Over 16000 Tamils in Jaffna protest against LTTE terrorism

Tamil civilians in Jaffna today (Dec 21) staged a massive protest against atrocities committed against them by the LTTE terrorists. According to the defence.lk special correspondent in Jaffna, over 16000 civilians marched peacefully from Kaithadi to Chawakachcheri this morning displaying banners and placards with slogans against the LTTE.

The protestors demanded the LTTE to let them live in peace and to free the Tamils held hostage in Wanni LTTE hiding areas.

One participant to the march speaking to defence.lk called the LTTE leader a coward, who is trying to save his life by hiding under shield of innocent civilians.

"All the civilians are in the view that the damaged caused to the Sri Lankan Tamils by the LTTE is irrecoverable. They say that the graveyards are the only achievement of the LTTE" said our correspondent.

"There were many elderly parents who called LTTE leader V. Prabhakaran, a curse upon Tamils that devoured generations of Tamil children" he added.

Meanwhile, the protestors took a special note of the support received by the LTTE from the Tamil Diaspora.

"There were many banners requesting the Tamils living aboard to stop funding LTTE and let the Sri Lankan Tamils to live in peace"

"'We are not pawns of your game of tribalism' was the message they wanted to convey to those who support the LTTE", said our correspondent citing the organizers of the protest.

Also, the organizers told defence.lk that the true voice of Sri Lankan Tamils is barred by LTTE hired hands in the international media. They added the world should recognize that the true aspirations of Sri Lankan Tamils have nothing to do with fanatic ambitions of the LTTE leader.

"Our protest will continue until the world realizes that Sri Lankan Tamils do not want to be a property of a terrorists outfit" they added.

Twin Air Raids at LTTE gatherings - Iranamadu

Sri Lanka Air Force fighter jets pounded two LTTE gathering points detected in the West of Iranamadhu tank , in Kilinochchi this evening (Dec 21).

Air Force spokesperson Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara told defence.lk that the air raids were launched at 4 PM and 4.45 PM in support of the Army advance.

Meanwhile, the Army Task Force 1 soldiers opened fire at a vehicle carrying LTTE cadres in the Nivil area , in Paranthan this afternoon. Troops believe that a LTTE leader was traveling in the targeted vehicle.

Army Bags Nadunkerni ; TF4 scores its first battlefield victory

The latest offensive element of Sri Lanka Army, the Task Force 4 has liberated the Nadunkerni town, defence sources reveal. According to the sources, troops following a successful offensive (Dec 20) launched last morning has wrested total control of the town which was under terror clutches for years.

Air Force helicopters pound LTTE gathering - Kilinochchi

Sri Lanka Air Force MI 24 Helicopters have pounded an LTTE gathering detected in northeast of Puthumurippukulam area this morning (Dec 21). Air Force spokesperson, Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara told defence.lk that the air strike was launched at 11.15 AM in support of Army 57 Division operating in the Kilinochchi battlefront.

The terrorists believed to have suffered heavy damages; he added citing intercepted enemy radio transmissions.

Beware of invisible forces - President at Army Passing out Parade

(By Rohan MATHES)

President Rajapaksa made this plea as the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Defence Minister addressed a colourful commissioning parade, at the Sri Lanka Military Academy in Diyatalawa yesterday.

The President pointed out that albeit the armed enemies have been well identified as lethal and should be wiped out by our gallant armed forces. But some unscrupulous elements may act in diverse and subtle ways. They could be even disguised in the garb of human rights activists.

These parties too, should be recognised and dealth with accordingly. As otherwise, he said, these enemies may ultimately have a greater impact and cause more harm and destruction to our motherland.

The President paid his highest tributes to the war heroes who have grown from strength to strength, and achieved a series of victories in Pooneryn, Kilinochchi and elsewhere.

He was of the view that our forces had confronted the most ruthless terrorist out fit in the world and defeat them, slowly but steadily, by re-capturing every inch of land from them.

They had overcome many arduous tasks and all daunting challenges before them, from suicide bombers to chemical weapons and inclement weather conditions. They emerged victorious and have undoubtedly become a shining example of sheer grit, courage,integrity and discipline, and a guiding star to the entire world.

"Their glorious achievements have now surpassed the doom of 'Gunfire' and given rise to an aura of joyful celebrations in the south.

They have fought for the benefit and the well-being of the entire nation, irrespective of race, cast, creed or party", President Rajapaksa noted. He also lauded the parents and the loved ones of the commissioned cadet officers, stating that by offering their offsprings to the military, they had done a great and meritorious service to the nation, at a most critical time, when terrorism was gathering momentum, and had to be eradicated. The Commander-in-Chief opined that before the Government resumed the war, they themselves set an example by offering their own children, sans requesting only the ordinary people to do so.

At the colourful parade, 151 officer cadets, inclusive of 25 females were commissioned by the President. Regular Officer Cadet intakes 64, 64B 65 and Volunteer Officer Cadet Intakes 45 and Lady Intake 7 were commissioned.

Heavy Clashes continue in Kilinochchi battlefront

Battlefield reports on yesterday's (Dec 20) counter terrorist operations in Kilinochchi indicate pitched battles between Army and the LTTE terrorists.

Troops of the Army 57 Division successfully thwarted an LTTE counter offensive launched in the North of Iranamadu area around 6 AM. During the battle that lasted till 6 PM, 12 soldiers laid down their lives while 16 others went on missing. Also, 34 soldiers suffered injuries. Intercepted terrorist radio transmission revealed heavy damages to the LTTE.

In the North of Akkarayankulam area, troops had a series of confrontations with the terrorists from 5 AM to 4 PM and claimed heavy damages to the terrorists. One soldier laid down his life while 5 others sustained injuries.

Meanwhile, troops of the Army Task Force 3 confronted the terrorists in the North of Ampakamam area around 1.15 PM. Troops claimed 2 terrorists were killed and 4 others were injured during this confrontation. A soldier was also injured. In a separate confrontation occurred around 8.45 PM in the same area, one LTTE cadre was injured.

In the Jaffna theatre of battle, one LTTE cadre was reportedly killed in Sniper fire around 6.40 AM.

Successive air strikes rattle LTTE Wanni defences: Retreating sea tigers suffer heavy casualties

Sri Lankan Air force fighter jets made 7 successive air strikes targeting LTTE defences and strategic locations in Wanni, since early this morning (Dec 20), as military sources confirmed heavy damages to terrorists. Heavy payloads were dropped with precision at identified LTTE positions, Air force sources said adding that the sorties were launched in support of Navy and the advancing Task Force -1 and 57 Division troops at the Wanni battlefront.

SLAF MIG and K'Fir jets roared in the Eastern Mullaittivu skies since 4.30a.m., as close-combat air strikes were taken at sea tigers who were fleeing for shelter after withdrawing from a pre-dawn major sea battle with Navy off Mullaittivu today. An LTTE arms carrying vessel and 4 attack craft were reported destroyed in the sea confrontation with Navy this morning.

Another air strike was launched at terrorists, 3km North of the Mullaittivu lagoon at around 5.30a.m., Air force Spokesperson Wing Commander Janaka Nananyakkara said.

Meanwhile, the Air force strikers made more decisive bombings at terrorist strongpoints located East of Iranamadu junction at 7.20a.m., and 7.50a.m., respectively. At 8a.m., the jets raided another LTTE bunker line located west of Parantan supporting the surging TF-1 infantry battalions.

Later, the Air force jets made two successive air sorties, West and Southwest of Kilinochchi at around 2.30p.m, the Spokesperson further said.

37 civilians escape from LTTE hellhole, seek protection with security forces- Welioya

A total of 37 civilians have fled from LTTE captivity and sought protection with security forces at Welioya, Mullaittivu since 9a.m., today (Dec 20).

The first group of escapees, 26 civilians including 14 males and 12 females have arrived at Welioya at around 9a.m., Wanni military sources said. The civilians were locals from Mullaittivu, who had revealed horrifying experiences with LTTE in the non-liberated areas. According to the civilians, terrorists are forcing people in Mullaittivu towards 'mobile LTTE medical centers', intimidating them to giveaway at least a blood pint in the process.

Meanwhile, another group of escapees from Mullaittivu have made their way towards Weiloya, and sought protection with troops at around 11.30a.m., after fleeing from LTTE for days. The group consisted of 11 civilians who were later directed to the IDP welfare center in Welioya. These people have also revealed experiencing similar hardships under LTTE, the sources further said.

Earlier, 8 civilians from the non-liberated area had sought protection with security forces, this morning at 8a.m.

Jets raid another sea tiger position- Mullaittivu

SLAF fighter jets made another precision air attack targeting LTTE terrorists in the coast of Mullaittivu, damaging an LTTE attack craft this evening at around 6.30p.m.

According to Air Force sources, an LTTE construction site was also damaged in the air sortie.

Navy destroys LTTE Logistics Vessel carrying War-like Materials North-east of Mullaithivu

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Sri Lanka Navy destroyed a medium-size LTTE logistics vessel carrying a large quantity of war like materials seventy (70) Nautical Miles North-east of Mullaithivu during the early hours today (20th December 2008). The Navy also intercepted a cluster of LTTE boats and destroyed four enemy attack craft, which were abortively attempting to support the enemy logistics vessel, in a separate confrontation off Mullaithivu.

The medium-size enemy logistics vessel had been detected by the Navy's Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) on surveillance mission in deep sea around 0130 hrs and subsequently, the Navy's patrol craft were deployed to intercept and destroy the enemy logistics vessel which was approximately 30 - 40 meters in length. In the ensuing naval fire that lasted for around 30 minutes, the enemy logistics vessel was completely destroyed. It is believed that the enemy vessel was carrying a large quantity of war like materials to the LTTE since it sank engulfed in a ball of fire under the heavy naval fire.

Four more LTTE attack craft, which were fleeing after having been abortively attempted to provide support to the enemy vessel, were also intercepted and destroyed by the Navy off Mullaithivu in a separate confrontation.

Courtesy : Sri Lanka Navy

Tamils not loyal to LTTE -President

As the battle for Kilinochchi enters a decisive phase, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has urged politicians concerned over the safety of Tamil civilians to "coax the LTTE to allow the civilians to move towards the safe corridor".

In an interview to the New Indian Express, he said that the LTTE "is preventing civilians from moving to safer areas."

Terming the expected fall of Kilinochchi in the near future not as a "military victory" but as the "beginning of the restorations of democratic freedoms", the President dismissed the need to wean away people from the LTTE.

"There is error in thinking that there is need to wean the people away from the LTTE. There is nothing to show that they are fully committed to the LTTE or nurtured by it," President Rajapaksa said. He was willing to concede though a "small misled minority... may be still with it." He said: "We know that the Tamil people left in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu are held there in the thrall of LTTE's arms."

Once that power is broken, he said, the Tamil people will be free to join the democratic system. "We will be looking towards a new Spring of Development in and for the North" he said.

The President said his country took a "serious note" of the fact that an average of 500 Indian fishing vessels enter Sri Lankan waters daily.

Declaring that "the movement of smugglers" was a threat to the country's "sovereignty and security", the President pointed to a "nexus between smugglers and the LTTE and perhaps even other terrorist organisations."

On whether the arrangement with Member of Parliament V. Muralitheran and Eastern Provincial Council Chief Minister S. Chandrakanthan (both defected from the LTTE) is working out, the President said differences of opinion were common in democracy and that he hoped the two "would sort out differences in the larger interests of the people they represent."

Courtesy : Daily News

United Kingdom recognizes right of Sri Lanka government to fight LTTE

(By: Walter Jayawardhana)

Speaking at the adjournment debate in the British House of Commons Minister of State of Foreign and Commonwealth office said the United Kingdom recognized the right of the Sri Lanka government's democratic right to fight the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE).

Condemning the activities of the LTTE on behalf of the United Kingdom, the Minister of State, Bill Rammel told the UK parliament December 18, "The LTTE has no democratic mandate to represent the Tamil population. It is reported to recruit civilians, including children, into its ranks forcibly, to extort food and money from an already impoverished people, to abduct and kill Tamil civilians who disagree with its views or methods and to break all norms of international humanitarian law by preventing civilians from leaving conflict areas, effectively holding them as a human shield. The LTTE has conducted a terrorist campaign across the whole of Sri Lanka for nearly three decades, deliberately targeting thousands of individual civilians, as well as assassinating Government figures."

He added, ":" It is important not to forget that the LTTE is a ruthless terrorist organisation, which is responsible for serious human rights abuses against civilians throughout Sri Lanka"

According to the Hansard the following are some of the excerpts from the debate:

""With great international concern about the humanitarian and human rights situation in the north of Sri Lanka, it is timely to hold a debate on that country. Like many people in Britain, the Government are deeply concerned about the worsening conflict between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, and its impact on the welfare and human rights of Sri Lankan citizens.

"The lack of access by non-governmental organisations and the media to the conflict zone makes an objective assessment of the conflict impossible, to put it bluntly. Many alarming reports have emerged, speculating about the extent to which both parties' activities conform with international humanitarian law. Those reports need a sober and measured analysis based on the evidence available, and I will try to provide that.

Concern for civilians in Sri Lanka and the primary responsibility of the Government of Sri Lanka to protect those means that the LTTE's role in the conflict is sometimes overlooked. It is important not to forget that the LTTE is a ruthless terrorist organisation, which is responsible for serious human rights abuses against civilians throughout Sri Lanka.

The LTTE has no democratic mandate to represent the Tamil population. It is reported to recruit civilians, including children, into its ranks forcibly, to extort food and money from an already impoverished people, to abduct and kill Tamil civilians who disagree with its views or methods and to break all norms of international humanitarian law by preventing civilians from leaving conflict areas, effectively holding them as a human shield. The LTTE has conducted a terrorist campaign across the whole of Sri Lanka for nearly three decades, deliberately targeting thousands of individual civilians, as well as assassinating Government figures.

The UK condemns those activities and recognises the Government of Sri Lanka's democratic right to fight terrorism.

Two LTTE sea tiger leaders killed in air raids

Two LTTE sea tiger leaders were killed in an air attack launched by the SLAF MI-24 helicopter gun ships targeting LTTE boat movement this morning, 19 December.

Air Force sources confirmed citing Electronic Warfare sources, two woman LTTE sea tiger leaders, Suhandini and Siran, were killed in the air attack launched around 11.45 am targeting LTTE boats in Kilaly lagoon area.

One LTTE boat was completely destroyed while several others sustained damages due to the bombardment, Air Force spokesperson, Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said.

Brief case carrying LTTE terrorist turned gentleman caught with bomb; bus explosion averted

The timely detection of a bomb with its detonator by an Army Sergeant in a Kurunegala bound state bus saved the lives of nearly 100 innocent passengers, including Army personnel this evening (19) at about 5.30 p.m.

The passenger bus with its full complement, started off from Maharagama and has picked up many passengers on its way just after the Army cantonment in Panagoda.

An alert Army Sergeant in the bus after entertaining doubt about the movement of a well-dressed gentleman towards the rear part of the bus with his brand new brief case in hand, has suddenly gripped on to his hands and tried to get the brief case away, but it tore off uncovering the bomb's detonator which was to be exploded at any given moment.

Passengers supported the move and managed to overpower the "brief case LTTE terrorist turned gentleman" and handed him over to Padukka Police station with the bomb and its detonator.

Had that not been the presence of mind of the Army Sergeant, many precious lives of the passengers would have been blown to pieces once the "gentleman" receives the signal.

Courtesy : Sri Lanka Army

Troops of TF1 capture LTTE built earth bund

Troops of Task Force 1 captured the LTTE built earth bund and engaged in further consolidating operations.

Troops attached to Task Force 1 (TF1) have breached the LTTE built earth bund following heavy confrontations ensued in general area Nivil last afternoon, 18 December, the military report received from the battlefront said.

LTTE terrorists have launched a counter attacks to recapture LTTE built earth bund late evening while troops engaged in consolidating operations in newly captured areas yesterday. Troops successfully repulsed the LTTE attempts inflicting maximum damages to the enemy. Troops also sustained minor damages during the confrontation.

Meanwhile, in a separate confrontation took place in general area Adampan, LTTE received more casualties, ground troops confirmed. The confrontation occurred when troops attacked at detected group of LTTE terrorists around 12.55pm.

Army personnel also sustained minor damages in confrontations took place in general area Adampan, north of Akkarayankulam on the same day.

SLAF MI-24 helicopters raid LTTE boat movement - Kilaly

Sri Lanka Air Force MI-24 helicopters raided LTTE boats movement detected in Kilaly lagoon area this morning, 19 December.

Air Force spokesperson, Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara speaking to defence.lk said that the air raid carried out targeting observed LTTE boat movement around 11.45 am.

The MI-24 helicopter gun ships have accurately taken the targets inflicting maximum damages to the enemy boats.

More information will follow.

LTTE suffered heavy damages in confrontations - Mullaittivu

Troops of 59 Division on their mission to capture LTTE's main administrative bastion in northeastern coastal belt, Mullaittivu, had several confrontations with detected LTTE terrorists while extending own defence line yesterday, 19 December.

According to the military report, hours-long fighting ensued between security forces and LTTE terrorists in general area Karuppaddamurippu last afternoon. LTTE suffered heavy damages during the confrontation, the report said citing Electronic Warfare sources.

Meanwhile, troops sustained minor damages in few confrontations reported in general area Kumulamunai during last afternoon.

Separately, troops conducted a search operation in general area Kumulamunai uncovered military items left behind by the fleeing terrorists. 24 pouches, 5 torches, a compass, a bicycle and a penuche cape were among the items found.

SLAF launches chain of air raids at LTTE defences

Sri Lanka Air Force MI-24 helicopter gun ships carried out series of air raids targeting LTTE defences in Kilinochchi and Mullaittivu fronts assisting the ground troops on multi-pronged offensive this morning, 19 December.

Air Force spokesperson, Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said that an LTTE defence line observed in 3Km east of Iranamadu junction in Kilinochchi front was targeted around 9.30 am. The air sorties launched in support of ground troops of 57 Division.

Another air raid was launched targeting LTTE defences observed 2Km east of Mullaiyaweli in Mullaittivu front around 10.00 am. The air attacks were launched to assist the ground troops of 59 Division heading towards LTTE bastion Mullaittivu.

Meanwhile, LTTE's defence line located west of Paranthan was also raided by the SLAF MI-24 helicopters around 11.45 am today. The air attacks were launched in support of troops of Task Force 1 who have successfully breach the LTTE built earth bund yesterday.

239 scholarships awarded for children of war heroes

The second stage of the "Viru Sisu Pradeepa" scholarship program which awarded scholarships for the children of war heroes was held at the Defence Ministry auditorium under the patronage of Prime Minister Hon Rathnasiri Wickramanayake yesterday, 18 December.

Under the "Viru Sisu Pradeepa" program 239 scholarships were awarded for the children who passed 5-year scholarship examination in 2007 and 2008.

178 children of army personnel, 7 children of Navy personnel, 10 children of Air force personnel and 34 children of police personnel were awarded these scholarships. H.E the President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the chairman of the National Defence Fund, has approved the allocation of over 6 million rupees for awarding scholarships for the children of war heroes who have sacrificed their lives and limbs for defending the motherland.

Defence Secretary Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Employment Promotion & Welfare Mr. Sunil S. Sirisena, Chief of Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Donald Perera, Army Commander Lt. Gen Sarath Fonseka, Navy Commander Vice Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda, Air Force Commander Air Marshal Roshan Gunathilaka, IGP Jayantha Wickramarathna, officials of the Defence Ministry, the scholarships winners and

Avant Guards Security (Pvt) Ltd donates 5 three-wheelers for war heroes

A leading security service providing company in Sri Lanka, Avant Guards Security Private Limited, has donated three-wheelers to the war heroes who sacrificed their limbs while serving in battlefront for defending the motherland.

The donation of five three-wheelers was officially handed over by the Chief Executive Officer of Avant Guards Security (Pvt) Ltd, Major (Retd) Nissanka Senadipathi, to Chairperson of Defence Ministry's Seva Vanitha Unit Mrs Ioma Rajapaksa in a charm function held at the defence ministry premises last Monday, 15 December.

A few representatives of Ministry's Seva Vanitha Unit were also present at the occasion.

46 Tamil civilians reach to security forces - Welioya

Forty-six more Tamil civilians who were able to escape LTTE's grip have reached to the security force seeking safety for their lives this evening, 18 December, defence sources said.

According to the available sources, the escapees comprising sixteen females and thirty males, residents of east of Kilinochchi, have reached to troops in north of Palampasi, Welioya.

The escapees have later been directed to the welfare centers established after providing with foods, medial treatment and other necessities.

Two LTTE cadres surrender to Army - Kilinochchi

Two LTTE terrorists who have escaped the outfit have surrendered themselves to the army troops of Task Force 1 in general area Nagatevanturai jetty this morning, 18 December.

The surrendees have confessed that they have been forcibly deployed in Pallai area following a military training underwent. The two surrendered LTTE cadres, 28 and 33 year-old youths, have reached to Nagatevanturai jetty located in northeast of Pooneryn crossing the Kilaly lagoon, defence sources said.

One of the escapees, who married to Sinhalese lady in South, speaking to our correspondents in Sinahala language said that LTTE outfit is now struggling due lack of cadres to face the multi-pronged offensive push given by the security forces. "The LTTE cadres manning LTTE defence lines in Paranthan were forcibly deployed, though they like to surrender leaving their arms, they can't do it" he added.

Further speaking he said that LTTE terrorists forcibly hold over 1000 civilians who opposed LTTE orders in three jails located Pallemunai and Vishwamadu areas. "Two jails area in Pallemunai while the other in Vishewamadu area" he said.

The two surreandees were directed to the rehabilitation center following the initial investigations.

Fifty-Four LTTE cadres turned rehabilitated youngsters receive vocational training certificates

Fifty-Four Tigers turned rehabilitated good citizens who underwent vocational training courses in Jaffna after they renounced LTTE violence and surrendered to the troops received their graduation last Friday (12) during a ceremony, held at Thelippalai Union College.

The vocational training programme, initiated by the office of the Rehabilitation Commissioner General under the 2008-2012 Rehabilitation and Social Mobilization Project offered training to those 54 men and women in the spheres of masonry, motorbike and scooter repair, drainage works, electrification of houses and English language.

The training initiative, taken by Commander of the Jaffna Security Forces, Major General G.A Chandrasiri saw 27 males and 27 children and females undergo this training while inculcating positive thinking, leadership values, skill promotion, peace building and promotion of non-violence. A separate workshop in this connection was also conducted during the training for the benefit of those detainees with the help of many lecturers from Jaffna and those flown from Colombo.

Simultaneously, on completion of the rehabilitation programme, those youth are encouraged to find overseas employment through their contacts elsewhere. Already 25 youth after the rehabilitation had already migrated on foreign employment.

The certificate awarding ceremony for those rehabilitated youth took place recently at Thelippalai Union Maha Vidyalaya. Major General G.A Chandrasiri, Commander Security Forces Headquarters, Jaffna gave away special gift parcels and certificates to those youngsters and assured full support for their future plans during the function.

US Ambassador Replies to Tamilnet

by Ambassador Blake

I was disappointed to read on TamilNet criticism of the US Government's programmes to help stabilise and develop Eastern Sri Lanka. Since there is no mechanism to respond to TamilNet, I thought I would use the Embassy's blog to respond to some of the incorrect assertions in the TamilNet article.

US Ambassador Robert O’ Blake

First, a Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP asserts in the TamilNet article that Washington's purpose in our programmes for the east is to, "help Colombo make majoritarian inroads into the east." This is incorrect. We have specifically established the goal of fostering economic development, good governance and stability while preserving the existing ethnic balance in the east.

It is well known that the east is one of Sri Lanka's poorest provinces and that poverty and lack of adequate economic opportunity are principal drivers of conflict. One of the best ways to address such poverty is to establish programmes that will link new businesses in the East with the country's principal markets in the western and other parts of the country. Indeed, USAID's Connecting Regional Economies programme in the East has five goals: *

First: Support livelihood development for vulnerable populations;

Second: Promote the development of agriculture-based value chains;

Third: Ensure that groups in conflict-affected areas benefit from participation in these value chains and our other efforts;

Fourth: Implement a workforce development strategy; and finally promote a business enabling environment.

The Member of Parliament also alleges that U.S. development initiatives "take place through direct collaboration between the American agency and the ministries of Sri Lanka, sidelining the provincial council." This also is incorrect. While we of course coordinate with the Central Government as we would in any country, none of our money goes through the Central Government. Rather, it goes directly to U.S. and/or Sri Lankan organisations working in the east to implement our programmes.

Furthermore, one of the goals of our "Supporting Regional Governance" programme in the East is to improve the capacity and Governance of the Eastern Provincial Council and Local Government authorities. Specifically, this programme aims to support and facilitate increased citizen engagement in Regional and Local Government, strengthen inter-community reconciliation, and promote social equality by, for example, promoting citizen interaction with Government institutions, and strengthening the capacity of journalists and media outlets in the East.

Lastly, the MP alleges that America's programme in the east will only "add to the ethnic conflict in the island."

He says "meaningful development of the east can take place only after a substantial political solution to the Tamil national question." We agree that a political solution is necessary, but we do not agree that meaningful development can take place only after a political solution is agreed upon.

It is important to give the people of the east the opportunity now to obtain vocational training and sustainable private sector jobs. Such sustainable livelihood opportunities are an essential part of ensuring stability and development so that the Tamil, Muslim and Sinhalese communities in the East can rebuild their lives and cooperate with each other to help the East realize its potential.

TF1 troops extend their defences; 2 LTTE bodies found - Kilinochchi

Troops of Task Force 1 had several confrontations with LTTE terrorists while extending their defences in Nivil and Adampan areas yesterday, 18 December.

Army troops of 582 Brigade launched an attack targeting LTTE defence line in general area Nivil and captured it inflicting maximum damages to the enemy. In a subsequent search operation troops have found two bodies of LTTE terrorist killed during the gun battle.

Meanwhile, army snipers deployed in Adampan area gunned down two LTTE terrorists, the report received from the battlefront said.

57 Div troops advance towards Kilinochchi; 5 LTTE bodies found

Troops of 57 Division on offensive march towards LTTE's main administrative base, Kilinochchi, advanced further into LTTE hiding places in Kilinochchi front despite enemy resistance. Troops under 57 Division had several confrontations in general area Adampan, south of Adampan, west of Iranamadu, west of Kilinochchi and south of Iranamadu areas inflecting heavy damages to the enemy.

Troops of 571 Brigade successfully breach the LTTE built earth bund in several locations causing heavy damages to enemy. The consolidating operations are being underway in the area. Troops uncovered three LTTE bodies while conducting consolidating operations following hours-long fighting in the area.

Meanwhile, troops of 574 Brigade confronted with detected group of LTTE terrorists in general area south of Iranamadu while extending own defence line, defence sources in battlefront said. In a subsequent search operation conducted troops uncovered two bodies of LTTE terrorists along with military items. 3 T-56 weapons, 1 I-Com set and 2 hand grenades were among the items found.

Troops neutralize enemy gun positions - Muhamalai

Troops launched an effective attack at LTTE defences with heavy guns to neutralize enemy gun positions in Muhamalai, northern battlefront last afternoon, 17 December.

According to the defence sources, terrorists have directed indiscriminate mortar fire in three occasions at troops deployed in Muhamalai front. Army troops suffered minor damages due to the mortar fire.

Intercepting enemy communication channels, Electronic Warfare sources confirmed that terrorists suffered heavy damages.

Commodore M.Imam Hossain pays courtesy to Secretary Defence

Former Assistant chief of Bangladesh Naval staff, Commodore M.Imam Hossain, (c ), ndc, psc, BN made a courtesy call to Defence secretary Mr.Gotabaya Rajapaksa at Defence ministry last afternoon (Dec 17).

Commodore Hossain was the former Assistant chief of Bangladesh Naval staff (Logistic) at Naval Headquarters Bangaladesh. Presently he has been appointed as Defence attaché of the Bangladesh Embassy in Sri Lanka.