News Archive

Tamils Praise Govt Efforts to Rehab LTTE Cadres, Pledge Support

THE government yesterday received accolades from a section of the business community for going ahead with the challenging task of rehabilitating captured LTTE cadres in the immediate aftermath of the final battlefield victory over the LTTE in May. Contrary to fears expressed in some quarters, including the Tamil Diaspora, a major rehabilitation effort is now underway with the support of the international community, Sri Lankan business leaders and the Ceylon Hindu Congress.
Artillery Regiment Seva Vanitha Offers Scholarships to Children of War Hero Families

ARTILLERY Seva Vanitha Unit organized a simple ceremony to offer scholarships to the children of War Heroes who sacrificed their lives or lost their limbs to protect the country. The ceremony headed by Mrs. Manjulika Jayasuriya, President Seva Vanitha Army Branch (SVAB) was held at the Regimental Centre Auditorium on 14th November morning. The scholarships were received by 21 children of War Hero families while 18 disable War Heroes received commode sets. Further, 4 wheel chairs, 4 crutches and 5 artificial limbs were also distributed among disabled War Heroes. Coordinated by Mrs. Champika Sudasinghe Secretary,
Three Women Para-Troopers Join Their Male Counterparts

THREE women Para-troopers including a lady officer who successfully completed their basic course on Para-troopers for the first time in the history of Sri Lanka Army passed out during the 52nd Basic Parachute Course Passing-out Parade conducted at Sri Lanka Air Force Base in Uhana, Ampara on 4th December 2009. They are Captain M.N.S Vidanage of 4th Battalion of Women’s Corps, Corporal R.A.N Hemanthi of 3rd Battalion and Corporal K.S Kapawala of 04th Battalion of the same Regiment.The course was conducted from 2nd November for one month at Uhana Air Force Base. A total number of 39 including 08 officers and 31 other rankers who successfully completed the 52nd Basic Parachute Course passed out at this passing out parade.
More IDPs Exit Welfare Centres

A total of 5380 Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) went out from the Welfare Centres in Vavuniya to visit their relatives and friends during Friday (4). The report also stated that 2697 of them have returned by evening on the same day. The total number of IDPs went out on Sunday (6) for similar purposes was 7169 and there reported back by the same evening were 4098.
In Post-Independence Sri Lanka: CFA: Greatest Betrayal

THE GREATEST BETRAYAL of the country during the past 60 years was the UNP signing the Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) with the LTTE terrorists equating the terrorists force to the legally constituted Armed Forces when the officers of the Armed Forces were asked to shake hands with terrorists and discuss peace, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said at an interview with the Sri Lanka Rupavahini telecast on Saturday night. While there were 3,000 odd violations of the CFA all that the Armed Forces could do was to look the other way, the Defence Secretary said.
Justice Ministry Initiative: Over 100 AL Qualified Ex-Tigers to Enter University

THE GOVERNMENT will accommodate over 100 detained LTTE cadres, who obtained Advanced Level qualifications during the recently concluded war, at the University of Jaffna. Some of them may enter other universities as well. Contrary to fears expressed in some quarters that youth in government custody would be held for a long period, authorities will now go for an accelerated programme to help detainees resume civilian life. Among them are believed to be members of various branches of the LTTE, including fighting formations.
War Heroes Children Gifted with Swimming Pool & Activity Building

HIS EXCELLENCY, the President Mahinda Rajapaksa, in the company of a galaxy of administrative, defence and service chiefs, War Heroes and parents and kids made the time on Monday (7) morning to declare open the new Swimming Pool and the new Activity Building complex at the Defence Services College (DSC), Malay Street, Colombo 02. The new five-storied building for common facilities was erected by Sri Lanka Army Engineers at a cost of Rs 300 million, offering the same antique colonial look, similar to that of the existing magnificent structures of some 132 years old which had been used as military garrisons during colonial masters.
-œWe Changed Society's Attitudes on War Heroes- - President Mahinda Rajapaksa

HIS EXCELLENCY, the President Mahinda Rajapaksa during his address to the opening ceremony at Defence Services College, Colombo 02 told the gathering that he was exceptionally pleased to have been able to change common attitudes of the public about War Heroes by establishing great institutes like these for the benefit of Ranaviru children. “I recall the memories regarding the poor plight of our War Heroes at that period of time in our society where many people did not have a positive attitude or confidence towards children of War Hero families and we were effectively able to change all of them for the sake of those siblings.
Resettled Farmers Receive Agri Equipment

A CEREMONY, headed by Mr. Basil Rajapaksa (MP), the Senior Advisor to the President was held in Wanni Security Forces Headquarters premises, Vavuniya to distribute agricultural equipment among farmers resettled in the Wanni on 5th December 2009. The equipment and accessories distributed included 7 four-wheel tractors with trailers, two water bowsers, 10 water pumps and a large stock of bicycles and rotating ploughs. They are to be used by those resettled farmers for “Maha” season cultivation in their newly allocated lands for farming.
Army Intelligence Leads to Recovery of T-56 Weapons & Magazines

NORTH & EAST: ARMY troops during their search and clear operations on Monday (7) recovered five hundred and nineteen anti personnel mines, three 60 mm mortar tubes, three 60 mm mortar bipods, three 60 mm mortar base plates, one 81 mm mortar tube, six Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs), five RPG chargers and two hand grenades from the general areas of ODDUSUDDAN, USSAN, IRANAMADU, VISUAMADUKULAM and AKKARAYANKULAM. Meanwhile, Army Intelligence in MANDAVELI in the east recovered two T-56 weapons, six T-56 magazines, two claymore mines, six hand grenades, ten electric detonators and 40 kg of TNT explosives while they had been kept hidden in a structure.