Home
LATEST on SATP
Search
SEARCH ON SATP
SEARCH TERRORISM UPDATE
KEYWORD
Keyword is required.
START DATE
END DATE
KEYWORD
Keyword is required.
START DATE
END DATE
South Asia
Assessments
Backgrounder
Bibliography
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Afghanistan
Assessments
Backgrounder
Bibliography
Conflict Maps
Data Sheet
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Capital Region
Kabul
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
East Afghanistan
Kapisa
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Kunar
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Laghman
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Nangarhar
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Nuristan
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Panjsher
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Parwan
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
North Afghanistan
Badakhshan
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Baghlan
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Balkh
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Faryab
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Jowzjan
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Kunduz
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Samangan
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Sar-e-Pul
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Takhar
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
South Afghanistan
Daykundi
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Kandahar
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Uruzgan
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Zabul
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Southwest Afghanistan
Helmand
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Nimroz
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Southeast Afghanistan
Bamyan
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Ghazni
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Khost
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Logar
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Paktika
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Paktiya
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Wardak
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
West Afghanistan
Badghis
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Farah
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Ghor
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Herat
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Bangladesh
Assessments
Backgrounder
Bibliography
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Islamist Terrorism
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Left-wing Extremism
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Bhutan
Assessments
Backgrounder
Bibliography
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Central
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Eastern
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Southern
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Western
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
India
Assessments
Backgrounder
Bibliography
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Jammu & Kashmir
Assessments
Backgrounder
Bibliography
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Maoist Insurgency
Assessments
Backgrounder
Bibliography
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Andhra Pradesh
Assessments
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Bihar
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Chhattisgarh
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Goa
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Gujarat
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Haryana
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Jharkhand
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Karnataka
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Kerala
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Madhya Pradesh
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Maharashtra
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Odisha
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Rajasthan
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Tamil Nadu
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Telangana
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Uttar Pradesh
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Uttarakhand
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
West Bengal
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Insurgency North East
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Arunachal Pradesh
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Assam
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Manipur
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Meghalaya
Assessments
Backgrounder
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Mizoram
Assessments
Backgrounder
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Nagaland
Assessments
Backgrounder
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Tripura
Assessments
Backgrounder
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Punjab
Assessments
Backgrounder
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
ISLAMIST/OTHER CONFLICTS
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Andhra Pradesh
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Bihar
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Chandigarh (UT)
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Chhattisgarh
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Delhi
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Goa
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Gujarat
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Haryana
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Himachal Pradesh
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Jharkhand
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Karnataka
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Kerala
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Madhya Pradesh
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Maharashtra
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Odisha
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Pondicherry
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Rajasthan
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Sikkim
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Tamil Nadu
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Telangana
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Uttar Pradesh
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Uttarakhand
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
West Bengal
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Maldives
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Proviencs
Dhekunu (South)
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Mathi Dhekunu (Upper South)
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Mathi Uthuru (Upper North)
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Medhu (Central)
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Medhu Dhekunu (South Central)
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Medhu Uthuru (North Central)
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Uthuru (North)
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Nepal
Assessments
Bibliography
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Provinces
Province No. 1
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Province No. 2
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Province No. 3
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Province No. 4
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Province No. 5
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Province No. 6
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Province No. 7
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Pakistan
Assessments
Backgrounder
Bibliography
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Balochistan
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
FATA
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Islamabad Capital Territory
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Pakistan Occupied kashmir
Azad Kashmir
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Gilgit-Baltistan
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Punjab
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Sindh
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Sri Lanka
Assessments
Bibliography
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Provinces
Central Province
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Eastern Province
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
North Central Province
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
North Western Province
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Northern Province
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Sabaragamua Province
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Southern Province
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Uva Province
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Western Province
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Arunachal Pradesh
Assessments
Backgrounder
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Assam
Assessments
Backgrounder
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Jammu & Kashmir
Assessments
Backgrounder
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Manipur
Assessments
Backgrounder
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Meghalaya
Assessments
Backgrounder
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Mizoram
Assessments
Backgrounder
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Nagaland
Assessments
Backgrounder
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Punjab
Assessments
Backgrounder
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Tripura
Assessments
Backgrounder
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Maoist Insurgency
Assessments
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Andhra Pradesh
Assessments
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Bihar
Assessments
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Chhattisgarh
Assessments
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Goa
Timelines
Gujarat
Timelines
Haryana
Timelines
Jharkhand
Assessments
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Karnataka
Timelines
Kerala
Assessments
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Madhya Pradesh
Assessments
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Maharashtra
Assessments
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Odisha
Assessments
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Rajasthan
Timelines
Tamil Nadu
Timelines
Telangana
Assessments
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Uttar Pradesh
Timelines
Uttarakhand
Timelines
West Bengal
Assessments
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
ASSESSMENTS
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Bhutan
India
Maldives
Nepal
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
BACKGROUNDER
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Bhutan
India
Maldives
Nepal
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Bhutan
India
Maldives
Nepal
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
CONFLICT MAPS
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Bhutan
India
Maldives
Nepal
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
DATA SHEETS
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Bhutan
India
Maldives
Nepal
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
DOCUMENTS
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Bhutan
India
Maldives
Nepal
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
TERRORIST GROUPS
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Bhutan
India
Maldives
Nepal
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
TIMELINES
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Bhutan
India
Maldives
Nepal
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
BOOKS
The Knights of Falsehood
The Global Threat of Terror
Book Store
TERRORISM UPDATE
VIDEOS
FREEDOM FROM FEAR
WAR WITHIN BORDERS
SECOND SIGHT
ICM IN MEDIA
EXTERNAL RESOURCES
RISK ALERT
ISLAMIST EXTREMISM & TERRORISM IN SOUTH ASIA
SEMINARS/WORKSHOPS/PROJECTS/REPORTS
Sri Lanka
Statement:2007
Read more...
Date
Incidents
January - 1 
Defence Authorities have reportedly requested the public to be more vigilant about sleeper Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres living outside the North and East preparing for major attacks targeting sensitive economic or military centres in the South, especially in the Western province, r
Read more...
Defence Authorities have reportedly requested the public to be more vigilant about sleeper Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres living outside the North and East preparing for major attacks targeting sensitive economic or military centres in the South, especially in the Western province, reports Daily News. A senior unnamed Defence Ministry official told Daily News that the public should be more vigilant about sleeper LTTE cadres living in Colombo and suburban areas posing as normal civilians awaiting instructions from the LTTE to accomplish their missions. "There is a tendency among these LTTE cadres to pose as Muslims as to make their tasks easier," the official added.
Read less...
January - 1 
President Mahinda Rajapakse has expressed hope for a sustainable peace that would bring about "a new era of trust and understanding" among all the people of Sri Lanka, according to Colombo Page. The President said in his New Year message, "…We hope this New Year will bring the long awaited genuine a
Read more...
President Mahinda Rajapakse has expressed hope for a sustainable peace that would bring about "a new era of trust and understanding" among all the people of Sri Lanka, according to Colombo Page. The President said in his New Year message, "…We hope this New Year will bring the long awaited genuine and sustainable peace to our land; bring about a new era of trust and understanding among all our people, and enable us to move forward together to solve our social and political problems. It is necessary for us to re-dedicate ourselves to the defeat of terrorism and violence, and foster tolerance and understanding in the search for a better future for our country and nation. "
Read less...
January - 1 
Sri Lankan Army Commander Sarath Fonseka stated that the country has moved forward to wipe out terrorism and protect the territorial integrity of the nation. Addressing Army officers and other ranks on New Year's day, the Army Chief said, "Our sole intention is to create a peaceful and conducive env
Read more...
Sri Lankan Army Commander Sarath Fonseka stated that the country has moved forward to wipe out terrorism and protect the territorial integrity of the nation. Addressing Army officers and other ranks on New Year's day, the Army Chief said, "Our sole intention is to create a peaceful and conducive environment where everybody could live in peace and harmony after granting every citizen of his/her human rights. This is possible after rooting out terrorism. "
Read less...
January - 2 
Colombo Page reports that the Sri Lankan Government said that it would take legal action against any institution or organization that is issuing bogus identity cards. The statement follows reports that the LTTE has started to issue ID cards. "Some media reports have revealed that the LTTE is issuing
Read more...
Colombo Page reports that the Sri Lankan Government said that it would take legal action against any institution or organization that is issuing bogus identity cards. The statement follows reports that the LTTE has started to issue ID cards. "Some media reports have revealed that the LTTE is issuing bogus identification cards to the Tamil people of the North and East. The Government of Sri Lanka reiterates that the only authority permitted to issue National Identity Cards is the Commissioner of Registration of Persons," the Government said in a statement on January 2. Possessing or issuing ID cards other than the National Identity Card issued by the Department of Registration of Persons is illegal and anyone found in violation will be severely dealt with by the government under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and the Registration of Persons Act No. 32 of 1968, it added.
Read less...
January - 2 
Defence spokesperson, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, said that the pullout of the truce monitors from the Northeast has paved the way for the LTTE to engage in large-scale child recruitment freely in the East, reports Daily News.
Read more...
Defence spokesperson, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, said that the pullout of the truce monitors from the Northeast has paved the way for the LTTE to engage in large-scale child recruitment freely in the East, reports Daily News.
Read less...
January - 2 
Three Sri Lankan Military officers have been taken into custody and will face a court-martial for helping the LTTE, the Defense Ministry said. Military spokesman Brig. Prasad Samarasinghe said the officers — two majors and a captain — will stand trial for allegedly passing information to LTTE on the
Read more...
Three Sri Lankan Military officers have been taken into custody and will face a court-martial for helping the LTTE, the Defense Ministry said. Military spokesman Brig. Prasad Samarasinghe said the officers — two majors and a captain — will stand trial for allegedly passing information to LTTE on the movements of Government and military officials and potential targets in the capital Colombo.
Read less...
January - 3 
Colombo Page reports that the United Nations (U.N.) called on the Sri Lankan Government and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to stop fighting, protect the innocent, and resume peace talks. “Sri Lankans continue to suffer deeply due to this conflict, and today’s loss of life is a source of dee
Read more...
Colombo Page reports that the United Nations (U.N.) called on the Sri Lankan Government and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to stop fighting, protect the innocent, and resume peace talks. “Sri Lankans continue to suffer deeply due to this conflict, and today’s loss of life is a source of deepest concern,” said U.N. Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Acting Emergency Relief Coordinator Margareta Wahlström on January 3. She added, “It is imperative that both sides to the conflict take all measures to fulfill their obligations under international law to protect civilians in this conflict; we have too often seen them fall short in this duty.” As reported earlier the LTTE alleged that 14 civilians were killed during the aerial bombardment of the LTTE-controlled coastal village of Illupaikadavai in the Mannar district by the Sri Lankan Air Force.
Read less...
January - 3 
Sri Lanka Army Commander Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka has vowed to liberate the Eastern Province from the LTTE's hold and then to proceed to liberating the Northern Province. The Army Commander said the LTTE would be eradicated from the East within the next two to three months.
Read more...
Sri Lanka Army Commander Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka has vowed to liberate the Eastern Province from the LTTE's hold and then to proceed to liberating the Northern Province. The Army Commander said the LTTE would be eradicated from the East within the next two to three months.
Read less...
January - 6 
The Government blamed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for both explosions and said the outfit is attempting to divert attention from the continuous defeats they have been suffering at the hands of the security forces during the recent past. "At a moment when the security forces are succe
Read more...
The Government blamed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for both explosions and said the outfit is attempting to divert attention from the continuous defeats they have been suffering at the hands of the security forces during the recent past. "At a moment when the security forces are successfully carrying out counter-terrorist measures to restore civil administration in the north and east, the LTTE has resorted to engage in terror attacks in the south in a bid to disrupt normalcy. "The Government reiterates that terror attacks will not deter its efforts to find a peaceful solution to the national problem… The LTTE's terror attacks will only strengthen the Government's resolve to defeat terrorism and restore normalcy in the north and east," a spokesman for the Government said in a statement. However, the LTTE defence spokesperson Ilanthirayan termed it as a baseless allegation and said it was aimed at discrediting the LTTE.
Read less...
January - 7 
A spokesperson of the Defence Ministry's Media Centre for National Security said in a statement on January 6, "The government reaffirms its total commitment to a peaceful settlement for the north and east. The government appeals to the international community to condemn such acts of terror and preva
Read more...
A spokesperson of the Defence Ministry's Media Centre for National Security said in a statement on January 6, "The government reaffirms its total commitment to a peaceful settlement for the north and east. The government appeals to the international community to condemn such acts of terror and prevail on the LTTE [Tamil Tigers] to renounce violence and return to the negotiating table."
Read less...
January - 7 
President Mahinda Rajapakse accused the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) of stoking an ethnic backlash by majority Sinhalese on the minority Tamil community, reports AFP. In a statement released by his office on January 7 after 17 people died in bomb blasts on crowded buses at the weekend, th
Read more...
President Mahinda Rajapakse accused the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) of stoking an ethnic backlash by majority Sinhalese on the minority Tamil community, reports AFP. In a statement released by his office on January 7 after 17 people died in bomb blasts on crowded buses at the weekend, the President said, "The aim of the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) is to have a backlash against the Tamils and to undermine our efforts to find a peaceful solution."
Read less...
January - 9 
Daily News reports that Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake charged that when the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suffers setbacks and is defeated in the North and East, they cause mayhem in the South in desperation. So it is a collective responsibility of all parties in the South to be
Read more...
Daily News reports that Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake charged that when the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suffers setbacks and is defeated in the North and East, they cause mayhem in the South in desperation. So it is a collective responsibility of all parties in the South to be vigilant to avert violence in the South, he said. The Prime Minister said: "We have a terrorist problem. The minorities also have a problem. It is our duty to ensure justice and equality to the Tamil-speaking minority, as all Tamils are not terrorists. We cannot justify a small group of people taking the law into their own hands and massacring innocent people, or paving the way for civil commotion. The onus is on the Government to make people aware of this situation and be vigilant." He reiterated, "We must retaliate by air, sea, land or any other mode at our disposal, to protect the nation's sovereignty and territorial integrity. We must shun violence."
Read less...
January - 9 
Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee told President Rajapakse that India was of the firm view that a solution to the ethnic conflict in the island nation could be achieved only through dialogue, reports AFP. He hoped that the Chairman of the APC would be able to reconcile reports of the
Read more...
Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee told President Rajapakse that India was of the firm view that a solution to the ethnic conflict in the island nation could be achieved only through dialogue, reports AFP. He hoped that the Chairman of the APC would be able to reconcile reports of the multi-ethnic experts committee on resolution of the conflict and come forward with a consensus report. Asked about the Rajapakse Government's decision to initiate measures for de-merger of northern and eastern provinces after the October Supreme Court verdict, Mukherjee said while they followed the apex court judgment, it was for the Government to respond to the issue. He added, "The temporary merger of north and east was a follow up to the 1987 Indo-Sri Lanka accord and it is up to the Government to decide on how to meet the situation arising out the Supreme Court judgement declaring the merger as null and void."
Read less...
January - 9 
President Mahinda Rajapakse told Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee in Colombo that he is confident that All Party Conference (APC) would contribute to a national consensus on power devolution and reiterated his steadfast commitment to a negotiated political solution to the national i
Read more...
President Mahinda Rajapakse told Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee in Colombo that he is confident that All Party Conference (APC) would contribute to a national consensus on power devolution and reiterated his steadfast commitment to a negotiated political solution to the national issue, according to Colombo Page. “The President emphasized the high priority his administration assigns in this regard to the mechanism of the All Party Conference (APC), and his confidence that the deliberations within this forum would contribute to a national consensus on devolution,” the President’s Office said on January 9. “The Sri Lankan leaders shared with the Indian Minister the measures taken to ensure security while pursuing the peace process,” the President’s office said.
Read less...
January - 9 
The United Nations (UN) has called for the protection of all civilians throughout the island. The UN has also said that the situation in Vaharai in eastern Sri Lanka is “grave” and demanded an urgent response. “According to Government estimates, 15,000 people are isolated without access to food or b
Read more...
The United Nations (UN) has called for the protection of all civilians throughout the island. The UN has also said that the situation in Vaharai in eastern Sri Lanka is “grave” and demanded an urgent response. “According to Government estimates, 15,000 people are isolated without access to food or basic supplies as stocks are decimated. Since the 29 November when the last convoy of humanitarian supplies were allowed in, there has been no access to Vaharai for humanitarian agencies,” said the UN in a statement. It further reminded both the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE of their obligations under international human rights and humanitarian law, as expressed in the Security Council Resolutions on the Protection of Civilians and the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement.
Read less...
January - 10 
Daily News reports that Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake has charged that when the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suffers setbacks and is defeated in the North and East, they cause mayhem in the South in desperation. So it is a collective responsibility of all parties in the South to
Read more...
Daily News reports that Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake has charged that when the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suffers setbacks and is defeated in the North and East, they cause mayhem in the South in desperation. So it is a collective responsibility of all parties in the South to be vigilant to avert violence in the South, he said. The Prime Minister said on January 9: "We have a terrorist problem. The minorities also have a problem. It is our duty to ensure justice and equality to the Tamil-speaking minority, as all Tamils are not terrorists. We cannot justify a small group of people taking the law into their own hands and massacring innocent people, or paving the way for civil commotion. The onus is on the Government to make people aware of this situation and be vigilant." He reiterated, "We must retaliate by air, sea, land or any other mode at our disposal, to protect the nation's sovereignty and territorial integrity. We must shun violence."
Read less...
January - 10 
Indonesian police reportedly deported a Sri Lankan wanted by the United States (US) for smuggling military equipment to the LTTE. A national police spokesperson, Bambang Kuncoko, told the media, "Sri Lankan national Pratheepan Thavarajah was today extradited to the United States through the Sukarno-
Read more...
Indonesian police reportedly deported a Sri Lankan wanted by the United States (US) for smuggling military equipment to the LTTE. A national police spokesperson, Bambang Kuncoko, told the media, "Sri Lankan national Pratheepan Thavarajah was today extradited to the United States through the Sukarno-Hatta international airport." 32-year-old Thavarajah, who was wanted by the Interpol's Washington bureau, was arrested as he attempted to board a flight to Kuala Lumpur at the Sukarno-Hatta airport on January 4.
Read less...
January - 10 
The United Nations (UN) has called for the protection of all civilians throughout the island. The UN also said that the situation in Vaharai in eastern Sri Lanka is "grave" and demanded an urgent response. "According to Government estimates, 15,000 people are isolated without access to food or basic
Read more...
The United Nations (UN) has called for the protection of all civilians throughout the island. The UN also said that the situation in Vaharai in eastern Sri Lanka is "grave" and demanded an urgent response. "According to Government estimates, 15,000 people are isolated without access to food or basic supplies as stocks are decimated. Since the 29 November when the last convoy of humanitarian supplies were allowed in, there has been no access to Vaharai for humanitarian agencies," said the UN in a statement. It reminded both the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE of their obligations under international human rights and humanitarian law, as expressed in the Security Council Resolutions on the Protection of Civilians and the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement.
Read less...
January - 11 
Defence spokesperson and Minister Keheliya Rambukwella stated on January 11 that the Government has no intention to launch an offensive to capture areas under the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), according to BBC Sinhala. "… On the other hand, government has to take measures against any atta
Read more...
Defence spokesperson and Minister Keheliya Rambukwella stated on January 11 that the Government has no intention to launch an offensive to capture areas under the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), according to BBC Sinhala. "… On the other hand, government has to take measures against any attacks that threatened the national security and the safety of the innocent tamil people," said Rambukwella. He also said the clashes are merely "retaliatory" in reaction to the outfit’s attacks, adding, probably the Force commanders meant the same approach although they were using different terminology. He emphasized, "Security forces use language in a different way. They say 'operation' or 'offensive' when we are actually retaliating." As reported earlier, the Army commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka had stated the intentions of the security forces were to drive the LTTE from the North and the East.
Read less...
January - 11 
President Iajuddin Ahmed on January 11 declared a state of emergency in the country--amid growing political crisis over the elections to the Jatiya Sangsad (national assembly). Ahmed also resigned from the post of chief adviser to the caretaker government. Nine advisers to the caretaker government t
Read more...
President Iajuddin Ahmed on January 11 declared a state of emergency in the country--amid growing political crisis over the elections to the Jatiya Sangsad (national assembly). Ahmed also resigned from the post of chief adviser to the caretaker government. Nine advisers to the caretaker government too resigned from their posts while Justice Fazlul Haque, the senior most among the advisers, took the charge as acting chief adviser. According to Daily Star, the council of advisers will be reconstituted in a day or two to hold a credible election within shortest possible time. The parliamentary election scheduled to be held on January 22 has also been postponed. Authorities have also clamped a six-hour curfew--from 11 pm to 5 am--in all metropolitan cities and district headquarters with immediate effect until further orders.
Read less...
January - 16 
The role of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) is to undergo some amendments at the end of the ongoing workshop of the ceasefire monitors, said SLMM spokesman Thorfinur Omarsson. He told Daily Mirror the Government was also invited to give its input on making the role of the monitors more effec
Read more...
The role of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) is to undergo some amendments at the end of the ongoing workshop of the ceasefire monitors, said SLMM spokesman Thorfinur Omarsson. He told Daily Mirror the Government was also invited to give its input on making the role of the monitors more effective while a similar invitation would be put forward to the LTTE as well later this week. "It is too early to predict what sort of changes will take place but some differences are likely," Omarsson said following a meeting between the SLMM and Government Peace Secretariat Chief Palitha Kohona.
Read less...
January - 17 
Daily News quoted Rambukwella as saying, "Government has credible evidence that certain international and local NGOs unwittingly or knowingly supported the LTTE… What we have said a few months ago is proved today with ample evidence… Now we have evidence-video footage of supplies being provided by I
Read more...
Daily News quoted Rambukwella as saying, "Government has credible evidence that certain international and local NGOs unwittingly or knowingly supported the LTTE… What we have said a few months ago is proved today with ample evidence… Now we have evidence-video footage of supplies being provided by INGOs and NGOs. This is not a personal attack on anyone or institution. It relates to the national security of the country…"
Read less...
January - 17 
Defence spokesperson Keheliya Rambukwella stated on January 17 that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is growing cannabis to make big money, according to Hindustan Times. He accused that since big money could not be made by extortion due to the closure of the A-9 highway linking south Sri
Read more...
Defence spokesperson Keheliya Rambukwella stated on January 17 that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is growing cannabis to make big money, according to Hindustan Times. He accused that since big money could not be made by extortion due to the closure of the A-9 highway linking south Sri Lanka with Jaffna through the LTTE-held Wanni, the outfit was resorting to cannabis growing in the east. The Army showed video clippings of the discovery of a cannabis farm in one of the 16 camps of the outfit in the Kanjikudichcharu jungle which the Special Task Force had captured. The LTTE, however, denied the allegations and claimed that cannabis were grown in a Sinhala village called Bakkimiddiya and alleged that the Army video was taken in that village.
Read less...
January - 17 
Hindustan Times quoted Military spokesman Brig Prasad Samarasinghe as saying that 561 LTTE cadres had surrendered to the Sri Lankan Armed Forces in the East since July 25, 2006. "The majority of them are children," he added.
Read more...
Hindustan Times quoted Military spokesman Brig Prasad Samarasinghe as saying that 561 LTTE cadres had surrendered to the Sri Lankan Armed Forces in the East since July 25, 2006. "The majority of them are children," he added.
Read less...
January - 17 
The Chairman of the All Party Representative Committee (APRC), Tissa Vitharana, stated that an extensive dialogue will be conducted on power devolution in Sri Lanka as a solution for the ethnic problem prior to coming in to a final decision, according to Colombo Page. The dialogue will be based on t
Read more...
The Chairman of the All Party Representative Committee (APRC), Tissa Vitharana, stated that an extensive dialogue will be conducted on power devolution in Sri Lanka as a solution for the ethnic problem prior to coming in to a final decision, according to Colombo Page. The dialogue will be based on the proposals presented by the Chairman of the APRC last week.
Read less...
January - 17 
The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for an immediate halt to the fighting and urged both the LTTE and its breakaway faction led by ‘Colonel’ Karuna to stop recruiting children as soldiers, reports Reuters. He emphasised in the report published on the UN Website, "I stress th
Read more...
The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for an immediate halt to the fighting and urged both the LTTE and its breakaway faction led by ‘Colonel’ Karuna to stop recruiting children as soldiers, reports Reuters. He emphasised in the report published on the UN Website, "I stress the need for the government to investigate immediately allegations that certain elements of the Sri Lanka security forces are involved in aiding the recruitment and or abduction of children by the Karuna faction in the east."
Read less...
January - 18 
Daily News quoted the Sri Lankan Monitoring Mission (SLMM) spokesman Thorfinur Omarsson as saying that ten of Sri Lanka's nearly three dozen truce monitors will be back at their posts next week in the North and East after an absence of more than two weeks. He said that the remaining 24 will wait to
Read more...
Daily News quoted the Sri Lankan Monitoring Mission (SLMM) spokesman Thorfinur Omarsson as saying that ten of Sri Lanka's nearly three dozen truce monitors will be back at their posts next week in the North and East after an absence of more than two weeks. He said that the remaining 24 will wait to discuss their role in monitoring, adding, "Four of our monitors are already in place in two areas."
Read less...
January - 18 
Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera stated in New Delhi on January 18 that a political process was underway in the country to share power with ethnic Tamils but made it clear that the campaign against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) will continue until the rebels stop bloodshed, accordi
Read more...
Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera stated in New Delhi on January 18 that a political process was underway in the country to share power with ethnic Tamils but made it clear that the campaign against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) will continue until the rebels stop bloodshed, according to The Hindu. An all-party political conference is working to address the "genuine grievances" of the Tamil people and a political proposal is being drafted by its sub-committee, added the Foreign Minister. Emphasising that the Mahinda Rajapakse Government was committed to find a negotiated settlement to the decade-old ethnic Tamil problem, he said, "The constitutional proposal is for sharing power with the Tamil people. Genuine grievances of the Tamils should be addressed and we are in search of a political solution."
Read less...
January - 18 
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) expressed its concerns over the shelling and fighting in the Vakarai area, where a hospital is located around which thousands of civilians have gathered, reports Colombo Page. "Under international humanitarian law, a hospital and its personnel excl
Read more...
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) expressed its concerns over the shelling and fighting in the Vakarai area, where a hospital is located around which thousands of civilians have gathered, reports Colombo Page. "Under international humanitarian law, a hospital and its personnel exclusively assigned to medical purposes must be respected and protected in all circumstances and may not be the subject of attack," the ICRC said in a statement. "As long as the hospital is not used to commit hostile acts, such as launching military offensives or storing military equipment in its compound, the hospital must not be attacked. Civilians who have sought refuge in or near the hospital have to be respected at all times," it said. The ICRC called on both the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE to respect the protection of the hospital and the civilians who have sought shelter in the area.
Read less...
January - 18 
The United Nations humanitarian affairs office said that the ongoing violence in Sri Lanka has resulted in 213,000 new refugees, asking donors for U.S. $66 million in aid to carry out support programs in coming months. "The recurrence of violence and hostilities in the north and east of the country
Read more...
The United Nations humanitarian affairs office said that the ongoing violence in Sri Lanka has resulted in 213,000 new refugees, asking donors for U.S. $66 million in aid to carry out support programs in coming months. "The recurrence of violence and hostilities in the north and east of the country since April 2006 has impacted negatively upon the humanitarian situation of the civilian population — a situation already strained by prior conflict," the U.N. agency said in a statement." Nearly 213,000 people have been newly displaced in the past nine months, bringing the total number of displaced persons in the country to over half a million," the statement added. The figure includes some 315,000 people who remain displaced from earlier stages in the conflict that stopped after Norway brokered a cease-fire in 2002.
Read less...
January - 20 
Sri Lanka Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera stated in New Delhi on January 20 that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is much more brutal than the al-Qaeda, reports Colombo Page. “They [LTTE] perfected the art of suicide bombing [and] there has been a transfer of technologies between the
Read more...
Sri Lanka Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera stated in New Delhi on January 20 that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is much more brutal than the al-Qaeda, reports Colombo Page. “They [LTTE] perfected the art of suicide bombing [and] there has been a transfer of technologies between the groups [LTTE and Al-Qaeda],” the Minister said, adding, “The LTTE is a very peculiar kind of organisation. It is not a freedom movement. I have never heard of a freedom movement that kills off its own best people. They are fighting for Prabhakaran's personal agenda. The stark truth is that the LTTE is not interested in a negotiated settlement.”
Read less...
January - 21 
The Sri Lanka military stated on January 21 that it has taken control of the Trincomalee – Batticaloa A-15 road chasing the LTTE cadres to the Thoppigala jungles. After consolidating the positions following the gain of Vakarai, the security forces have captured the Komathalamadu, Verugal and Kadirav
Read more...
The Sri Lanka military stated on January 21 that it has taken control of the Trincomalee – Batticaloa A-15 road chasing the LTTE cadres to the Thoppigala jungles. After consolidating the positions following the gain of Vakarai, the security forces have captured the Komathalamadu, Verugal and Kadiraveli villages and the vital road along the eastern coastline from Trincomalee to Batticaloa. “Ninety five percent of the civilians in the Eastern Province are now under the government controlled areas and the Tigers are now confined to limited areas in Thoppigala jungles,” the military stated.
Read less...
January - 22 
Government promised to wipe out the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) from Thoppigala jungles in the Batticaloa district after capturing the outfit’s stronghold in Vakarai, reports Colombo Page. However, the Government also said that it is ready to hold the fighting if the Tigers agree to come
Read more...
Government promised to wipe out the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) from Thoppigala jungles in the Batticaloa district after capturing the outfit’s stronghold in Vakarai, reports Colombo Page. However, the Government also said that it is ready to hold the fighting if the Tigers agree to come for peace talks. Defense spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told a news agency on January 22, "Toppigala is a bit of a volatile area, which runs the risk of forces being attacked from time to time, so we will have to eliminate that risk as well. If tomorrow the LTTE says 'we are ready to stop hostilities and get back to the negotiating table', we will stop immediately. If they do not, then we’ll have to liberate the Tamil civilians in the east and then call (the Tigers) for negotiations." He added that the Government was not threatening to banish the Tigers from their main northern base.
Read less...
January - 22 
Sri Lanka's major opposition United National Party (UNP) has reportedly proposed that a solution to the ethnic problem should be sought through power devolution based on the Tokyo Agreement. The UNP handed over its proposals to the All Party Representative Committee chairman Tissa Vitarana on Januar
Read more...
Sri Lanka's major opposition United National Party (UNP) has reportedly proposed that a solution to the ethnic problem should be sought through power devolution based on the Tokyo Agreement. The UNP handed over its proposals to the All Party Representative Committee chairman Tissa Vitarana on January 22.
Read less...
January - 23 
Colombo Page reports that the Bilateral Donor Group - consisting of representatives from Britain, Canada, Sweden, United States and the European Commission - has issued a warning to the LTTE to stop immediately the recruitment of persons of any age and the intimidation of international non-governmen
Read more...
Colombo Page reports that the Bilateral Donor Group - consisting of representatives from Britain, Canada, Sweden, United States and the European Commission - has issued a warning to the LTTE to stop immediately the recruitment of persons of any age and the intimidation of international non-governmental organisations (INGOs). "After making a survey of the conflict areas, the group has issued a warning to the LTTE to stop immediately the recruitment of persons of any age, intimidating INGOs and using civilians as a human shield, and to allow traders to deal in goods supplied by the government," said Government Defence spokesperson Keheliya Rambukwella. He also said the team has requested the outfit to provide protection for the transport of essential goods by the Sri Lankan government.
Read less...
January - 23 
Speaking to Daily News General Officer Commanding of the Sri Lanka Army 23 Division in Welikanda, Brigadier Daya Ratnayaka termed the defeat of the LTTE in Vakarai as the biggest defeat the LTTE have ever faced in the recent history. "The large number of weapons left behind by the LTTE in Vakarai an
Read more...
Speaking to Daily News General Officer Commanding of the Sri Lanka Army 23 Division in Welikanda, Brigadier Daya Ratnayaka termed the defeat of the LTTE in Vakarai as the biggest defeat the LTTE have ever faced in the recent history. "The large number of weapons left behind by the LTTE in Vakarai and Kathirveli and Verugal areas bear testimony for this", he added.
Read less...
January - 25 
Associated Press reports, the Resettlement Minister Rishad Badiudeen said 64,250 ethnic minority Tamils have been displaced in eastern Batticaloa district, including 12,500 people who fled from Vaharai. He said another 6,000 ethnic Sinhalese who fled their villages in neighbouring Trincomalee distri
Read more...
Associated Press reports, the Resettlement Minister Rishad Badiudeen said 64,250 ethnic minority Tamils have been displaced in eastern Batticaloa district, including 12,500 people who fled from Vaharai. He said another 6,000 ethnic Sinhalese who fled their villages in neighbouring Trincomalee district earlier have started moving back.
Read less...
January - 25 
Sri Lanka vowed, on January 25, to attack and destroy Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) military assets, including those in the outfit’s northern stronghold. Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse, told Reuters "We definitely want to destroy their assets, wherever those are - whether it is in t
Read more...
Sri Lanka vowed, on January 25, to attack and destroy Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) military assets, including those in the outfit’s northern stronghold. Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse, told Reuters "We definitely want to destroy their assets, wherever those are - whether it is in the north, east, south." He said, "We want to destroy their assets everywhere, because as long as they have Sea Tiger bases, as long as they have artillery pieces ... terrorists are always thinking wherever possible they want to do damage." He added that the only way the LTTE can defuse the military's plan is through a genuine expression of desire about talking peace by leader Velupillai Prabhakaran. However, Rajapakse insisted that despite aiming to wipe out all LTTE military assets, the Government is committed to peace. "The bottom line is the Government is not going for a military solution. The Government is genuinely committed for a political solution.” he said.
Read less...
January - 28 
Defence Ministry on January 28 warned that following a severe setback in the East, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) were planning a major offensive against the Security Forces (SFs) in Wanni to retain control of their cadres, according to Daily Mirror. “A major LTTE attack against the Sec
Read more...
Defence Ministry on January 28 warned that following a severe setback in the East, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) were planning a major offensive against the Security Forces (SFs) in Wanni to retain control of their cadres, according to Daily Mirror. “A major LTTE attack against the Security Forces in the Wanni could be anticipated, as an unprecedented upsurge of terrorist activities, including extortion, abductions, assassinations and harassment has been observed in the last few days in the Vavuniya, Periyankulam, Kokkudowalai, Welioya and Mankerni areas,” the Media Centre for National Security said. According to latest statistics, at least 12 persons were killed and many injured, due to LTTE instigated violence in the Vavuniya, Omanthai, Murunkan, Kokkuthuduwai, Welioya and Periyankulam areas. SFs also recovered a haul of weapons, which the LTTE had hidden to attack them from several places in these areas.
Read less...
January - 29 
International donors warned Sri Lanka against escalating its ethnic conflict and demanded a power-sharing deal with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to end violence and salvage the economy, according to AFP. Sri Lanka must commit to peace and restore investor confidence if it is to develo
Read more...
International donors warned Sri Lanka against escalating its ethnic conflict and demanded a power-sharing deal with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to end violence and salvage the economy, according to AFP. Sri Lanka must commit to peace and restore investor confidence if it is to develop its potential, said World Bank's Vice President for South Asia, Praful Patel. He told a meeting of international aid donors at Galle in Sri Lanka, "There is no way to politely skirt this issue. As a major development partner to Sri Lanka, the World Bank would be failing if we did not place the conflict front and centre in our deliberations."
Read less...
January - 29 
President Mahinda Rajapakse, who is also the finance minister, blamed the LTTE for blocking aid to conflict areas. "We could have probably organised this forum in Trincomalee (in the island's northeast) if not for the violence and terrorist activities of the LTTE," Rajapakse told the donors. The Pre
Read more...
President Mahinda Rajapakse, who is also the finance minister, blamed the LTTE for blocking aid to conflict areas. "We could have probably organised this forum in Trincomalee (in the island's northeast) if not for the violence and terrorist activities of the LTTE," Rajapakse told the donors. The President said the Government was committed to a negotiated peaceful solution to the conflict.
Read less...
January - 29 
The United States (US) has stated that a military solution to the ethnic conflict was not possible. The US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Robert Blake, said, "We remain unwavering in our conviction that there can be no military solution to this terrible conflict. We hope Sri Lanka will seize the opportuni
Read more...
The United States (US) has stated that a military solution to the ethnic conflict was not possible. The US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Robert Blake, said, "We remain unwavering in our conviction that there can be no military solution to this terrible conflict. We hope Sri Lanka will seize the opportunity to forge a power-sharing proposal that can form the basis for talks with the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) that could finally bring an end to conflict in Sri Lanka."
Read less...
January - 31 
Earlier, on January 31, a team of representatives of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) led by its chief Lars Johan Solvberg travelled to Kilinochchi and discussed security and cooperation in the cease-fire monitoring process with the head of the LTTE Peace Secretariat, S. Pulithevan. Xinhua ad
Read more...
Earlier, on January 31, a team of representatives of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) led by its chief Lars Johan Solvberg travelled to Kilinochchi and discussed security and cooperation in the cease-fire monitoring process with the head of the LTTE Peace Secretariat, S. Pulithevan. Xinhua adds that both the Government and LTTE have assured the SLMM that they are committed to the Norwegian backed truce agreement. Thorfinnur Omarsson, the spokesperson for the SLMM said, "Both sides also said that they would guarantee the safety of our monitors," adding, that the Nordic truce monitoring group would soon restructure its operations with district monitors and a rapid deployment team.
Read less...
January - 31 
External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee on January 31 urged Sri Lanka to unveil a credible devolution package to end the ethnic conflict during his meeting with new Sri Lankan Minister of Foreign Affairs Rohitha Bogollagama in New Delhi, according to Colombo Page. He said that now is the time to
Read more...
External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee on January 31 urged Sri Lanka to unveil a credible devolution package to end the ethnic conflict during his meeting with new Sri Lankan Minister of Foreign Affairs Rohitha Bogollagama in New Delhi, according to Colombo Page. He said that now is the time to do it and that Sri Lanka should remember that there could never be a military solution to the conflict that has turned messier since end of 2005 after some years of relative calm. Meanwhile Rohitha Bogollagama said that while Colombo remained committed to the peace process it would crush terrorism by the LTTE, adds Reuters. "If it's a terrorist movement you can't encourage it. If you can't encourage it you must eliminate it. We are fairly strong to look at the terrorist aspect ... if they are strong, then let us see how strong they are," said Bogollagama. He also informed that India has agreed to step up its naval surveillance of common waters with Sri Lanka to check activities of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), according to IRNA.
Read less...
January - 31 
Meanwhile, Sri Lankan Government asked the LTTE to engage in sincere peace talks to end escalating bloodshed. Chief government spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said that the government was ready for peace talks with the rebels. "We want the talks to be sincere," he said.
Read more...
Meanwhile, Sri Lankan Government asked the LTTE to engage in sincere peace talks to end escalating bloodshed. Chief government spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said that the government was ready for peace talks with the rebels. "We want the talks to be sincere," he said.
Read less...
February - 1 
Meanwhile, the Tamil United Liberation Front leader, V. Anandasangaree, on February 1 said that the most crucial problem the country facing today is the liberation of the Tamil people from the LTTE's atrocious rule in the districts of Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu and in parts of the districts of Manna
Read more...
Meanwhile, the Tamil United Liberation Front leader, V. Anandasangaree, on February 1 said that the most crucial problem the country facing today is the liberation of the Tamil people from the LTTE's atrocious rule in the districts of Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu and in parts of the districts of Mannar and Vavuniya, reports Daily News. He added, "Now with a demand from the LTTE for one person from each household they are prepared to defy the LTTE and revolt against them. They are also prepared to welcome and give all co-operation for a friendly army that will give an undertaking to give protection for their lives and properties inspite of any provocation that they may have to face, while engaged in the process of liberating them."
Read less...
February - 1 
The Chairman of Sri Lanka's All Party Representative Committee (APRC), Minister of Science and Technology Tissa Vitarana, said on February 1 that the APRC's discussions on devolution of power would restart in the middle of this month, according to Colombo Page. The Committee will take up the proposa
Read more...
The Chairman of Sri Lanka's All Party Representative Committee (APRC), Minister of Science and Technology Tissa Vitarana, said on February 1 that the APRC's discussions on devolution of power would restart in the middle of this month, according to Colombo Page. The Committee will take up the proposals presented by Minister Vitarana and other proposals submitted by political parties.
Read less...
February - 2 
AFP reports that security has been stepped up in the capital Colombo amid fears of LTTE attacks ahead of Independence Day celebrations. "We have got thousands of constables and troops from the provinces to beef up security in Colombo. We are maintaining a high state of alert," a police officer said.
Read more...
AFP reports that security has been stepped up in the capital Colombo amid fears of LTTE attacks ahead of Independence Day celebrations. "We have got thousands of constables and troops from the provinces to beef up security in Colombo. We are maintaining a high state of alert," a police officer said.
Read less...
February - 2 
The Armed Forces consolidating their positions in the East after flushing the LTTE cadres out of Vakarai town, announced that the troops are now in the process of removing landmines ahead of their operation's final phase of resettling the displaced, reports Daily News. Brigadier R.M.D. Ratnayake, Ge
Read more...
The Armed Forces consolidating their positions in the East after flushing the LTTE cadres out of Vakarai town, announced that the troops are now in the process of removing landmines ahead of their operation's final phase of resettling the displaced, reports Daily News. Brigadier R.M.D. Ratnayake, General Officer Commanding of 23 Division said they had removed 4,000 landmines from several locations in Vakarai, Palachchenai, Kadiraveli and Verugal.
Read less...
February - 4 
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said that the Government is taking "bold and determined actions" to cut funding lines to the LTTE, reports Colombo Page. He said, "Once their funding lines are effectively cut, the LTTE would not be able to continue its armed struggle".
Read more...
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said that the Government is taking "bold and determined actions" to cut funding lines to the LTTE, reports Colombo Page. He said, "Once their funding lines are effectively cut, the LTTE would not be able to continue its armed struggle".
Read less...
February - 4 
In his address to the nation marking the 59th anniversary of independence on February 4 President Mahinda Rajapakse vowed to defeat the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), reports Reuters. He said, "We are not ready to give in to the bloodthirsty demands of the LTTE," adding, "I emphatically st
Read more...
In his address to the nation marking the 59th anniversary of independence on February 4 President Mahinda Rajapakse vowed to defeat the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), reports Reuters. He said, "We are not ready to give in to the bloodthirsty demands of the LTTE," adding, "I emphatically state before you my total commitment to ensure the honour and prosperity of this blessed land, by decisively defeating separatism." He also invited the outfit sympathisers in Parliament to join Government efforts for a settlement to the island's ongoing separatist conflict, adds Radio Australia. He urged the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) to join the "All Party Conference" to prepare a political solution plan. Meanwhile, the TNA rejecting the invitation TNA parliamentarian, M.K. Sivajilingam told BBC Sinhala that Mahinda Rajapakse should restart talks with Tamil Tigers if he is genuine in his efforts to end the bloodshed. He said that LTTE is Sri Lankan Tamils' "sole representative" and it views the invitation as suspicious.
Read less...
February - 6 
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama told on February 6 that the government will mobilise all its resources to bring to an end all acts of terrorism while evolving a political solution for the North East issue, Addressing the diplomatic corps on his first day in office, the Minister said Government
Read more...
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama told on February 6 that the government will mobilise all its resources to bring to an end all acts of terrorism while evolving a political solution for the North East issue, Addressing the diplomatic corps on his first day in office, the Minister said Government will be able to present a political solution that is currently being worked out to all stakeholders within a short period of time.
Read less...
February - 12 
President Mahinda Rajapakse, in an interview with the BBC, said that the Government's peace pact with the LTTE was a mistake. "Today we realise we have made a mistake. Through the peace pact, we've demarcated areas called LTTE controlled areas, and they have taken over the rights of the people throu
Read more...
President Mahinda Rajapakse, in an interview with the BBC, said that the Government's peace pact with the LTTE was a mistake. "Today we realise we have made a mistake. Through the peace pact, we've demarcated areas called LTTE controlled areas, and they have taken over the rights of the people through this pact. In the LTTE controlled areas, no political parties can function, people cannot walk anywhere in freedom, and the children are being forced to join the armed forces of the LTTE. These rights should be given back to the people," he said.
Read less...
February - 14 
The Peace Secretariat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), issuing a report on February 14, claimed that the civil administration run by them was entitled as a "functioning de facto-state" to recruit those above the age of 17 for its cadres, reports Colombo Page. Rejecting a demand made b
Read more...
The Peace Secretariat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), issuing a report on February 14, claimed that the civil administration run by them was entitled as a "functioning de facto-state" to recruit those above the age of 17 for its cadres, reports Colombo Page. Rejecting a demand made by the United Nations that it raise its minimum recruitment age from 17 to 18, the LTTE said they were prepared to observe the minimum age of 18 when this practice has been accepted as an international standard by all the states.
Read less...
February - 17 
The defence ministry sources said that the troops are now engaged in a massive clearing operation including a de-mining programme for the resettlement of the people displaced by the LTTE activities in Vaharai where the army claimed to have completed its operation on January 19. According to the offi
Read more...
The defence ministry sources said that the troops are now engaged in a massive clearing operation including a de-mining programme for the resettlement of the people displaced by the LTTE activities in Vaharai where the army claimed to have completed its operation on January 19. According to the official sources, a total of two 152 mm artillery guns, five 120mm mortars, eight 81mm mortars, 624 T 56 assault rifles, two anti-craft guns, RPG launchers and rockets, two suicide boats fitted with 22 and 24 Claymore mines each, seventy one claymore mines [some weighing 10-15 kilograms], 13 machine guns, 34 high tech communication sets, 62 I-Com radio sets, large quantities of ammunition of all types, and anti-personnel mines have been recovered up to February 16. The army further claimed that it is the largest haul of heavy weapons and small arms, explosives, claymore mines and high tech equipment from the LTTE in the entire history of the 25-year-long armed conflict.
Read less...
February - 19 
Colombo Page reports that Rivira, a Sri Lankan Sinhala Sunday newspaper, accused the local office of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) of providing the LTTE with cyanide to be used in suicide operations. The newspaper raised doubts over a stock of chemicals including cyanide imported by UN
Read more...
Colombo Page reports that Rivira, a Sri Lankan Sinhala Sunday newspaper, accused the local office of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) of providing the LTTE with cyanide to be used in suicide operations. The newspaper raised doubts over a stock of chemicals including cyanide imported by UNICEF, which said the chemicals were for water purification. The newspaper also said that the chief of UNICEF’s Kilinochchi office is accused of supporting the outfit.
Read less...
February - 19 
The ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) will present its own proposals on power devolution as a solution to the country's ethnic problem, SLFP sources said. The SLFP proposals are now being prepared based on the proposals submitted by the chairman of the All Party Representative Committee, Tissa V
Read more...
The ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) will present its own proposals on power devolution as a solution to the country's ethnic problem, SLFP sources said. The SLFP proposals are now being prepared based on the proposals submitted by the chairman of the All Party Representative Committee, Tissa Vitarana.
Read less...
February - 20 
BBC has reported that the main opposition party, the United National Party, has accepted 'full responsibility' of signing a cease-fire agreement (CFA) with the LTTE. Earlier, in an interview with BBC, President Mahinda Rajapakse had described the CFA as a "mistake".
Read more...
BBC has reported that the main opposition party, the United National Party, has accepted 'full responsibility' of signing a cease-fire agreement (CFA) with the LTTE. Earlier, in an interview with BBC, President Mahinda Rajapakse had described the CFA as a "mistake".
Read less...
February - 20 
Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake on February 20 rejected the allegations that the Government had a pact with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), according to Daily News. “There is nothing to reveal. Go and ask the man who made the charge. I have nothing to say about something that do
Read more...
Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake on February 20 rejected the allegations that the Government had a pact with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), according to Daily News. “There is nothing to reveal. Go and ask the man who made the charge. I have nothing to say about something that does not exist,” Prime Minister Wickremanayake told Chief Opposition Whip Joseph Michael Perera in the Parliament.
Read less...
February - 20 
Security forces charged the LTTE of using places of worship for their terror acts after the military found a cache of weapons from St. Mary’s Church in Jaffna on a tip off. Military spokesman Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe told the weekly security press briefing that seven hand grenades, three cyanid
Read more...
Security forces charged the LTTE of using places of worship for their terror acts after the military found a cache of weapons from St. Mary’s Church in Jaffna on a tip off. Military spokesman Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe told the weekly security press briefing that seven hand grenades, three cyanide capsules, one radio set and jungle boots were found inside St. Mary’s Church Jaffna on February 20. He said, "… It is obvious that they had planned for an attack on the Security Forces using the church premises as cover, thus compelling the Security Forces to retaliate", the Brigadier added. Meanwhile, Defence Affairs spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella stated the LTTE is using religious and public places and all possible people, even Buddhist monks, Sinhalese men, women and journalists to achieve their terror targets.
Read less...
February - 21 
Ministry of Defence (MoD) Website, separately, some Sinhalese women have undergone training in LTTE camps. Secretary of the MoD Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said investigations are being carried out to locate the Sinhalese women tigers and soon they would be apprehended. He said already nineteen Sinhalese ma
Read more...
Ministry of Defence (MoD) Website, separately, some Sinhalese women have undergone training in LTTE camps. Secretary of the MoD Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said investigations are being carried out to locate the Sinhalese women tigers and soon they would be apprehended. He said already nineteen Sinhalese male tiger terrorists have been arrested and further arrests would be made on information received from them. He added that the Sinhalese tigers had been deployed to carry out a major attack in the South part of the country and an enormous disaster was avoided as a result of these arrests.
Read less...
February - 21 
Sri Lanka on February 21 urged India to intensify their surveillances against gun-running by LTTE across the Palk Straits that divides the two countries, reports Colombo Page. Defence spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said, "I request them (India) to do more. If you write a headline that India is not d
Read more...
Sri Lanka on February 21 urged India to intensify their surveillances against gun-running by LTTE across the Palk Straits that divides the two countries, reports Colombo Page. Defence spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said, "I request them (India) to do more. If you write a headline that India is not doing enough, they will take note of it (in New Delhi). We see a new beginning taking place. India is accepting what we have been saying for a long time that the LTTE is a threat to regional security," Rambukwella said.
Read less...
February - 21 
While calling for a fresh commitment from Sri Lanka’s warring parties, Norway said that it will continue to serve as a facilitator in the peace process of Sri Lanka. "The Norwegian government has made it clear that it stands ready to continue to serve as a facilitator in the peace process, provided
Read more...
While calling for a fresh commitment from Sri Lanka’s warring parties, Norway said that it will continue to serve as a facilitator in the peace process of Sri Lanka. "The Norwegian government has made it clear that it stands ready to continue to serve as a facilitator in the peace process, provided that both the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE request its continued assistance," Norway’s ambassador in Colombo, Hans Brattskar said.
Read less...
February - 22 
According to Colombo Page, Cabinet spokesman Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said that the Government's decision on the signed between the Government and the LTTE will soon be announced. The Prime Minister will announce the Government's decision after consulting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
Read more...
According to Colombo Page, Cabinet spokesman Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said that the Government's decision on the signed between the Government and the LTTE will soon be announced. The Prime Minister will announce the Government's decision after consulting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defense, he said.
Read less...
February - 22 
Sri Lankan authorities asked India to permit Sri Lankan officials to interrogate LTTE suspects arrested by the Tamil Nadu authorities along with a suicide boat on February 13. Quoting Indian officials media reports said "Sri Lanka has made the request to question the men who were arrested in mid-sea
Read more...
Sri Lankan authorities asked India to permit Sri Lankan officials to interrogate LTTE suspects arrested by the Tamil Nadu authorities along with a suicide boat on February 13. Quoting Indian officials media reports said "Sri Lanka has made the request to question the men who were arrested in mid-sea last week."
Read less...
February - 22 
The Government said that violence had increased in the past 15 months in the process of securing the country’s sovereignty which had been threatened during the first three and half years of the ceasefire. Defense spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella has made these remarks to a local daily in resp
Read more...
The Government said that violence had increased in the past 15 months in the process of securing the country’s sovereignty which had been threatened during the first three and half years of the ceasefire. Defense spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella has made these remarks to a local daily in response to the claims by the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) that nearly 4000 people were killed during the last 15 months. A local newspaper Daily Mirror quoting Rambukwella said, "The sovereignty of the country was lost as during the first three and a half years the security forces were confined to barracks and the LTTE spread its wings all over the Eastern Province." Rambukwella said the President had the responsibility of safeguarding the country and its people, and he had to change the policy and take appropriate action after he became the President of the country.
Read less...
February - 22 
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on February 22 warned of resuming their ‘freedom struggle’ claiming the cease-fire agreement (CFA) was virtually non-existent, reports Colombo Page. "It has also compelled the Tamil people to resume their freedom struggle to realize their right to self-det
Read more...
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on February 22 warned of resuming their ‘freedom struggle’ claiming the cease-fire agreement (CFA) was virtually non-existent, reports Colombo Page. "It has also compelled the Tamil people to resume their freedom struggle to realize their right to self-determination and to achieve statehood," the Tigers said in a statement. The LTTE further said that the truce was now virtually non-existent and warned that Colombo's military drive against them would only add to the bloodstained pages of the island’s history. "Even though today it exists only on paper, it (the ceasefire agreement of 2002) remains a unique document in the search for an end to the national conflict in the island of Sri Lanka," the statement added.
Read less...
February - 22 
The LTTE stated that thousands of people have begun fleeing their homes in northern Sri Lanka, fearing a fresh fight between, reported PTI. In a statement the LTTE said that over 1,000 families out of the 3,500 living near the defence lines were on the move. "For sometime now the Sri Lankan military
Read more...
The LTTE stated that thousands of people have begun fleeing their homes in northern Sri Lanka, fearing a fresh fight between, reported PTI. In a statement the LTTE said that over 1,000 families out of the 3,500 living near the defence lines were on the move. "For sometime now the Sri Lankan military has been saying to the public who cross the Vavuniya border that they will soon be crossing the border into LTTE area to raise the Lankan flag," the outfit alleged, and claimed, "This coupled with frequent shelling to their homes, the two sorties of aerial bombing on 20 February in this area that killed two civilians and injured two children, and the two Claymore attacks on the same day, also in this area, is causing panic among the civilian population in the areas near the military forward defence line."
Read less...
February - 22 
Norwegian Minister and former peace envoy Erik Solheim said that Norway is ready to go the extra mile to revive peace talks between the Sri Lankan Government and Tamil Tigers. He said, "Norway is willing to go the extra mile to assist their peace endeavours at their request. As soon as the parties r
Read more...
Norwegian Minister and former peace envoy Erik Solheim said that Norway is ready to go the extra mile to revive peace talks between the Sri Lankan Government and Tamil Tigers. He said, "Norway is willing to go the extra mile to assist their peace endeavours at their request. As soon as the parties renew their peace efforts, we will be ready to do all we can to help. It is my strong hope that both parties will recognise the need to secure the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement as a first step toward reaching a political solution."
Read less...
February - 23 
The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) on February 23 withdrew their truce monitors from Vavuniya, due to security reasons, said SLMM spokesman Thorfinnur Omarsson. The withdrawal by SLMM comes a day after the outfit’s warning to resume their armed struggle for an independent homeland. Omarsson sai
Read more...
The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) on February 23 withdrew their truce monitors from Vavuniya, due to security reasons, said SLMM spokesman Thorfinnur Omarsson. The withdrawal by SLMM comes a day after the outfit’s warning to resume their armed struggle for an independent homeland. Omarsson said that the local staff has left because of some security issues and they wanted to return together with the foreign staff later.
Read less...
February - 25 
Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva who is on an official tour of Australia is scheduled to meet the Australian Prime Minister John Howard within the next two days to discuss the issue of banning LTTE activities in Australia, according to a Ministry media release, Daily News re
Read more...
Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva who is on an official tour of Australia is scheduled to meet the Australian Prime Minister John Howard within the next two days to discuss the issue of banning LTTE activities in Australia, according to a Ministry media release, Daily News reports.
Read less...
February - 25 
President Mahinda Rajapakse stated that the much talked about truce agreement with the LTTE was not a problem in governing the island, according to Xinhua. He said, "I have found the ceasefire agreement not a problem in running the country." Sunday Island adds the Government believes in a negotiated
Read more...
President Mahinda Rajapakse stated that the much talked about truce agreement with the LTTE was not a problem in governing the island, according to Xinhua. He said, "I have found the ceasefire agreement not a problem in running the country." Sunday Island adds the Government believes in a negotiated settlement and that the future talks would not be guided in anyway by the LTTE.
Read less...
February - 25 
Sri Lankan security forces reportedly captured four LTTE bases in the Peraru area of Trincomalee district forcing the Tigers to withdraw into the jungles in further north, military said, according to Colombo Page. “The LTTE terrorists have withdrawn to the area north of Trincomalee under severe pres
Read more...
Sri Lankan security forces reportedly captured four LTTE bases in the Peraru area of Trincomalee district forcing the Tigers to withdraw into the jungles in further north, military said, according to Colombo Page. “The LTTE terrorists have withdrawn to the area north of Trincomalee under severe pressure as a result of the recent limited military operations in the Trincomalee – Peraru area,” military spokesman Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe said on February 25. He said that during these Army operations a well equipped LTTE training camp for 40 cadres was also destroyed. A medical complex fully provided and equipped to accommodate 50 with medical equipment and drugs has also been captured by the troops. The Army has recovered large stocks of weapons and ammunition from the captured LTTE camps, including claymore mines, 81 mm mortars, hand grenades, T 56 assault rifles, anti – personnel mines, RPG bombs, 60mm mortars and bombs, motor cycles and a huge stock of ammunition.
Read less...
February - 25 
United States (US) Ambassador in Colombo, Robert Blake told a foreign news agency on February 25 that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cannot be defeated militarily without a parallel political strategy, reported Colombo Page. “We respectfully disagree. The LTTE cannot be defeated militar
Read more...
United States (US) Ambassador in Colombo, Robert Blake told a foreign news agency on February 25 that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cannot be defeated militarily without a parallel political strategy, reported Colombo Page. “We respectfully disagree. The LTTE cannot be defeated militarily without a parallel political strategy to address the grievances of the Tamil community,” US Ambassador in Colombo, Robert Blake told a foreign news agency. “I don't think a military solution is possible without a parallel political strategy. The LTTE has significant capability to attack, using terrorist means. We should not underestimate that. I think there would be costs (to pay) to a military strategy. The most important thing in our view is to come up with a credible (political) process,” Blake said.
Read less...
March - 7 
According to Colombo Page, Sri Lanka's Human Rights Commission said that nearly 100 abductions and disappearances took place in the country in the past two months of 2007. The majority of these abductions have taken place in the capital Colombo, Batticaloa in the Eastern Province and Jaffna peninsul
Read more...
According to Colombo Page, Sri Lanka's Human Rights Commission said that nearly 100 abductions and disappearances took place in the country in the past two months of 2007. The majority of these abductions have taken place in the capital Colombo, Batticaloa in the Eastern Province and Jaffna peninsula in the Northern Province. More than thousand cases of abductions were reported in 2006 including the disappearances of the Eastern University Vice Chancellor, a close relative of a senior Police officer, a brother-in-law of a veteran university don, a senior activist of Government allied Upcountry People's Front. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Government said that it suspects some state security service personnel have been involved in abductions and murders that have mushroomed amid renewed civil war, adds Reuters. The police has arrested more than 450 people since September 2006 in connection with a host of crimes including aiding and abetting the Tamil Tigers and abductions and killings -- 20 of those serving in the police and army. "Out of the arrests of the defense personnel, some may be involved in abductions and killings and disappearances. It is (our suspicion)," said Defense spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella.
Read less...
March - 7 
Sri Lanka is to investigate foreign and local non-government organizations (NGOs) for alleged links with the LTTE. "The Defence Secretary has had discussions with NGOs and got their consent to investigate any NGO which the government suspects of helping terror activities," said Government Defence sp
Read more...
Sri Lanka is to investigate foreign and local non-government organizations (NGOs) for alleged links with the LTTE. "The Defence Secretary has had discussions with NGOs and got their consent to investigate any NGO which the government suspects of helping terror activities," said Government Defence spokesperson Keheliya Rambukwella. "The NGOs have agreed to this, and we are also giving them a chance to present their side of the story in order for them to clear their names. We also have the right to request them to pack up their bags and leave, in the event they are found guilty," he added.
Read less...
March - 8 
Sri Lanka Government on March 8 dismissed the allegation that it had a secret pact with LTTE before the last Presidential election, according to Colombo Page. "It was a baseless and ridiculous charge, to tarnish the image of the government," Cabinet spokesperson Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa sa
Read more...
Sri Lanka Government on March 8 dismissed the allegation that it had a secret pact with LTTE before the last Presidential election, according to Colombo Page. "It was a baseless and ridiculous charge, to tarnish the image of the government," Cabinet spokesperson Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa said. He said, "People in the government-held Jaffna did not vote because of LTTE threats and the rest of the Eastern Province voted for the opposition party. "If a secret pact existed, how would this happen?" the Minister asked.
Read less...
March - 8 March - 9
The Defense Ministry said that ground troops, backed by artillery, captured three LTTE bases in the Trincomalee district in a major Military operation that began on March 8 and ended on March 9-morning (today), reported Associated Press. "We have forced the terrorists to flee from these three bases,
Read more...
The Defense Ministry said that ground troops, backed by artillery, captured three LTTE bases in the Trincomalee district in a major Military operation that began on March 8 and ended on March 9-morning (today), reported Associated Press. "We have forced the terrorists to flee from these three bases," Military spokesman Brig. Prasad Samarasinghe said, adding, there were between 100 to 150 rebels in the bases. "They have suffered heavy casualties," he added futher, but did not provide a figure.
Read less...
March - 9 
According to The Hindu, the Sri Lanka Government accused the LTTE and its allies of involvement in abductions and killings across the island to defame the Government. The charge came in the wake of confirmation by the Police that the five persons killed in execution style and dumped in a village clo
Read more...
According to The Hindu, the Sri Lanka Government accused the LTTE and its allies of involvement in abductions and killings across the island to defame the Government. The charge came in the wake of confirmation by the Police that the five persons killed in execution style and dumped in a village close to Colombo three days ago were members of the Karuna faction. "A bloody plot to tarnish the good image of the Government before the international community is getting bared as the bodies of five Thamil Makkal Viduthalai Puligal members found in the Muthurajawela swamp were identified by one of their comrades," said the Defence Ministry in a statement.
Read less...
March - 9 
Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa on March 9 called for increased support from the United States to prevent the LTTE from obtaining fresh consignments of armaments overseas, according to Sunday Island. Outlining the Government's two-track strategy to defeat the LTTE, he emphasised the need to pr
Read more...
Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa on March 9 called for increased support from the United States to prevent the LTTE from obtaining fresh consignments of armaments overseas, according to Sunday Island. Outlining the Government's two-track strategy to defeat the LTTE, he emphasised the need to prevent the outfit from replenishing their depleted arsenal. He reiterated his determination to militarily defeat the LTTE. The offensive has reached a decisive phase with security forces targeting the remaining major LTTE bases in the East, he further said. The Defence Secretary stressed that there would be no peace as long as the LTTE retained its military capability. Responding to US call for a political effort parallel to the ongoing Military action, Rajapaksa said that the Government believed in a negotiated settlement but peace could not be achieved as long as the outfit called the shots.
Read less...
March - 9 
The activities of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) are no longer confined to Sri Lanka as the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) publication Military Balance 2007 has pointed out there are now emerging commercial links between the LTTE and the al-Qaeda movement, said For
Read more...
The activities of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) are no longer confined to Sri Lanka as the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) publication Military Balance 2007 has pointed out there are now emerging commercial links between the LTTE and the al-Qaeda movement, said Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama in London, reported Daily News. Delivering a keynote address on "Sri Lanka’s Foreign & Security Policy: the challenge of terrorism" at the (IISS) on March 8 he referred to the emerging links between the LTTE and the Mujahiddins in Afghanistan and visits by the LTTE delegations to Kabul shortly before 9/11. The Minister pointed out that the LTTE’s fleet of merchant vessels has established a presence in the arms black market and have provided mercenary services to several other terrorist groups around the world. Its presence is now well established in the narcotics trade internationally as well. He pointed out that the LTTE is engaged in money laundering and credit card fraud on a large scale. There is a clear relationship between the collection of funds in foreign countries and the promotion by the LTTE of the outflow of asylum seekers into Western countries.
Read less...
March - 10 
President Mahinda Rajapaksa on March 10 assured that the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party's proposals to find a political solution to the country's ethnic problem will be submitted to the All Party Representative Committee by March 14, reported Colombo Page. Addressing a meeting at the Presidential Se
Read more...
President Mahinda Rajapaksa on March 10 assured that the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party's proposals to find a political solution to the country's ethnic problem will be submitted to the All Party Representative Committee by March 14, reported Colombo Page. Addressing a meeting at the Presidential Secretariat, the President said the Government is trying to find a peaceful solution to the present problem with the LTTE and it is in the process of laying the groundwork for a political solution. He accused the leader of the LTTE of attempting to use the cease-fire agreement, signed in 2002, to buy time for a military build-up.
Read less...
March - 11 
According to International Red Cross (ICRC), nearly 40,000 civilians have left LTTE-controlled areas in eastern Sri Lanka over the last three days. ICRC spokesman Davide Vignathi told BBC Tamil Service on March 11 that the latest influx has joined thousands of existing Internally Displaced People (I
Read more...
According to International Red Cross (ICRC), nearly 40,000 civilians have left LTTE-controlled areas in eastern Sri Lanka over the last three days. ICRC spokesman Davide Vignathi told BBC Tamil Service on March 11 that the latest influx has joined thousands of existing Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in Batticaloa. "This brings up the total number of IDPs presently sheltering in Batticaloa district to 120,000," he added.
Read less...
March - 12 
Addressing the fourth session of the United Nations Human Rights Council on March 12, Sri Lanka Minister of Human Rights Mahinda Samarasinghe reiterated his Government's commitment to the Cease-fire Agreement (CFA) and efforts to seek a negotiated settlement to the conflict with the LTTE, according
Read more...
Addressing the fourth session of the United Nations Human Rights Council on March 12, Sri Lanka Minister of Human Rights Mahinda Samarasinghe reiterated his Government's commitment to the Cease-fire Agreement (CFA) and efforts to seek a negotiated settlement to the conflict with the LTTE, according to Colombo Page. He said that the All Party Representative Committee is currently in the advance stages of formulating Constitutional proposals for devolution, with a view to meeting the aspirations of all communities.
Read less...
March - 12 
The Government Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP) said that the latest LTTE threat to attack vessels carrying civilians proves outfit's complete disregard for human life and the fundamental rights of the Tamil people by restricting their movements, reported Colombo Page. "This wa
Read more...
The Government Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP) said that the latest LTTE threat to attack vessels carrying civilians proves outfit's complete disregard for human life and the fundamental rights of the Tamil people by restricting their movements, reported Colombo Page. "This warning is a yet another blow to the CFA, and a direct act of aggression against the sovereignty of the nation," the SCOPP said in a statement with reference to the outfit's earlier warning that the civilians travelling by boats between the North and East would become a legitimate military target if they were suspected of carrying Sri Lankan troops.
Read less...
March - 13 
President Mahinda Rajapakse on March 13 reiterated his commitment to a negotiated political settlement for the present conflict, saying the Government had to resort to military offensives after the LTTE rejected all political proposals, according to Daily News. "First it was the attack on the army C
Read more...
President Mahinda Rajapakse on March 13 reiterated his commitment to a negotiated political settlement for the present conflict, saying the Government had to resort to military offensives after the LTTE rejected all political proposals, according to Daily News. "First it was the attack on the army Commander and after that they closed the Mavilaru anicut denying water to the people, so we had no option but to attack in the best interest of the people in those areas," the President added.
Read less...
March - 14 
According to Daily News, LTTE had taken control over the Karadiyanaru hospital forcing civilians to evacuate the hospital in preparation of a Vakarai type operation in face of the ongoing Security Forces (SFs) operations to liberate the areas west of Batticaloa, Military Spokesman Brigadier Prasad S
Read more...
According to Daily News, LTTE had taken control over the Karadiyanaru hospital forcing civilians to evacuate the hospital in preparation of a Vakarai type operation in face of the ongoing Security Forces (SFs) operations to liberate the areas west of Batticaloa, Military Spokesman Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe said. "We have received reliable information from civilians arriving in cleared areas that the LTTE had taken control over the Karadiyanaru hospital to treat injured cadres," he added.
Read less...
March - 14 
Assuring Britain’s support in achieving peace in Sri Lanka, British Prime Minister Tony Blair has said that the only realistic way to solve Sri Lanka's national question is to fully implement the Cease Fire Agreement. Speaking at British Parliament on March 14, he said "We have said to them (Sri Lan
Read more...
Assuring Britain’s support in achieving peace in Sri Lanka, British Prime Minister Tony Blair has said that the only realistic way to solve Sri Lanka's national question is to fully implement the Cease Fire Agreement. Speaking at British Parliament on March 14, he said "We have said to them (Sri Lanka) that we will do all we can to help but my right honourable friend is right to say that the only realistic way to get a solution is to come back to the 2002 agreement and make sure that it is implemented." He was responding to question raised by Keith Vaz, Labour MP representing Leicester East constituency on ‘tragic situation unfolding in Sri Lanka’.
Read less...
March - 14 
Human rights group Amnesty International cited unidentified individuals as saying that armed men, some in the uniforms of a breakaway Tamil Tiger rebel faction, have been carrying out various activities in refugee camps, including abducting young people, reports Associated Press. "We are hearing rep
Read more...
Human rights group Amnesty International cited unidentified individuals as saying that armed men, some in the uniforms of a breakaway Tamil Tiger rebel faction, have been carrying out various activities in refugee camps, including abducting young people, reports Associated Press. "We are hearing reports of armed men, wearing the uniforms of the Karuna faction, roaming the camps and even distributing relief goods," Purna Sen, Amnesty's Asia Pacific Director, said in an e-mailed statement. "There have also been reports of armed men abducting young people" from the camps, the statement said, citing unidentified individuals "known to Amnesty International." Sen was referring to the Liberation Tigers of Tiger Tamil Eelam (LTTE) breakaway faction led by ‘Colonel’ Karuna. However, a spokesman for the Karuna group acknowledged that its members were helping authorities in camps where there are shortages of workers, but denied that they were involved in abductions. "This is totally wrong. Why should we abduct the people? They are our people," the spokesman, Azad Mowlana, said, adding, "None of our workers in the camps are armed." Meanwhile, denying the Amnesty report, Defense Ministry spokesman Samarasinghe said that no armed personnel other than the government-commanded security forces are allowed in the refugee camps and added, "This is absolute untrue."
Read less...
March - 16 
Government on March 16 urged the United States (U.S.) to extend a crackdown on the LTTE’s overseas groups that help raise funds for the outfit, reports Reuters. Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said Sri Lanka had sought "greater vigilance and greater action by the U.S. law enforcement authoritie
Read more...
Government on March 16 urged the United States (U.S.) to extend a crackdown on the LTTE’s overseas groups that help raise funds for the outfit, reports Reuters. Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said Sri Lanka had sought "greater vigilance and greater action by the U.S. law enforcement authorities in terms of the ones who are responsible for collection of funds for the LTTE, adding, "U.S. authorities in Boston and Baltimore had helped halt fund-raising by LTTE "front groups" who funneled cash to rebels fighting the government under guise of charities.”
Read less...
March - 17 
The LTTE on March 17 strongly denied two sacked Government ministers' claim that there was a secret deal between the outfit and President Mahinda Rajapaksa. “This is all false propaganda. This is how politicians in the south play political games. When they have differences among themselves, they bri
Read more...
The LTTE on March 17 strongly denied two sacked Government ministers' claim that there was a secret deal between the outfit and President Mahinda Rajapaksa. “This is all false propaganda. This is how politicians in the south play political games. When they have differences among themselves, they bring the LTTE into the picture,” a local newspaper quoted LTTE spokesperson Rasiah Ilanthiriyan as saying. He said they had not made any deal with any party in the south other than the 2002 CFA. Earlier, Ministers Mangala Samaraweera and Sripathi Sooriyarachchi, urged that the alleged deal with the LTTE be investigated as soon as possible.
Read less...
March - 18 
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama called on the United States (US) Government to prevent the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) from engaging in fund-raising activities through numerous front organisations in the US, reported Daily News. While expressing Sri Lanka’s appreciation for the pros
Read more...
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama called on the United States (US) Government to prevent the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) from engaging in fund-raising activities through numerous front organisations in the US, reported Daily News. While expressing Sri Lanka’s appreciation for the proscription of the LTTE in the US since 1997, as well as the recent arrests and prosecution of LTTE agents in New York and Maryland, the Minister noted that it is a matter of deep concern to Sri Lanka that the LTTE continues to function in many western countries including the US through numerous front organisations involved in cultural, religious, economic and rehabilitation activities. He particularly noted that Sri Lanka had taken action to freeze the accounts of the Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO) which while purporting to be a charitable body, has been the LTTE’s primary fund-raising arm in the US.
Read less...
March - 18 
New Indian Express reports that the Sri Lankan Government has said the on-going action against the LTTE is only a defensive military operation. ‘‘The defensive military operation by the Government of Sri Lanka was started only after the LTTE’s abortive attempt to kill the command of the Lankan Army
Read more...
New Indian Express reports that the Sri Lankan Government has said the on-going action against the LTTE is only a defensive military operation. ‘‘The defensive military operation by the Government of Sri Lanka was started only after the LTTE’s abortive attempt to kill the command of the Lankan Army last year,’’ said the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commission in India in a communique. He added that from the time the Cease-Fire Agreement (CFA) in February 2002, the outfit had violated it more than 3,800 times compared to 346 times by the Lankan security forces.
Read less...
March - 19 
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have stolen Norwegian passports and sold them to the al-Qaeda organisation to earn money, said Norwegians Against Terrorism Organisation chief spokesman Falk Rovik, according to Daily News. "The LTTE has sold these passports to the highest bidders includin
Read more...
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have stolen Norwegian passports and sold them to the al-Qaeda organisation to earn money, said Norwegians Against Terrorism Organisation chief spokesman Falk Rovik, according to Daily News. "The LTTE has sold these passports to the highest bidders including an Algerian al-Qaeda group," Rovik said. Rovik pointed out that the LTTE has used some of the stolen passports and the balance had been sold to the highest bidders including the al-Qaeda group in Algeria. Rovik, who is also a member of the board of Oslo Chapter of the Amnesty International, said almost 90 per cent of LTTE revenues are raised from criminal activities outside Sri Lanka, including the smuggling of narcotics and humans, extortion of Diaspora members, credit card fraud etc.
Read less...
March - 19 
While expressing its distress at the pathetic situation citizens facing in the East, as another 150,000 have been forced into being refugees in recent days, the National Peace Council (NPC) said that human rights concerns need to be urgently addressed, according to Colombo Page. “The NPC calls for t
Read more...
While expressing its distress at the pathetic situation citizens facing in the East, as another 150,000 have been forced into being refugees in recent days, the National Peace Council (NPC) said that human rights concerns need to be urgently addressed, according to Colombo Page. “The NPC calls for the international human rights campaigning to be tied to a campaign that brings the government and LTTE back to the negotiating table. Both parties should be pressed to agree to a cessation of hostilities and to resume negotiations at least on opening of access roads to provide humanitarian assistance to people who are suffering due to war,” it said.
Read less...
March - 21 
Colombo Page reports that the Government rejected any unsolicited foreign monitoring of its human rights amid growing international criticism against abductions and the recruitment of child soldiers. "We would not allow any unsolicited monitoring of rights in the embattled island, but would invite e
Read more...
Colombo Page reports that the Government rejected any unsolicited foreign monitoring of its human rights amid growing international criticism against abductions and the recruitment of child soldiers. "We would not allow any unsolicited monitoring of rights in the embattled island, but would invite eminent persons from time to time to assess the situation," Government Defence spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said. He said, ‘We will protect our sovereignty and will not allow any foreigner to force on us a set-up to monitor (rights).". Human rights groups have charged that at least 750 people had disappeared since the escalation of fighting between Government forces and LTTE in December 2005. Sri Lanka Government has appointed a Presidential commission of inquiry to investigate some selected serious human rights violations that took place in the recent past. An International Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP) was also appointed by the President to enhance transparency of investigations and to ensure they conform to international norms and standards.
Read less...
March - 21 
Sri Lanka on March 21 claimed that India has agreed with it in `principle to work out a joint mechanism' to safeguard the interests of the fisher folk community in the Pak Straits/Bay as well as tackle `activities related to terrorism', reports The Hindu. Defence spokesperson and Minister Keheliya R
Read more...
Sri Lanka on March 21 claimed that India has agreed with it in `principle to work out a joint mechanism' to safeguard the interests of the fisher folk community in the Pak Straits/Bay as well as tackle `activities related to terrorism', reports The Hindu. Defence spokesperson and Minister Keheliya Rambukwella made the announcement at a news conference in Colombo and said that the agreement was the outcome of the just concluded visit of Sri Lanka Foreign Minister Rohita Bogollagama to New Delhi from March 18 to 20. On whether it would involve joint patrolling of the seas by the Indian and Sri Lanka navies, Rambukwella said the `mechanisms' were yet to be worked out. "All I can say at the moment is it would be a Government-to-Government understanding." However, the press statement issued by Sri Lanka Foreign Ministry on the visit of Bogollagama to New Delhi has no reference to such an agreement.
Read less...
March - 22 
Thirteen Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres were killed in three separate confrontations with the security forces in the Northern Province on March 22, the defence ministry said, according to NDTV. Troops observed two motorcycles moving near the forward defence lines at Omanthai in the V
Read more...
Thirteen Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres were killed in three separate confrontations with the security forces in the Northern Province on March 22, the defence ministry said, according to NDTV. Troops observed two motorcycles moving near the forward defence lines at Omanthai in the Vavuniya district and opened fire on them, killing four outfit cadres. Another seven cadres who arrived at the scene on a tractor were also shot dead by troops. In the Jaffna district, troops shot dead two LTTE cadres who tried to break into the Military line at Nagarkovil.
Read less...
March - 26 
On March 26, the Government classified the LTTE as the only terror organisation equipped with air capabilities in the world adding that it has posed threats not only to Sri Lanka but also to the entire region. Addressing the media in the aftermath of the first air attack by the LTTE on Sri Lanka Air
Read more...
On March 26, the Government classified the LTTE as the only terror organisation equipped with air capabilities in the world adding that it has posed threats not only to Sri Lanka but also to the entire region. Addressing the media in the aftermath of the first air attack by the LTTE on Sri Lanka Air Force Katunayake, Highways Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle said that no other terror organisation in the world is equipped with air capabilities. "This is a threatening situation, not only to Sri Lanka but also to the entire region. India should be on alert about the situation since there are possibilities the LTTE may help other terror organisations too", Minister Fernandopulle added.
Read less...
March - 27 
Sri Lanka' Government said it was ready to hold peace talks anytime with the LTTE, reports The Hindu. "We must try to bring a comprehensive and substantial peace,'' Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogolagama told reporters on March 27, adding, "Our government believes that we need to talk, we need to explo
Read more...
Sri Lanka' Government said it was ready to hold peace talks anytime with the LTTE, reports The Hindu. "We must try to bring a comprehensive and substantial peace,'' Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogolagama told reporters on March 27, adding, "Our government believes that we need to talk, we need to explore all avenues,'' he said, adding that if the rebels agreed to negotiation, "we can have it tomorrow.''
Read less...
March - 27 
Sri Lanka Prime Minister Rathnasiri Wickramanayaka said on March 27 that the Government would not agree to a negotiated settlement with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), according to Colombo Page. Responding to a letter sent to him by the Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremasinghe to call the
Read more...
Sri Lanka Prime Minister Rathnasiri Wickramanayaka said on March 27 that the Government would not agree to a negotiated settlement with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), according to Colombo Page. Responding to a letter sent to him by the Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremasinghe to call the Parliament to debate the country's security situation, he assured that the victories the Government achieved would be taken forward and the state would not let to be shattered. The Prime Minister further said that there is no perpetual war in the country but retaliation to the attacks against the government security forces.
Read less...
March - 27 March - 28
Security Forces (SFs) retaliated and shot dead two Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres when they were attacked by the outfit cadres in Mannar on March 27, said the Defence Ministry in a statement on March 28, according to The Hindu.
Read more...
Security Forces (SFs) retaliated and shot dead two Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres when they were attacked by the outfit cadres in Mannar on March 27, said the Defence Ministry in a statement on March 28, according to The Hindu.
Read less...
March - 30 
Sri Lanka urged SAARC member states to revisit the Associations’ modalities in countering terrorism in all its manifestations, according to Colombo Page. Addressing the members of Foreign Correspondents’ Association (FCA) in Colombo, Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said, "It is high time SAARC
Read more...
Sri Lanka urged SAARC member states to revisit the Associations’ modalities in countering terrorism in all its manifestations, according to Colombo Page. Addressing the members of Foreign Correspondents’ Association (FCA) in Colombo, Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said, "It is high time SAARC took specific steps to curb terrorist funding, smuggling of humans and drugs, as well as arrest the growing activities of front organizations of the terrorist groups," adding, the LTTE recent air attack could have particular ramifications to the region and that countries should not wait until terrorism struck them. He said the LTTE was known to have carried out attacks on foreign soil and that they could stage attacks on important installations in the region, even as mercenaries.
Read less...
March - 31 
The Sri Lanka Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona said, "I don't think we ... intend to continue negotiations on the basis of the CFA. The CFA was intended to serve a particular purpose, which was to bring hostilities to an end. And we know what has happened since. Our current approach is that we must
Read more...
The Sri Lanka Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona said, "I don't think we ... intend to continue negotiations on the basis of the CFA. The CFA was intended to serve a particular purpose, which was to bring hostilities to an end. And we know what has happened since. Our current approach is that we must negotiate with a view to bringing the entire conflict to an end, not simply to ensure that there is no fighting on the ground."
Read less...
April - 1 
Sri Lanka Presidential Secretariat sources said that the Government is considering holding a referendum to decide the future of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Cease-Fire Agreement (CFA) signed in February 2002, according to Colombo Page. The intention of the Government action is to giv
Read more...
Sri Lanka Presidential Secretariat sources said that the Government is considering holding a referendum to decide the future of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Cease-Fire Agreement (CFA) signed in February 2002, according to Colombo Page. The intention of the Government action is to give the people a chance to decide the future of the MoU and either to democratically withdraw from it or to obtain a new mandate to proceed with it, Presidential Secretariat sources said.
Read less...
April - 1 
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) said on April 1 that there was no chance of resuming peace talks to end the civil war if the State refused to base talks on the 2002 truce pact. "If the Sri Lankan Government refuses to discuss ... and implement the CFA, the implication is that it has decl
Read more...
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) said on April 1 that there was no chance of resuming peace talks to end the civil war if the State refused to base talks on the 2002 truce pact. "If the Sri Lankan Government refuses to discuss ... and implement the CFA, the implication is that it has declared a full-scale war," S.P. Thamilselvan, head of the outfit’s political wing, told Reuters in an e-mail interview. He added, "It will indicate the adoption of a more intensified war footing by the Government. It will lead to a full-scale, brutal war environment and then it will not be possible to avoid great tragedies and massive destruction in this island." He further said, "This CFA is a historical turning point. It brought an end to the violence and human miseries and enabled the development of mutual understanding between the two sides. It made direct talks possible. It is not possible now to marginalize this historical context and then hold talks to find a solution to the conflict. The environment for direct talks can be created only by implementing 100 percent the CFA that was created with the support of the international community. The environment for peace talks will be created only when the ongoing violence and human misery are brought to a halt."
Read less...
April - 2 
Sri Lanka Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said on April 2 that his Government will involve the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as a stakeholder in the stalled peace talks and urged the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) nations and the international community to fo
Read more...
Sri Lanka Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said on April 2 that his Government will involve the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as a stakeholder in the stalled peace talks and urged the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) nations and the international community to force the outfit to come for negotiations by restricting their flow of funds. "We will include the LTTE in a negotiated settlement," told the Foreign Minister, who is attending the two-day 14th SAARC Summit in New Delhi. He reiterated that the cease-fire was still in place despite repeated attacks by the LTTE, including the violation of Sri Lanka air space by attacking the Katunayake Air Force base on March 26, and stressed that his Government does not treat such incidents as ''war'' but more as terrorism. Urging the SAARC nations and the international community to cut off the funding for LTTE, he said, "We need international support to isolate the LTTE and force it to resume the peace talks with the government."
Read less...
April - 3 
Government Defence Spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said that the arrest of six Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) activists in Paris was a clear indication that the European Union (EU) is turning the outfit’s proscription into action without confining it into mere words, according to Da
Read more...
Government Defence Spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said that the arrest of six Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) activists in Paris was a clear indication that the European Union (EU) is turning the outfit’s proscription into action without confining it into mere words, according to Daily News. "The EU has proved that it is not for the sake of a ban they have proscribe the LTTE, they have activated it," Minister Rambukwella pointed out. He said that at least six of the arrested 17 LTTE cadres are leading activists and they have been identified. As reported earlier, the French Counter Terrorism Sub Directorate conducted a series of raids on three LTTE organisations in Paris, Comite' de Coordination Tamoul France, the Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation and Makkal Kadai, and arrested 17 cadres on April
Read less...
April - 3 
President Mahinda Rajapakse emphasized that no country could sustain itself and flourish without addressing the need to maintain security and no country could afford to limit their resolve to the eradication of terrorism to a mere subset of national security, according to Colombo Page. Addressing th
Read more...
President Mahinda Rajapakse emphasized that no country could sustain itself and flourish without addressing the need to maintain security and no country could afford to limit their resolve to the eradication of terrorism to a mere subset of national security, according to Colombo Page. Addressing the 14th Summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in New Delhi on April 3, the President said, "Terrorism anywhere is terrorism and is a global menace. Unless we act collectively as a region, trans-border terrorist groups will find safe havens in other parts of the region." He stressed, "The recent air attack at Katunayake by the LTTE must attract the attention of all of us to the fact that our region as a whole is not safe from the barbaric terrorist groups. I wish to appeal to this august forum to work jointly on a counter-terrorism strategy for our entire region to defeat terrorism."
Read less...
April - 4 
A Canadian Tamil organization said on April 4 that Canada should recognize a separate state in the Northeastern areas of Sri Lanka where Tamils have taken control, according to CBC News. Canada declared the LTTE a terrorist organization in 2006 and that the move "ultimately accomplished nothing," sa
Read more...
A Canadian Tamil organization said on April 4 that Canada should recognize a separate state in the Northeastern areas of Sri Lanka where Tamils have taken control, according to CBC News. Canada declared the LTTE a terrorist organization in 2006 and that the move "ultimately accomplished nothing," said Gugananthan Gugananthan, a spokesman for the Canadian Tamil Conference. "It has, in effect, lent support to one side in an armed conflict by casting an entire group as villains while showering charitable aid on another group — a duplicitous and murderous government in Sri Lanka." In the year since the Tigers were placed on the list of groups Canada defines as terrorists, nearly 4,000 Tamils have been killed and nearly 300,000 internally displaced, he added. "Our country ultimately accomplished nothing," so Canada should now support Tamil self-determination, he concluded.
Read less...
April - 5 
The Sri Lanka Government will present its political proposals on devolution of power to the All Party Representatives Committee on May 1, said the Agricultural Development and Agrarian Services Development Minister, Maithripala Sirisena, according to Daily News. Addressing the weekly Cabinet press b
Read more...
The Sri Lanka Government will present its political proposals on devolution of power to the All Party Representatives Committee on May 1, said the Agricultural Development and Agrarian Services Development Minister, Maithripala Sirisena, according to Daily News. Addressing the weekly Cabinet press briefing in Colombo on April 5, he stated that the proposals will be based on maximum devolution of power within an undivided country. It is also proposed to establish a governing system that has an executive Prime Minister accountable to Parliament. He added, "Mahinda Chinthana accepts the devolution of power within one country and the proposals will be entirely based on Mahinda Chinthana and formulated within Mahinda Chinthana." This new system will abolish the Executive Presidency. All the proposals will be within the one country concept and Mahinda Chinthana.
Read less...
April - 8 
Sri Lanka Government tightened the security in the country since April 8 fearing increased LTTE attacks ahead of the traditional Sinhala and Tamil New Year festivities at the end of the coming week, according to Colombo Page. “A special security plan is underway by deploying additional security forc
Read more...
Sri Lanka Government tightened the security in the country since April 8 fearing increased LTTE attacks ahead of the traditional Sinhala and Tamil New Year festivities at the end of the coming week, according to Colombo Page. “A special security plan is underway by deploying additional security forces and police personnel along with sniffer dogs covering the entire country,” a senior police official said. Additional security precautions have also been taken to guard reservoirs, power stations, telecommunication installations and the oil refinery, a Police official said.
Read less...
April - 9 
Sri Lanka Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona who is in Australia to seek the latter's support to ban the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Australia has stated that about one-sixth of the estimated US$ 10 million (A$ 12.8 million) to US$ 30 million the LTTE raised internationally came from Au
Read more...
Sri Lanka Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona who is in Australia to seek the latter's support to ban the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Australia has stated that about one-sixth of the estimated US$ 10 million (A$ 12.8 million) to US$ 30 million the LTTE raised internationally came from Australia, according to Colombo Page. "Australia is one of their biggest sources of funding, and of course these funds do not go to any charitable or other purpose; they are used essentially for procuring weapons on the international weapons black market," said Kohona to the Australian media on April 9.
Read less...
April - 12 
Chief of Government Peace Secretariat and Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona said that there had not been any official communiqué from the LTTE expressing their desire for returning to the negotiating table. "The Government’s stance over the peaceful resolution of the ethnic issue still stands, but th
Read more...
Chief of Government Peace Secretariat and Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona said that there had not been any official communiqué from the LTTE expressing their desire for returning to the negotiating table. "The Government’s stance over the peaceful resolution of the ethnic issue still stands, but there are no indications of concrete moves towards resuming peace talks," Kohona told Daily News.
Read less...
April - 12 
Sri Lanka's cease-fire has "no meaning" and that it was only being left in place to satisfy the international community, said Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse. In an interview with Associated Press on April 12, he said the military must build on the victories it has scored against the Liberatio
Read more...
Sri Lanka's cease-fire has "no meaning" and that it was only being left in place to satisfy the international community, said Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse. In an interview with Associated Press on April 12, he said the military must build on the victories it has scored against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Eastern Sri Lanka over recent months and press on toward outfit’s strongholds in the North. "There is no cease-fire agreement. There is no meaning in that," said Rajapakse, adding, "Officially we have not said there is no cease-fire agreement, probably to keep the international community happy." He blamed the LTTE for the unofficial collapse of the cease-fire. The Tigers were "breaking it from the very beginning," he said, "starting ambushes and (land mines) and all those things so then the military has to react."
Read less...
April - 12 
The Sri Lankan Defence Ministry said the Washington-based Intelsat cooperation had assured Sri Lanka's Ambassador in Washington DC, Bernard Goonetileke, that it would take all possible steps to stop the LTTE from broadcasting its propaganda over their satellite, according to The Hindu. It said there
Read more...
The Sri Lankan Defence Ministry said the Washington-based Intelsat cooperation had assured Sri Lanka's Ambassador in Washington DC, Bernard Goonetileke, that it would take all possible steps to stop the LTTE from broadcasting its propaganda over their satellite, according to The Hindu. It said there had been a controversy on the company beaming LTTE propaganda, while the State Department considers it a foreign terrorist group. Earlier, the New York-based www.tothecenter.com Website published a lengthy article pointing out the fact. The Ministry quoted the Intelsat as saying, "Intelsat does not tolerate terrorists or others operating illegally on it satellites. Since we first learned of the LTTE's signal piracy, we have been actively pursuing a number of technical alternatives to halt the transmissions. We are clear in our resolve to ending this terrorist organisation's unauthorised use of our satellite." The Ministry claimed that Intelsat's General Counsellor Phillip Spector had promised to do "every possible thing to turnoff the LTTE [sponsored national Television of Tamil Eelam and Voice of the Tigers radio programme] as soon as possible" from their satellite. Spector maintained the position of the corporation that the LTTE was pirating an empty transpondence frequency of their Satellite 12.
Read less...
April - 16 
Minister and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) leader Rauff Hakeem on April 16 warned that certain acts allegedly committed by cadres of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) breakaway faction led by ‘Colonel’ Karuna against the Muslims in the East could trigger another disastrous dimension to
Read more...
Minister and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) leader Rauff Hakeem on April 16 warned that certain acts allegedly committed by cadres of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) breakaway faction led by ‘Colonel’ Karuna against the Muslims in the East could trigger another disastrous dimension to the country’s conflict. He told Daily Mirror he had repeatedly raised the issue with President Mahinda Rajapakse and that the latter had instructed authorities in the volatile areas not to allow Karuna faction cadres to seize the rights of the law enforcement authorities and local authorities. He said the harassment meted out to Muslims by the Karuna group which plans to wrest control over the Muslim community is likely to be resisted strongly by the community thus taking the conflict to another level.
Read less...
April - 16 
The military on April 16 said the LTTE had demanded youths living in the Tamil villages in the Government-controlled areas in Vanni to join the outfit with immediate effect, adding, "However, the order rarely had any affect due to dwindling LTTE influence in the area", reported The Hindu.
Read more...
The military on April 16 said the LTTE had demanded youths living in the Tamil villages in the Government-controlled areas in Vanni to join the outfit with immediate effect, adding, "However, the order rarely had any affect due to dwindling LTTE influence in the area", reported The Hindu.
Read less...
April - 17 
Sri Lanka Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse has allegedly threatened the editor of Daily Mirror, Champika Liyanarachchi, not to publish news related to the Karuna faction, reported BBC. She was threatened over recent articles published in Daily Mirror, Free Media Movement (FMM) said. Rajapaksa h
Read more...
Sri Lanka Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse has allegedly threatened the editor of Daily Mirror, Champika Liyanarachchi, not to publish news related to the Karuna faction, reported BBC. She was threatened over recent articles published in Daily Mirror, Free Media Movement (FMM) said. Rajapaksa has reportedly said that the Government would not be able to protect her life if the Karuna faction tries to kill her, FMM spokesman Sunanda Deshapriya told BBC. However, Lakshman Hulugalla, head of the Media Centre for National Security, told BBC Sinhala that he did not believe that the Defence Secretary ever threatens journalists. "I do not know the details of the particular incident. But I don't think he gets involved in such an incident," Hulugalla added.
Read less...
April - 19 
The Greek Government assured Sri Lanka that action would be taken to ban the LTTE in Greece and expressed its fullest support to curb terrorism in the country, according to Colombo Page. The Foreign Ministry in Colombo said that Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, Dora Bakoyannis, had told this t
Read more...
The Greek Government assured Sri Lanka that action would be taken to ban the LTTE in Greece and expressed its fullest support to curb terrorism in the country, according to Colombo Page. The Foreign Ministry in Colombo said that Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, Dora Bakoyannis, had told this to the visiting Sri Lanka Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama in Greece.
Read less...
April - 20 
Earlier the Government said that there was no response from the LTTE to the Government call for talks. "The government has expressed its readiness for talks, but there has been no positive response from the LTTE. I leave it to the public to decide the value of the truce, which the LTTE has used to r
Read more...
Earlier the Government said that there was no response from the LTTE to the Government call for talks. "The government has expressed its readiness for talks, but there has been no positive response from the LTTE. I leave it to the public to decide the value of the truce, which the LTTE has used to regroup militarily," Foreign Ministry Secretary Palitha Kohona said. Xinhua quoted Government officials as saying that Norwegian peace facilitators in Sri Lanka are to resume their efforts to bring the Government and the LTTE to the negotiating table. Hans Brattskar, the Norwegian Ambassador in Colombo, held talks with Sri Lanka's chief peace negotiator and Health Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva on April 20 to discuss the possibility of resuming its dialogue with the LTTE. Brattskar is scheduled to travel to the LTTE headquarters in Kilinochchi district on April 23.
Read less...
April - 20 
Falk Rovik, Founder of the Norwegians Against Terrorism in Colombo, claimed on April 20 that Norway is one of the key facilitators funding the LTTE terrorists directly and indirectly through agencies, according to Daily News. Addressing a seminar under the theme "Norwegian Support for LTTE Terrorism
Read more...
Falk Rovik, Founder of the Norwegians Against Terrorism in Colombo, claimed on April 20 that Norway is one of the key facilitators funding the LTTE terrorists directly and indirectly through agencies, according to Daily News. Addressing a seminar under the theme "Norwegian Support for LTTE Terrorism" he stated, "A significant proportion of LTTE revenue comes from out of Sri Lanka. The Norwegians have funded the Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) to the tune of two million Norwegian Kroner." He also said, "A 15 minute documentary was produced about two Black Tiger girls. Here, the Norwegians are trying to justify horrific crime committed by the LTTE. My view is that this documentary promotes terrorism and Norwegians are responsible for that."
Read less...
April - 20 
The Defence Ministry said that the Eelam Revolutionary Organisation (EROS), a main stream Tamil political party, which remained silenced since 1990, receiving continuous death threats from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), has decided to actively re-function as a democratic Tamil Front. "
Read more...
The Defence Ministry said that the Eelam Revolutionary Organisation (EROS), a main stream Tamil political party, which remained silenced since 1990, receiving continuous death threats from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), has decided to actively re-function as a democratic Tamil Front. "Our objective is to contest in the elections and work alongside the Sri Lankan Government and other democratic Tamil political parties. We as a party have actively participated in changing the attitudes and mind-sets of the Tamil diaspora that have been supportive to the LTTE terrorists and have been instrumental in convincing them that supporting the LTTE is not going to bring them peace or resolution," said Nesan Shankar Raji nom de guerre Nesan Thirunesan in a statement released on April 20 through his organisations political wing, the EROS Democratic Front, after returning from his trip to Canada and Switzerland where meetings were held with members of EROS and its supporters. He also claimed that none of the allegations made against the Thamil Makkal Viduthalai Pullikal (TMVP) were accurate and that the cadres of the TMVP were in no way involved in armed intimidation of civilians living in the East.
Read less...
April - 23 
Norwegian Ambassador Hans Brattskar's visit to Kilinochchi on April 23 was cancelled due to security reasons, according to Daily News. Peace Secretariat Chief and Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona said the Government advised him not to undertake the visit under the current circumstances. Earlier, the
Read more...
Norwegian Ambassador Hans Brattskar's visit to Kilinochchi on April 23 was cancelled due to security reasons, according to Daily News. Peace Secretariat Chief and Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona said the Government advised him not to undertake the visit under the current circumstances. Earlier, the plan was to provide him with a Sri Lanka Air Force helicopter to fly to Kilinochchi and there onwards he was to travel along the A-9 highway to Kilinochchi in Embassy vehicles. Brattskar was to hold talks with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) political wing leader S.P. Thamilchelvan, Peace Secretariat head S. Pulithevan, police chief S. Nadesan and the deputy leader of the political wing S. Thangan.
Read less...
April - 23 
The Defence Ministry has denied that there was an air attack, but said the LTTE had used artillery to target the Palaly military complex. "We deny an air attack, but they used artillery to hit towards Palaly," a defence ministry spokesperson said, adding, "There were no damages and we have hit back
Read more...
The Defence Ministry has denied that there was an air attack, but said the LTTE had used artillery to target the Palaly military complex. "We deny an air attack, but they used artillery to hit towards Palaly," a defence ministry spokesperson said, adding, "There were no damages and we have hit back using artillery." However, unconfirmed military sources said that six soldiers were killed and another six wounded at a location just outside Palaly following the attack. Palaly is a strategic military base with an air strip and functions as the headquarters for Military operations against LTTE in the North. It is also the supply base for soldiers stationed in Jaffna peninsula.
Read less...
April - 24 
Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa re-circulated the directions on protecting Fundamental Rights of persons arrested and/or detained to the Armed Forces Commander and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), according to Colombo Page. The directives were initially issued by the President Mahinda Raj
Read more...
Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa re-circulated the directions on protecting Fundamental Rights of persons arrested and/or detained to the Armed Forces Commander and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), according to Colombo Page. The directives were initially issued by the President Mahinda Rajapakse to the Heads of Armed Forces and the Police on July 7, 2006. "The re-circulated directive is accompanied by instructions from the Secretary/Defense that the Service Commanders and the IGP arrange for officers of their Forces to be fully informed about the presidential directive and to ensure its full implementation," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The presidential directive of July 7, 2006, instructs the Heads of the Armed Forces and the IGP on measures to be fulfilled to enable the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka to exercise and perform its powers, functions and duties and for the purpose of ensuring that fundamental rights of persons arrested or detained are respected and such persons are treated humanely.
Read less...
April - 25 
The Government has always been committed to the peace process and it is the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) which caused a setback in this regard by withdrawing from negotiations proffering spurious excuses, the government said. Addressing the weekly security media briefing on April 25, Defe
Read more...
The Government has always been committed to the peace process and it is the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) which caused a setback in this regard by withdrawing from negotiations proffering spurious excuses, the government said. Addressing the weekly security media briefing on April 25, Defence spokesperson Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said, "The LTTE wants the Government to restart peace negotiations. There were reports during the last ten days that the LTTE was willing to come back to the negotiation table. The LTTE doesn’t have to communicate its interest to re-enter negotiations because the Government is always fully committed to open the doors for a negotiated settlement to the conflict… The history of the peace process is full of instances of the LTTE backtracking - Viz. Geneva and Oslo after enjoying the hospitality of the Norwegian facilitators."
Read less...
April - 26 
SLAF troops immediately activated the Air Defence System and defended the areas surrounding the SLAF base at Katunayaka in the Negombo area following information that an unidentified aircraft was reportedly hovering in the area at about 11.00 p.m, reported SLA. As a precautionary measure the airport
Read more...
SLAF troops immediately activated the Air Defence System and defended the areas surrounding the SLAF base at Katunayaka in the Negombo area following information that an unidentified aircraft was reportedly hovering in the area at about 11.00 p.m, reported SLA. As a precautionary measure the airport activities were suspended for a while. However, all services in the airport resumed by midnight according to military spokesperson Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe.
Read less...
April - 26 
Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) fighter jets reportedly attacked a concentration of LTTE leaders in the general area (area under Government control) East of Kilinochchi. "We took one target today; it was an LTTE leaders' gathering east of Kilinochchi," said SLAF spokesperson Ajantha de Silva, according t
Read more...
Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) fighter jets reportedly attacked a concentration of LTTE leaders in the general area (area under Government control) East of Kilinochchi. "We took one target today; it was an LTTE leaders' gathering east of Kilinochchi," said SLAF spokesperson Ajantha de Silva, according to Colombo Page. However, LTTE spokesman Daya Master alleged that the SLAF had bombed an area populated by civilians and claimed that two civilians were wounded, adding, "We don't have camps in that area and none of our leaders were wounded." according to Associated Press.
Read less...
April - 29 
Media and Information Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa on April 29 announced at the Information Department at Narahenpita that the government was fully capable of meeting any challenges from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), according to Daily News. He reassured the nation that all effec
Read more...
Media and Information Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa on April 29 announced at the Information Department at Narahenpita that the government was fully capable of meeting any challenges from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), according to Daily News. He reassured the nation that all effective steps would be taken to ensure the safety of the nation and its people. ‘Colonel’ Karuna the leader of the LTTE breakaway faction, Tamileela Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP), expressed concerns over the possible implications for the Tamil community in case the government decided to vest police powers in the military, according to Azad Maulana, a spokesperson of the party, reported Daily Mirror. “As a group which is also involved in fighting terrorists we remain firm on the need to eliminate terrorism from this country but whatever measures that are implemented should in no way affect the ordinary Tamils. We are concerned that giving police powers to the military might affect the Tamils,” Maulana said. Earlier, media reports indicated that the government was planning to vest police powers with the security forces (SFs) with a view to counter what the government saw was a growing terrorist threat. “This decision has been taken as it is difficult to collaborate with the police at all times,” an unnamed top government official said. He said even though emergency regulations were in force, the SFs usually sought police assistance to enforce the law when dealing with civilians but if the new regulations were implemented the SFs would not require police assistance when carrying out search operations.
Read less...
April - 30 
President Mahinda Rajapakse has said the Sri Lanka Freedom Party's (SLFP) political proposals will bring democracy to the people who have been held hostage by terrorist elements in some areas of the Northeast, reports Daily News. Addressing the SLFP May Day rally, he said, "The Government is mindful
Read more...
President Mahinda Rajapakse has said the Sri Lanka Freedom Party's (SLFP) political proposals will bring democracy to the people who have been held hostage by terrorist elements in some areas of the Northeast, reports Daily News. Addressing the SLFP May Day rally, he said, "The Government is mindful of the workers' unstinted support to it to face the challenge of ruthless terrorism. It is our firm belief that the ordinary Tamil masses must be made partners in the political power structure while striving to defeat terrorism. I salute your unstinted cooperation in the quest to defeat terrorism and separatism, the fulfillment of aspirations of the working masses and the creation of a new Sri Lanka."
Read less...
April - 30 
Sri Lanka government is fully capable of meeting any challenges from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and all effective steps had been taken to thwart attempted attacks by the outfit, asserted Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, according to Colombo Page. Briefing representatives of the
Read more...
Sri Lanka government is fully capable of meeting any challenges from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and all effective steps had been taken to thwart attempted attacks by the outfit, asserted Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, according to Colombo Page. Briefing representatives of the diplomatic missions on April 30, he disclosed that short and long term measures were being implemented to ensure the safety and security of civil, economic and military installations.
Read less...
April - 30 
The chairman of the Salam International Transport and Trading Company, Saeed Suleiman, said earlier this week that it was no longer possible to recover the Jordanian ship, Farah 3, which was seized by LTTE in December 2006, when it drifted into areas under outfit control after developing engine trou
Read more...
The chairman of the Salam International Transport and Trading Company, Saeed Suleiman, said earlier this week that it was no longer possible to recover the Jordanian ship, Farah 3, which was seized by LTTE in December 2006, when it drifted into areas under outfit control after developing engine trouble, according to Jordan Times. In a statement to Al Rai newspaper, Suleiman said the outfit had actually dismantled the vessel and stolen its cargo of 14,000 tones of Indian rice bound for South Africa.
Read less...
April - 30 
The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) led by President Mahinda Rajapakse has put forward its proposals with the objective of realising a lasting and honourable solution to the ethnic issue in the country, reported Hindu. The proposal is expected to bring democracy to the people who have been held hosta
Read more...
The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) led by President Mahinda Rajapakse has put forward its proposals with the objective of realising a lasting and honourable solution to the ethnic issue in the country, reported Hindu. The proposal is expected to bring democracy to the people who have been held hostage by terrorist elements in some areas of the North and East, said President Rajapakse at a May Day rally in Colombo on April 30. Announcing the proposals, the SLFP said that it firmly stood for a negotiated settlement of the political crisis in Sri Lanka based on a scheme of devolution of power. The proposals aim to preserve the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka, the identities of different communities, and peaceful co-existence among these communities. They recognise the multilingual, multireligious, and multicultural character of Sri Lankan society. There will be strict implementation of the constitutional provision for the use of Sinhala and Tamil as the national languages. Another feature of the package is the promise to establish two independent permanent commissions for land and water. The SLFP seeks to restore the Parliamentary model of government. While the unit of devolution would be the district, two districts could amalgamate and form one unit. However, the amalgamating units should be in the same geographical division and be contiguous. Abolition of the executive presidency; replacing it with the cabinet system of government led by the Prime Minister subject to consensus; the district as the unit for devolution of powers; and the creation of a bi-cameral legislature — are the other features of the proposal to be placed before the All Party Representative Committee.
Read less...
May - 1 
Former Sri Lankan Air Force chief, Air Vice Marshal Harry Gunatilleke, said that the only practical way of neutralising the LTTE’s air force is the destruction of its planes on the ground. "Destruction of the planes on the ground is the only way to get rid of the problem," Gunatilleke told Hindustan
Read more...
Former Sri Lankan Air Force chief, Air Vice Marshal Harry Gunatilleke, said that the only practical way of neutralising the LTTE’s air force is the destruction of its planes on the ground. "Destruction of the planes on the ground is the only way to get rid of the problem," Gunatilleke told Hindustan Times, adding, "Bunker buster bombs can be used to destroy them, provided accuracy is assured."
Read less...
May - 1 
Sri Lanka's Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Palitha Kohona, informed that according to government estimates, the LTTE raised US $10-30 million a month throughout the world, adding, "Approximately 20-30 per cent of that comes from Australia. In Australia there is a very well-made network of fundraisers
Read more...
Sri Lanka's Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Palitha Kohona, informed that according to government estimates, the LTTE raised US $10-30 million a month throughout the world, adding, "Approximately 20-30 per cent of that comes from Australia. In Australia there is a very well-made network of fundraisers who are supporting the LTTE terrorists activities in Sri Lanka." "Without going into details, our authorities have been keeping a tab on the transfer of money from one state to another," he disclosed, reiterating that money was raised through intimidation, extortion and other illegal activities such as drug and human trafficking.
Read less...
May - 2 
On May 2, the Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer acknowledged that some funds were being raised in his country to finance the operations of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), according to Press Trust of India. ''Some of it comes from Australia, probably nothing like 30 per cent,
Read more...
On May 2, the Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer acknowledged that some funds were being raised in his country to finance the operations of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), according to Press Trust of India. ''Some of it comes from Australia, probably nothing like 30 per cent, but small amounts do come from Australia. I don't think there's any doubt about that. It's been very hard to collect evidence, though, about money in Australia and paid directly to the Tamil Tigers, which is, an offense. Often the money is being raised for so-called Tamil welfare causes and what happens to that money once it's been raised and goes to those so called welfare causes, that's been a concern for us,'' he was quoted as saying by a local radio. Earlier, Sri Lanka Foreign Ministry Secretary Palitha Kohona had said that up to 30 percent of the LTTE external funding was raised in Australia.
Read less...
May - 2 
Sri Lanka's Honorary Consul in Melbourne, Rodney Arambewela, said that there were a large number of complaints from the Sri Lankan community of being intimidated into donating funds to the LTTE, reported Colombo Page. The Tamil community in Australia is under a lot of pressure to help groups like th
Read more...
Sri Lanka's Honorary Consul in Melbourne, Rodney Arambewela, said that there were a large number of complaints from the Sri Lankan community of being intimidated into donating funds to the LTTE, reported Colombo Page. The Tamil community in Australia is under a lot of pressure to help groups like the LTTE, he said, adding, "Unfortunately some of the people who have been contributing these funds are being intimidated, that's what we hear, been pressured to contribute."
Read less...
May - 2 
The British government has warned of widespread fraud scams across the country, which it says could be funding terrorist acts in Sri Lanka, according to BBC. Foreign office minister Kim Howells informed that intelligence reports had indicated that fraudulently obtained money might be making its way
Read more...
The British government has warned of widespread fraud scams across the country, which it says could be funding terrorist acts in Sri Lanka, according to BBC. Foreign office minister Kim Howells informed that intelligence reports had indicated that fraudulently obtained money might be making its way to the LTTE.
Read less...
May - 2 
The Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pullikal (TMVP), political wing of the LTTE breakaway faction led by ‘Colonel’ Karuna, said that it will present its power devolution proposals to the APRC soon, according to Colombo Page. TMVP spokesperson Asad Moulana said their proposals focus primarily on establishing
Read more...
The Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pullikal (TMVP), political wing of the LTTE breakaway faction led by ‘Colonel’ Karuna, said that it will present its power devolution proposals to the APRC soon, according to Colombo Page. TMVP spokesperson Asad Moulana said their proposals focus primarily on establishing a provincial council for the East with greater powers, resettlement of displaced people in the East and deciding whether the Eastern people want to re-merge with the North through a referendum. However, it is not clear if the proposals submitted by the TMVP can be accepted by the APRC as TMVP is not a political party representing the APRC.
Read less...
May - 2 
APRC Chairman, Minister Tissa Vitharana, informed that the devolution proposals submitted by the SLFP is not a final document of the party but is subject to discussion and amendments, at the APRC forum. "The APRC at the last meeting agreed that the basis for future discussion should be the document
Read more...
APRC Chairman, Minister Tissa Vitharana, informed that the devolution proposals submitted by the SLFP is not a final document of the party but is subject to discussion and amendments, at the APRC forum. "The APRC at the last meeting agreed that the basis for future discussion should be the document that the APRC Chairman has submitted. Political parties representing the APRC also agreed that where they hold different views from that of the views expressed in the document tabled by the APRC Chairman as the basis for discussion, they would submit specific amendments to the Chairman's views," Vitharana told Daily News.
Read less...
May - 2 
Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said that the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party’s (SLFP) proposals to be submitted to the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) are not the government’s final proposals to solve the ethnic problem, according to Colombo Page. Emphasizing that the proposals are only o
Read more...
Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said that the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party’s (SLFP) proposals to be submitted to the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) are not the government’s final proposals to solve the ethnic problem, according to Colombo Page. Emphasizing that the proposals are only of the SLFP, he said that any political party can submit amendments to the proposals and the final proposal would be prepared by the APRC.
Read less...
May - 3 
Sri Lanka's civil aviation authorities announced on May 3 that they would suspend night operations at the Bandaranaike International Airport with effect from May 9, after recent LTTE air raids in the area, according to Colombo Page. “Due to the prevailing situation and to minimize inconvenience caus
Read more...
Sri Lanka's civil aviation authorities announced on May 3 that they would suspend night operations at the Bandaranaike International Airport with effect from May 9, after recent LTTE air raids in the area, according to Colombo Page. “Due to the prevailing situation and to minimize inconvenience caused to airline operators and passengers, the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) will close between 10:30 p.m. and 4:30 a.m. the following morning,” a spokesperson for the aviation authorities said.
Read less...
May - 4 
A Singapore-based terrorism expert Rohan Gunaratna claimed that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has been procuring aircraft, arms, explosives and other technological devices from Australia for more than a decade, reported Daily News. Gunaratna, head of the International Centre for Politi
Read more...
A Singapore-based terrorism expert Rohan Gunaratna claimed that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has been procuring aircraft, arms, explosives and other technological devices from Australia for more than a decade, reported Daily News. Gunaratna, head of the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research, said the LTTE were buying light aircraft from local manufacturers in the mid-1990s and as recently as 2006 bought remote control devices to detonate bombs in Sri Lanka. He stated, “It started in the mid-1990s but the procurement activities continued as far as last year in Australia. The last items they purchased were remote control devices which have now been uncovered in Sri Lanka with Australian markings (on the devices).”
Read less...
May - 5 
The Eastern Province has been fully liberated from the Liberation Tigers of Tami Eelam (LTTE) influence and anyone is now free to travel in the Trincomalee, Ampara and Batticaloa districts without fear, said Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, according to Daily News. He said in Kandy on May 5 tha
Read more...
The Eastern Province has been fully liberated from the Liberation Tigers of Tami Eelam (LTTE) influence and anyone is now free to travel in the Trincomalee, Ampara and Batticaloa districts without fear, said Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, according to Daily News. He said in Kandy on May 5 that steps should be taken to liberate other areas as well from the LTTE clutches.
Read less...
May - 6 
The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) stated in a weekly situation report that there is information of a significant increase in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and manned spy plane activity over the LTTE-controlled Wanni region, according to Daily Mirror. "The SLMM can verify several of these," the
Read more...
The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) stated in a weekly situation report that there is information of a significant increase in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and manned spy plane activity over the LTTE-controlled Wanni region, according to Daily Mirror. "The SLMM can verify several of these," the SLMM said in the report for April 23 to 29, adding, "It seems that the SLAF emphasis has shifted from the Eastern coastal areas to areas closer to Kilinochchi. Half the air strikes have taken place within eight kilometers from the Kilinochchi town and one as close as three kilometers from the SLMM office."
Read less...
May - 7 
Defense spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukkwella said that the SLAF is now developing interception and neutralizing capabilities to shoot down the LTTE air crafts. He informed, "We are certainly making adjustments in the Air Force to meet the Tiger air capability threat." Explaining the complexity o
Read more...
Defense spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukkwella said that the SLAF is now developing interception and neutralizing capabilities to shoot down the LTTE air crafts. He informed, "We are certainly making adjustments in the Air Force to meet the Tiger air capability threat." Explaining the complexity of air defence, the Minister said that there are four areas of consideration - detection, identification, interception and neutralization, adding, "We didn’t have the interception capability but now we are developing interception and neutralization capabilities. What we had was spot defence. It is what we used last occasion when Tiger air craft bombed economic installations. It was effective."
Read less...
May - 7 
Military spokesperson Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe said that steps are being taken to resettle the displaced people in the East by the end of June with the completion of de-mining and the establishment of police stations and other infrastructure. He said the Police Special Task Force is establishin
Read more...
Military spokesperson Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe said that steps are being taken to resettle the displaced people in the East by the end of June with the completion of de-mining and the establishment of police stations and other infrastructure. He said the Police Special Task Force is establishing camps in the west of Batticaloa and the South of Chenkaladi - Maha Oya road to facilitate the resettlement of people. He said 17,814 people have already been resettled in the Eastern province and another 118,153 are yet to be resettled. The process will be completed in four phases commencing from May 14, added Samarasinghe.
Read less...
May - 7 
The Sri Lanka government is preparing to introduce tougher laws against terror financing to prevent the possible use of banking, insurance and securities market sectors for money laundering, the Ministry of Finance revealed, according to Colombo Page. The government hopes to crack down the money lau
Read more...
The Sri Lanka government is preparing to introduce tougher laws against terror financing to prevent the possible use of banking, insurance and securities market sectors for money laundering, the Ministry of Finance revealed, according to Colombo Page. The government hopes to crack down the money laundering by unscrupulous people using the financial system with the new measures and is focusing its efforts to curb the fundraising by the Liberation Tigers of Tami Eelam (LTTE) overseas as well as in Sri Lanka. The Central Bank Governor, Ajith Nivard Cabraal, informed that the government is looking at including elements of anti-money laundering and financial transactions reporting laws into laws that govern the capital markets, adding, "We need to step up our surveillance to prevent terrorists from using our financial system to raise money under the guise of charities or other forms, to buy arms. The LTTE was recently caught in Britain skimming over 100 million pounds off the British public by way of a credit card scam. All that money is used to buy arms to fight the war here. We are appealing to the international community now to help us eradicate terrorism, by stopping funding sources like this."
Read less...
May - 7 
The Sri Lankan government said it is still committed to the Cease-Fire Agreement (CFA) signed in February 2002 with the LTTE despite unprecedented violations and is prepared to review it if necessary, reported Colombo Page. Addressing the media at the weekly briefing, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella s
Read more...
The Sri Lankan government said it is still committed to the Cease-Fire Agreement (CFA) signed in February 2002 with the LTTE despite unprecedented violations and is prepared to review it if necessary, reported Colombo Page. Addressing the media at the weekly briefing, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said the government has said on a number of occasions that it is prepared to review the CFA but not compromise the national security. "If it is violated to the extent that it is not worth carrying on any more it’s up to both parties to inform the people who have come in between. We as the Government have said on a number of occasions to re-look at it. We are prepared to give that option. In terms of national security we will carry on with surveillance and what is necessary. So far as national security is threatened we will not compromise under any circumstance," he stated.
Read less...
May - 8 
Sri Lanka has said that it did not consider that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) could pose an aerial threat to India. Military spokesperson Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe stated on May 8 that the authorities have not even discussed the possibility of the LTTE using their aircraft to bomb
Read more...
Sri Lanka has said that it did not consider that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) could pose an aerial threat to India. Military spokesperson Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe stated on May 8 that the authorities have not even discussed the possibility of the LTTE using their aircraft to bomb any location in India, adding, "We certainly have had no discussions on anything like that." Earlier on May 7, Sri Lankan Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona had warned that the air wing of the LTTE poses a threat to India's nuclear installations, saying, "There is an air threat which has a range of 200-300 nautical miles, and this range brings within it not only cities within Sri Lanka, shipping in the Indian Ocean, but also the nuclear installations of India."
Read less...
May - 8 
The Foreign Affairs Minister, Rohitha Bogollagama, assured the Parliament that not even a semblance of foreign interference in the internal affairs of the country will be allowed under President Mahinda Rajapakse's administration, according to Daily News. The Minister said the United Kingdom has not
Read more...
The Foreign Affairs Minister, Rohitha Bogollagama, assured the Parliament that not even a semblance of foreign interference in the internal affairs of the country will be allowed under President Mahinda Rajapakse's administration, according to Daily News. The Minister said the United Kingdom has not conveyed any message through diplomatic channels about any decision taken by the Parliament regarding the Parliamentary group's proposed visit to Sri Lanka, adding, "If there is any such message we will respond to it accordingly."
Read less...
May - 9 
The Sri Lankan government stated on May 9 that it would soon implement a new security plan enabling the government troops to counter the air threat posed by the LTTE. Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickrmanayake told the Parliament that the LTTE air capability would be negated, adding, "The LTTE carried o
Read more...
The Sri Lankan government stated on May 9 that it would soon implement a new security plan enabling the government troops to counter the air threat posed by the LTTE. Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickrmanayake told the Parliament that the LTTE air capability would be negated, adding, "The LTTE carried out air raids at a time when we had consolidated positions in land and sea. But we are drawing a new plan to face the threat."
Read less...
May - 10 
The fall of the only remaining Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) bastion in Thoppigala is imminent, said Eastern Commander Major General Parakrama Pannipitiya, according to Daily News. The Major General addressing media personnel in Vakarai on May 10 claimed that only five per cent of Thoppiga
Read more...
The fall of the only remaining Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) bastion in Thoppigala is imminent, said Eastern Commander Major General Parakrama Pannipitiya, according to Daily News. The Major General addressing media personnel in Vakarai on May 10 claimed that only five per cent of Thoppigala is in the hands of the LTTE and said that the LTTE was planning to flee the area amidst the impending military operations.
Read less...
May - 10 
The pro-LTTE Tamil Party Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has defended the air attacks of the LTTE, according to Daily Mirror. The Jaffna district TNA Member of Parliament, S. Gajendran, participating in the debate on extension of emergency regulations said in the Parliament, "This is only to attack id
Read more...
The pro-LTTE Tamil Party Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has defended the air attacks of the LTTE, according to Daily Mirror. The Jaffna district TNA Member of Parliament, S. Gajendran, participating in the debate on extension of emergency regulations said in the Parliament, "This is only to attack identified enemy targets within Sri Lanka and not to attack India. The government had said the LTTE air power was a threat to India as well. But we are certain the LTTE ‘air force’ was set up only to protect us in the northeast and not to attack any other powerful country like India."
Read less...
May - 10 
The US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher defended the Sri Lankan government’s air attack against LTTE, observing that,"They are wrong and the Government has every reason and right to neutralise Tiger air power," reported The Hindu.
Read more...
The US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher defended the Sri Lankan government’s air attack against LTTE, observing that,"They are wrong and the Government has every reason and right to neutralise Tiger air power," reported The Hindu.
Read less...
May - 10 
Voicing its concern, the Indian government said it had taken serious note of the LTTE's attempts to obtain air power and the capability to carry out air strikes. "The government is taking serious note of LTTE's efforts in getting air power and this is a matter of concern for us," said the Union Mini
Read more...
Voicing its concern, the Indian government said it had taken serious note of the LTTE's attempts to obtain air power and the capability to carry out air strikes. "The government is taking serious note of LTTE's efforts in getting air power and this is a matter of concern for us," said the Union Minister of State for Defence, M. M. Pallam Raju.
Read less...
May - 11 
The National Peace Council (NPC) has accused the LTTE of continuing with the forcible recruitment of children and adults in the Mannar area regardless of protests by the Catholic Church. In a media statement posted on its Website on May 11, the NPC said: "The situation in parts of the north, in part
Read more...
The National Peace Council (NPC) has accused the LTTE of continuing with the forcible recruitment of children and adults in the Mannar area regardless of protests by the Catholic Church. In a media statement posted on its Website on May 11, the NPC said: "The situation in parts of the north, in particular, has sharply deteriorated with the LTTE stepping up its recruitment drive in preparation for an anticipated onslaught by the government forces."
Read less...
May - 12 
Reacting to the statement made by Indian Defence Minister A.K. Antony that 77 Indian fishermen had been killed by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) from 1991 to mid-April 2000, the Sri Lanka government on May 12 said there was absolutely no evidence to link the SLN with attacks on fisher folk. The government
Read more...
Reacting to the statement made by Indian Defence Minister A.K. Antony that 77 Indian fishermen had been killed by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) from 1991 to mid-April 2000, the Sri Lanka government on May 12 said there was absolutely no evidence to link the SLN with attacks on fisher folk. The government said the Director-General of Police of the Indian State of Tamil Nadu issued a press note dated April 27 identifying on the basis of investigations of six Sri Lankan Tamils belonging to the LTTE's Sea-Tigers wing by the "Q” Branch Police of Tamil Nadu, the complicity of the LTTE boat Maria in the killing of five fishermen from Kanyakumari on March 29. "It would be seen from the above that there is absolutely no evidence to link the Sri Lanka Navy with attacks on Indian fishermen. Moreover, the policy followed by the Government of Sri Lanka and her Security Forces towards fishermen from India with which Sri Lanka has longstanding and close ties, is designed to preclude any such happening," it said.
Read less...
May - 14 
President Mahinda Rajapakse said the government will adopt a flexible approach on the proposals before the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) and will strive to negotiate and converge on a consensus, according to Daily News. Presiding at the meeting of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) on Ma
Read more...
President Mahinda Rajapakse said the government will adopt a flexible approach on the proposals before the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) and will strive to negotiate and converge on a consensus, according to Daily News. Presiding at the meeting of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) on May 14 at Temple Trees, he said: "The set of proposals approved by the party's Executive Committee today would be our final proposals which would not change… The proposals of the SLFP party as a whole will not sway with that of the other parties."
Read less...
May - 14 
The ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) central committee unanimously approved its proposals to solve the ethnic problem on May 14, reports Colombo Page. The proposals were presented to the central committee with slight amendments regarding the State religion and the name of the State. The article
Read more...
The ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) central committee unanimously approved its proposals to solve the ethnic problem on May 14, reports Colombo Page. The proposals were presented to the central committee with slight amendments regarding the State religion and the name of the State. The article related to State religion in the original set of proposals was amended replacing the apt status to Buddhism with prominent status to Buddhism, SLFP sources said. The name of the State was changed from Union of States to Sri Lanka Democratic Socialist Republic. The SLFP proposals are to be submitted to the All Party Representative Committee this week.
Read less...
May - 14 
The Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP), the breakaway faction of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) led by ‘Colonel’ Karuna, claimed that it has resolved a recent crisis that has almost split the party, according to BBC. The TMVP spokesperson, Asad Moulana, admitted that the party was r
Read more...
The Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP), the breakaway faction of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) led by ‘Colonel’ Karuna, claimed that it has resolved a recent crisis that has almost split the party, according to BBC. The TMVP spokesperson, Asad Moulana, admitted that the party was recently split between groups led by the top leader Karuna and the leader of the militant wing, 'Commandant' Pillaiyan. He, however, said that it was a clash of opinions between a two groups than a split in the party. "In the cordial talks between our leader Karuna Amman on Sunday, Commandant Pillaiyaan and various other high ranking commandants agreements has been reached," he said, adding, "In a democratic political party", every member has the freedom to express their views"
Read less...
May - 15 
The Sri Lankan government has started resettling thousands of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) displaced due to the recent fighting between the government forces and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the Eastern Province. The Minister of Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services, Abdul R
Read more...
The Sri Lankan government has started resettling thousands of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) displaced due to the recent fighting between the government forces and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the Eastern Province. The Minister of Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services, Abdul Risath Bathiyutheen, informed that in the first phase more than 34,000 IDPs will be resettled over the next 10 days in Wellawali, Porathivu and Kovilpuram areas in the Eastern Batticaloa. The IDPs are screened to prevent LTTE infiltration into the newly cleared areas, defence officials said.
Read less...
May - 16 
Reuters reported that the Maldives coast guard opened fire on and sank a small vessel carrying suspected LTTE cadres after a 12-hour standoff at sea in southern territorial waters of Maldives. "We have sunk the vessel. We have captured the five people aboard. We suspect they are Tamil Tigers," Maldi
Read more...
Reuters reported that the Maldives coast guard opened fire on and sank a small vessel carrying suspected LTTE cadres after a 12-hour standoff at sea in southern territorial waters of Maldives. "We have sunk the vessel. We have captured the five people aboard. We suspect they are Tamil Tigers," Maldives Foreign Minister Ahmed Shaheed told Reuters. A Maldives government spokesman later informed that one of the arrested persons identified himself as a LTTE cadre and said the boat was carrying guns and mortar bombs.
Read less...
May - 17 
The Sri Lankan Ambassador to USA, Bernard Goonetileke, has alleged that the LTTE has stolen 130,000 Norwegian passports and sold them to the "highest bidders" including operatives of the al Qaeda. In an interview to the Washington Post Radio on May 17, he disclosed, "One of them [LTTE cadre] surface
Read more...
The Sri Lankan Ambassador to USA, Bernard Goonetileke, has alleged that the LTTE has stolen 130,000 Norwegian passports and sold them to the "highest bidders" including operatives of the al Qaeda. In an interview to the Washington Post Radio on May 17, he disclosed, "One of them [LTTE cadre] surfaced with 700 of the stolen passports in Thailand and got caught to the police." Goonetileke told The Hindu on May 19 that Norway had lodged a complaint with the Interpol about the passports stolen "over a period of time." A report on the Sri Lanka Defence Ministry’s Website quoted Goonetileke as saying that the LTTE had employed a corrupt police officer to steal the passports for them and when it sold the passports they also sold them to an al Qaeda group in Algeria.
Read less...
May - 19 
Two cadres of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and a soldier were killed in continuing clashes in northern Sri Lanka on May 19, according to NDTV. The latest fighting between the LTTE and the military occurred near Madu village, about 220 km northwest of capital Colombo, the Defense Minis
Read more...
Two cadres of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and a soldier were killed in continuing clashes in northern Sri Lanka on May 19, according to NDTV. The latest fighting between the LTTE and the military occurred near Madu village, about 220 km northwest of capital Colombo, the Defense Ministry's information center said in a statement. More than 20 LTTE cadres and two soldiers have died in the last four days in fighting around Madu, the military said. However, the LTTE denied suffering major losses.
Read less...
May - 20 
Nearly 600 combatants have been killed in military operations against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the north in the past four months, said military spokesman Brig. Prasad Samarasinghe on May 20, according to Associated Press. At least 541 LTTE cadres and 44 soldiers have been kille
Read more...
Nearly 600 combatants have been killed in military operations against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the north in the past four months, said military spokesman Brig. Prasad Samarasinghe on May 20, according to Associated Press. At least 541 LTTE cadres and 44 soldiers have been killed in battles in the Mannar and Vavuniya districts, he added, saying the aim of the operation is to destroy LTTE mortar positions and to free thousands of civilians held as ''human shields'' in the outfit-held territory.
Read less...
May - 20 
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have vowed never to return to peace negotiations unless the government halts a military campaign against them and said that attacks by government forces would not force them to compromise, reported AFP. The outfit’s political wing leader, S. P. Thamilselva
Read more...
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have vowed never to return to peace negotiations unless the government halts a military campaign against them and said that attacks by government forces would not force them to compromise, reported AFP. The outfit’s political wing leader, S. P. Thamilselvan, told Tamil Net on May 20, "The LTTE and the Tamil people under no circumstances will come to the table in a position of political and military weakness. It is a fallacy to think that by weakening the LTTE, the movement can be forced to compromise on its political stand... Only when Tamils are strong, there is a chance that the (majority) Sinhalese leadership will come forward for a negotiated solution." He claimed that the government was trying to present the military campaign as part of the war on terror to win international support. Rejecting a new offer of a political settlement from the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party, he said, "The latest proposal, which is the same as the one rejected and defeated by the Tamil people 30 years ago, makes it abundantly clear that the Sinhalese leadership is still baulking at proposing a just solution.”
Read less...
May - 22 
Norway disputed media reports and denied Sri Lanka’s claims that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) had stolen a large number of Norwegian passports and sold them to al-Qaeda operatives, according to Colombo Page. "The Norwegian authorities have no information suggesting that 700 passports
Read more...
Norway disputed media reports and denied Sri Lanka’s claims that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) had stolen a large number of Norwegian passports and sold them to al-Qaeda operatives, according to Colombo Page. "The Norwegian authorities have no information suggesting that 700 passports have been confiscated in Thailand and neither are 700 blank passports missing," the Embassy said in a statement, adding, "These allegations are drawing links between unrelated matters and have no basis in reality." However the statement said that the Norwegian police confirmed that a policeman has sold nine blank passports to a Norwegian national of Sri Lankan origin. Norway said over the last 10 years, it has reported 130,000 lost or stolen passports to Interpol. Earlier, on May 17, the Sri Lankan Ambassador to USA, Bernard Goonetileke, had alleged that the LTTE has stolen 130,000 Norwegian passports and sold them to the "highest bidders" including operatives of the al Qaeda. He had disclosed, "One of them [LTTE cadre] surfaced with 700 of the stolen passports in Thailand and got caught to the police."
Read less...
May - 22 
The Sri Lankan government on May 22 unveiled separate flags for the Northern and Eastern provinces, reports Xinhua. "We have unveiled two separate flags for the Northern and Eastern provinces in terms of the Supreme Court ruling separating the two provinces," said the Minister of Local Government, J
Read more...
The Sri Lankan government on May 22 unveiled separate flags for the Northern and Eastern provinces, reports Xinhua. "We have unveiled two separate flags for the Northern and Eastern provinces in terms of the Supreme Court ruling separating the two provinces," said the Minister of Local Government, Janaka Bandara Tennakoon, adding, that unveiling of flags took place in the Trincomalee town.
Read less...
May - 22 
Three Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres were killed during two separate clashes in the Vavuniya district on May 22, said military spokesperson Brig. Prasad Samarasinghe, according to Associated Press.
Read more...
Three Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres were killed during two separate clashes in the Vavuniya district on May 22, said military spokesperson Brig. Prasad Samarasinghe, according to Associated Press.
Read less...
May - 23 
Reuters quoting military sources reported that at least 10 sailors were killed in the incident, while Associated Press quoted Irasiah Ilanthirayan as saying that 35 soldiers were killed.
Read more...
Reuters quoting military sources reported that at least 10 sailors were killed in the incident, while Associated Press quoted Irasiah Ilanthirayan as saying that 35 soldiers were killed.
Read less...
May - 23 
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) had pulled its staff from two main exit and entry points at Uyilankulam and Omanthai, citing security concerns, Colombo Page reported. "The ICRC decided today, with immediate effect, to interrupt momentarily its presence at Omanthai and the Uyilank
Read more...
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) had pulled its staff from two main exit and entry points at Uyilankulam and Omanthai, citing security concerns, Colombo Page reported. "The ICRC decided today, with immediate effect, to interrupt momentarily its presence at Omanthai and the Uyilankulam crossing points," said ICRC spokesperson Davide Vignati. "The decision was taken after few security incidents within the past five days that [have] jeopardised the safety of ICRC personnel....We will not return until we resolve the issue of safety with both parties," he added.
Read less...
May - 24 
A suspected LTTE suicide bomber on an explosive laden motor bicycle rammed a bus carrying army personnel on the first cross street in capital Colombo at around 9:00 am on May 24, the military said, reports Colombo Page. Two soldiers were killed and five other persons sustained injuries in the attack
Read more...
A suspected LTTE suicide bomber on an explosive laden motor bicycle rammed a bus carrying army personnel on the first cross street in capital Colombo at around 9:00 am on May 24, the military said, reports Colombo Page. Two soldiers were killed and five other persons sustained injuries in the attack.
Read less...
May - 24 
At least 10 sailors were killed when the Sea Tigers, naval wing of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), boats attacked and infiltrated a Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) base on an island off the Jaffna peninsula before dawn on May 24 (today), the military said, according to Reuters. Denying the LTTE cl
Read more...
At least 10 sailors were killed when the Sea Tigers, naval wing of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), boats attacked and infiltrated a Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) base on an island off the Jaffna peninsula before dawn on May 24 (today), the military said, according to Reuters. Denying the LTTE claim that 35 sailors were killed in the incident, military spokesperson Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe informed, "The Tigers have attacked a small naval detachment on Delft island in Jaffna. Less than 10 sailors are dead," adding, "We didn't even have 35 people there. That's totally false propaganda." The SLN spokesperson, Commander D. K. P Dassanayake, said that the outfit attacked the navy base at Delft in a flotilla of 15 boats and navy sailors sank one of them in attempts to repulse the ambush, adds Associated Press. The LTTE military spokesperson Rasiah Ilanthirayan, however, claimed that they swiftly overran the base and later found the bodies of 35 sailors. "The fighting lasted only 20 minutes and we completely overran the camp," Ilanthirayan said, adding that the cadres returned to their own base soon after the raid.
Read less...
May - 25 
Sri Lankan security forces on May 25 shot dead 12 cadres of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in separate encounters in the Vavuniya district of Northern Province, according to Zee News. The Defence Ministry said in a statement that "Initially 10 LTTE cadres were killed in a successful ass
Read more...
Sri Lankan security forces on May 25 shot dead 12 cadres of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in separate encounters in the Vavuniya district of Northern Province, according to Zee News. The Defence Ministry said in a statement that "Initially 10 LTTE cadres were killed in a successful assault launched by the army… Subsequently, two more tiger cadre were killed in a separate incident."
Read less...
May - 28 
The Sri Lankan Army's game plan is to drive the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) out of the Eastern districts completely and weaken it in the Northern districts to pave the way for talks to find a permanent political solution to the Tamil question, said Army Commander Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka
Read more...
The Sri Lankan Army's game plan is to drive the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) out of the Eastern districts completely and weaken it in the Northern districts to pave the way for talks to find a permanent political solution to the Tamil question, said Army Commander Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka on May 28, according to Daily News. He said, "In five to six months we will completely mop up the LTTE in the East," but adding, "We have no plan to take the North. Our plan in the North is to weaken the LTTE militarily so that we are able to maintain our positions there." Gen. Fonseka said that the LTTE now held only a small part of the Thoppigala jungle in the East, barely 10 square kilometres out of a total area of 50 sq. km. "It can be flushed out of this area in a couple of weeks and then the mopping up operations would have to be carried out to completely clear the area and that may take five to six months," he added. Saying that the LTTE is dogged, he accepted, "It (LTTE) has not given up hopes of holding Thoppigala. Every Tiger cadre is a suicide cadre, in as much as he is forced to fight to the last bullet." There are only about 300 LTTE fighting cadres left in the East and they are holed up in the Thoppigala jungle, he estimated.
Read less...
May - 29 
TMVP leader ‘Colonel’ Karuna while denying reports of a split in his party said, "Some elements are attempting to divide the TMVP by making all these claims. There is no problem between me and Pillayan now. Everything is sorted but some people are trying to get involved in the internal matters of th
Read more...
TMVP leader ‘Colonel’ Karuna while denying reports of a split in his party said, "Some elements are attempting to divide the TMVP by making all these claims. There is no problem between me and Pillayan now. Everything is sorted but some people are trying to get involved in the internal matters of the TMVP to scuttle things," and added that he was unanimously re-appointed the leader of the TMVP at a recent meeting of top officials from the organization which he said proved without doubt the unity within the TMVP. He also said the position of ‘supreme commander’ was not important as the TMVP was aiming to be a political entity and not a military unit which was why the organisation put forward proposals to the APRC for a political solution. However, a spokesperson for the ‘Pillayan faction’ said, "If Karuna could go ahead and remove his deputy and replace him with someone else it shows there is a problem. Pillayan wants me to tell you there is a problem and within the space of one month he himself will come out with a public statement about his split with Karuna." The spokesperson, however, said they stood ready to work with Karuna if he admitted the mistakes including the alleged killing of Pillayan loyalists and the detention of several others as a result of the split. "But we will not wait too long," he warned.
Read less...
May - 30 
LTTE military spokesman claimed that the outfit confronted a contingent of Sri Lanka Army soldiers who attempted to advance through LTTE defense line in Madu, adding, "The SLA suffered casualties and fled the battleground carrying their own casualties," Tamil Net reported.
Read more...
LTTE military spokesman claimed that the outfit confronted a contingent of Sri Lanka Army soldiers who attempted to advance through LTTE defense line in Madu, adding, "The SLA suffered casualties and fled the battleground carrying their own casualties," Tamil Net reported.
Read less...
May - 30 
The government will take a decision on the fate of the Cease-fire Agreement (CFA) within the next two weeks, said Defence spokesperson Keheliya Rambukwella, according to Daily News. Responding to a question on May 30, Rambukwella conceded that the CFA is not compatible with the ground reality at pre
Read more...
The government will take a decision on the fate of the Cease-fire Agreement (CFA) within the next two weeks, said Defence spokesperson Keheliya Rambukwella, according to Daily News. Responding to a question on May 30, Rambukwella conceded that the CFA is not compatible with the ground reality at present. He said it has come to a stage where the government will have to take stock of the CFA and decide on its ultimate fate, adding, "The Government will come out with its decision whether to strengthen or abrogate the CFA within a couple of weeks." Referring to the May 28 Ratmalana bomb attack, he said that it was evident to everyone that the intended targets were civilians, adding, "These attacks which were deliberately carried out by the LTTE is with a view to create communal tensions and civil unrest in the South with the intention of diverting the attention of the Security Forces from operational areas."
Read less...
May - 30 
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has decided that its personnel will resume their presence at Omanthai and Uyilankulam crossing points in the Vavuniya and Mannar districts respectively for three days a week from May 30 onwards, Colombo Page reports. The ICRC’s head of delegation i
Read more...
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has decided that its personnel will resume their presence at Omanthai and Uyilankulam crossing points in the Vavuniya and Mannar districts respectively for three days a week from May 30 onwards, Colombo Page reports. The ICRC’s head of delegation in Colombo, Toon Vandenhove, said that on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a. to 5 pm their personnel will be present at these checkpoints. Although its presence at the crossing points will now be reduced to only three days in a week, it remains ready to ensure the safe passage of ambulances transporting the sick and wounded whenever necessary, the ICRC said. The ICRC had been present on a daily basis since 2002. Under the 2002 CFA, it is the Sri Lankan government and LTTE that decide if crossing points will be open or closed. So far this year, an average of 25,000 persons has passed through the crossing points each month. The checkpoints were closed for more than a week after the ICRC withdrew its staff due to the LTTE attacks.
Read less...
May - 31 
Defence spokesperson and Minister Keheliya Rambukwella on May 31 said the cease-fire agreement (CFA), which now holds only on paper after breaking down on the ground last year, no longer reflected reality. "The government may abrogate it... due to the fact that the ground reality does not go in para
Read more...
Defence spokesperson and Minister Keheliya Rambukwella on May 31 said the cease-fire agreement (CFA), which now holds only on paper after breaking down on the ground last year, no longer reflected reality. "The government may abrogate it... due to the fact that the ground reality does not go in parallel with the CFA (Ceasefire Agreement)," Rambukwella told Reuters, adding, "It is flawed. It's time that either you (Norway) make certain amendments, or abrogate it. We told the Norwegians to look at it. If they're not looking at it, it's up to the government now to take stock of affairs and suggest certain amendments to make it more realistic, or else face the reality." "The LTTE is not coming out with it because they feel that if we abrogate it, then they could fly on high ground saying that the government abrogated the CFA," Rambukwella said. Meanwhile, a Norwegian embassy official said the mission had not been formally approached to review the truce pact.
Read less...
May - 31 
President Mahinda Rajapakse declared that a political solution remains his only aim to the current conflict while stressing on the need for weakening the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militarily. In an interview with Al-Jazeera, the President said his increasing emphasis on military action
Read more...
President Mahinda Rajapakse declared that a political solution remains his only aim to the current conflict while stressing on the need for weakening the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militarily. In an interview with Al-Jazeera, the President said his increasing emphasis on military action was only a minor element in the pursuit of a political compromise. "I am ready if Prabhakaran is ready. We have said that very clearly. I am ready but I am not prepared to kneel before the terrorism of the LTTE. I have said that many times. We have weakened them. When he is weak he talks about peace. When he becomes strong, then he wants war," the President said, adding, "If I am attacked, I will counter attack. That is what we have done on every occasion. Until the terrorists are weakened, they will not come for talks." The President also said that all differences that existed between the Sinhalese and Tamils have now been buried and the real divide, he says, is now between the terrorists and the rest of the country. "Prabhakaran does not represent the aspirations of the Tamil people. What he represents, is the interests of a small group. Not the needs of the Tamil people," he added further, saying, the LTTE are "not a Tamil terrorist organisation, there are Sinhalese, Muslims and Tamils in this group."
Read less...
June - 1 
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama ruled out the need for an international conference on resolving the terror threat posed by the LTTE saying Colombo was now engaged in seeking a solution that could deliver a localised model and should suit Sri Lanka best, The Hindu reported. The President Mahinda
Read more...
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama ruled out the need for an international conference on resolving the terror threat posed by the LTTE saying Colombo was now engaged in seeking a solution that could deliver a localised model and should suit Sri Lanka best, The Hindu reported. The President Mahinda Rajapakse stressed that India is the only one country that can acceptably involve itself in Sri Lanka and said, "India's support is necessary. There must be more support from the Indian government," adds Daily News.
Read less...
June - 1 
President Mahinda Rajapakse offered to open peace talks with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on June 1. The President would enter negotiations with the LTTE if they agreed to resume where they left off in October 2006, his spokesman Chandrapala Liyanage told AFP."I am ready to talk even
Read more...
President Mahinda Rajapakse offered to open peace talks with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on June 1. The President would enter negotiations with the LTTE if they agreed to resume where they left off in October 2006, his spokesman Chandrapala Liyanage told AFP."I am ready to talk even today in the present circumstances. I am a total democrat and I believe in a peaceful negotiated settlement," he quoted the President as saying. The President noted that he had not ordered troops to enter the LTTE-held Kilinochchi and Mullaittivu regions despite stepped up fighting and said he was still abiding by the Oslo-arranged truce, adding, "The ceasefire agreement has been violated 8,000 to 9,000 times, but we have still not given up the ceasefire."
Read less...
June - 1 
The Hindu reported that Police in Colombo asked Tamils from north and east, who are staying in various lodges without jobs, to go back to their homes in view of the security situation. Tamils from the troubled regions could pose a threat to the security particularly when they cannot satisfactorily e
Read more...
The Hindu reported that Police in Colombo asked Tamils from north and east, who are staying in various lodges without jobs, to go back to their homes in view of the security situation. Tamils from the troubled regions could pose a threat to the security particularly when they cannot satisfactorily explain reasons for their presence, said Police Inspector-General Victor Perera. "Those who are loitering in Colombo will be sent home. We will give them transport. We are doing this to protect the people and because of a threat to national security."
Read less...
June - 3 
Accusing interested parties of exploiting abductions to tarnish the image of his government, President Mahinda Rajapakse has said that according to the Mahanama Tillekeratne Commission on Abductions, in 90% of cases brought before it, the person allegedly "abducted" had returned, reports Hindustan T
Read more...
Accusing interested parties of exploiting abductions to tarnish the image of his government, President Mahinda Rajapakse has said that according to the Mahanama Tillekeratne Commission on Abductions, in 90% of cases brought before it, the person allegedly "abducted" had returned, reports Hindustan Times.
Read less...
June - 3 
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, during a meeting with the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon at the UN headquarters in New York, said the re-development of the Eastern Province, most of which had been secured by the government forces, could serve as a model for post-conflict peace building and d
Read more...
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, during a meeting with the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon at the UN headquarters in New York, said the re-development of the Eastern Province, most of which had been secured by the government forces, could serve as a model for post-conflict peace building and development, reports Daily News.. He stressed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) must understand that they cannot hinder the efforts of the Government, as well as the international donor community, in providing relief to the people. He called upon the international community to support Sri Lanka’s efforts to deal with the LTTE as a terrorist organisation and assist in curbing LTTE fund raising and arms procurement.
Read less...
June - 3 
Reuters quoted Bogollagama as saying that the government is not planning to scrap the cease-fire agreement (CFA) and was willing to meet with the LTTE for talks as soon as possible. "I categorically state that there is no decision taken to abrogate the CFA (ceasefire agreement). It is not necessary
Read more...
Reuters quoted Bogollagama as saying that the government is not planning to scrap the cease-fire agreement (CFA) and was willing to meet with the LTTE for talks as soon as possible. "I categorically state that there is no decision taken to abrogate the CFA (ceasefire agreement). It is not necessary to consider that," he said on June 3, adding, "We have always been encouraging them (the Tamil Tigers) to come for talks, and (the) likelihood is that talks will emerge soon. We are ready for talks even today. If they can come for talks as early as this month, we will be happy, but we leave it for the LTTE to respond."
Read less...
June - 4 
The Sri Lanka Army chief Lt. General Sarath Finseka reportedly demanded a new cease-fire agreement (CFA) with imposition of strict conditions on the LTTE. "At the moment the Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) is not functioning, because fighting is going on," he said in an interview published on June 4 in th
Read more...
The Sri Lanka Army chief Lt. General Sarath Finseka reportedly demanded a new cease-fire agreement (CFA) with imposition of strict conditions on the LTTE. "At the moment the Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) is not functioning, because fighting is going on," he said in an interview published on June 4 in the Daily News. He stated there should be a fresh CFA with new conditions, adding, "The government might lay down some conditions so that the LTTE can’t take advantage like bringing weapons, killing the opponents, consolidating their military defences; they should not do these types of things during ceasefire."
Read less...
June - 5 
According to South Asia Media Net, Police suspects the involvement of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) breakaway faction led by ‘Colonel’ Karuna in the abduction and killing of two volunteers of the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRC). Sabaragamuwa Province Deputy Inspector General of Poli
Read more...
According to South Asia Media Net, Police suspects the involvement of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) breakaway faction led by ‘Colonel’ Karuna in the abduction and killing of two volunteers of the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRC). Sabaragamuwa Province Deputy Inspector General of Police Sarath Perera said they had identified the number of the vehicle used in the abduction and suspected the vehicle was being used by the Karuna faction. Police also said the vehicle had been seen in the area on the day of the crime. The Karuna faction, however, denied its involvement in the killing and claimed that one of the Red Cross victims was a close relative of a high ranking official in Karuna’s Colombo office.
Read less...
June - 6 
The Sri Lankan government said that it will strengthen the cease-fire agreement (CFA) and make it effective, taking into consideration the current ground realities. Speaking at a media briefing on June 6, Defence spokesperson, Keheliya Rambukwella, said that though the LTTE are continuing to violate
Read more...
The Sri Lankan government said that it will strengthen the cease-fire agreement (CFA) and make it effective, taking into consideration the current ground realities. Speaking at a media briefing on June 6, Defence spokesperson, Keheliya Rambukwella, said that though the LTTE are continuing to violate the CFA despite repeated appeals from the various parties, the government is still adhering to it.
Read less...
June - 7 
Daily News, however, quoted Minister Keheliya Rambukwella as saying in the Parliament that the government provided transport facilities to 260 persons who voluntarily submitted themselves to be returned to their native places in the North-East. The Minister denied any form of harassment adding, "The
Read more...
Daily News, however, quoted Minister Keheliya Rambukwella as saying in the Parliament that the government provided transport facilities to 260 persons who voluntarily submitted themselves to be returned to their native places in the North-East. The Minister denied any form of harassment adding, "They have volunteered to go back and the Government has provided them with all transport facilities." The Minister said during the past 3-4 weeks bombs exploded in Colombo and suburbs and attempts were made to smuggle explosives into Colombo." This was why we had to take these measures," he said, adding, it had been revealed that during the 10 years all plans to explode bombs in the city were hatched within these lodgings in the city. The Minister also informed that there were over 20,000 Tamils who had taken up lodgings in Colombo, stressing, "But we have to secure the lives of 19 million people".
Read less...
June - 7 
Police started eviction of Tamils from the capital Colombo as part of a crackdown against LTTE suspects, according to PTI. Tamil men, women and children, lodged at low-budget hostels, were forced out of their rooms, ordered into buses and driven off under armed escorts, residents said. The move foll
Read more...
Police started eviction of Tamils from the capital Colombo as part of a crackdown against LTTE suspects, according to PTI. Tamil men, women and children, lodged at low-budget hostels, were forced out of their rooms, ordered into buses and driven off under armed escorts, residents said. The move followed an announcement by the Inspector General of Police Victor Perera last week that Tamils "loitering" in Colombo were a threat to national security and that they will be given transport to return to their villages. The Defence Ministry confirmed the eviction, but said it was done to LTTE using the cover of lodges to hatch bomb plots against the capital. "Investigations have also confirmed that those responsible for these brutal killings have hatched their brutal plans and executed them from these lodgings," the Ministry said, adding, 376 people were evicted in seven buses and would be taken to Jaffna, Vavuniya, Trincomalee and Batticaloa. Since there is no land access to Jaffna, it is certain that the people from Jaffna will have to be held in a detention centre somewhere in the north of the island, officials said.
Read less...
June - 7 
The Chairman of the CBE (Pvt) Ltd., Tiran Alles, was arrested by the Central Investigation Division (CID) to question him on the transfer of a vast amount of funds to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) through the TNJ Company registered under the name of leading LTTE activist Emil Kanthan,
Read more...
The Chairman of the CBE (Pvt) Ltd., Tiran Alles, was arrested by the Central Investigation Division (CID) to question him on the transfer of a vast amount of funds to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) through the TNJ Company registered under the name of leading LTTE activist Emil Kanthan, who was arrested on several occasions on terrorism charges and who led the gang which assaulted Minister Douglas Devananda at the Kalutara prison in 2002, for the past several years, Information and Media Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa told Parliament on June 6, according to Daily News. Alles had set up the TNJ Company in Kanthan’s name utilising his own funds and 33 Volvo and Benz vehicles and various other equipment had been transferred through it to the LTTE ostensibly for building houses. With the use of mobile phones in the North and East, Alles’s Company had obtained the Agency to market Dialog mobile connections in the North and East. The commission agreed was 50 per cent of the monthly bill paid to Dialog from each connection. Accordingly, billions of rupees had been paid to Alles’s CBE Company in respect of mobile phone connections given to the North and East and this money had been procured for LTTE needs locally and internationally. According to statements made and information received by the CID, the TNJ Company had obtained leasing facilities from the Hatton National Bank to provide the Volvos and Benzes to the LTTE. The CID is now probing the Bank accounts of TNJ and CBE and collecting information about the above mentioned persons.
Read less...
June - 8 
President Mahinda Rajapakse asked the IGP to submit an immediate report on the manner exercised to transport Tamil persons who were living in lodges in Colombo to North and East. Inviting the evicted people back to Colombo and promising disciplinary action against any wrongdoing, a statement issued
Read more...
President Mahinda Rajapakse asked the IGP to submit an immediate report on the manner exercised to transport Tamil persons who were living in lodges in Colombo to North and East. Inviting the evicted people back to Colombo and promising disciplinary action against any wrongdoing, a statement issued by the President’s Office said that the President has called for an immediate inquiry to be initiated to ascertain the basis for this security related operation. AFP quoted police sources as saying that they were trying to undo the damage by arranging five buses to bring back to Colombo the Tamils who were forcibly removed from low-budget hostels. "Out of 272 held at the Vavuniya centre, we are bringing back 186 in the next few hours," said a police official in Vavuniya.
Read less...
June - 10 
Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Rathnasiri Wickramanayaka on June 10 disclosed that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) had sent another truck with over 1,000 kilograms of explosives, according to Colombo Page. “We are searching for another lorry, which can cause a major damage. The explosives in
Read more...
Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Rathnasiri Wickramanayaka on June 10 disclosed that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) had sent another truck with over 1,000 kilograms of explosives, according to Colombo Page. “We are searching for another lorry, which can cause a major damage. The explosives in that truck were enough to blow up half of Colombo,” the Prime Minister said without giving any details. As reported earlier, Police on June 1 arrested a truck with 1,052 kilograms of C-4 explosives hidden in the truck under a pile of coconuts at a Police checkpoint in the Kurunegala district. He also regretted the eviction of 376 "jobless Tamils" living temporarily in lodges in Colombo and suburbs to their places of permanent residence in the north and east on June 7, adding, his government accepted responsibility for what happened and said such incidents would not recur, according to The Hindu.
Read less...
June - 11 
The Healthcare and Nutrition Minister and leader of the government's peace delegation, Nimal Siripala De Silva, has told the Japanese special peace envoy Yasushi Akashi that the LTTE collects ransom and taxes from doctors serving in the North, reports Daily News. These doctors are urgently trying to
Read more...
The Healthcare and Nutrition Minister and leader of the government's peace delegation, Nimal Siripala De Silva, has told the Japanese special peace envoy Yasushi Akashi that the LTTE collects ransom and taxes from doctors serving in the North, reports Daily News. These doctors are urgently trying to get themselves transferred to Colombo or any other part of the country, the Minister added. "The LTTE take ransoms and taxes from doctors who serve in uncleared areas and the lives of the doctors who do not pay are in danger. Due to this condition a number of doctors have already migrated or obtained transfers to Colombo and other areas. The rest of the doctors try to obtain transfers. The Ministry faces great difficulties in providing healthcare facilities to uncleared areas in the middle of these problems," Silva stated.
Read less...
June - 12 
British minister Kim Howells said that there was no likelihood of de-proscribing the LTTE which still continues to use terrorism as a mode for securing their demands. "This will not happen while the LTTE continues to use terrorism. The targeting of civilians make the case ever more strongly that our
Read more...
British minister Kim Howells said that there was no likelihood of de-proscribing the LTTE which still continues to use terrorism as a mode for securing their demands. "This will not happen while the LTTE continues to use terrorism. The targeting of civilians make the case ever more strongly that our decision to proscribe the LTTE was totally justified. Before we change our views on this the LTTE must renounce violence in word and deed,"
Read less...
June - 12 
Defense secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa has said that Sri Lanka is being bullied by Western countries over human rights and declared that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has infiltrated and misled United Nations (UN) agencies. He accused foreign powers of applying double standards when it c
Read more...
Defense secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa has said that Sri Lanka is being bullied by Western countries over human rights and declared that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has infiltrated and misled United Nations (UN) agencies. He accused foreign powers of applying double standards when it comes to human rights violations, saying all measures were fair to defeat terrorists. "This is discrimination and bullying by the international community," Rajapaksa told Reuters and BBC. "Without understanding the problem, they are trying to bully us, and we won't be isolated. We have all the SAARC countries, the Asian countries," he stated, adding, "Britain or Western countries, EU countries, they can do whatever. We don't depend on them. We have to defend ourselves. You can't risk the country ... I'm talking about terrorists. Anything is fair." Reacting to the demand of UN agencies in Sri Lanka to halt rights abuses by the government, he claimed, "For 30 years or so, this LTTE planned this, they infiltrated the U.N."
Read less...
«
1
2
»
Page 1 of 2
ADVANCED SEARCH
Incident Year Wise
Incidents- 2023
Incidents- 2022
Incidents- 2021
Incidents- 2020
Incidents- 2019
Incidents- 2018
Incidents- 2017
Incidents- 2016
Incidents- 2015
Incidents- 2014
Incidents- 2013
Incidents- 2012
Incidents- 2011
Incidents- 2010
Incidents- 2009
Incidents- 2008
Incidents- 2007
Incidents- 2006
Incidents- 2005
Incidents- 2004
Incidents- 2003
Incidents- 2002
Incidents- 2001
Incidents- 2000
Country :
--All--
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Bhutan
India
Maldives
Nepal
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
Zone :
--All--
State :
--All--
District :
--All--
Date From :
The Valid date is required
Date To:
The Valid date is required