Incidents involving Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)

2010

• February 26: Troops during search and clear operations in Velarsinnakulam, Tatechanamaradamadu, Nochchikulam, Kiranchi, Kokavil and Chettiyarmakan areas of Wanni recovered 51 anti-personnel mines, one hand grenade, two Baglore torpedoes, one Rocket Propeller Grenade (RPG), two 120-mm mortar bombs and one 81-mm mortar bomb, according to Sri Lanka Army report.

  Tangalle Police seized a live hand grenade near a building at the Tangalle Maha Vidyalaya play ground.

• February 25: Mannar Police seized three anti-tank mines buried in a thicket in Mannar. Police Spokesman Prishanatha Jayakody said the anti-tank mines each weighed 16 kilograms each and were found buried at the two kilometres post on the Mannar-Kalpadu road.

  Trincomalee Police seized a T-56 weapon hidden in a thicket on a coconut estate in Kadakarachchena village. It was seized by a group of Police led by the Officer in Charge of the Trincomalee District Intelligence Unit, Sub Inspector Subasinghe.

• February 24: Troops during search and clear operations in the Velarsinnakulam, Periyathampane, Palanpiddi, Pannankaman,Nochchikulam, Thachchamaratamadu, Chettiyarmakn, Kattaidampan and Kilinochchi areas of Wanni recovered 147 anti-personnel mines, one T-56 mark I weapon, two Rangan anti-personnel mines, 16 claymore mines and nine detonators.
  
  Nine RPG bombs were recovered by the troops from Iranamadu. Same troops uncovered a claymore mine weighing of 2.5 Kilograms, eight detonators and firing device while conducting clearing operations in Kilinochchi District. In addition, troops recovered one hand grenade, three Arul bombs, four RPG bombs and five 8-mm mortar bombs in a separate clearing operation conducted in Chundikulam.
  
  Further, troops in Mulleyaveli recovered 10 chargers and three trip flares while one type 04 mine was recovered from Andankulam. Troops during search operations in the Kallar area of Trincomalee District recovered two anti-personnel mines.
  

• February 22: Troops during search and clear operations in Ariyalai, Periyathampane, Nochchikulam, Naddankandal, Mullaittivu, Alampil and Andankulam of Wanni recovered 10 60-mm mortar bombs, 51 anti-personnel mines, three 81-mm mortar bombs, one 40-mm grenade, one hand grenade, one 130-mm artillery shell, one mortar bomb fuse, three shells used for recoilless guns, two Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPG), two hundred rounds of Multi Purpose Machine Gun (MPMG) ammunition, four RPG bombs with charges, 3000 rounds of T-56 ammunition and three Rangan 99 anti-personnel mines.
  
  Troops in the east, during their search operations in Serunuwara area of Trincomalee District recovered two hand grenades and 91 round of T-56 ammunition.
  
  The Police conducting a separate operation in the Eastern Province recovered eight anti-personnel mines from the areas of Panichchiyankulam and Kolakanawadiya.
  
  Troops recovered one hand grenade during search and clear operation at Nittambuwa area in Gampaha District.

• February 21: The troops conducting search and clear operations in Mankulam, Sinnaalyamperumal, Anineyankulam and Harasapurakulam recovered 2,650 rounds of T-56 ammunition, two hand grenades, 13 81-mm mortar bombs, 17 81-mm Para mortar bombs and three anti-personnel mines.

• February 20: Sri Lankan naval troops attached to Sri Lanka Naval Ship Gajaba on information received have recovered a massive haul of high high-powered C4 explosives in the North East. The sailors retrieved a 37 blocks of C-4 explosive weighing 378 kilograms hidden in the general area of Mullikulum, northwest of Vavuniya. The explosives had been packed in a plastic water tanks and buried.

• February 20: Troops recovered two 81-mm mortar bombs, one 60-mm mortar bomb, eight hand grenades, four anti-personnel mines, three hand phones, two battery chargers, five batteries, three SIM cards and one hands free accessory during search and clear operations in Nallur, Maradamadhu, Nadankandal and Kumulamunai.     

  De-mining groups recovered one Arul bomb, two 400-mm grenades and 113 anti-personnel mines from Nochchikulam, Mankulam, Periyathampane, Tachchanamarthamadhu, Palampiddi, Adampan,Velarsinnakulam and Periyapandivirichchan areas on the same day.

• February 17: Troops during search and clear operations in the Ketpeli and Iranamadu areas of Wanni on February 17 recovered one claymore mine and one anti-personnel mine, according to Sri Lanka Army report. Meanwhile de-mining groups found one Rocket Propeller Grenade (RPG), seven hand grenades, two 60-mm mortar bombs, two 40-mm grenade launcher bombs, one round of artillery ammunition, four rounds of 12.7 mm ammunition and one anti-personnel mine from Palaivadi and Iranamadu areas.

• February 15: Troops during search and clear operations in Sinnathampane, Akkarayankulam, Anandakulam and Puthukkudiyiruppu areas of Wanni recovered one AK-47 weapon magazine, one T-56 magazine, 17 rounds of 7.62 x 39 mm ammunition, three anti-personnel mines, two bombs, one night vision binocular, three General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) links, 300 rounds of 7.63 x 51mm ammunition, 1300 rounds of 62 x 54 mm ammunition and one T-56 body group.    

  Troops recovered two hand grenades during a search operation in Kokkadicholai on the same day.

• February 14: Troops during search and clear operations in the Karappukutti, Puliyankulam and Mundimurippu areas of Wanni recovered one 60-mm mortar bomb, one Rocket Propeller Grenade (RPG) and two T-55 tanks abandoned by the LTTE. Meanwhile, de-mining groups recovered 25 anti-personnel mines, one 60-mm mortar bomb and 120 rounds of T-56 ammunition from Periyapandivirichchan and Periyanthampanei areas on the same day.

• February 11: Troops during search and clear operations in the general areas of Nawalady, Vilpathhu National Park, Arasamuruppu, Adampan, Andankulam and Vellamullivaikkal areas of Wanni recovered one T-56 weapon, twenty-eight T-56 magazines, seventy-nine 7.62 mm ammunition, four anti personnel mines, two 81mm bombs, one 60 mm mortar bomb, one Rangan-99 anti personnel mine, one 12.7 link with one hundred 12.7 rounds of ammunition, forty-four Light Machine Gun (LMG) links, twelve canon rounds.

• February 10: Troops during search and clear operations in Puliyankulam, Palenagar, Mulleyaweli, Andankulam and Sampeltive areas of Wanni recovered three kilograms of TNT explosives, three claymore mines weighing about 2.5 kilograms each, two recoilless shells, five hand grenades, two Rangan-99 anti-personnel mines, 15 rounds of 9-mm ammunition, one magazine.

• February 9: Troops recovered 108 anti-personnel mines, five 60-mm mortar bombs, 24 Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG), three 81-mm bombs, one T-56 weapon, 22 rounds of T-56 ammunition and one Bangalore torpedo weighing about one kilogram during search and clear operations in Periyathampane, Sinnapandivirichchan, Nochchikulam, Nandikadal, Mulankavil, Nallur, Mullavellvaikkal, Andankulam and Kokkadichole areas of Wanni.

• February 8: Troops during search and clear operations in the general areas of Olumadu, Periyathampane, Nochchikulam, Adampan, Kokavil, Mulliyaweli, Andankulam, Puthukkudiyiruppu, Vellamullivaikkal, Maduruthottam and Ali-Ode areas of Wanni recovered, 97 rounds of T-56 ammunition, 29 anti-personnel mines, four 60-mm mortar bombs, three Rocket Propeller Grenades (RPG), one 152-mm Artillery round, two 120-mm mortar bombs, 10 60-mm Para bombs, 11 claymore mines, four fuses, 10 hand grenades, 64 Compact Discs, five T-56 weapons, ten T-56 magazines, 22 40-mm mortar bombs, one pressure mine, two claymore cells, eight anti personnel mine fuses, six detonators, 80kg of TNT explosives, a can containing 750 grams of C-4 explosives, 10-m of high explosive cord and two I-com sets.

• February 7: Troops during search and clear operations in Omanthe, Vilpaththu, Muruthamudei, Kumalamunai, Thanniuththu, Andankulam, Vellamullivaikkal, Kadiraweli and Puthukudiyiruppu areas of Wanni recovered 11 Anti Personnel Mines (APMs), 50 60-mm mortar bombs, four Rocket Propeller Grenades (RPG), six electric mines, 13 Para bombs, seven rounds of 14.5-mm ammunition, one 14.5-mm ammunition link, three T-56 weapons, four T-56 magazines, 60 rounds of T-56 ammunition, eight 81-mm mortar bombs and 70 rounds of 12.7.

  De-mining groups in Periyathampane, Sinnaparichchan, Pichchankulam, Nochchikulam Ampakamam and Adampan areas recovered 72 APMs, three 60-mm mortar bombs and one RPG.

  Police in Mullaitivu area recovered 66 cans containing 25 kilograms of explosives in each.

• February 5 : A special Police team traced a hideout used by LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran during the final stages of war at Vellamulliwaikkaland and recovered several files containing classified information, 56 Compact Discs and a large quantity of sophisticated weapons, adds The Island. Police ascertained information about the hideout by questioning six of Prabhakaran’s closest aides now in custody. Information contained in files pertained to Prabhakaran, his family members and his close associates and they would help the Police and the Security Forces with the on-going investigations, investigators said. The Police also recovered 17 suicide jackets, 7,000 Jhonny mines, 300 kilograms of C-4 explosives, 8 claymore mines and a host of weapons and ammunition. There was evidence that the LTTE had run an arms manufacturing factory in the vicinity of Prabhakaran’s hideout but that facility had been destroyed by the fleeing cadres to prevent it from falling to the Security Forces, the Police said

• February 4: Troops during search and clear operations in Vavunikulam, Vilpaththu, Pudiyasinnakulam, Iranamadu, Murusamude, Dangeliyadda and Kalmadu areas of Wanni recovered three anti-personnel mines, three 81-mm mortar bombs, one claymore mine, three hand grenades, three Rangun mines, 10 Rocket Propeller Grenades (RPG), ten 60-mm mortar bombs, five 60-mm para bombs, one T-56 weapon and one T-56 magazine.

  De-mining groups in Periyathampane, Madu and Iranamadu areas recovered 31 anti-personnel mines, one 60-mm mortar bomb, one electric mine and four hand grenades.

  On the same day, troops on information received from a civilian recovered two hand grenades in Jaffna town.

• February 3: Troops during search and clear operations in the Adampan, Iranamadu, Visuamadu, Mulliyaweli Andankulam and Vellamullivaikkal in Wanni recovered 13 anti-personnel mines, four Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) made using 130 mm artillery shells, 15 noses of 130 mm artillery shells, 16 IEDs, two hand grenades, 23 booby traps, three sea mines, five Rocket Propeller Grenades (RPG) and six electric switches.

  Troops operating in the East recovered four T-56 weapons, one T-56 magazine, four 60 mm mortar bombs, three 81 mm mortar bombs, eight Rocket Propeller Grenades, five claymore mines, 1248 rounds of 2.62 x 19-mm ammunition, 1761 rounds of training ammunition, two anti-personnel mines, four radio communication sets, one remote controller, 29 feet long detonator cord, five Light Machine Gun containers, eight Multi Purpose Machine Gun containers, 170 rounds of 12.7-mm ammunition and 687 rounds of MPMG ammunition during a search operation in the Muthugala area of  Batticaloa District.

  Police recovered a stock of arms and ammunition left behind by the LTTE cadres at Alanchipotha in Welikanda area of Polonnaruwa District, reports Daily News. "The arms cache was buried by fleeing LTTE cadres inside a sanctuary located 15 kilometres away from Mahaweli river," Police spokesman Senior Superintendent of Police I.M. Karunaratna said. The recoveries includes four T-56 assault rifles, parts of two T-56 rifles, three 60-mm mortar bombs, a 60-mm mortar weapon, three 81-mm mortar bombs, eight RPG bombs, two pressure mines, five drums used for the LMG weapon, two walkie talkies chargers, four parts of walkie talkies, a remote control device, a five-foot dead code wire, 170 of 12.7-mm anti aircraft ammunition, 687 MPMG ammunition, 1,248 T56 ammunition and a claymore mine.

• February 2: Sri Lanka Police arrested a suspected LTTE cadre in connection with the 2006 bomb attack on a bus in Kebithigollewa in North Central Province. The claymore attack on June 15, 2006 on a morning commuter bus killed 64 civilians including school children and injured scores. A special Police team of the Thenuwara Police has taken the suspect into custody and further investigations are being carried out. The suspect, Mahilingam Muthulingam, also known as Indran, had joined The LTTE in 1990 and was a member of the Charles Anthony Brigade. According to a statement given by the suspect to the Police, eight LTTE cadres were involved in the attack.

  A court has heard three men who raised more than AUD one million for the LTTE. They were identified as Aruran Vinayagamoorthy, Sivarajah Yathavan and Arumugum Rajeevan. They were also senior cadres of the terrorist outfit in Australia. They admitted to giving money to the LTTE between 2004 and 2007. Vinayagamoorthy had also pleaded guilty to providing radio transmitters which, the prosecution argued, were used for paramilitary activity in Sri Lanka, including denotating roadside bombs.

• February 1: Troops during the search and clear operations in Marathandi, Periyamadu, Kalmune, Mulleyaweli and Andankulam areas of Wanni recovered 35 85-mm mortar bombs, two 80-mm mortar bombs, one T-56 weapon, 15 hand grenades, one 60-mm mortar bombs, one Rocket Propeller Grenade (RPG) and four Rangan 99 bombs. Meanwhile, de-mining groups recovered one 120-mm mortar bomb and eight anti-personnel mines from Olumadu and Sinnapandivirichchan areas on the same day.

• January 30: Troops during search and clear operations in the Arugampuleliya, Vilpattu, Visuamadu, Mullaitivu, Andankulam and Puthukkudiyiruppu areas of Wanni recovered three claymore mines weighing about 8.5 kilograms each, two claymore mines weighing about 10 kilograms each, two claymore mines weighing about 12.5 kilograms each, one claymore mine weighing about 5 kilogram, 15 anti-personnel mines, 32 Rocket Propeller Grenades (RPG), 18 60-mm mortar bombs, two six feet long Bangalore torpedoes, two T-82 bombs, four trip flares, three plastic pipes containing explosives and 1830 rounds of 7.62-mm ammunition.

• January 28: On information received by Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), troops in the Moraweva area of Wanni recovered one T-56 weapon, 287 rounds of T-56 ammunition, 16 hand grenades, eight electronic detonators, one I-com set, five anti-personnel mines, one claymore mine stand, one remote control device, one Light Machine Gun ammunition drum and 2-metres length wire. Troops also recovered nineteen 60-mm mortar bombs, 576 rounds of T-56 ammunition, one 12.7 anti-aircraft ammunition, one claymore mine firing device, and two anti-personnel mines from the general areas of Palampiddi and Mulleyaveli in Wanni on the same day.

  The TID arrested a top LTTE cadre, identified as Shantha Kumar Rajan, in Colombo. He was reportedly a close associate of slain LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran and LTTE deputy leader Veerakathy Manivannam aka Castro and was at large for a couple of years. He was also involved in procurements for the LTTE for the last 10 years and was a trained LTTE cadre, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) TID N. Wakishta said. Rajan was active in procurement for the LTTE traveling under a forged passport. He was wanted by the TID and Interpol. Sivakumar was also connected with the explosive laden vehicle found at the Sama Viharaya at Kotahena in 1996. The search for LTTE operatives and important cadres overseas has not been stopped as they were active in other countries. The TID and the Defence Ministry is continuing the search for them and we have not stopped our operations, the DIG added.

  However, Colombo Page, reporting the incident adds that Sri Lankan defence authorities say an LTTE leader living abroad has been arrested and brought to Colombo. The cadre was arrested on the information provided by the LTTE arms procurer Kumaran Pathmanathan who was arrested in August 2009.

• January 27: Troops conducting search and clear operations in Vilpaththu and Puthukkudiyiruppu areas of Wanni recovered seven anti-personnel mines on January 27, according to Sri Lanka Army report. 

  Meanwhile, troops in the East engaged in a search and clear operation recovered two swords and one Hero Honda motor bike from Addalachchenei area on the same day.

• January 26: Army troops during search and clear operations in Ukkulamkulam, Vilpaththu and Kiriamunawewa areas of Wanni recovered five anti-personnel mines and one claymore mine weighing about 2.5 kilograms and one hand grenade.

• January 24: Troops during search and clear operations in Sinhapura, Adampan, Alampil, Oddusuddan and Vellamullivaikkal recovered two compasses, seven hand grenades, three binoculars, two anti personnel mines, one claymore mine weighing about 1.25 kilogram, an explosive charger weighing 105 grams, 75 rounds of T-56 ammunition, 311 rounds of 12.7-mm ammunition, four 60- mm mortar bombs, three 81mm mortar bombs, one Rocket Propeller Grenade (RPG), one 120 mm mortar bomb, two LTTE improvised bombs, two T-56 weapons, 108 IEDs, 13 explosive chargers, 87 electric detonators and 10 metre long detonator cord.

  Menikhinna Police in Kandy recovered several rounds of T-56 ammunition, two T-56 blank ammunition and four rounds of riot control ammunition.

• January 22: Troops recovered two hand grenades, 93 anti personnel mines, three Rocket Propeller grenades (RPG), one 81 mm mortar bomb and one 60-mm mortar bomb during search and clear operations in Periyathampanai, Vembadi Junction, Sinnapandivirichchan, Moddai, Vavunikulam, Iranamadu, Kumulamunai and Alampil.

  A federal court in the United States sentenced two persons, identified as Sathajhan Sarachandran (30), and Nadarasa Yogarasa (55), to 26 and 14 years of imprisonment respectively, in connection with their efforts to purchase USD one million worth of high-powered weaponry for the LTTE, a designated foreign terrorist organization in the US. The two convicts, both Canadian Tamils, were arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in an undercover sting operation when they attempted to purchase Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs), missile launchers, and hundreds of AK-47 automatic rifles at Long Island in New York on August 19, 2006.

• January 21: Troops conducting search and clear operations in Periyathampannai, Sinnapandivirichchan, Mudai, Palampiddy, Vettiyarkattaiadampan, Adampan, Kiranchi, Alampil, Anandakulam, Oddusudan and Puthukudiyiruppu recovered 126 anti personnel mines, three electric detonators, one booby trap made using 81 mm mortar bomb, 38 60 mm mortar bombs, nine 60-mm chargers, 11 60-mm illumination mortar bombs, 14 Rocket Propeller Grenades (RPG),1000 rounds of Multi Purpose Machine Gun (MPMG) ammunition, five rounds of 12.7 ammunition, 1500 rounds of T-56 ammunition, 10 T-56 magazines, one LTTE uniform, 20 moulds of 60 mm mortar bombs, one Outboard motor and 28 hand grenades.

  In another search conducted in Wetthawa, Mathugama, Police recovered 11 rounds of Multi Purpose Machine Gun (MPMG) ammunition, six rounds of ASM ammunition and six rounds of .50 ammunitions on the same day.

  Police in Trincomalee District during a search operation recovered one T-56 weapon with a magazine and 25 rounds of T-56 ammunition from Serunuwara area.

• January 20: Troops conducting their search and clear operations in the Vishuamadu, Alampil Adampan, Oddusudan and Kumana National Park areas of Wanni and recovered 126 rounds of Multi Purpose Machine Gun (MPMG) ammunition, 16 Rocket Propeller Grenades (RPG), three 81 mm mortar bombs, one hand grenade, two detonators, one Light Machine Gun (LMG) drum, 15 detonator cord each with a length of 100 m, two 2-T oil cans and one Outboard Motor (OBM).

  De-mining groups recovered 182 anti-personnel mines from the general areas of Periyathampane, Sinnapandiverichchan, Nochchikulam, Mundimuruppu, Nilayatikulam and Chettiyar Kattai Adampan the same day.

• January 18: Troops during search and clear operations in the general areas of Periyathampane, Sinnapandivirichchan, Nanthikandal, Nochchikulam, Palampiddi, Akkarayankulam, Iranamadu, Vishvamadu, Maduvilnadu, Nallur,Mullaittivu, Oddusudan and Pulabadi recovered one micro pistol, one micro pistol magazine, six rounds of ammunition, 121 anti personnel mines, 11 60 mm mortar bombs, 10 hand grenades, 24 Rocket Propeller grenades (RPG), two Rangan bombs, 25 detonator codes, five claymore mines, five boxes of iron balls, one shotgun and two shotgun barrels.

• January 17: During search and clear operations conducted in the Kilinochchi, Andankulam and Wellamullivaikkal areas of Wanni, the troops recovered eight hand grenades, two anti-personnel mines, three 60-mm mortar bombs and one Rocket Propeller Grenade.

• January 15: Troops conducted search and clear operations in the Kokavil, Ampakamam, Mulankavil, Wellamullivaikkal, Puthukkudiyiruppu, Kumalamunai, Periyanthampanei, Periyapandivirichchan, Sinnapandivirichchan, Madu, Puwarsakulam, Palampiddi, Nochchikulam and Andankulam areas of Wanni  on January 15  and recovered  one Rocket Propeller Grenade (RPG), eight hand grenades, one T-56 weapon, three T-56 magazines, one FNC pack, 57 Arul bombs, two Sony video cameras, seven video tapes, two radio sets, one computer hard disk, one battery, 527 detonators, 64 kilograms of C-4 explosives, 150 C-4 capsules, 170 small stands, 186 anti-personnel mines, one 120-mm mortar bomb and one 40-mm grenade launcher, according to a Sri Lanka Army report.

• January 13: Troops during their search and clear operations in the Periyamadu, Kattapirai, Periyapandivirichchan, Periyanthampanei, Sinnapandivirichchan, Nanthikandal, Palampiddi, Nochchikulam, Vilpaththu, Kilinochchi and Wellamullivaikkal areas of Wanni recovered 114 anti-personnel mines, one Arul bomb, two claymore mines, one 40-mm grenade launcher cartridge, two anti-tank mines, one Rocket Propeller grenade, one hand grenade, two Multi Purpose Machine Gun (MPMG) links and one hundred and twenty-three rounds of MPMG ammunition on January 13, according to a Sri Lanka Army report.

• January 12: Troops conducted search and clear operations in the Kattapirai, Iranamadu, Mullaitivu and Wellamullivaikkal areas of Wanni and recovered one T-56 weapon, eight hand grenades, two shotguns cartridges, one charger, one claymore mine, one anti-tank mine, one anti-personnel mine, two Rocket Propeller Grenades (RPG), one LTTE uniform, one LTTE cap, two dog tags, one mobile phone, one battery charger, one hand microphone and fourteen 12 v batteries.

  The troops recovered six 60-mm mortar bombs, three anti-personnel mines, six hundred 60-mm mortar chargers, five hand grenades, 752 rounds of T-56 ammunition, 72 rounds of Multi Purpose Machine Gun (MPMG) ammunition, 60 rounds of 5.56 ammunition and seven shotgun cartridges from the Muttur area of Trincomalee District.

• January 11: During search and clear operations conducted in the Manikkapola Uththu, Modeimadu, Kovilkunchikulam, Akkarayankulam and Wellamullivaikkal areas of Wanni the troops recovered four anti-tank mines, 36 anti-personnel mines, thirty-two 60-mm mortar bombs, four Rocket Propeller Grenades (RPG), three 81-mm mortar bombs, 11 hand grenades, 472 Multi Purpose Machine Gun (MPMG) ammunition, one disposable RPG gun.

  Trincomalee Police recovered two T-56 weapons, seven T-56 magazines, 391 rounds of T-56 ammunition, one radio set, one night vision device, two plastic boxes with chargers and one pouch from the Iluppukulam and Muttur areas.

• January 10: Troops continued search and clear operations in the Periyanthampanei, Periyapandiparichchan, Vavunikulam, Nochchikulam, Palampiddi, Visuamadukulam, Panichchankulam, Kumalamunai, Andankulam, Puthukkudiyiruppu and Veheragolla areas of Wanni and recovered 238 anti-personnel mines, one Arul bomb, one T-56 weapon, four T-56 magazines, 30 rounds of T-56 ammunition, 12 hand grenades, two Rocket Propelled Grenades, two Light Machine Guns (LMG) and four 60-mm mortar bombs.

• January 7: Army troops during their search and clear operations in the general areas of Peralkulam, Visuamadukulam, Puthukudiyiruppu and Veheragolla recovered one pistol, three hand grenades, one .22 rifle and one unexploded bomb.

  Meanwhile, Navy troops conducted a search and clear operation in the general area of Kadiraveli in Verugal on the same day and recovered 58500 rounds of T-56 ammunition.

• January 6: Army troops conducted search and clear operations in the Periyanthampanei, Periyapandivirichchan, Nochchikulam, Vilathikulam, Akkarayankulam, Anandakulam, Iranamadu, Olumadu, Wellamullivaikkal, Puthukkudiyiruppu and Puthumattalan areas of Wanni and recovered 127 anti-personnel mines, one Rocket Propeller Grenade (RPG), five hand grenades, three T-56 weapons, eight T-56 magazines, 301 round of T-56 ammunition, one micro pistol with three magazines, one 40-mm grenade launcher, one weapon sight, 13 Silva compasses, one I-com communication set and one belt order.

• January 5: Troops conducted search and clear operations in the Periyamadu, Iranamadu, Mullaitivu and Puthukkudiyiruppu areas of Wanni and recovered one Rocket Propeller Grenade (RPG), three shotguns, four shotgun cartridges, one booby trap made using 120-mm mortar bomb, eight anti-personnel mines, one T-56 weapon, 192 remote control devices, 11 I-com communication set antennas, 16 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), eight electric mines, six claymore mines, one pressure mine, 10 detonators, 31 rounds of FNC ammunition, three T-56 magazines, one Sub Machine Gun, one 40-mm grenade launcher, one 12.7 weapon with a tripod, two 12.7-mm weapon barrels, one Multi Proposed Machine Gun (MPMG) ammunition box, 32 rounds of 12.7-mm ammunition, one 12.7-mm ammunition drum, three MPMG links and 476 chargers used for electric mines, according to a Sri Lanka Army report.

• January 4: During search and clear operations conducted in the Pallei, Periyapandivirichchan, Nandankandal, Palampiddi, Nochchikulam, Iranamadu, Oddusudan, Paranthan, Akkarayankulam and Wellamullivaikkal areas of Wanni, the troops recovered a cache of arms and ammunition, reports Sri Lanka Army. The recoveries included five 81-mm mortar bombs, 42 hand grenades, eight fuses, one pack of chargers, one anti-tank mine, 191 anti-personnel mines, one claymore mine, 18 Rocket Propeller Grenades (RPG), one 152-mm artillery round, four 60-mm mortar bombs, two Rangan bombs, two detonators, two rounds of .38-mm ammunition, two rounds of micro pistol ammunition, four T-56 weapons, two T-56 bayonets, 22 T-56 magazines, a stock of weapon parts, one T-81 weapon, six M-16 weapons, three I-com communication sets, one I-com battery, one box of T-56 ammunition, 2000 kilograms of explosives, sixteen 14.8-mm weapon barrels, two shot guns, 2500 rounds of T-56 ammunition, seven artillery boosters, 46 artillery fuses, one disposable RPG bomb, one generator, two computer keyboards, one electric water pump, one video deck, one battery charger, one blender, one iron, one black wire roll, 10 motor cycle tyres and two motor cycle silencers.

  The Vavuniya Police Crime Unit unearthed a large haul of arms and explosives, including slain LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran’s personal rifle together along with body armour in Wellamullivaikkal. Senior Deputy Inspector General (North) Nimal Lewke said on information gathered from one of the personal bodyguards of the slain LTTE leader, a special team from the Vavuniya Police recovered over 2,000 kilograms of high explosives and Prabhakaran’s personal rifle. "They uncovered an M-16A2 with a grenade launcher along with a body armour that was believed to be used by the LTTE leader. The body armour was specially tailored for the LTTE leader", Lewke told the Daily News. The arms and explosives were carefully concealed and buried in the Wellamullivaikkal jungle. Police recovered two boat engines, a 40 horse power engine, 18 Arul bombs, 2,000 kilograms of RDX explosives, 88 suicide kits, two claymore mines, 17 of 60-mm mortar bombs, two weapon chargers, 20 pouches, 122 full switches, ten of 60-mm artillery shell chargers, 50 detonators, 2,500 of 7.62 ammunition, 250 grams gun powder, a torpedo, 25 anti-personnel mines, 25 artillery boosters, 46 artillery fuses, a disposable RPG weapon, 15 hand grenades, 16 of 14.5 weapon barrels, two automatic shot guns, 50 claymore stands, a large quantity of dead code wire, 20 remote control switches and eight suicide kit switches.

• January 3: Troops conducted search and clear operations in the Periyamadu,  Piramanakankulam, Mullaitivu and Puthukuddiruppu areas of Wanni and recovered two human skeletons along with LTTE dog tags, two anti-tank mines, 27 anti-personnel mines, 28 Arul bombs, four hand grenades, 1812 rounds of T-56 ammunition, 10 claymore mines, three Rocket Propeller Grenades (RPG), one 85-mm mortar bomb, one 120-mm mortar bomb, three 60-mm mortar bombs, 85 suicide jackets without explosives, 20 LTTE pouches, 50 detonators, 250 grams of explosives, two primer packets, one Bangalore torpedo and three Outboard Motors.

• January 1: During search and clear operations conducted in the Periyapandivirichchan, Nandankandal and Akkarayankulam areas of Wanni the troops recovered two anti-tank mines, 52 Anti-Personnel Mines (APMs) and 13 Arul bombs,.

  Troops in Welioya recovered one pressure mine, six APMs, four claymore mines, 10 detonators and 10 hand grenades from the Mankalawewa area.