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Sri Lanka
Statement:2008
Read more...
Date
Incidents
January - 1 
The Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is under pressure due to a sharp decline in recruiting cadres and acute shortage of arms and ammunition, reports Colombo Page. He stated that, "Faced with a severe shortage of ammunition and dwindling num
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The Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is under pressure due to a sharp decline in recruiting cadres and acute shortage of arms and ammunition, reports Colombo Page. He stated that, "Faced with a severe shortage of ammunition and dwindling numbers due to growing losses and sharp drop in recruitment, the LTTE is struggling to hold their positions." According to him, the bulk of LTTE cadres were deployed across the Jaffna Frontline, where skirmishes take place almost every day. "On the Vavuniya front basically the fighting is taking place in the jungle, while Mannar is an open territory. There are paddy fields and open terrain and obviously the forces have adopted different tactics to suit the terrain. In the Jaffna sector, it is entirely a different strategy," he told The Island.
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January - 2 
The Sri Lanka government on January 2 decided to withdraw from the Cease-fire Agreement (CFA) with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), reports Colombo Page. At the Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake proposed to annul the CFA, signed in February 22, 2002, between then U
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The Sri Lanka government on January 2 decided to withdraw from the Cease-fire Agreement (CFA) with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), reports Colombo Page. At the Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake proposed to annul the CFA, signed in February 22, 2002, between then United National Front government and the LTTE, government spokesperson Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said. "All the Cabinet Ministers agreed for that and the Premier was tasked to inform the matter to the Norwegian facilitators soon," he said. The motion has been moved since there was no point in continuing with the CFA as the LTTE has committed a large number of cease-fire violations, the Minister added, according to Daily News. "The Government decided to officially withdraw from the Ceasefire Agreement since it is futile to continue with the Ceasefire with no indication that LTTE is willing to enter the peace path," the Minister said, adding further, "The Ceasefire has been violated by the LTTE more than 10,000 times. The Cabinet decision will be put into practice by using the terms and conditions of the Ceasefire Agreement itself."
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January - 3 
The government officially conveyed to Norway its decision to pull out of the CFA, adds The Hindu. Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama handed a letter to Norwegian Ambassador Tore Hattrem, saying that the government was withdrawing from the agreement.
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The government officially conveyed to Norway its decision to pull out of the CFA, adds The Hindu. Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama handed a letter to Norwegian Ambassador Tore Hattrem, saying that the government was withdrawing from the agreement.
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January - 3 
The government’s decision to abrogate the Cease-fire Agreement (CFA) was based on a policy decision and the doors are yet wide open for a peaceful and negotiated political solution to the ethnic conflict, said Cabinet spokesperson and Media and Information Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa on Januar
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The government’s decision to abrogate the Cease-fire Agreement (CFA) was based on a policy decision and the doors are yet wide open for a peaceful and negotiated political solution to the ethnic conflict, said Cabinet spokesperson and Media and Information Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa on January 3, Daily News reported. He said that the CFA will be abrogated based on a Cabinet memorandum submitted by the Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake at the Cabinet meeting on January 2. "The LTTE had consistently and blatantly flouted and violated the said CFA by well over 10,000 occasions, and rendered it absolutely ineffective and futile for further adherence or any practical purpose," the Minister said, adding, "Nonetheless, this measure taken by the Government does not in any way rule out a negotiated and peaceful solution to the ethnic crisis. We will seriously and anxiously pursue a peaceful end to the issue in terms of the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) proposals which are due in February. If the conditions are right, we can resume talks with anyone. However, due to the CFA now being defunct, we are abrogating it." He also said that the Cabinet had not yet decided to ban the LTTE.
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January - 3 
The LTTE has indicated that only a demonstration of its military might would change the present international climate in its favour, reports IANS. V Balakumaran, a senior member of the LTTE, said in an interview to National Television of Tamileelam (NTT) last week: “The international community has b
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The LTTE has indicated that only a demonstration of its military might would change the present international climate in its favour, reports IANS. V Balakumaran, a senior member of the LTTE, said in an interview to National Television of Tamileelam (NTT) last week: “The international community has been vacillating in taking decisive actions on Sri Lanka because they are unable to relate their own interests to the chaotically unfolding political and military situation in Sri Lanka. Only the demonstration of military strength by the Tigers can bring clarity to the situation for the international community to correctly relate their interests, and aggressively engage.” He added, “We expect 2008 will be the year where we can overcome the diplomatic hurdles that confront us.”
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January - 4 
The government is fully capable of presenting a set of political proposals that satisfy and receive the consent of all and it will present this set of political proposals shortly, said Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama on January 4, according to Daily News. The government is not focusing on banni
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The government is fully capable of presenting a set of political proposals that satisfy and receive the consent of all and it will present this set of political proposals shortly, said Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama on January 4, according to Daily News. The government is not focusing on banning the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) at the moment and the doors are always open for talks, he added.
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January - 10 
President Mahinda Rajapakse has requested the All-Party Representative Committee (APRC) Chairman and Minister Tissa Vitharana to submit the final draft for a political solution to the ethnic conflict in the island nation by January 23, The Hindu reports. The APRC Chairman told The Hindu that the com
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President Mahinda Rajapakse has requested the All-Party Representative Committee (APRC) Chairman and Minister Tissa Vitharana to submit the final draft for a political solution to the ethnic conflict in the island nation by January 23, The Hindu reports. The APRC Chairman told The Hindu that the committee is agreed on most of the proposals in the draft he had submitted over a year ago. “The proposals so far agreed amount to an improvement on the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. Only two controversial issues remain to be sorted out. I intend to seek support of both the UNP and JVP to the proposals once they are finalised”. The APRC was constituted by Rajapakse in mid-2006 to advice him on a political package for power-sharing.
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January - 10 
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on January 10 announced that it wants to continue the Cease-Fire Agreement (CFA) and the Norwegian peace role and is ready to respect the CFA hundred percent, reports Colombo Page. Issuing a statement, the political head of the LTTE, B. Nadesan, said that
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The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on January 10 announced that it wants to continue the Cease-Fire Agreement (CFA) and the Norwegian peace role and is ready to respect the CFA hundred percent, reports Colombo Page. Issuing a statement, the political head of the LTTE, B. Nadesan, said that the outfit is shocked and disappointed by the government’s decision to withdraw from the CFA. "The GoSL, without any justifications, has now unilaterally withdrawn from the CFA. The LTTE wishes to state that even at this juncture, it is ready to implement every clause of the CFA agreement and respect it 100%. We also request that Norway should continue with its facilitation role with the support of the international community,” Nadesan stated. The statement also urged the international community to lift the ban on the outfit imposed by several countries alleging that Sri Lanka government’s false propaganda led to the ban. The government officially notified Norway on January 3 of its decision to pull out of the agreement and the truce will formally cease on January 16 and the function of peace monitors in the country will end.
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January - 11 
The government on January 11 said that it was pressing ahead with efforts to defeat the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and dismissed talk of restoring a cease-fire, reports Daily News. An unnamed Presidential spokesperson said that the outfit had made no formal offer to revive a truce. “We
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The government on January 11 said that it was pressing ahead with efforts to defeat the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and dismissed talk of restoring a cease-fire, reports Daily News. An unnamed Presidential spokesperson said that the outfit had made no formal offer to revive a truce. “We have not been told either by the Tigers or the Norwegians. All we see are contradictory statements from them and we will not respond to claims in the media. We will maintain our military operations against the Tigers, and by February 4 we will unveil a plan to politically solve the ethnic conflict,” he told AFP. He reiterated assurances that the government was working hard on a political plan to grant greater autonomy to Tamils. “The work on this is almost complete,” he insisted.
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January - 11 
The Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardana said that the abrogation of the Cease-fire Agreement (CFA) will not affect the foreign aid flow as the LTTE has been perpetrating terrorist activities even though the government tried its best to protect it. He informed that outfit has violated the CFA 3,
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The Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardana said that the abrogation of the Cease-fire Agreement (CFA) will not affect the foreign aid flow as the LTTE has been perpetrating terrorist activities even though the government tried its best to protect it. He informed that outfit has violated the CFA 3,743 times according to the reports of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission.
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January - 13 
The Tokyo Co-Chairs of Sri Lanka (Norway, Japan, U.S. and the E.U.), which are backing the continuation of Norway’s role as the official peace facilitator, has reportedly asked the government to provide the Co-Chairs and Norway access to the LTTE in Kilinochchi.
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The Tokyo Co-Chairs of Sri Lanka (Norway, Japan, U.S. and the E.U.), which are backing the continuation of Norway’s role as the official peace facilitator, has reportedly asked the government to provide the Co-Chairs and Norway access to the LTTE in Kilinochchi.
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January - 14 
The Sri Lanka government has urged the United Kingdom (UK) and France to ban the UK-based Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) ‘charity’ front White Pigeon, allegedly supported by several southern Indian film stars, the Ministry of Defence Website reported. It also alleged that millions of dollar
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The Sri Lanka government has urged the United Kingdom (UK) and France to ban the UK-based Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) ‘charity’ front White Pigeon, allegedly supported by several southern Indian film stars, the Ministry of Defence Website reported. It also alleged that millions of dollars are still being raised in the UK and mainland Europe by thinly-disguised front organisations for the LTTE. A spokesman for the Sri Lankan High Commission said on January 14 that White Pigeon held a show in London over the weekend. This was followed by two shows in Paris. All were billed as mega-star events and were advertised as fronted by South Indian stars. The Paris shows were expected to raise at least two million pounds. White Pigeon is the successor to the US and UK-banned Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO), which has allegedly raised millions of dollars across Western capitals to funnel arms to the LTTE.
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January - 15 
The Sri Lankan military spokesperson Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara on January 15 told Deutsche Presse-Agentur that the military wants to destroy the LTTE and conclude 25 years of war after the cease-fire ends on January 16, reports Daily News. He said the military was already putting pressure on the L
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The Sri Lankan military spokesperson Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara on January 15 told Deutsche Presse-Agentur that the military wants to destroy the LTTE and conclude 25 years of war after the cease-fire ends on January 16, reports Daily News. He said the military was already putting pressure on the LTTE at various fronts in the North, and added, "If we continue like this we will be able to defeat the LTTE."
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January - 16 
According to Press Trust of India, the Sri Lanka government on January 16 said it has decided to eliminate LTTE chief V. Prabhakaran to bring peace, while maintaining that it was still open to negotiations with the rebels. "If Prabhakaran is ready to take the white flag, we will leave some window op
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According to Press Trust of India, the Sri Lanka government on January 16 said it has decided to eliminate LTTE chief V. Prabhakaran to bring peace, while maintaining that it was still open to negotiations with the rebels. "If Prabhakaran is ready to take the white flag, we will leave some window open to consider that offer. Otherwise we have decided to eliminate him to bring peace in Sri Lanka," said defence spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella.
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January - 16 
Britain’s leading Tamil organisation, the British Tamils Forum, has called for a boycott of Sri Lankan Airlines in a move to target the Sri Lankan economy as part of their campaign for a separate Tamil homeland, reports The Hindu. Tamils have been urged not to travel by Sri Lanka’s national carrier,
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Britain’s leading Tamil organisation, the British Tamils Forum, has called for a boycott of Sri Lankan Airlines in a move to target the Sri Lankan economy as part of their campaign for a separate Tamil homeland, reports The Hindu. Tamils have been urged not to travel by Sri Lanka’s national carrier, which earns an estimated £12 million every year from the British Tamils travelling to Sri Lanka. "Travelling with Sri Lankan airlines is tantamount to paying the government of Sri Lanka to buy the weaponry with which to kill our people in their homeland," said Ivan Pedropillai, head of the Forum, at a press conference. The Forum also urged British tourists not to take holidays in Sri Lanka, arguing that the earnings from tourism "adds to Sri Lankan Government’s war chest." Pedropillai, however, sought to distance his group from the LTTE, saying while it shared the groups "political goals," it believed in struggle through legal and peaceful means.
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January - 17 
Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake said the present government had given the freedom to the country’s armed forces to fight the war against terrorism in order to wipe out terrorism from the country, according to Daily Mirror. "There was a time, where politicians ordered the armed forces on how
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Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake said the present government had given the freedom to the country’s armed forces to fight the war against terrorism in order to wipe out terrorism from the country, according to Daily Mirror. "There was a time, where politicians ordered the armed forces on how to fight, but now it has completely changed, now the armed forces are freely carrying out their duties successfully without any intervention from politicians," Wickremanayake said. Addressing a passing-out-parade on January 17-evening at the Navy base at Boossa, the Prime Minister said the present government had provided everything the military wanted, but not advice on how to conduct the war. "Politicians were not experts in that field. Because of that, the armed forces had the opportunity to control the spread of terrorism in the country. Military decisions are taken by the heads of the armed forces and with that freedom we will be able to wipe out terrorism from the country soon," he opined.
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January - 22 
The President Mahinda Rajapakse on January 22 said that ethnic conflict should not be solved through military means, but the government will not seek a political solution as long as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) engages in terrorism, reports Reuters. "There has to be a political soluti
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The President Mahinda Rajapakse on January 22 said that ethnic conflict should not be solved through military means, but the government will not seek a political solution as long as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) engages in terrorism, reports Reuters. "There has to be a political solution," Rajapakse said, adding, "(But) this (solution) is not with terrorists. You can't allow them to go free." The President also disclosed that the killing of the Tamil National Alliance Member of Parliament T. Maheswaran and indiscriminate attacks on civilians prompted the government to abrogate the Cease-fire Agreement (CFA), adds Daily News. "I warned them not to attack civilians. But they continued to attack civilians. There were so many incidents of this nature." The President said he was opposed to the CFA from the very beginning. In fact, when the CFA was presented to Parliament, he was the first to speak against it. But he waited patiently for more than two years to withdraw from the agreement, despite the LTTE's provocations. "They violated the CFA more than 7,000 times. They left peace talks on flimsy excuses. Some expected me to abrogate the CFA on the very first day of assuming power. But I did not, because of our commitment to peace. But the LTTE had no regard for it." He said the government was not contemplating banning the LTTE at the moment.
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January - 23 
The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) fighter jets bombed a frequent visiting place of the LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran in Kilinochchi, known as "X-ray Base" on January 23, reports Colombo Page. The SLAF jets in a low flying mission targeted the base located east of Iranamadu Tank in the Kalmadukulam
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The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) fighter jets bombed a frequent visiting place of the LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran in Kilinochchi, known as "X-ray Base" on January 23, reports Colombo Page. The SLAF jets in a low flying mission targeted the base located east of Iranamadu Tank in the Kalmadukulama area, the Defense Ministry said. The SLAF spokesperson Wing Commander Andrew Wijesooriya said, "We believed he (Prabha) was in the base and no confirmation on his condition or whereabouts after the raid." Fighter pilots have confirmed that the target was accurately hit, however, the extent of damage is yet to be ascertained. The target was located in a thick jungle patch, north of LTTE’s "runaway" in Iranamadu. The area has been long demarcated as a "high security zone" and a ‘no go’ area for civilians, the sources added.
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January - 23 
The Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse has promised to hand over the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Velupillai Prabhakaran to India to face trial in the former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi assassination case if he is captured, according to agencies. In the event of Prabhakar
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The Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse has promised to hand over the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Velupillai Prabhakaran to India to face trial in the former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi assassination case if he is captured, according to agencies. In the event of Prabhakaran getting caught, he would be tried for offences in the island country and then handed over to India for trial over the killing of Rajiv Gandhi, he said during an interaction with foreign correspondents in Colombo on January 23.
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January - 24 
President Mahinda Rajapakse is to set up a Temporary Interim Advisory Council (TIAC) to resolve problems in the North, said the Agriculture Development and Agrarian Services Minister and Sri Lanka Freedom Party General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena on January 24, reports Daily News. The advisory co
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President Mahinda Rajapakse is to set up a Temporary Interim Advisory Council (TIAC) to resolve problems in the North, said the Agriculture Development and Agrarian Services Minister and Sri Lanka Freedom Party General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena on January 24, reports Daily News. The advisory council, which will have representatives from all ethnicities, will directly work with the Northern Province Governor who is to be appointed by the government. The TIAC which will be appointed by the President is totally different from the mechanisms envisaged in the Indo-Lanka Agreement. "The North is yet to be cleared of the LTTE. It is difficult to hold an election in the North at the moment. All national issues will be discussed by the TIAC representatives with the Governor. This will also strengthen the relation between the TIAC representatives and public," he added.
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January - 26 
Signalling that there will be no let up in military offensive against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), President Mahinda Rajapakse said on January 26 that the army was trying to liberate the outfit’s strongholds of Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu in the north, according to PTI. ''We are tryin
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Signalling that there will be no let up in military offensive against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), President Mahinda Rajapakse said on January 26 that the army was trying to liberate the outfit’s strongholds of Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu in the north, according to PTI. ''We are trying to relieve the people of Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu of terror under LTTE leader V Prabhakaran,'' he said, adding, ''The government is making efforts to allow them to enjoy the freedoms and rights of human beings in a democratic state in the same manner the people of the Eastern Province were now enjoying.” He also said that steps have been taken to restore democratic rights of the people by the elected representatives in the Eastern Province.
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January - 28 
The security forces successfully retaliated with heavy artillery and multi barrel rocket launchers an LTTE artillery fire towards the Palali area in the Jaffna district at around 9.30am on January 28, reports Daily News. "A passing out parade was to be held at the Palali camp before the LTTE launche
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The security forces successfully retaliated with heavy artillery and multi barrel rocket launchers an LTTE artillery fire towards the Palali area in the Jaffna district at around 9.30am on January 28, reports Daily News. "A passing out parade was to be held at the Palali camp before the LTTE launched the artillery attack. Around 15 Tiger artillery shells had fallen in the Palali area but there was no damage to life or property… The passing out parade was held at the Palali base as scheduled," said Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara. He said following the artillery attack the Air Force carried out an air strike targeting an LTTE artillery position in the Kalmunai point at around 11.45am. "LTTE cadres were launching the artillery attack directed towards the Palali from this position. The Tiger artillery position was completely destroyed by the Air Force fighters", he informed.
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January - 28 
The security forces successfully retaliated with heavy artillery and multi barrel rocket launchers an LTTE artillery fire towards the Palali area of Jaffna district at around 9.30am on January 28, reports Daily News. "A passing out parade was to be held at the Palali camp before the LTTE launched th
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The security forces successfully retaliated with heavy artillery and multi barrel rocket launchers an LTTE artillery fire towards the Palali area of Jaffna district at around 9.30am on January 28, reports Daily News. "A passing out parade was to be held at the Palali camp before the LTTE launched the artillery attack. Around 15 Tiger artillery shells had fallen in the Palali area but there was no damage to life or property… The passing out parade was held at the Palali base as scheduled," said Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara. He said following the artillery attack the Air Force carried out an air strike targeting an LTTE artillery position in the Kalmunai point at around 11.45am. "LTTE cadres were launching the artillery attack directed towards the Palali from this position. The Tiger artillery position was completely destroyed by the Air Force fighters", he stated.
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January - 29 
The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon accused the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and its breakaway faction led by ‘Colonel’ Karuna of recruiting children from North and the East in a report looking at Children in War, The Hindu reported. In a new report issued on January 29,
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The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon accused the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and its breakaway faction led by ‘Colonel’ Karuna of recruiting children from North and the East in a report looking at Children in War, The Hindu reported. In a new report issued on January 29, Ban Ki-moon said child recruitment and use of children in armed conflict is taking place in more than a dozen countries around the world. According to the report, "The practice continues in Afghanistan, Burundi, Chad, the Central African Republic (CAR), Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, Somalia, Sudan, Sri Lanka and Uganda", the UN Secretary-General's latest report on children and armed conflict, covering the period from October 2006 to August 2007, the LTTE had recruited or re-recruited 339 children. It says that 41% of them were from Batticaloa. "Among the 6,221 children registered on the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) database as having been recruited since 2001, 1,469 cases remain outstanding, including 335 children under 18 as at August 2007," the report says. The UNICEF has also received confirmed reports that 246 children had been recruited or re-recruited by Karuna group during the reporting period. "There have been reports that the Karuna faction have abducted and recruited children from IDP camps in Sri Lanka, while in the DRC, children have been recruited from camps in North Kivu Province by forces loyal to rebel leader Laurent Nkunda".
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January - 30 
Brigadier Nanayakkara urged the public to be vigilant since the LTTE had planned to carry out attacks by disguising their men as ice cream vendors. "We have reliable information that the LTTE cadres are planning to carry out an attack posing off as ice cream vendors and we are asking the public to b
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Brigadier Nanayakkara urged the public to be vigilant since the LTTE had planned to carry out attacks by disguising their men as ice cream vendors. "We have reliable information that the LTTE cadres are planning to carry out an attack posing off as ice cream vendors and we are asking the public to be extra vigilant," he said.
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January - 30 
The Army on January 30 said that the LTTE transmissions, closely monitored and transcribed by members of the security forces, now consolidating in and around Mannar areas, affirmed that many conscripted minors, school children and teachers were being sent to the LTTE defence line to the north of Mad
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The Army on January 30 said that the LTTE transmissions, closely monitored and transcribed by members of the security forces, now consolidating in and around Mannar areas, affirmed that many conscripted minors, school children and teachers were being sent to the LTTE defence line to the north of Madhu with sinister motives and plans, reports Daily News.
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January - 30 
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have urged the United Nations (UN) to recognise 'Tamil sovereignty' to end the 25-year-old ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka, accusing the Sri Lankan government of committing excesses against the minority community in the country, according to Rediff. "We urge
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The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have urged the United Nations (UN) to recognise 'Tamil sovereignty' to end the 25-year-old ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka, accusing the Sri Lankan government of committing excesses against the minority community in the country, according to Rediff. "We urge you to consider recognising Tamil sovereignty as a constructive approach to end the five decades long, large-scale, and serious rights violations against the Tamil people," the LTTE political head B. Nadesan said in a letter to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon on January 30. "It should also be obvious to the international community that there is only one path open to regain the rights of the Tamil people and that is for the international community to recognize the sovereignty of the Tamil nation," Nadesan said. Nadesan alleged in the letter that the Sri Lankan army was involved in the attack on January 28 at Madhu in the Mannar district that led to the death of 18 civilians, including 12 school children. He also accused the Sri Lankan military of being responsible for aerial bombing of a village in Mullaitivu in which seven children were killed on January 4. "Since the present President of Sri Lanka (Mahinda Rajapakse) assumed office in November 2005, as many as 2,056 Tamil civilians including 132 Tamil children have been massacred by the Sri Lankan State Forces," he claimed.
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January - 30 
The government spokesman and Minister Keheliya Rambukwella strongly denied any military involvement in the January 28 bomb blast and reiterated that Sri Lanka Army being a professional military would not operate in a no-war-zone proclaimed by the government. The Minister pointed out that the militar
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The government spokesman and Minister Keheliya Rambukwella strongly denied any military involvement in the January 28 bomb blast and reiterated that Sri Lanka Army being a professional military would not operate in a no-war-zone proclaimed by the government. The Minister pointed out that the military has so far refrained form wresting control over the territory despite it being a relatively easy task, due to its respect for the existence of the no-war-zone.
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February - 2 
The Sri Lanka Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda claimed that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leader Velupillai Prabhakaran was not capable of leading his organization due to immense pressure from the armed forces, according to Colombo Page. With reference to intelligence reports the Co
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The Sri Lanka Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda claimed that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leader Velupillai Prabhakaran was not capable of leading his organization due to immense pressure from the armed forces, according to Colombo Page. With reference to intelligence reports the Commander said that Prabhakaran is either injured or indisposed, adding, “The victory is coming soon but I don’t want to indicate an exact time frame.”
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February - 4 
The pro-LTTE Tamil groups in Britain launched a campaign to highlight the "sufferings" of Tamils in Sri Lanka, with a protest outside Downing Street. Protesters carried banners and raised slogans demanding "justice" for Tamils in Sri Lanka. "Let us all unite together to save our relations, to ask fo
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The pro-LTTE Tamil groups in Britain launched a campaign to highlight the "sufferings" of Tamils in Sri Lanka, with a protest outside Downing Street. Protesters carried banners and raised slogans demanding "justice" for Tamils in Sri Lanka. "Let us all unite together to save our relations, to ask for our rights," a leaflet distributed at the rally said. The protest, organised by the Tamil Youth Organisation (TYO), whose spokesman Suren Surendiran, said, "The aim is to educate the second generation Tamils who live in the U.K. and the general public about the plight of Tamils in Sri Lanka. We also intend having this exhibition in other major cities here in the U.K. and in Canada, Australia, United States of America and South Africa during the year." Meanwhile, condemning the protest Walter Jayawardhana described it as "LTTE propaganda". He expressed concern that although the LTTE was banned under Britain’s terror laws its "front organisations" were operating freely.
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February - 4 
The Sri Lankan authorities claimed that two London-based Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants were arrested in Canada on suspicion of stealing "thousands" of credit cards of British customers, reports The Hindu. "Toronto Police said two Londoners, Kirubakaran Selvanayagam Pillai (38) an
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The Sri Lankan authorities claimed that two London-based Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants were arrested in Canada on suspicion of stealing "thousands" of credit cards of British customers, reports The Hindu. "Toronto Police said two Londoners, Kirubakaran Selvanayagam Pillai (38) and Sethukavalar Saravanabhavan (35), connected with Tamil Tigers and arrested there may have stolen information of thousands of credit cards of U.K. customers," said Walter Jayawardhana, the Sri Lankan High Commission spokesman in London on February 4.
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February - 10 
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Velupillai Prabhakaran had no option but to give up arms and join the political mainstream as the Sri Lankan forces were marching ahead remarkably against the outfit, Army Chief Sarath Fonseka said. "LTTE leader V. Prabhakaran should realise that he
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The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Velupillai Prabhakaran had no option but to give up arms and join the political mainstream as the Sri Lankan forces were marching ahead remarkably against the outfit, Army Chief Sarath Fonseka said. "LTTE leader V. Prabhakaran should realise that he cannot go ahead with his military campaign. They have no option other than to give up their struggle and enter the political mainstream," he told the state-run Sunday Observer published on February 10. Fonseka said that the LTTE was now confined only to two districts in the North and the outfit was running out of men and material to stand before the advancing Army.
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February - 12 
The LTTE are reportedly among six blatant violators of human rights singled out by the United Nations (UN) for recruiting underage children in armed conflict and using rape and other forms of sexual violence against them, according to Daily News. The UN Security Council on February 12 criticised the
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The LTTE are reportedly among six blatant violators of human rights singled out by the United Nations (UN) for recruiting underage children in armed conflict and using rape and other forms of sexual violence against them, according to Daily News. The UN Security Council on February 12 criticised the continuing recruitment and use of children in armed conflict and deplored the systematic use of rape and other forms of sexual violence against them.
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February - 13 
Addressing a media briefing on February 13 in Colombo the military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said in the period between January 30 and February 12, 475 LTTE militants were killed and many more injured during the fighting between the security forces (SFs) and the militants in the North, a
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Addressing a media briefing on February 13 in Colombo the military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said in the period between January 30 and February 12, 475 LTTE militants were killed and many more injured during the fighting between the security forces (SFs) and the militants in the North, according to Colombo Page. He put SFs losses at 39 killed and 178 injured. 46 civilians were also killed during the two-week period while 179 civilians sustained injuries.
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February - 13 
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said it was deeply concerned about the growing number of civilian casualties, including children, as the security situation across Sri Lanka deteriorates due to indiscriminate Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) attacks on civilian targets, Col
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The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said it was deeply concerned about the growing number of civilian casualties, including children, as the security situation across Sri Lanka deteriorates due to indiscriminate Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) attacks on civilian targets, Colombo Page reports. Issuing a statement on February 13, the ICRC said that in the first six weeks of 2008, more than 180 civilians were reported killed and almost 270 injured in a series of attacks on civilian buses, railway stations and individuals in Colombo, Dambula, Kebhitigollewa, Madhu, Okkampitiya and Welli Oya. Toon Vandenhove, Head of the ICRC in Colombo, said the number of civilians affected by the violence throughout the country, either by being directly targeted or as bystanders, has reached appalling levels. "Sadly, many of the victims have been children on their way to or from school," he added.
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February - 15 
Citing the LTTE suicide attack at the Colombo railway station on February 3, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has warned that terrorist movements may adopt such tactics and reminded security officials of the increased use of women suicide bombers disguised as pregnant women. "DHS and the
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Citing the LTTE suicide attack at the Colombo railway station on February 3, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has warned that terrorist movements may adopt such tactics and reminded security officials of the increased use of women suicide bombers disguised as pregnant women. "DHS and the FBI assess that female suicide bombers may have an advantage over their male counterparts in accessing targets. The means to conduct a suicide attack vary widely, but a key element in maximising the lethality of a suicide bombing is the bomber’s ability to get close to the target," said the report.
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February - 16 
Reacting to the frequent claims by the Sri Lankan government that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Velupillai Prabhakaran has been injured in a military raid, the outfit’s political head B. Nadesan told the Tamil daily Thinakkural in an interview on February 16, "A false propaganda
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Reacting to the frequent claims by the Sri Lankan government that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Velupillai Prabhakaran has been injured in a military raid, the outfit’s political head B. Nadesan told the Tamil daily Thinakkural in an interview on February 16, "A false propaganda saying our leader Prabhakaran is injured is being carried. Nobody can approach our leader. People of Sri Lanka will realise the futility of such a claim in times to come.” He accused the government of trying to sideline the Norwegian mediators besides contradicting the United Nations. "The government is not in favour of peace process," he claimed.
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February - 19 
Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said that some 100 civilians had already crossed over to cleared areas (area under government control) in Mannar and Vavuniya. He said civilians could cross over to cleared areas using the Omanthai entry/exit point as well as by the sea route in Mannar.
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Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said that some 100 civilians had already crossed over to cleared areas (area under government control) in Mannar and Vavuniya. He said civilians could cross over to cleared areas using the Omanthai entry/exit point as well as by the sea route in Mannar.
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February - 19 
Sri Lanka has said that a proposal for providing safe haven for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leader Velupillai Prabhakaran has been there "for some time", but felt he would be apprehended by India the moment he leaves the island country. "Yes, that is his problem. If he (Prabhakaran)
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Sri Lanka has said that a proposal for providing safe haven for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leader Velupillai Prabhakaran has been there "for some time", but felt he would be apprehended by India the moment he leaves the island country. "Yes, that is his problem. If he (Prabhakaran) leaves Kilinochchi, then India will get him for sure," Sri Lankan Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona told Asian Tribune. He also said that it will be difficult for Prabhakaran to get past India, adding, "It will be difficult. You know that an Indian court wants him. India is a very legalistic country. You know that they regularly send us notes for Prabhakaran’s extradition. And keep on reminding us to extradite Prabhakaran, as he is a proclaimed offender in the Rajiv Gandhi murder case." When asked whether peace broker Norway was making arrangements to provide safe haven to Prabhakaran, Kohona said: "That is a good idea, no?" It is a solution that has been proposed for some time, the ‘Idi Amin Solution’," he revealed, without elaborating. Amin, who seized power in Uganda in January 1971 in a military coup, fled to Libya in 1979 after the Uganda-Tanzania war. He relocated himself in 1981 to Saudi Arabia, where he died in 2003. The Sri Lankan government said that it would open a 'gateway' for trapped civilians in the Wanni area to crossover to the government controlled areas, according to Colombo Page. "We would open an escape rout for civilians in the Wanni area and would give necessary accommodation," said government defence spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella. "We will drop leaflets to educate the public on our strategy which includes escape routes for them like we did when liberating Sampur," the Minister added.
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February - 22 
President Mahinda Rajapakse asserted on February 22 that following the local government elections due to be held shortly in the East, his government will also take steps to establish democracy and rights to all communities in the land, inclusive of those in the North, according to Daily News. He str
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President Mahinda Rajapakse asserted on February 22 that following the local government elections due to be held shortly in the East, his government will also take steps to establish democracy and rights to all communities in the land, inclusive of those in the North, according to Daily News. He stressed the importance of providing a political solution, political freedom and then paving a way for development for the people in the North and the East, after its liberation from the LTTE, for a government which is fully committed to fulfil the aspirations of all communities.
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February - 22 
Virtually suggesting a difficult war ahead for Sri Lanka against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Robert Blake said in an interview to a television programme that the outfit’s chief Velupillai Prabhakaran has proved himself to be "adept and resilient" and that
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Virtually suggesting a difficult war ahead for Sri Lanka against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Robert Blake said in an interview to a television programme that the outfit’s chief Velupillai Prabhakaran has proved himself to be "adept and resilient" and that he was not sure whether Prabhakaran could be captured alive, reports New Indian Express. "Prabhakaran has survived now since the late seventies. He has shown himself to be very adept and very resilient, and I think continues to be so," he pointed out and added, "We certainly do not have any great affection for Prabhakaran. But we think that the ultimate answer lies in a political solution (to the Tamil problem) and that is why we are encouraging the (Sri Lankan) government to pursue that path." On being asked about Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse’s comments that he wants his military forces to actually capture Prabhakaran alive so that he could be extradited to India to stand trial, Blake said: "The LTTE leader is supposed to be responsible for former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's assassination. He (Prabhakaran) is widely believed to have been responsible for the assassination of Rajeev Gandhi, so certainly I think that would be fine. I am sure that he would get a fair trial in India. We would have no concerns about that. The question is: are you going to be able to capture him alive or not? And I am not sure if that is possible or not." On being asked whether the US supports a "sharp, strategic" war against the LTTE, Blake said, "I don't think that such an outcome is possible. I don't know what that means exactly. We don't believe that a military solution really is possible".
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February - 24 
The Sri Lanka Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona in an interview with the Asian Tribune Website said that there is no group left that could be described as Karuna Group because they have splintered into many factions over the last year. Meanwhile, expressing confidence that the UN Security Council w
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The Sri Lanka Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona in an interview with the Asian Tribune Website said that there is no group left that could be described as Karuna Group because they have splintered into many factions over the last year. Meanwhile, expressing confidence that the UN Security Council will take tangible measures against the LTTE, he said, "We are confident that the Security Council will adopt a practical way to impose sanctions on the LTTE, including restrictions on fund-raising and money transfers." He admitted that it is not easy to impose sanctions on such a shadowy group as the LTTE and its leadership, pointing out that despite the sanctions imposed by US, Canada and the European Union the LTTE is operating in these countries with impunity.
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February - 24 
Two Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pullikal (TMVP) cadres were killed as a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suicide cadre blew himself opposite the Kali Kovil (Temple) in the Kalawanchikudi area of Batticaloa district on February 24-morning. The suicide cadre had reportedly jumped onto the motorcycl
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Two Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pullikal (TMVP) cadres were killed as a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suicide cadre blew himself opposite the Kali Kovil (Temple) in the Kalawanchikudi area of Batticaloa district on February 24-morning. The suicide cadre had reportedly jumped onto the motorcycle on which the two persons were travelling near Satyavilan road, some 17- kilometres from Batticaloa town. Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police N.K. Ilangakone told Daily News that police confirmed the suicide blast. “A woman passing by was also admitted to the hospital after sustaining injuries in the incident,” said military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara. The TMVP spokesperson Asad Mawulana said the victims were canvassing for the party when they were attacked. The TMVP had organised a public meeting at Kalavanchchikudy, which a few TMVP candidates were due to attend. Meanwhile, the Officer in Charge of the Election Monitoring Unit in Batticaloa, where local body elections are scheduled to be held on March 10, I.P Sanath Ranjith, said that no complaint was received to the effect that the suicide blast has any connection with the forthcoming polls. “The situation remains calm in Batticaloa, despite this incident,” he said.
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February - 26 
44 detainees having confessed that they were either connected to LTTE or have directly or indirectly aided and abetted the outfit’s cause in the Jaffna peninsula consented to receive rehabilitation after they reached security forces headquarters in Jaffna prisons on February 26. They have sought reh
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44 detainees having confessed that they were either connected to LTTE or have directly or indirectly aided and abetted the outfit’s cause in the Jaffna peninsula consented to receive rehabilitation after they reached security forces headquarters in Jaffna prisons on February 26. They have sought rehabilitation in writing, according to the military sources. During January 2007-February 2008, a total of 317 men and women - 291 males and 26 females - some of who claimed themselves to be LTTE cadres have turned up at the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission in Jaffna and wanted to seek protection saying that they were very much harassed, disgusted with the LTTE or exposed to LTTE conscription attempts.
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February - 26 
The United Nations and Non Governmental Organisations working in the conflict-ridden north and east are warning of a mounting humanitarian toll in 2008 due to the escalation in hostilities. Agencies should be prepared to assist "up to 500,000 conflict-affected individuals comprising IDPs, returnees
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The United Nations and Non Governmental Organisations working in the conflict-ridden north and east are warning of a mounting humanitarian toll in 2008 due to the escalation in hostilities. Agencies should be prepared to assist "up to 500,000 conflict-affected individuals comprising IDPs, returnees and economically affected persons", according to the Common Humanitarian Action Plan (CHAP) 2008, prepared by the Inter Agency Standing Committee country team for Sri Lanka and released on 22 February. "The CHAP is based on the assumption that as the government acts on its stated intention to disarm the LTTE, the conflict in Sri Lanka will continue and intensify," the report stated. "Even if it were to slow down or end during the year, there would remain very significant humanitarian needs to be met in the areas of conflict." The report warned that displacement levels could be similar to 2007 when 308,000 persons were forced from their homes. More than 140,000 have now been resettled in eastern Sri Lanka, but as of mid-February, 225,000 people remained displaced in eight north and eastern districts.
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February - 27 
Defence Ministry in a report published on February 27 said that the person arrested by police in the Pettah area of Colombo district was a number one LTTE militant allegedly involved in many civilian massacres carried out by the LTTE in the South, reports Daily News. The suspect, identified as Mutht
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Defence Ministry in a report published on February 27 said that the person arrested by police in the Pettah area of Colombo district was a number one LTTE militant allegedly involved in many civilian massacres carried out by the LTTE in the South, reports Daily News. The suspect, identified as Muththusami Ilankoowan alias Sami, was arrested on February 25 from a hotel on Kadireshan Road. The report said that Muttusami, a Sri Lankan born Tamil, has strong connections with LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran and also with the LTTE international wing leaders such as Castro, Kumaran Padmanadan, David and Iyyanna. The suspect owns a shipping line which he uses to promote the LTTE’s cross border terrorist activities and had come to Sri Lanka in 2007 to promote terrorist activities in the South, the report added.
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February - 27 
The military said that since 2006, a total of 6,486 LTTE militants, 1196 military personnel and 982 civilians have been killed, estimating there are now only around 5,000 militants still alive, reports Reuters. "Certainly they reflect the forward march of the Forces," said government defence affairs
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The military said that since 2006, a total of 6,486 LTTE militants, 1196 military personnel and 982 civilians have been killed, estimating there are now only around 5,000 militants still alive, reports Reuters. "Certainly they reflect the forward march of the Forces," said government defence affairs spokesman and Minister Keheliya Rambukwella.
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February - 27 
The military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara on February 27 told reporters that intense military offensive against the LTTE has been continuing since February 14 and the outfit has suffered large casualties, reports IANS. The frequent air strikes and ground offensives against identified outfit
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The military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara on February 27 told reporters that intense military offensive against the LTTE has been continuing since February 14 and the outfit has suffered large casualties, reports IANS. The frequent air strikes and ground offensives against identified outfit’s positions in the districts of Vavuniya, Mannar and Welioya have instilled fear in its leaders, forcing them to restrict their movements, the spokesman said. "They do not even attend funerals of their members who die in fighting," Nanayakkara added.
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March - 2 
President Mahinda Rajapakse said in Ratnapura that until such time every inch of land is captured and the last terrorist is destroyed, his government will not cease its operations against the LTTE, reports Daily News.
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President Mahinda Rajapakse said in Ratnapura that until such time every inch of land is captured and the last terrorist is destroyed, his government will not cease its operations against the LTTE, reports Daily News.
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March - 2 
The Sri Lankan authorities have urged the British government to ban fund-raising activities of what they described as Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE) front organisations alleging that the money collected by these groups "ostensibly" for charitable purposes went into the "coffers" of the ou
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The Sri Lankan authorities have urged the British government to ban fund-raising activities of what they described as Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE) front organisations alleging that the money collected by these groups "ostensibly" for charitable purposes went into the "coffers" of the outfit, The Hindu reported .They said that although the LTTE was banned in Britain, a number of organisations claiming to be "charities" were working for it. "These funds directly go to the coffers of the insurgent group to wage war with the Sri Lankan government and spread violence among civilian populations," an unnamed spokesman of the Sri Lankan High Commission said. The call came after the Tamil Youth Organisation (TYO) organised a cultural show to raise funds for an educational project in Visvamadu in Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan officials called the project an extension of the LTTE. "We have complained to the British police that Visvamadu is in the Wanni territory where the power of the LTTE is wielded and these funds are meant for its campaign," the spokesman said. The TYO, however, denied any links with the LTTE and claimed that it is a "charity with the interests of Tamil youth at heart."
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March - 5 
Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara on March 5 appealed to the public to be vigilant when leaving vehicles parked unattended as intelligence reports warned that the LTTE may resort to their latest tactics of fixing magnet bombs on these vehicles, Daily News reported. He also stated that t
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Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara on March 5 appealed to the public to be vigilant when leaving vehicles parked unattended as intelligence reports warned that the LTTE may resort to their latest tactics of fixing magnet bombs on these vehicles, Daily News reported. He also stated that the LTTE is reportedly allowing their female cadres to take their children to bunker lines on the forward defenses which is evident from the recoveries made by the security forces after capturing the outfit’s bunkers in the Uyilankulam cross loading point in Mannar on March 4. He added that the LTTE has changed its earlier policy by allowing their cadres to get married and have now allowed women cadres to take their children with them to guard bunkers
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March - 5 
The Sri Lanka government said that more than 100 soldiers were killed and 800 were wounded in the fighting against the LTTE during February 2008, reports Colombo Page. Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva told Parliament on March 5, "The number of security personnel killed last month was 104, whi
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The Sri Lanka government said that more than 100 soldiers were killed and 800 were wounded in the fighting against the LTTE during February 2008, reports Colombo Page. Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva told Parliament on March 5, "The number of security personnel killed last month was 104, while another 822 soldiers and police were wounded. Some 80 civilians were killed and 201 wounded in February."
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March - 6 
During another confrontation between the twos sides at Andankulam, the troops killed three LTTE militants. One soldier was injured in the incident.
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During another confrontation between the twos sides at Andankulam, the troops killed three LTTE militants. One soldier was injured in the incident.
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March - 6 
The troops operating on the Mannar front captured an area of 1.8 kilometre held by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the Parappakandal region between Giant tank and Uyilankulam Andankulam road, military sources told Daily News on March 6. According to sources, the troops captured this a
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The troops operating on the Mannar front captured an area of 1.8 kilometre held by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the Parappakandal region between Giant tank and Uyilankulam Andankulam road, military sources told Daily News on March 6. According to sources, the troops captured this area without any casualties as LTTE militants abandoned their positions with the advance of the troops into the territory where more than eight heavily fortified bunkers were located. “With the capture of this 1.8 Km stretch the troops linked their defences in Uyilankulam Andankulam road and in the Giant Tank area,” an unnamed senior military official said, adding, “Troops are now consolidating the area removing booby traps and minefields set by the fleeing Tiger cadres.”
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March - 7 
Al Qaeda has learned quite a lot about terrorism from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the outfit’s pioneered fund raising and procurement techniques have greatly aided Islamic terrorists, the military Website Strategy Page said on March 7, according to Daily News. The LTTE developed
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Al Qaeda has learned quite a lot about terrorism from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the outfit’s pioneered fund raising and procurement techniques have greatly aided Islamic terrorists, the military Website Strategy Page said on March 7, according to Daily News. The LTTE developed methods, which enabled them to raise large amounts of money from expatriate Tamils. It was the technique of pretending to collect money for charity work and then using it to fund terrorism that really caught al Qaeda's attention, the Website added. All this eventually caught the attention of counter-terror organizations in many countries, leading to the LTTE being declared a terrorist organization, and many of its fund raising operations shut down. As that was done, more and more evidence (documents, and interrogations) piled up showing that the LTTE had worked with Palestinian, Kurdish, Taliban, al Quaeda, Eritrea, Filipino, and other Middle Eastern groups to obtain illegal weapons, and learn how to use them. The LTTE also became the primary weapons purchaser, and transporter for many of these other terrorist groups. The outfit maintained hundreds of small, and a few large, boats for transporting these weapons to LTTE controlled parts of the country, and other parts of the world as well, the report said.
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March - 7 
The Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) stated that the party does not like the double role of the Norwegian facilitator and said, "We should not continue to keep Norway as the facilitator." Wimal Weerawansa, Propaganda Secretary of the JVP, said, "Our stance is that the motherland could not be
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The Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) stated that the party does not like the double role of the Norwegian facilitator and said, "We should not continue to keep Norway as the facilitator." Wimal Weerawansa, Propaganda Secretary of the JVP, said, "Our stance is that the motherland could not be protected without defeating both terrorist backing Norway and terrorist backing media."
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March - 10 
Intelligence sources have revealed that LTTE is attempting to poison VIPs, as they are unable to reach them, said Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake.
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Intelligence sources have revealed that LTTE is attempting to poison VIPs, as they are unable to reach them, said Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake.
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March - 11 
Mass Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardane on March 11 said that President Mahinda Rajapakse in a letter dated March 7 asked the Commissioner of Elections to declare March 14 as the nomination date for the Eastern Provincial Council election. He said that the Commissioner is empowered to take an
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Mass Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardane on March 11 said that President Mahinda Rajapakse in a letter dated March 7 asked the Commissioner of Elections to declare March 14 as the nomination date for the Eastern Provincial Council election. He said that the Commissioner is empowered to take an additional seven days to announce the nomination date. In any event the nomination date has to be announced by March 21.
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March - 13 
President Mahinda Rajapakse on March 13 underlined his determination to extend democracy now being enjoyed by the Eastern polity to the people of Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu too in the near future, according to Daily News. The President also said the East no longer has to be identified with the North
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President Mahinda Rajapakse on March 13 underlined his determination to extend democracy now being enjoyed by the Eastern polity to the people of Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu too in the near future, according to Daily News. The President also said the East no longer has to be identified with the North and referred to as the ‘North-East’, and added, "No longer have the Eastern masses to be under the Wanni terrorists. We will never ever permit the Wanni terrorists to dominate the people in the East."
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March - 17 
The Hindu reports that the Sri Lanka Defence Ministry said it had opened a green channel for the doctors at the main roadblock at Madavachchiya from March 17-onwards. "The measure has been taken to reduce the delays and complexities faced by the doctors travelling to Mannar and Vavuniya," it said.
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The Hindu reports that the Sri Lanka Defence Ministry said it had opened a green channel for the doctors at the main roadblock at Madavachchiya from March 17-onwards. "The measure has been taken to reduce the delays and complexities faced by the doctors travelling to Mannar and Vavuniya," it said.
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March - 18 
President Mahinda Rajapakse on March 18 announced that democracy given to the people in the Eastern Province will soon be given to the North as well. Addressing the 101 newly elected local council members of Batticaloa district, the President said, "How many lives of our brethren have been sacrifice
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President Mahinda Rajapakse on March 18 announced that democracy given to the people in the Eastern Province will soon be given to the North as well. Addressing the 101 newly elected local council members of Batticaloa district, the President said, "How many lives of our brethren have been sacrificed to fulfill someone else’s dream of Eelam? It is not like living under the gun point when you have the democracy; under democracy, the power is justice, but not the gun like under terrorism." He added, "With great determination I assure you, the freedom of democracy and the right to development that have been given to you will be granted to the people in the North in the near future. Future is for democracy, not for guns."
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March - 18 
The EU delegation on March 18 said it had demanded from the Government to provide access for the Co-chairs and the Norwegian facilitators to Wanni to meet the LTTE leaders.
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The EU delegation on March 18 said it had demanded from the Government to provide access for the Co-chairs and the Norwegian facilitators to Wanni to meet the LTTE leaders.
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March - 19 
The troops recovered decomposed dead bodies of nine LTTE militants, including five females, from dense jungles in the Periyapanndivirichchan area of Vavuniya district. Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara told Daily News that the troops engaged in liberating the Wanni front launched an att
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The troops recovered decomposed dead bodies of nine LTTE militants, including five females, from dense jungles in the Periyapanndivirichchan area of Vavuniya district. Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara told Daily News that the troops engaged in liberating the Wanni front launched an attack on the LTTE front-lines in Periyapanndivirichchan on March 8. "The Security Forces launched a consequent search operation in the area on Tuesday at around 2.15 p.m. and uncovered nine LTTE decomposed bodies along with three T56 weapons, four communication sets and a Global Positioning System (GPS)," he informed, adding, "It has become a trend of the LTTE to leave behind bodies of their fellow cadres in the battle field without handing them over to their parents or family members fearing to face them. This was practised by the LTTE routinely in the current battle in the Wanni front."
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March - 20 
Minister Mahinda Wijesekara said that a comprehensive devolution of political power to the people in the North is necessary to end the ethnic strife in Sri Lanka. The Minister said that the war alone will never be able to eliminate terrorism. "War will only kill people, but it cannot kill the ideolo
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Minister Mahinda Wijesekara said that a comprehensive devolution of political power to the people in the North is necessary to end the ethnic strife in Sri Lanka. The Minister said that the war alone will never be able to eliminate terrorism. "War will only kill people, but it cannot kill the ideology that is why they (Tigers) are continuing to come with their belly bombs," he said. "We must be able to rescue them from Prabhakaran and to show them what the real liberty is. That is why we have to share the power," he added.
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March - 20 
The Government said that 'high profile visits to the Wanni' had not yielded any tangible progress in taking the peace process forward. In response to the demands and concerns raised by a visiting high level European Union (EU) delegation, the Foreign Ministry said that such visits are used by the LT
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The Government said that 'high profile visits to the Wanni' had not yielded any tangible progress in taking the peace process forward. In response to the demands and concerns raised by a visiting high level European Union (EU) delegation, the Foreign Ministry said that such visits are used by the LTTE for propaganda purposes. "On the contrary, it had been observed that the LTTE had cynically used high profile visits by foreign dignitaries to the Wanni, for propaganda purposes," the Foreign Ministry noted.
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March - 20 
The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) warned on March 20 that the Tamileela Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) would use weapons to win the scheduled Eastern Province election and called for disarming the outfit, Colombo Page reported. Speaking at a press conference, JVP leader Somawansa Amarasinghe sai
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The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) warned on March 20 that the Tamileela Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) would use weapons to win the scheduled Eastern Province election and called for disarming the outfit, Colombo Page reported. Speaking at a press conference, JVP leader Somawansa Amarasinghe said, "The government should disarm the group as it was bound to use weapons to win the elections through coercion and intimidation. If the government wants a free and fair poll, it should disarm the Pillayan group before holding the Provincial Council election in the East." He added that there is a threat from the LTTE on the TMVP but the security forces were capable of providing sufficient security to the group.
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March - 20 
The LTTE political wing leader B. Nadesan ordered the TNA parliamentarians to agitate at diplomatic missions in Colombo and complain that the government was violating human rights and also to speak against the ongoing conflict.
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The LTTE political wing leader B. Nadesan ordered the TNA parliamentarians to agitate at diplomatic missions in Colombo and complain that the government was violating human rights and also to speak against the ongoing conflict.
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March - 21 
Quoting “defence observers”, the military said the special operations conducted in areas immediately ahead of the LTTE defences have been making a “huge contribution in clearing the terrorists barriers” into Wanni region, The Hindu reports. “Increasing number of civilians arriving at security forces
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Quoting “defence observers”, the military said the special operations conducted in areas immediately ahead of the LTTE defences have been making a “huge contribution in clearing the terrorists barriers” into Wanni region, The Hindu reports. “Increasing number of civilians arriving at security forces camps daily have confirmed the same that they would never be able to escape the terror clutches unless for the dwindling power of the terrorists along the defence lines. The walls of the LTTE run mono ethnic hellhole of Wanni is falling down on by one and the much awaited freedom for civilians is getting nearer,” it said.
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March - 24 
According to the Defence Ministry, over 2500 LTTE militants have been killed by the military since January 1, 2008, reported The Hindu. More than 7200 militants have been killed since December 2005.
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According to the Defence Ministry, over 2500 LTTE militants have been killed by the military since January 1, 2008, reported The Hindu. More than 7200 militants have been killed since December 2005.
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March - 24 
Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara informed that more than 501 LTTE militants have been killed in the last 20 days and that an unknown number of militants and 223 soldiers have been injured in clashes from March 5 to March 24. 50 soldiers died during this period. Nanayakkara also said military operations w
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Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara informed that more than 501 LTTE militants have been killed in the last 20 days and that an unknown number of militants and 223 soldiers have been injured in clashes from March 5 to March 24. 50 soldiers died during this period. Nanayakkara also said military operations were continuing in the Mannar, Vavuniya and Jaffna district's Muhamalai area. "The Security Forces have been successful in capturing 31 square kilometres of territory south of the A14 road in Mannar," he added. He said so far this year some 115 bodies of militants have been handed over with 11 more bodies to be delivered to the International Committee of the Red Cross.
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March - 24 
Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake stated that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) maintains links with international terrorist groups such as the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and certain affiliates of al Qaeda, reports Times of India. "According to some experts on terrorism, they main
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Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake stated that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) maintains links with international terrorist groups such as the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and certain affiliates of al Qaeda, reports Times of India. "According to some experts on terrorism, they maintain contacts with other terror groups such as PKK, Taliban, Islamic groups in the Philippines and even some affiliates of Al Qaeda," he said. He also said that certain reports mentioned about Tamil youths receiving training in Palestinian camps in Syria and Lebanon. "The black Tigers are responsible for suicide operations and have perfected suicide bombings and assassinations. It is generally believed that they learnt it from some Palestinian groups," Wickremanayake told a gathering in Jerusalem in Israel.
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March - 24 
The Elections Department said that all measures had been finalised to receive nominations for the Eastern Province election from March 27. The deadline for filing nominations is April 3. All major political parties are expected to join the fray in a contest where 37 members which includes two bonus
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The Elections Department said that all measures had been finalised to receive nominations for the Eastern Province election from March 27. The deadline for filing nominations is April 3. All major political parties are expected to join the fray in a contest where 37 members which includes two bonus seats, would be chosen out of a total of 44 from three districts, namely Batticaloa (11), Trincomalee (10) and Ampara (14) for the Provincial Council of the de-merged East.
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March - 24 
The Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) has urged Sri Lankan leaders to disarm all militant groups before the eastern provincial council elections, reports BBC. In a letter to President Mahinda Rajapakse, TULF leader Veerasingham Anandasangaree says the existence of armed groups in the east is an o
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The Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) has urged Sri Lankan leaders to disarm all militant groups before the eastern provincial council elections, reports BBC. In a letter to President Mahinda Rajapakse, TULF leader Veerasingham Anandasangaree says the existence of armed groups in the east is an obstacle to free and fair elections.
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March - 25 
Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake told a gathering in Jerusalem in Israel on March 25 that "India will never allow a separate independent state for Tamils in Sri Lanka because such a development will have a disastrous effect in India," The Hindu reported. "India has always been committed to Sr
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Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake told a gathering in Jerusalem in Israel on March 25 that "India will never allow a separate independent state for Tamils in Sri Lanka because such a development will have a disastrous effect in India," The Hindu reported. "India has always been committed to Sri Lanka’s territorial integrity," he added and claimed that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leader Velupillai Prabhakaran wanted to create a Tamil state by "including certain parts of India as well."
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March - 25 
The Sri Lanka Government said that all internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Eastern Province will be resettled before the coming provincial council election. There are over 6000 IDPs still sheltered in welfare camps in the Eravur, Pattu and Kiran areas. Resettlement of IDPs from the Trincomale
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The Sri Lanka Government said that all internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Eastern Province will be resettled before the coming provincial council election. There are over 6000 IDPs still sheltered in welfare camps in the Eravur, Pattu and Kiran areas. Resettlement of IDPs from the Trincomalee district started on March 25. Some 464 people belonging to 132 families from the Pallikudiruppu and Muttur area have been resettled.
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March - 25 
The United National Party (UNP) has decided to contest the Eastern Provincial (EP) elections, UNP Secretary General Tissa Attanayake said. The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) has also decided to independently contest the polls, SLMC General Secretary Hussan Ali said.
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The United National Party (UNP) has decided to contest the Eastern Provincial (EP) elections, UNP Secretary General Tissa Attanayake said. The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) has also decided to independently contest the polls, SLMC General Secretary Hussan Ali said.
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March - 27 
Reuters reports that Sri Lanka has launched a mystery poster campaign inviting would-be LTTE suicide bombers to phone a government helpline in exchange for 10 million rupees ($92,000) and a new life overseas. "Why should you die with a scattered body?" the red-and-yellow posters, placed in Tamil-dom
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Reuters reports that Sri Lanka has launched a mystery poster campaign inviting would-be LTTE suicide bombers to phone a government helpline in exchange for 10 million rupees ($92,000) and a new life overseas. "Why should you die with a scattered body?" the red-and-yellow posters, placed in Tamil-dominated areas of the capital, Colombo, asked readers contemplating becoming members of what the outfit call elite "Black Tiger" suicide squads. "You also were born to live. Why should you carry bombs?" the posters said alongside a fuzzy black-and-white photograph of a suicide bomber's severed head. The posters said the LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran should sacrifice his own son before asking others to become suicide bombers. "Your life is precious and you have only one. Do not die for the brave words of an illusion," the poster read, promising 10 million rupees for genuine callers to build a new life at home or overseas if necessary.
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April - 2 
The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) fighter jets bombed a secret rendezvous of the LTTE leaders in the area west of Vishvamadu area of Mullaitivu district, the SLAF Wing Commander Andrew Wijesuriya said. "The target was frequented by senior LTTE cadres and the pilot confirmed the target was destroyed," h
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The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) fighter jets bombed a secret rendezvous of the LTTE leaders in the area west of Vishvamadu area of Mullaitivu district, the SLAF Wing Commander Andrew Wijesuriya said. "The target was frequented by senior LTTE cadres and the pilot confirmed the target was destroyed," he said.
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April - 2 
The troops advanced another 800 metres into the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)-held territory neutralising the outfit’s FDLs (Forward Defence Lines) in the Kaliaddanchan village of Mannar district on April 2-morning, said military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara, according to Daily Ne
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The troops advanced another 800 metres into the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)-held territory neutralising the outfit’s FDLs (Forward Defence Lines) in the Kaliaddanchan village of Mannar district on April 2-morning, said military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara, according to Daily News. "The fierce fire fight lasted for an hour and a half and troops advancing on the LTTE frontlines gained 800 meters of Tiger territory in the confrontation. Thirteen Tiger cadres were injured in the confrontation", he added. One soldier was also killed while 12 others were injured during the clashes.
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April - 4 
A. M. Razick, secretary to the Ministry of Re-settlement, told reporters on April 4 that over 50,000 families displaced in clashes in the east during 2006 have now been resettled, reports Xinhua. "During the last 10 months we have managed to resettle 17,938 families in Trincomalee and 31,343 familie
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A. M. Razick, secretary to the Ministry of Re-settlement, told reporters on April 4 that over 50,000 families displaced in clashes in the east during 2006 have now been resettled, reports Xinhua. "During the last 10 months we have managed to resettle 17,938 families in Trincomalee and 31,343 families in Batticaloa," Razick said, adding, this represents over 150,000 individuals. Over 8,000 families are yet to be resettled, he stated. The government's resettlement of the internally displaced people began after it secured the entire Eastern Province from the LTTE in July 2007.
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April - 4 
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama told British Broadcasting Corporation’s Asia Today television programme in London that projecting on the past achievements, starting from the flushing out of LTTE from the Eastern Province and re-establishing democratic institutions there, the Government could no
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Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama told British Broadcasting Corporation’s Asia Today television programme in London that projecting on the past achievements, starting from the flushing out of LTTE from the Eastern Province and re-establishing democratic institutions there, the Government could now be optimistic of cleaning the North also of the LTTE presence and achieving their paramount goal of establishing a pluralistic society by defeating fascism, according to Daily News.
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April - 6 
The death toll in the suicide attack carried out by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Gampaha district on April 6 has increased to 14 even as 90 people were wounded, the defence ministry said, according to IANS. As reported earlier, the Highway Minister and chief Government whip Jeyaraj
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The death toll in the suicide attack carried out by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Gampaha district on April 6 has increased to 14 even as 90 people were wounded, the defence ministry said, according to IANS. As reported earlier, the Highway Minister and chief Government whip Jeyaraj Fernandopulle and 11 others, including National Athletic coach Lakshman De Alwis and Olympic marathon runner and national record holder K.A. Karunaratna, were killed when a LTTE suicide bomber disguised as a marathon runner blew himself up at a sporting event in the Weliweriya area, about 25-km north of capital Colombo, in Gampaha district.
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April - 7 
The Washington Times reported that the LTTE’s political wing has established its branches in at least 12 countries, including the United States, according to Colombo Page. Citing federal law-enforcement authorities, the report said that the LTTE have quietly established a presence in the US to help
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The Washington Times reported that the LTTE’s political wing has established its branches in at least 12 countries, including the United States, according to Colombo Page. Citing federal law-enforcement authorities, the report said that the LTTE have quietly established a presence in the US to help bankroll and equip its secessionist campaign in Sri Lanka. "As part of a global expansion to purchase millions of dollars worth of anti-aircraft weapons, automatic rifles, grenade launchers, ammunition and other military equipment, the LTTE has set up its branches," it reported, adding, the expansion includes operations in Maryland, New York and New Jersey.
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April - 9 
Speaking in the Parliament on April 9, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake said that despite the assassination of Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), the Government will continue military operations to completely eradicate the outfit, reports Daily News
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Speaking in the Parliament on April 9, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake said that despite the assassination of Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), the Government will continue military operations to completely eradicate the outfit, reports Daily News. "The LTTE has engaged in various acts of destruction to destroy the democratic process due to severe set backs it has suffered in the North. But the Government will not stop its battle until we put a complete end to LTTE terrorism," the Prime Minister said. He also informed, "During the last month, 93 persons of the three Armed Forces and police have been killed while 686 have been injured due to various terrorist attacks. In addition 38 civilians were killed and 21 injured during this same period." Meanwhile, the parliament extended the state of emergency in the country for another month.
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April - 9 
The Hindu reports that election to the Eastern Provincial Council would be held as scheduled on May 10 and the Election Commission has agreed to a request by political parties to invite representatives from foreign countries to monitor it. Dayananda Dissanayake, Commissioner of Elections, reportedly
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The Hindu reports that election to the Eastern Provincial Council would be held as scheduled on May 10 and the Election Commission has agreed to a request by political parties to invite representatives from foreign countries to monitor it. Dayananda Dissanayake, Commissioner of Elections, reportedly told representatives of registered parties that the election would not be postponed. The Commission has also declared April 28 and 29 as the dates for postal voting.
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April - 11 
Norway does not support the formation of an independent Tamil State in Sri Lanka, Norway's special envoy to Colombo, Jon Hanssen-Bauer, told the United National Party (UNP) Member of Parliament (MP) Jayalath Jayawardene and to two leading Sinhalese and Buddhist monks from Sri Lanka on the sidelines
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Norway does not support the formation of an independent Tamil State in Sri Lanka, Norway's special envoy to Colombo, Jon Hanssen-Bauer, told the United National Party (UNP) Member of Parliament (MP) Jayalath Jayawardene and to two leading Sinhalese and Buddhist monks from Sri Lanka on the sidelines of an international conference that ended in Oslo on April 11, IANS reports. “Norway will not support the establishment of Tamil Eelam,” the MP quoted Hanssen-Bauer as saying. Meanwhile, Sri Lankan cabinet minister Arumugam Thondaman, who also attended the meeting, separately quoted Hanssen-Bauer as telling him that Norway would not be able to play the role of a peace facilitator as long as fighting raged in the island nation. “How can we do that when war is going on?” the minister quoted the Norwegian envoy as asking.
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April - 13 
Speaking at the conference, Jon Hanssen-Bauer said that no 'externally designed solution' will end Sri Lanka's dragging ethnic conflict, adding, “One should not be tempted to try impose an externally designed solution to conflicts but assist the parties in defining a domestic one.” “The common under
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Speaking at the conference, Jon Hanssen-Bauer said that no 'externally designed solution' will end Sri Lanka's dragging ethnic conflict, adding, “One should not be tempted to try impose an externally designed solution to conflicts but assist the parties in defining a domestic one.” “The common understanding between the Government and the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) has been that talks are aimed at finding a political solution that is acceptable to all communities in Sri Lanka. For Norway, any solution endorsed by the Sri Lankan people is acceptable,” he added.
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April - 17 
The Sri Lankan Government on April 17 said that it will be ready for talks with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) if they eschewed terrorism but has not made any formal contact with the Norwegian peace facilitators on resuming the process of stalled negotiations. "Our doors are always open
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The Sri Lankan Government on April 17 said that it will be ready for talks with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) if they eschewed terrorism but has not made any formal contact with the Norwegian peace facilitators on resuming the process of stalled negotiations. "Our doors are always open to start talks provided they give up terrorism," Keheliya Rambukwella, defence spokesman and Minister of Foreign Employment, told reporters. Responding to his ministerial colleague Rajitha Senaratne’s talks with the Norwegian Minister of International Development Erik Solheim in Oslo, Rambukwella said, "His talks may have been private discussions but the Government has not made any official contact (with the Norwegian government)." The Norwegians facilitated six rounds of direct talks between the Government and LTTE between September 2002 and March 2003. The two sides last met face to face in October 2006 and the process has been stalled since then.
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April - 22 
The London Mayor, Ken Livingstone, has addressed a meeting co-organised by the British Tamil Forum (BTF), a front for the LTTE, even though he had been warned at the highest diplomatic levels about the group's alleged terrorist links, Daily News reports. The Mayor sought backing from the BTF, banned
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The London Mayor, Ken Livingstone, has addressed a meeting co-organised by the British Tamil Forum (BTF), a front for the LTTE, even though he had been warned at the highest diplomatic levels about the group's alleged terrorist links, Daily News reports. The Mayor sought backing from the BTF, banned in Britain under anti-terrorism laws, at the meeting in Harrow on April 19, according to the BTF spokesman. A spokesman for the Sri Lankan High Commission in London said, "The British Tamil Forum is one of the main front organisations for the Tigers in the UK," the spokesman said, adding, "We did not know whether the Mayor knew what the background to the meeting was so the High Commissioner wrote to inform him." At a previous meeting organised by the BTF, at the Excel Centre, Docklands, on November 27, 2007 a video message from the LTTE leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran, praising suicide bombing was played and a collection was taken for the outfit’s "martyrs".
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April - 23 
More than 100 militants and 43 soldiers are reported to have died in a fierce gun-battle between the security forces (SFs) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres in and around Muhamalai FDL (Forward Defence Line) in the Jaffna district on April 23-morning, reports Sri Lanka Army (SLA
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More than 100 militants and 43 soldiers are reported to have died in a fierce gun-battle between the security forces (SFs) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres in and around Muhamalai FDL (Forward Defence Line) in the Jaffna district on April 23-morning, reports Sri Lanka Army (SLA). While 120 soldiers were wounded in the encounter, 33 soldiers were missing till last reports came in. "LTTE terrorists came and attacked our forward line this morning, we have retaliated and captured about 400 to 500-metres of LTTE area in Muhamalai," said military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara, according to Colombo Page. Meanwhile, the LTTE military spokesman Irasiah Ilanthirayan claimed that more than 100 SLA troopers were killed and 400 SLA troopers were wounded in the SLA attempt to overrun LTTE bases along a seven-km wide Kilali-Muhamalai-Kendal front, adds Tamil Net. He put the LTTE casualties figure at 16.
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April - 25 
Security forces (SFs) after regaining control over the sacred Madhu Church asserted that they have no intention to deploy armed troops to provide security for the Church premises. "Our only intention is to hand over the Church to the relevant Church authority ensuring the security of the Church by d
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Security forces (SFs) after regaining control over the sacred Madhu Church asserted that they have no intention to deploy armed troops to provide security for the Church premises. "Our only intention is to hand over the Church to the relevant Church authority ensuring the security of the Church by deploying our troops out of the sacred area," Lt. Colonel Senerath Bandara, Brigade Commander of the 372 Brigade told the Daily News, adding, "Our next objective is to carry out a proper de-mining programme to clear all anti-personnel mines and booby traps the LTTE."
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April - 30 
Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake has said that the isolated bomb explosions carried out by the LTTE to disrupt civilian life in the south will not deter the Government from achieving their final objective of wiping out terrorism from the country before long, according to Daily News. Prabhakar
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Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake has said that the isolated bomb explosions carried out by the LTTE to disrupt civilian life in the south will not deter the Government from achieving their final objective of wiping out terrorism from the country before long, according to Daily News. Prabhakaran will not be able to carry out such barbaric acts continuously because our war heroes are in pursuit of him and his days are numbered, the Prime Minister stated.
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May - 1 
President Mahinda Rajapakse has said that the LTTE domination in the northern part of the country would end soon. "The security forces are advancing step by step in the northern theatre too. Soon the people there too would be liberated," Rajapakse said in his May Day rally on May 1 at Dehiattakandiy
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President Mahinda Rajapakse has said that the LTTE domination in the northern part of the country would end soon. "The security forces are advancing step by step in the northern theatre too. Soon the people there too would be liberated," Rajapakse said in his May Day rally on May 1 at Dehiattakandiya in Ampara district of eastern Sri Lanka.
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May - 1 
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) continued to finance itself with contributions from the Tamil Diaspora in North America, Europe, and Australia, by imposing local "taxes" on businesses operating in the areas it dominates and reportedly by extortion operations in the Government-controlled
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The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) continued to finance itself with contributions from the Tamil Diaspora in North America, Europe, and Australia, by imposing local "taxes" on businesses operating in the areas it dominates and reportedly by extortion operations in the Government-controlled areas, the US State Department said on May 1, according to Daily News. The Department's just-released Country Report on Terrorism 2007 said the LTTE also used Tamil charitable organizations as fronts for its fundraising. After a period of targeting Sri Lankan military and official personnel throughout 2007, the LTTE appears to have recently resumed its targeting of civilians, the report noted. It said the Government took effective control of the Eastern Province in midyear, but the LTTE continued to control much of the north and carried out attacks throughout the country. The Sri Lankan Army remained deployed across the country in all areas it controlled to fight the insurgency. The Special Task Force police were deployed both in the East and in strategic locations in the West. In general, the LTTE did not intentionally target US citizens or assets, limiting attacks to Sri Lankan security forces, political figures, civilians, and businesses. However, attacks occurred within the vicinity of the US embassy and personnel; the US Ambassador was travelling in a helicopter that came under mortar fire in February. The LTTE subsequently apologized for the incident, the report added. It recalled that Sri Lankan cooperation with the FBI resulted in arrests of persons charged with material support to terrorist groups.
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May - 4 
Despite the Sri Lankan Navy's claim that it had destroyed all 10 arms ships of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), the country's intelligence agencies have revealed that the outfit has unloaded at least three shiploads of military hardware in the last two months, Lakbima News said on May 4,
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Despite the Sri Lankan Navy's claim that it had destroyed all 10 arms ships of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), the country's intelligence agencies have revealed that the outfit has unloaded at least three shiploads of military hardware in the last two months, Lakbima News said on May 4, reports IANS. It said that intense use of heavy artillery shells by the LTTE in the north-eastern Welioya, northern Wanni and Jaffna fronts has raised fresh concerns about the outfit’s ability to replenish their dwindling armoury regularly. "They (intelligence reports) paint a gloomy picture, revealing that the LTTE had unloaded three shiploads of arms during the months of February and March," it said. Quoting a recent report filed by the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) and presented to the National Security Council, the media report said a shipload of arms was smuggled to Wanni on March 12. Another report by the State Intelligence Services (SIS) stated that two vessels had been unloaded by the LTTE during Feb 16-17. These consignments were transferred to trawlers from ships anchored in the deep seas and unloaded in Chalai, Mullaitivu and Veththilaikerny on the north-eastern coast, the report added. According to the media report, the recent developments in the battlefront appear to substantiate the findings of these two reports with the significant increase in artillery and mortar attacks by the LTTE being observed during recent battles, including the one that left over 200 combatants killed and nearly 1000 wounded on both sides in Muhamalai in the northern Jaffna Peninsula April 23.
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May - 4 
The military said that approximately 245 soldiers were killed in clashes with the LTTE in 2007 while over 240 lost their lives in the four months of this year, military spokesman Udaya Nanayakara told PTI. He added that 2500 LTTE cadres were killed during 2007. According to the military, over 3300 L
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The military said that approximately 245 soldiers were killed in clashes with the LTTE in 2007 while over 240 lost their lives in the four months of this year, military spokesman Udaya Nanayakara told PTI. He added that 2500 LTTE cadres were killed during 2007. According to the military, over 3300 LTTE militants and over 240 soldiers have been killed in fighting till April this year.
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May - 5 
Sri Lanka appealed to the international community to help stop arms supplies to the LTTE, reported Colombo Page. The Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations (UN), Ambassador Prasad Kariyawasam told the UN Security Council in New York last week that Government efforts to achieve s
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Sri Lanka appealed to the international community to help stop arms supplies to the LTTE, reported Colombo Page. The Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations (UN), Ambassador Prasad Kariyawasam told the UN Security Council in New York last week that Government efforts to achieve sustainable peace have failed primarily as a result of the illicit arms flow to the LTTE. "Unbridled violence and abominable terrorist acts can be stopped only if supply and access to such weapons can be halted immediately," he urged. While asserting that substantial measures should be adopted in fresh recruitments and that the activities of the existing employees of the Non-Governmental Organizations should be well monitored as they could be carrying out the tasks of LTTE militants, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse urged the UN country office in Sri Lanka to take adequate steps to prevent the LTTE from using what he called UN cover to mount operations in the South.
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May - 6 
Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake said on May 6 that military operations in the North are continuing to drive away the LTTE militants and liberate the Wanni region, according to Colombo Page. Speaking in the Parliament, he said 120 SF personnel from the Army, Navy and the Air force were killed
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Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake said on May 6 that military operations in the North are continuing to drive away the LTTE militants and liberate the Wanni region, according to Colombo Page. Speaking in the Parliament, he said 120 SF personnel from the Army, Navy and the Air force were killed and another 945 were injured in clashes during April 2008. He also said 56 civilians were also killed while 145 others were injured.
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May - 6 
The President Mahinda Rajapakse on May 6 challenged the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leader Velupillai Prabhakaran to 'clash with him directly' and declared that his government would continue in its bid to flush rebels out of their stronghold in the north. "I will challenge Prabhakaran to
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The President Mahinda Rajapakse on May 6 challenged the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leader Velupillai Prabhakaran to 'clash with him directly' and declared that his government would continue in its bid to flush rebels out of their stronghold in the north. "I will challenge Prabhakaran to clash with me directly if possible without engaging in a killing spree of targeting innocent civilians, parliamentarians and ministers," the Daily News quoted the President as saying after inaugurating the Oluvil port project in the Ampara district. He asserted that his ruling coalition "will never backtrack on its journey to liberate innocent civilians" living in the LTTE-held areas in the north. "As much as the government liberated the people of the east from terrorism and enabled them to enjoy the fruits of freedom, the people of the north would also be given such an opportunity soon," the President reiterated. Commenting on the de-merger of the eastern province, the President vowed not to merge the two provinces once again, adds BBC Sinhala.
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May - 8 
The British police have charged four men with conspiring to support the LTTE, Scotland Yard said on May 8, according to Daily News. The four were arrested under anti-terrorism laws and are accused of owning computers, radio equipment and high-power magnets for terrorist purposes, AFP reported from L
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The British police have charged four men with conspiring to support the LTTE, Scotland Yard said on May 8, according to Daily News. The four were arrested under anti-terrorism laws and are accused of owning computers, radio equipment and high-power magnets for terrorist purposes, AFP reported from London. The men were arrested under the Terrorism Act 2000 in the last two weeks as part of a long-term police investigation into activities linked to the LTTE. Three were detained at the end of April 2008 in raids at homes and business addresses in Wales and London. A fourth was arrested this week in the Swindon area of southwest England. All the four have been charged with conspiring to receive equipment for terrorist purposes between January 2003 and December 2006. Other items which they are accused of procuring include laptops, head torches, circuit boards, lithium coin cell batteries, GPS (global positioning systems) and antenna equipment, transceivers, radios and navigation systems. The four men were identified as Arunachalam Chrishanthakumar alias AC Shanthan, 51; Jegatheswaran Muraleetharan alias Muralee Tharan, 46; Jeyatheswaran Vythyatharan alias Vithy Tharan, 39; and Murugesu Jegatheeswaran alias M Jegan, 33. An unidentified fifth man has also been charged in connection with the investigation, Scotland Yard said.
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May - 10 
voting in the elections for the Eastern Provincial Council in Sri Lanka ended at 4.00pm (local time) amid accusations of violence, attacks and rigging, reported Colombo Page. Elections officials said according to reports received at the close of the poll, the estimated voter turnout was approximatel
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voting in the elections for the Eastern Provincial Council in Sri Lanka ended at 4.00pm (local time) amid accusations of violence, attacks and rigging, reported Colombo Page. Elections officials said according to reports received at the close of the poll, the estimated voter turnout was approximately 65% in Ampara, 55% in Batticaloa and 60% in Trincomalee. The historically significant polls conducted in the liberated Eastern region after 20 years was electing 37 members to the provincial council. Nearly a million people were eligible to vote. Numerous incidences of rigging, impeding polling agents or political party representatives at the polling booths and impersonations have been reported. Several attacks on vehicles and persons were also reported in the polling area. Two vehicles belong to the staff of Minister Rishard Badurdeen were smashed in Trincomalee, reports said.
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May - 11 
Meanwhile, the election monitoring body People's Action for Free and Fair Elections which deployed over 2,500 election observers, including foreigners, said that despite some scattered incidents the election was conducted in a free and fair manner. While observing that there had been 83 recorded inc
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Meanwhile, the election monitoring body People's Action for Free and Fair Elections which deployed over 2,500 election observers, including foreigners, said that despite some scattered incidents the election was conducted in a free and fair manner. While observing that there had been 83 recorded incidents on the Election Day (May 10), it said these cases in whole could not be viewed as ones which would affect the overall result. However, the main opposition UNP and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) on May 11 rejected the election results saying the poll was marred by violence, Colombo Page reported. UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake said the vote was marred by violence and rigging and his party was ‘totally rejecting the results." "This is a totally distorted mandate that they got. This is obtained by fraud," SLMC Leader Rauff Hakeem said. The election assumed significance in the wake of the October 2006 Supreme Court verdict declaring merger of north and east as illegal on technical grounds and the success of the military in July -2007 in wresting territory in the east from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
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May - 13 
President Mahinda Rajapakse on May 13 said that his Government was ready for talks with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), provided the latter is ready to give up arms and demonstrate "genuine intent" to evolve a political solution, reports The Hindu. Speaking at the Oxford Union, Rajapaks
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President Mahinda Rajapakse on May 13 said that his Government was ready for talks with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), provided the latter is ready to give up arms and demonstrate "genuine intent" to evolve a political solution, reports The Hindu. Speaking at the Oxford Union, Rajapakse referred to the recently-concluded elections for the Eastern Provincial Council and said though many observers said the LTTE was invincible, the Government had freed the province from "terror". "As our forces seek to defeat and disarm the LTTE, we are firm in our resolve to have a negotiated solution to the crisis. I do not believe in a military solution. We have attempted talks with the LTTE on several occasions — thrice since my election as the President — but they have not reciprocated. They have always left the talks with lame excuses. We are still ready to talk, once we are certain of their genuine intent for a political solution and their readiness to give up arms," the President added.
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May - 13 
The Government will not enter into any kind of cease-fire agreement or temporary pacts with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the future under any circumstances, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake said on May 13, according to Daily News. "The Government's position is very clear on
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The Government will not enter into any kind of cease-fire agreement or temporary pacts with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the future under any circumstances, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake said on May 13, according to Daily News. "The Government's position is very clear on this and that is, it will not have cease-fire agreements or truce pacts with the LTTE in the future," he said. He also said: "About one month ago I said that Prabhakaran was on the 'edge of the ditch'. Today, I say, he is in the ditch, and it will be closed very soon. Prabhakaran is living in a concrete ditch. And it's a matter of time for our Security Forces to get to him with the help of the technologies available to us no matter where he may be."
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May - 14 
Defence Affairs spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said on May 14 that people in the East have totally rejected the very roots of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Velupillai Prabhakaran's mythical Tamil homeland concept at the Eastern provincial council election, according to D
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Defence Affairs spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said on May 14 that people in the East have totally rejected the very roots of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Velupillai Prabhakaran's mythical Tamil homeland concept at the Eastern provincial council election, according to Daily News. "It was a great victory for 20 million Sri Lankans irrespective of party differences as 600,000 people could step out from their homes and cast their vote freely," the Minister said. He stated that only 132 election related incidents were reported during the election period and out of these 90 per cent of complaints had already been resolved. He added that the two people who had been murdered during the elections were from the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP), political wing of the LTTE breakaway faction founded by ‘Colonel’ Karuna and presently led by Pillayan.
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May - 14 
Sri Lanka Army spokesperson Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara on May 14 revealed that the LTTE have started to conscript children in the Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi districts who failed the GCE ordinary level examinations in 2007, according to Colombo Page. Citing military intelligence sources, he said the
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Sri Lanka Army spokesperson Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara on May 14 revealed that the LTTE have started to conscript children in the Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi districts who failed the GCE ordinary level examinations in 2007, according to Colombo Page. Citing military intelligence sources, he said the outfit has banned all children in areas still under its control from sitting for the examination for a second time. Nanayakkara also revealed that 358 civilians from the LTTE-held Wanni had sought protection from the Sri Lankan security forces since January 1, 2008. He reported that 368 militants had been killed and 438 wounded in counter-terrorism operations conducted since May 1. Commenting on the security forces’ casualties, he said 41 soldiers had been killed and 155 injured during these operations. Further, 17 civilians were killed and 39 others were wounded in terrorist attacks during this period, he added.
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May - 14 
The United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) has reiterated that the appointment of the Chief Minister of the Eastern province will be made in line with the agreement reached by parties supporting the UPFA prior to the provincial council poll. In an interview with Daily News, the Sri Lanka Freedom Pa
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The United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) has reiterated that the appointment of the Chief Minister of the Eastern province will be made in line with the agreement reached by parties supporting the UPFA prior to the provincial council poll. In an interview with Daily News, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party Assistant Secretary Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said there was no change in their earlier stance that the party which obtains the highest number of seats will be entitled to nominate the Chief Minister. "According to the final result of the election, the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP) has emerged with the highest number of seats…," Alahapperuma stated, adding, that the important question one should consider was what made it possible for the Government to hold elections and establish democracy in the East. "It was the breakaway of Karuna and Pillayan from the LTTE on one hand, and the bravery of our Armed Forces on the other that created conditions conducive for the establishment of democracy in the East. Therefore the President will appoint the Eastern Chief Minister according to democratic values in recognition of these facts".
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May - 15 
Government spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella has said that the law of the land will be applied to Vinayagamoorthy Muraleetharan alias ‘Colonel’ Karuna Amman, founder of the Tamileela Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP) - political wing of the LTTE breakaway faction presently led by Sivanesathurai
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Government spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella has said that the law of the land will be applied to Vinayagamoorthy Muraleetharan alias ‘Colonel’ Karuna Amman, founder of the Tamileela Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP) - political wing of the LTTE breakaway faction presently led by Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan, if he returns to Sri Lanka, according to Daily Mirror. Addressing the media on May 15, he said that information relating to the extradition of Karuna from Britain has been heard so far only through media reports, but if he does actually returns to the country the law of the land will take effect. Karuna has reportedly been released from a British prison after serving a three month jail sentence for breaching immigration laws while entering the country. He has now been transferred to an immigration detention centre. Sources said that Karuna will move to another country by applying for political asylum, as soon as he is deported from Britain, instead of returning to Sri Lanka.
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May - 16 
Meanwhile, the leading Muslim councillor of the ruling alliance, M.L.A.M. Hisbullah, told BBC Sandeshaya that the appointment of Pillayan as the Chief Minister was illegal. He said that he and two other Muslim members will not support the ruling UPFA. He also accused the President and the Government
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Meanwhile, the leading Muslim councillor of the ruling alliance, M.L.A.M. Hisbullah, told BBC Sandeshaya that the appointment of Pillayan as the Chief Minister was illegal. He said that he and two other Muslim members will not support the ruling UPFA. He also accused the President and the Government of ‘deceiving’ the whole Muslim community in the east saying, "The president and the government deceived not only me but also the whole Muslim community and the 12 Muslim ministers."
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May - 18 
Army has extended an amnesty deadline for its deserters by two more weeks, as nearly 4,000 deserters had reported back during the first two weeks, the military said. The army headquarters said that some 3,709 army deserters had reported back for duty since May 2 under the amnesty period ended May 16
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Army has extended an amnesty deadline for its deserters by two more weeks, as nearly 4,000 deserters had reported back during the first two weeks, the military said. The army headquarters said that some 3,709 army deserters had reported back for duty since May 2 under the amnesty period ended May 16 which was extended later. The decision was reportedly taken following requests from several sections, including the deserters urging more time to rejoin the force.
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May - 18 
India has "too many problems" of its own and cannot bear the "extra burden" from backing a separate Tamil State to be carved out from Sri Lanka, said Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake, according to PTI. "India does not want to have this problem on their hands because they have so many province
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India has "too many problems" of its own and cannot bear the "extra burden" from backing a separate Tamil State to be carved out from Sri Lanka, said Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake, according to PTI. "India does not want to have this problem on their hands because they have so many provinces and they have to look after their problems in those provinces. They (India) do not want a separate state in the North because that will create more problems for them. India had too many problems of their own in their hands and they simply cannot bear the extra burden," Wickremanayake told Sunday Observer in an interview, adding that India will favour the system of provincial councils in the erstwhile Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) stronghold in the east. Wickremanayake also asserted that LTTE's strength is on the wane due to successful operations by the army and that the tiger outfit "will be left with no one to fight very soon". "North (the LTTE stronghold of Northern Sri Lanka) is only a question of time. The armed forces are quite confident that they can round off liberating the North fast. As you are aware their strategy is very simple. It is squeezing the strength off LTTE little by little. That is happening right now," the Prime Minister opined.
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May - 20 
Azad Maulana, General Secretary of the Tamileela Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP) - political wing of the Liberation of Tamil Tigers Eelam (LTTE) breakaway faction founded by ‘Colonel’ Karuna and presently led by the Chief Minster of the Easter Provincial Council Pillayan, has denied recent media re
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Azad Maulana, General Secretary of the Tamileela Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP) - political wing of the Liberation of Tamil Tigers Eelam (LTTE) breakaway faction founded by ‘Colonel’ Karuna and presently led by the Chief Minster of the Easter Provincial Council Pillayan, has denied recent media reports regarding the TMVP and the LTTE, according to Daily News. In an interview to Lankapuvath, he said that the TMVP had identified the LTTE as a terrorist organisation and would never get involved with the outfit’s brutal terrorist activities. He said that some media organisations had wrongly branded them as LTTE supporters. Daily Mirror reports that Pillayan has denied his involvement in the 1998 LTTE attack on the Dalada Maligawa and expressed disappointment over growing criticism of his visit to the temple and calls for him to apologise for the attack. "I am disappointed that some sections see this as some sort of political gimmick. I am visiting all religious institutions purely to strengthen ties between the communities. This should be welcomed instead of being criticised," Azad Maulana quoted Pillayan as saying. Pillayan said the intelligence unit of the LTTE masterminded the operation and that it was a regrettable incident. On January 25, 1998, the LTTE had carried out a suicide attack on the temple killing eight civilians while injuring 25 others and causing damage to the temple structure.
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May - 20 
The LTTE continues to recruit and use children despite repeated commitments not to do so, a global report on child soldiers released on May 20 said, according to Colombo Page. Child Soldiers Global Report 2008 published by the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers, a non governmental organizat
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The LTTE continues to recruit and use children despite repeated commitments not to do so, a global report on child soldiers released on May 20 said, according to Colombo Page. Child Soldiers Global Report 2008 published by the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers, a non governmental organization based in London, said that the LTTE, which had recruited under-age fighters for many years, pledged on June 18 2007 to rid its ranks of all under-18s by the end of 2007. However, LTTE had not committed to the full release of children under 18, it said. The report also accused the Tamileela Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP), LTTE break-away faction founded by ‘Colonel’ Karuna and presently led by Eastern Province Chief Minster Pillayan, too for forcibly recruiting and using children. "Children in the east of the country were forcibly recruited and used by the Karuna group, a breakaway group of the LTTE, with the complicity of, and in some instances actively working with, the security forces," it said. It blamed the Sri Lankan Government for not making any arrests so far of cadres of the LTTE or Karuna group in relation to child recruitment saying that the police often refused to accept complaints from parents of abducted children.
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May - 20 
The TMVP insisted that its leader Pillayan would remain the Chief Minister of the Eastern Province even if Karuna Amman is deported to Sri Lanka, despite the leadership title still being held by Karuna. According to the TMVP, Pillayan has also extended an invitation to Karuna for a discussion if he
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The TMVP insisted that its leader Pillayan would remain the Chief Minister of the Eastern Province even if Karuna Amman is deported to Sri Lanka, despite the leadership title still being held by Karuna. According to the TMVP, Pillayan has also extended an invitation to Karuna for a discussion if he returns to the country. "Our leader has always been Karuna Amman. Therefore we hope he will come in for talks with Pillayan if he is deported to Sri Lanka. However Pillayan will not step down as the Chief Minister as he has been elected to this post by the people in the east. Karuna, being our leader will also accept the people’s decision," Azad Maulana said.
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May - 22 
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama has said that the elections in the East had paved way for ex-armed groups like the TMVP to enter mainstream politics and embrace the democratic process. This course of action by the Government would not only establish greater normality in the region but would als
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Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama has said that the elections in the East had paved way for ex-armed groups like the TMVP to enter mainstream politics and embrace the democratic process. This course of action by the Government would not only establish greater normality in the region but would also enhance greater confidence among communities, the Minister added.
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May - 22 
The newly sworn in EPC Minister M.L.A.M. Hisbullah pledged to work in cooperation with Chief Minister Pillayan for the sake of Tamil-Muslim unity, the security of Muslim community and developing the Eastern Province, according to Daily News. Hisbullah observed that insisting on the Chief Ministerial
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The newly sworn in EPC Minister M.L.A.M. Hisbullah pledged to work in cooperation with Chief Minister Pillayan for the sake of Tamil-Muslim unity, the security of Muslim community and developing the Eastern Province, according to Daily News. Hisbullah observed that insisting on the Chief Ministerial post will not bring any benefits to the Muslim Community in the East. "We were promised by the President that the Chief Ministerial post would go to any community obtaining more seats in the Eastern Provincial Council election. The President, however had given the CM post to Pillayan due to certain circumstances and we respect that. If we keep insisting on the CM post, the Muslim Community will suffer in the East and there will be friction between the Tamil and Muslim communities," he added.
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May - 24 
The US has asked the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Velupillai Prabhakaran to give up the demand for a separate Tamil State saying the community wanted a solution to the over two-decade-old ethnic conflict within a "united" Sri Lanka, reported PTI. "...I think it would be very useful
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The US has asked the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Velupillai Prabhakaran to give up the demand for a separate Tamil State saying the community wanted a solution to the over two-decade-old ethnic conflict within a "united" Sri Lanka, reported PTI. "...I think it would be very useful for Prabhakaran to give up this idea of seeking an independent Tamil state and agreeing to negotiate with a united Sri Lanka," US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Robert Blake, said. Blake said from his discussions with the Tamil people in Sri Lanka he thinks "95 per cent of them support a solution within a framework of a united Sri Lanka. They (the Tamil people) are not seeking an independent Tamil Eelam which Prabhakaran is seeking." He told The Sunday Observer that giving up the idea of a separate State, would give Prabhakaran "lots of credibility to respond to lots of scepticism here in the South (Sri Lanka) that the LTTE would never negotiate with the government."
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May - 25 
The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) has accused the Tamileela Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP) of abducting Muslim youths in Batticaloa on May 25. A SLMC leader Abu Haneefa told BBC Sandeshaya that he received a call about 02:00am (SLT) claiming that two youths were abducted in Eravur by the TMVP.
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The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) has accused the Tamileela Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP) of abducting Muslim youths in Batticaloa on May 25. A SLMC leader Abu Haneefa told BBC Sandeshaya that he received a call about 02:00am (SLT) claiming that two youths were abducted in Eravur by the TMVP. Muslims have been protesting in the East after two other Muslims went missing in Eravur on May 24. However, the Senior Superintendent of Police, Ranjith Gunasekara, told BBC Sandeshaya that the victims have not accused the TMVP cadres of abducting and assaulting them.
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May - 26 
Tamileela Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP) leader and Eastern Province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan on May 26 admitted that members of his organisation were responsible for the recent abductions at Eravur in Batticaloa. Admitting that the abductors were TMVP members, he said they had
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Tamileela Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP) leader and Eastern Province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan on May 26 admitted that members of his organisation were responsible for the recent abductions at Eravur in Batticaloa. Admitting that the abductors were TMVP members, he said they had been handed over to Police, but insisted the accused men were not directly involved in the incident. The abductions of the Muslim youth on May 22, who are yet to be returned, led to widespread communal tension in Eravur, compelling the Government to impose a curfew. Two others were abducted a few days later, but released the next day. Meanwhile, a woman was killed in security forces (SFs) firing on May 26 as the SFs tried to disperse crowds in Eravur who took to the streets to protest the abduction.
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May - 27 
President Mahinda Rajapakse on May 27 declared that his Government will not stop the drive against terrorism under any circumstances. He said "There will be no room for terrorism. We will not stop the campaign against terror…This is a war against terrorism, not against the Tamil people. I will not s
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President Mahinda Rajapakse on May 27 declared that his Government will not stop the drive against terrorism under any circumstances. He said "There will be no room for terrorism. We will not stop the campaign against terror…This is a war against terrorism, not against the Tamil people. I will not stop until terrorism is defeated."
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May - 28 
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has targeted civilians on 21 occasions killing 149 persons and injuring 560 others so far in 2008, according to military figures, reports Colombo Page. Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara informed the media on May 28 that from January 1, 2008 to
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The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has targeted civilians on 21 occasions killing 149 persons and injuring 560 others so far in 2008, according to military figures, reports Colombo Page. Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara informed the media on May 28 that from January 1, 2008 to date, the LTTE has staged 21 attacks on civilians in the form of claymore mine explosions, suicide attacks, parcel bombs and shooting incidents. Since March 2007, the 57 division of the Sri Lanka Army has been successful in capturing 600 square kilometres of LTTE-held territory in the North, he revealed. The LTTE has shifted their defence lines to Mallavi and Tharukkui areas 45-km behind the Army Defence Lines in Mannar, he added.
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June - 1 
A negotiated end to the conflict is still possible but not before the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is "verifiably demilitarised and democratised," said Dayan Jayatilleka, Sri Lanka's Permanent Representative to the UN, in an e-mail interview, according to IANS. He added that the conflict
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A negotiated end to the conflict is still possible but not before the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is "verifiably demilitarised and democratised," said Dayan Jayatilleka, Sri Lanka's Permanent Representative to the UN, in an e-mail interview, according to IANS. He added that the conflict would only end when the outfit’s leader Velupillai Prabhakaran gets 'demilitarised one way or another'. When he was asked if there was any room for a possible negotiated settlement to end a war, he said, "Yes but not with the Tigers, and certainly not with Prabhakaran. With him there can be no peace.'' A peaceful, negotiated settlement is possible only if it recognises that any solution has to be within a single, united Sri Lanka, and the LTTE is verifiably demilitarised and democratised, he asserted.
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June - 1 
The LTTE has condemned the Government’s moves to devolve more power to the North and East. The head of the outfit’s political wing, B. Nadesan, said the plan under which the Government recently held local elections in the East contained "no basis for a settlement." "Recognition of Tamil sovereignty
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The LTTE has condemned the Government’s moves to devolve more power to the North and East. The head of the outfit’s political wing, B. Nadesan, said the plan under which the Government recently held local elections in the East contained "no basis for a settlement." "Recognition of Tamil sovereignty and right to self-determination are key issues in creating a climate for a negotiated settlement," he told the pro-LTTE Website Tamil Net on May 30. He also accused Colombo of blocking peace broker Norway from meeting LTTE leaders by refusing to provide access to LTTE-held areas. Sri Lanka's main financial backers -- the United States, Japan, the European Union and Norway -- should keep up their peace-building work, Nadesan said, urging Colombo to allow diplomats to meet LTTE representatives. However, the Eastern Province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan said that the only way to find a solution to the conflict is to devolve powers that are vested in the Central government, according to Colombo Page.
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June - 2 
Seevaratnam Prabaharan alias Pulidevan, chief of the LTTE Peace Secretariat, has been placed under arrest on the direct orders of the outfit’s leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, the Defence Ministry said on June 2, according to Daily News. "The arrest has been made as a result of a worsening internal di
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Seevaratnam Prabaharan alias Pulidevan, chief of the LTTE Peace Secretariat, has been placed under arrest on the direct orders of the outfit’s leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, the Defence Ministry said on June 2, according to Daily News. "The arrest has been made as a result of a worsening internal dispute among key LTTE… An armed gang led by LTTE's intelligence wing leader Pottu Amman had made the arrest few days back," the statement said.
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June - 2 
The Government has said that the LTTE has shown no indication to enter into a dialogue in order to end the conflict, reported Colombo Page. "We are looking for a negotiated end to this conflict... so far they have shown no inclination to enter into any constructive dialogue with a view to ending thi
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The Government has said that the LTTE has shown no indication to enter into a dialogue in order to end the conflict, reported Colombo Page. "We are looking for a negotiated end to this conflict... so far they have shown no inclination to enter into any constructive dialogue with a view to ending this conflict," Foreign Ministry Secretary Palitha Kohona said. "The LTTE is free to come back to the negotiating table but... must do so genuinely with a commitment to negotiating a sustainable peace and for that it must also leave aside its weaponry," he added.
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June - 3 
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama told The Hindu that India’s maritime surveillance has helped Sri Lanka in a big way in facing the challenge from the LTTE. He said, "The navies of India and Sri Lanka are cooperating to the extent at which the interests of both countries are safeguarded vis-à-vis
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Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama told The Hindu that India’s maritime surveillance has helped Sri Lanka in a big way in facing the challenge from the LTTE. He said, "The navies of India and Sri Lanka are cooperating to the extent at which the interests of both countries are safeguarded vis-à-vis the threat that can emanate from the [maritime] movement of terrorists led by the LTTE."
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June - 6 
The Sri Lanka's Defence Ministry has recently formulated guidelines for media on war news coverage in the form of an advisory that is posted on its website, www.defence.lk, under the heading, "Deriding the war heroes for a living — the ugly face of 'defence analysts' in Sri Lanka", reports Colombo P
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The Sri Lanka's Defence Ministry has recently formulated guidelines for media on war news coverage in the form of an advisory that is posted on its website, www.defence.lk, under the heading, "Deriding the war heroes for a living — the ugly face of 'defence analysts' in Sri Lanka", reports Colombo Page. The guidelines address four main issues the Defence Ministry is most concerned over. Criticism of military operations, promotion schemes, procurement and unethical methods used to obtain sensitive information are the issues of main concern and they are classified as acts of ‘treason’.
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June - 8 
Acknowledging the contribution of Sri Lanka's armed forces in fighting international terrorism, President Mahinda Rajapakse has said giving democratic rights to the Tamils in the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) strongholds was vital for ending militancy in the region, according to PTI. "Our
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Acknowledging the contribution of Sri Lanka's armed forces in fighting international terrorism, President Mahinda Rajapakse has said giving democratic rights to the Tamils in the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) strongholds was vital for ending militancy in the region, according to PTI. "Our War Heroes are fighting with sacrifice of their lives to mark a full stop in Sri Lanka to international terrorism," Rajapakse said while addressing the "War Heroes Day" function On June 8, adding it was not possible to win a war with weapons alone. For this it is necessary for the soldier who goes into battle to have trust and confidence in his leadership, he said. "We have the need to give the Tamil people in (the rebel stronghold) of Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu their democratic rights, as we did for the people in the East," the President said.
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June - 9 
Sri Lankan Minister for Community Development and Social Inequity Eradication P. Chandrasekaran has said he had received positive signals from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) indicating that it would be open to talks, reports The Hindu. Claiming to be on a mission to meet political leade
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Sri Lankan Minister for Community Development and Social Inequity Eradication P. Chandrasekaran has said he had received positive signals from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) indicating that it would be open to talks, reports The Hindu. Claiming to be on a mission to meet political leaders in Tamil Nadu and New Delhi to create an atmosphere conducive for Indian intervention, he said that India should play the role of a mediator to end the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka. "They [LTTE] are aware of our efforts. With Norway withdrawing from the peace talks, there is a need for a mediator. India has the moral duty and right to intervene in the Sri Lankan crisis," Mr. Chandrasekaran said, addressing a press conference in Tiruchirapalli on June 9. Other countries stayed away or were being kept away from the crisis, but India should not keep itself aloof. The war should end, and a permanent solution should be found to the problems of Tamils through talks. India, he said, could bring the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE to the negotiating table, despite their seemingly rigid standpoints. Daily News quoted Chandrasekaran as saying that the LTTE had also evinced interest in Indian intervention and favourable signals had emanated from the outfit in this regard.
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June - 10 
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, delivering a lecture at the Carlton Club (London), on June 10, said that the military victories can provide the space for political and economic solutions to be found and without military power the result can be more bloodshed, reports Daily News. He said, "Our
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Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, delivering a lecture at the Carlton Club (London), on June 10, said that the military victories can provide the space for political and economic solutions to be found and without military power the result can be more bloodshed, reports Daily News. He said, "Our Armed Forces carried out a military operation which cleared parts of the Eastern province which had been infiltrated by the LTTE… Following targeted military action by our security forces, today the eastern province has been completely cleared of the LTTE. As a result, between March & May this year we have been able to hold local government and provincial council elections in areas where there had been no elections for over 14 years when they were under de-facto LTTE control."
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June - 10 
Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake said that the State intelligence sleuths have uncovered a LTTE plot to assassinate VIPs in the South by infiltrating public functions attended by them, according to Daily News. The terrorist plan was to get their cadres to attend such functions unarmed as norm
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Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake said that the State intelligence sleuths have uncovered a LTTE plot to assassinate VIPs in the South by infiltrating public functions attended by them, according to Daily News. The terrorist plan was to get their cadres to attend such functions unarmed as normal civilians and assassinate VIPs attending them after grabbing weapons from the SF personnel detailed to cover such events.
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June - 10 
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has vowed to attack government troops if they enter the outfit’s-controlled area. In an interview with a news agency, the LTTE Peace Secretariat Head, S. Puleedevan, has said, "Sri Lanka armed forces are losing a lot of soldiers. If they enter into LTTE ar
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The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has vowed to attack government troops if they enter the outfit’s-controlled area. In an interview with a news agency, the LTTE Peace Secretariat Head, S. Puleedevan, has said, "Sri Lanka armed forces are losing a lot of soldiers. If they enter into LTTE area the losses will be much more. The heavy fighting is going on at the forward defence line and we have managed to inflict considerable damages to Sri Lankan armed forces. They are unable to gain any new territory." Puleedevan also blamed that the Government is not willing to have peace talks and is evident by denying access to international mediators.
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June - 11 
Daily News reports that Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona on June 11 called upon the European Union (EU) to list the Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO) and other LTTE front organisations, which have been clearly identified, including by the US Government, as raising funds for the LTTE. He said a
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Daily News reports that Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona on June 11 called upon the European Union (EU) to list the Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO) and other LTTE front organisations, which have been clearly identified, including by the US Government, as raising funds for the LTTE. He said a request to this effect has recently been made by the Government to the European Union. French Ambassador in Sri Lanka Michel Lummaux representing the current EU Presidency held by Slovenia, who led the EU delegation, categorically expressed the opposition of the EU to a separate State for Tamils in Sri Lanka. He said the EU does not consider the LTTE to be the sole representative of Sri Lankan Tamils.
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June - 11 
The security forces are attacking Mullaitivu, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Velupillai Prabhakaran’s hideout, from several directions, Army Commander Sarath Fonseka told The Dinamina on June11, according to Daily News. Commander Fonseka said the Army's aim is to capture Prabhakar
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The security forces are attacking Mullaitivu, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Velupillai Prabhakaran’s hideout, from several directions, Army Commander Sarath Fonseka told The Dinamina on June11, according to Daily News. Commander Fonseka said the Army's aim is to capture Prabhakaran, who is holed up in a bunker, alive. He said the 56, 57, 58 and 59 divisions are taking part in the operations and Task Force 2 will also be inducted to expedite the operation. Troops are presently attacking the LTTE's 1-4 Base complex in a preliminary bid to reach Mullaitivu. Forces have already regained several hundred square kilometres previously under the control of the LTTE and they still need to march forward another 21 kilometres to achieve the final goals, he said.
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June - 12 
President Mahinda Rajapakse has asserted that in spite of the cost in lives and damage inflicted to Sri Lanka's tourist trade he would not resume peace talks with the LTTE until the organisation agreed to disarm, according to Reuters. "When they are weak they call on the international community to a
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President Mahinda Rajapakse has asserted that in spite of the cost in lives and damage inflicted to Sri Lanka's tourist trade he would not resume peace talks with the LTTE until the organisation agreed to disarm, according to Reuters. "When they are weak they call on the international community to arrange a ceasefire. During this period they train and rearm and then fight back. This time if they want to talk, they should disarm first," he said. Commenting on concluding a peace deal with Velupillai Prabhakaran, the LTTE chief, he said, "This man and the three or four henchmen around him are blood-thirsty killers. They have no feelings. It is very difficult to deal with them."
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June - 12 
Secretary General of the Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP), Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha, responding to a statement made by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE’s) ‘Peace’ Secretariat chief, Seewaratnam Pulidevan, that he wishes to meet with Norwegian peace-brokers, said that
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Secretary General of the Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP), Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha, responding to a statement made by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE’s) ‘Peace’ Secretariat chief, Seewaratnam Pulidevan, that he wishes to meet with Norwegian peace-brokers, said that the team headed by Norway's Special Peace Envoy John Hansen Bauer, would, for now, not be allowed to visit the Wanni. Prof. Wijesinha dismissed the LTTE request as a meaningless propaganda exercise in the absence of a roadmap to ending the 25-year conflict. "Bauer had wanted to go. But we have told him, we want a very clear idea of why he is going to the Wanni," he said, insisting that only a commitment on the part of the LTTE for decommissioning of weapons and in particular what they want Bauer to come and talk about at this juncture. "Unless you have a clear road map that leads to a democratic political solution, I don't think you can take any LTTE claim to negotiate a deal seriously. "Part of that road map would be a ceasefire and commitment ... guaranteeing the laying down of arms. That road map should make very clear to us that there is a very genuine commitment to negotiate to a political solution," he added.
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June - 17 
Sri Lanka is planning to establish an all party Security Council under the directions of President Mahinda Rajapakse to prevent LTTE attacks on the civilians in the country, the Government said on June 17, Colombo Page reported. The council is based on a proposal put forward by the members of the ne
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Sri Lanka is planning to establish an all party Security Council under the directions of President Mahinda Rajapakse to prevent LTTE attacks on the civilians in the country, the Government said on June 17, Colombo Page reported. The council is based on a proposal put forward by the members of the newly formed breakaway Marxist party, the National Freedom Front (NFF). NFF leader and Member of Parliament Wimal Weerawansa handed over his proposals for setting up of an All Party Defence Council to President Mahinda Rajapakse on June 16 at the Temple Trees. Weerawansa offering his party’s support to reach an all party consensus to establish the council pointed out that the party could play a pivotal role in empowering the civilian masses to protect themselves from the LTTE threats. Preliminary talks pertaining to the establishment of this Council will commence in next week, Government announced.
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June - 18 
Colombo Page reports that Malaysia launched an inquiry into an allegation that some persons in Malaysia had given instructions to LTTE in Sri Lanka to carry out bomb attacks in the capital Colombo and its suburbs. Malaysian Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar said his Government would investigate the mat
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Colombo Page reports that Malaysia launched an inquiry into an allegation that some persons in Malaysia had given instructions to LTTE in Sri Lanka to carry out bomb attacks in the capital Colombo and its suburbs. Malaysian Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar said his Government would investigate the matter thoroughly, and take severe action against any Malaysians with links to the LTTE. The action has been taken following Sri Lankan media claims that six suspects, who were arrested in Wattala with explosives last week, were waiting for instructions over the phone from persons in Malaysia to carry out bomb attacks in Colombo. "I have checked the news report personally...Malaysia will never tolerate any type of terrorism. If it is true that some Malaysians are involved with the LTTE, we will take severe action," Home Minister said.
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June - 19 
Basil Rajapakse, the presidential advisor of President Mahinda Rajapakse, on June 19 admitted that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) represented a ‘fair number of Tamils’ but ruled out any quick truce with the rebels, reports Asian Age. "They (Tigers) represent the Tamil people but they ar
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Basil Rajapakse, the presidential advisor of President Mahinda Rajapakse, on June 19 admitted that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) represented a ‘fair number of Tamils’ but ruled out any quick truce with the rebels, reports Asian Age. "They (Tigers) represent the Tamil people but they are not the only ones. That has been proved. But this does not mean they do not have the strength or that they do not represent the Tamils. They do represent a fair number of the Tamil people. But unfortunately their methods cannot be accepted or approved," he told in an interview to the Daily Mirror in Colombo. Commenting on the possibilities of negotiations with the LTTE, he said while the Government was "always ready" for talks but that could happen only at the right time. "The President is always willing to have negotiations and a settlement. The best scenario is where we negotiate and settle it with the LTTE. But at present we can’t forget the problems of the Tamil people till the LTTE comes forward. We are meeting the needs of the people and crushing terrorism while inviting the LTTE for negotiations. We are willing to look into their grievances," he added. He also said that laying down of weapons by the LTTE "is not necessarily conditions." "Those are conditions that have to be worked out," he added.
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June - 23 
President Mahinda Rajapakse asserts that his Government would seek to establish ‘Peace Zones’ not only in the precincts of sacred sites, but also in the whole country, Daily News reports. Rajapakse made this assertion when he presided and addressed the ceremony at which financial aid amounting to Ru
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President Mahinda Rajapakse asserts that his Government would seek to establish ‘Peace Zones’ not only in the precincts of sacred sites, but also in the whole country, Daily News reports. Rajapakse made this assertion when he presided and addressed the ceremony at which financial aid amounting to Rupees five million was symbolically handed over to religious dignitaries of 42 Temples, Kovils, Churches and Mosques, at the Presidential Secretariat on June 23. "Every citizen of this land should have the freedom and the liberty to enjoy the right of religious worship, as per his conscience. The terrorists grabbed this right from the people. However, we are a Government which is fully committed and prepared to make sacrifices and be committed to protect all faiths and their associated sites of worship," he said. He pointed out that when the North is also liberated, the whole country would be a ‘Peace Zone’, and the ‘Sacred Sites’ would become ‘Peace Zones’ within it.
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June - 24 
President Mahinda Rajapakse on June 24 reiterated that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) should lay down arms if they expect to negotiate with the Government for a political solution to the crisis, according to Ministry of Defence Website. "The Government would not hesitate to work with th
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President Mahinda Rajapakse on June 24 reiterated that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) should lay down arms if they expect to negotiate with the Government for a political solution to the crisis, according to Ministry of Defence Website. "The Government would not hesitate to work with the LTTE if the Tigers were ready to lay down arms," the President said. The President assured that he was not at all prepared to compromise the security of the country and the safety of the people and was not ready to hand over the country to a terrorist organisation. The President further said, "I don’t wish at all to wage war against the people of the country. My determination is to defeat terrorism. If the LTTE lay down arms at any moment I am ready to work with them to achieve peace," adds Colombo Page.
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June - 29 
According to Brigadier de Silva the completion of Operation ‘Rice Bowl’ also marked the liberation of 153 irrigation systems including tanks, canals and waterways fed by the 23 square kilometre Giant Tank. The troops have been able to liberate populated areas in the Mannar district with the liberati
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According to Brigadier de Silva the completion of Operation ‘Rice Bowl’ also marked the liberation of 153 irrigation systems including tanks, canals and waterways fed by the 23 square kilometre Giant Tank. The troops have been able to liberate populated areas in the Mannar district with the liberation of more than 20 civilian habitations. They include Manthai, Manthotam, Adampan Pallikuli, Karukkandalkulam, Vellankulam, Vaddakkandal, Alankulam, Andankulam, Parappakandattan, Tenvadaiyan, Minnukulam, Uyilankulam and Oddupalan. “Troops of the 58 Division had to cross massive open areas across fallow paddy lands to capture some of the strategically important military bases like Andankulam and Parappakandattan,” the Brigadier explained. It also marked the liberation of the Vellankulam - Andankulam road connecting to the Mannar Pooneryn A-32 road at the 12th mile post and the Vellankulam - Adampan - Pappamoddai road used as the main supply routes to the LTTE operating in the Mannar ‘Rice Bowl’. The soldiers attached to the 58 Division are further advancing towards the North after the successful completion of Operation Rice Bowl.
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June - 29 
President Mahinda Rajapakse expressed no interest in easing off his military's offensive against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Daily News reported. "There are calls for a cease-fire when the terrorists face defeat. I will not allow anyone to curtail the forward march of the troops," R
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President Mahinda Rajapakse expressed no interest in easing off his military's offensive against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Daily News reported. "There are calls for a cease-fire when the terrorists face defeat. I will not allow anyone to curtail the forward march of the troops," Rajapakse said on June 29.
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June - 29 
The Hindu reports that amid claims of major advances into the LTTE- controlled territory in the Mannar district in the north, the Sri Lankan military on June 29 reported influx of civilians from LTTE-held areas into the government-controlled side. In a statement in Colombo, the Defence Ministry said
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The Hindu reports that amid claims of major advances into the LTTE- controlled territory in the Mannar district in the north, the Sri Lankan military on June 29 reported influx of civilians from LTTE-held areas into the government-controlled side. In a statement in Colombo, the Defence Ministry said, “It is observed that Tamil civilians fleeing LTTE-held areas continuously reaching towards security forces seeing protection for their lives as they are living under severe life risk in LTTE areas. As the troops captured almost all the terror strongholds in Mannar front, an escalation of civilian movement towards government-controlled areas can be observed”.
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June - 30 
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has "lost their capability of fighting as a conventional army" because of the offensive the military is waging against them, Army Chief Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka said, according to IANS. "The LTTE has lost the capability of fighting as a conventional army. A
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The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has "lost their capability of fighting as a conventional army" because of the offensive the military is waging against them, Army Chief Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka said, according to IANS. "The LTTE has lost the capability of fighting as a conventional army. Although they are (still) fighting us, they (are) not in the same manner as was in the past. That type of resistance is not there anymore," Fonseka told members of the Foreign Correspondents Association on June 30. He said that although the LTTE's fighting capabilities had been badly weakened, it would take another one year or so "to completely defeat them militarily". Claiming that not less than 9,000 militants have been killed in clashes with Sri Lankan troops since August 2006, the Army Chief said that government troops "are now working on the overall plan of completely defeating the LTTE militarily", not just capturing fresh territories. "We do not just go for terrains, but we go for the kill. This is the difference between the military operations in the past and the present," he added. Commenting on the ongoing military operations in the North, the Army Chief said the troops had regained several hundred square kilometres where the Tigers held sway. He said the troops were just four kilometres short of the LTTE's strategic Sea Tiger base at Vedithalthivu in the north-western coastal belt in the Mannar district. "I am sure the LTTE will totally lose even their present capability in less than one year. Then they will resort to a totally different type of tactic," Fonseka said.
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June - 30 
The security forces engaged in the Wanni liberation operation, entered a decisive phase on June 30 as the troops created the biggest ever military front to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the western flank of Wanni with two Army divisions that independently operated in Mannar and Vavu
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The security forces engaged in the Wanni liberation operation, entered a decisive phase on June 30 as the troops created the biggest ever military front to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the western flank of Wanni with two Army divisions that independently operated in Mannar and Vavuniya linking together from southeast of Periyamadu. With the successful completion of the liberation of the Mannar ‘Rice Bowl’ the troops attached to the 58 Division in Mannar made this strategic move, moving further towards North East of Mannar to link with the 57 Division troops operating South of Periyamadu. "With the linkage of the two Divisions, infantry battalions engaged in the Wanni liberation operation created a 75 km long massive military front from the West of A-9 road in the Western flank of Wanni front," General Officer Commanding of the 58 Division Brigadier Shavendra Silva told Daily News. "With this move the Security Forces operating in the Mannar sector are now positioned some two and half kilometres South of Vedithalthivu," he stated, adding, "We will continue to keep the pressure on the LTTE further and will take measures to counter their attacks and take maximum killings." The troops attached to 57 and 58 Divisions have so far liberated 1,084 square kilometres in Vavuniya, Mannar and Mullaitivu districts.
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July - 1 
The London based Observer magazine mentioned that by targeting innocent civilians the LTTE are fast losing whatever sympathies they had earlier. Daily News quoting from the article ‘Lost in Paradise’ reported that the Tigers "are going for the softest targets of all, the impoverished working people
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The London based Observer magazine mentioned that by targeting innocent civilians the LTTE are fast losing whatever sympathies they had earlier. Daily News quoting from the article ‘Lost in Paradise’ reported that the Tigers "are going for the softest targets of all, the impoverished working people of Sri Lanka."
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July - 1 
The TMVP spokesperson Azath Maulana, lashing out at the EPDP said the party had now become frustrated as it had failed to secure any seat at the Eastern Provincial Council Elections. "The TMVP has clearly been elected by the people in the east and the EPDP cannot accept the fact that they have been
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The TMVP spokesperson Azath Maulana, lashing out at the EPDP said the party had now become frustrated as it had failed to secure any seat at the Eastern Provincial Council Elections. "The TMVP has clearly been elected by the people in the east and the EPDP cannot accept the fact that they have been rejected. The EPDP has started a mud slinging campaign against us and has also resorted to harassing several businessmen in the east. We have already informed the police about this," he said, and denied TMVP involvement in any violence and added it was the EPDP which had carried out several attacks against TMVP cadres. He also warned that they too would resort to action if the EPDP did not stop its mud slinging campaign.
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July - 1 
Unidentified militants opened fire at an Air Force helicopter flying across the Ampara area on July 1-afternoon, said the Media Centre for National Security, according to Colombo Page. The US-built Bell 414 helicopter made an emergency landing at Arugam Bay due to a sudden loss of fuel. The Air Forc
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Unidentified militants opened fire at an Air Force helicopter flying across the Ampara area on July 1-afternoon, said the Media Centre for National Security, according to Colombo Page. The US-built Bell 414 helicopter made an emergency landing at Arugam Bay due to a sudden loss of fuel. The Air Force suspects that the helicopter had been fired upon while it was on its way from Ampara to Arugam Bay.
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July - 3 
The LTTE ruled out the possibility of any reconciliation with Karuna Amman and termed such reports as mere rumours. "Speaking about Karuna is a waste of time. We will never take him back. There are other more important issues which could be discussed other than such baseless reports," the LTTE milit
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The LTTE ruled out the possibility of any reconciliation with Karuna Amman and termed such reports as mere rumours. "Speaking about Karuna is a waste of time. We will never take him back. There are other more important issues which could be discussed other than such baseless reports," the LTTE military spokesperson, RasiahIlanthirayan said, adding, that the LTTE did not need an alliance to regain the east and warned the LTTE would recapture the area soon. The TMVP also ruled out that Karuna would rejoin the LTTE. "We are confident that Karuna will not join the LTTE as he has rejected the Tigers’ policies and leadership. If anyone thinks that a Karuna-LTTE alliance is in the making, then I have to tell them that it would be the biggest joke of the year," Azad Maulana told Daily Mirror.
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July - 4 
The Government forces are on the verge of defeating the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), said ‘Colonel’ Karuna, founder of the TamileelaMakkalViduthalaiPulikal (TMVP), an LTTE breakaway faction presently led by Eastern Provincial Council (EPC) Chief Minister Pillayan. In an exclusive intervi
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The Government forces are on the verge of defeating the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), said ‘Colonel’ Karuna, founder of the TamileelaMakkalViduthalaiPulikal (TMVP), an LTTE breakaway faction presently led by Eastern Provincial Council (EPC) Chief Minister Pillayan. In an exclusive interview with BBC Sandeshaya, Karuna said the LTTE is 'very weak' in the face of continuous military offensive. "The LTTE are now only maintaining a defence line. They can't launch any offensive. They are very weak now," Karuna said. He, however, said that it will take some time for the military to defeat the LTTE. "It will not happen in the next few months. We have to work together to win this war," he stressed. Karuna also revealed that he would meet President Mahinda Rajapakse and the ministers in his administration in the near future. "We are a party in the government alliance. Everybody knows that," he said. "We are not only representing the eastern Tamils. We represent all Tamils in Sri Lanka," he noted. He also said that he is ‘very happy' that his deputy, Pillayan, is appointed as the EPC Chief Minister and insisted that he has no plans to replace TMVP deputy leader (Pillayan) as the new Chief Minister. Pillayan who had earlier told BBC Sandeshaya that he would offer the post to Karuna, if he returns to the country on July 4 said that there was no need to hand over his reigns to party leader.
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July - 6 
Insisting that he still remained the leader of the TamileelaMakkalViduthalaiPulikal (TMVP), Karuna on July 6 admitted there was an attempt by some top government officials to split the outfit without the knowledge of President Mahinda Rajapakse. "I admit there is an attempt by certain government off
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Insisting that he still remained the leader of the TamileelaMakkalViduthalaiPulikal (TMVP), Karuna on July 6 admitted there was an attempt by some top government officials to split the outfit without the knowledge of President Mahinda Rajapakse. "I admit there is an attempt by certain government officials to create a rift in the TMVP. They are worried about how strong we are. But all this is happening without the President’s knowledge. The President needs us. I will take this up with him," Karuna told Daily Mirror. He said the TMVP will look at contesting polls not just in the East but other provinces as well with the intension of entering parliament and becoming a strong political force in the country. Karuna pointed out that by his release from jail his name had been cleared of human rights allegations and also insisted that he never framed Defence Secretary GotabhayaRajapakse or any other government official during court proceedings in London over how he obtained a false passport to enter Britain illegally.
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July - 6 
The political leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), P. Nadesan, categorically denied claims that the Tigers have been weakened. "It was a vicious propaganda by the Sri Lanka Government," he said in an interview with a newspaper. He also urged Tamil Nadu (Indian State) Chief Minister
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The political leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), P. Nadesan, categorically denied claims that the Tigers have been weakened. "It was a vicious propaganda by the Sri Lanka Government," he said in an interview with a newspaper. He also urged Tamil Nadu (Indian State) Chief Minister Karunanidhi to come forward and assist their struggle to establish a Tamil Eelam state and expressed regret that India was providing help to the Sri Lankan Government. "The 80 million Tamil people in the world expect the Indian Government [to] understand the atrocities of the Sinhala Army and stop providing military hardware to Sri Lanka," he claimed.
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July - 7 
Colombo Page reports that Sri Lanka Army reopened the Omanthai entry/exit point, the southernmost entrance between the cleared areas (area under Government control) and the non-liberated areas (area not under Government control) in the Northern Province, at 3.15 pm (SST). According to the defence so
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Colombo Page reports that Sri Lanka Army reopened the Omanthai entry/exit point, the southernmost entrance between the cleared areas (area under Government control) and the non-liberated areas (area not under Government control) in the Northern Province, at 3.15 pm (SST). According to the defence sources, the ICRC officials also opened their offices at the point. The entry/ exit point remained closed since July 1 as the ICRC officials opted to close their offices on security reasons claiming that Sri Lanka Air Force had carried out air raids at LTTE targets located close to their offices in the area.
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July - 7 
Media Minister Lakshman YapaAbeywardene said on July 7 that there could be a terrorist attack in the country within the next 48 hours, according to Daily News. He said intelligence agencies have informed the Government of possible terrorist attacks within the next 48 hours and all police stations an
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Media Minister Lakshman YapaAbeywardene said on July 7 that there could be a terrorist attack in the country within the next 48 hours, according to Daily News. He said intelligence agencies have informed the Government of possible terrorist attacks within the next 48 hours and all police stations and army camps have been put on alert. Police said they have received information that the LTTE is planning attacks in the South, Colombo Page added.
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July - 7 
The government on July 7 insisted that any future peace talks would take place with the participation of all Tamil political parties in the country and not solely with the LTTE, according to South Asian Media Net. Government maintained that the LTTE would have to accept the condition as it (LTTE); w
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The government on July 7 insisted that any future peace talks would take place with the participation of all Tamil political parties in the country and not solely with the LTTE, according to South Asian Media Net. Government maintained that the LTTE would have to accept the condition as it (LTTE); was not the sole representative of the Tamil people. The LTTE, however, ruled out such a possibility stating that it would enter negotiations with only the Government, through the facilitation of the Norwegians and not with the presence of any other political party in the country. “The LTTE has been fighting for the rights of the Tamils. Such a condition laid down by the Government is just another tactic to evade peace talks”, LTTE military spokesperson RasiahIlanthirayan said.
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July - 8 
The Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) has accused that the massive daily intrusion of fishermen from Tamil Nadu in southern India into the Sri Lankan waters very near Mannar and Jaffna is posing a major security threat to north Sri Lanka. "They not only poach fish, but smuggle in fuel and other war-like material
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The Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) has accused that the massive daily intrusion of fishermen from Tamil Nadu in southern India into the Sri Lankan waters very near Mannar and Jaffna is posing a major security threat to north Sri Lanka. "They not only poach fish, but smuggle in fuel and other war-like material for the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam)," SLN spokesman Commodore DKP Dassanayake told New Indian Express in Colombo on July 8. For example, between June 6, 2007 and July 7, 2008, as many as 6,839 Indian fishing boats were seen off the north Sri Lankan coast, especially Thalaimannar, Pesalai and Delft island, he said, adding that "These boats carry fuel, bicycle balls and explosives for the LTTE. Several of them have been seen heading towards Vedithalthivu and other places, presently under the control of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. We also learn that each boat gives 20 litres of fuel as a bribe to the LTTE to be able to fish in this area. Just imagine the amount of fuel that the LTTE must be getting on a daily basis from these fishermen."
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July - 9 
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has started to extort Government servants living in un-cleared areas (area not under Government control) forcing them to contribute SLR 4000 from their salary to the coffers of the outfit, military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said on July 9 based
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The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has started to extort Government servants living in un-cleared areas (area not under Government control) forcing them to contribute SLR 4000 from their salary to the coffers of the outfit, military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said on July 9 based on the information from civilians fleeing the un-cleared areas, according to Daily News. "Even the pensioners have not been left out of this, as they too are forced to contribute Rs. 4,000 out of their pension," Nanayakkara added. He also said that civilians living under severe pressure of the LTTE were now fleeing to the cleared areas in large numbers. "Five hundred and seventy seven civilians have already arrived in the cleared areas within this year alone with a large number of civilians reaching Government controlled areas within the first week of this month," he added. Brigadier Nanayakkara also said that an estimated 200000 civilians in the un-cleared areas are living under severe pressure as the LTTE has made it compulsory for the civilians aged 17 to 50 to undergo 10 days of military training. "There is an indication that the LTTE is making a major effort to defend their remaining strongholds in the Wanni and recalling ex-LTTE cadres back to the organisation for this exercise," the Brigadier added. He said a number of LTTE cadres have surrendered to the security forces within the past few weeks as members of the outfit are beginning to realise the futility of their mission.
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July - 10 
Government spokesman and Minister KeheliyaRambukwella said on July 10 that the TamileelaMakkalViduthalaiPulikal (TMVP) leader ‘Colonel’ Karuna Amman will be interrogated only if there is a necessity pertaining to his involvement in the mass killing of over 400 policemen in Muttur in 1990, according
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Government spokesman and Minister KeheliyaRambukwella said on July 10 that the TamileelaMakkalViduthalaiPulikal (TMVP) leader ‘Colonel’ Karuna Amman will be interrogated only if there is a necessity pertaining to his involvement in the mass killing of over 400 policemen in Muttur in 1990, according to Daily Mirror. Earlier, in an interview with Daily Mirror, Karuna had admitted that the policemen were in his custody at the time he was still part of the LTTE but added that they were killed after he handed them over to LTTE intelligence chief Pottu Amman. “They were not supposed to be killed. I was told to hand them over to Pottu Amman to be taken to Jaffna. Later I learnt they were shot dead on the way to Jaffna. I had no direct hand in their killing. Yes it was something that should not have happened but I was not directly involved,” Karuna had claimed.
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July - 10 
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has expressed readiness for a cease-fire and peace talks with the Sri Lankan Government. The outfit’s political wing leader, B. Nadesan, in a telephonic interview to Times Now television channel on July 10 said, 'It is the Sri Lankan State that unilaterall
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The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has expressed readiness for a cease-fire and peace talks with the Sri Lankan Government. The outfit’s political wing leader, B. Nadesan, in a telephonic interview to Times Now television channel on July 10 said, 'It is the Sri Lankan State that unilaterally abrogated the ceasefire agreement and is unleashing a war against the Tamils in their homeland. We are not against ceasefire or peace talks." On the recent escalation of war in Sri Lanka and LTTE's strategy to face it, he said: "We always use various military strategies according to the political and military conditions on the ground. Tamil people are giving full support to our struggle. We are confident we can pass any obstacle in the freedom struggle with the help of our people." He denied that his outfit suffered huge losses due to the escalation and its morale was at the lowest ebb and brushed aside claims by the Sri Lankan Army that LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran would be captured alive soon and said "our leader is carrying on his work."
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July - 11 
The LTTE’s website Tamil Net claimed the number of people displaced in Wanni continues to rise as homes have come under artillery fire. "More than 1,00,000 people within the Wanni area have been displaced since the clashes restarted in mid-2006. Many of the displaced are forced to live in the open s
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The LTTE’s website Tamil Net claimed the number of people displaced in Wanni continues to rise as homes have come under artillery fire. "More than 1,00,000 people within the Wanni area have been displaced since the clashes restarted in mid-2006. Many of the displaced are forced to live in the open space. Shortage of fuel affects the transport of drinking water to the IDPs," it said. The LTTE said the shortages were "imposed" by the Government and could easily be rectified.
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July - 12 
Addressing journalists in Andhra Pradesh during his visit to India, President Mahinda Rajapakse said on July 12 that his Government was ready to resume talks with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) provided it laid down arms, reports Daily News. He said the LTTE should give up terrorist act
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Addressing journalists in Andhra Pradesh during his visit to India, President Mahinda Rajapakse said on July 12 that his Government was ready to resume talks with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) provided it laid down arms, reports Daily News. He said the LTTE should give up terrorist activities and come to the negotiating table in the interest of the nation.
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July - 13 
The TamileelaMakkalViduthalaiPuligal (TMVP) spokesman, AzathMoulana, on July 13 denied media reports over a leadership struggle in the party and reaffirmed that ‘Colonel’ Karuna Amman remains the leader of the party, according to Colombo Page. He also said that Pillayan will continue to act as the d
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The TamileelaMakkalViduthalaiPuligal (TMVP) spokesman, AzathMoulana, on July 13 denied media reports over a leadership struggle in the party and reaffirmed that ‘Colonel’ Karuna Amman remains the leader of the party, according to Colombo Page. He also said that Pillayan will continue to act as the deputy leader of the party. A meeting between Karuna and Pillayan has reportedly taken place at an undisclosed location on July 12. Meanwhile, the TMVP has nominated the Batticaloa Mayor, Sivageetha Prabhakaran, to the All Party Representative Committee (APRC). The APRC which was set up to discuss issues pertaining to the resolution of the ethnic conflict in the North and East is to meet next week after a long hiatus, said official sources.
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July - 13 
Plans are under way to resettle the remaining Internally Displace Persons (IDPs) in the Eastern Province in their native places in the wake of a peaceful atmosphere prevailing in the province, Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services Minister RishadBadhiutheen said, according to Daily News. Badhiut
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Plans are under way to resettle the remaining Internally Displace Persons (IDPs) in the Eastern Province in their native places in the wake of a peaceful atmosphere prevailing in the province, Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services Minister RishadBadhiutheen said, according to Daily News. Badhiutheen stated that 34,341 IDP families consisting 112,702 persons were resettled in 2007 in Vavunathivu, Vellevely, Vakarai, Pattipola, Chenkalady and Verugal Divisional Secretariat Divisions in the Batticaloa district.
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July - 14 
Environment Minister ChampikaRanawake on July 14 accused that India had given military training to some 29000 Tamil youth and regardless of diplomatic norms had used LTTE terrorism to interfere with the 1984 government, according to Daily Mirror. Addressing the media he said India helped the LTTE to
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Environment Minister ChampikaRanawake on July 14 accused that India had given military training to some 29000 Tamil youth and regardless of diplomatic norms had used LTTE terrorism to interfere with the 1984 government, according to Daily Mirror. Addressing the media he said India helped the LTTE to take up arms and boost itself, when the Sri Lankan army with a strength of 15000 soldiers was not able to control the LTTE then.
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July - 14 
The LTTE since 2007 has been conscripting boys and girls who had just reached 17 years for war and by now 30 per cent of those recruited with the adults have been killed, stated the University Teachers for Human Rights-Jaffna, according to Daily News.
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The LTTE since 2007 has been conscripting boys and girls who had just reached 17 years for war and by now 30 per cent of those recruited with the adults have been killed, stated the University Teachers for Human Rights-Jaffna, according to Daily News.
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July - 15 
The Tamil MakkalViduthalaiPulikal (TMVP) leader, ‘Colonel’ Karuna Amman toured Batticaloa and said that the aim of his visit is to thank the people who voted his party to victory in two elections in his absence and to streamline the administrative matters of his party, Colombo Page reported. Speakin
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The Tamil MakkalViduthalaiPulikal (TMVP) leader, ‘Colonel’ Karuna Amman toured Batticaloa and said that the aim of his visit is to thank the people who voted his party to victory in two elections in his absence and to streamline the administrative matters of his party, Colombo Page reported. Speaking to the media he said that there is no leadership dispute in his party or between him and Pillayan, the present Chief Minister of the province. He further stated that he would even resign from his post if he finds another individual who is more suitable than him for the party leadership. He also expressed his gratitude towards the President and the Defence Secretary for helping his party to progress in democratic stream of politics. He added that his intention is to ensure democratic rights of the Tamil people.
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July - 15 
While reaffirming its commitment to resuming peace negotiations with the Government, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) said on July 15 that it would not disarm before such negotiations took place, as had been insisted on by President Mahinda Rajapakse, according to South Asian Media Net. T
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While reaffirming its commitment to resuming peace negotiations with the Government, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) said on July 15 that it would not disarm before such negotiations took place, as had been insisted on by President Mahinda Rajapakse, according to South Asian Media Net. The LTTE military spokesperson, RasiahIlanthirayan, said the conditions put forward by the Government were unrealistic, and claimed that it was the Government that had so far hindered the immediate resumption of peace talks. "We have always been ready for talks, and we have even conveyed this to the Norwegians and the international community. But we cannot disarm for the sake of a ceasefire agreement. That is out. If the Government wants talks, they have to take us as we are; since we are not the ones who abrogated the ceasefire agreement with which we had no problem," Ilanthirayan said, adding, the President’s military approach to overcome the LTTE would never succeed as the cadres were "as strong as ever". A day earlier, President Mahinda Rajapakse had said the LTTE were playing for time and, since they were weak, were prepared to go for talks in order to have a respite to regroup and gather strength to fight on.
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July - 16 
The Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka told Daily News that the capture of Vedithalthivu was a remarkable victory and the troops are now advancing towards Illuppukadavai, the next Sea Tiger base in the Western coast confining Sea Tiger activities in the Western coast to the Northern most part
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The Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka told Daily News that the capture of Vedithalthivu was a remarkable victory and the troops are now advancing towards Illuppukadavai, the next Sea Tiger base in the Western coast confining Sea Tiger activities in the Western coast to the Northern most part of the Western coast towards Nachchakuda. At least 20 militants were killed as the Army troops along with the SLAF launched an attack on a convoy of LTTE while it was moving along A-32 Mannar-Pooneryn road on July 15, reports Sri Lanka Army. The fleeing militants left abandoned several damaged vehicles, the report added.
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July - 16 
The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) said that they had destroyed two fleeing LTTE boats off Vidattaltive shores using MI-24 attack helicopters. Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said the two boats fleeing with LTTE cadres aboard were destroyed four kilometres north of Vedithalthivu. Another Sea Tiger bas
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The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) said that they had destroyed two fleeing LTTE boats off Vidattaltive shores using MI-24 attack helicopters. Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said the two boats fleeing with LTTE cadres aboard were destroyed four kilometres north of Vedithalthivu. Another Sea Tiger base 40-kilometers north of Vidattaltive identified as Wallaipadu, which had been used by fleeing LTTE cadres to regroup, too had been targeted by the SLAF jets, he added. He also confirmed that over 20 militants had died in the SLAF air raid one kilometre north of Vidattaltive on July 15.
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July - 16 
The troops on July 16-noon captured the biggest Sea Tiger [sea wing of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)] base in the North Western coastal town of Vedithalthivu in Mannar for the first time after the early 1990’s. More than 70 to 80 militants were killed during the past few days, the Gene
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The troops on July 16-noon captured the biggest Sea Tiger [sea wing of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)] base in the North Western coastal town of Vedithalthivu in Mannar for the first time after the early 1990’s. More than 70 to 80 militants were killed during the past few days, the General Officer Commanding of the 58 Division Brigadier Silva told Daily News, adding, “The LTTE is losing their biggest logistic base and the supplies from Mannar with the capture of Vedithalthivu.” The troops focused the LTTE pockets when capturing Vedithalthivu and targeted the fleeing militants further north of Vedithalthivu towards Illuppukadavai and Vellankulam, the Brigadier added.
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July - 17 
The TamileelaMakkalViduthalaiPulikal (TMVP) leader ‘Colonel’ Karuna Amman has said that the members of his group no longer need to carry arms as they are totally satisfied with the security given to them by the Government. In an interview to Daily News on July 17, Karuna said that he has already dis
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The TamileelaMakkalViduthalaiPulikal (TMVP) leader ‘Colonel’ Karuna Amman has said that the members of his group no longer need to carry arms as they are totally satisfied with the security given to them by the Government. In an interview to Daily News on July 17, Karuna said that he has already discussed with the defence authorities to bring his qualified and willing cadres to the SFs, Police and Home Guards. "We have already started that process of recruiting our cadres to the Security Forces and the Police from the Trincomalee district," he added. "Now we have entered into mainstream politics and there is no need to have arms. I have instructed the cadres, who are not willing to join the Security Forces and the Police to reunite with their families", Karuna further added.
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July - 17 
The Sri Lankan Navy (SLN) on July 17 claimed to have "rescued’ an Indian national, who was under LTTE detention for the last five and a half years, while he was fleeing to India on a boat. The SLN said the Indian national had come to Sri Lanka in 2003 with three other Indians on valid visas and trav
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The Sri Lankan Navy (SLN) on July 17 claimed to have "rescued’ an Indian national, who was under LTTE detention for the last five and a half years, while he was fleeing to India on a boat. The SLN said the Indian national had come to Sri Lanka in 2003 with three other Indians on valid visas and travelled to Kilinochchi to visit relatives. However, they were reportedly ‘arrested’ by the LTTE.
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July - 18 
Government defence spokesman Minister KeheliyaRambukwella has said that the next target of the SFs is to liberate Kilinochchi from LTTE clutches. Pointing out that the LTTE is now confined to Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu and a small stretch of land in Vavuniya, the defence spokesman said, "The Security F
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Government defence spokesman Minister KeheliyaRambukwella has said that the next target of the SFs is to liberate Kilinochchi from LTTE clutches. Pointing out that the LTTE is now confined to Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu and a small stretch of land in Vavuniya, the defence spokesman said, "The Security Forces engaged in operations in the North are on a high morale following the recent victories, whereas the LTTE has been defeated continuously. There were people who once claimed that we cannot liberate the East or Mavil Aru, and must therefore share the water with the LTTE. We would like to tell them that the time of sharing things with the LTTE is now over." he said.
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July - 18 
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) had now lost nearly two thirds of its manpower and land area to the security forces (SFs), Army Commander Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka said on July 18, reports Daily News. He quoting intelligence sources said the SFs had now totally liberated the East and a sma
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The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) had now lost nearly two thirds of its manpower and land area to the security forces (SFs), Army Commander Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka said on July 18, reports Daily News. He quoting intelligence sources said the SFs had now totally liberated the East and a small land area in two Northern Districts remained to be liberated from the LTTE at present. Fonseka said the LTTE cadres restricted to a small area in the two Northern districts were fighting with the advancing SFs using nearly 200,000 innocent Tamils as a human shield. He also said that the LTTE, which has been severely weakened was now engaged in recruiting innocent children and Tamil elders to its ranks.
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July - 21 
Balasingham Nadesan, chief of the political wing, has said that peace talks with the Sri Lanka Government are impossible. In an e-mail interview from Kilinochchi, Nadesan told Associated Press on July 21, "It is impossible to hold peace talks when one party, the Government of Sri Lanka, is undertaki
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Balasingham Nadesan, chief of the political wing, has said that peace talks with the Sri Lanka Government are impossible. In an e-mail interview from Kilinochchi, Nadesan told Associated Press on July 21, "It is impossible to hold peace talks when one party, the Government of Sri Lanka, is undertaking large-scale military offensives." Pointing out that the outfit does not consider the military attacks a threat, he added, "We have always used many different tactics and strategies to deal with such offensives. We have repeatedly demonstrated our ability to convert the Sri Lankan Government offensives into our favor… Our forces will undertake any military actions that are needed to evict the occupying Sri Lankan armed forces from our homeland."
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July - 21 
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on July 21 announced that they would observe a unilateral cease-fire during the period of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit from July 26 to August 4, reports Tamil Net. The outfit’s political wing said in a press statement
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The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on July 21 announced that they would observe a unilateral cease-fire during the period of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit from July 26 to August 4, reports Tamil Net. The outfit’s political wing said in a press statement issued from Wanni that, “As a sign of this goodwill, our movement is glad to inform that it will observe a unilateral cease-fire that is devoid of military actions during the period of the SAARC conference from 26th July to 4th August and give our cooperation for the success of the conference. At the same time if the occupying Sinhala forces, disrespecting our goodwill gesture of our people and our nation, carry out any offensives, our movement will be forced to take defensive actions.”
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July - 22 
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama told Parliament on July 22 that the Government would not enter into any agreement with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) although they have declared a unilateral cease-fire during the period of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC
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Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama told Parliament on July 22 that the Government would not enter into any agreement with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) although they have declared a unilateral cease-fire during the period of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit, according to Daily News. The Minister said the Government will continue with the measures taken against the LTTE so far. He also said that the Government would never discuss in this regard with the LTTE and would not accept the truce agreements declared by the LTTE. The Hindu reported that the Government’s chief negotiator, Nimal Siripal Silva, as saying that the Government was not ready for a cease-fire as it would provide "oxygen" to the LTTE, which has been cornered by the military. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s Foreign Secretary, Palitha Kohona, in response to the offer said, "We would like to see a firm commitment on the part of the LTTE for a settlement of this conflict and a similar commitment to a demobilization process. We have experienced the LTTE’s cease fire offers earlier, which were used to regroup and rearm, creating greater havoc than before," adds Colombo Page.
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July - 23 
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama during a meeting with his Australian counterpart Stephen Smith on the sidelines of the 15th ASEAN Regional Forum in Singapore on July 23 expressed serious concern over the activities of the LTTE and its front organizations in the Sri Lankan Diaspora in Australia,
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Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama during a meeting with his Australian counterpart Stephen Smith on the sidelines of the 15th ASEAN Regional Forum in Singapore on July 23 expressed serious concern over the activities of the LTTE and its front organizations in the Sri Lankan Diaspora in Australia, according to Daily News. Citing the ongoing criminal prosecution against three Australians of Sri Lankan origin on charges relating to raising funds for terrorism as well as the recent arrest of another Australian in Melbourne, at the request of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, as significant steps by Australia to support the global fight against terrorism, Bogollagama urged the Australia to proscribe the LTTE as a terrorist organisation.
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July - 24 
A vertical dam is being constructed around what is thought to be LTTE chief’s Velupillai Prabhakaran’s bunker in Wanni in order to construct a deep underground railway tunnel, as an escape plan in the event the SFs capture Kilinochchi, intelligence sources told Daily Mirror.
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A vertical dam is being constructed around what is thought to be LTTE chief’s Velupillai Prabhakaran’s bunker in Wanni in order to construct a deep underground railway tunnel, as an escape plan in the event the SFs capture Kilinochchi, intelligence sources told Daily Mirror.
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July - 24 
Information and Media Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa said on July 24 there is no truth in allegations that the Government has stopped air raids on the LTTE facilities, reports Daily News. Further, the Minister of Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion, Sarath Amunugama, reiterated in Pa
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Information and Media Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa said on July 24 there is no truth in allegations that the Government has stopped air raids on the LTTE facilities, reports Daily News. Further, the Minister of Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion, Sarath Amunugama, reiterated in Parliament that the Government has no intention of coming to a truce with the LTTE, adds Colombo Page.
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July - 25 
The Government is firmly committed to a political solution, while it is convinced that military action is necessary to implement an equitable political solution, the Export Development and International Trade Minister Professor G.L. Peiris said on July 25, according to Daily News. The challenge is t
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The Government is firmly committed to a political solution, while it is convinced that military action is necessary to implement an equitable political solution, the Export Development and International Trade Minister Professor G.L. Peiris said on July 25, according to Daily News. The challenge is to strike the right balance between the political and military elements in an overall strategy, the Minister added.
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July - 25 
The visiting European Parliament delegation leader Robert Evans said that the LTTE should disarm and come to the negotiations table for a peaceful solution as terrorism has no place or legacy anywhere in the world. Addressing the media in Colombo, Evans said the LTTE should agree to a long-term truc
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The visiting European Parliament delegation leader Robert Evans said that the LTTE should disarm and come to the negotiations table for a peaceful solution as terrorism has no place or legacy anywhere in the world. Addressing the media in Colombo, Evans said the LTTE should agree to a long-term truce.
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July - 26 
President Mahinda Rajapakse said on July 26 that the day on which the oppressed masses of Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu could enjoy the same freedom and the liberty enjoyed by the Eastern polity was not too far away, Daily News reported. Speaking at a public rally in Anuradhapura, he also rejected the
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President Mahinda Rajapakse said on July 26 that the day on which the oppressed masses of Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu could enjoy the same freedom and the liberty enjoyed by the Eastern polity was not too far away, Daily News reported. Speaking at a public rally in Anuradhapura, he also rejected the cease-fire proclaimed unilaterally by the LTTE recently to mark the SAARC summit in Colombo.
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July - 27 
Colombo Page reports that Sri Lanka defence officials said on July 27 that the LTTE had obtained "a large number of vehicles" belonging to the Norwegian Peoples Aid (NPA), an international non-governmental organization operating in the North. The vehicles, including few earth moving vehicles, trucks
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Colombo Page reports that Sri Lanka defence officials said on July 27 that the LTTE had obtained "a large number of vehicles" belonging to the Norwegian Peoples Aid (NPA), an international non-governmental organization operating in the North. The vehicles, including few earth moving vehicles, trucks, jeeps, tractors, and motorbikes, were being used for bunker construction, transporting of LTTE leaders etc. NPA is one of Norway's largest non-governmental organisations, involved in more than 400 projects in 30 countries.
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July - 27 
Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse told Sunday Island that the LTTE is in disarray. He asserted that they (LTTE) are falling apart like a pack of cards and fleeing for safety leaving behind heavy guns and artillery as never seen before.
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Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse told Sunday Island that the LTTE is in disarray. He asserted that they (LTTE) are falling apart like a pack of cards and fleeing for safety leaving behind heavy guns and artillery as never seen before.
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July - 27 
The Tamil Democratic National Alliance (TDNA) delegation led by the Tamil United Liberation Front Leader Veerasingham Anandasangaree told the visiting European Union delegation that the current military operations by the SFs in the Wanni have weakened the LTTE terribly and reports from Kilinochchi i
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The Tamil Democratic National Alliance (TDNA) delegation led by the Tamil United Liberation Front Leader Veerasingham Anandasangaree told the visiting European Union delegation that the current military operations by the SFs in the Wanni have weakened the LTTE terribly and reports from Kilinochchi indicate that the outfit is in complete disarray as they are unable to face the advancing troops, Sunday Observer reports. The TDNA confirmed that the SFs were gaining control in the LTTE’s last bastion Wanni and the outfit was heading towards its `Waterloo’, when the European Union Parliamentarians met the TDNA members in Colombo on Friday.
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July - 29 
Daily News reports that, in the wake of the intensified military operations and Government forces’ taking control of virtually the entire Mannar district, over a hundred thousand people have evacuated their homes and moved to the heartland of LTTE-controlled Kilinochchi district as displaced refugee
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Daily News reports that, in the wake of the intensified military operations and Government forces’ taking control of virtually the entire Mannar district, over a hundred thousand people have evacuated their homes and moved to the heartland of LTTE-controlled Kilinochchi district as displaced refugees, said Tamil media and education ministry sources, adding that about 55 schools in the Wanni region have been closed to accommodate the families. People in Mannar-Kilinochchi and Mannar-Mullaitivu borders are also evacuating their homes and moving as displaced refuges, the sources added. 35 schools in the Mannar Madhu zone and 20 schools in both the Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi districts have been closed.
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July - 30 
The Standing Committee — Foreign Secretaries of the eight Member-States — of the 15th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit in Colombo on July 30 "strongly recommended" expeditious adoption of the "U.N. draft comprehensive convention against international terrorism," The Hi
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The Standing Committee — Foreign Secretaries of the eight Member-States — of the 15th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit in Colombo on July 30 "strongly recommended" expeditious adoption of the "U.N. draft comprehensive convention against international terrorism," The Hindu reported. On the concluding day of its deliberations, the committee was of the unanimous view that terrorism posed a threat to the entire region and it was time for collective measures to combat it. At a news conference, Sri Lanka’s Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona said the committee also finalised the text of the Treaty for Mutual Assistance on criminal matters incorporating clauses pertaining to terrorism. The U.N. draft against international terrorism introduced by India has been pending approval due to lack of consensus on some aspects, including an acceptable definition of terrorism. Kohona said the agreement on the need for adoption of the comprehensive convention against terrorism would give impetus to the U.N.’s efforts to seek an early approval of the convention.
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July - 31 
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) could still wage a protracted low-intensity insurgency with hidden resources despite a military victory over the outfit, a senior foreign ministry official said. "Defeating the LTTE might not be the end of the story because an organisation like this might
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The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) could still wage a protracted low-intensity insurgency with hidden resources despite a military victory over the outfit, a senior foreign ministry official said. "Defeating the LTTE might not be the end of the story because an organisation like this might still have some resources hidden away," Sri Lanka's Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona told Reuters in an interview. "This might continue to be a problem for us. So the way we are trying to resolve this problem is... by a combination of military and political means," he said. "Our resource base is not that extensive. Our costs will escalate with the recovery of the last two districts in the north," he added.
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August - 2 
30000 persons have been displaced in Wanni due to the fighting and air strikes in the last two months and the region is also experiencing a shortage of medicines and other supplies, the latest UN reports said last week, Sunday Leader reports. "Due to intensified military operations and air strikes,
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30000 persons have been displaced in Wanni due to the fighting and air strikes in the last two months and the region is also experiencing a shortage of medicines and other supplies, the latest UN reports said last week, Sunday Leader reports. "Due to intensified military operations and air strikes, approximately 30,000 people have been displaced in LTTE-controlled Kilinochchi and Mullaithivu over the past two months," the World Food Programme said in a report released in Geneva. Catholic Bishop of Jaffna Rev. Thomas Saundranayagam said the slow movement of supplies into the Wanni through Omanthai in Vavuniya had been compounded by the mass displacements in the last two months. "Most of these persons are from the Mannar District and they have now moved into the Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi Districts. When they first moved into the Akarayan area (south of Kilinochchi) there was no one to take care of them," he said.
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August - 6 
Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse said on August 6 that denying the LTTE access to International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs) and NGOs material was a critical element in Government’s efforts to destroy the terrorist group, according to Ministry of Defence Website. While speaking to The
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Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse said on August 6 that denying the LTTE access to International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs) and NGOs material was a critical element in Government’s efforts to destroy the terrorist group, according to Ministry of Defence Website. While speaking to The Island he said, "The success of military actions would depend on a cohesive strategy to deny them not only arms, ammunition and recruitment but fuel and vehicles too. The LTTE had made use of heavy vehicles which were forcibly taken by the NPA and this is by no mean an isolated case." He added, "The international community had repeatedly called for unrestricted access for INGOs and NGOs operating in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. I have on many occasions pointed out the fallacy of their position. Recent confirmation of NPA vehicles in the LTTE's hands had underscored the urgent need to tighten controls." While welcoming the recent statement issued by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee through its UN Office in Colombo demanding the LTTE to return Norwegian Peoples Aid (NPA) vehicles he emphasised that there was absolutely no doubt the vehicles had been used for transportation of cadres, arms and equipment and building of obstacles to thwart the army advancing on the Wanni fronts. "The tigers would be desperately trying to take anything they could lay their hands on as armed forces intensified pressure on multiple fronts. The NPA vehicles wouldn't have ended up in the hands of the LTTE had the INGOs and NGOs removed vehicles which weren't needed in the LTTE held area," he added further.
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August - 6 
Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake said on August 6 while submitting the proposal to extend emergency that 106 security force personnel and 24 civilians were killed during the past month. He also said, "They (LTTE) were trying to show a good face to the international community and SAARC leaders
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Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake said on August 6 while submitting the proposal to extend emergency that 106 security force personnel and 24 civilians were killed during the past month. He also said, "They (LTTE) were trying to show a good face to the international community and SAARC leaders by announcing a bogus truce," adding, the LTTE broke their own truce by firing mortars at northern Jaffna peninsula's Muhamalai forward defence lines and injuring soldiers during the truce period. Meanwhile, the Parliament extended emergency regulations for another month.
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August - 12 
Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka refuted allegations by the LTTE that civilians in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu are getting killed and injured due to the shelling of the SFs. "The LTTE is holding these civilians as a human shield. We have never fired artillery in to the civilian populated are
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Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka refuted allegations by the LTTE that civilians in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu are getting killed and injured due to the shelling of the SFs. "The LTTE is holding these civilians as a human shield. We have never fired artillery in to the civilian populated areas since these areas are located some 15 Kilometres away from the Forward Defence Lines. The LTTE is shelling these areas and trying to put the blame on us", the Army Commander told Daily News. According to the Army Commander around 200000 people are living in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts along with 30000 displaced civilians and the LTTE is keeping them and providing them military training to be deployed in the Forward Defence Lines.
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August - 12 
Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse said the Army is on target to capture Kilinochchi town in the next four months. "It’s possible by the end of this year. You can’t just push them into the jungles and wait. You have to search for them and completely eradicate them. Only then can peace come," he t
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Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse said the Army is on target to capture Kilinochchi town in the next four months. "It’s possible by the end of this year. You can’t just push them into the jungles and wait. You have to search for them and completely eradicate them. Only then can peace come," he told The Times in London.
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August - 12 
India has warned Sri Lanka that it may not be able to win an ongoing war against the LTTE despite recent military gains, according to AFP. The National Security Advisor (NSA) M.K. Narayanan told Straits Times newspaper that the LTTE had been weakened but retained the ability to stage terrorist strik
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India has warned Sri Lanka that it may not be able to win an ongoing war against the LTTE despite recent military gains, according to AFP. The National Security Advisor (NSA) M.K. Narayanan told Straits Times newspaper that the LTTE had been weakened but retained the ability to stage terrorist strikes. "Our argument is: unless you give Tamils a feeling they have the right to their own destiny in many matters, you will not succeed. (The) LTTE's capacity to carry out terrorist attacks is not diminished," he said. "The (Sri Lankan army) has made a lot of progress in the last few weeks. But even if they win the battle, I am not sure they will win the war. I think they haven't got the Tamil population on their side. I know the Sri Lankan government will be unhappy (at this advice) but... that is the best advice they could get," he added.
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August - 12 
Rejecting the opposition United National Party’s claim that the Government was holding secret talks with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Government Defence Spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told a media briefing in Colombo, "The Government will never go for peace talks unless the
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Rejecting the opposition United National Party’s claim that the Government was holding secret talks with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Government Defence Spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told a media briefing in Colombo, "The Government will never go for peace talks unless the LTTE lays down arms since in our experience the LTTE usually come for peace talks or offers a ceasefire only when they are cornered," Daily News reported. "The LTTE has been practising this strategy for over 25 years. When the LTTE is badly defeated they canvass national and international parties to that they are ready to come to a settlement. The LTTE cannot dupe the Government again by offering peace talks, the Minister said. It is apparent today at a time when the Security Forces are moving closer to the bunker lines of LTTE leader Prabhakaran, the LTTE is showing eagerness for talks or a ceasefire. This has been the case even in the past, the Minister added," the Minister stated. He, however, said, "The Government has never shut the door for peace, if the LTTE really wishes to come for peace talks," adding, the LTTE has to meet particular requirements which the Government has been stressing, if it is genuinely interested in peace.
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August - 12 
The founder of the Tamileela Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP), Vinayagamoorthy Muraleetharan alias ‘Colonel’ Karuna Amman, said that military defeat is inevitable for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as it does not have a proper commander, according to Colombo Page. Speaking at a media br
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The founder of the Tamileela Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP), Vinayagamoorthy Muraleetharan alias ‘Colonel’ Karuna Amman, said that military defeat is inevitable for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as it does not have a proper commander, according to Colombo Page. Speaking at a media briefing in Welikanda, he said the LTTE had lost 60 per cent of their power after his split with them and claimed that this is the main reason that the Sri Lankan security forces can now achieve success in the North, and the present trend will not be stopped until the fall of the LTTE. Speaking further, he argued it was he who had commanded all successful battles fought by the LTTE, and its chief Velupillai Prabhakaran had never faced a single battle during his time in the outfit. Karuna added that Prabhakaran would not be able to come before the public but is now planning to use civilians in the Wanni region as a human shield to save his life. During the briefing, he also warned that the LTTE may use chemical weapons as their last resort. He confirmed that the outfit have the weapons but said he was not aware about the exact substance used.
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August - 17 August - 18
An armed group claiming themselves to be from the Tamileela Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP), the ruling party in the Eastern Province, took control of a deserted building at Thambalagamuwa in Trincomalee on August 17, reports BBC Sinhala. Journalist R.G. Dharmadasa who visited the area on August 18
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An armed group claiming themselves to be from the Tamileela Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP), the ruling party in the Eastern Province, took control of a deserted building at Thambalagamuwa in Trincomalee on August 17, reports BBC Sinhala. Journalist R.G. Dharmadasa who visited the area on August 18 said that he noticed that the group has written TMVP in Tamil and in English on the front walls and armed persons with T-56 automatic rifle and bullets were protesting at the premises. Maran, who introduced himself as the leader of the group, told the journalist that they decided to camp in the area to prevent increasing abductions reported from the area. Also, the TMVP Trincomalee district leader told BBC Sandeshaya that the camp is a political office of the TMVP. However, Police spokesman Ranjith Gunasekara said he was not aware of any TMVP camp in Thambalagamuwa. The Free Media Movement alleged that a TMVP supporter threatened journalist Thakshila Jayasena from the BBC Sandeshaya when he was covering a protest campaign by the main opposition United National Party.
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August - 18 
LTTE on August 18 tacitly admitted they were losing ground in the face of a major military offensive by warning that thousands of civilians in the north were at risk, reports AFP. In their first public acknowledgement that Government forces were moving deeper into areas previously held by them, the
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LTTE on August 18 tacitly admitted they were losing ground in the face of a major military offensive by warning that thousands of civilians in the north were at risk, reports AFP. In their first public acknowledgement that Government forces were moving deeper into areas previously held by them, the outfit said civilians have had to move several times because of the military onslaught. "Persistent shelling in this area, where two weeks ago a large number of internally displaced people sought refuge, forced them to (move) again further inside Kilinochchi," the LTTE said, referring to their headquarters. "Such multiple displacements are also adding to the delays in providing adequate shelter. Many of the internally displaced people, who are yet to receive temporary shelter and are thus still living under trees, are struggling to seek shelter from the rain," the LTTE said in a statement. The Government, however, said, "Plans are under way to settle them in shelters located in safe areas prior to the commencement of the new school term. There is absolutely no truth in the reports of internally displaced people living under trees." More than 112000 people have been displaced in the past two months by heavy fighting between the militants and troops, aid agencies said last week.
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