Terrorists take heavy beating: scores killed, many injured - Kilinochchi

Military advances continued at the Wanni battlefront yesterday (Dec 11) amidst stiff LTTE resistance as military confirmed killing at least 27 LTTE terrorists alone at Terumurikandy, 4km south of Iranamadu on Thursday(Dec 11).

Despite, suffering heavy loses at the pitched fighting ensued at Terumurikandy, Puthumurrippukulam and south of Admapan, terrorists have declared baffled casualty reports, through its media proxies as to sustain the diminishing morale and support of the disapora community, defence observers' state.

Confined into the deeper fringes at Kilinochchi, unable to take on the intense multi-pronged military assaults the terrorists have resorted to issuing battle scorecards just-to-satisfy its racist psychopaths who dwell in the continuous suffering of the Sri Lankans, he further asserted.

Meanwhile, a terrorist was reported sniped in general area Puthunurrippukulam at Kilinochchi at around 4p.m., according to military reports. Separately, troops of the 57 Division operating in general areas at South of Adampan, Puthumurrippukulam and west of Iranamadu have mounted continuous gunfire assaults at LTTE causing serious damages, Wanni security sources said. The fighting between troops and LTTE continued till late evening as military kept on engaging LTTE targets, thinning out its remaining defence lines, a successful tactical move at the battle terrain, sources further said.

Also, troops of the Task Force-1 operating North of Adampan have engaged heavy artillery at identified LTTE strong points as troops confirmed neutralizing LTTE resistance in the area.

At the Mullaittivu battlefront, TF -2 troops continued consolidating liberated territory east of the A-9 trunk road.

Separately, troops of the TF-3 have reportedly met with intermittent LTTE resistance while advancing in general area east of Olumadu, security sources added.

Troops destroy LTTE bunker, 2 terrorists sniped in Jaffna

Troops have reportedly destroyed an LTTE bunker following an intense rocket propelled grenade attack at an LTTE bunker defence line yesterday (Dec 11) in general area Kilaly, Jaffna at around 2.30a.m.

Meanwhile, 2 terrorists were sniped by troops in separate locations ahead of LTTE defences at Kilaly and Nagarkovil, military source said. According to intercepted LTTE radio communication, 2 more terrorists were killed following an army heavy gun attack at Muhamalai LTTE defences, at around 6p.m.

Claymore mine, hand grenade and ammunitions recovered on civilian information- Vavuniya

Troops acting on civilian information received have recovered a few warlike items in general area Santhasolai, Vavuniya, Thursday (Dec 11), at around 5.30p.m.

A claymore mine, 01x hand grenade, a detonator and 250x T-56 weapon ammunitions were found during the search operation, security sources said.

Secretary Defence commends commitment of soldiers in Wanni war fronts

Secretary Defence Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Air Chief Marshal Donald Perera Thursday (11) morning conveyed his best wishes to Wanni ground Commanders who lead brave soldiers in the war fronts and Senior Police Officers serving in Wanni areas during his visit to Security Forces Headquarters Wanni (SFHQ-W).

Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka who had reached Vavuniya early morning Thursday (11) to instruct on future operation plans to Wanni ground Commanders received the Secretary Defence and the CDS on their arrival.

Major General Jagath Jayasuriya Commander SFHQ-W later on guided them to the SFHQ auditorium where he briefed the visiting Security Chiefs on present security situation and progress of the humanitarian operations in Kilinochchi and Welioya fronts.

After reviewing the briefings, Secretary Defence issued further instructions to Senior Ground Commanders and Police Officers who attended the meeting on future security measures.

Subsequently, Secretary Defence addressed the troops gathered at the auditorium and appreciated their dedication and commitment.

Troops capture Terumurikandy junction - Kilinochchi

Troops of 57 Division on multi-pronged offensive towards LTTE's main administrative base, Kilinochchi built-up, have reached to a significant milestone gaining control over the strategically vital Terumurikandy junction last evening, 10 December.

According to the defence sources in battlefront, military formations attached to 57 Division advanced from north of Kokavil and east of Akkarayankulam gained total control over the Terumurikandy junction located 4 Km south of Iranamadu.

LTTE terrorists who have given stiff resistance on advancing troops, unable to hold the strategically important Terumurikandy junction as security forces launched combined ground and air assaults targeting enemy defences. Scores of LTTE cadres were killed and many others reportedly sustained injuries during the intense fighting reported in the area for last two days, defence sources said.

Troops continue their march towards Kilinochchi.

Decan chronicle warns India not to trust Prabhakaran with bloody hands who breaks agreements at his convenience

Reminding that the LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran has blood on his hand the influential South Indian newspaper Decan Chronicle in an editorial said India will be extremely shortsighted once again if it committed the mistake of dealing with Prabhakaran who would enter into agreements and breach them at his convenience.

The editorial by Nitish Sengupta categorically said,"Whatever be the pressure that Tamil politicians are facing, no trust should be placed on Prabhakaran or the LTTE, one of the most notorious killing squads in the world which has no scruples about entering into an agreement and then repudiating it at their convenience. No negotiations should be started with the LTTE unless they replace Prabhakaran with a moderate leader".

The editorial reminded New Delhi the present situation had a parallel with the conditions of 1987 when India intervened under the pressure of karunanidhi and even at that time the Sri Lankan security forces were close to overrunning Jaffna peninsula, like the LTTE is on the verge of defeat at Kilinochchi.

Though the agreement between President Junius Jayewardene and Rajiv Gandhi gave many achievements to the minority like Tamil a status of parity with the Sinhala language in the country Prabhakaran breached the agreement, to which he had agreed earlier, refused to surrender arms under it, and attacked the Indian Peace Keeping Forces, "in a brazenly ungrateful manner," the editorial charged.

The following is the full text of the editorial:

"Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's decision to send external affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee to Sri Lanka to press for a ceasefire between forces and the LTTE has an unmistakable parallel with the situation that prevailed in 1987.

"At that time too the Sri Lankan Army was close to overrunning the Jaffna peninsula, which forced the LTTE to approach M. Karunanidhi and the DMK to request the Government of India to intervene. This resulted in actual intervention by India , leading to the Thimpu Accord and the Jayawardhane-Rajiv Gandhi Agreement, endorsed by LTTE supremo Prabhakaran.

"As a result of the accord, Tamil was given the same status as the Sinhala language, discrimination against Tamils in job opportunities was withdrawn, and the need for a provincial government headed by a Tamilian for the Tamil homeland in the Northeast of Sri Lanka was also accepted. Thus, addressing many grievances of the Sri Lankan Tamils.

"As part of the accord, the LTTE agreed to surrender arms. And to supervise this, an Indian Peace-Keeping Force went to Sri Lanka. Unfortunately, Prabhakaran violated the agreement and avoided surrendering arms. And when he realised that India would not, under any circumstances, be instrumental in ensuring recognition of an independent Tamil Elam in Sri Lanka, he started doing everything to make it difficult for the IPKF to operate, thereby repaying his debt to India in a brazenly ungrateful manner.

"It was unfortunate that the IPKF got involved, against its wishes, in armed clashes with the LTTE. Although many Tamil leaders in Sri Lanka supported the agreement and were willing to give the Sri Lanka government time to implement provisions of the agreement, the LTTE repudiated it in a clear breach of faith. Not only did they not hesitate to eliminate Tamil leaders of Sri Lanka, but eventually committed the most reprehensible act - the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, directly under Prabhakaran's order. This was, indeed, the height of Prabhakaran's misdeeds.

"Thereafter, he openly allied with Sri Lanka Prime Minister Premdasa in demanding the withdrawal of the IPKF and, after withdrawal of the IPKF, had Premdasa assassinated.

"This part of history needs to be retold as once again Prabhakaran is seeking withdrawal of the ban on the LTTE in India. Sri Lanka's Army has once again shown remarkable success in its operation against the LTTE. It has captured nearly all the approaches to the Jaffna peninsula and is close to the doors of Prabhakaran's den. And India is facing general elections soon. It is in this situation that Prabhakaran has started his old game of putting pressure on DMK in Tamil Nadu, to help persuade the Sri Lankan Army to call off their offensive and to ease the pressure on Jaffna.

"India will be extremely short-sighted once again if it commits the mistake of dealing with Prabhakaran. We must not forget how Prabhakaran eliminated all his "rival" Tamil politicians in Sri Lanka. Whatever be the pressure that Tamil politicians are facing, no trust should be placed on Prabhakaran or the LTTE, one of the most notorious killing squads in the world which has no scruples about entering into an agreement and then repudiating it at their convenience. No negotiations should be started with the LTTE unless they replace Prabhakaran with a moderate leader.

"We should also remember that all Tamilians in Sri Lanka are not followers of the LTTE. Many of them want to live happily with their Sinhala friends. Unfortunately, Sri Lanka has an element of jingoism which rises to the surface whenever they are near success. A typical case in point was the unfortunate statement recently made by the Army chief that Sri Lanka means a Sinhala nation, ignoring that the Tamils have been living in Sri Lanka for several generations and that when westerners came to Sri Lanka they took over from the island's Tamilian king. "Thus both, the Sinhalese and the Tamilians, need to show that they are willing and ready to live and let live. Discrimination against Tamil population should stop and the

Tamil-dominated Northeast should be given complete provincial autonomy. In return, Tamil leaders should express their faith in one indivisible Sri Lanka. India can be the biggest guarantee of such a unified, multi-racial Sri Lanka.

"India can't forget LTTE has blood on its hands." (EOM).

Twin air raids targeted LTTE strong points - West of Iranamadu

Sri Lanka Air Force MI-24 Helicopter gun ships carried out two air sorties targeting LTTE strong points observed in west of Iranamadu area last evening (Dec 10) and this morning (Dec 11).

Air Force spokesperson, Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara, speaking to defence.lk said that MI-24 helicopters engaged LTTE strong points around 6.00pm yesterday and 9.00am today.

The air raids launched in support of ground troops of 57 Division advancing towards LTTE's heartland, Kilinochchi. LTTE's resistance on advancing troops has been neutralized following the twin air raids, Air Force spokesperson said citing ground sources.

Heavy clashes in Kilinochchi; troops reach Therumurukandi junction [Updated]

Troops of 57 Division were engaged in pitched battles with the terrorists along the western and southern borders of Kilinochchi built-up yesterday (Dec 10), said the defence sources. According to the latest reports, troops have been able get hold of Therumurukandi junction, located 4 Km south of Iranamadu after beating off the terrorists.

Troops are advancing further northwards along the A-9 main road to capture Iranamadu junction which facilitates to open new escaping route for the Tamil civilians who have been trapped by the terrorists as human shield in Vaddakachchi and Paranthan areas.

According to the defence sources, intense fighting irrupted in the west of Kilinochchi and west of Iranamadu areas causing heavy damages to the terrorists. Army Electronic Warfare sources confirmed that heated arguments have also surfaced between the LTTE's ground leaders over the lack of reinforcement as troops continued their effective thrust on LTTE despite stiff resistance given by the terrorists.

According to the latest information, over 27 LTTE terrorists were killed during the battle army Electronic Warfare sources confirmed intercepting terrorists' communication channels.

Twenty army soldiers have laid their lives for defending the motherland during the pitched battle in last two days and a few bodies among them are yet to be recovered, defence sources in battlefront said.

Troops Change Attitude towards Their 'Enemy' for a Moment; Captured LTTE "Policeman" Tells it All

Troops of the 7 Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment (SLSR), poised to forge ahead towards the eastward after their recent capture of Katkidanku area in the Mullaittiu district are beset not only by terrorist attacks, but also due to torrential rains and ankle-deep waters, as the photos in this story depict.

As late as Tuesday (9) afternoon, troops commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Kithsiri Liyanage had to face an unexpected ordeal while his troops were advancing, as scheduled. A rain of enemy fire took them by surprise, but alert troops responded to the challenge effectively and managed to neutralize the enemy- fire within a few minutes. That was not the end. Troops went further closer to the enemy hideout and were shocked to come across an injured Tiger terrorist, lying by the side of the same LTTE hideout.

Humanity overrode all terrorist concerns. Brave and concerned troops immediately rescued the injured Tiger who had received bullet wounds to his ankle and miserably found immovable due to nature of his wounds. Troops changed their stance on the terrorist swiftly, instead for a moment showed him the wealth of compassion and kind -heatedness that troops themselves, have inherited. They lifted the wounded terrorist and carried him on wooden planking to troops-held areas across gushing waters before medical treatment was given to him. Looking so dejected but inspired by human touch, the captured Tiger afterwards began to narrate his tale.

The 23- year old Gunarasa Narmalan, formally from Thunnely south in Nelliady has later on moved to Ramanandanpuram, Kilinochchi on the orders of the LTTE after he joined the organization as an LTTE 'Police Constable'. He had been suddenly tasked to defend Kilinochchi, Mullaittivu and Akkarayankuam areas.

Surprisingly, LTTE leadership due to terrible dearth of fighting cadres in the outfit had suddenly forced him to work on LTTE defence lines in the company of 42 more fellow-LTTE 'Police Constables' who had been deployed there as replenishment for lost Tiger cadres. Tigers, according to this misguided youth are now desperate.

'LTTE is now in terrible trouble because they are short of fighting men and unable to resist the fire -power of the troops any longer. They are panicking and running in all directions since troops are closing in on LTTE strongholds from different fronts. When I was injured, three others with me ran away leaving me behind. Many more youth like me want to flee but Tigers won't allow,' the Tiger terrorist has further told the troops.

Diana makes a donation for war heroes

Diana (Pvt) Ltd, a Sri Lankan company in Chocolate manufactory, handed over a bulk of chocolate worth of Rs. 1,200,000/= to be distributed among the service personnel who are performing operational duties yesterday, 10 December.

To mark the event, the Managing Director of the Diana company handed over a few parcels of chocolates to the Secretary of Defence Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa at a charm ceremony held at Ministry of Defence premises.

A few officials of the Diana Company were also present at the occasion.