numbers through whatever the opening available around them, were being closely and furiously followed by desperate Tigers in disarray in the NFZ, in some instances even creeping into vacated or occupied tents, meant for entrapped civilians inside the NFZ. From a distance, troops saw two such terrorists brandishing their guns were trying to catch hold of those defying civilians. Troops jumped into action and gunned them down immediately. They were two women Tigers who had apparently been operating from the inside of the civilian tents (Sri Lanka Army). President meets Indian delegates - The Indian National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan and Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Temple Trees today (24). President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Indian officials held cordial discussions on the current developments in Sri Lanka, and matters of mutual interest. During this meeting the Indian visitors gained increased awareness of the relief measures taken by the government to meet the heavy influx of IDPs. Indian High Commissioner Alok Prasad, Secretary to President Lalith Weeratunga and Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa were also present at this meeting (Full report in Sri Lanka Defence Ministry). SRI LANKAN SPOKESMAN IN LONDON TV DEBATE SAYS IT IS RIDICULOUS TO ASK FOR CEASEFIRE FOR DEFEATED TERRORISTS - By Walter Jayawardhana While Sri Lankans, Tamils and Sinhalese alike rejoice the defeat of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, (LTTE) and more than one hundred thousand Tamil civilians ran away from them, it is ridiculous some Tamil Londoners demonstrate asking a ceasefire as a last ditch to save the terrorists, said Douglas Wickramaratne in London’s Sunrise TV breakfast show.  Douglas Wickramarane , the President of UK’s Sinhala Association and a Tamil spokesman Arjunan Ediriweerasingham debated the controversial London demonstration carrying the official LTTE flag and blocking streets of the parliament. Wickramaratne said, “This is an unauthorized demonstration by a banned terrorist group even carrying the terrible LTTE flag. Will the British government ever allow Al-Qaeda to hold a rally blocking London streets.” When one of the two interviewers asked Arjunan Edirweerasingham about the human shield used by the LTTE to protect their own skin the Tamil spokesman said there is credibility about such stories because the Sri Lankan government has not allowed the Western press there.  But when Wickremaratne said the UN as well as Sir John Holmes have stated so, Edirweerasingham asked “Who is this Mr. Holmes?” Then the Sinhala Association President had to tell him that Sir John Holmes is an under secretary general of the United Nations. When one of the interviewers said that they saw Tamil civilians not walking to the other side from the LTTE enclave but virtually running away from the LTTE enclave the London Tamil spokesman evaded in his reply (Read full report).  Video by Douglas Wickramaratne and the truth about Black July BRIGADIER SHAVENDRA SILVA GIVES AN ASSUARANCE THAT TAMIL TIGERS WILL NEVER BOUNCE BACK - By Walter Jayawardhana - Brigadier Shavendra Silva , featured in some footage published by the BBC World Service said, “The LTTE will never bounce back. If they could bounce back they would have done it long time back.” He said the LTTE is trying to do some dirty tricks now. They are coming with some civilians in civil clothes and trying to fire at the army. Shavendra Silva said his troops of the 58th Division are going on with the rescue mission of the civilians. He called it one of the most successful hostage rescue missions in the world. “We are capable and we are adamant that we will rescue the rest of the civilians too,” he said. He said civilians were wating for them eargerly. It was the LTTE which is holding them. The footage showed soldiers involved in rescue operations . The BBC correspondent said the civilians looked destitute and had lacked food and water before they left. Humanitarian operation to continue : Rescue mission most human Civilian hatred to LTTE - Contrary to biased reports circulating in the international media and among NGO and INGO circles the rescue mission that is being conducted successfully in the Vanni has been most humane, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa told the Daily News yesterday. According to information from ground sources in Puthumattalan and Ampalavanpokkanai the civilians arriving in the Government controlled area have been quite vocal in expressing their unprecedented hatred and anger towards the LTTE that has been keeping them under subjugation for so long, he added. In view of the brutal shootings and suicide attacks on fleeing civilians these pro-LTTE propagandists are unable to speak openly on their behalf. Hence they are attempting to portray the developments in the North of Sri Lanka as a doomsday scenario and speak of “bloodbaths” and “humanitarian catastrophes”. There is no humanitarian catastrophe or humanitarian crisis and the reality is that over 106, 000 have entered the Government controlled area on their own accord since last Sunday when the humanitarian rescue operation began, he further said. The Government is not giving in to various pressures exerted on it to stop the humanitarian operation or declare a ceasefire and it will go on till the last civilian is freed from LTTE clutches, the Defence Secretary stressed. Asked whether the Indian delegation that met President Rajapaksa yesterday called for a ceasefire in the North, the Defence Secretary said that there was no such call and India did not exert any pressure on Sri Lanka on this issue. It was yet another instance of high-level cordial discussions between the two countries on matters of mutual interest that characterise Indo- Sri Lanka relations since President Mahinda Rajapaksa assumed office, he added (Full report in Daily News). MEDIA RELEASE - Press briefing on the current situation in Sri Lanka - The Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Office in Geneva, in collaboration with the Geneva Press Club - Club suisse de la presse –, organised a press conference on the topic ‘Current Situation in Sri Lanka’, today (24 April 2009) at ‘la pastorale,’ Geneva.  Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha, Secretary to the Ministry of Human Rights and Disaster Management and Secretary General, Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process, and Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka, Ambassador/Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Office in Geneva were the two main speakers at this press meeting attended by foreign and Sri Lankan journalists.  During the meeting, the two speakers explained the background to the on-going war in Sri Lanka and evoked some of the major incidents occurred during the past 3 decades. Dr. Jayatilleka and Prof. Wijesinha also responded to a number of questions raised by the journalists on the present situation in the north, and especially on the civilians: both those who are still held by the Tigers and those who have managed to escape and come to the government controlled area seeking the refuge of the armed forces - The Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Office at Geneva (News Room). At a time, Sri Lanka Government is successfully defeating the World deadliest terrorist organization after a prolonged war of three decades and successfully rescued over 120,000 Tamil civilians held hostage by the LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists, several Western nations are trying to drag Sri Lanka back in to an on-going war.  No need for spl. Missions – Kohona - Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona stressed that there was no need for special missions from other countries to evacuate the IDPs from the safe zone and the situation may not arise as over 100,000 civilians have already moved to the cleared areas. Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe pointed out that the international community feared that there will be a blood bath in the NFZ but it has been proved beyond doubt that it is not so. LTTE had forcibly kept the UN missions which visited the Wanni in the past and now the question is how such missions could visit the NFZ given the present conditions he said. Asked about the number of Tiger cadres taking cover behind the civilians in the NFZ the Minister said it would be around 15,000. "Even Daya Master has come out with this figure and he can’t be wrong," Samarasinghe said (Full report in Island). IDPs’ shelter problem overcome S’singhe - Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe yesterday said the biggest challenge faced by the government where the IDP are concerned was to provide them shelter and it has overcome this problem. Samarasinghe addressing a news conference said there was an immediate need for tents with the huge influx of civilians crossing to the cleared areas and on an appeal made by Parliamentarian Basil Rajapaksa, the UNHCR has agreed to provide 20,000 tents and UNHCR will transport another 20,000 tents from Jordon and Dubai at their own expense. "The NGO’s and INGOS have agreed to provide whatever tents they have at their disposal for the use of the IDPs," he said. Meanwhile Samarasinghe said the government has also requested the World Food Programme (WFP) to provide a better food supplement than the usual food pack they provided and it has been agreed. As at yesterday morning the number of civilians who have crossed to the safety of the government controlled areas during the last four days was 105,274 and the total number of people moved in to the government controlled areas since 20th April was 193,960. This includes the 10,880 evacuated by the ICRC as well he said adding that this figure is divided in to two categories. 1) Those who had been shot by the LTTE or suffering from other health problems -4,257 and bystanders 6, 144 with a ratio of 60%-40% (Full report in Island). Prabhakaran cannot flee - Addressing the visiting media personnel at the 58 Division headquarters in Kilinochchi, Brigadier Shavendra Silva stated that Daya Master has indicated that Tiger leader Velupillai Prabhakaran is still living inside the No Fire Zone along with his son Charles Anthony. LTTE Media Spokesman Daya Master and interpreter George Master have surrendered to the Security Forces after arriving in military controlled areas mingling with the civilians on Wednesday. Sri Lanka Army’s 58 division Commander Brig. Shavendra Silva, however, said the LTTE leader and his cohorts will never be allowed to realise their last ditch attempt to flee the country and the Security Forces assisted by the Navy had thrown an impregnable security net around the country to prevent any LTTE cadres from fleeing the country by any means. Besides Prabhakaran, the other LTTE top rung planning to flee the country include Pottu Amman, Soosai, Charles Anthony, Kapil Amman, Nadesan and Pulidevan. Brig Shavendra Silva said another bach of over 10,000 civilians are trapped in the No Fire Zone, kept as a human shield by the LTTE leadership and a special operation would be launched to rescue them without any bodily harm. The Brigadier said Prabhakaran and LTTE leaders restricted to a six km area in the No Fire Zone are leading the battlefront dressed in civilian clothes to prevent easy identification. Prabhakaran had also ordered his men to take all measures possible to hold on to their remaining land area. He said security forces are now engaged in the final battle to destroy the remaining LTTE cadres restricted to the Puthumattalan area. He added that civilians arriving in the cleared areas after fleeing LTTE clutches were all praise for the President and the security forces for rescuing them from the LTTE grip. Speaking on the ongoing military operations Brigadier Silva added that the 58 Division troops along with the Special Forces and commando troops are advancing towards the Southern part of the No Fire Zone to rescue the remaining civilians there (Full report in Daily News). 13th Amendment and the IMF loan - by C. Wijeyawickrema - An American cat in the bag - If, as reported in news media, it is true that the American government is ‘demanding’ GOSL to implement the 13-A ‘fully’ as a requirement for the IMF loan, then it is another case of the cat jumping out of the bag. We know that there are other Tamil Nadu cats like Jayalalitha who came out finally supporting a separate Tamil state in Sri Lanka. Karunanidhi came forward yesterday to tell that ‘Prabakaran was not a terrorist’ (he changed this opinion again today)! That movie actor-like big long white smile of Ambassador Blake hides the West’s grand plan of remote-controlled, R2P-coated, commercial colonialism of 2009. 13-A, based on language is a sure recipe for the continuation of the World Tamil Federation’s agitation for a Tamil country with a UN seat. Two countries in this tiny island could be good news for America because it can then have two ambassadors instead of one. But for the non-Colombo Tamils and Sinhalas it will be a new Palestine in South Asia creating border wars in India and within a divided Sri Lanka! The division of the Theravada Buddhist island called Sri Lanka fits well with the clash of civilization thesis of Harvard professor Samuel Huntington and the last Pope’s wish of Christianization of Asia in the 21st Century (Full report in Island). SLAF airlifts 150 MT of food - Air Force spokesman Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said the Air Force on its humanitarian mission airlifted around 150 metric tons of essential food items and instant foods for the currently rescued civilians from the No Fire Zone. He said the Air Force is committed day and night to carry out their contribution to reach cooked and other essential food items donated by organizations, companies, business communities and individuals to the displaced civilians in the Vanni. “Air lifting is the fastest and easiest way to reach the essential and instant food items for the displaced civilians in Kilinochchi. The Air Force is committed to carry out this task round the clock. We have air lifted in excess of 150 mt of cooked and other essential items to the IDPs from Thursday to Friday”, he added. The food items including cooked food, bakery items, dairy milk, bottled water, instant food items etc were air lifted from Ratmalana to Anuradhapura, from Anuradhapura to Vavuniya and from Vavuniya to Kilincochchi (Daily News).. The mirage of Eelam - The LTTE’s shortsighted and adventurist positions have cost the Tamil ethnic cause dearly even as valuable time has been lost in the failure to consolidate the gains achieved through political negotiations. With more than a 100,000 Sri Lankan Tamils breaking free and escaping the intense fighting in northern Sri Lanka between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the Sri Lankan Army, the myth that the island’s Tamils regard the LTTE as their sole protector and Eelam as their only hope is shattered. It is becoming increasingly evident, as the catastrophic dimensions of the human tragedy unfold, that the thousands of suffering civilians trapped in the thin wedge of LTTE-held territory were being used as human shields by the desperate terrorists now on the run (Full report in Daily News). A moment for solidarity - We have seen on television moving images of hundreds of thousands of civilians crossing over to the cleared areas from the No Fire Zone (NFZ), where the LTTE terrorists kept them hostage as a human shield. No sooner the Security Forces breached the defences and provided them with an opening, the civilians poured in. This was in sharp contrast to LTTE propaganda that the civilians remained in the NFZ on their own accord. Contrary to the 'blood on the beach' propaganda of the LTTE and its sympathizers worldwide, what has actually taken place is the biggest hostage rescue operation in the world. The civilian casualties were caused by the LTTE itself, which exploded human bombs and fired at civilians who tried to flee towards freedom. By all accounts, the civilians were longing to come to cleared areas all this time. Only the LTTE's guns stood in their way. However, even the guns and bombs of the LTTE have not been able to stop the civilians this time (Full Editorial in Daily News). Kouchner coming next week: France to provide 100-bed field hospital for IDPs in North - Responding to a call to the international community made yesterday by Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama for emergency relief assistance for the large number of civilians who have fled LTTE control and sought sanctuary in the cleared areas in recent days, the French Foreign Minister, Dr Bernard Kouchner telephoned his Sri Lankan counterpart yesterday and informed that the Government of France will be providing a fully equipped 100-bed field hospital, backed by a 75 strong medical and support staff immediately. In this regard, an advance team will arrive in Colombo tomorrow to make a field assessment to locate the hospital facility in the Vavuniya district. As a further manifestation of the long-standing excellent bilateral relations between the two countries, Dr Kouchner accepted Minister Bogollagama's invitation to visit Sri Lanka. This visit is expected to take place as early as next week (Daily News). UN Men To Meet Prabhakaran? - A Commentary by L. Jayasooriya - It was at 1.45 AM on Friday April 24th, 2009 that I saw Ban Ky-Moon on CNN say that he was immediately going to send a team to the no-fire zone to determine how humanitarian aid could be delivered or something to that effect. There are two areas in the no-fire zone at the moment. In both areas innocent Tamil civilians were imported to live in horrible conditions to act as a human shield to the LTTE. One area has been rescued by the Sri Lankan troops. It is now a ghost area with nobody. The other area is where the LTTE is still holding the remaining innocent Tamil civilians. Now which area does Ban Ky-Moon want his men to assess for humanitarian aid? May be he wants both areas. No matter what area, our government will be held responsible for the safety of any UN man missing thus making a case for a UN invasion to look for the missing man. That will not be so easy because both China and Russia will intervene not only because they have been our friends but also they will never want to see Sri-Lanka’s strategic position both commercially and militarily to go under the control of her enemies and that is final. The idea of the planned invasion would have been to join up with Prabakaran to rescue him and after that remain there to make Sri Lanka an occupied country. Several weeks ago Ban Ky-Moon was invited by our president to see everything for himself but after a few days pause he declined. We believe he has been pressured to decline by those who are now fanatically trying to save Prabakaran. Even this idea of "immediately sending" a team is, we believe something that he was asked to do by the same people. After so much of suffering that we have gone through and the know-how that we have demonstrated in dismantling and clearing the most formidable military built up made during the infamous CFA that was specifically designed for the break up of the country, I have confidence that our government and the defence forces will not fall into this trap (Asian Tribune). Minister Devananda, delegates meet : UN HCs' for Human Rights and Refugees - A high-level delegation led by Minister of Social Services and Social Welfare Douglas Devananda which also included Minister of Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services Rishad Bathiudeen, Ambassador/ Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Office in Geneva Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka, Secretary to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha and Deputy Solicitor General, Attorney General's Department Yasantha Kodagoda represented Sri Lanka at the Durban Review Conference.  Organized by the United Nations, the Durban Review Conference provides an opportunity to assess and accelerate progress on implementation of measures adopted at the 2001 World Conference against Racism, including assessment of contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. On the opening day of this conference, Douglas Devananda made a statement on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka. On the sidelines of the Durban Review Conference which is being held from April 20 to 24, 2009, the Sri Lankan delegation met with senior UN officials, and a number of dignitaries from diverse countries and updated them on the current situation in Sri Lanka against the backdrop of Sri Lanka's fight against separatism and terrorism (Full report in Daily News). End of the War - Every citizen of the country who had experienced the traumas of LTTE terrorism is sure to breathe a sigh of relief, seeing the unfolding scenario of the LTTE’s crushing defeat in their last stronghold in Puthukudirippu "Even the ranks of Tuscany could scarce forbear cheer" the glorious military success of the Sri Lankan forces against the most ruthless terrorism outfit in the world. It is singularly significant to note that no less than four leaders of this country directed military operations against Prabhakaran but could not fight it to a finish, until it was left to President Mahinda Rajapaksha to pick up the Gauntlet; to deal the deadly coup de grace on Prabakaran and his savage gang. Prabhakaran, masquerading as a liberator, in his abortive attempt to achieve an Utopian Eelam state, has shed more blood than Nero, and the gory details of his atrocities from the Aranthalawa Bhikkhu massacre, up to the Akuressa Carnage are so loathsome, it makes even imagination shrink from contemplation. Prabhakaran’s life bears a strong resemblance to the world’s most detestable characters like Adolph Hitler, Musalini, Nero and Pol Pot. Anthropologists have described these figures as fanatics. Their megalomaniac instincts make them yearn for power at the cost of human blood. John Keat, the famous English poet’s perspective focus on fanatics gives us a fascinating insight into the mind of a fanatic, in this graphically illustrative language (Full letter in Island). What the world needs to learn from Sri Lanka’s humanitarian rescue operation - By Shenali Waduge - Instead of appreciating the humanitarian rescue operation being carried out by Sri Lanka and its armed forces, world leaders are exerting pressure upon the Government to enter a ceasefire ….their belief being that a ceasefire would help rescue these civilians. It is more than apparent that the world leaders and even media channels are clueless about the reality of the situation in Sri Lanka & it naturally makes any to wonder whether world leaders, foreign envoys, foreign secretaries etc apart from repeating what is on paper prepared by someone else actually understands the ground situation and seriously believe in what they say – because it is apparent that what they say is nothing but gobbledygook. Why? Yes, civilians are trapped – their numbers, certainly not the numbers quoted by UN officials stationed in Sri Lanka, NGOs/INGOs, Human Rights Groups, Consulates and ICRC though they were and are very much present to actually give the correct picture and the correct numbers. With their access to media and a false credibility for their “work” they projected numbers exaggerating figures between 250,000 to 400,000. The Government maintained the numbers at 100,000and this is the very number that has been rescued by the armed forces. Rescuing 100,000 civilians from a ruthless outfit such as the LTTE is no easy endeavor and many a soldier had to risk and sacrifice his life to follow the instructions of the armed forces head that there should be zero-civilian casualty. Where in the world has there been a military onslaught that has rescued over 100,000 civilians? Which foreign military ends up being cooks and nurses to these rescued civilians? Which foreign military or even UN peace force has carried out a similar rescue operation of this magnitude (Full report in Asian Tribune). Friday, 24 April 2009 The Govt. committed to resettle all IDPs as early as possible - With the experience gained in resettling 187,000 IDPs in the Eastern Province in the post - conflict period, the government is confident of resettling nearly 200,000 IDPs now living in welfare centers in the Wanni as early as possible. The government is committed comprehensively to ensure the well - being of the civilians who have been evacuated, said Mr. Mahinda Samarasinghe Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights addressing a media briefing at the Presidential Secretariat today(24). The total figure of IDPs as of today is 193,960. Last four days, 105,274 civilians have escaped the no fire zone. 75% of them have been handed over to the Government Agents. 10,880 have been evacuated by the ICRC, Out of them, 4,736 are patients, and 6,144 bystanders. There are 20 sites operating in Vavuniya, 17 sites in Jaffna and 03 in Mannar, the Hon. Minister added. The government has requested United Nations Agencies, UNCHR the UNICEF NGOs and INGOs to provide tents to provide shelter to IDPs Mr. Basil Rajapakse, Senior Presidential Advisor too has made arrangements with authorities in Dubai and Jordan to provide tents. Steps are being taken to provide education for the children of IDPs. Their basic health needs, and drinking water are provided to ensure sanitation. The government has requested the FAO to add variety to the conventional food parcel, the Hon. Minister said. In view of the exodus of IDPs, the critical need in this crucial hour is to provide emergency aid to IDPs (Full report in Sri Lanka Defence Ministry). MEMORANDUM TO FRENCH GOVERNMENT -FRENCH BULLY COUCHNER - By Stanley Perera from Melbourne French Ambassador, Colombo. - Please ensure that this memorandum is delivered to your Government. My dear French Parliamentarians, The French Bully Couchner has made a statement to the news media that France is contemplating military intervention in Sri Lanka. French Bully Couchner also ordered Sri Lanka Government to an immediate cease fire. Couchner is somebody in France and nobody in Sri Lanka. Please note, Couchner is a black listed foreigner in Sri Lanka. The fool interfered in to the judiciary in Sri Lanka and ordered a judge to submit to him some court documents. The chappie behaved as a dictator. That was his track records in Sri Lanka. Generally the world experience French arrogance. To substantiate my claim, the following is a good example: (Full report in Lanka Web). Tigers in sheep's clothing - By Malin Abeyatunge, Melbourne, Australia - The Island in its editorial (23/4/2009) quite rightly described the two LTTE leaders Daya Master and George as Tigers in sheep’s clothing. We have given Daya master a lease of life once and now he has gotten  his second lease of life along with George master. One can imagine how ungrateful Daya Master is when even after receiving best of health care under Ranil’s Government he had the audacity to go back and join Prabhakaran’s killing machine against the people of Sri Lanka. Can we trust this two top Tigers? Can’t it be another ploy of them to surrender and feed whatever the inner information of the movements of the army to dying LTTE? Or are both planning a Karuna and Pillayan stunt to become future chief ministers and ministers? These two are not the ordinary Tamil tigers who receive orders from top but belong to the top hierarchy who give orders to kill. In other words, they are not that innocent as we think but who has blood in their hands and the Police should treat them as criminals and bring them to justice under the existing laws on terrorism. They may be knowing where exactly Prabhakaran is hiding  and if they show any ignorance of whereabouts of Prabha, we should give them water treatment used by Bush Administration and now endorsed even by Obama Administration to get the truth out of them (Read full report). Karuna appointed as vice president of the SLFP - Karuna Amman alias Vineyagamoorthy Muralitheran, the Minister of National Integration, has been appointed a Vice President of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party. “The appointment was made during a meeting of the party’s Central Committee yesterday,” said a senior cabinet minister who is also a member of the Central Committee. Karuna Amman will now hold one of the five posts of Vice President of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (Sri Lanka Guardian). 'The Legacy of Racism' - Statement of Prof Rajiva Wijesinha, Secretary General of the Sri Lankan Peace Secretariat, during the General Debate at the Durban Review Conference in Geneva, April 23rd 2009. Mr President, Sri Lanka congratulates you and those who worked so hard to develop this process of discussion and analysis, since we are clearly dealing here with a continuing problem for the world. I will not use the term international community, for that too has become a victim of racism, in as much as it is used to define a rag tag and bobtail of a few countries, the non-governmental organizations they fund and the press that privileges them. Indeed the reactions to what might be termed the keynote speech of this Conference, the address of His Excellency the Iranian President, exemplifies this blinkered view. What some might have described as petulance was characterized elsewhere as chaos, and in the process we lost sight of some significant conceptual insights. As with any such address, there were points some would agree with and others not, but the important thing is to remain engaged, and build on what is useful. In this context the world needed to note the President’s remarks on the world order that had been imposed following the two World Wars, impositions that today would be seen as racist but then passed muster because the view that winners take all was then endemic. So we had the horrors of Hiroshima, just as a quarter of a century previously we had had the viciousness of Versailles, which soon enough gave birth to the greater horror of Nazism. Our honourable Minister, Douglas Devananda, highlighted in his opening address the racism that can develop as a reaction, when victims become perpetrators, and the last century saw enough examples of that. But there is another phenomenon that we must also note, namely a sense of guilt that is over-riding, and therefore takes no account of ordinary morality in its desire to compensate. That was one of the points the Iranian President made, in drawing attention to the racism that marked Europe during the Second World War. Far from denying it, he was pointing out that the new imposed world order sprang from that racism, but in turn created more suffering for others of different races (Full report in SCOPP). Japan welcomes rescue of civilians: condemns LTTE's use of human shield - "Japan welcomes that, in the past few days, nearly 100,000 internally displaced persons (IDP) in the northern part of Sri Lanka controlled by the LTTE have moved to the area controlled by the Government of Sri Lanka", stated Ministry of Foreign Affairs, citing Japanese officials on the Humanitarian Situation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) in Sri Lanka. Japan has also condemned the attempts of the LTTE to prevent the civilians to leave the war zone. Concerning the many IDPs remain in a difficult situation, called upon the LTTE to disarm and allow freedom of movement of these civilians. Japan also continues to call upon both the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE to respect international humanitarian laws and ensure the safety of IDPs within the combat zones (Sri Lanka Defence Ministry). A Competent Authority Officer and three Coordinating Officers appointed to look into the welfare of war displaced civilians - To look into the welfare of the displaced civilians, Government of Sri Lanka has appointed Army Chief of Staff as Competent Authority Officer and three Government Agents as Coordinating Officers. Army Chief of Staff Major General G. A. Chandrasiri today has been appointed as the Competent Authority officer under emergency law to promote war displaced civilians welfare. All welfare measures aimed at displaced civilians will be under overall supervision of the newly appointed officer. Concurrent with the appointment of the Competent Authority, Kandy GA Gotabhaya Jayarathna, Pollonnaruwa GA D. A. Lal Wimal, and Anuradhapura GA H. M. K. Herath have been appointed as coordinating officers. Three coordinating officers will assist in all welfare measures while Vavuniya Government Agent (GA) mediating in between to smoothen the process. Kandy GA has been assigned to coordinate constructions, shelter, and lodging, while Pollonnaruwa GA is to coordinate food, health and sanitation. Anuradhapura GA will be assigned water supply, electricity and infrastructure. In the meantime 2,934 more civilians have entered into the cleared areas in the past couple of hours by Friday (24) noon. Also Sri Lankan Navy continuing with its humanitarian assistance to save thousands held hostage by LTTE has reportedly escorted a total of 1284 civilians including 447 children from the troubled Mullaittivu waters to Pulmoddai yesterday (Apr 23). In addition 523 more civilians and patients had arrived on board 'MV Green Ocean' to Pulmoddai along with ICRC officials Thursday (23) under naval escort (Full report in Asian Tribune). Narayanan, Menon meet Rajapaksa, discuss current situation Colombo -  Amidst concern over the political fallout in Tamil Nadu of the ongoing army campaign in Sri Lanka's north, National Security Adviser M K Narayanan and Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon on Friday held talks with President Mahinda Rajapaksa and discussed the current situation. It was not clear whether the Indian special envoys, who rushed here on Friday morning, put forward the demand for an immediate ceasefire during their 90-minute meeting with the President at his official residence 'Temple Trees'. "It was a very cordial meeting and they discussed the current situation," official sources said. There was no comment from the Indian side. Mr. Narayanan and Mr. Menon arrived here by a special aircraft and were flown to the President's house in a helicopter. They left for home immediately after the meeting. India had on Thursday asked for an immediate end to "all hostilities" as it reviewed the situation in the island's north where thousands of civilians are trapped in the conflict between the advancing army and LTTE (Hindu). Civilians expose LTTE treachery: Foreign media stunned with revelations - Foreign media crew and journalists who were provide access this morning (April 24) to the recently liberated Puthumathalan area inside the declared No Fire Zone have expressed their surprise on what were cited as 'startling revelations' made by civilian hostages rescued from LTTE clutches since Monday(20). The reporters were taken from Kilinochchi to Puthumathalan and provided with necessary assistance to gain first hand information of the unfolding ground situation, with LTTE nearing total defeat after 3 decades. The group of journalists also witnessed rising smoke in distance caused due to explosions from LTTE mounted heavy mortar bombs further south. According to latest military reports, LTTE terrorists are now boxed inside a 10sq.km swathe land further South of the NFZ at Vellamullivaikkal. Hostages rescued from LTTE have expressed their disdain over the terrorist outfit, which was earlier proscribed by the EU and many countries including the US for the use of child soldiers, women suicide bombers, village massacres, bus bombings, systemized genocide of both ethnic Muslims and Sinhalese. Civilian escapees have unfolded the bitter truth with the media persons of brutal assaults, torture, forced arms training, child conscription and many more crimes perpetrated by LTTE. The media crew also confirmed that security forces have exhibited utmost restraint from any indirect fire, heavy artillery or mortar attacks at LTTE now cornered in a 10sq.km swathe of land in the Southern tip of the NFZ (Sri Lanka Defence Ministry). Media Release by SLUNA - Tamil Civilians Surge Past The Walls of Tiger Terrorist Hell To Freedom Mass Exodus: The Tamil civilians of the Vanni who were forced to uproot themselves from their villages and withdraw by the retreating Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) also known as the Tamil Tigers, were compelled to endure severe hardships for nearly an year, till such time as Sri Lanka’s security forces breached the last of the earthen bunds of the Tiger Hell in Puthumathalan on April 20th. These displaced civilians were taxed in many ways by the Tigers who forcibly exploited their labour to improve their fortifications and even pay blood taxes by giving up family members to replace the fallen cadres to be used on the front lines to protect the Tiger leadership that was holding on to the tiny sliver of land in the hope that the pro-Tiger Diaspora in the west would secure their release, to continue with their terrorism, chasing the mythical goal of a mono-ethnic fascist separate state called “Eelam” to be carved out of Sri Lanka. No sooner the last barrier of Tiger Hell fell, these civilians required to form a human shield for the Tiger fighters broke loose and surged past the breached bund in unending columns to reach freedom and safety in government controlled areas under the protection of the Sri Lankan military.        According to the latest statistics, almost 62000 men, women and children (who escaped being snatched by the Tiger child recruiters) arrived in government controlled areas during the last 48 hours, adding to the 65000 who had earlier escaped from Tiger terror, leaving another 10-12 thousand displaced civilians yet to be rescued. They came with what little they had tied in bundles, braving Tamil Tiger bullets aimed at them and risking attacks launched by three suicide bombers to stop them, rushing onward leaving their dead behind. These attacks by the Tamil Tigers on the escaping civilians has been confirmed by UN officials as well as human rights agencies that had access to the hostages who reached safety (Read full Media Release) Army teams hunt for Prabha and Pottu - Troops in a daring operation rescue civilians - The world’s largest ‘hostage rescue operation’ has almost come to a successful end as its main objective is being achieved. With the Sri Lanka army’s daring operation the security forces have been able to rescue over 120,000 civilians since Monday morning, which has put the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) into a complete no-win situation. At present, the civilians who were forcibly detained by the Tigers in the government declared ‘safe zone’ are on the move towards the cleared areas despite the LTTE’s action to prevent them. Indiscriminate firing at the fleeing civilians by the LTTE killed a considerable number men, women and children. Many of these incidents had been recorded by the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) of the Sri Lanka Air Force. The much-awaited rescue operation was launched just before midnight on Sunday after hours long planning on the day, under the special direction of 58 Division Commander Brigadier Shavindra Silva and his senior officers (Full report in Daily Mirror). Prabhakaran cannot flee - Navy - The Navy will not leave any room for LTTE leader Prabhakaran and his associates to flee the country by sea. Highly fortified naval defence lines and a high tech system has been placed to monitor the LTTE movements, Navy acting media spokesman Commander Mahesh Karunaratne said. He said there were some media reports drawing attention of the local and international communities to the possibility of the LTTE leader and other senior Tiger cadres escaping by sea. Addressing the media yesterday, Commander Karunaratne said that the Navy had played a major role in preventing the LTTE activities and maritime operations during its last three decades. ”The Navy thwarted LTTE arms smuggling the operations and other activities in sea. This includes the destruction of more than 10 LTTE vessels in 2007. Naval troops have made a tremendous contribution in combating LTTE terrorism to-date,” he added. He reiterated that the LTTE leader or any single leader will not grab an opportunity to leave the Island via sea. The naval troops are on surveillance to track the LTTE movements round the clock. “Using all sources and advanced technology, we have established a highly fortified defence line from the Trincomalee harbour to Kankesanthurai. We also fixed high frequency radar to detect the LTTE cadres’ movements in the Northeastern coastal belt. Therefore, the LTTE leader or his associates have ‘NO’ chance to flee by boat,” he remarked. He further said that the naval troops on patrol are screening each and every displaced civilian coming from the uncleared areas by boat. “We know who is a terrorist and who are the innocent civilians. Once we identify the LTTE cadres, we destroy them,” he added. Around 500 boat loads of civilians who fled from LTTE captivity are under Navy custody (Daily News). UN Security Council tells LTTE: Lay down arms Strongly condemns LTTE terrorism: The LTTE is a terrorist organization and should be condemned for its use of civilians as a human shield. The LTTE should immediately lay down arms and renounce its terror tactics, said Ambassador Claude Heller, the President of the UN Security Council summing up the views expressed by the Members of the Security Council at an informal briefing on Wednesday. The informal briefing to the Council was a follow-up to the visit of UN Under-Secretary General Vijey Nambiar to Sri Lanka recently. It is significant that the Council unanimously agreed that the LTTE’s holding civilians hostage was unacceptable and welcomed the movement of large numbers of civilians out of harms way. They called on the international community to extend all assistance to the Sri Lankan Government to deal with the influx of civilians who are fleeing from the LTTE’s hold. It was significant that the Security Council did not call for a ceasefire or a humanitarian pause believing that this would only provide a breathing space for the LTTE and prolong the civilian suffering. They concluded that the quickest way to end this conflict was for LTTE to lay down arms, surrender and let the political process proceed as there was no military solution. At this informal interactive session held in the basement of the UN building, the members also urged the Government to be cautious about the civilians when taking military action to secure a safe passage for civilians. They also called on the Government to work closely with the UN in providing humanitarian assistance to the displaced civilians including those in transit (Full report in Daily Mirror). UN demands Tigers lay down arms - - Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels are facing new calls to surrender as the army presses a final offensive against the guerrillas, amid concerns about civilians trapped by the fighting. Convinced that an end to decades of fighting is finally in sight, President Mahinda Rajapakse has ruled out any amnesty for rebel leader Velupillai Prabhakaran and his ethnic Tamil fighters now trapped in a sliver of northern jungle. Government defence spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said on Wednesday, ''They are fighting a losing battle.'' The rebels have been repeatedly accused of holding civilians for use as human shields, and the United Nations Security Council said the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, as they are formally known, must now surrender. Mexico's Claude Heller said after an informal Security Council meeting, ''We demand that the LTTE [Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam] immediately lay down arms, renounce terrorism, allow a UN-assisted evacuation of the remaining civilians in the conflict area, and join the political process.'' The council president, speaking on behalf of the 15 members, said they ''strongly condemned the LTTE, a terrorist organisation, for the use of civilians as human shields and for not allowing them to leave the area (Full report in Canberra Times). Tiger rebels 'ignore calls to surrender - Sri Lanka's cornered Tiger rebels have put up stiff resistance despite calls for their surrender, the military says, as the UN ordered an urgent humanitarian mission to the troubled region. The army says the guerrillas are confined to a mere 10-12 square kilometres of territory on the northeast coast, where thousands of civilians are trapped by the fighting. As international concern mounts for the safety of between 15,000 and 20,000 civilians stuck in the conflict area, UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon says he has ordered a humanitarian team to northern Sri Lanka. "I intend to immediately dispatch a UN humanitarian team to the no-fire zone," he told reporters in Brussels on Thursday. "The purpose of this humanitarian team will be to first of all monitor the situation and support the humanitarian assistance and try to do whatever we can to protect the civilian population." Sri Lanka's military spokesman, Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara, said the Tigers were using artillery and tanks in their last remaining bit of territory, an area the government had previously designated a "no-fire zone". "There are sporadic clashes but our priority is to get the civilians out. We can finish them off very quickly after the civilians get out of the way," he said. "We can claim we have completely defeated the Tigers when we have captured the remaining area," he said. The defence ministry, meanwhile, said guerrilla resistance was "dwindling" (Full report in Brisbane Times). JHU charges western nations interfering in Sri Lanka - The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) yesterday charged Norway, USA, France and Britain for interfering in Sri Lanka’s internal problems. “The Norwegians allowed the LTTE to destroy our embassy in Norway but whenever the Norwegian embassy was under threat the Sri Lankan government made sure of their safety. We are asking the Norwegians to leave immediately,” Venerable Medhananda Thera said. “The government should stop all diplomatic relations with Norway since they have been nothing but an enemy of Sri Lanka as they have helped the LTTE to strengthen itself. The JHU has been calling for the closure of the Norwegian Embassy from the beginning of 2000 he added. “Former Norwegian Ambassador Jon Westborg, Hans Bratskar and former special envoy Erik Solheim have all aided and abetted the LTTE. They have helped the LTTE procure weapons and advance technology while lobbying the international community on behalf of the LTTE,” the Venerable Thera said. Meanwhile he went on to charge that American Ambassador Robert Blake that he did not know what he was talking about with regard to the plight of the fleeing civilians and said that the Ambassador was making comments and statements outside his capacity as an ambassador. America and Britain are trying very hard to pressurize the government to dance to its agenda, he added. “Norway too is yet to make an official statement denying their cooperation with the LTTE, we have called for an explanation on more than one occasion,” Ven. Ratana Thera said. He said that the JHU would remind western nations and all those who are trying to pressurize the government that Sri Lanka remains an independent country and was no more a colony of the British (Daily Mirror). JHU pinpoints hypocrisy of West - America and its Western allies should stop its hypocrisy of championing the cause of eradicating global terrorism, said Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) Leader Ven. Ellawala Medhananda Thera. The Thera added that a full and impartial investigation should be carried out on the recent attack on Sri Lanka Embassy in Norway which was well-planned. The Norway Government cannot evade responsibility by just apologizing and promising to pay compensation for the losses. He was addressing at a media conference in Colombo yesterday. Ven Medhananda Thera recalled past incidents involving Norway such as its role in providing radio transmission equipment and other facilities to the LTTE while posing as peace facilitators. The unnecessary interference by America and Britain in the internal activities of Sri Lanka were strongly condemned by the Thera who said that a conspiracy is being hatched to impose economic sanctions against Sri Lanka. Addressing the media JHU Parliamentary Group Leader Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera hailed Army for liberating 100,000 innocent civilians from the grip of LTTE. "The Sri Lanka Army acted patiently and intelligently in the humanitarian operation," Ven. Rathana Thera added. He also said that the world watched the rescue mission of the Sri Lanka Armed Forces with the aid of Satellite Technology. It was so useful to create a true picture of our forces in their minds. A memorandum was handed over to the Norway Embassy by the JHU condemning the attack on Lankan Embassy in Norway, the Thera said. He thanked all friendly countries such as India, China and Iran for their support especially at this decisive moment in the country's history (Daily News). FOREIGN MINISTER ASKS FOR EMERGENCY HUMANITARIAN AID FOR THE CARE OF FLEEING HOSTAGES - By Walter Jayawardhana - Addressing diplomats Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama appealed for international emergency aid to assist more than one hundred thousand civilians who are fleeing out of the last foot hold of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The Foreign Minister told diplomats that the LTTE is still holding about 20,000 civilians as hostages in an area less than 13 square kilometers. The minister listed medicines, semi-permanent shelters, water-purification plants and sanitation facilities as most needed for the refugees. He said ultimately they would be resettled in the same places where their homes were. “The core aim of the government remains to resettle all those who have been displaced due to the conflict in their original places of habitation,” he said. Soldiers are marching forward after helping about 102,790 civilians flee the area this week, the minister said. More than 150,000 displaced people are now in government- controlled areas in the northeast, according to themilitary. Rohitha Bogollagama said the two day pause the government declared did not work as the LTTE used the two days to further fortify their military position. The United Nations Security Council called on the Tamil Tigers to surrender. The Sri LankaForeign Minister said that the government “notes with satisfaction” that Security Council members have demanded the LTTE lay down arms and renounce terrorism.. “The death knell for the LTTE has been sounded,” he added. “It is simply a matter of time for the LTTE to be consigned into its rightful place as the most ruthless terrorist organization that has failed in history,” Bogollagama said. International Community comes to civilians’ aid - Indian ship with over 40,000 emergency family kits and food packs will arrive today - A fully fledged mobile hospital will be set up in the region by United States soon. In response to the Government’s request, the international community yesterday pledged their fullest assistance to the civilians fleeing from the LTTE clutches. Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama at a meeting with Colombo based diplomatic community yesterday requested their assistance to enhance water, health, sanitary and accommodation facilities to these civilians. India, the United States and Australia are among the first countries which pledged urgent assistance to these civilians. According to the Foreign Minister an Indian ship carrying over 40,000 emergency family kits and food packs will arrive in Sri Lanka today while a fully fledged mobile hospital will be set up in the region by the United States soon. The Foreign Ministry yesterday set up a Special Task Force headed by its additional secretary Chitranganie Wagiswara to coordinate the assistance provided by the international community. This Task Force comprises the Essential Services Commissioner and the representatives of Nation Building and Justice and Law Reform Ministries. The Foreign Ministry was about to release full details of what the international community has pledged in terms of humanitarian assistance later in the day (Full report in Daily News). Time to unite and help civilians -  Media Centre for National Security Director Lakshman Hulugalla appealed to organizations, the business community and individuals to come forward to help displaced civilians arriving from the No Fire Zone to the government controlled areas by providing dry rations, instant food items and clean water. Addressing the media yesterday, he said troops engaged in the largest ever hostage rescue mission are continuing their operation without harming a single civilian. This is a great success. As this humanitarian mission had reached the last phase, more than 103,000 civilians were rescued since Monday. He asserted that before commencing the biggest hostage rescue mission from the NFZ, around 70,000 trapped civilians sought protection with the Security Forces. They were all resettled in an IDP welfare centre at the Manic Farm. “The current rescue mission is the largest ever conducted by the Security Forces. The government is facing difficulties to facilitate and accommodate the large number of trapped civilians arriving from the LTTE clutches at once”, he added. “It is time to unite and help our brothers and sisters who have been suffering for years under LTTE tyranny and atrocities. They have escaped from the terrorists seeking protection with the Security Forces. It is our responsibility to help these innocent civilians”, Hulugalla remarked. He appealed to organizations, aid agencies, members of the business community and individuals to come forward to donate and contribute towards this mission (Full report in Daily News). India to LTTE:  Stop barbaric acts - Walter JAYAWARDHANA - India said the LTTE should stop its barbaric acts to hold civilians from the last rebel held territory in Sri Lanka. The statement was released after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh reviewed the current situation in Sri Lanka. When more than 100,000 hostages started moving out of the last LTTE held area, the terrorists started spraying bullets on them on the first day and when that did not stop three suicide bombers rushed towards them and exploded themselves. Seventeen Tamil civilians were reportedly killed and 263 injured were airlifted to a hospital at Anuradhapura. Hundreds of others were also treated for gunshot injuries at Army centers before being admitted to hospitals. An agency report said, A special meeting, attended also by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Defence Minister A K Antony, National Security Adviser M K Narayanan and Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon was convened amid mounting pressure from Tamil Nadu parties on the Centre to stop the war in Sri Lanka. "We are very unhappy at the continued killing of innocent civilians in Sri Lanka. These killings must stop," Mr. Mukherjee told reporters after the hour-long meeting (Daily News). False claim of escapees drownin Rohitha to talk to Kouchner - Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogallagama yesterday said he would speak to his French counterpart Bernard Kouchner about the adverse remarks attributed to the latter on the civilians fleeing from the LTTE. Kouchner is reported to have said that civilians fleeing from the clutches of the LTTE in the ‘No Fire’ Zone were drowning in the seas and had suggested that France and Britain launch a joint humanitarian operation in the conflict zone in Sri Lanka. Responding to a query from The Island as to the government’s stand on the suggestion made by Kouchner to his British counterpart David Miliband that French and British boats be deployed to assist the IDP’s on the beaches where some were drowning in the sea, Bogallagama said "There are no civilians trying to cross to the government controlled areas drowning in the sea. It is far from the truth." He said he was in constant touch with all his counterparts. "Today I will discuss the matter in detail with my counterpart over the phone," told the media. Prior to meeting the media the Foreign Minister met the diplomatic corps. He had told them that the LTTE had used the 48-hour unilateral humanitarian pause to compel civilians to fortify the earth bunds and trenches thus impeding the civilians moving out of the ‘No Fire’ Zone, negating the very purpose for which the government had declared the pause (Full report in Island). UN Security Council strongly condemns LTTE - "The LTTE is a terrorist organization and should be condemned for its use of civilian as a human shield. The LTTE should immediately lay down arms and renounce its terror tactics," President of the UN Security Council, Ambassador Claude Heller said on Wednesday. He was summing up the views expressed by the members of the Security Council at an informal briefing following the visit of UN Under-Secretary General Vijey Nambiar to Sri Lanka earlier this week. A UN Security Council statement said: It is significant that the Council unanimously agreed that the LTTE’s holding civilians hostage was unacceptable and welcomed the movement of large numbers of civilians out of harms way. They called on the international community to extend all assistance to the Sri Lankan Government to deal with the influx of civilians who are fleeing from the LTTE’s hold. It was significant that the Security Council did not call for a ceasefire or a humanitarian pause believing that this would only provide a breathing space for the LTTE and prolong the civilian suffering. They concluded that the quickest way to end this conflict was for LTTE to lay down arms, surrender and let the political process proceed as there was no military solution (Full report in Island). Helping the IDPs - It is right that we, and the rest of the world in general should be deeply concerned about the well being of a population of some 200,000 people caught up in a maelstrom not of their making. These men, women and children streaming from one set of camps to another need to be housed, clothed, fed and medically cared for. This is not a new experience in the world and we saw a great deal of it and much worse in the Balkans in Europe and it is almost everyday life in many parts of Africa. The costs involved and the logistics of these operations are common knowledge among many. The efforts of all of us both here and overseas can put some of that experience and some resources together to lessen to some degree the obvious suffering these people will go through. On second hand evidence, the army is doing a splendid job carrying babies and consoling them, helping the infirm to move and tending with care, the sick. But they all need help and a lot of it, right now. The Government is very short of money. Revenue receipts will fall this year as economic activity winds down. Borrowing whether locally or overseas is not an alternative currently available to the government. The most productive way the rest of the world can help these multitudes is to find the resources as grants to be spent for the resettlement and rehabilitation of these 200,000 people (Full report in Island). Prabhakaran will kill himself: IPKF officials - By Sandeep Unnithan - With the Sri Lankan army steadily moving into the ‘No Fire Zone’ where LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran is believed to be holed up with the remnants of his shattered force, key officials of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka say it is unlikely the Tiger supremo will be captured alive. "If I know anything about Prabhakaran, it is that he will never be captured alive. He will prefer to use the cyanide capsule he wears around his neck," says Lt General A.S. Kalkat (retired) former IPKF commander whose troops relentlessly hunted the Tiger chief in the jungles of northern Sri Lanka in 1990. The IPKF's military intelligence wing set up a special unit to track his movements and inputs were fed to a special unit of the elite 9 Para commando battalion. The closest the Paras came to catching Prabhakaran was when they obtained precise inputs on his bunker in Alampil, 10 km south of Mullaitivu, not far from the present ‘No Fire Zone’. "When we reached Prabhakaran's bunker, all we found was another bunker with an exit tunnel nearly 5 km through the forest. The tunnel was barely enough for one man to pass through at one time. Prabhakaran had fled," says Lt General H.S. Lidder (retired), former commanding officer of the 9 Paras. Colonel Hariharan, former head of the IPKF Intelligence who set up the special team to track Prabhakaran says there is only a 30 per cent possibility of Prabhakaran being captured alive and a 'zero probability' of surrendering. "Troops on the ground nearly succeeded in catching him, but the point is we did not," Hariharan says (Sri Lanka Guardian). Troops encircle last 8 sq km in the NFZ - Sensing an imminent collapse of the LTTE, Security forces today encircled the last 8 sq km patch of area in northern war zone where they suspect Tiger supremo V Prabhakaran and his top aides are holed up and put naval warships on full alert to foil any escape bid by the rebels. A naval blockade was put around northern Mullaittivu close to the areas where LTTE cadres still had access to the sea as Sri Lankan Army chief Sarath Fonseka said the troops knew the "general area" where Prabhakaran could be hiding. Backed by tanks, the Lankan forces surrounded the small jungle patch where an estimated 800-900 Tamil Tigers were still offering resistance. "We are set to destroy him," Fonseka said, admitting that his forces were facing stiff resistance from the remnant LTTE cadres. But the Army chief said the security forces' primary task at the moment was to get trapped Tamil civilians out of the war zone to safety (Full report in Sri Lanka Guardian). Indian Anti-Terror Front felicitates President - The All India Anti-Terrorist Front (AIATF), a leading organization opposed to terrorism in all its forms has felicitated President Mahinda Rajapaksa for “launching a nationwide peace initiative and checking the LTTE onslaught”. The Memorandum of Felicitation was handed over to the Sri Lanka High Commission in New Delhi yesterday by Maninderjit Singh Bitta, Chairman of the AIATF, which was set up in the late 1980s to counter terrorism that wrecked the Indian State of Punjab at the time. It’s founder and present Chairman Bitta was a Cabinet Minister in the Punjab Government in 1993, and later under Prime Minister Narasimha Rao was Head of the All India Youth Congress. He has narrowly escaped several assassination attempts, and was injured in attacks by terrorists during the campaign for a separate Sikh State. The AIATF is widely recognized in India for the useful work it does in carrying out mass action to create an abhorrence of all kinds of violence, while also affording practical assistance to the victims of terrorism. The Memorandum of Felicitation also states: “Your Excellency and your team of expert advisers on internal security has set a unique precedent for other countries ailing for a long time by similar tumultuous internal disturbances and the menace of terrorism.” (Daily News). War and ethics in Sri Lanka (Statement by Rohitha Bogollagama, M.P., Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Diplomatic Corps on 23 April 2009) - By Rohitha Bogollagama -  Since the early hours of Monday, 20th April 2009, over 100,000 civilians held hostage by the LTTE, have braved the bullets and other forms of violent intimidation unleashed by the LTTE and come across to the cleared areas from the No-Fire Zone (NFZ). The end game that is being played out on the muddy waters of the western edge of the NFZ along the Mullaitivu coast portends the death knell for the LTTE. 102,790 ordinary people have voted with their feet, to free themselves from LTTE tyranny, and we are still counting. What is now unfolding before our very eyes is by far, the largest hostage rescue operation that has been undertaken by any military in the world. These people have clearly demonstrated their total rejection of the LTTE and are living proof of the endorsement of the underlying humanitarian objective of the mission of our armed forces, namely to rescue them to safety. This massive movement of human beings of epic proportions, is a fitting reply to certain skeptical members of the international community who, obviously misguided by Tiger propaganda, have been making persistent predictions of massive civilian casualties, in the event our Security Forces embarked on the rescue mission. The Government of Sri Lanka shares the concern of the international community over the plight of the civilians who are being held captive by the LTTE in the NFZ. No one has more concern than the Government about the safety of the country’s civilians. In fact, it was with this objective that President Mahinda Rajapaksa issued a directive to the Armed Forces to restrict their operations to a defensive mode during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year period. Everybody is aware that the recent pause in military action did not result in any significant movement of civilians from the NFZ (Full report in Sri Lanka Guardian). Thursday, 23 April 2009 LTTE Tamil Tiger's Media Spokesman, Daya Master, and Interpreter, George Master surrender to Sri Lanka Army   LTTE's Media Spokeman "Daya Master" & Interpreter, George Surrender to SLA (Tamil Version) LTTE's Media Spokeman "Daya Master" & Interpreter, George Surrender to Sri Lanka Army (Sinhala Version) Velayuthan Thayanithi alias Daya Master. Velayudam Thayanidhi alias Daya Master, was born on March 3, 1956 Is a former private English tutor. Later joined the terrorists outfit and is known to be one of the most senior member of the LTTE. Was the head of the LTTE media and propaganda machinery for years until he was sacked from his position. Was kept under house arrest by the LTTE leader for revealing intelligence information of the outfit.   Kumar Pancharathnam alias George Master. George, is a former postmaster in the Postal Department Known to be one of the most senior LTTE cadre. A language translator of the outfit Was once the English translator to Thamiselvam, former LTTE “political head           Wanni Operation 22 nd April 2009 Northern Battle Front 22 nd April 2009 In 2006, on humanitarian grounds, the Sri Lanka Government provided VIP medical treatments to Daya Master. 13 July 2006 - In 2006, LTTE’s media coordinator Daya Master who suffered a severe heart attack on Wednesday evening was rushed to Colombo early Thursday morning. The LTTE had contacted the government through the SLMM and permission for the passage of Daya Master to Colombo came from the President’s Office. The vehicle carrying Daya Master, his wife and son had arrived at the Omanthai entry/exit checkpoint at 6.30 pm on Wednesday. When the vehicle was checked only the driver was in possession of a national identity card. The vehicle neither had a revenue license nor an insurance policy. The entourage was led by an army jeep followed by his Montero Jeep, an Amy Jeep, and the SLMM vehicle. Daya Master arrived at the Apollo Hospital at 1.30 am on Thursday under tight security. LTTE leaders in disarray Troops give first aid to a child injured in LTTE firing on Monday. (Army Media) The Bi-Polar Perspective and the Sri Lankan Crisis - By Asoka Bandarage - The Sri Lankan conflict, like many other political conflicts around the world, is interpreted from a very limited bi-polar perspective as a primordial ethnic conflict between two groups. In the Sri Lankan case, it is seen as a Sinhala versus Tamil conflict: Sinhala majority as oppressor and Tamil minority as victim. Accordingly, it is argued that Sinhala government discrimination against Tamils gave rise to Tamil resistance, separatism and LTTE terrorism. LTTE’s record of suicide bombing, forcible child recruitment, assassination of political leaders, killing of journalists and dissidents, narcotics trading and other illegal activities is well known. However, even those governments that have banned the LTTE as one, if not the most sophisticated terrorist organization in the world, still subscribe to the limited interpretation of the Sri Lankan conflict as an ethnic conflict and support ethnically based solutions, be it outright separatism or extensive political devolution in favor of Tamils. The deeply entrenched dualistic ethnic perspective is clearly evident in the interpretation of the current military confrontation between the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE. Right now, some 70 to 100,000 helpless Tamil civilians are trapped in a less than 20 square mile No Fire Zone in northeastern Sri Lanka. The LTTE is forcibly holding these civilians from leaving the NFZ and even firing at those who are trying to escape to the government held areas. The international community - politicians, media, NGOs - influenced by the Tamil Diaspora is interpreting the situation from the narrow ethnic perspective as a case of Sinhala government ‘genocide’ against the Tamil minority. The deeply held ethnic analysis is preventing many in the international community from seeing the LTTE’s destruction, if not ‘genocide’ of the Tamil community and the fact that Tamils, like Sinhalese and Muslims are living in relative safety in 98% of the island’s territory under government control (Full report in International Relations). UN demands LTTE to lay down arms and free civilians immediately - The United Nations Security Council has demanded LTTE terrorists to renounce violence, lay down arms and to stop using civilians as human shield immediately. "The LTTE is a terrorist organization and should be condemned for its use of civilian as a human shield. The LTTE should immediately lay down arms and renounce its terror tactics", said Ambassador Claude Heller, the President of the UN Security Council summing up the views expressed by the Members of the Security Council at an informal briefing on Wednesday (April 22). According to defence observers this is a strong message to the LTTE terrorists and a denial of any breather what so ever expected by its sympathizers and its paid henchmen. The informal briefing to the Council was a follow-up to the visit of UN Under-Secretary General Vijey Nambiar to Sri Lanka earlier this week. The Security Council unanimously agreed that the LTTE's holding civilians hostage was unacceptable and welcomed the movement of large numbers of civilians out of harms way. They called on the international community to extend all assistance to the Sri Lankan Government to deal with the influx of civilians who are fleeing from the LTTE's hold (Full report in Sri Lanka Defence Ministry). India says LTTE should stop its barbaric against civilians - By Walter Jayawardhana - India said the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) should stop its barbaric acts to hold civilians leaving from its last foothold in Sri Lanka . India also expressed its discontentment over the continued killings of innocent Tamils in Sri Lanka . The statement was released after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh reviewed the current situation in the island nation. When over 100,000 civilians held hostage by them started to seek refuge with Sri Lanka Army since Monday (Apr 20) , LTTE terrorists have been spaying bullets on the fleeing civilians in a desperate bid to protect the human shield they once enjoyed. On the first day itself, LTTE exploded three of its brainwashed suicide bombers killing 17 people including infants. So far , Sri Lanka Air Force has air lifted 238 others injured in the LTTE attacks to the government hospital in Anuradhapura. Army medical personnel also have treated hundreds of others for gunshot injuries before being admitted to the hospitals. An agency report said, "A special meeting, attended also by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Defence Minister A K Antony, National Security Adviser M K Narayanan and Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon was convened amid mounting pressure from Tamil Nadu parties on the Centre to stop war in Sri Lanka. "We are very unhappy at the continued killing of innocent Tamil civilians in Sri Lanka . These killings must stop," Mr. Mukherjee told reporters after the hour-long meeting called to discuss the situation in the island nation." (Sri Lanka Defence Ministry). Air Force assists in hostage rescue mission - Air Force spokesman Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said the Air Force has contributed to the largest hostage rescue mission by using its close surveillance and air transport. Addressing the media yesterday at the MCNS , Wing Commander Nanayakkara said that the Air Force has airlifted over 238 sick and wounded civilians from the NFZ to the Anuradhapura hospital in their hostage rescue mission. He said the Air Force supported in the hostage rescue operation by providing close surveillance of LTTE activities and civilian movement in the NFZ, as well as air transport. Wing Commander Nanayakkara noted that 20,000 packets of dried food items were being airlifted from Anuradhapura to Killinochchi daily. Another 6,000 cooked meal packets were dispatched yesterday by MI-17 helicoptors from Colombo to Killinochchi on the direction of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Air Force Commander Air Marshal Roshan Goonatilake. Navy spokesman Commander Mahesh Karunaratne said around 6,000 civilians escaping the LTTE were rescued by naval troops. "Special arrangements have been made to treat and provide essential at two naval points in Point Pedro and Pulmodai upon the arrival of displaced civilians," he added. He observed that naval troops were facing obstacles and difficulties in rescuing civilians who are coming by sea, though LTTE suicide cadres were coming posing as civilians. A special naval vessel has been deployed to identify LTTE suicide cadres", he added (Full report in Sri Lanka Defence Ministry). Kouchner in Sri Lanka - The French Foreign Minister according to an Island Report of 23.4.09 has suggested a foreign coastal intervention to render assistance to the persons fleeing form the clutches of the LTTE. This could well be a last minute effort to save Prabhakaran from facing consequences for 30 years of terrorist activity. The report further states that Kouchner is seeking British assistance. It is well known that Prabhakaran is trapped and in a few days would be apprehended. At present, Prabhakaran can be saved only by a naval exercise and probably this is uppermost in the mind of the French Minister Kouchner. It is interesting to dwell into Kouchners background in Sri Lanka. He was in Sri Lanka as an so-called ' Eminent Person' to observe the proceedings at the Presidential Commission. While holding this position, charged into a chamber of a Magistrate in the Eastern Province and demanded to read the proceedings in a case record. This was a matter outside his powers especially to intimidate judicial officers. Thereupon he went on to examine the case records which was a not function entrusted to him. It has drawn critical comment from some of the Commissioners for usurping power. Counsel who appeared for the Army, Mr Gomin Dayasri who immediately on appearance noted the prejudices the Eminent Persons had against the armed forces. He was extremely critical of their conduct and the Eminent Persons soon withdrew from the proceedings after the appearance of Mr Gomin Dayasri. Before they left they criticised the Commissioners and later revised their opinion to display their inconsistency. Mr Kouchners loyalty to the LTTE had surfaced prior to the recent incident (Sri Lanka Defence Ministry). UNSC asks Tamil Tigers to surrender - UN Security Council today asked the Tamil Tigers to immediately surrender, renounce terrorism and join the political process through dialogue to put an end to the decades old ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka. "We demand that the LTTE immediately lay down arms, renounce terrorism, allow a UN assisted evacuation of the remaining civilians in the conflict area, and join the political process through dialogue," UNSC President Claude Heller, who is also Mexican Ambassador, told reporters today after a meeting convened at the request of France. The meeting of the 15-member council discussed the current crisis in Sri Lanka in the wake of the human rights groups raising concerns over the deteriorating humanitarian condition in the conflict zone in the island nation and avoid the possibility of "blood bath" in terms of an UN official. Heller's remarks expresses the sentiments of the Security Council members and does not hold any official clout unlike in the case of a Presidential Statement; on which there was an apparent differences among the five veto-wielding members of the council - the US, France, Britain, China and Russia. Expressing concern over the humanitarian situation in the Wanni region and the plight of the civilians trapped within the conflict zone, Heller said the Security Council calls on all member states to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the trapped civilians (PTI). UN Security Council Strongly Condemns LTTE Terrorism - “The LTTE is a terrorist organization and should be condemned for its use of civilian as a human shield. The LTTE should immediately lay down arms and renounce its terror tactics”, said Ambassador Claude Heller, the President of the UN Security Council summing up the views expressed by the Members of the Security Council at an informal briefing today (22/4). The informal briefing to the Council was a follow-up to the visit of UN Under-Secretary General Vijey Nambiar to Sri Lanka earlier this week. It is significant that the Council unanimously agreed that the LTTE’s holding civilians hostage was unacceptable and welcomed the movement of large numbers of civilians out of harms way. They called on the international community to extend all assistance to the Sri Lankan Government to deal with the influx of civilians who are fleeing from the LTTE’s hold. It was significant that the Security Council did not call for a ceasefire or a humanitarian pause believing that this would only provide a breathing space for the LTTE and prolong the civilian suffering. They concluded that the quickest way to end this conflict was for LTTE to lay down arms, surrender and let the political process proceed as there was no military solution. At this informal interactive session held in the basement of the UN building, the members also urged the government to be cautious about the civilians when taking military action to secure a safe passage for civilians. They also called on the Government to work closely with the UN in providing humanitarian assistance to the displaced civilians including those in transit (full report in Asian Tribune). Daya and George surrender - Yesterday alone over 22,000 civilians fled the No Fire Zone into government territory while two senior LTTE cadres, Daya Master and George Master, surrendered with their families to the Army’s 58 division, military sources. With yesterday’s arrival of over 22,000 civilians to government held areas, the total number of civilians who fled the ‘No Fire’ Zone reached 100,000 since April 20. The total number of LTTE cadres who have surrendered to the Army since January this year stands at around 3,000. Daya Master, who was the LTTE spokesman until about two years ago, is a former teacher and George Master was the interpreter to former LTTE political wing leader Thamil Selvan, who was killed in an air raid a few months ago. George Master is a retired Post Master and he interpreted Prabhakaran’s press conference in July 2002 in Kilinochchi to the international press. Daya Master was given a free hand by the LTTE to speak what he thought fit for the outfit and was very friendly with many journalists attached to national newspapers. He was also partially fluent in Sinhala.His actual name is Velayuthan Thayanithi. In July 2006, Daya Master suffered a heart attack and the Government on humanitarian grounds allowed him to be brought to a leading private Hospital in Colombo. He returned to the Vanni after treatment. After Daya Master fell ill, the LTTE appointed Rasiah Ilanthirayan as media spokesman (Island). Daya Master, George surrender - Former LTTE media spokesman Daya Master and late Thamil Chelvam’s interpreter George surrendered to troops in Puthumathalan yesterday afternoon, Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said. “Daya Master and George surrendered along with fleeing civilians from the NFZ. We expect more senior LTTE cadres to surrender to troops,” he added. The Government firmly believes that LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran and his associates are hiding in the No Fire Zone in the remaining eight km stretch in the NFZ, he said. Briefing the media yesterday on the current security situation at the Media Centre for National Security, Defence spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said the world was able to witness footage of civilians being rescued on Monday from the NFZ contradicting LTTE propaganda that the civilians were not coming on their will. “All could see through the UAV visuals how the civilians were eager to reach cleared areas. This is obvious that the LTTE forced civilians to stay, to use them as a human shield,” he added. Minister Rambukwella said the International Community has sufficient proof to recognise the LTTE’s nature and its unmerciful acts of terrorism and realise the Government’s stance towards the people. “This is a biggest hostage rescue operation ever embarked by any country,” he remarked. He said troops entered the NFZ on Monday and captured one third of the NFZ yesterday which was demarcated by the government and later infiltrated by the LTTE cadres. “Troops are continuing the hostage rescue mission to liberate the remaining trapped civilians. Security Forces captured one third of the NFZ and are moving towards the south by filtering civilians from those areas and to liberate the entire leaving no civilian kept hostage by the Tigers,” he added (Full report in Daily News). CONTROVERSIAL FIGURE DAYA MASTER AND COLLEAGUE GEORGE MASTER OF THE LTTE HIERACHY SURRENDER TO THE ARMY - By Walter Jayawardhana - The two top LTTE leaders , one known as Daya Master, and the other George , who were very close to the LTTE leadership joined with the unending flow of the Tamil hostages walking out of Tiger rebel territory and surrendered to the Sri Lanka Army. The army has made the two surrenders a real propaganda coup since Daya Master was once the media spokesman for the LTTE and George alias Kumar Pancharatnama was the English-Tamil interpreter for the former political head of the outfit, the late Thamilchelvam. Velautham Thayanidhi alias Thaya or Daya Master was a former English tutor who became very well known after becoming the media spokesman of the LTTE. He became very controversial not only due to his personal friendship with UNP’s LTTE liaison man Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena but also due to his involvement with LTTE promises which got reneged in the past. He once came to Colombo escorted by the Nordic Ceasefire Monitors to obtain specialist treatment at the best private hospital in Colombo, Apollo, amidst protestors holding a vociferous demonstration in front of the hospital. His trip to Colombo was to be reciprocated by the release of a police officer Bandujeewa Bopitigoda who had been investigating about child abuse when he was arrested by the Tamil Tigers. The Police officer was never released from the LTTE custody as promised immediately. Frustrated by the broken promise the man who arranged the exchange said, the LTTE had acted in a despicable manner. It is not known whether Daya Master was in a position to change the LTTE decision or not. The other occasion Daya Master got involved in another controversy was when he back tracked on a LTTE statement on the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi. After Anton Balasingham regretted the Gandhi killing, calling it a monumental historical tragedy, the spokesman Daya Master Exhibiting the dubious and untrustworthy nature of the Tamil Tigers told India's Hindu newspaper that Balasingham did not own up to the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi but only regretted the incident. He said, “The LTTE has not owned responsibility for the killing. Mr. Balasingham has only regretted the incident". What Balasingham actually said verbatim about Gandhi killing was, "As far as that event is concerned I would say it is a great tragedy, a monumental historical tragedy, for which we deeply regret”. Undoubtedly, Daya Master was the spin doctor of the LTTE during that time. But he was always lucky. Once during the internecine warfare between the Tamil groups, years before, Daya Master was captured by Premachandran’s EPRLF and was about to be killed . Somehow he pleaded with someone and saved his life. The surrender to the Sri Lanka Army is the second time he has successfully tried his luck and saved his life. The other leader who surrendered to the army officers at Puthumathalan area April 22 is George. He was the English interpreter to former LTTE political head Thamilchelvam . Before that he had been a Post Master serving the government of Sri Lanka. It is believed that both had been interviewed by the army intelligence and had spilled some beans about the LTTE and the whereabouts of its leaders. (EOM). 100,265 TAMIL CIVILIANS ESCAPING THE LTTE GRIP HAVE REACHED SRI LANKA WELFARE CENTERS CARED BY THE SEURITY FORCES - By Walter Jayawardhana - Sri Lankan army sources said in Colombo that the unending flow of Tamil civilians rushing out of the last Tamil Tiger territory where they had been kept hostages by THE LTTE ON Wednesday (April 22) have now surpassed 100,000. The Tamil hostages were facilitated to free themselves of the area by the Sri Lanka Army breaching another earth mound by explosives that unleashed the massive exodus which the defence sources called the history’s biggest rescue operation. Among those 100,265 who came along and surrendered was the former LTTE media spokesman Daya Master and a senior member and interpreter George alias Kumar Pancharathnam of the LTTE. Military sources said by now one third of the territory of the No Fire Zone which has become the hiding and battleground for the LTTE has been occupied by the Sri Lanka security forces leaving only 8 square kilometers for the rebels. The state owned ITN television announced that another 120 buses had been deployed to the area to transport the Tamil civilians who had been sometimes walking in neck high lagoon water to reach army units waiting to receive them. Two pregnant women gave birth to a son and a daughter in two of these buses. They had been assisted by women soldiers of the Sri Lanka Air Force using the light of dry cell flash lights in the bus. Although hot meals were constantly being cooked in numerous army kitchens for the refugees, considering the increased numbers to care for , President Mahinda Rajapaksa ordered army transport helicopters to immediately airlift 6000 cooked rice and curry meal packets to the area. They were immediately being distributed by the security forces among starving hostages who have been walking without food. Bakery food like bread and buns were also being airlifted from Colombo bakeries. 238 Tamil civilians who were injured by the three suicide bombers sent by the LTTE to stop the civilians leaving the area had been airlifted to the Anuradhapura hospital and were treated there. 17 Tamil civilians died in these suicide attacks. Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara military spokesman said, "Confrontations are taking place. Whenever we come across LTTE cadres, we are fighting them. The rescue operation is continuing." (EOM). LTTE leaders in disarray - Two senior most men of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) surrendered to the security forces on Wednesday, thus marking the first ever disloyalty to do-or-die diktat of the terrorist organization. Veteran Media Head Daya Master and most trusted interpreter George who attended all rounds of peace talks from Bangkok to Geneva to Oslo surrendered to the forces after escaping from the LTTE held Puthumathalan beach strip. "This shows that Tiger supremo (Velupillai) Prabhakaran has lost his steel grip over his men," said an analyst of guerrilla movements. "No LTTE member is allowed to surrender. They have to take a vow that they would bite into cyanide capsule around their necks and die rather than surrendering. The surrender of Daya Master and George clearly shows that even senior leaders in the LTTE are not ready to blindly follow Prabhakaran’s orders. This is the end of the road for Prabhakaran". Scores of LTTE leaders committed suicide in the past when cornered. They include senior leaders like Jaffna Commander Kittu alias Krishnamachari Krishnakumar, who committed suicide when the Indian Navy surrounded his ship MV Ahat off Tamil Nadu coast, Pullendran and Kumarappah, who bit into their cyanide capsules at Palali Airport and One-eyed Kannan, the mastermind of Rajiv Gandhi assassination who committed suicide when the Indian police raided his hideout. The military announced that the media co-ordinator, Daya Master, gave himself up along with a top interpreter George, who worked for senior leaders who participated in peace talks. BBC Correspondent also said that the surrender of two leaders is a major setback for the LTTE leadership, which always insisted that cadres should commit suicide by swallowing cyanide capsules rather than be captured. The army says that Daya Master and George surrendered at Puthumathalan on Wednesday in the company of fleeing civilians. Over 100,000 civilians crossed over to government controlled areas earlier this week. Sri Lankan military spokesman Brig Udaya Nanayakkara said Daya Master was the most senior rebel official to surrender so far. Analysts are of the view that many senior LTTE cadres would follow suit and surrender rather than committing suicide or die in the battle field (Asian Tribune). It's your choice..... Surrender to Sri Lanka Army or swallow the bitter "Cyanide" capsule. The Sri Lankan boatpeople are either “fleeing Tamil Tiger terrorists” or economic refugees - By Malin Abeyatunge, Melbourne, Australia -  - The Age (22/4/09) reported that another boatload of 32 Sri Lankan asylum seekers has been intercepted and are being taken to Christmas Island for processing. If they are Tamil political asylum seekers, they should be LTTE terrorists fleeing to avoid current army operations. They may have a history of committing murders and mayhem to innocent civilians and the Australian Government should be mindful. If they are economic refugees seeking greener pastures, they will definitely use the hackneyed excuse used by many asylum seekers in the past that they are being subjected to harassment by the Sri Lankan Government. These boat people can’t be definitely from the North where current operations are carried out as the images in the electronic media show that among the belongings the fleeing Tamil civilians were carrying had basic things like worn clothes, pillows, sleeping mats etc which they may not be able to buy new. Then, these 32 asylum seekers who could afford to pay big dollars to illegal smugglers cannot be from the North or East but from the South. Ironically, most of the refugees take the next available flight to Sri Lanka no sooner they get the Visa to stay. The immigration officials should investigate each individual thoroughly as to the area they come from, whether they have marks of afflicted wounds, gun shots which will prove that they were once Tamil Tiger terrorists. One thing for sure, no Sinhalese person can give any excuse to seek asylum for any reason. There are NGOs, LTTE activists who work with some politicians and Christian Churches in Australia to give currency to the refugee claims and the Government should be mindful not to be influenced or carried away by their made up pathetic tales. Prabhakaran and Pottu Amman better captured dead than alive - By Malin Abeyatunge, Melbourne, Australia - Prabhakaran’s “Mythical Eelam” has already vanished into thin air. LTTE who illegally held almost 15,000 sq.kms is now left with no inch of land. Yet the International Tamil Terrorist Diaspora (ITTD) in UK, USA, France, Denmark, Australia and in many other European countries continues with demos and rallies attempting to give the last dose of oxygen to LTTE. Why and what for? Some idiots have sacrificed their precious lives by self immolation in support of megalomaniac Prabhakaran. In the midst of that, you find fake hunger strikers in UK and Australia to save Prabhakaran. Whilst these planned actions are going on, pro LTTE groups (ITTD) in UK, Canada, Norway, Tamil Nadu and Malaysia may be burning midnight oil in scheming plans to rescue Prabhakaran and Pottu Amman to a safer place. I will not be surprised if such attempts would carry the blessings of some misguided politicians in UK, Norway and Tamil Nadu and Australia. The defeat of LTTE is now imminent and the death of Prabhakaran and Pottu Amman are also imminent unless they surrender. One thing I can bet on is that Prabhakaran and Pottu Amman will never bite the cyanide capsule, if captured because they love their life albeit Prabhakran has taken oath from his LTTE cadres not to surrender to the enemy (Govt. forces) but bite the cyanide capsule (Read full letter). Text of a Talk by Dr. Asoka Bandarage,  author, “The Separatist Conflict in Sri Lanka, Terrorism, Ethnicity, Political Economy”  (Routledge, 2009) given  at a Forum on Sri Lanka sponsored by Comparative and Regional Studies, School for International Service, American University and The Serendipity Group (Independent organization interested in Sri Lankan history, culture and current affairs), on April 16, 2009 at American University, Washington D.C.  - The Sri Lankan conflict, like many other political conflicts around the world, is interpreted from a very limited bi-polar perspective as a primordial ethnic conflict between two groups. In the Sri Lankan case, it is seen as a Sinhala versus Tamil conflict: Sinhala majority as oppressor and Tamil minority as victim. Accordingly, it is argued that Sinhala government discrimination against Tamils gave rise to Tamil resistance, separatism and LTTE terrorism.  LTTE’s record of suicide bombing, forcible child recruitment, assassination of political leaders, killing of journalists and dissidents, narcotics trading and other illegal activities is well known.  However, even those governments that have banned the LTTE as one, if not the most sophisticated terrorist organization in the world, still subscribe to the limited interpretation of the Sri Lankan conflict as an ethnic conflict and support ethnically based solutions, be it outright separatism or extensive political devolution in favor of Tamils. The deeply entrenched dualistic ethnic perspective is clearly evident in the interpretation of the current military confrontation between the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE.  Right now, some 70 to 100,000 helpless Tamil civilians are trapped in a less than 20 square mile No Fire Zone in northeastern Sri Lanka. The LTTE is forcibly holding these civilians from leaving the NFZ and even firing at those who are trying to escape to the government held areas. The international community – politicians, media, NGOs - influenced by the Tamil Diaspora is interpreting the situation from the narrow ethnic perspective as a case of Sinhala government ‘genocide’ against the Tamil minority. The deeply held ethnic analysis is preventing many in the international community from seeing the LTTE’s destruction, if not ‘genocide’ of the Tamil community and the fact that Tamils, like Sinhalese and Muslims are living in relative safety in the 98% of island’s territory under government control (read full in SPUR). You tried to nail Sri Lanka again - By Asoka Weerasinghe,  Canada  - Jim Karygiannis Liberal MP for Scarborough-Agincourt, House of Commons, Ottawa - Dear Jim: Today you amazed me once again, and the hate for Sri Lanka radiated all around your head like some East European iconic halo, when you got up in the House and presented your case as a Point of Order for a second Emergency Debate on Sri Lanka. I was glad to hear the bellow from your Parliamentary colleagues when they said “Nay” when asked by the Speaker whether they would agree for such a debate. And Sri Lanka won another round against Jim Karygiannis, the ever trying Canadian Parliamentary Godfather of the Tamil Tigers. Was it round 15? I have lost count. I suspect that your colleagues didn’t want to reduce the House to another ‘Hoax Theatre of Tamil Tiger Blarney” and watch you get on your high horse prop and repeat your script, “When is the government going to rise and say that if Sri Lanka does not change its ways it is going be kicked out of the Commonwealth?” That was the moment of your height of arrogance during the last Emergency Debate against my Motherland that I resented (Full report in LankaWeb). Since Monday : Over 100,000 civilians freed Total influx from Tiger zone 170,000 - The Security Forces engaged in the largest ever hostage rescue mission in the No Fire Zone are not using heavy arms to retaliate to LTTE attacks. Over 100,000 civilians had been rescued by the Security Forces since last Monday. Addressing the media yesterday at the MCNS, Military Spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said after closely monitoring the LTTE activities and civilian movements in the NFZ, troops entered the NFZ crushing the LTTE’s last earth bund on Monday to rescue trapped civilians. Troops engaged in the biggest hostage rescue operation are making significant progress to liberate the entire NFZ. However, he said that troops are using small arms to confront pockets of LTTE terrorists using heavy weapons targeting the Security Forces. “We have to use small arms for the safety of civilians,” he added. Around 170,000 civilians have so far sought protection with the Security Forces. He further said that over 3,000 LTTE cadres had surrendered since January 2009. The 58 Division which completed capturing the Northern part of NFZ, shifted their operations to the south of the NFZ by yesterday morning to rescue the rest of the civilians forcefully kept at gun point as a human shield by the LTTE. The 58 Division captured, six km stretch of NFZ in the Nothern part joining up with the 55 Division which was operating in the North of Puthumattalan by 7 am yesterday. Another 11 km stretch of land is to be captured from the LTTE and rescue the remaining civilians taken hostage by Tigers. Whilst the 58 Division commenced the operations towards the South, the LTTE cadres armed with wooden poles and fire arms were seen pushing the civilians towards further south of the NFZ, UAV (Unmanned Areal Vehicle) visuals clearly showed the LTTE cadres trying to prevent civilians from leaving the area and pushing them towards the location the LTTE is having their hideouts and heavy weapons. According to military officials more than 10,000 civilians are yet to be rescued from the LTTE grip. They have announced the civilians to use the A35 road as their escape route to military controlled area. Even by yesterday, thousands of civilians were waiting to enter military controlled area in Puthumattalan and Ampalawanpokkanai (Full report in Daily News). Tigers in sheep's clothing - Two LTTE propagandists surrendered to the army yesterday. They are known as Daya Master and George Master––a former schoolmaster and a retired postmaster respectively. Interestingly, Daya Master, a one-time LTTE spokesman, was rushed with a police escort to Colombo for treatment during the UNF government, which earned notoriety for its shameless appeasement of the LTTE. Six or seven years on, the LTTE has collapsed like a ton of bricks under military pressure and key Tiger cadres are surrendering or perishing in their numbers––a feat that many thought was impossible until about two years ago. Is any more proof needed that appeasement does not pay in tackling terrorism? What successive governments had been doing until 2006 was to try to cure a malignancy with mere placebos. Some governments tried their hand at surgical operations, but half-heartedly as well as haphazardly and therefore ineffectively. The present government for want of a better alternative opted for a life-saving surgery after initial dithering and its effort has manifestly paid dividends (Full Editorial in Island). If Prabhakaran and men don’t surrender they’ll be wiped out : Keheliya - Defence Spokesman and Minister Keheliya Rambukwella on Monday said that the government had issued an ultimatum to LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran and the remaining Tiger cadres to lay down arms and surrender within the next 24 hours from Monday noon or face the consequences. Rambukwella said the remaining Tigers, including their leader had not heeded the warnings issued by the government in the recent past to surrender and as a result a number of key members of the LTTE were killed in clashes with the troops a couple weeks ago. "The remaining Tigers will face the same fate as their slain leaders if they don’t surrender and they will be wiped out by the in time," Rambukwella added. The beleaguered Tiger leaders were taking refuge behind the civilians since they knew that their days were numbered, the minister said. The LTTE was making a vain attempt to stop the civilians crossing to the government controlled areas from the Safe Zone. On Monday three Tiger suicide cadres blasted themselves in this area killing 17 innocent civilians including women and children. But the civilians were undeterred and over 35,000 displaced people moved to the safety of the government controlled areas on Monday, Rambukwella pointed out (Full report in Island). Prabhakaran spurned chances for pardon - President The LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran has spurned the possibility of pardon by us. In doing so, by not giving up arms and surrendering as required, he must now face the consequences of his acts, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees today (April 22). In keeping with the traditions of Buddhism, the government was ready to pardon those ready to change their ways to a better path. It has shown such clemency to Karuna Amman and Pillaiyan, who had been rehabilitated in democracy, and are now a minister and chief minister respectively. Such clemency would have been possible for Prabhakaran if he had surrendered, given up arms and abandoned violence, as called for on several occasions, and not caused so much suffering to the people, the President said. He added that the Security Forces had now advanced further into LTTE held area, confining them to just 8 sq. km. More Tami civilians were coming to the safety of government held areas. It was clear the LTTE could not hold out for much longer. The President was addressing a group of nearly 3000 persons from the Kalutara District who have changed allegiance to the UPFA from the UNP (Sri Lanka Defence Ministry). French envoy expected to be summoned over Kouchner’s claim Some escapees are drowning – France No truth in the claim – Lankan military - A spokesman for the 58 Division, which conducted Monday’s operation to rescue civilians, said the army could vouch for the fact that not a single civilians had drowned. He said some civilians had died in attacks the LTTE carried out by using suicide bombers, small fire arms and heavy guns. Speculation in diplomatic circles in Colombo last night was that the Foreign Ministry would summon the French Ambassador in Colombo and express Sri Lanka’s ‘grave concern’ over Kouchner’s statement (Full report in Island). Prabhakaran spurned chances for pardon - President President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday said that LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran had spurned the possibility of pardon by the government. In doing so, by not giving up arms and surrendering as demanded, he must now face the consequences, the President told a gathering at Temple Trees yesterday.. In keeping with the traditions of Buddhism, the government was ready to pardon those ready to change their ways to a better path. It has shown such clemency to Karuna Amman and Pillaiyan, who had been rehabilitated in democracy and were now a minister and chief minister respectively. Such clemency would have been possible for Prabhakaran if he had surrendered, given up arms and abandoned violence, as called for on several occasions, and not caused so much suffering to the people, the President said. He added that the Security Forces had now advanced further into LTTE held area, confining them to just 8 sq. km. More Tami civilians were coming to the safety of government held areas. It was clear the LTTE could not hold out much longer. The President was addressing a group of nearly 3000 persons from the Kalutara District who had changed allegiance to the UPFA from the UNP (Full report in Island). Open letter to US ambassador - As an expatriate Sri Lankan, I have been closely monitoring the developments in Sri Lanka and the support she has received from friendly nations like the US which has been a strong supporter of Sri Lanka’s war on terror for some time now. However, I am a bit puzzled and confused at the recent statements, policies and news about the position that the US is now taking towards Sri Lanka’s efforts to capture one of the most notorious criminals in the world’s history – Velupillai Piribaharan who probably ranks higher compared to those like Adolf Hitler and Pol Pot. My personal view is that Osama Bihn Laden is a mere cowboy compared to Piribaharan who has not only killed hundreds of thousands of innocent Sri Lankans, almost all the democratic Tamil politicians but also has set up a powerful international organization conducting illegal activities such as drug smuggling, money laundering, human trafficking and credit card fraud. As you well know, these activities are taking place as we speak in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, Western European countries (Full letter in Island). Air Force assists in hostage rescue mission - Air Force spokesman Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said the Air Force has contributed to the largest hostage rescue mission by using its close surveillance and air transport. Addressing the media yesterday at the MCNS , Wing Commander Nanayakkara said that the Air Force has airlifted over 238 sick and wounded civilians from the NFZ to the Anuradhapura hospital in their hostage rescue mission. He said the Air Force supported in the hostage rescue operation by providing close surveillance of LTTE activities and civilian movement in the NFZ, as well as air transport. Wing Commander Nanayakkara noted that 20,000 packets of dried food items were being airlifted from Anuradhapura to Killinochchi daily. Another 6,000 cooked meal packets were dispatched yesterday by MI-17 helicoptors from Colombo to Killinochchi on the direction of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Air Force Commander Air Marshal Roshan Goonatilake. Navy spokesman Commander Mahesh Karunaratne said around 6,000 civilians escaping the LTTE were rescued by naval troops. “Special arrangements have been made to treat and provide essential at two naval points in Point Pedro and Pulmodai upon the arrival of displaced civilians,” he added. He observed that naval troops were facing obstacles and difficulties in rescuing civilians who are coming by sea, though LTTE suicide cadres were coming posing as civilians. A special naval vessel has been deployed to identify LTTE suicide cadres”, he added. Meanwhile, he said civilians are taking a risk to reach the safe area by taking the sea passage. They have to spend at least seven hours to reach the shore.Commander Karunaratne pointed out that throughout the humanitarian mission, the Navy has kept in place special arrangements to assist civilians fleeing the LTTE. Naval personnel and vessels along with stand-by rescue and medical teams have been on special deployment for this humanitarian assistance mission in the North-eastern seas (Daily News). The end of the tunnel - The truth is now coming to the surface. The tigers were never interested in talks or negotiations. On several occasions, Thamil Chelvan, the late political head of the LTTE, threatened to withdraw from the CFA (never honoured by LTTE) signed with the govt. of Sri Lanka. The LTTE was too confident about its military capability and an eventual victory. It wanted to go to war soon. This is why LTTE leaders ignored all international efforts to work with the GOSL to bring about a solution. The LTTE’s discussions with the GOSL lacked sincerity. Every sitting for "peace talks" ended only with new conditions from the Tigers. The Government of Sri Lanka has by now fulfilled many conditions including the opening of the A9 route to Jaffna! This country can have only one military command. The determination of all Sri Lankans is strong that the country cannot be separated in to parts as historically, it has been one single country. Our Tamil brothers and sisters of Sri Lanka and also those of other ethnic identities always wished to live in harmony with others. The tiger-friendly Tamil Diaspora must therefore stop trying to use innocent Tamils living in Sri Lanka as a cat’s paw to realize their Utopian dreamland of Eelam. There is only one thing that can happen now. The LTTE should allow civilians to move to safety. The remaining fighters can give up arms. Then the Government and the people of Sri Lanka will immediately get down to the task of delivering justice. We all know that the world is watching. LTTE activists should accept an amnesty and the hand of goodwill and come back into civil society forgetting the bitter past. Before long, the political solution will start emerging within a united Sri Lanka (Island). China backs Lankan fight against LTTE - China on Tuesday came out in support of the Sri Lankan Government's efforts to wipe out the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and apprehend its leader V. Prabhakaran. It also backed the decision of the Nepal's Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Prachanda, to induct Maoist forces in the country's army. "Both Nepal and Sri Lanka are friendly to China. We support the efforts of their governments to safeguard national integrity while ensuring security and political stability", Jiang Yu, spokeswoman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry told a press briefing. She was responding to a question about the end of the 24-hour deadline for surrender given to Prabhakaran by Government. The statement comes at a time when relationship between China and Nepal has become stronger than ever before. China recently promised to enhance its annual assistance to Nepal by 50 percent to 150 million yuan ($23 million). It is also considering investing in hydropower projects in the Himalayan kingdom bordering India (Daily News). Northern people free of Prabhakaran's tyranny - President - The period where people of the North were under the tyranny of blood thirsty Prabhakaran was now over and our war heroes would not have sacrificed so many lives in wiping out terrorism if some of our own leaders did not strengthen the LTTE indirectly said President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The President said this at a meeting attended by students and officials of vocational training centres under the purview of the Vocational and Technical Training Ministry held at Temple Trees. The President said while the Opposition Leader was counting his fingers and waiting for a useless debate with him in a five-star hotel he (the President) was engaged in brass tacks attending to the needs of the innocent people fleeing terrorist clutches. This itself enabled the people to feel the difference between the Government and the Opposition. The President who noted the vital contribution youth in the Vocational and Technical Training sector could make in winning the development war launched in the country said there was a great demand for technical sector jobs here and abroad. He said Libya has promised to provide 100,000 job opportunities for Sri Lankans this year. The President who said that certain interested parties were globe trotting to block foreign aid flowing into the country added that their action was tantamount to a betrayal of the nation. Noting that the Government had done its best to develop the Education, Health and other sectors said International agencies extended loan facilities to our country because we had the capability to repay those loans. The President said people would become shareholders of the battle to save the nation by endorsing the Government's program of work at the forthcoming elections (Full report in Daily News). Defence Secretary meets relatives of fallen war heroes in Kuruvita - A meeting was held recently between Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and close relatives of fallen war heroes and those missing in action in the humanitarian missions since Mavilaru and the office-bearers of the Seva Vanitha Unit of the Defence Ministry. They discussed the problems of the families of war heroes at a discussion held at the Gemunu Regiment Headquarters in Kuruvita on April 17. A widow who participated in the discussion expressed her ideas to the Defence Secretary. "She said she lost her husband Major ADMD Udaya Kumara on January 31, 2009 while engaged in the Mullaitivu operation, leaving her and one and half years old son. I am proud to be the wife of such a heroic soldier. "He made the supreme sacrifice for the sake of the nation and motherland. After I came here to attend this meeting, I felt a great courage and strength because I feel we have not been forgotten. I came here with a sense of grief. But it was heartening to hear that the well-wishers will look after us in the future. I feel we are not isolated and ignored. "On behalf of the grieving families, I am grateful the Defence Secretary and the office-bearers of Seva Vanitha Unit of the Defence Ministry and the officers of Ranaviru Seva Authority," she said. Chairperson of the Seva Vanitha Unit of the Defence, Public Security, Law and Order Ministry Ayoma Rajapaksa, Ranaviru Seva Authority Chairman Major General Palitha Fernando, Defence Ministry Additional Secretary Willie Gamage, Additional Secretary B.K.U.A.Wickramasinghe, Ratnapura District Secretary W.Gunadasa and Senior officers of the three Armed Forces participated in this event organised by the Ranaviru Seva Authority (Daily News). Prabhakaran’s Escape - by L. Jayasooriya - The GOSL is well advised to pay attention to the warning sounded by Wimal Weerawansa about his suspicions with regard to the unauthorized presence of ICRC vehicles in the "no-fire" zone. Mr. Woods of the State Department has stated that he is in constant touch with Robert Blake. Put the two together and see what you can make out of it. Now Mr. Woods has threatened to involve many more nations to get the GOSL to accept observers to make sure that the needs of the IDPs are adequately looked after. Who knows whether Prabakaran could be taken in the boot of one of their vehicles and released to the jungle from where he will meet the ICRC at a designated spot?. I hope the GOSL will not mess the whole thing up at the last moment by permitting any son or a woman of any woman or a canine to visit the area under question. It is obvious that their intention is to carry out a plan to rescue Prabhakaran (Asian Tribune). Hunger strikers should have first demanded Prabhakaran to let the people go - The Sri Lankan Anura RajakarunaHigh Commissioner in South Africa Mr. Anura Rajakaruna giving an interview to Lotus FM radio in Durban said that what the LTTE hunger strikers are trying to highlight is not the plight of the trapped civilians but the demands of the LTTE. He also pointed out that the former TNA MP M.K. Elaventhan launched a hunger strike on 09th April at the "Mariamman Temple" in Durban. He has staged this hunger strike at this temple apparently hoping to attract the attention of the devotees who came to the temple for the annual festival. With the ending of the annual festival and realizing that no more attention could be gained, we now understand, Mr. Elaventhan has quietly given up his much publicized hunger strike. Given below excerpts of the interview Lotus FM had with Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in South Africa, Anura Rajakaruna , which was broadcast on 18th April (Full report in Asian Tribune). Malaysia to help Lanka monitor LTTE networks -  Malaysia has reacted positively to ways and means of countering the LTTE network, reportedly operating in the country, Foreign Secretary Dr. Palitha Kohona told the Daily Mirror yesterday. He said this assurance was given following talks between him and senior Malaysian government officials in Kuala Lampur earlier this week. When questioned whether the LTTE’s main arms procurer K. Padmanadhan commonly called KP was in Malaysia, Dr. Kohona said that discussions had been held to that effect but due to the sensitiveness of the subject, he could not divulge any details. Dr. Kohona however added that both countries had discussed about the LTTE’s network in South East Asia and the government along with the Malaysian authorities would monitor the issue. “I cannot divulge further information since it is a very sensitive issue. However, discussions were held about the LTTE’s network in Malaysia and both countries will look into ways and means of countering this network,” Dr. Kohona said. Malaysia, earlier this year was put on red alert for the possibility of LTTE Chief Velupillai Prabhakaran fleeing there with his senior cadres and son, Charles Anthony due to the Tigers’ defeat in the north. Malaysia had even put up ‘Wanted’ posters of the Tiger Chief along its coastal areas in a bid to nab him if he attempted to enter the country. LTTE’s main arms procurer KP, was known to have travelled to the South East Asian region, including Malaysia under several passport names and was likely to be in Southern Thailand or Malaysia, international media reports said. Besides Malaysia, the LTTE had networks in Australia, New Zealand, the European Union, Canada and the US and they collect up to US$300 million a year from contributors as well as illegal activities and the money was used for purchasing weapons in the black market, propaganda or bribing officials, reports said (Daily Mirror). Welfare centres opened in Mannar for IDPs -  With the influx of civilians into the liberated areas, the government has decided to send 30,000 displaced persons to Mannar from Vavuniya to be accommodated at welfare centres, Government Agent of Vavuniya Ms. P.S.M. Charles said yesterday. So far more than 100,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) have arrived in Vavuniya and another batch of 50,000 are expected to arrive in the area, she said. Mrs. Charles said that the government had arranged facilities for the new IDPs at the welfare villages and transit camps set up in Vavuniya. Mannar Government Agent Nicholas Pillai said that he would conduct a meeting today to do the initial work for the accommodation of these civilians in his area. Meanwhile, a team of government ministers and officials visited Vavuniya and Omanthai yesterday to identify the problems confronting the displaced civilians, and take measures to address them. Disaster Relief Services Minister Amir Ali said that the government had no financial problem in addressing the needs of these people. “These people requested us to send them water bottles and packets of biscuits. So, we immediately sent 25,000 biscuit packets and an equal number of water bottles to be distributed among them,” he said. He said that these people were happy about being able to flee the LTTE clutches at any cost. “The government has also sent buses to transport these civilians from Omanthai to Vavuniya. People even wanted to us to put up some co-operative shops at the welfare camps so that they can purchase their needs. Yet, all the people do not have money at this time. So, we will not do it. We will provide whatever they need free of charge,” he said (Daily Mirror). PLOTE congratulates Govt. for successfully releasing civilians - Leader of People’s Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE) Dharmalingam Sitharthan while congratulating the government yesterday for successfully releasing thousands of civilians held hostage by the LTTE requested the President to resettle these people in their homes and villages at the earliest possible to help them restart their lives in freedom after a long period of time. In a letter to President Mahinda Rajapaksa he said: “It is with a sense of relief we heard that, under your leadership the armed forces are now in the process of successfully releasing thousands of hostages held by the LTTE within the ‘Safe Zone.’ “The aerial photographs released on Tuesday shows thousands of hostages ranging from babies in arms to old men and women emerging from the “Safe Zone” like a river of humanity, was heart rending and at the same time heart warming as seen in the smiles of relief when they finally reached safety.“On behalf of People’s Liberation Organization of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE) I wish to; 1. Congratulate you and the military, who under your leadership were able to liberate the thousands of captive Tamils being held by the LTTE, and accomplishing a mission which military experts, the world over thought was not possible 2. Suggest, though presently all religious and lay persons are housed in the same compound, providing separate enclosure for all religious dignitaries. This is especially important in the case of Hindu priests for a number of reasons. Hindu priests and their families are not expected to eat meals cooked by persons outside of their own family circle. If these priests are given their own cooking facilities they will he able to cook their own food. 3. I have confidence that, even though there are certain short comings at the IDP camps you will ensure that these unfortunate people will be given the best care possible in these circumstances. “We understand providing medical, food and other facilities to over a hundred thousand displaced people who have lost everything except their lives, is an enormous task. While appreciating the enormity of this undertaking, I suggest resettling these people in their homes and villages at the earliest possible time, is the only way to help them restart their lives in freedom after a long period of time.” (Daily Mirror). Arrangements made to accommodate civilians - Elaborate arrangements are now under way to accommodate swelling numbers of rescued “No Fire Zone” civilians now reaching cleared areas with the coordination of the Ministry of Resettlement and Rehabilitation, security forces and selected state and private sector agencies, the army said. Mr. M. Haldeen, Secretary to the Ministry of Resettlement and Rehabilitation who was in Vavuniya was quoted by the army as saying that more than 700 acres in Parayanakulam area have been already earmarked for another new relief village with a view to housing displaced civilians being brought to Vavuniya by the Army in case available locations found inadequate and congested. Meanwhile, Ministry of Health said the number of IDPs so far hospitalized for medical treatment outside Vanni has gone up to three thousand six hundred and sixty eight (3668) as of Tuesday (21) midnight. They are being treated for injuries due to LTTE firing, explosions or otherwise when fleeing. The Vavuniya government hospital treats one thousand two hundred and fifty seven (1257), the highest number. Nine hundred and thirty five (935) remain warded in the Mannar dstrict hospital. Five hundred and twenty receive treatment in the Base Hospital at Cheddikulam. Another five hundred and eighteen (518) continue to receive treatment in the Poovarasakulam district hospital. A total of three hundred and nineteen (319) undergo medical treatment in the Padaviya Base Hospital. One hundred and nineteen (119) more receive treatment in Pampaimadu Ayurvedic Hospital as of Tuesday (21) midnight, according to statistics maintained by Ministry of Health (Daily Mirror). Retribution will come for Prabhakaran - UNP Chairman - UNP Chairman Gamini Jayawickrama Perera MP told Parliament on Wednesday that the LTTE Leader Prabhakaran has faced the present fate of retribution due to measures taken by him to kill a large number of UNP leaders and his action to defeat UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe at the 2005 Presidential Election. He said the UNP Leader was denied the Presidency as the LTTE Leader ordered the Tamil people to boycott of the elections held in the areas which were under the control of the LTTE at that time. The MP said even the Karuna faction could break away with 6000 cadres from the LTTE as a result of the Ceasefire Agreement signed by the UNP. Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga also faced to same fate owing to corruption and frauds during her regime. Retribution awaits wrong-doers and they will be punished even in their death-beds," he said. The MP was speaking in Parliament on Wednesday during the debate on the Nation Building (Amendment) Bill and the Local Authorities(Special Provisions) Amendment Bill (Daily News). Arrest TNA MPs - Weerawansa - National Freedom Front Leader Wimal Weerawansa MP, yesterday requested the Government to arrest Parliamentarians Mano Ganeshan, R. Sambandan and TNA MPs who had supported the cause of Eelam when they addressed the last Mahaveer Day celebrations of the LTTE held in the Vanni. He also requested the Defence Ministry to closely monitor the activities of the Red Cross alleging that this organisation was trying to throw a life line to the LTTE leadership cornered by the Security Forces and breathing their last. Weerawansa made this request addressing a press conference held at the party headquarters in Battaramulla yesterday. Weerawansa said when India and other countries had implemented their laws and sent people who supported LTTE terrorists cause to jail there is no reason why Sri Lanka should not act against their own politician who supported terrorism and separatism. True peace cannot be ushered by merely defeating Prabhakaran and the LTTE unless those who supported separatism were also defeated. Weerawansa said the large number of vehicles and other assets of the Red Cross found in the Vanni led to suspicions about the genuiness of its activities in the Vanni. He said the LTTE had today come to the end of its tether due to the correct decision taken by the people in 2005. He said the US Ambassador who requested for a further extension of the humanitarian pause in the battlefront had withdrawn his request after seeing the recent exodus of nearly 100,000 civilians from the clutches of LTTE in the safe zone. He said people should now rally round to help the innocent civilians who had escaped from LTTE tyranny in large numbers (Daily News). Rescue operation: PLOTE thanks President The PLOTE yesterday lauded President Mahinda Rajapaksa on his leadership that ensured the liberation on civilians held captive by the LTTE and also the military for accomplishing a mission which military experts in the world thought was not possible. Writing to President Rajapaksa, Head of the PLOTE and DPLF Dharmalingam Sithadhan said "it is with a sense of relief that we heard that under your leadership the Armed Forces are now in the process of successfully releasing thousands of hostages held by the LTTE within the "Safe Zone". The PLOTE Chief among other things has asked the President to separate all lay persons from the religious who are housed in the same compound adding this was specially important in the case of Hindu priests. They(the Hindu) priests and their families are not expected to eat meals cooked by persons outside their own family circle. "If these priests are given their own cooking facilities they will be able to cook their own food," the letter notes. I have confidence that, even though there are certain short-comings at the IDP camps, you will ensure these unfortunate people will be given the best care possible in these circumstances. "We understand providing medical, food and other facilities to over a hundred thousand displaced people who have lost everything except their lives, is an enormous task. While appreciating the enormity of this undertaking, I suggest resettling these people in their homes and villages at the earliest possible time, is the only way to help them restart their lives in freedom after a long period of time", the letter adds (Daily News). Saving civilians from Tigers and Crocodile Tears - The last week has seen what amount to pleas to save the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam reach hysterical levels. Whilst much of this was couched initially in language suggesting concern not for the Tigers, but for the civilians trapped by the Tigers, gradually the mask slipped, and the true colours of the interventionists showed themselves. The picture became clear when the Sri Lankan Government granted a humanitarian pause which had been argued for on the grounds that this was essential for the captive civilians to escape. There was no actual argument for this, since a pause is needed when something has to be stopped, and there was no need to stop the Sri Lankan forces from firing on civilians fleeing to refuge amongst them. They had never even started this, and in the entire history previously of 65,000 finding their way to safety with the government, there was not a single allegation even of harm coming to them from our forces, even by accident. All the shooting and killing of these escapees was by the LTTE and therefore the plea to stop firing should have been made to them. But no, ulterior motives held sway here, and so the call had to be to the government. And then, when the government obliged, the hidden motives became clear. Instead of concerted pleas to the LTTE to honour the pause and let their captives free, immediately the cry was that the pause was not long enough, and that it had to be extended. Mr. Miliband, with his hockey sticks attitude to life, even went on and on about a ceasefire, as was demanded by the motley crew of Tiger sympathizers who seem to have taken over the soul of the Labour Party (Full report in Daily News). Is LTTE the Sole Representatives of Tamils? Here is your search engine. Please type the key words (ex: LTTE, Child soldiers, etc) and then press search   A list of atrocities committed by the LTTE on Tamils, whom the LTTE say have to be "liberated" (A list of atrocities committed by the LTTE on Tamils, whom the LTTE say have to be "liberated" (from May 2002 to September 2003) SPUR News Archives             SPUR Search Engine News on LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists, Suicide Bombers, Child Soldiers, Human Smuggling, Weapon Smuggling, Ethnic Cleansing..... Disclaimer: Comments, views and opinions contained in this website are personal reflections only and do not necessarily reflect the views of SPUR Online in Australia. SPUR Online in Australia offers the contents of this website without charge, but does not necessarily endorse the views and opinions expressed within. 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