News Archive

KARUNA TELLS REMAINING LTTE CADRES TO SURRENDER

NATIONAL Integration Minister Vinayagamurthy Muralitharan alias Karuna Amman yesterday warned the government would not be responsible for the lives of LTTE cadres who were holed up in the jungles in the East unless they surrendered immediately. He said there were only about 60 cadres left in the East now, and of them seven had already surrendered to the military through him. “They are afraid to surrender. The military has requested them to come out now. This is the right time to surrender.
Conducive Social Environment Necessary to end Separatism

A LASTING solution can be found for separatism by creating a social environment where every Sri Lankan could lead a dignified life, says Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. Reasons for ethnic disharmony should be identified and solutions found for them to prevent separatism raising head once again he said in an interview with a television channel on Sunday, May 24. Excerpts from the interview: Q. During a previous interview you promised to defeat terrorism completely and teach the LTTE a bitter lesson. How do you feel now that the LTTE has been defeated? A. I am extremely happy to have been able to wipe out terrorism which had been a major problem for the last 30 years. Considering the lives and property lost, it is a pleasure to have freed the nation.
'US not Blocking IMF Loan Facility to Sri Lanka'

VISITING Democratic US Congressman Heath Shuler, yesterday claimed that his country was not blocking Sri Lanka’s attempt to secure a US$ 1.9 billion IMF loan. Schuler, when asked at press conference in Colombo as to why his country had applied pressure on the IMF to refuse Sri Lanka’s request for a standby facility, said "the US is not blocking the IMF’s loan to Sri Lanka." Questioned about US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton’s statement that the "time was not proper for IMF assistance to Sri Lanka", he replied "that is not the message I am getting. One has to separate economics from politics."
Tiger Infiltrators Killed; Dead Bodies & Weapons Recovered

EAST: ARMY troops now tracing the hideouts of Tiger terrorists who have infiltrated into jungle areas in the East attacked and killed eleven Tigers hiding in KALAVANCHIKUDI, BATTICALOA on Wednesday (27) morning. Subsequent to the attack by Army Commandos, the search and clear operations conducted in the area to recover eleven dead bodies of LTTE terrorists, five T-56 weapons, twenty claymore mines weighing about 15 kg each, two hand grenades, three anti personnel mines and a stock of medical items.
Senior LTTE Terrorist Surrenders

EAST: LTTE team leader of TRINCOMALEE south, SHANKER surrendered to the Army at KALLAR on Saturday (30) afternoon. Later, he was handed over to the Police for further investigations.
Unique Character of Our Troops

THEIR road to victory was never a bed of roses. Totally defeating the entire Army of terrorists, true sons of the motherland proved their strength to the entire world. They were the smartest. For the Army this achievement was a massive team work. For them no one would have survived if not for the other. For them living and surviving is nothing but a miracle. Breaking the heavy resistance of the ruthless Tiger terrorists, the turning point was the fall of the `No Fire Zone' - the last resort of the LTTE existence.
FM Hails US Government

FOREIGN Minister, Rohitha Bogollagama appreciated the US Government role in stemming illegal fund-raising and money laundering by the LTTE front organisations in the USA.. The Minister was in praise of the US Government when he met US Democratic Party Congressman Heath Shuler last week. Congressman Shuler was on a three-day visit to Sri Lanka. The Foreign Minister however stressed the need for wider support on counter terrorism issues, due to restrictions imposed by the US on Sri Lanka.
Doctorates for President, Defence Secy

THE SENATE of the University of Colombo unanimously resolved that the Degree of Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa) be conferred on President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The Senate has also resolved that the Degree of Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) be conferred on Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. The degrees will be conferred on President Rajapaksa and Gotabhaya Rajapaksa in recognition of their yeoman service to the nation in safeguarding sovereignty, territorial integrity; restoring peace and harmony among all Sri Lankan.....
Govt. Moves to Silence Tamil Diaspora Threat

THE Government has sought the assistance of several countries to combat Tamil Diaspora elements allegedly behind the illegal fund raising for the outlawed LTTE and a spate of violent attacks on Sri Lankan interests abroad, Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said. He said the so-called inner circle made up of criminal elements was raking in an estimated 300 million dollars annually from the Tamil Diaspora and this money in turn funded the separatist war in Sri Lanka and was channelled into various illegal trading ranging from narcotic to arms smuggling.
Massive Stocks of Ammo Recovered

MULLAITTIVU: ARMY troops continued their search and clear operations in the general areas of VELLAMULLIVAIKKAL, PUTUMATTALAN and PUTHUKKUDIYIRIPPU during Saturday (30) and recovered 120kg of C-4 high explosives, one claymore mine weighing about 5 kg, one 9 mm pistol, One hundred and four T-56 weapons, six modified T-56 weapons, twenty-five I-com sets, two I-com base stations, one 152 mm artillery barrel, one 130 mm trail, two tripods, four T-81 weapons, one Light Machine Gun (LMG), six 40 mm grenade launchers,.....