News Archive

UNSG Welcomes Rescue Mission

UNITED NATIONS Secretary General Ban Ki Moon on Monday deplored the use of force by the LTTE in preventing the departure of civilians from the conflict zone. He also deplored the use of heavy weapons in the vicinity of civilians. The Secretary General welcomed the escape by tens of thousands of civilians from the conflict zone over the last three days, urging warring parties to allow the full access of UN staff into the conflict zone to facilitate relief operations and the evacuation of civilians.
INFLUX OF ESCAPED CIVILIANS STANDS AT 77,793

MULLAITTIVU: THE number of displaced civilians who have reached government-controlled north and west of PUTHUMATTALAN and PULMODDAI areas from the ‘No Fire Zone’ seeking protection for their lives has by Wednesday (22) mid-noon gone up to 77,793. Six hundred and twenty two (622) civilians reported to 53 Division troops, four thousand eight hundred and eighty (4880) reported to 55 Division troops, twenty nine thousand six hundred and ninety six (29696) showed up at 58 Division....
LTTE'S MEDIA SPOKESMAN

Flash !

MULLAITTIVU: THE LTTE’s famous Media Co-ordinator, DAYA MASTER and late THAMIL SELVAM’s interpreter, GEORGE along with members of their families surrendered to the Army troops in PUTHUMATHALAN, a few minutes ago after returning to cleared areas in the company of fleeing civilians. Surrender of VELAYUDAM THAYANIDHI alias DAYA MASTER who has been playing a significant role in the LTTE terror outfit as the LTTE Media Spokesman for the last few years came about as a rude shock to the outfit and its expatriates who have been pumping hard currency into the LTTE coffers. Born in KILINOCHCHI on 3rd March 1956, DAYA MASTER was known as a vociferous spokesman for their organization.
TWO MORE LTTE LEADERS GUNNED DOWN

MULLAITTIVU: GROUND reports confirmed two more leading LTTE leaders, identified as KALANDAN and VIJAYAN were also among those killed in another decisive attack, mounted by the troops on two more LTTE cabs, proceeding ahead of the Army’s new Defence Line inside the PUTHUMATTALAN “No Fire Zone” Tuesday (21) late evening. During subsequent clearing operations conducted after the troops established positions in the area, two micro pistols along with dead terrorists were found.
CIVILIAN FLOW EXCEEDS 100,000 FIGURE

Flash !

COLOMBO: THE civilian exodus from the “No Fire Zone” in PUTHUMATTALAN into government-held areas crossed the figure 100,000 (one hundred thousand) at about 3.00 p.m. on Wednesday (22) after the flow started early Monday (20) morning, the Army Headquarters declared.
People in 56 Division Area Receive New Year Gifts from Army

56 DIVISION troops showed their concern on the poor living in Karapainchakulama, Saintsolai, Karthasinnakulam and Annanagar villages in Vavuniya and gave away gift parcels to over 507 families on account of the Sinhala and Hindu New Year. The distribution took place on 10th and 11th of April 2009. Those gift parcels were sponsored by the Loadstar Company. Each parcel contained one sarong, 1 kg sugar, 1 kg dhal, one packet of milk powder, one packet of tea and one tin of canned fish.
INJURED & SICK ON BOATS REACH PULMODDAI

TRINCOMALEE: AS thousand of trapped civilians are continuing to find their way to Security Forces-held areas for safety across the lagoon, some more have resorted to escape using risky seas. They left PUTHUMATTALAN crossing the lagoon and reached the Naval troops in PULMODDAI this afternoon (22). The group included thirty three girls, thirty two boys, ninety one women and seventy eight men on eleven boats.
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.
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".
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.